From the Principal

Dear Parents, Students and Friends of St Virgil’s College,

As we move towards the midpoint of the school year, the rhythm of College life naturally changes. The days are shorter, the weather is colder, and many students are balancing assessment deadlines, examinations and the ordinary tiredness that can come with a busy semester. This is often the time when good routines matter most: steady study habits, enough rest, healthy choices and the willingness to ask for support when needed.

Winter also invites us to look beyond ourselves. While many of us return each day to warm homes, full tables and the support of family, there are people in our wider Hobart community for whom this season is especially difficult. I encourage our boys to recognise the blessings and opportunities they have, and to continue developing the compassion and gratitude that sit at the heart of an Edmund Rice education.

Celebrating Effort in the Junior School

The Junior School Mid-Year Assembly was a wonderful opportunity to pause and acknowledge the learning, growth and commitment shown by students from Kindergarten to Year 6. Academic growth and achievement is always worth celebrating, but so too is persistence, improvement and the quiet determination to keep trying. These are habits that shape character as much as results.

I congratulate all students who received awards and also acknowledge those whose progress may not have been formally recognised on the day. Every act of effort, every piece of improved work and every positive choice contributes to the strong learning culture we are seeking to build at St Virgil’s College.

Year 10 Examination Period

Our Year 10 students have recently completed their Mid-Year Examinations, and I commend them for the way they approached this important learning experience. Staff have noted their organisation, focus and willingness to engage seriously with the process. For many students, examinations are not simply a measure of what has been learned; they are also an opportunity to practise preparation, manage time, respond under pressure and reflect on the habits that will support future success.

My thanks go to the Heads of Department and teaching staff for their careful preparation and support of students throughout this period. I hope our Year 10 students take confidence from what they have done well and use the feedback they receive to strengthen their learning in the semester ahead.

Years 11 and 12 TASC Practice Examinations

Our Years 11 & 12 Examinations come to a close today. The exams have been an opportunity for students to consolidate their learning and determine how they are tracking with course content. This will set them up well when they undertake TASC examinations. 

It is an important milestone in their academic learning for our Year 11 & 12 students and we trust that their study and hard work pays off. We thank our teaching staff for supporting their preparation. 

Principal’s Tours

Next Wednesday, 1 July, from 9.00am to 10.30am, we will host Principal’s Tours for prospective families and students. The morning will commence with a presentation from me and members of the College Leadership Team in the Joyce Performance Centre. Following the presentation, Student Leaders will guide prospective families on a tour of our facilities. Light refreshments will be provided at the conclusion of the tour, along with an opportunity for prospective families to ask questions of key staff. If you are aware of families considering enrolling their son at St Virgil’s College in the coming years, please direct them to the College website or Facebook page for further details about the tours.

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL