From the Principal

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

As we come to the end of another busy and rewarding term, it is timely to reflect on the broad and enriching range of experiences available to students at St Virgil’s College. Across the term, our students have embraced the many opportunities presented to them with energy, enthusiasm and pride, whether in the classroom, through faith and service, in leadership, sport, the arts, co-curricular activities or community events. 

The items in this newsletter reflect the many dimensions of College life, from faith and community connection through to the visit of Archbishop Anthony Ireland, to the showcasing of our programs during the Principal’s Tours, the celebration of important student milestones such as the Year 12 Formal, the reflection on learning through Semester One reports, and the extension of our co-curricular program through the upcoming Queenstown Ski Trip. Together, these experiences highlight our commitment to forming confident, capable and well-rounded Virgilians.

Archbishop of Hobart

Last week, we were pleased to welcome His Grace, Archbishop of Hobart, Anthony Ireland, to our Austins Ferry campus. The visit began with morning tea and an opportunity for Archbishop Anthony to meet with College staff, followed by a tour of the campus. Our young men warmly welcomed His Grace into their classrooms, and the interactions throughout the visit were genuine and heartfelt. 

Archbishop Anthony was impressed by our beautiful grounds and well-appointed facilities, and he spoke highly of the work of our teaching and support staff. We look forward to welcoming Archbishop Anthony to future whole-College gatherings.

NAIDOC Week 

This week we join communities across Australia in recognising NAIDOC Week, an important opportunity to celebrate the history, culture, strength and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, '50 Years of Deadly', marks a significant milestone in honouring the voices, leadership and enduring contribution of First Nations peoples. 

At St Virgil’s College, students and staff have taken time to reflect on the importance of truth-telling, respect, reconciliation and connection to Country. Our College response culminated in a whole-school assembly today, led by our First Nations students, who helped guide our community in acknowledging this significant week with pride, reverence and hope.

Principal’s Tours 

Last Wednesday, we welcomed more than 40 prospective families and their sons to our annual Principal’s Tours. Families enjoyed coffee thoughtfully prepared by our Hospitality students and staff and had the opportunity to speak with College staff about the broad range of subjects and co-curricular opportunities available at St Virgil’s. Our Year 9 Support Leaders represented the College admirably as they guided visitors around the campus and helped showcase our school in action. 

The feedback from families was highly complimentary of our students, facilities and programs. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work of our staff and students, and I encourage members of our community to direct any families considering enrolment for next year to the College website.

Year 12 Formal 

The Year 12 Formal was held at Elwick Racecourse on Friday 3 July and provided a memorable opportunity for our Year 12 students and their partners to enjoy a fun-filled evening together. 

This important milestone celebrated the students’ educational journey and brought families together in a spirit of pride and joy. The arrival of students in a wonderful variety of vehicles was a highlight, as was the opportunity for families to capture this special occasion at the photo wall. It was a terrific evening, and our Year 12 students modelled the behaviour and values we expect of Virgilians.

Annual School Report

Each year, schools are required to prepare an Annual Report on school performance for parents and the broader community, in accordance with the Schools Assistance Act. I am pleased to advise that the St Virgil’s College Annual Report is now available on the College website and can be accessed via the following link https://www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au/our-college/about/reports.

I encourage all members of the College community to take the time to read this important document. Hard copies will be available from the Front Office upon request. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions about the Annual Report.

Reports

Semester One reports were uploaded to PAM on Wednesday afternoon and are now available for families to access. I encourage parents and carers to take the time to discuss the report with their son and to reflect on his progress, achievements and areas for growth. 

Please look out for any interview requests, as some teachers may have requested a meeting with you and your son at the Parent/Student/Teacher conferences scheduled for Monday 27 July. Parents are also welcome to request interviews, and we strongly encourage families to take up this valuable opportunity to engage with teaching staff.

Queenstown, New Zealand Ski Trip

Students and staff will travel to Queenstown, New Zealand, for the College Ski Trip from Monday 20 July to Sunday 26 July. Students will have the opportunity to ski or snowboard on exceptional fields while enjoying time together on the slopes. 

This experience extends our co-curricular program and reflects our commitment to providing meaningful learning opportunities beyond the classroom, with further international tours anticipated in the future. 

We are grateful to the dedicated staff who are giving their holiday time to support this tour for the benefit of our students. We wish all staff and students involved a safe, enjoyable and memorable trip.

Reminder for Parent/Student/Teacher Meetings

A reminder that Parent/Student/Teacher conferences will be held on Monday 27 July at both the Junior and Senior School campuses. Classes will resume on Tuesday 28 July.

I wish all families a restful and enjoyable school holiday break, and safe travels to those travelling interstate or overseas.

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL