Heads of Junior School 

Junior School Swimming Carnival

The Junior School boys enjoyed a great day competing in our recent swimming carnival. It was wonderful to see our new Grade 6 leaders encourage their Houses with tremendous house spirit and lead by example with positive participation. Our Grade 3 boys enjoyed hearing and joining in with chants and supporting teammates. 

Congratulations to Hessian House, Captain Charlie Oliver and Vice- Captain Louis Sylvester for winning the shield on the day. Congratulations also to the boys who have made the St Virgil’s Junior School Swim team to compete in the STCPSSA and JSSATIS carnivals later in March. 

The House Points at the end of the day were as follows:

1st place: Hessian 589 points, 2nd place: Doyle on 479 points, 3rd place: Joyce: 477, 4th place: Dwyer on 342 points.

House Swimming Carnival Gallery 

Swimming Representative Carnivals

The SVC Junior School swimming team has now been chosen for JSSATIS (March 18 at Hobart Aquatic Centre) and STCPSSA (March 26 at the Glenorchy Pool) swimming carnivals. An EdSmart notification will be sent to parents informing you if your son has made the team as well as other requirements. It is essential that all boys in the team, have the SVC Bathers. The Junior School office does have a small stock of these. Sadly, due to COVID related Government limits, spectators are not allowed to attend either carnival.

ICT Acceptable Use Agreement and Cybersafety

Our ICT Department has completed the distribution of iPads to all boys. As you will be aware every boy at the Junior Campus received a brand-new iPad and a case. The iPad is one learning tool used in class and at home, and with it comes a great responsibility to use it appropriately when required and to take care of it at all times.In the next few days we will send the ICT Acceptable Use Agreement home via Edsmart for parents to read, be aware of and sign.  

Over the next week, all classes will have some sessions going over the responsibilities all boys have to use IT in an appropriate way and as a learning tool. The boys will have a simplified list of responsibilities that they sign after these sessions. We appreciate your support in this area, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all boys, as well as giving them the skills and knowledge to use IT, particularly the iPad, as an educational tool. 

Assembly Friday 6D

Miss Daun and 6D are hosting our first Junior School Assembly for the year, tomorrow March 5 commencing at 2.30pm in the Junior School Hall. We look forward to joining together in prayer and celebrating well-deserved merit cards.

Caritas and Project Compassion

Each year the Junior School supports Caritas Australia in helping people in need throughout Australia and Asia. Through our faith, love and generosity we are encouraged to do simple acts that can and do help others. This year the theme of Project Compassion is ‘Be More’ and during Religion classes, the boys are learning about the real stories of people who are supported through Caritas. The boys are also being challenged to think of how they can ‘Be More’, in very practical and helpful ways, at school, at home and in the wider community. The prayer table in the office has a display where the boys can write down ways they can ‘Be More’ in doing something for someone else. Boys visiting the office for any reason are welcome to write their ideas on the display. All boys also have a Project Compassion Box at home which we encourage them to gather donations and return to school during Holy Week. We have a House based ‘friendly rivalry’ to see which House can raise the most money to donate to Caritas.

200 Years of Catholic Education

This year in Australia we are celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education, beginning in colonial times and developing over the years to include pre-schools, schools and universities, where our young people can learn and thrive. Tonight, your son will bring hope a prayer card thanking God for the many people who worked tirelessly in the early years to bring a Catholic Education to the children of Australia. The prayer asks for continued blessings on all those who learn and teach in Catholic Schools. Australia’s first Saint, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, was a significant founder of Catholic Schools, particularly for the marginalised, poor and needy, and is the Patron of Catholic Education in Australia. Your son may know more about her story. Our own story of St Virgil’s College is rich in tradition, celebrating our patron Blessed Edmund Rice, and the Christian Brothers who came to Tasmania in 1911 to establish a boy’s school. They would be very proud and amazed to see how far we have come, with the commencement of Kindergarten this year and preparing for the commencement of Year 11 and 12 in 2023. They would also be proud to see our continued commitment to the values and mission of Blessed Edmund Rice at the forefront of everything we do. 

Wellbeing Journals

A reminder for boys in Grade 3 and 5 who still need to purchase the Wellbeing Journal, these are available in the office. These were on the booklist but had not arrived for the start of the year. The cost is $12.95 and you can purchase and pay over the phone or come into the office. We would appreciate those who still need to obtain a copy doing so as soon as possible, so Mrs McCullagh and Miss Odgers can begin using these in class with the boys.

Cathedral Sacramental Program 

Father Leonard Caldera has advised us of the following:

Please be advised that due to Covid in 2020, the St Mary’s Cathedral Parish Sacramental Program was left unfinished.  We will therefore endeavour to complete it this year with the currently enrolled students.  Therefore, there will be no new intake for 2021. 

In 2022 the Cathedral Parish has decided to have a minimum age of 8 (by 31 December 2021) for any child whose parents wish to enrol him or her in the program.  This decision has been taken because it has become apparent that some children are emotionally not ready to undertake First Reconciliation.  Parents of enrolled children will be contacted soon. 

Any queries regarding the 2022 intake can be directed to macfarlane3jo@gmail.com or Directly to me. 

Calendar of Events

Monday March 8                  Labour Day Holiday

Tuesday March 9                 Vinnies Induction Mass (Mrs Chambers &Mini Vinnies)

Monday March 15 - March 26        BEBRAS digital technologies challenge (Grade 3-6)

Thursday March 18             JSSATIS Swimming Carnival

Friday March 19                   Assembly hosted by 6L (JS Hall, 2.30pm)