From the Principal

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

Mark Waddington 

Last week we marked the one-year anniversary of Mark’s passing. Mark was well known by a great number of students and families at St Virgil’s College and St Patrick’s College, Ballarat where he had a profound impact on these two school communities. In his role as Director of Development at St Virgil’s College, Mark provided great support to the Old Virgilians Association, Parents & Friends Association and the College Advisory Council. Mark had a deep commitment for the Mary Rice Centre in Kenya and was instrumental in supporting this community during his time at the College. Mark also had many friends amongst the Aboriginal communities of lutruwita Tasmania, Victoria and Timber Creek in Western Australia and was instrumental in developing the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Last week we came together in prayerful support of our colleague and the Waddington family, his wife Jacinta and his children Declan, Elijah, Tadhg and Matilda.  Mark was an extraordinary man and was a great example to us all through his deeds and his commitment to Edmund Rice Education. He is greatly missed by all and we will continue to look at ways of keeping his memory alive at St Virgil’s College. 

EREA & Catholic Education Tasmania Meetings

For the past week I have been attending meetings in Burnie and Adelaide as part of the Catholic Education Tasmania and Edmund Rice Education Australia networks. These gatherings provide an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues across Tasmania, and mainland Australia and share best practice and view other school communities in action.  

I thank Mr Daniel Lapolla and Mrs Jo Messer for both filling the role of Acting Principal at the Senior and Junior campuses in my absence. We have many quality staff at St Virgil’s College who are capable and willing to fill key roles in the school – a sure sign of a healthy organisation. 

Subject Selection Evening 

It was wonderful to see so many parents/carers and students at the College for our Year 8 & 9 Subject Selection yesterday evening. The discussions between students, parents and Heads of Departments were evident on the night and it is hoped that not only did this help inform subject selections for next year but also started a conversation about pathways into senior secondary education. My thanks to Mr Daniel Lapolla – Deputy Principal, supported by the College Leadership Team and Heads of Department for ensuring this evening was a success.   

A reminder that students will be sent a link today to commence the subject selection process with web preferences closing on Wednesday 13 September. Students should seek advice from the relevant Heads of Department or their Pastoral Care Teacher should they have any questions about the process.  

Father's Day

Putting to one side the commercialism of this Sunday’s Father's Day for a moment, for our students it should be one of the most important days of the year, both in terms of the critical role fathers play for most of them in their development, and in terms of what most of the boys will become one day—fathers; a role they will themselves have to live up to. Fatherhood is unique, precious and the greatest responsibility most men will ever be presented with, far beyond other personal or professional goals and achievements.

I thank the many fathers, grandfathers and significant males who joined together for the annual Father’s Day Breakfast at the Junior School yesterday morning. Special thanks to the Parents & Friends Association for their coordination of this wonderful event with the support of many staff at the College. It is greatly appreciated.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL