The Star

From the Acting Principal

Mr Daniel Lapolla

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

 

Welcome back to what has been a very busy start to the school term. It has been great to reconnect with our young men and hear about their holidays. I would like to commend our young men for the manner in which they have returned.

 

On day one, for all students at the Senior School I spoken about three key messages for our students to contemplate. 

 

First, we need to acknowledge that the break may not have been a great experience for everyone for whatever reason it may be. The need to reach out and chat with someone is something we encourage to ensure we can support each other as we commence the school year. We all reach out in different ways and when we feel as though we can. I encouraged all students to touch base with their PC teacher so we can support where and when required. Our new Wellbeing Pulse App is another application we are utilising this year for this reason.

 

Secondly, I spoke about the mentality of “Pushing On” and doing your best. Reflecting on how you approach the day to day and maybe the times when you decide to check out or not have a go. We can all encourage each other to step out of our comfort zone and push ourselves just a little bit more than perhaps we normally would. Not everything is easy, nor should it be. However, no one who achieves successful outcomes achieves them by accident. They are the result of sustained effort and commitment. Something in which our staff are committed to in supporting our young men.

 

Lastly, I used the phrase “It costs nothing to be gentle” to remind our young men of how they can influence those around them. We truly never know what is going on in the hearts and minds of our colleagues or classmates and we should be mindful of this. To be gentle in our interactions is a quality we should strive for and always be mindful of.

Years 7 and 11 Scholarships and Bursaries 2026

As per the previous EdSmart communication, applications are now open for Scholarships and Bursaries 2026. Please visit the College Website for application details.

 

Year 7 Scholarships 2026

  • Academic (Applications - Due Friday 14 March 2025)

  • Music (Applications - Due Friday 28 March 2025)

Year 7 All-Round Excellence Bursaries 2026

Applications - Due Friday 14 March 2025

  • Sport

  • Creative and performing art

  • Leadership

Year 11 Academic Scholarships 2026

The following academic scholarships will be offered for 2026.

Applications - Due Friday 14 March 2025 with the Scholarship Test held on Saturday 22 March 2025

  • Harold Gatty Memorial Scholarship

  • Old Virgilians Association Memorial Scholarship

  • Leo Doyle Memorial Scholarship

  • Sir John Galvin Memorial Scholarship

Year 11 All-Round Excellence Bursaries 2026

The following Bursaries will be offered for 2026.

Applications - Due Friday 14 March 2025

  • Academic Studies

  • Leadership

  • Music

  • The Arts

  • Outdoor Education

  • Service

  • Co-curricular

Nut Awareness Reminder Communication

The College has a number of students with a severe allergy to nuts. To support these boys, it is requested that students do not bring nuts and predominantly nut-based products such as peanut butter and Nutella or nut muesli bars to school. We do, however, understand the challenge this presents with the range of products that may contain traces of nuts. 

 

Learn more about the College’s Allergy Awareness Policy. A major focus of this policy is around education of staff and boys about allergies, Anaphylaxis and its treatment to promote student safety both at school and in the wider community.

  • Healthy food

  • Water only in drink bottles

  • Extra fruit at Junior for Fruit Break

  • Nut friendly so no:

    • Peanut butter or Nutella

    • Muesli bars

    • Packets of nuts

  • Food that may contain traces of nuts are acceptable; however, being mindful of others with allergies 

  • Being conscious of other allergies in the school including: Diary, Egg, Peanut, Tree nuts, Sesame, Soy, Fish, Shellfish, Wheat & Lupin – For further information, please visit the Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia website.

Safeguarding Response

At  St Virgil’s College, we want children and young people to be safe and feel safe.

Everyone who works at the College will do their best to make sure our students:

  • Feel Respected

  • Feel Included

  • Feel Cared For

  • Feel Safe

  • Are Safe.

If we have concerns about the safety of any of our students, we will:

  • Speak to the student and take what they say seriously.

  • Protect the privacy and well-being of the student.

  • Provide support through Teachers and the Student Wellbeing Team.

  • Contact you where appropriate.

  • Support you to support your son and keep him safe.

  • Meet any obligations to report externally, including to Police and Strong Families Safe Kids.

If you have concerns about the safety of your son or any student at the College, you can let us know here.

Tuition Fees 2025

A friendly reminder that tuition fees are due and payable in full by Monday 31 March 2025.

 

If you are not paying fees in full, a formal payment arrangement must have been entered into by now, and paperwork provided to the College. Please refer to correspondence from the College sent to families in November 2024 or on the College website.

 

We thank those families who have provided the paperwork already and ask those families who haven’t to please submit the required paperwork at their earliest convenience as this is now overdue.

Senior School Open Day