From the Principal

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

Parents and Friends Quiz Night 

Last Friday night the Parents & Friends Association held their annual College Quiz Night. With over 100 participants present it was an entertaining and enjoyable event for all those who attended. Participants were treated to pizzas and beverages on the night, supplied by our Senior Hospitality students who did a remarkable job catering for such a large number of people.

I take this opportunity to thank the Senior and Junior School P&F Committee for their coordination of this event. I also thank Mr Ivan Dowding-Hopkins, Quiz Master extraordinaire for hosting the night along with Mr Aaron Lucas, Mrs Belinda Straatsma, Mrs Julia Denniss, along with the Years 11 and 12 Hospitality students for providing the catering on the night. The level of support from parents/carers and current students was extraordinary and I thank all for their contribution in making this a wonderful whole College event. Funds raised will support the purchase of resources and programs for students at the College.

Years 8 and 9 Subject Selection Evening 

Years 8 and 9 students will commence subject selections when families, students and staff gather in the JPC on Wednesday 27 August at 6.00 pm. I encourage all to attend this important evening where the subject selection process will be discussed, career and university pathways explored and an opportunity for students and parents to engage with Heads of Department to learn more about subject offerings in Year 9 and Year 10 in 2026. Please mark this important evening in your calendar and for further details please refer to the recent EdSmart notification. I look forward to seeing you on the night.

Choomalaka Festival & Feast

There is much excitement in the air and great anticipation from staff and students as they prepare for the Choomalaka Festival & Feast which will be held on Friday 19 September. Students have been practising their performances and the Parents & Friends Association from the Junior and Senior Schools have been busily organising the food stalls and offering their support on the night. Building on the success of last year’s festival is a result of the strong and dedicated group of people, parents, staff, students and supporters. This coming together of this event symbolises the great connection and relationship St Virgil’s College has with its community. 

Mary Rice Day 

Today we celebrated Mary Rice Day, raising awareness and much needed funds for the Edmund Rice Centre (formerly known as the Mary Rice Centre) in Kenya. The Edmund Rice Centre supports young people with disabilities by providing access to learning, prevocational and vocational skills, therapy services and outreach programs. It also provides support to parents offering skill training and income generating activities in bead work, tailoring and dressmaking. St Virgil’s College has a long-standing commitment to the Edmund Rice Centre and our annual fundraising provides much needed support with the operational costs of running this much needed facility. The day involved a legacy walk from the Junior School to the Senior School, a soccer match, shared lunch, and a walkathon. It was a wonderful day where students from across both campuses came together for a worthy cause. I thank the students for their donations and for the way in which they positively engaged in the various activities throughout the day. 

Staffing Update

With the recent appointment of Mr Thymon Venter to the position of Acting Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission, I am pleased to announce that Mr Will Geeves has been appointed to the role of Acting Director of Student Wellbeing. Mrs Alison Haddon-Cave will take on the role of Acting Head of Doyle House, replacing Mr Geeves. I take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Geeves and Mrs Haddon-Cave on their appointments and look forward to them both contributing to the wellbeing of students at the College. 

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin 

PRINCIPAL