From the Principal

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

This past fortnight has been an important opportunity to pause and celebrate the life of our College: our shared Catholic identity, the commitment of our staff, and the achievements and character of our students.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week gives us the chance to recognise the contribution of Catholic schools across Tasmania and to give thanks for the people who make these communities places of learning, faith, service and hope. At St Virgil’s College, it is also a reminder of the privilege we have in walking alongside young people as they grow in confidence, compassion and purpose.

This year’s theme, Joyful in Hope, Faithful in Prayer, speaks strongly to the mission of Catholic education. It invites us to be people who live with optimism, respond to challenges with resilience, and remain grounded in faith, prayer and service to others.

A number of staff and student representatives attended the Catholic Education Week Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, joining with schools from across the south in celebration and thanksgiving. The week also included the Catholic Education Tasmania staff awards ceremony, hosted at St Virgil’s College in the Joyce Performance Centre. These awards recognised outstanding service and long-standing contribution to Catholic education, including staff across the Tasmanian Catholic education system who have given many years of generous commitment to students and school communities.

I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs Áine Toman and Mrs Jo Messer for supporting student attendance at the Mass, and to our student leaders, with the guidance of Mr Aaron Lucas, for the generous and professional way they prepared and served refreshments following the awards ceremony. Their contribution reflected the spirit of welcome and service that sits at the heart of our College community.

Treaty Match 

This year we again marked the St Virgil’s College Treaty Match, held close to 6 August, a date of great significance in Tasmanian Aboriginal history. It marks the day George Augustus Robinson shook hands with Mannalargenna, the leader of the Northeast Pairrebeenne clan, in an agreement that many believe led Aboriginal people to go peacefully to Flinders Island on the understanding that they would one day be allowed to return to their Country.

The Treaty Match brought together mixed teams of Year 9 and 10 students, linking directly with curriculum learning in Tasmanian Aboriginal history, Treaty and Land Rights. The students wore Reconciliation jumpers designed by SVC students, incorporating motifs that reflect the plants, animals and landscapes of muwinina Country. Both year groups also engaged with learning about Treaty and its continuing significance before taking part in the match. 

This important event began with a Welcome to Country led by Rob Anders, and I thank Rob for his generous and meaningful contribution to the day. I also acknowledge Mrs Áine Toman, Head of Reconciliation Education, for her coordination and leadership, and thank the Year 9 and 10 students who participated with such respect and spirit. Treaty Match remains an authentic expression of our values and mission as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, committed to reconciliation and to building a more just society.

Academic Assembly

Our Academic Assembly provided a fitting opportunity to acknowledge the efforts, growth and achievements of students from Years 7 to 12 across the first half of the year. It was pleasing to see so many boys recognised before their peers, not only for high academic achievement, but also for consistent application, improvement, and the way they demonstrate the values of the College in their learning and relationships.

The assembly also allowed us to recognise students who received Year 11 Academic Scholarships and Bursaries for All Round Excellence. These awards acknowledge talent, effort and potential, and they remind us that success is built through perseverance, commitment and the support of families, teachers and peers.

At its best, academic recognition is not simply about results. It is about encouraging every student to keep striving, to take pride in honest effort, and to use their gifts in ways that contribute to the greater good. I congratulate all award recipients, scholarship and bursary recipients, and all students who continue to work hard, seek improvement, and aspire to be the best version of themselves.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin 

PRINCIPAL