From the Principal

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

Welcome Back 

Welcome to the second half of the 2025 academic year. I hope the term break provided a chance for people to catch their breath and spend time on all the other aspects of family life that seem to get neglected in the busyness of term time. Unlike the anticipation of the beginning of the year when school commenced and everything lay ahead – fresh with possibility, students know what they are returning to in Term 3. There have been two weeks to digest the contents of Mid Year reports, and I hope the Parent/Student/Teacher conferences provided the opportunity to discuss the ‘evidence’, with the rest of the year in mind. What achievements can be built on, which strategies need to be adjusted, and in a few cases, what are the hard questions to be asked – and answered, about what must change for future success to be found. Decisions about the future for some students are already being made with subject selection for 2026 well underway for our senior students. Subject selections for Year 8’s moving into Year 9 will commence later this term with a subject selection evening being held on Wednesday 27 August.    

Academic Assembly 

Next Friday we will have an opportunity to acknowledge the academic efforts of our students from Years 7 to 12 over the first half of the year. Our young men will be acknowledged in front of their peers – whether it be for high achievement or for their application across all subjects. It will also be an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge those students who will receive Year 11, 2026 Academic Scholarships or Bursaries for All Round Excellence. I look forward to welcoming parents and carers to this very important assembly.

Changes to Main Road School Crossing Times - Austins Ferry

The Glenorchy City Council has advised that the school crossing times have been changed at our Austins Ferry campus to better align with when the majority of school children are present and to ensure credibility and effectiveness of speed restrictions. 

The 7.45am – 9am and 2.45pm – 4pm have now been changed to 8am – 9am and 3pm – 4pm each day. I remind parents and students accessing our Austins Ferry campus that the speed limit on our internal roads in 10 km/h. In the interest of student safety road users are asked to take due care when in and around both our College campuses. 

P&F Quiz Night 

I remind parents and carers that our annual College quiz night will be held on Friday 15 August commencing at 6pm at our Austins Ferry Campus. This is an initiative of both the Junior and Senior School P&F Committees and as such it would be great to see parents/carers from both campuses present on the night. This will be an entertaining and enjoyable event for all those present, and participants will be treated to pizzas and beverages on the night, supplied by our senior Hospitality students. Information has been circulated about this event, and I encourage families to attend this important P&F fundraising event. 

Staffing Update

We welcome Mr. Nathan Sharman to our College community who has been appointed to the position of Design & Technology Teacher. Mr. Sharman replaces Mr. Smith and will be taking on the role of Senior School Pastoral Care Teacher – Dwyer, Year 7 & 10 Design and Technologies (Wood) Housing and Design TASC 3 and Certificate II in Construction Pathways. I know our students and broader College community will make Mr. Sharman welcome. 

At the end of last term Ms. Kim Mooney – Assistant Principal Religious Identity & Mission advised me of her intention to resign from her position to pursue opportunities outside of the College. Ms. Mooney will be moving to Eastside Lutheran College later in the term to take on the role of Head of Senior School. I know the decision to resign was not easy for Ms. Mooney after many years of dedicated service to our College community. We will have an opportunity to thank Ms. Mooney for her work in the coming weeks and to wish her all the very best in her future endeavours. I am pleased to announce that Mr. Thymon Venter has been appointed to take on this important role for the remainder of the year and I look forward to his contribution to the religious life of our College. 

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin 

PRINCIPAL