From the Principal

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

Remembrance Day 

Music is a universal language and possibly the most widespread form of creative expression used by people, young and old. A simple piece of evidence is the number of people around the place wearing headphones. From celebration to mourning, anthem to lullaby, music accompanies our deepest human experiences. On Remembrance Day, it is the haunting sound of the Last Post that most captures the meaning of the moment – more than words can. Therefore, it makes sense that a good education includes music, and a rounded schooling provides opportunities to listen to, appreciate and make music.

On Monday the College stopped to mark Remembrance Day, as a remembrance and commemoration of those who died in war – with the origin being those who died in the First World War; Australians who died in the service of their country but remembering all who have died in war. And for some at St Virgil’s College – a remembrance of fathers, uncles, and other relatives who have died and the consequences and memories of that being something many carry with them every day. The playing of the Last Post and the brevity of the phrases ‘We will remember them’ and ‘Lest we forget’, serving to highlight the importance of the real meaning of this occasion for us. I thank the many staff involved in coordinating and involvement in this very special event and especially Mrs Kim Mooney for leading our prayer service at the Senior School.

Academic and Co-curricular Awards Assembly 

Today we acknowledged and celebrated those students who gained awards for effort and achievement in their studies and co-curricular this year. Creating a culture where boys strive to do their best is one of our goals at St Virgil’s, and the extensive number of students who have set goals and made good progress towards meeting them – some making great progress – is testimony to the development of that culture. God has given all the boys talents, in various ways, and we encourage them to make the most of them. Congratulations to those who received an award, and I encourage those boys who just missed out to continue to strive for success in the future.

Congratulations to all of our elective award recipients.

Stage Crew: William Lynch

Year 9 Photography (semester course): Marcus Hay

Year 10 Visual Art (Full Year): Jacob Berry

Year 9 Graphics and Design (Semester 2): Xavior Long

Year 9 Visual Art: Jacob Milzarek

Year 10 Sport Science: Angus Bounds

Year 9 Sport Science: Samuel French and Jonte Tummon

Fit4Life (Semester 1 & Semester 2): Tiago Romanski

Athlete Development (Full Year): Hayden Clark-Sullivan

Year 9 Digital Factory (Semester 1): William Lynch

Digital Technologies: Lucas Foerder

Legal Studies (Full Year): Kooper Holden

Year 9 Business Studies (Full Year): Spencer Hallsworth

Year 10 Business Studies: Oliver Rhodes

Year 9 Drama (Semester 2): Jared Conallin

Year 10 Music: Kooper Holden

Year 9 Music: Clement McKenna

Year 9 Business Studies (Semester 2): Riley McCreghan

Psychology & Sociology (Full Year): Lachlan Cannan

Year 9 Extension Maths: Riley McCreghan

Extension Science: Joshua Topham

Coffee, café and Catering: Noah Coulson

Introduction to Hospitality: Ethan Medina

Engineering Design: Ryan Gunn

Year 10 Automotive (Full Year): Billy Garforth

Design in Metal: Dominic Buddle

Design in Wood: Ryan Gunn

Year 9 Recreational Leadership: Riley Brown

Year 10 Outdoor Education: Jack Byrne

We also congratulate our sports award winners who received a range of awards today. For further details about award recipients please refer to the Director of Sport article contained in the addition of The Star.

Year 10 Exams 

I strongly believe that a sign of a job well done is the legacy left for the future – what has been achieved and what can be picked up and carried on with. When a person finishes in a role or job, what have they left behind for the person stepping into their shoes? In contrast, a student finishing a year of schooling will be picking up their own legacy when the next year begins. Have they laid a good foundation for learning so they can cope with the harder work next year? Have they continued to develop good study habits which they will need as the amount of work increases? Have they built good relationships with peers and teachers, necessary to build the right environment for success? With Year 10 examinations commencing next week, there is a chance for all those students to finish on a strong note. We wish our Year 10 students all the very best as they commence examinations next week and trust that they will complete the year positively and with a sense of achievement for a job well done.

Staffing Update

I am pleased to confirm the following staff who have been appointed to a range of leadership positions in 2025;

Assistant to the Head of Junior School: Sue Burrows has been the Head of Learning Enhancement (Junior School) for the past two years and comes highly recommended to this leadership position. Sue’s deep knowledge of the students and experience in working with a range of staff will ensure that she will be highly effectively in this role. I also take this opportunity to thank Amelia Daun who has undertaken the role of Assistant to the Head of Junior School for the past three years. We thank her for her contribution and support of the Junior School community, and we look forward to her continuing in a classroom role in 2025.

Career & Pathways Planning Teacher: James Dalton has been the Career & Pathways Planning Teacher since 2022 establishing our career and pathway program including our careers expo. James’ contribution has been significant, and we look forward to him building on the work that has been achieved in the past few years.

Please join me in congratulating Sue and James on their appointment to these important positions.

VET Coordinator: I am pleased to announce that Julia Denniss has been appointed to the position of VET Coordinator and will take up this role from the beginning of 2025. Julia has extensive experience in the VET area having worked in various roles and positions in Catholic Education over many years. Julia’s appointment occurs at a very important time for our College community given the growth in VET at St Virgil’s. I take this opportunity to thank Tim Smith for his contribution to the establishment of the VET program at St Virgil’s and for his dedication and service to the staff and students in this area. It is greatly appreciated.

Renewal Leave 2025

EREA has approved my request to take renewal leave for Term 1, 2025. During my absence, EREA has appointed Mr Daniel Lapolla as Acting Principal and Mrs Kim Mooney as Acting Deputy Principal. I congratulate both Daniel and Kim on their appointments. 

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Best wishes

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL