From the Principal

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

Welcome back for the final term of 2023. I hope that students and families have had a good break from school routines and are re-energised for what is always a very busy last quarter. 

Congratulations to the following boys who were recognised at our final Term 3 assembly. These young men were presented with badges for exemplifying our College values in both words and deeds and others for their outstanding results in the Australian Mathematics competition. Of note was Zavier Dadswell-Booth’s (Year 8) outstanding achievement in the Australian Mathematics competition receiving a high distinction. Zavier will be recognised at the 2023 Tasmanian Australian Mathematics Competition State Awards evening. 

Year 7 Certificate of Distinction

Jerry Horne

Kingston Gauci

Isaac Carroll

Andrew Mooney

Year 7 Certificate of Credit

Ricky Cooper

Japnoor Brar

Finn McManamey

Darcy Hickey

Toby Newton

Kai Martin

Chance Hyland

Eamon Lawler

Alex Hanstein

Charlie Marsden

Josh Cook

Year 7 Certificate of Proficiency

Ryan Lamprey

Year 7 Certificate of Participation

Noah Evans

Oliver D’Silva

Pier Giorgio Rigoli

Lucas Beakley

Year 8 Certificate of High Distinction

Zavier Dadswell-Booth

Year 8 Certificate of Distinction

Xavier Medina

Year 8 Certificate of Proficiency

Sebastien Starr

Riley McCreghan

Year 8 Certificate of Participation

Lucan Donovan

Year 10 Certificate of Proficiency

Owen Scott

 Year 10 Certificate of Participation

Lachlan Gillie

Year 11 Examinations 

No sooner have the Year 11 students returned from school holidays than we had to say farewell to them at the end of this week, as they commence SWOTVAC in the lead up to examinations which commence in the next couple of weeks. Our prayers and best wishes go with the Year 11 students during this important time when their studies are completed for the year – keeping in mind it is not over yet, with some final assessment tasks and examinations to be completed. I spoke with all of the Year 11s today and commended them on their attitude and application to their studies and for modelling our Virgilian values in both words and deeds. They have had a remarkable year, and we are very proud of their efforts and achievements.

Carbine Club Luncheon 

Last Friday I attended the Carbine Club Luncheon where current Year 11 student Nayte Ackerley was acknowledged for his outstanding performance at the 2023 World Dwarf Games. Nayte received a gold medal after defeating the United States of America in the final. A remarkable achievement given the USA had never been beaten prior to this encounter with Australia. The Carbine Club provided much needed sponsorship for Nayte to attend the games in Germany and we are very grateful for their generosity in providing him with this life changing opportunity. 

Grandparent's Day 

It was wonderful to welcome over 200 grandparents to the Junior School this morning acknowledging the wonderful support, love and impact they have on our young men. The morning commenced with a beautiful liturgy held in St Mary’s Cathedral led by our Year 6 students, followed by classroom visits and morning tea provided by our Year 9 & 10 Hospitality students. My thanks and appreciation to Jo Messer – Head of Junior School and staff along with Aaron Lucas – Head of Design & Technology, with the support of Natalie Reid and Chris Tsakiris - Food Technology Assistants, for their coordination of this event. 

Blessing of the Boats 

It was wonderful to gather as a rowing community on Tuesday evening for the annual ‘Blessing of the Boats’. Fr Suresh led the liturgy and blessing and a small presentation followed with the announcement of our College Rowing Captains for 2024. It gives me great pleasure to announce that Saxton Van Anholt – Rowing Captain and Thomas Coad – Rowing Vice Captain will lead our rowers in the upcoming season. Congratulations to both these young men. The College Rowing program is in good hands. I acknowledge Mr Oliver Wilson-Haffenden with the support of Mr Andrew Pinelli for the coordination of this event. 

World Teachers Day

I thank the Junior School Parents & Friends Association for providing a wonderful morning tea for our staff at the Junior School on Monday. It was a lovely gesture in support of our staff and very much appreciated by all those in attendance. 

Voice to Parliament 

I provide an extract from a recent letter received from the Council of Edmund Rice Education Australia in relation to the recent result of the Voice to Parliament referendum.

We as the Council of the community of Edmund Rice Education Australia, acknowledge the heartbreak and disappointment felt by members of our community in relation to the result of the Referendum on the Voice to Parliament. In this context, we extend our thoughts, prayers and solidarity to our students, staff and communities who had seen the Voice to Parliament as a way forward in addressing inequality so that ‘all may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10) 

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First People of Australia. We especially acknowledge the emotional burden experienced by First Nations individuals and communities during the period leading up to and after the Referendum. Many Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders have had to carry an extra cultural load throughout this process. EREA commits to ensuring that First Nations individuals and communities continue to be supported by their schools, communities, and wider networks. EREA Council members acknowledge the support provided by EREA schools and communities to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students during this time. 

Staffing Update 

This term we continue with our staff planning for 2024 as we finalise and realise our goal of becoming a Kindergarten to Year 12 College next year. Interview panels are convening to appoint Positions of Leadership at the Senior School along with a range of external appointments to fill our teaching requirements for next year. I hope to publicise the outcome of these interviews and the successful applicants in the coming weeks.

Please find below updates regarding staff movement. 

• Nick Auksorius concluded his Learning Support Officer role after being offered a teaching position at Brighton Primary School after recently completing his teaching degree.  
• Jesse Bowden who is currently our Music Learning Support Officer has been accepted into the Teach for Australia program where he will complete a Master of Teaching and work as a full-time teacher concurrently. As such, Mr Bowden will conclude his role at St Virgil’s College on 14 November.  
• Bridget Jenkins has decided that she is keen to take on different opportunities and challenges in the new year when she finishes at the end of this year after 23 years at St Virgil's.
• Hannah Windsor has been appointed to a Welfare and Timetabling leadership role at St Mary’s College and will commence in this role at the beginning of 2024. 
• Farron Boxall has decided to step away from senior leadership and has taken up a teaching position at Mount Carmel College next year. The role of Director of Student Wellbeing is currently being advertised.  
• Eleanor O’Donnell has advised me of her appointment to the position of Director of Anglican Identity and will be responsible for the faith and mission of 16 Anglican schools in Western Australia. This is a significant appointment and is a reflection of Eleanor’s capacity as a faith leader.  

On behalf of the College community, I congratulate these staff members on their appointments and wish them all the very best for the future. We will have an opportunity to thank these staff members for their contribution to our college community prior to the end of the year. Once replacements have been finalised, I will advise the community accordingly. 

Student Free Day

Please be aware that following the public holiday on Thursday 26 October (Royal Hobart Show Day) the College will be having a student free day on Friday 27 October. In lieu of this day staff will be undertaking First Aid and other compliance training on two evenings from 3.30 pm – 6.30 pm to ensure these annual compliance requirements were completed.   

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL