From the Principal

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

Academic Assembly 

Last Friday’s Academic Assembly provided an opportunity to acknowledge the academic efforts of many of the students from Years 7 to 12 over the first half of the year. It was pleasing to see so many students being acknowledged in front of their peers – whether it be for high achievement or for their application across all subjects. It was also an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge those students who received Year 11, 2026 Academic Scholarships or Bursaries for All Round Excellence as well as those young men who through their words and deeds exemplified our Virgilian values.

This assembly reflects some of the most important aspects of our College, as a community that strives for and celebrates educational achievement, as part of its mission in preparing young men to make their own contribution to the greater good of our world now and into the future. Congratulations to all those boys who received an award, scholarship, or bursary and for all those others who just missed the cut – keep up the good work and continue to aspire to be the best version of yourself.

Catholic Education Week

This week we celebrate Catholic Education Week, an opportunity to acknowledge the strengths and achievements of the states 38 Catholic schools of which St Virgil’s College is apart. This year’s theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ echoes the call of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 2025 Year of Jubilee. Occurring every 25 years, a Jubilee Year is a sacred time of prayer, mercy and reconciliation. ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ invites us to embark on a spiritual journey of renewal, faith and shared hope for the future. 

The Catholic Education Week Mass held on Thursday at the Cathedral was a beautiful celebration involving selected leaders from St Virgil’s College Junior and Senior Schools. St Virgil’s College also hosted the Catholic Education Commission Tasmania Recognition Awards that evening in the JPC. We congratulate Mr Justin Mahoney and Mr Chris Johnson who both received a 25 year service award at the ceremony. We congratulate Mr Mahoney and Mr Johnson for their dedicated service to Catholic Education and St Virgil’s College over many years. 

Treaty Match 

Each year the St Virgil’s College Treaty Day Football Match is played as close to 6 August. The date is of great significance as it marks the day that George Augustus Robinson shook hands with Mannalargenna, the leader of the Northeast Pairrebeenne clan, making an agreement that many believe compelled the Aboriginal people to go peacefully to Flinders Island on the understanding that they would one day be allowed to return to their Country. 

Treaty Match is played between two teams of mixed students from Years 9-12 students because Tasmanian Aboriginal history and Treaty and Land Rights have direct links to the curriculum across several subjects. The teams wear Reconciliation jumpers, designed by SVC students using motifs describing the plants, animals and landscapes of muwinina Country. This whole school event began with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. I thank Mrs Kim Mooney – Head of Reconciliation Education and Mr Michael Moschogianis – Director of Sport, for their coordination of this important event and the students who participated on the day. Treaty Match is an authentic expression of our values and mission as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition committed to and building a more just and reconciled society.

Staffing Update 

We congratulate Ms Lucy Scanlon – Learning Support Officer who recently completed her Bachelor of Psychological Sciences. As a result of obtaining this qualification, Ms Scanlon has advised that she will be leaving St Virgil’s to take on the role of Behaviour Support Practitioner. Lucy’s last day will be Friday, 22 August, and we will have the opportunity to thank her for her contributions to St Virgil's.

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin 

PRINCIPAL