Head of Junior School 

From the Head of Junior School

As we near the end of Term 2 and Semester 1, I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of our wonderful Junior School team of staff and students. On many occasions this term we have seen the Virgilian spirit alive and thriving in all. As you would be aware, we have had many staff and students unwell throughout Semester 1 and on some days we simply have not had enough relief staff to fill positions daily, including office staff, class teachers, specialist teachers and Learning Support Officers. 

I have, often at a minute’s notice asked a staff member to cover an art class, spelling group and so on. They have always been obliging and never complaining. We have also had staff members volunteer to take soccer teams, hockey teams, cross country teams and water polo and sleep-outs. Miss Daun and Miss Lack also stayed overnight for the Mini Vinnies ‘sleep-out’ at school. Many of these events could not go ahead without the support of staff, as well as parents. This is what it takes to make a great team, being collegial and collaborative. 

I have also seen many Spirit of Jesus moments amongst our boys. Next Wednesday when we gather for the Mid-Year Assembly, we will be able to reward many of those boys for their efforts. 

I would also like to take this time to thank you, the parent body. Thank you for your support. Thank you for listening to us when we make phone calls, ask to meet, and for working together with us so we can assist in helping your son develop into a compassionate, kind, and wonderful young man.

May you all have a restful and relaxing holiday break and we will see everyone re-charged ready for Semester 2 on Tuesday July 26.

The Virgilian Way Focus

This fortnight our focus for the Virgilian Way has been Learning. Our statements around our Learning Star are:

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Our statements of what Learning looks like in the Junior School are:

• We respect everyone’s right to learn
• We can all become leaders
• Every experience is an opportunity for learning
• We respect everyone’s right to learn

What has been a great example of learning is in the Grade 5&6 English classes. All students have created a picture book. The boys had to think carefully in their planning of who the intended audience was of their book. They are now sharing these books with the Kindergarten and Prep students. There are some absolutely wonderful stories being shared.

Mid-Year Assembly: 

Date: Wednesday July 6

Time: 1pm – 2.15pm

Venue: Nagle Centre, SMC

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our Mid-Year assembly next Wednesday. It is an occasion where we gather to recognise the efforts of boys who have performed well in the classroom and in specialist subjects. Class teachers award five certificates to boys in their class and specialist teachers award a certificate per class. A School Spirit Award is also awarded per class. It is also an opportunity to showcase our Junior School Choir. Some of our classes will also be performing musical items.

Please note that we are not live streaming the assembly this year. 

Mid-Year Reports and Parent Teacher Conferences

Mid-Year Reports will be released to parents on Wednesday July 6. Parent Teacher conferences will be on the first day of Term 3, Monday July 25, which will also be a student free day. I encourage you to make a time to meet with your teacher to discuss your son’s progress. Appointment times will be opened next week. 

International Mud Day 

Mrs Sandra Mazengarb

This week the kindergarten students celebrated International Mud Day with a visit to the Austins Ferry Campus.  We were excited to have the kindergarten students from St Mary’s join us for a play in the mud and bush.

Every week in Kinder we visit a bush space for bush kinder. This is helping us to develop dispositions for learning such as persistence, tolerance, curiosity, cooperation, and confidence.  During our time in the bush there are lots of opportunities to develop language and mathematical skills as well as learn about nature and sustainability.  We are building a connection and respect for our world which will be lifelong.

On mud day we had a fabulous time jumping and sliding in the mud.  It was a lovely day, we were all rugged up and had our wet weather overalls and gumboots on, so we were ready to play.  Mr Smith had a campfire going and the boys had a wonderful time collecting wood and keeping warm around the fire. There were lots of conversation around who wanted to be covered in mud and who was a little less enthusiastic, however we were all very muddy by the end of our play and it took a while to wash off the mud and put on some dry clothes so that we were ready to hop back on the bus.

When we were not in the mud were enjoyed exploring the bush, using our imaginations, investigating and connecting to Country. We found a scorpion and a millipede.  We found cubbies in the bush and worked together to drag some big branches to the fire. 

Thank you to Mrs Jenkins and Mr Smith for setting up our muddy play space and helping us learn about country.  

We had a fabulous day and a few of us were so tired we fell asleep on the bus! 

Mini Vinnies 

Miss Daun

Our Mini Vinnies group has been busy lately.  On June 7 many of our conference members represented us at the Vinnies Youth Induction Mass.  We gave thanks for the great work done by school conferences around southern Tasmania and received our conference candle, which reminds us that we carry the light of Christ with us in our works of charity.  

On Thursday June 23 we had a 'Mini Vinnies Sleep In.'  Every year, Vinnies hosts a 'Sleep Out' to raise awareness of homelessness in our community.  Instead of sleeping outdoors, we slept on the floor of the classroom.  

We had a visit from Elle, a Vinnies Youth Officer, who brought along Loui's Van to show the boys what the van offers to people in the greater Hobart community.  We made muffins to donate to Loui's Van, which were served to people that night, and we also made soup and sandwiches for our own dinner, which is what Loui's Van serves its clients.  We even surprised Finn with a birthday cake, as he chose to spend his birthday evening at school instead of with his family.  The boys had lots of fun, and sleeping on the floor was also a great opportunity to reflect on the challenges faced by people who do not have access to safe housing.  We offer a special thanks to Miss Lack, who was willing to join me in sleeping on the floor, as well as Ms Stary, Mr Monaghan and Miss Reardon, who helped with our cooking in the afternoon. 

P and F 

We look forward to welcoming you to our next P and F meeting will be face to face at the Junior School on Wednesday July 6 at 6pm – 7pm.

Cross Country Team 

Yesterday, myself and Mr Borsboom had the pleasure of accompanying the Cross-Country team at the JSSATIS event.  The boys performed admirably and demonstrated true sportsmanship by supporting each other throughout the afternoon. Some boys posted great results. We didn’t have any top ten finishers in the Year 4 race but in the Grade 3 race Archie Argyropoulos came 4th, and Harry Barton finished 8th in the Grade 6 race. We had impressive results in the Grade 5 event with Finlay Child taking out line honours, with fast finishers, Rhys Pinnington in 3rd and Winston Marriner in 4th.

Next week, boys will be competing in the STCPSSA on Monday July 4. We wish them well for this event.

On Tuesday June 21, Mr Beard, Mrs Crichton and Mr Borsboom accompanied our team to Symmons Plains for the All Schools Cross Country Event. It was a long day for everyone, and they all competed to the best of their ability. Thank you to Mr Beard for driving the boys there and back on the bus.

Gadomski Cup

Last Tuesday some of our aspiring footballers in Grades 5 and 6 had the opportunity to represent SVC in the Gadomski Cup. Although not coming away with a win, it was the spirit and sportsmanship manner in which the game was played which was impressive.  

Now in its 5th year, this football match aims to honour one of SVC's former students, Alex Gadomski, who passed away from bone marrow failure and to raise awareness and much needed funds for the Alex Gadomski Fellowship. Thank you to Miss Lack and Mr Arkley for coaching the boys and to Mr Moschogianis for organising the day in conjunction with The Hutchins School.

Water Polo 

Round 7: SVC defeated Lansdowne/Lenah Valley 12-4

All plays stuck to the team plan and came out with a solid win. Liam scoring 6 goals, Archie 5 and Kieran Bosworth 1. Oscar Butterworth Barry was player of the match as he was impenetrable in goals. The win meant that we finished the season undefeated and equal at the top of the ladder with just a goal differential putting us second. 

This Friday night we play in the semi-final against the SMC/Mt Carmel team, at 6.30pm in the Dive Pool. We encourage you all to attend. Good luck to all the boys in the team.