Head of Junior School 

Last week was an emotionally charged week for all staff at St Virgil’s College. On Thursday we gathered to say farewell to Mr Mark Waddington. Mr Waddington was a friend, colleague and confidante to all of us. Personally, over 11 years, he has given me advice, strength and support required to carry out the role as Head of Junior School. His advice was always sound, centred in compassion and his commitment to making St Virgil’s College a school which fosters the development of the young men in our care. He will be greatly missed by us all, now and forever.  As we move forward in a life without his physical presence, his legacy will be a part of all that we do. We will also gather around and envelop Mr Waddington’s family, Jacinta, Declan, Tadgh and Tilly with love and support. Tadhg is also a Learning Support Officer with us here at the Junior School on Thursdays, so we will be able to keep a watchful eye on him.

Father’s Day Breakfast

Last week we celebrated Father’s Day twice, on Wednesday and Friday mornings. The first was celebrated with our Kinder dads and grandfathers and then we did it all over again on Friday with our dads from Prep and Year 3-6. Everyone dined on bacon and egg burgers lovingly cooked by the P&F mums on Friday and Mrs Graves on the Wednesday. Kindergarten dads also received a gift of a toolbox which the boys had made on their recent trip to Bunnings, together with a biscuit they had baked. The AFL Football Margin Ticket fundraiser was also a great success. Between the two events we managed to sell all 100 tickets. We wish everyone who purchased one, two or more tickets all the best. We will be contacting you if you have the margin for quarter time ($50), half time ($50), and three quarter ($50), as well as the full-time margin ($400).

Silent Discos

Recently the Junior School P&F hosted Silent Discos for Grade 3-4, 5-6 and Prep students. There was great excitement as Preps had their combined event with the SMC Prep girls. Students were able to select which playlist they wanted to dance to, either blue, green or red. Definitely the most popular song, was the last one of the afternoon, ‘Cover Me in Sunshine’ by Pink and her daughter, Willow. As the sun was setting our boys and girls from SMC arrived for the Grade 3-4 disco and later the Grade 5-6 event. Both were hugely popular events, with so many singing along and dancing. 

It was wonderful to finally being able to host a night where we could invite boys from SVC with girls from SMC, which has not occurred in recent years due to COVID restrictions. Strangely, the evening was quite quiet! Thank you to everyone who was involved in organising the evening, from putting together the showbags, to taking money and ticking names off on the night. Thank you also to the staff who were present to help supervise, College Principals, Mr Franzin and Mr Messer, Miss Pugsley, Mrs Coleman, Mr Wootton, Miss Daun and Ms Young. Thank you it was a raging success!

Chess

Chess on a Friday afternoon between 3.00 pm and 3.50 pm has now commenced. It is wonderful to see so many boys participating in this fantastic opportunity. 

Thank you Miss Daun for organising!

Choomalaka Festival and Feast

Great excitement and anticipation is building around our second Choomalaka Festival and Feast. Read about our upcoming performances on this newsletter's Choomalaka page.

Welcome Mr Machin

This term we have loved getting to know our new Music Director, Mr Jack Machin. Mr Machin comes in to conduct the Grade 5 and 6 Concert Band on Wednesday afternoons, and he also enjoys playing table tennis with the boys during break. His creative talent and flare along with all of our musical tutors are developing, motivating and inspiring our group of Grade 5-6 musicians.

City & Community in Kinder

Kindergarten have continued their inquiry into the city and community this week. The class walked to the Hobart Library for story time, then to the Post Office.  At the post office they purchased stamps so they could post the letters they had written to themselves!  Walking back along Elizabeth Street on their way back to school, the group noticed the different shop, traffic lights and lots of people. They were welcomed inside by several shop keepers and continued their search for a hotel. Later, students walked to the very top of the school site to look down on the city. From up so high they could see the whole community, including the helicopter pad on the hospital, two churches, lots of cars and streets!

Junior School Sport

Take a look at our SVC Under 6 Green soccer team, coached by David Hughes,  who finished their season on the weekend.

Well done boys on your fantastic effort this term!