From the Principal

Pictured above: Year 11&12 Centre building works, August 10

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

Saint Mary MacKillop

On Monday and throughout the week during morning prayer we celebrated the life of one Australian who ran the race to the end, kept the faith and in doing so created a greater legacy for Australia. Monday was the feast day of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first officially recognised saint. Starting her race in the humble town of Penola, Mary MacKillop’s journey to provide schools, orphanages and shelters for the poor, the young, the homeless and destitute, the aged and the infirm, and those suffering in our society, driven not by a quest for glory but by love of God and her fellow humans. And in its simplicity and focus, an example anyone can emulate, in small or large ways.

Bountiful and loving God,

you have filled the heart of Mary Mackillop

with compassionate love for those who are in need at

the margins of our society.

Deepen that love within us that we may embrace the mystery of the Cross

which leads us through death to life.

We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus, who,

having broken the bonds of death,

leads us to everlasting life.

Saint Mary of the Cross, Pray for Us

Saint Virgil, Pray for Us

Live Jesus in our Hearts, Forever

Feast of the Assumption 

In our very secular world, one obvious person our students may forget to consult about decisions on their future is God. Prayer is the way this is usually done, and it is less of a conventional conversation than it is a frame of mind, an attitude and an openness to divine possibilities in one’s life. After all, in a Catholic school our aim is to help students discover their full human potential—that is, the full person God has created them to be.

That brings to mind the one big obligatory celebration of the year (apart from Christmas Day and Sundays), and that is the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated next Monday August 15. It is the only holy day of obligation not on a Sunday, apart from Christmas Day. That is, the only day Catholics should go to mass, if it is available. And, aptly enough, it is about Mary, a woman whose decisions were guided by such a complete openness to God, that she gave new life to God, as his Mother. Such perfection in decision making about one’s life led to a perfect unity with God in her Assumption to heaven.

Choomalaka Festival and Feast 

Save the Date 

Friday September 23, 5.30pm 

More details in the next edition of The Star. 

Staffing Update

HR Manager: I am pleased to announce that Mrs Robyn Michael has been appointed to the position of HR Manager. Robyn has years of experience in HR having recently held the position of HR Business Partner at Corumbene Care for the Aged. She has also held positions at Derwent Valley Council, Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and Senior HR Advisor for the Australian Skills & Quality Agency. Robyn will commence in the coming weeks in a part-time capacity (Tues – Thurs). 

Resignation: Mr Richard Wartho has informed me of his intention to resign from his teaching position at the end of Term 3, following the conclusion of his Long Service Leave. Advertising is underway to find a replacement. 

Positions are being advertised for the following positions: 

Head of Dwyer House, Humanities, Religious Education, and Digital Technologies Teacher. All positions are full-time ongoing positions. Once appointments have been made, I will advise the College community accordingly.  

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin 

PRINCIPAL