From the Principal

Pictured above: Building Works of the Year 11&12 Centre as of December 12

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

It is time to start putting the pace and demands of the school year behind us and turn to the most important things that Christmas brings; family and the gift of the Christ child, who in his birth completes the Holy Family, of which all our own families are an echo and a part. Families are sacred, with the birth of a new child the most sacred of moments. Christmas is the time to return to that experience and knowledge, focused on the birth of our Saviour. It is also a time to think of people without family and those families in difficulty; to take time for them where we can, particularly when it involves those close to us or even ourselves. Christmas is a time for care, love and giving; through our presence to each other reflecting the presence of a loving God in our lives. 

Year 6 Thanksgiving & Awards Evening

Even a few weeks out from Christmas, the frantic pace of the end of the school year can make that peaceful time seem a distant goal. And we seem busier than ever this year. Congratulations to the boys in Year 6 who graduated from their primary years on Tuesday evening with a Thanksgiving and Awards evening at St Therese’s Catholic Church. They are well prepared for and keenly anticipating their commencement of Year 7 in 2023. We thank these young men for the leadership they have shown this year and for those leaving St Virgil’s we wish them well and trust that they will have fond memories of their time at the Junior School. My thanks and appreciation to Mrs Jo Messer – Head of the Junior School and Miss Amelia Daun – Assistant to the Head of the Junior School for their organisation and coordination of this very important event. 

Student Leadership - Junior School

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the following 2023 Year 6 students who have been appointed to the following student leadership positions next year:

Congratulations to the boys below who have been voted in as Grade 6 Leaders in specific roles for 2023.

Year 11 Head Start Week 

Congratulations to our Year 11 2023 class for their mature approach to Head Start this week. Students were provided with a range of workshops including subject specific information, mental health and wellbeing advice, Q&A sessions with notable Old Virgilians, a tour of the new building and an opportunity to set collective and individual goals for 2023. We are excited about the possibilities available for these young men and trust that the time they have spent together this week will provide a solid foundation for the start of Year 11. My thanks and appreciate to all the staff who contributed to this successful week.   

Building Update 

As we do each summer break, there will be a number of physical developments undertaken around the school, made possible by the absence of students for an extended period. The main developments include the refurbishment of our Grade 1 classroom at the Junior School as well as the Design & Technology Centre Infill project at Austin Ferry in response to the growth of classes in this area as a result of the introduction of Senior Secondary education. The Year 11 & 12 build continues with an anticipated completion of Building A in mid to late February.

Staffing Update

It gives me great pleasure to announce the following staff who will join St Virgil’s College next year:

Daniel Forster has been appointed to the ongoing position of Design & Technology Teacher commencing in 2023. Daniel has a Bachelor of Education (Applied Learning), Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery and a Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. Daniel has been the VET Construction Teacher and Mackillop College and has had similar roles at Claremont College and TasTAFE.  

Susan Galea has been appointed for 2023 as Teacher of Business Studies, RE and English. Susan holds a Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance and is currently completing her Master of Teaching in Secondary Mathematics and Human Society. Susan joins us from Lilydale District School. 

Ben Jarvis has previously worked with the College Outdoor Education Team and has been appointed to the Head of Outdoor Education in 2023, to replace Steve Aitken. Ben has a Bachelor of Health & Physical Education - Specialisation Outdoor Education and joins us from Southern Christian College where he has been the program coordinator for their Year 9 Student Quest Program.

On behalf of the College community, I congratulate Daniel, Susan and Ben on their appointments and look forward to them joining St Virgil’s next year.

As this is the final edition of the 2022 newsletter, I take this opportunity to thank the parents and the broader school community for the ongoing support of our students. Have a blessed and happy Christmas, travel safely, enjoy good times with friends and family, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back at the start of the 2023 academic year when current students commence on Friday February 3.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin 

PRINCIPAL