The Star

From the Principal

Mr Damian Messer 

Communication with Staff 

I have been made aware in recent times of a number of incidents where parents have communicated in an inappropriate manner with teachers and front office staff, both in person and in electronic forms of communication. Whilst situations can arise that may cause parents to get frustrated, demand answers, be rushed or seek instant solutions, can I please ask that parents and carers remember: 

  • Staff have a right to feel safe, valued and respected within their workplace;
  • All communications between staff, students and parents should reflect the values of our College:
    • Community
    • Integrity
    • Justice
    • Kindness
    • Learning
  • The College has high expectations of staff and require that all communications with parents and carers, and with students, reflect these values. If not then we would encourage you to use the College's complaints mechanism available from our website - https://www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au/our-college/about/public-information

It is of growing concern that in schools Australia wide, the incidence of this behaviour is increasing to the point where the Federal Education Minister has asked AITSL to develop a National strategy to address the abuse of teachers, school leaders and other school staff. Despite the generally high esteem for the education profession in our communities, the incidence of school staff abuse perpetrated by students and parents is unacceptably high (Roy Morgan, 2017). It is also increasing (Billet, Fogelgarn & Burns, 2019). This is a problem confronted by all educators and school staff, irrespective of age, gender, and years of experience. 

 

The following images provides an overview of the some of the areas of concern at a National level. 

 

 

Whilst we are confident that this is a relatively minor issue in our St Virgil's community we are aware that it its incidence is growing, particularly via email and social media. As a school community we pride ourselves on educating boys in partnership with parents and carers. Research tells us that this will increase the educational outcomes for all boys at the College.  If all members of our community do not communicate in a manner that authentically expresses our values as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition then we diminish the value of this critical partnership which will ultimately have a negative impact upon each boy's education. 

 

Please be mindful of the values of the College when communicating with staff to ensure that we continue to build a strong school community where we all work in partnership to enhance the education of your son. 

 

Thank you for your cooperation and support. 

 

Mary Rice Day Walkathon

Tomorrow is our annual Walkathon at the Austins Ferry campus. The walkathon is part of Mary Rice Day where we will take time to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Nairobi, Kenya. In addition to the walkathon we will have a Mary Rice Centre Liturgy, a soccer match and a Kenyan style luncheon provided by the P&F and Canteen. 

 

Boys have been issued with their walkathon card and again I encourage them to share the story of the Mary Rice Centre with family and friends and ask them to give generously to our fundraising effort. One Australian dollar is worth 82.1 Kenyan shillings at present but the multiplier effect is even larger! 800 Kenyan shillings would help to feed a family for a week in Kibera, 3000 shillings is a months rent and 500 shillings will buy fresh water for a fortnight. 

 

One of the special parts of the day is the shared African Luncheon prepared by embers of our P&F, canteen and Food Tech staff. The serving of beans, flat bread and rice is a meal enjoyed by students and staff at the Mary Rice Centre several times a week. If funds allow it can also be supplemented day chicken or fish. For some students this may be the only meal they receive for the day - and it probably costs 50 cents Australian per student! 

 

Every dollar counts so please give what you can to support this fundraiser - 'By Deeds not Words'! 

 

Reminder – Term Dates

A reminder to all that Term 2 concludes for all students at the normal time on Thursday July 1. Friday July 2 is a student free day with the staff doing a day of professional learning. 

 

Parent, Student and Teacher conferences are being held on both campuses on Monday July 19 with students  returning for the start of Term 3 on Tuesday July 20. Parents will receive a booking link shortly to confirm an appointment time. 

 

Principal’s Tours

Today we welcomed over 40 people to our Principal's Tour of the Junior School. It is wonderful to see the endorsement that our community has given to our Kindergarten to Grade 6 pathway at the Junior School and the seamless transition it provides for students to go on and complete Year 12 as a Virgilian. 

 

As the notices below highlight this has resulted in high demand for enrolment at all year levels so I encourage families to complete the Expression of Interest form as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. With the transition to a full Kinder-Grade 6 pathway not occurring until 2024, please note that there is possibility for enrolment at Grade 4, 5 and 6 level for 2022.  

 

To complete an Enrolment Expression of Interest form please go to: https://www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au

 

 

Enrolments

Thank you families and friends who have lodged an Expression of Interest for enrolment for 2022 and beyond.

 

Enrolments at the Junior campus close on Wednesday June 30. I encourage you to let any family or friends know of this date if they are considering enrolling into the Junior School in 2022. As the enrolment date nears, interviews for the Grade 3 applicants for 2022 are occurring. 

 

2023 Year 7

The process is well underway for completing enrolments for Year 7, 2023. Once again I encourage you to alert people in our community that these enrolments close on Friday September 10, 2021. 

 

Please note that enrolment is automatic for current Junior School students and no new Expression of Interest is required. 

 

Learning meetings for the Year 7 2022 students will take place in August and we will be in touch with families close to that date.