From the Principal

Dear Parents/Carers, Students and Friends of St Virgil’s,

The energetic buzz in the yard on Friday as school resumed signaled that the boys were ready to move on from the Christmas break. Such enthusiasm may be tempered somewhat as homework builds and assignments accumulate, however it was great to see the school come alive again with the return of students in what has been a smooth start to the year. 

Welcome back to returning students and a special welcome to new students and families to St Virgil’s College. I hope the new boys are starting to make friends and feel at home, and I trust that all parents are identifying who the key teachers are for their sons, particularly their Pastoral Care Teachers (Senior School) / Classroom Teachers (Junior School), but also the Heads of House and subject teachers. A reminder that the Parent Handbooks (Early Years, Junior and Senior) were recently distributed via EdSmart contains the email addresses of all Pastoral Care / Classroom Teachers and Heads of House should the need arise.

I especially wish to acknowledge our Year 11 students who commenced the new year with focus and rigor, setting a high standard in their studies and providing a wonderful exemplar of what it means to be a Virgilian.

We look forward to a successful year for all our students, in their studies, friendships, co-curricular and through the inevitable peaks and troughs of a school year.

Partnership – Parents and Teachers

What makes for educational success for children? Research figures point to the major sources of variance in student achievement. In other words, what has the biggest impact on lifting student achievement? According to these studies: the student accounted for 50% of variance and home for 5-10%; once they get to school the school itself has 5-10% influence (interestingly, such matters as class size, school finances and gender-based classes seem to have a limited effect); peers also 5-10%; but the most important school influence on student achievement are teachers at 30%. Hence a major focus at St Virgil’s College currently is on looking at the things which enhance each individual teacher’s effectiveness.

This is the school side of the ‘success’ equation and is a teacher’s vocation and professional obligation. The other side of this, the 50% the student brings to school, owes much to the influence of parents. Hence, backing our children to succeed at school depends on a partnership between parents and teachers, with children at the centre of that partnership. And this is where the efforts and actions of teachers and parents matter equally, and are most effective when that is an ongoing, active, responsive and mutually understood relationship between home and school. At St Virgil's College this is a journey, usually beginning at the Junior School or Year 7 continuing now through to the end of Year 12. It can change as the child grows through adolescence, presenting new and unexpected challenges. The keen boy in Year 7 who loves his new school, with the mini crisis, can present far more complex difficulties in Year 9 or 10, which test and strain relationships at home and school. A healthy partnership between the two, always focused on what’s best for the young man, is the way to navigate that journey.

The first key school event for the year to build that relationships was the Parent Information Evening & Welcome BBQ (Junior School) which took place yesterdayand Year 7 Information Evening which will take place in Week 3. As good two‐way communication is critical to any healthy relationship, this was also a chance to commence the important conversations between teachers and parents, which will continue through the year, be it informally, by email, at parent/teacher conferences and as the need arises. The teacher makes a difference, the parent makes a difference, and when working together it is the student who benefits most. Our actions reveal what we value, so giving time to these evenings and ongoing communication through the year shows that we value the education of our children.

Warning Online Safety Concerns

I have been made aware of online safety concerns and are urging parents to have age-appropriate conversations with your child around personal safety online and what to do if they find themselves in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. 

I am aware that there have been instances where offenders are coercing children – particularly teenage males – into producing images before extorting them for money. Most commonly, offenders engage victims through chat based social media platforms, often purporting to be a young girl of similar age to those they are targeting. 

Offenders establish rapport with the victims, often requesting a photo of the victim. Once they’ve received the image, the offender threatens to on-share the content with friends and family of the victim, making demands for money, gift cards or cryptocurrency. Even if the demands are met, the offenders will still distribute the images. 

If your child is subject to any type of concerning behaviour like this online, we would urge you to contact police and discuss this with the College by making contact with Ms Farron Boxall – Director of Student Wellbeing. We will be raising these concerns with students during pastoral care sessions but strongly encourage you to have a conversation with your child about this matter. 

Staffing Update

There are 11 new staff members who commence their journey as members of this community. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new staff to the College and trust that their time will be both personally and professionally rewarding.

I am pleased to announce that Mr Michael Farrell has been appointed to the position of Head of Learning Support. Mr Farrell has held the position of Learning Support Teacher and previously Learning Support Officer and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting students with additional needs. Mr Farrell has a Bachelor of Education and has undertaken a range of professional learning in this area and comes highly recommended to this position. On behalf of the College community, I congratulate Mr Farrell on his appointment. 

I was advised this week that Mr Eamon Vines Core 2 Teacher will be moving back to his hometown of Geelong at the end of the term. In his short time at the College, Mr Vines has made a significant impact on the young men that he has had contact with both in and out of the classroom. I know Mr Vines will be greatly missed and as a College community will have an opportunity to thank him for his contribution to St Virgil’s prior to his departure. Advertising for his position will commence shortly and I will advise of his successful replacement in due course.   

Important Dates for Your Diary

Further details about these events will be circulated via EdSmart.  

Best wishes for the week ahead and safe travels to those heading away this long weekend. 

Jon Franzin 

Principal