From the Principal

Pictured: Progress of Year 11&12 Centre, July 28.

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

It was great to see the return of the students this week, bringing a ‘wintery bleak’ and empty College back to life again after the two-week break. Students are the beating heart of a school and make it an enjoyable privilege to work with and teach - complete with both their successes and challenges.

In particular, a special warm welcome to all of the new students and families who join the St Virgil’s College this term. I trust that you will all have a smooth transition and contribute in your own way to our wonderful College community. 

It may only be the beginning of Term 3, but now is the time planning for 2023 is being laid down. Year 10 students will soon participate in subject counselling assisting with their Year 11 course selections. Students need to keep an open mind about their future. Twenty or 30 years ago there tended to be a division among secondary students, between those who left school early and went into jobs and trades, and those who stayed on and went to university. This gradually changed to a preference for finishing Year 12, going to university and getting into a profession, as the option of the majority. There is now a swing back to recognising that trades, traineeships and vocational courses provide pathways better suited to many young people. Pathways to skilled jobs, employability, secure futures and most importantly, a satisfying working life.

The difference now, however, is that students have the chance to explore both professional and vocational options whilst finishing school to Year 12, and in so doing gradually work out what they are best suited to, and are most interested in. It is surprising that more senior secondary students do not take advantage of the opportunity to explore vocational options, at the same time as gaining experience and qualifications in practical areas. This can be done alongside the usual range of academic subjects, thus widening student’s options for the future. For those students uncertain about what they wish to do (many, I suspect), and for those who do not wish to go to university, VET courses are an obvious choice. Certainly, for those students who approach senior secondary struggling to find courses that interest or suit them, trying VET courses in Year 11 could well have helped them discover future career directions, which would in turn provide purpose and motivation in successfully finishing school.

Term 3 is also the time we gather all the data on student subject selections for 2023, crunch the numbers through the timetable software, analyse our staff needs and balance them against student numbers and staff changes. It is a very important time for students in the seniors years. They need to think about their future, consult their parents, teachers and others, and make decisions about their best combination of subjects. Most of all, they need to set serious goals for themselves and aim to meet them. 

When one makes the right decisions, as we want our sons and students to make at this time of year, it is not merely about career choices and maximising marks, it is ultimately about becoming the perfect person they can be. There is a match between what God has created and a person finding themselves most fully what God wants for each of us is what satisfies us most when we discover it within. 

Parents and carers of Year 10s are reminder that Year 11 2023 enrolment intentions are to be completed this week to ensure that the College can commence its planning for next year. 

Building Update 

There was significant activity at both campuses during the holiday break. 

Senior School 

The main switchboard was upgraded and brought online successfully during the first week of the school holidays. This was a significant logistical exercise involving maintenance business, and IT services. I thank Anita Robertson for her coordination of this significant disruption to College operations ensuring that services were maintained during this time. 

Student Services was moved to the Library In-fill Level 2 to support the streamlining of services for students in this area. Parents and carers are now asked to report to Reception when collecting their child from the College. 

Partial demolition and stripping out of the Dwyer building has commenced to assist with the commencement of the Stage 2 building works for our Year 11 & 12 Centre. Fencing has been erected at the back of the building necessitating the need for changes to student movement to the JPC oval and carparking in this area. The computer lab located in this area has now been moved above the Edmund Rice Hall and the Mac Lab has moved to the classroom between the Art rooms whilst this work is being undertaken.  Again, I thank our ICT services for managing this process during the school holidays in readiness for the commencement of Term 3. 

Junior School

A small kitchenette has been installed in the hall supporting our application for before and after school care. The kitchenette is a requirement for this service provision but will also be used for whole school events and activities. 

Staffing Update 

We welcome the following staff to our College community:

Ms Jenni Sutton moves from the Junior School to Austin Ferry to take on the role of Library Services Manager. Ms Erin Young will replace Ms Sutton at the Junior School on a Friday while maintaining her ongoing role at the Senior School four days per week. 

Mr Joel Size joins the Junior School in the role of Learning Support Officer (Monday – Wednesday) and Mr George McLeod, Eunjee Cooper and Tyler O’Neil join the Senior School supporting students with additional needs in the role of Learning Support Officer.

Please make these new staff members welcome and I trust that they will find their time at St Virgil’s College both personally and professionally rewarding. 

Mr David Webster has, for personal reasons, needed to step down from the role of Head of Dwyer House. I thank Ms Farron Boxall for taking on this role in addition to her responsibilities as Head of Student Welfare. 

Mrs Renee McGregor and Mr Deon Scanlon have both tendered their resignations to pursue opportunities outside of the College. Mrs McGregor will be moving to Guilford Young College later in the term as a Religious Education Teacher and Mr Scanlon will be pursuing a career in Digital Technologies education, working with teachers and students outside of the regular school setting. I know the decision to resign was not easy for both Mrs McGregor and Mr Scanlon after many years of dedicated service at St Virgil’s. We will have an opportunity to thank them for their work in the coming weeks and to wish them well in their future endeavours. Advertising is underway and I will advise the community once replacements have been found.  

Catholic School Parents Survey 

Catholic School Parents Australia, of which St Virgil’s College is a member, is seeking input from current parents to seek feedback about the impact of COVID-19 on your child’s wellbeing and learning as well as to assist CSPA in reporting to the Federal Government and Catholic education. I encourage all families to have a say by undertaking this survey and please note that feedback will remain confidential. Please use the link below:

Click here for the CSPA Parent Survey

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin 

Principal