During the season of Lent, we are encouraged to reflect on our relationships, behaviours and our own faith journey. We are called to be people of courage and honesty. In doing so we are challenged to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Are we prepared to as Blessed Edmund exhorted, “give to everyone who asks”?

During the season of lent I encourage all boys to take time to do this and to look for opportunities to reach out via acts of gratitude and kindness to others in the College community. As a school in the Edmund Rice tradition we challenge and encourage our boys to speak up and stand with the poor, the marginalised, the voiceless and the vulnerable – to live justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God.

I have been extremely pleased that as I walk around the College, I witness countless examples of our young men striving to live just lives, to express their concern and care for each other and to do so with humility. The work of our leaders have done in recent times with the Time and Space programme and Open Day is a great example of selfless service to others. Our work on both campuses for Caritas is a wonderful sign of our commitment to stand in solidarity with the poor and marginalised. Not always do our boys get it right in this regard and we continue to challenge our boys to be kind, compassionate and courageous in the way they engage with each other and the wider community. In doing so we journey with our boys in a spirit of faith and forgiveness to help them to become young men who model the callings of the Lenten season.

International Women’s Day

This week we focussed on the celebration of International Women's Day which was officially celebrated on our long weekend holiday on Monday. The theme for this year's celebration was 'Choose to Challenge'. Our young men were challenged to consider how they might help to forge a gender equal world, to celebrate women's achievements and to raise awareness to promote equality.

As a boys' school it is critical that we work with our young men to model and develop positive, respectful and appropriate relationships with females. Recent events in Canberra and the ongoing scourge of violence against women in our community highlight the need to actively teach our boys to be leaders in choosing to challenge existing disadvantage, inappropriate behaviours and inequality. Our boys are blessed to have in their families, friendship groups and classrooms, wonderful female role models and so this week it is certainly timely to thank them and celebrate their achievements, whilst pledging to play a leading role in creating a gender equal world.

Principal's Leave

Please see the attached letter from EREA detailing my period of leave from March 19 to May 2 2021. During my absence Mrs Heidi Senior will be Acting Principal and Mr Daniel Lapolla will be the Acting Deputy Principal.

Term 1 Sporting Finals

This week marks the start of a very busy period for our sporting teams. Today our Swimming team is competing at the Southern SATIS sports at the Hobart Aquatic Centre and on the weekend our rowers return to Lake Barrington for the Head of the River regatta. Sports such as cricket and basketball also continue at great pace as well as tennis development and mountain bike riding.

I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone well for and thank them for their participation and hope that many personal bests are achieved. Special thanks to our coaches and volunteers who play such an important role in supporting our boys.

Term Dates

I would like to remind everyone that Term One finishes on Thursday April 1 at the normal time, resuming on Tuesday April 27.

Parent, Student and Teacher Conference

On Monday April 26, the Parent, Student and Teacher conferences will be held at both sites. This is a great opportunity for you to touch base with your son’s teachers and discuss his progress.

A reminder that the discussions involve parents, students and teachers so I ask that your son attends so he can be a part of the conversation. More details will be sent at the end of term via EdSmart.

Enrolments and Tours

Please note that the Junior School Open Day is on Wednesday March 24 from 9am to 4pm.

If you would like to tour the Austins Ferry campus but were unable to attend our Open Day today, the next scheduled Principal’s Tour is Friday March 19 at 9.00am. Bookings are essential by contacting the College Registrar – mnugent@stvirgils.tas.edu.au

I would like to remind anyone interested in enrolling a student into Kinder for 2022, that applications close on April 30, 2021. Please complete the Expression of Interest through the College website if interested in Kinder enrolment.

Friday	March 12	Karina Halys	Tina Skelly

Monday	March 15	Carolyn Smith	Leighton Hilyer
Tuesday	March 16	Susanne Divin	Help Needed
Wednesday	March 17	Annette Skelly
Thursday	March 18	Phil Jones
Friday	March 19	Claire Collins	Help Needed

Senior School Canteen

Mrs Carol Hilyer