From the Principal 

Pictured above: Year 7s participating in the New Beginnings program, including an Environmental Experience, Spiritual Journey, Relational Journey and Service Journey.

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

First term begins with the memory of Christmas, a celebration of hope for the world in the birth of a new savior. First term will end with the ultimate disaster, the death of that savior. But within days, new hope will be born in the resurrection at Easter. It is a dynamic of optimism which underpins school, life and faith. The whole existence of our school is dedicated to working to fulfil the hopes of the members of its community, particularly the students and their families. We find our motivation in the life of Christ, whom we acknowledge and celebrate through our prayers, lessons, rituals and celebration in the year ahead. It is this which allows us to always look forward with hope, particularly now, at the beginning of the school year.

Ash Wednesday and Lent

Lent is one of the most profound of the Christian seasons, and we commence the 40 days of Lent on Ash Wednesday next week. In accordance with Catholic tradition no meat products will be sold at school on this day, along with Good Friday, as it is a special day of fasting. A ceremony involving the distribution of the ashes to students and staff will be held on Wednesday. Lent is a time when Christians are called to reflect on their basic humanity, with all its limitations, and also to reflect on their own personal limitations and those things within themselves which form barriers between them and God and limit their potential to be the best people they can, particularly in relationship with others. We live in an imperfect world, and we are all imperfect in different ways. During Lent, God’s call is to examine ourselves and open our hearts to him and a way back to the full humanity to which we aspire.

Junior School Information Evening

Thank you to the Junior School parents and boys who attended our information evening last Wednesday. The most important relationship a parent can have with the school is directly with the teacher/s who teach their son. Information nights are an excellent opportunity to open this channel of communication each year. Thank you to Mrs Jo Messer (Head of Junior School) and Junior School staff for organising and being available on the evening.

Year 7 New Beginnings Program

Thank you to our dedicated and committed staff for their coordination and organisation of the New Beginnings program which was made available to all Year 7 students over the past two weeks. Students have had an opportunity to learn more about the College’s wonderful history and tradition, understand about our Catholic faith and commitment to serving others, some time and space for self-reflection and goal setting and immerse themselves in a range of challenging outdoor experiences which foster positive relationships, team building and self-confidence. We understand that a positive start for each of our Year 7s is important and trust that this experience has assisted each student to form positive relationships with his peers and teachers and helped establish the foundation for a positive year ahead.  

Year 7 Information Evening

This event will be the first important opportunity in 2023 for the kind of communication between parent, teacher and student needed to help ensure students stay on track, and that school and home are working together to that end. When one of those three contributors does not play their part – parent, student or teacher – then the chances of success for the student in that triangle is diminished. This is a collaborative exercise – involving commitment and communication from all. Accepting that there may be unavoidable reasons why parents and students may not be able to attend, if this partnership is to be successful, such important opportunities as the information evening need to take precedence over sport or other social events. I look forward to seeing parents and carers on Thursday February 23 with the event commencing at 6.00 pm with a meeting of you son’s Pastoral Care Teacher.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL