From the Principal 

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

Welcome to the second school term of 2023 and thank you to those parents who attended Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences on Monday. If there is one very obvious thing which we need to agree that we all stand for, it is to achieve the best we can educationally for the students at the school. Educational success depends on three pillars – the student, the parent and the teacher. Parent teacher interviews bring all three together, drawing on evidence such as formative assessments and insights from all three parties, important conversations that need to be had and directions set for the rest of the semester and year.

Over 40% of St Virgil’s parents took advantage of the opportunity to meet with at least one of their son’s teachers. In cases where interviews were requested due to concerns about a boy’s progress, but the parent did not attend, no doubt unavoidably in some cases, it is important to follow up with the teacher who made the request. In some cases, the College will also be following up with parents as the issues needing discussion are very important in finding a successful pathway for particular boys and cannot be neglected. Many boys present challenges, at some point, both at home and school. A joint approach by school and home, with parents who ‘poke their nose in’ regularly, even when a boy doesn’t like it, is the most effective approach. 

ANZAC Day Service

On Wednesday morning the College stopped to mark ANZAC Day as a remembrance and commemoration of those who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations and the contribution and suffering of all those who have and continue to serve in the Armed Forces. The playing of the Last Post and the brevity of the phrases ‘We will remember them’ and ‘Lest we forget’, serving to highlight the importance of the real meaning of this occasion for us. My thanks and appreciation also to the staff and students who represented the College at various ANZAC Day services across Hobart on Tuesday morning. 

Staffing Update 

This term we welcome a number of new staff to the College. 

Junior School 

Head of Learning Enhancement: As previously communicated we welcome Mrs Sue Burrows to this important leadership position at the Junior School. Mrs Burrows was previously the Student Support Coordinator at Sacred Heart College and has previously held leadership positions at SHC as Assistant to the Deputy Principal, Director of Teaching & Learning and Literacy Leader. Mrs Burrows has a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from UTAS and a Graduate Certificate of Education – Special Needs from the University of Notre Dame.

Senior School

As you may be aware Mr Andrew Watchorn has been employed on short term contracts. I am pleased to announce that Mr Watchorn has now moved to an ongoing position and will undertake the role of Humanities Teacher at the College. We congratulate Mr Watchorn on his appointment.

Mathematics/Science Teacher: We welcome Mrs Jo Berriman who has been appointed to the ongoing position of Mathematics/Science Teacher. Mrs. Berriman was previously employed at Hobart City High School where she was Head of Department Mathematics/Science and was also Year 10 Coordinator. Mrs Berriman has also held similar roles at Montrose Bay High School and Claremont College. Mrs Berriman has a Graduate Certificate of Education, Bachelor of Teaching and Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania.

English/Humanities Teacher: We welcome Mrs Moneka Knight who has been appointed to the ongoing position of English/Humanities teacher. Mrs Knight has held teaching positions at Eastside Lutheran, Rose Bay High School and Huonville High School where she taught English, Humanities and Media. Mrs Knight has also had a number of different roles including Media and Marketing Manager, Communications and Events Officer and Radio/Television journalist with The Department of State Growth, The Department of Economic Development Tourism and the Arts, Australian Broadcasting Corporation and WIN and Southern Cross Television. Mrs Knight has a Master of Teaching (Secondary) from the Australian Catholic University, Master of International Relations from Macquarie University, Diploma in Digital Imaging and Design and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications (Journalism).

Student Services Officer: Mrs Melissa Barwick has held a number of positions at MyState Bank where she was Branch Leader, Personal Banker, Customer Service Representative, Loans Officer and Bank Teller since 1992. We look forward to Mrs Barwick bringing her wealth of experience in customer service in supporting our young men and their families at the College.  

Learning Support Officers: We welcome Mrs Heather Beresford and Mr Kye Direen who will be taking on casual appointments as Learning Support Officers. Mrs Beresford has had previous experience as a Primary Teacher at John Paul II and Clarendon Vale where she held positions as Learning Support Coordinator, Support Teacher and Aboriginal Key Teacher. Mrs Beresford holds qualifications in Bachelor of Arts, Diploma of Education and a Bachelor of Education. 

Mr Direen is an Old Virgilian having completed his time at Austins Ferry in 2020. Mr Direen has recently been employed as a Learn to Swim Teacher, Customer Service Assistant and Customer Service Representative. Mr Direen is a highly accomplished swimmer having attended the National Age Swimming Championships from 2019 – 2022 and was the Tasmanian Swimming State Champion 50, 100, 200 in Backstroke.    

On behalf of the College community, we warmly welcome Mr Watchorn, Mrs Burrows, Mrs Knight, Mrs Barwick, Mrs Beresford and Mr Direen to St Virgil’s College and we wish them all the very best as they embark on their new roles this term. 

We also wish Mrs Nadia Jones all the very best as she takes parental leave at the end of next week. We wish Mrs Jones and her family all the very best and for the safe arrival of her second child. During her absence Mrs Moneka Knight will be taking on her classes.

Staff Leave

Acting Head of the Junior School

Please be advised that Mrs Josephine Messer will be on Long Service Leave from 26 April to 17 May. During this time Mrs Sandra Mazengarb will be Acting Head of the Junior School. Mrs Mazengarb’s class will be covered by Mrs Lindy Lack during Mrs Messer’s absence. 

Acting Principal

From 6 May to 26 May, I will be in Ireland for 3 weeks attending the Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders ‘Schools for the World’ Congress. This will be followed by a few days in Spain visiting relatives. The Congress is a gathering of Principal’s and educational leaders from Edmund Rice Schools from around the world and includes a variety of speakers, seminars as well as pilgrimage excursions to key Edmund Rice locations and school visits. During this time Mr Daniel Lapolla will be Acting Principal. 

We are very fortunate to have such experienced leaders at St Virgil’s College who are able to step up and undertake these important roles. I thank Mr Lapolla and Mrs Mazengarb for taking on additional duties in the coming weeks. 

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL