St Virgil’s College Hobart as a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition, is an integral part of the mission of the Catholic church and continues to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ - to evangelise, to reconcile and to renew. We contribute to the development of young men through education and promote their formation in Christian virtue and conscience.
We demonstrate the Church’s commitment to the dignity of the individual, particularly by being called to relationship in community, and committing to make a preferential option of the poor. We are an integral part of Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) and its endeavours to promote quality Catholic education based on its Charter through leadership, service and co-responsibility.
We believe in the inestimable worth of every human individual, for each is made in the image of God and is a reflection of God’s goodness. We strive to live in partnerships where each person is empowered and enriched by active participation, cooperation, collaboration and enthusiasm – a community where life may be enjoyed and celebrated with creativity and passion.
The College’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, ‘A Connected, Engaged and Caring Community’ has been promulgated by the College’s Advisory Council on behalf of Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA). The Plan is the foundation for innovation, growth, learning and celebration as the College enters an exciting era in its long and distinguished history, becoming Tasmania’s only Kindergarten to Year 12 Catholic school for boys from 2024.
The hallmark of St Virgil’s College is a strong connection to its community. Traditions have been passed on from generation to generation by proud, passionate and socially aware Virgilians, who inspired by the example of Jesus of the Gospels and the charism of the Blessed Edmund Rice are committed to creating a fair and just society and a better world for all. This is the basis of a St Virgil’s College Liberating Education, the outcomes of which will not be realised in terms of numbers or scores, but in the difference our young men make to the lives of others in our community.
By Deeds not Words our community will bring these plans to fruition, at all times listening to student voice by placing our young men at the centre of all decision-making processes. This will ensure that this Strategic Plan is an authentic expression of the aspirations of the St Virgil’s community and will shape the development of an outstanding Catholic school for boys that is recognised and celebrated for being a connected, engaged and caring community.
Our aspirations and motivations are summarised in the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, specifically in our vision, mission and values statements.
Scriptural Context
"Providing an authentic expression of the touchstones of the EREA Charter by ‘acting justly, loving tenderly and walking humbly with God" (Micah 6:8).
Vision
"Inspired by the example of Jesus and the faithful service of Blessed Edmund Rice, we strive to create a learning community where each boy is known and valued, inspired and empowered to contribute to the realisation of a just, peaceful and hope-filled world for all."
Mission
"We strive to build a Catholic learning community where we can become people of faith, generosity, excellence and integrity, connected in our desire to serve and care for each other, the marginalised and our environment."
Values
St Virgil’s College is a spiritual community built on the ministry of Jesus expressed in Christ through the Catholic ethos. By our words and deeds, we honour the living Gospel through the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice as expressed in the Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition and the Archbishop's Charter for Catholic Education in Tasmania. Through the liberating power of education, St Virgil’s College lives the mission of the Catholic Church.
Our values are an authentic, lived representation of who we are and who we aspire to be. They shape and inform our culture and are clearly evident in all interactions with members of our community.
The authentic expression of our values defines our community and is the basis for all planning, decision making, reflection and renewal.
Through witness to these values the College ensures it provides boys with an authentic Catholic education that is faithful to the spirit and intent of the Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice tradition.
The Charter contains four touchstones that describe the culture of an authentic Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition:
