History and Tradition

At the invitation of the Archbishop of Hobart, St Virgil’s College was founded by the Christian Brothers in 1911 at Barrack Street as a boarding school for the boys of Tasmania and as a day school for Hobart boys.

The College, when founded, overlooked the centre of Hobart. It was formally opened on January 22 1911.

On January 28, 1911, the first boarder, Master Phillip O'Reilly, of Geeveston, arrived. He was greeted by the first day-boy, Master Leo Doyle, the father of the previous Archbishop of Hobart, the Most Reverend Adrian Doyle.

In 1962, a junior secondary campus was opened at Austins Ferry and with it the gradual transition of secondary classes from the Barrack Street campus.

In 1970, the boarding section of the College was closed, and since that time St Virgil’s has been a day school only.

In 1996, St Virgil's College and St Peter's School, amalgamated to be called St Virgil's College 

From 2021 St Virgil's College will offer specialist Catholic education for boys in Kindergarten and from Year 3 to Year 10. This offering will expand in coming years with the delivery of Prep in 2022, Year 1 in 2023 and Year 2 from 2024. 

The Junior School is located in Patrick St, Hobart and is located on the former St Peter's School site in central Hobart., next to St Mary's Cathedral.  

Year 7 - 10 is located at the senior school campus at Austins Ferry, an expansive 70 acre property set on the banks of the majestic Derwent River. From 2023 the College will offer Year 11 with Year 12 added in 2024. This will mean that from 2024 St Virgil's College will offer a full Kindergarten to Year 12 Catholic education pathway, designed specifically for the learning, pastoral and wellbeing needs of boys*. 

* Subject to all approvals

We strive to help students on their personal spiritual journey and to appreciate the significance of Jesus within their lives. Within the Catholic tradition we nurture the whole person in a Gospel inspired community.

Central to the College is a commitment to fostering and emphasising Gospel values and ideals, in the classroom, in relationships with others and in the day to day running of the College.St Virgil's College is proudly a Catholic school for boys int he tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice and prides itself upon providing boys with an holistic Catholic education that is engaging and relevant in a rapidly changing world.

The gift of faith is nurtured in each student through the Religious Education curriculum and in all dimensions of the St Virgil's experience.

Opportunities for prayer and Liturgical celebration give boys a chance to reflect on their faith and to express it in ways meaningful to them.

Edmund Ignatius Rice was born in Callan, Ireland, in 1762.

A man of great faith, Edmund felt called by God. He contributed generously to Catholic Charity schools and gave practical help to the poor by providing food, shelter and clothing but he wanted to do more.

In 1802 he founded the Congregation of the Christian Brothers, who have become responsible for the care and education of millions of children in their schools and other ministries. The Brothers seek to help in the struggle against poverty and injustice. All followers of Edmund Rice are committed to education to achieve freedom.

The extraordinary life of Edmund was recognised when on 6th October 1996, Edmund Ignatius Rice was proclaimed "Blessed" by Pope John Paul II.

The Christian Brothers, a congregation of religious men currently numbering around 1800, work in 26 countries, with headquarters in Rome.

In the early years the work of the Brothers spread rapidly throughout Ireland as they founded schools before moving to England, Gibraltar, Australia and India.

The Brothers established their first school in Australia, Parade College in Melbourne, in 1871.

The Brothers accepted an invitation from the Archbishop of Hobart to open a school in Hobart and in 1911 that school opened as St Virgil’s College.

In recent years the Christian Brothers in Australia have moved away from direct management of schools and have refocused on those at the margins of society. Ministries are in hospitals and prisons, homes for disadvantaged youth, refugee camps and programmes for underprivileged children.

There is still, however, strong support for the Australian schools and a focus on establishing and supporting schools in less developed countries such as in Africa and the Philippines.

There are currently 6 Christian Brothers ministering in Tasmania and two are at St Virgil’s College.

Saint Virgil was born in Ireland about 700 A.D. He became well known in his early life for his exceptional ability as an astronomer and mathematician.

In 747 A.D. Virgil was appointed to the Abbey of St Peter of Salzburg, Bavaria and in 767 A.D. became Bishop.

He is the patron saint of the City of Salzburg, and the greatest figure in its early church history. He was canonised in 1233 by Pope Gregory IX.

Virgil was one of the first to argue that the world was round, which lead him into conflict with Boniface who regarded his thinking as heretical. Virgil was reported to the Pope who accepted his explanation.

The first boys' college in the farthest antipodes Tasmania, was therefore dedicated to this intrepid and zealous Bishop whose scientific learning was remarkable.

Each student at St Virgil’s College belongs to one of four Houses. The House forms the basis for many competitions and other events in the College. Pastoral Care groupings are formed within each house.

Students from St Virgil’s Junior School remain in the same House they were in at the Junior School. Other boys who have or have had brothers at the College will become members of the same House as their brother. Other boys will be allocated to ensure even numbers.

Major House events include the Athletics, Cross Country and Beach Bonanza Day. Ongoing competitions include singing and a range of lunchtime activities. There are four Houses , their colours and values are: