Villa View Issue 2 – 13 February 2025

As the year moves quickly into rhythm, I am pleased to share with parents the College strategic areas for focus and improvement this year. These were developed and considered in consultation with the board during our planning weekend last year, then distilled, considered and advanced into action by the College Leadership Team (CLT) and offered, and then last week presented, in greater detail, to the College Board in our action plan gathering event as we establish the year ahead and the detail the CLT’s individual goals and action plans for the year ahead.

As hopefully all our parents are aware the College has a strategic plan with 5 elements that focus our attention to achieve the mission and vision.

The College mission is one that has held firm for our now 77 year history.

“Villanova College is a Catholic school for boys where education is the formation of the whole person within a faith community. Our staff, parents, and students, both past and present, contribute their gifts and talents towards the development of young men of Gospel values who seek the common good. Our community promotes life-long learning through continually challenging itself in the restless search for truth.”

Our authentic delivery of this mission though does require regular ‘tuner ups’ and refocusing so that we can reflect church, societal, parental and student expectations. This is of course where the elements of core focus sit.

In the current plan these are articulated as:

1. Cultivate Understanding and Commitment to Augustinian Identity & Mission

2. Delivering Intentional Teaching for Optimal Learning Growth

3. Forming and Supporting young Augustinian men

4. Designing and Supporting a Sustainable future

5. Developing, Forming and Caring for Staff

Each year we have certain strategic projects and actions that we focus on to continue in our endeavour to nurture and mature each of these elements in 2025 our core improvement goals sit in three broad spectrum areas of action.

As I am sure many understand there are a plethora of other activities, events, actions and focal points that occur across a year. But each year there will always be a few that we want to give direct and intentional energy to that will see important outcomes for community, culture and student growth and wellbeing.

Any member of the community who would like to know more or discuss in detail our actions and processes are most welcome to contact me at the College. Our GREATS model is for all in community and as such the “A” of accountability is an important part of our identity and action.

AIC AND VILLANOVA CODE OF CONDUCT REMINDER – PARENTS

AS we move into the second week of AIVC sport I would remind all parents of our code of conduct for parents and expected behaviours toward all participants. Players, referees, parents and staff from ours and opposing schools.

Remember it is a game, we play for growth and development, all coaches are volunteers, our behaviour sets the standard for our boys behaviour.

If you are unhappy with the behaviour of a parent or member of our community or that of any competitor school you are encouraged to contact the College so that we can look to address

Mr Paul Begg, Principal

In keeping with the Spirit of Reconciliation, Villanova College acknowledges the Yuggera and Turrbal peoples, as the Traditional Custodians of this land on which we stand. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. This has always been, and always will be, a place of teaching and learning connected to country, culture and community.

This week, we had the privilege of celebrating the academic achievements of our 2024 Year 12 students, alongside the success of our 2025 students across Years 6 to 12. This special occasion was more than just a recognition of academic excellence; it was a testament to the growth, perseverance, and resilience that define the Villanova spirit.

As we reflect on these achievements, we are reminded of the words that encapsulate the essence of our school and its Augustinian tradition: “to be who you are not yet.” This powerful idea speaks to the ongoing journey of personal development that every young man who walks through the gates of Villanova embarks upon. It is a constant reminder that growth is not a destination, but a continuous process—a process rooted in the pursuit of knowledge, integrity, and character.

The achievements we celebrated this week reflect the unique potential within each of our students. From Year 6 to Year 12, we have seen young men demonstrate their commitment to their studies, their resilience in the face of challenges, and their dedication to becoming gentlemen in the truest sense. These young men are not only excelling academically but also embodying the values that make them future leaders, capable of shaping their communities with compassion, wisdom, and a strong sense of justice.

As we look forward, we continue to challenge our students to grow into the men they are not yet, encouraging them to reach beyond what they believe to be possible and to find purpose in their pursuit of excellence. The academic success of our 2024 and 2025 students is just one example of the extraordinary potential that lies within them.

Congratulations to all of our students for their hard work and achievements. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you and look forward to seeing the continued growth and success that the future holds. To be who you are not yet let that be your guiding principle, as you continue to strive for greatness in all that you do.

Gentle Reminders:

• Driving Permissions Forms – Years 11 & 12 – A reminder for all student drivers and families to please complete the Driving to School Permission Forms as per the communication sent home via email. This data assists us in supporting students meet community and safe driving expectations.
• Uniform, hats and school bags – Please ensure that school hats are worn to and from school each day (and at both breaks). Laptop satchels need to be utilised as the method for bringing laptops to school and around the campus – non-Villanova bags are not to be utilised.
• Representing Villanova College – It is wonderful to see so many young men taking care of their peers on public transport and engaging so politely with community member when coming to and from the College. I would encourage all young men to remember that when wearing the Villanova College uniform, you represent all members of the larger Villanova College community, so please be aware of how you conduct yourself in public.

February Date Claimers

• Wednesday 19 February– Year 12 Parent Teacher Conferences (online)​
• Thursday 20 February – Interhouse Swimming Carnival
• Wednesday 26 February– 7:15am – House Breakfast – Alypius and Ambrose​
• Thursday 27 February – 7:15am – House Breakfast – Rita, Monica and Nicholas​
• Friday 28 February– 7:15am – House Breakfast – Thomas, Adeodatus and Augustine

Ms Kate Mellor, Acting Head of Senior School

The Middle School Parent Information evening held last week was a tremendous success. One thing that struck me was the community atmosphere of our meet and greet space as parents got the chance to mingle and get to know each other. The place was abuzz with excitement, and it was so pleasing to see parents new to Villanova made to feel so welcome. Surely there are few better examples of community in action. For parents unable to attend, I encourage you to follow the link in the email that was sent after the event, so you can catch-up on the important information that was provided.

This week’s GREATS focus of the week is Growth. It is most certainly an essential part of the framework of our Middle School context shaping the way students approach learning, relationships, and personal development. It is through challenges and new experiences that students develop resilience, adaptability, and confidence in their abilities. Growth is not just about academic achievement; it is about stepping outside comfort zones, learning from mistakes, and striving to be better every day in every way. At Villanova, we encourage students to adopt a growth mindset—understanding that effort and perseverance lead to improvement and success. By embracing growth, students build character, develop leadership skills, and form meaningful connections with peers and teachers.

One of the significant opportunities for growth in Middle School is the Year 7 camp program. Designed to foster teamwork and relationships, the camp experience plays a crucial role in strengthening the bonds between students, whether they are new to the College or have been part of the community for years. Through a variety of team-building activities, challenges, and shared experiences, students develop trust, communication skills, and a sense of belonging. The camp serves as a valuable stepping stone for their journey in Middle School, reinforcing the importance of friendship, respect, and mutual support. Another surprising benefit is that the boys get to see their teachers as multi-faceted human beings who have all sorts of interests and abilities – not just as someone who teaches at a school! I will talk more about its success next fortnight after both our camps have been completed. As I write this, the nighttime pool party is in full swing!

In addition to these experiences, our students have been engaging in an exciting creative challenge within their House Mentor groups. Creating new House crest’s has been a highlight of the House Mentor space over the last two weeks. Students have been given the challenge of updating and modernising the House crests, and they have jumped in with some creative and exciting ideas. This activity has not only showcased their artistic talents but also reinforced their connection to their House and its values.

“When our students are affected by us as we speak, and we by them as they learn, we dwell in each other and both of us in God.”  –  St Augustine

Have a great week in the Middle School!

Mr Sean O’Neill, Head of Middle School

This week I would like to raise all our awareness to the importance of academic achievement in the Junior School at Villanova College.  We are approaching the end of Week 3 and it is now time to give our attention to the boys working towards their true potential as scholars.  Every individual will have their own previous experiences – and for our Year 6 families, they are no doubt so much wiser and more aware of how to help their sons.  For our Year 5 families, this academic year will be one of great learning about your son – his commitment to learning, revision and goals for the subjects he engages with.

In the Junior School, your sons are given verbal, written and online feedback during the teaching and learning phases – almost every day your son will have some positive reinforcement or constructive idea on how to improve their knowledge or skills.  Often the start to a lesson can begin with whole class feedback from the last activity – or it could be part of their exit out of a lesson to remember key points for next time.  Check in quizzes, surveys and homework grid tasks are all ways to get feedback about how your son is managing the curriculum as well.

Class teachers keep data so that planning and implementation of the curriculum is meaningful and specific to your son’s ability.  Year level meetings involve collaborative planning and continuity for the Term Units and tracking towards the assessment tasks.  Criteria Sheets are unpacked with the students when it comes to the business end of learning – so that it’s explicit what the expectations are for the A to E standards of achievement.  Moderation of tasks occur between all the year level learning spaces – staff concur what grades are being given across the entire cohort and our Curriculum Leaders guide these processes carefully.

Within two weeks of completing the Assessment Tasks, the class teachers will aim to have the results and feedback (What Went Well and Even Better If) returned to your sons – and sent home for your perusal.  All assessment is kept at the College and parents if they wish, may come in at a scheduled time to view.  As the boys work throughout Semester One (Term 1 and Term 2), each subject will have knowledge/understanding and skills/process areas for assessment.  The average is taken over all tasks and the final grade is obtained for their Semester One report cards.  Each Term there is feedback provided for each subject – awarding your son a standard of achievement (Outstanding to Inconsistent) based on his organisation, effort, diligence, study habits and improvement within that subject area.

The reality is that your sons will need to revise and study at home.  Around 10% might be truly capable of doing that on their own, unsupervised, to achieve their absolute best.  This is very different from “our day” and all our staff appreciate that (especially the teachers that go home to their children and live exactly the evenings and weekends that you do).  Let’s use the following tips to provide a balanced and equitable approach to your son’s achievements in 2025.

1. Last week the Year 5 and 6 Assessment Calendars were finalised with dates and emailed to all families. Make sure you have a copy of this somewhere prominent like the fridge.  Start talking about tasks a couple of weeks before the due date.  Some work is completed all at school but still the conversation to check in with your son is important to his sense of well-being.  Some tasks will mean work at home and this needs to be scheduled in to your work and social commitments early on.  Set aside an hour here and there to be with your son, or close by, so he knows that a helping hand is available – and you get the chance to ensure his time is being used efficiently.
2. Revision and study are best done in smaller pieces – not cramming. The world of 2025 is far busier than it’s ever been, and the boys’ brains are developmentally still that of a 10–12 year old.  You can minimise anxiety by planning ahead and this is where your adult skills can model firsthand the success of organising revision carefully.  Nobody needs to be up until 10pm each night in Year 5 and 6, if they make small efforts once or twice a week and again on the weekend to revisit the work done in class.  Workbooks and One Note give the boys every chance to share what they have learned with you – teaching back main ideas and showing examples to you at home.  You can become the student and check what information they are retaining.  Staff will certainly be checking in with students along the term, and then revision is always factored into planning at school – however, if we work together and your son learns the best habits from all around him, he will achieve his very best.
3. Your son may learn best in a way that is very different to you. This can be challenging.  Finding what works can take time.  We can learn from failure much more than we can from success at times.  Show resilience and support when he wants to lead his revision – and always ask a teacher to confirm approaches if you feel it’s necessary.  Scrolling through One Note is not study, please know this.  We can all remember and feel more confident when we see something in front of us.  Assessment requires recall, application of skills and using what we have learnt in new situations to solve problems.  A level of mastery is needed for exams.
4. Remember “C” or “Satisfactory” means exactly that. This grade is what is expected for this age group at this stage of learning.  It means they are on track – the big question is if this is their best.  If it is then that is wonderful.  If it is not, then we need to make a plan for next time.  We make changes to our preparation in order to hopefully change our outcomes.
5. Staff moderate exams, assignments, speaking tasks with their collaborative teaching partners and also at Year Level Meetings. Final marks are a result of consultation and equitable approaches for students of all abilities.

I wish you all the very best with your academic pursuits in 2025 – gentlemen, start those neurological engines!

Mr Stephen Rouliadeff, Head of Junior School

A Message of Hope
“Hope does not disappoint” Romans 5:5. These were the words we heard last Tuesday at our Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit. Father Saldie OSA reminded us that St Augustine knew that by hoping in Jesus, He would find the truth.  And perhaps we can imitate such hope in Jesus, one where our restless hearts find joy, contentment, peace, rest, and happiness in Christ Jesus.

Similarly, Father John OSA spoke about Hope in his homily on Sunday at St James’ Reconciliation Mass. A Hope where the Church in Australia becomes fully the Church God wants her to be. One where we can be better reconciled with our Aboriginal brothers and sisters and learn from their sense of the Sacred and Holy. Pope John Paul II in his 1986 address to the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander in Alice Springs had a message of Hope for Aboriginal peoples:

“You did not spoil the land, use it up, exhaust it. and then walk away from it. You realised that your land was related to the source of life. The hour has come for you to take on new courage and new hope… you are called to open your hearts ever more to the consoling, purifying and uplifting message of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died so that we might all have life, and have it to the full.”

Last Thursday, Villanova College was the host school for the AIC Ecumenical Service. We were honoured to welcome eight AIC Colleges for the morning. This was more than a celebration of sport, competition, and friendly rivalries but a chance for our colleges to unite in a spirit of unity and shared Christian faith. We were inspired by the Jubilee theme Pilgrims of Hope, which reminded us that we are all travellers on this shared journey together.

As part of the Wellbeing program, this week Year 8 boys participated in an Inclusive School Sports Program delivered by Sporting Wheelies, a renowned organisation dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through sport and active living.

This initiative was introduced in response to insights gained from the 2024 ACER Social Emotional Wellbeing Survey, which highlighted the importance of fostering greater inclusivity and empathy among our Year 8 students. At Villanova, we are committed to ensuring our boys develop not only academically but also socially and emotionally. With this in mind, the Sporting Wheelies incursion was designed to offer a meaningful, hands-on learning experience that would challenge perspectives, build empathy, and encourage a deeper understanding of inclusivity in sport and beyond.

A key highlight of the incursion was the hands-on experience of wheelchair basketball, where the boys physically used wheelchairs to gain a deeper appreciation for adaptive sports. In addition to the fast-paced games, they engaged in a range of activities designed to promote inclusivity, culminating in the Game Changer Q&A session. This reflective discussion encouraged them to think critically about accessibility, diversity, and the importance of creating an inclusive society.

The response from our students was overwhelmingly positive. They loved the physical challenge of wheelchair basketball but, more importantly, walked away with a newfound understanding and respect for people with disabilities. The experience deepened their empathy, teamwork skills, and appreciation for inclusivity, reinforcing the values we strive to instil at Villanova.

Wellbeing Captain Xavier W has kicked off a brand-new initiative this year called Friday Unplugged, which was unveiled at the first College assembly this week. The idea? To bring a bit of fun and connection to Friday break times, with the Wellbeing Team—including Jack B, Max G and Darcy W—hitting the campus to chat with boys from all year levels.

Each week, they’ll be interviewing students on all sorts of topics, from upcoming sports matches and College events to completely random but interesting questions. This week’s highlights. Predictions on the Firsts AFL game against Laurie’s, bold calls on who will take out the Swimming Carnival next week, and a few unexpected questions that kept things entertaining.

The goal of Friday Unplugged is simple: keep the Villa brotherhood connected, have a laugh, and make Fridays something to look forward to. Our message to the boys is be sure to get involved.

Hope you all have a wonderful Week 3.

Mrs Sheridan Carey, Director of Student Wellbeing

Parent Information Evenings
It was a real pleasure speaking with parents last week at the various parent information evenings. Meeting new families and catching up with existing ones was a great way to commence the year. From a teaching and learning perspective, the messages delivered were relatively general in nature in order to familiarise parents/carers with processes and procedures, and to allow them to understand their son’s start to the new school year. Across the year there will be plenty of opportunities to engage with your son’s studies, whether they be through subject information evenings, careers expos or scholarship information events.

Year 12 Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
A reminder that Year 12 Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences will be held next Wednesday 19^th February. I would encourage Year 12 parents/carers together with the students to engage with teachers early in the year in order to discuss students’ progress and best way to achieve maximum growth. Conferences will run from 3.30 to 8.00pm. Parents/carers have been emailed details to make bookings and to then participate in the conferences. Please note that these conferences will be online via Microsoft Teams.

Scholars’ Assembly
The College came together for the annual Scholars’ Assembly on Tuesday to celebrate and acknowledge the many high achievers of 2024. We acknowledged over 170 students across Years 6 to 12 who were able to achieve highly in Semester 2 last year. In addition, approximately 80% of these students were also acknowledged as demonstrating consistency across the entire year and received their academic badge. The College introduced academic badges 3 years ago and we already have many students who are proudly wearing 3 of these badges on their ties and blazers.

The theme for assembly on Tuesday was Growth. Whilst we acknowledged the high achievers in each year level, the speakers who did address the school body emphasised the need to look for opportunities to improve, no matter how well a student has performed, and look at failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. Our 2025 Academic Captain, Samuel Mar Fan, gave his annual Scholars’ Assembly address and highlighted the need to be persistent in one’s attempt to improve and grow.

What made Tuesday’s assembly even more special was that the College community was able to welcome back a number of our 2024 Year 12 cohort and congratulate them on their outstanding results. Many received awards acknowledging subject and overall achievement. It was especially nice to be able to publicly acknowledge the 2024 Year 12 Proxime Accessit Charlie Hodgson-Day and 2024 College Dux and Frank Cullen Cup awardee Daniel Egert.

EmpowerED Program
Building on its introduction last year, classes in Year 7 to 12 next Friday (21^st February) will be put on hold in order for students to be involved in the EmpowerEd program. The EmpowerED program is an initiative that brings together a range of activities and learning opportunities for students to complete and participate in, in the hope that what they discover will help them to grow academically.

Successful individuals tend to share a number of things in common; one of these is the time they invest in goalsetting. Goalsetting allows individuals to use direction and focus, motivation and engagement, planning and time management, and accountability and responsibility to make measurable progress in what they put their mind to. This Friday, all Year 7 to 12 students will spend time in their House meetings completing their Semester 1 goalsetting. The document asks students to draw on the College value of interiority to reflect on their past achievements and to then challenge themselves to improve on these achievements. Whilst we place significant importance on academic progress, the process will also ask students to reflect on other elements of their lives such as their personal development and wellbeing, and set goals to improve these areas.

Next Friday, during the session before morning tea, the College will then suspend normal classes and students will participate in a program of activities, one of these being a conference with their House Mentor about their goalsetting for the semester. It is important that students have their goalsetting document completed by next Thursday (20^th February) and avoid any appointments wherever possible.

The program for next Friday is below:

Below is further reading around goalsetting that parents/carers might like to share with their son(s) when discussing their participation in the EmpowerED program.

Goalsetting
Embarking on a new school year provides an excellent opportunity to establish meaningful goals for personal and academic growth. Setting goals not only enhances your focus but also helps shape the kind of student you aspire to become. To ensure your goals are both attainable and inspiring, consider the following:

SPECIFIC: Make goals as detailed and specific as possible. Avoid vague goals like ‘I want to do better in Maths’, instead make them very detailed and specific. Exactly what do you want to achieve?
MEASUREABLE: A crucial aspect of goalsetting is having a way to measure your progress. Define clear indicators that signal achievement, enabling you to track your success along the way. This could involve setting specific targets, such as achieving a certain grade or completing a set number of tasks.
ACTION-ORIENTED: Your short-term goals should be the action steps you need to take to achieve the medium and longer-term goals.
(Another version of SMARTIES uses aspirational instead of action-oriented, i.e. your goals should inspire you and stretch and challenge you beyond your comfort level.)
RELEVANT & REALISTIC: Goals change, so if your goal is no longer relevant, you need to change it too. Although your goals should stretch you beyond your comfort zone, they need to still be based in reality. Create challenging goals by all means, but not totally unrealistic ones.
TIME-BASED: Your goals need to have a ‘to complete by’ date to give you something to aim for. Assigning deadlines to your goals provides a sense of urgency and direction.
INTERESTING: Choose goals that genuinely interest you and align with your values. Pursuing objectives that are personally meaningful increases motivation and commitment. When you find your goals interesting and worthwhile, you’re more likely to stay dedicated to achieving them.
EMOTIONAL: Express the emotion behind your goals using powerful language. This emotional connection enhances your commitment and helps you stay connected to the purpose of your objectives. When you can articulate the significance of your goals, they become more compelling and personally resonant.
SUCCESS ORIENTED: Frame your goals in a positive and success-focused manner. Instead of focusing on what you want to avoid or improve, emphasise the positive outcomes you aim to achieve. A positive mindset fosters resilience, optimism, and a greater likelihood of success.

By incorporating these guidelines into goalsetting process, you increase the likelihood of turning your aspirations into tangible achievements throughout the school year. Remember that the journey of goalsetting is as valuable as the destination, fostering personal growth, motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Empowering Students Through Blurred Minds: Building Healthier Futures
Under the leadership of Health and Physical Education Head of Faculty Ms Fisser and her staff, students in Year 7 at Villanova College throughout the year will engage in the Blurred Minds program through their Health and Physical Education journey. The program is an innovative and evidence-based initiative designed to empower young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed, healthy life choices. It has proven highly effective in creating more negative beliefs around vaping and alcohol, while increasing students’ refusal skills and reducing positive expectations toward these substances.

By participating in Blurred Minds, students have access to the Academy, a comprehensive digital platform featuring 13 curriculum-mapped modules. These engaging lessons provide practical insights and tools to help students navigate peer pressures and develop strategies for maintaining their well-being.

Through role-playing scenarios, quizzes, and interactive activities, students explore the real-world consequences of substance use, strengthening their ability to confidently say “no” when faced with challenging situations.

The program’s success is underpinned by extensive research administered from Griffith University, making it an invaluable resource in fostering healthier decision-making among young people. We look forward to our students’ engagement and commitment to learning critical life skills that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.

To extend this vital learning beyond the classroom, parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit the Blurred Minds Parent Hub at www.blurredminds.com.au/community. The Parent Hub offers valuable resources and conversation starters to help families continue discussing vaping, alcohol, and other critical health topics at home.

By fostering open communication between school and home, together we can empower young people to make responsible choices that positively impact their future.

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

2025 Acceptable Use of Computer Network Agreement Update
Thanks to the majority of students who have shown accountability and effort in signing the annual Acceptable Use of Computer Network Agreement, as printed in the 2025 College Diary. This week we are directly emailing parents of Year 7-12 students who have not yet signed the agreement.

If this is still unresolved by Monday 17 February, then affected students will experience extensive restrictions to Villanova wi-fi access. This will affect a student’s ability to view online learning materials, websites, OneNote pages, Teams spaces, Moodle courses, etc. The fallback will be use of exercise books and other offline means to engage with the learning, until the agreement is signed. Of course, this is not our intention nor what we want for our students. This consequence is entirely avoidable. Therefore, please ensure that your son is being accountable and putting in the required effort to present the diary policy to you for signing before this actionable date.

Mr Jason Lane, Director of E-Learning

Attendance at lessons and rehearsals
As communicated in last fortnight’s Villa View, we have introduced a new approach to attendance communication across the Music Department.  We are utilising our Optimo program for marking attendance in our private and group lessons in addition to our ensemble rehearsals.  This change has been made to allow us to future-proof communications and afford us the opportunity to streamline timetabling and scheduling across the platforms being introduced into the College.

Anecdotally, our staff are appreciating this change in the main.  The new communication mode of our timetables has led to a higher strike rate in attendance.  We are also finding communication regarding ‘missed’ or forgotten lessons, or critical clashes, has been seamless.  Overall, I believe this change has been relatively positive for all involved.

In terms of marking attendance, we will retain the same process as previous years in rehearsal.  A roll will be marked before commencement (at our start time) with students not seated in the room marked ‘Absent’ unless otherwise communicated.  We will then send a notification home at the beginning of rehearsal.  We will mark the roll again at the end, adjusting for late arrivals.  We have found this process is effective in beginning the conversation with our students and home should we find rehearsal arrival a little challenging.

With regards to lesson attendance, students will be marked ‘Absent’ when no explanation is provided (as per previously).  We will still be able to adjust for explained absences and reschedules with sufficient notice and teacher availability.  A notification will be sent home at the end of the teacher’s working day advising of the missed lesson.

The email alerts that are sent are very generic.  Their purpose is not to be draconian nor challenging.  These alerts are an opportunity for a dialogue to start with a view to providing support and encouragement where required.  If you have any concerns regarding these communications, please don’t hesitate to contact me through the Music Office.

Year 5 Instrumental Music
Our music team have been working diligently over the past two Tuesday’s testing our beginning instrumentalists on a variety of instruments.  We are looking forward to communicating our instrument allocations as soon as possible.

With the Junior School Swimming Carnival next Tuesday, we will most probably NOT be undertaking instrumental music classes.  Our staff will be working to ensure all our instruments and incidentals are labelled and ready for your son’s collection the following week – Tuesday 25 February.

Next Wednesday, 19 February, we will be distributing Loan Agreements to all Year 5 students.  You will receive two copies of the same document for each instrument on loan.  One copy is for your records, one copy needs to be read and signed by you and your son.  The signed document must be returned to your son’s general class teacher before he will be able to bring his instrument home.

We are really looking forward to getting our new cohort up and playing.  It’s going to be another great musical year!

Debut Concert Series – Reminder re Uniform
We are now only three weeks away from our Debut Concert Series.  This concert is for all students who are currently in a rehearsing ensemble (some Year 5 students are included in this set – NOT all).  If your son is involved in this concert series, you will be receiving an email in the coming week.

Due to possible growth spurts over the holidays, it is prudent to check our performance uniform now.  Please take a look at the information below and ensure your son is prepared for these events.  Information regarding performance dates for ensembles will be forthcoming.

Music Uniforms

Key Dates Term 1
As we look ahead across the term, please ensure we pencil the following dates into your diary:

Entertainment Publications Memberships
Entertainment memberships are one of the Music Support Groups main fund-raisers.  Just click on the link to purchase a membership and obtain ongoing special deals throughout the year.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of Music at Villanova College.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Director of Sport Address
Date claimers

• Week 4 – Tuesday, 18 February: AIC First Team Presentations (AFL, Cricket and Volleyball) at Goold Hall on the Villanova College campus
• Week 4 – Tuesday, 18 February (Junior School) and Thursday, 20 February (Middle and Senior School): Interhouse Swimming Carnival at Langlands Park Memorial Pool
• Week 6 – Monday, 3 March: Japan Tour Information Night at the Hanrahan Theatre on the Villanova College campus, from 6pm
• Week 6 – Tuesday, 4 March Assembly: AIC Swimming Championship and Opens Debating Team Presentations at Goold Hall on the Villanova College campus
• Week 7 – Monday, 10 March: Trimester 2 Sports Induction for Coaches at Nick Simpson Auditorium on Level 3 of the St Thomas Building on the Villanova College campus, from 6pm – interested coaches to contact the relevant Sport Coordinator
• Week 7 – Tuesday, March 11: AIC Swimming Championships at Sleeman Sports Complex

AIC Code of Conduct 
The Villanova College community is encouraged to review the AIC Code of Conduct, which outlines expectations for students, parents, coaches, officials and spectators to promote respectful and inclusive sportsmanship across all member schools.
Successes:
Last week, parents and spectators demonstrated excellent adherence to the AIC Code of Conduct through:

• Primary AFL spectators modelling respect by positively supporting Villanova staff and players and displaying respectful behaviour throughout the game.
• Villanova volleyball spectators last week showing support by respecting referee decisions without complaint and encouraging their son to do the same.

Here are examples of excellent behaviour from last weekend that reflect our positive Code of Conduct:

• AFL: Villanova AFL players at Yeronga on Saturday morning demonstrated positive energy and sportsmanship by congratulating opponents on strong plays and maintaining composure without taunts or negativity.
• Cricket: Villanova cricketers at Villa Park displayed humility and graciousness by congratulating the opposing team after the match and thanking them for a competitive game.
• Volleyball: Villanova volleyballers at Goold Hall and Iona (due to the venue relocation) demonstrated competitiveness and respect by accepting referee decisions calmly, encouraging teammates and chasing every ball while staying composed in critical moments.
• Swimming: Villanova swimmers demonstrated gratitude by thanking their coach, teaching staff and officials after the race for their guidance, time and support.

Areas for Growth and Development
Positive energy is key. Spectators must ensure their behaviour reflects humility in victory and grace in defeat. Booing or ridicule have no place in our community. A powerful example of these values in action is Roger Federer, who consistently demonstrated respect, composure and sincerity towards opponents and officials. His exemplary sportsmanship reminds us of the importance of honouring the game and fostering a respectful sporting environment.

Similarly, players seeking clarity on coaching decisions or selections should approach these matters respectfully at an appropriate time – not during the “heat of battle.” By doing so, we can continue to promote character development and a positive sporting culture.

Fortnight summary
Round 1 results
Swimming

• Over 80 swimmers competed at Friday night’s meet at St Peter’s.

AFL

• Villanova teams secured 7 wins from 15 matches, including strong Junior performances: winning 5 of 6 matches, with all three Year 6 teams winning.
• The First XVIII lost by 38 points, being very competitive for three of the four quarters against a very talented St Laurence’s team.

Volleyball

• Villanova won 6 of 21 matches against SLC, a traditionally strong volleyball school.
• All three Year 11 teams secured victories.
• Additional wins by the 10B, 9C and 8A
• Year 7 teams adapted well to venue relocations and rescheduled game times.

Cricket

• Villanova secured 8 wins from 10 aggregate matches. All five Opens teams and all Year 8 teams recorded victories, with the First XI delivering a strong all-round team performance.
• 15 wins and 2 ties from 24 matches against Laurie’s.
• Notable milestones:
• Nicholas H. (7As): 103 not out.
• Matthew C. (4ths): hat-trick.
• Connor N. (4ths): 127 not out.
• Eddie M. (5ths): double hat-trick.

This Weekend’s Events:

• Swimmers compete at Iona whilst most Villanova teams take on St Edmund’s College. Best of luck!

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and support!

Mr Matthew Hannan, Director of Sport  

Key updates and Announcements
Communications
Families should access sports information via the Villanova College website and App. With the 2025 Sports Bulletin halted, the Locker Room and Villanova College phone application will be relied on to provide key updates between Villa View issues.

Fixtures, Results and Training Information
Draw – Round 2, Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February
The draw for Round 2 versus St Edmund’s College – is now available via the “Weekly Fixture/Draw Information” on the Locker Room page link. The draw will be posted to Locker Room on the Wednesday, prior to the round ahead. This is the earliest possible time we can post this information.

Round 1 Results

AFL Round 1

Cricket Round 1

Volleyball Round 1 

AIC Draw 2025
Please find linked the AIC Draw for 2025.

Team Lists
Team lists appear in the Parent Lounge and Student Cafe sections of the portal. Team lists will be posted by Thursday prior to the round ahead. This is the earliest possible time we can post this information.

Training Schedules
For all updated information regarding training and selection trials schedules, please visit the Locker Room page of the Villanova College website. Sport specific training schedules for AFL, Cricket and Volleyball can also be found on the Locker Room page – there were minor modifications to this training schedule, published last year. Please ensure you review the latest version, each week (note the version date, will feature in the title inside the document. The most recent version includes “…version current January 28” in the title).

Term 1 Sport Uniforms 
Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Villanova College Uniform Look Book. This information is available on the College website under the Uniform Shop page. Opening hours for the Uniform Shop can also be found here. All students selected in AIC teams are expected to wear the correct uniform for AIC fixtures each week.

Sport Specific Updates
Contact List

For information about a specific sport, please first visit the Locker Room page on our website. If you require further clarification, please contact the relevant Sport Coordinator, listed below. Note: Report training or game absences directly to the Sport Coordinator.

Director of Sport – Matthew Hannan,  matthew.hannan@vnc.qld.edu.au  
AIC AFL Coordinator – Matt Conlan, mconlan@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Cricket Coordinator – Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au  
AIC Swimming Coordinator – Juanita Jacobs, jjacobs@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Volleyball Coordinator – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Cross-Country Coordinator – Brian Pascoe – bpascoe@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Chess Coordinator – Kath Underhill, kunderhill@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Football Coordinator – Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Rugby Union Coordinator – Chris Everding, ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Golf Coordinator – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Basketball Coordinator – Stuart Rowland, srowland@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Rugby League Coordinator – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au  
AIC Tennis Coordinator – Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Track & Field Coordinator – Anthony Kemp, akemp@vnc.qld.edu.au 
AIC Water Polo Coordinator – Contact sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au  
Composite District Sport – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au 
Lytton District Sport – Chris Everding, ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au 

AFL
Round 1 AFL Wrap-Up: A Mixed Bag of Results:
Well done and congratulations to all 15 AFL sides who competed against SLC on the weekend! It was a series of tightly contested matches, with our teams recording 7 wins and 8 losses overall. The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the clear sweep for Villa in the Year 6 games, winning all three matches. The 5A, 5B, 7A and 9A teams also enjoyed success. A special mention goes to the mighty 5C team, who fought valiantly for the entire game, but narrowly went down by less than a goal. The final score being Villa 4 – 7 – 31 to SLC 6 – 0 – 36. Similarly, the 2^nd XVIII showed a lot of character on Friday night. After being down by approx. 5 goals at the main break, they fought back strongly only to go down by 9 points when the final siren sounded. For all teams, let’s make sure we get to training and continue to work hard so we give ourselves the best chance of victory in the coming weeks.
Mr Matt Conlan, AFL Coordinator 

Open AIC AFL Jersey Presentation Assembly
Congratulations to the players selected to receive a jersey for the Open AIC AFL Team – the ‘Leaping Wildcats’. While you hold the jersey now, it is not yet truly yours. It will belong to those who bring the greatest value to it, earned through actions both on and off the field. The legacy of the Leaping Wildcats is built by those who honour the jersey through effort, discipline, and commitment.

1          Seb B.
2          Martin B-M.
3          Will C.
4          Rhys D.
5          Jay G.
6          Toby H.
7          Mitch H.
8          Zac J. (Captain)
9          Darcy K.
10        Jack K.
11        Nick L.
12        Matt L.
13        Jack L.
14        Ollie L.
15        Oscar M.
16        Jacob M.
17        Mitch M.
18        Jacob N.
19        Lewis N.
20        Campbell S.
21        Dom S.
22        Fraser S.
23        Alex S.
24        Ollie T.
25        Jake W.
26        Xavier W.
27        Will W.
28        Darcy W.

Cricket
The AIC cricket season finally got underway last Saturday with a Round 1 clash against SLC. Thanks again to all our coaches for their hard work during the pre-season training and trial fixtures, it was pleasing to see all our 26 cricket teams out on the field playing some cricket in some fantastic weather conditions, whilst having plenty of fun with their mates. Over the last couple of years, we have held our own and shared the results against SLC, but last Saturday was a very productive start to the season with some fantastic team results. In summary – we had a total of 19 wins, 6 losses and a drawn match. 8 of these wins were aggregate sides, which is a great start to the season. Whilst plenty of great results were shown across our various venues, I would like to highlight of the following achievements.

• Connor N (127no) 4^th XI Cricket
• Nicholas H (103no) 7A Cricket
• Daniel C (hat-trick) 4^th XI Cricket
• Edison M (double hat-trick) 5^th XI Cricket

Can I please ask all students and parents to make sure that they carefully check the weekly draw and updated team lists, last week we had several students turn up to the ‘incorrect venue’ which unfortunately left some of our teams short on the day. Both the draw and team lists will be updated weekly in ‘Parent Lounge’ and on the ‘Locker Room’ section of the website by Thursday afternoon.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind players and parents that cricketers need to wear the appropriate cricket uniform to all AIC games. The uniform consists of the Villanova cricket shirt, Villanova hat or cap and white pants for all players. It is not acceptable for any player to wear any club cricket shirt or hat when representing Villanova. The green College academic hat, Villa sports cap or a white wide brimmed hat can be worn. Warm up clothing consists of the Villanova squad shirt and the green PE shorts.

This week, Villanova faces SEC. Due to our larger number of cricket teams, several supplementary matches will be played against other colleges.

Good luck to all cricket sides this weekend in our Round 2 games v St Edmunds College.

1^st XI Cricket.
With round 1, comes a new season for Villanova cricket, I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the following students who were selected in the 1^st XI team for round 1. A special mention to those players who received the green and gold baggy cap for the very first time.

• Finn T. (Captain)
• Alex B.
• Lucas D.
• Andrew D.
• Caedan F.
• Christian F.
• Max K.
• Lewis M.
• Fraser S.
• Oscar T.
• Lachlan W.

Before warmups, former First XI cricketer and Old Boy Mr Cameron Bukowski delivered a speech to players and parents. Cameron talked about his special and fond memories of when he represented Villanova First XI cricket, Cameron spoke about the importance of sticking together as a team and to always support your teammates. A special thanks to Cameron for taking time out of his busy schedule to deliver his speech and to also present the baggy caps to our newest 1^st XI debutants.

The 1^st XI had a great start to the season with a comprehensive win against SLC, Villanova batted first and posted 9-228. They then bowled out SLC for a total of only 67 in the 32^nd over. The team will take plenty of confidence out of the round 1 victory and are looking forward to the round 2 match up vs SEC.

Congratulations to team coaches Mr Nathan Reardon and Mr Joshua Schaumburg on their ‘first victories’ as coaches of the First XI cricket team.
Mr Nathan Dufty, Villanova Cricket Coordinator

Swimming
Congratulations to all the new swim squad members who made their way to SPLC on Friday night for their first ever swim meet.  It is always different and exciting for swimmers who may not have swum competitively before.  We had over 80 swimmers in attendance on the night.  There is a little lost property – one sports cap, two pairs of sport shorts, one yellow and white towel and a pair of goggles.  They will be sent to the Middle school/senior school lost property on Monday morning.

This Friday, 14 February, we will travel to Iona.  The routines for the meet will be the same as last week.  Junior school swimmers will meet with Ms Liddy and the seniors near their classrooms and walk together to the bus.  All other swimmers should meet at the front of the school as quickly as possible after Period 5. The timing and schedule of events can be found on the draw which is located on the Locker Room page. If wet weather or storms interrupt the meet, we will post updates as soon as possible.

When we arrive at Iona, we will all walk together to the pool and boys will marshal for each event as per the event schedule and announcements. The older swimmers will ensure that the younger boys make their races.  We encourage every swimmer to swim in as many events as possible so we can track their improvement.   At the end of each race, the swimmers will receive their post-it note with their time written, to be given to the teacher who is recording.

For the meet this Friday 14th Feb, there is no bus returning, so all swimmers will need to be collected from the Iona pool at 5:30pm.

As the AIC Championships approach, training will focus more on sprint sets, starts and finishes.  In the week leading up to March 11, relay change overs will also be incorporated into the sets.  While many students may have clashes with other sports or music, we do ask that swimming is prioritised for the final two or three sessions immediately prior to the AIC.  This allows the teams to have proper relay practice before race day.
Mrs Juanita Jacobs, Swimming Coordinator

Volleyball
It was certainly exciting to see our teams return to the court for the first official match of AIC for 2025. Whilst it was a tough round 1 clash with St Laurence’s College, it was refreshing to see our teams on the court putting up their best efforts. I acknowledge and thank those families from Year 7-9 for their patience as we navigated through some late draw changes.

Round 1 marked the beginning of a new era for the Villanova First VI. Ahead of the season start, we inducted the next group of students who will represent our College on the court in the First uniform. I acknowledge and congratulate the following students and our First VI captain, Alex K.:

• Alex K. (Captain)
• Alex R.
• Cooper P.
• Cooper L.
• Nathan C.
• CJ C.
• Hamish R.
• Thomas M.
• Luke J.
• Lucas C.
• Christian M.
• Marcus C.

The boys were presented with their jersey, ahead of the full College presentation later in the term. One of the brief messages from our coaching team was about what it meant to wear this jersey and the challenge to leave something behind for the next group of students. We look forward to seeing what these students can produce both on and off the court.

Finally, a few key messages about the upcoming round 2.

• Looking ahead to Round 2, Villanova takes on St Edmund’s College – Seniors at home and Juniors away. The draw is available via Parent Lounge.
• For Year 10-12 teams, please also check the duty roster.
• Team lists will be available from Thursday afternoon each week.
• From this round forward, only students in full AIC Volleyball uniform will be eligible to play:
• Volleyball hire jersey
• Green PE shorts
• Villa Socks

Wishing all our teams the best for Round 2!
Mr Todd Kropp, Volleyball Coordinator

Cross Country: The ‘Running Wildcats’
The training for the 2025 AIC Cross-Country season starts on Tuesday 4 March in week 6B of Term 1 with the Junior, Middle and Senior Schools squads training as one. Dedication to training, effort and positive respectful relationships are the characteristics of the students at Villanova College who train with the cross-country squad. I challenge students who want to be involved to start their own running training now in preparation for the start of the running season.

I encourage boys, especially students fit from playing other sports or wanting to be fitter for their other sports to speak to either Mr Pascoe or Mr Roache about how you could get involved. Especially, if you have not previously joined the Cross-Country squad.

We are aware that many boys will have lots of different activities going on. We encourage our best runners to represent Villanova on the day of the championships. It may be the case that a student may not be able to attend all training sessions due to other commitments. If this is the case, we simply need students to communicate this to the coaches and managers involved. We are open to negotiating alternative training schedules with those who have lots on to facilitate optimal performance and maintain athlete well-being.

Training Schedule
Term 1 – Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
Term 2 – Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Middle and Senior School Students

• Meet in front of Goold Hall and have name marked off roll.
• Leave Goold Hall at 6.45 am.

Junior School Students

• Meet at the Agora, store bags, have name marked on roll.
• Leave the Agora at 6.45 am.

The cross-country season will once again include a number of warm-up meets. This will allow students race practice and to familiarise themselves with AIC Championship course at St Patricks College playing fields, Curlew Park Sandgate. The warm-up meets include,

Cross-Country warm-up meets will be scheduled through the season to practice cross-country racing.

• Sherwood
• SPC – AIC course familiarisation.
• Runcorn

All Cross-Country training will be conducted on and around the precincts of the College and Little Langlands.  The training is completed by 7.45 am with shower facilities available in the pool area and the tuckshop open from 8 am for breakfast if required.
The 2025 Cross-Country Championship is scheduled for Week 7 of Term 2 at Curlew Park, Shorncliffe.
We encourage all boys intending to join the ‘Running Wildcats’ to attend training starting Week 7 and see how great you can be.
Mr Brian Pascoe, Cross Country Coordinator

Open Rugby Players
All boys in Year 11 and 12, wishing to play Open rugby this year and are not in the Andrew Slack squad, are encouraged and invited to pre-season training at Easts on Wednesday afternoons beginning next Wednesday 19 February and running every Wednesday until the official rugby trials begin. The sessions will run from 3.20pm to 5.00pm and the boys are to be picked up from Easts.

The 3rds and 4ths coaches for this year will be in attendance and will work on core drills for scrummaging, defence and ball handling. These sessions will enable the coaches to gauge players and be better prepared for the start of the season. The scrummaging sessions will be essential for all players as they prepare for the rugby season. A bus will depart from the front of the College each Wednesday at 3.10pm and you will be required to bring a jersey, mouthguard and boots for each session.

Rugby Coaches Needed
If there are any parents who wish to nominate to be rugby coaches next term, please contact Mr Chris Everding in the Sports Office. Recent coaching experience is essential along with a Smart Rugby Qualification. Trials will begin in Week 9 this term and there will be a coaches induction meeting prior to the start of trials.
Mr Chris Everding, Rugby Union Coordinator

Community Engagement and Parent Involvement
Parent Volunteers
Join the Villanova College Sports Club in supporting our sporting community. Volunteers are needed at Goold Hall on Saturdays throughout Term 1. Please click the registration link on The Locker Room and Villanova College phone application in the Notices section, in order to register as a volunteer for events. Your contribution makes a real difference to our sporting community. Thank you for your anticipated support!

Villa Sports Club Meeting
Get involved in Villa Sport by joining our next Sports Club Meeting – connecting with other parents and helping to shape the future of sport at Villanova. We encourage all parents to attend – your involvement makes a real difference! The first meeting of the week occurred earlier this week; with outstanding parental involvement; stay tuned for a future release of the next meeting date!

Specialised Services
Physiotherapy
The first round of AIC AFL went by smoothly with no major injuries… except for calf cramps… lots and lots of calf cramps.  Muscle cramps are extremely common in AFL due to the large field size and repeated sprints and jumping. The time of year doesn’t help either…. Friday was an absolute scorcher!

Here are my evidence-based tips to reduce the risk of calf cramping this season:

1.      Exposure to plyometric calf load during the week. This means attending training- getting your sprints in. If you are a frequent cramper, I’d also recommend adding extra plyometric training during the week (e.g. Skipping, hopping etc).
2.      Calf strengthening- especially training to fatigue. Muscles tend to cramp when they are working at a level that is ABOVE their capacity. So working your calf strength and endurance is imperative.
3.      HYDRATION! Not just on game day, but during the week. The best way to know if you are adequately hydrated is by checking your urine. If your urine isn’t almost clear, then you are not hydrated sufficiently.
4.      Rest. Get a good sleep the night before game day and make sure you don’t physically exert yourself too much during the school day on Friday.

If you’re experiencing any injuries or pain or want to learn more about injury prevention. Shoot me an email at bridie.physiotherapist@gmail.com. Or, book online www.sportsandexercise.physio.
Bridie Nicholson Physiotherapist, Villanova College (from Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy)

Physiotherapy update
Strapping will be available for all Firsts players in AFL, Rugby Union, Football and Rugby League. The cost is $5 per joint (e.g. two ankles will cost $10). A record of players receiving strapping will be maintained on game day, and parents will be charged to students’ school fee accounts by the school. Additionally, Bridie will provide comprehensive sports physiotherapy services to AFL, Rugby Union, Football and Rugby League Firsts players on game days and at scheduled times during the week, as required.

Speed and Agility
In 2025, Villanova College’s Speed & Agility Programme for students in Years 5 to 8 will continue under the leadership of Matty Scott. The programme features highly qualified coaches, including an Olympian and Australian-level coaches, offering students a unique opportunity to enhance their athletic skills.

Open to all ability levels, the programme runs for 5 weeks in Term 1 and 8 weeks in each subsequent term. Sessions will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 am at Whinstanes Oval, starting Tuesday, 4 March

Designed to benefit athletes across all sports, this programme comes highly recommended. To register, simply make payment via the Parent Lounge and attend the first session.
Matty Scott, Director Future Athletics

Strength and Conditioning
At Villanova College, we are committed to ensuring that every athlete not only performs at their best but also remains resilient against the demands of their sport. Whether you are in pre-season or already competing in-season, structured strength and conditioning is the key to staying ahead.

In Season Athletes (AFL, Volleyball, Cricket, etc.)
Your gym work should not stop just because competition has started. Strength, power and robustness won’t maintain themselves. Without regular structured training, you risk losing the physical qualities that keep you performing at your best—and more importantly, you increase the likelihood of injuries.

A properly designed in-season S&C program ensures:
✔ Maintenance of strength and power to keep performing at your peak
✔ Reduced risk of injuries by preparing your body for the demands of competition
✔ Faster recovery between games through controlled gym-based loading.

Stick to your scheduled gym sessions and make the most of your time with the S&C team.

Pre-Season Athletes– Last chance to build your base
For those still in pre-season, this is your final phase of hard physical preparation before the season starts. Now is the time to push yourself. The work you put in now will set the foundation for the entire season—don’t cut corners. Show up, train hard and leave no stone unturned so you step onto the field in top physical condition.
Marco Mastrorocco, S&C Coordinator, Villanova College (from Athletix Team)

Regional and External Sports
Regional Sport
Composite Sport (13-19 Years)
Nomination paperwork is available from the Sports Office for the following Sports.

Mr Todd Kropp, Composite Sport Coordinator

Lytton District Sport (10-12 Years)
Villanova is a member of the Lytton District Sport Association in Southeast Brisbane. There are a number of upcoming trials in term one for various sports, many of which students represent Villanova in. Nominations for these team sports are done by the coaches who took teams in 2024. We follow the following guidelines when nominating students:

• Only 4-6 students can be nominated in each team sport across three-year levels.
• Students in Year 6 and 7 are selected first if they are deemed to have the ability to compete at a higher level. Year 5 students generally sit the year out unless they are turning 11 and have exceptional ability to be nominated over students in higher grades.
• In individual sports (swimming, cross country and track and field), students are selected in the following age groups- U10, U11 and U12. Only those who are training to represent Villanova in each of the individual sports are eligible.
• Students must represent the College in a particular sport to be nominated for that sport.
  Mr Chris Everding, Lytton District Sport Coordinator

External Achievements
Over the weekend, 16 Villanova swimmers showcased impressive performances at the Queensland Sprint Championships. A special congratulations to Oliver J., who won gold in the Butterfly event, becoming Queensland sprint champion for the second consecutive year – an incredible achievement!

Sport Department Updates
Wet Weather Cancellations
If there is any reason to cancel training sessions or weekend games, this information will be posted to the Villanova College phone application in the Notices section. Please ensure you have downloaded the Villanova College application and updated your preferences and settings.

The Villa Sports Department will endeavour to cancel morning training sessions by 6am and afternoon training sessions by 1pm. If a training session is cancelled, boys are not able to be dropped off to the training venue as there will not be supervision present. Please check the Villanova College phone application regularly for these notifications.

If any AIC fixtures are cancelled, we will follow the same procedure above. Timing will be dependent on when that information becomes available.

Guidelines regarding communication of External Achievements
The Villanova College Sports Department celebrates individual student achievements through both our social media platforms and newsletter. To maintain clarity and consistency, the recognition criteria are outlined below:

Social Media Recognition
Achievements at the national level (e.g., selection in an Australian team or being crowned a national or state champion).
Outstanding results in state level events may also qualify.

Newsletter Recognition
Achievements at the state level (e.g. selection in Queensland teams or significant individual achievements at recognised State Championships, such as medal winners).

Exclusions
Representation at club, district, or composite levels (e.g. Met East or Lytton District) does not meet the criteria for inclusion in social media or newsletter posts.
To have a qualifying achievement featured, please email SportsOffice@vnc.qld.edu.au with the subject “External Sport Achievement”. Please include:
A summary of the event or competition (100–150 words or an equivalent in dot point form)
A photo of the student (ideally in their representative uniform)

Selection process
The goal of this selection process is to address and resolve players’ concerns in a structured and collaborative way. It begins with direct communication with the coach and escalates to higher-level review (if necessary), ensuring fairness and the effective resolution of both minor and serious issues.

Step 1: Direct Communication
The player discusses their concern directly with the coach, who also provides feedback.

Step 2: Further Action
If the student’s concern is not resolved, the player consults the relevant Sport Coordinator, who will look to involve the coach.

Step 3: Serious or Unresolved Issues
For significant concerns or unresolved matters, the player and their parents will meet with the relevant Sport Coordinator and the Director of Sport.

Minor Disputes (handled by coach or Sport Coordinator):

• Issues with playing time or positions.
• Communication breakdowns.
• Concerns about skill development or behaviour at training.

Serious Misconduct (escalates to Sport Coordinator & Director of Sport):

• Bullying or harassment.
• Severe unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Violence or threats.
• Substance abuse.

Final Reflection
Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘You do not have to see the whole staircase – just take the first step.’ In sport and life, success begins with that first step. At Villanova, we commit to growth through effort, teamwork, and courage, shaping leaders ready to conquer every challenge. Every great journey begins with a single step. Effort, teamwork, and courage define the Villanova spirit — so step up, embrace the challenge and make this season unforgettable. Wildcats now is your time to shine!

Parent and Community Information

A4 Riverside Rugby Flyer 2025_

C2K Rugby Academy Skills Sessions – FebMar 2025

BSC TERM 1 2025

Collection notice for parents/guardians
2025 Student residential address and other information
The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) would like to notify you that we have requested for your child’s school to provide residential address and other information.
Under the Australian Education Regulations 2023, the school is required to provide the department with the following information about each student at the school:
 names and residential addresses of the student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
 student residential address (excluding student names)
 whether the student is a primary or secondary student (education level)
 whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).
The school collects the above information by generating a unique and unidentifiable student reference number (SRN) for each student record. The school only uses the SRN for this collection. The SRN cannot be used for any other purpose. The number only indicates to the department that each record provided is for one student.

Purpose of the collection
The Student residential address and other information collection (address collection) informs Australian Government school education policy and helps ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need.
The information collected is used to inform school funding calculations. It is combined with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data to calculate a non-government school community’s anticipated capacity to contribute to schooling costs, known as the capacity to contribute (CTC) score. More information is available on the CTC page.

Use and disclosure of personal information
Your personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act). Personal information is information or an opinion about an identifiable individual. Personal information includes an individual’s name and contact details.
Any use or disclosure of your personal information must occur in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Australian Education Act 2013 and Australian Education Regulations 2023.
Your personal information provided to the department through the collection may be:
 disclosed to the ABS for the purposes of the ABS linking names and address(es) with their personal income taxation data using the capacity to contribute calculations and analysis as a part of the Person Level Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA – previously known as MADIP). Find more information about PLIDA on the ABS website PLIDA page
 disclosed to an authorised person (for example, contracted auditor or identified departmental official) where the department may audit a school’s collection submission. The authorised person compares the school’s submission with the student enrolment information. The authorised person will not use the information for any other purpose
 disclosed to our service providers for the purpose of providing the department with information and communications technology support
 used or disclosed where it is otherwise required or authorised by law.
GPO Box 9880, Canberra ACT 2601 | Phone 1300 488 064| www.education.gov.au | ABN 12 862 898 150
The department does not intend to disclose your personal information to any overseas recipients.
Aggregated information will be provided to your school in the form of school level median income for the last 3 years, rounded to the nearest $5,000. This information is provided to help your school understand their level of government funding. Your personal income information will not be provided to your school.
Find the department’s privacy policy on the Department of Education website. This includes information on:
 how individuals can access and modify personal information held by the department
 how complaints about potential breaches or breaches of the Privacy Act can be made
 how the department will deal with these complaints.
In association with this, the department commissioned an independent Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA). The PIA assessed the flows of information under the address collection, compliance with the Privacy Act and measures in place to safeguard the personal information being collected. The current version is available on the Department of Education web site.

What do you need to do?
You are not required to do anything. Your school is responsible for providing the department with the requested details; however, you can contact the school to update your family’s details.

Contacts for further information
Your school can provide additional information about the address collection process.
Alternatively, please visit the SchoolsHUB address collection help and support page.