Villa View: Issue 01/21

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family,
Welcome back to the start of a new school year. The beauty of starting again is that all the matters from the past can now be confined to yesterday. They become part of the lessons we learn. Today we look with relish at the promise of a new year where we begin again with a sense of hope and optimism.

As I watched the Year 5 students enter the grounds of the College yesterday, I was thrilled to see their happy faces and eagerness to discover their new surroundings. Accompanied by their parents there was a real buzz as the students gathered for the start of the school day. We welcome all the new students and families to our College.

The Power of Youth
Like many people I watched the Inauguration Ceremony for President Joe Biden earlier this month. A young lady, Amanda Gorman stole the show for me. At 22 years of age, the wisdom found in the words of her poem, “The Hill We Climb” left her audience with a sense of hope and awe. Amanda has overcome a speech impediment and auditory processing disorder to be the youngest Poet Laureate to recite a poem at a Presidential Inauguration. If you have not had a chance to see the recording of Amanda reciting the poem or to read the words, please do yourself a favour and do so.

The passion of our youth will be the saving of our world. Through the power of coming together as one, united in their common cause to create a more just and equitable world, our young people bring hope and a light to the darkness.

I think we adults sometimes underestimate the ability of our young people to often see clearly what needs to be done to address the problems that confront our society and communities.

Our Year 12 students have begun their final year and during my address today I reminded them that this year belongs to each Senior student. It is up to each individual to discover what they will do with the opportunities they are given during 2021. Before them is a path to a bright future. Our job is to be a guide walking with them and showing the way.

COVID Normal
The government has recently released the Education Industry Plan/Framework to help school communities to assess what actions may be necessary when an outbreak occurs. At the moment all school communities are at the response Level 1- COVID Normal. Under COVID Normal there is still the requirement for physical distancing for adults at indoor events. This requirement will impact our College assemblies, sporting fixtures for volleyball and any other functions held indoors. Once again, I ask for your understanding, co-operation and support as we deal with this ongoing issue.

Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection Notice
The Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection is an annual data collection performed by the Australian Government.  Approved authorities are required under the Australian Education Regulation to complete this collection.

To ensure Villanova College provides accurate details, parents are requested to login to Parent Lounge to ensure that their details are correct. Further information about the Collection can be found here.

You have made us for Yourself O Lord
And our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

God bless

Mr Mark Stower, 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. 

I wish all families a warm welcome back to the College after a well-earned break. It has been great to see students back in classes, ready to meet the challenges of a new year. The College’s teachers have spent over a week preparing for classes to commence, the new Year 7 spaces yesterday welcomed 208 student eager students and improvements to other areas have been completed. Villanova is ready to go for 2021.

Year 12 Cohort, 2020
The start of the new school year is normally a time to reflect on the achievements of the previous year. There were a number of small opportunities, such as the Valedictory Evening and academic assemblies, to acclaim a number of students at the College. However, with a high percentage of a student’s marks dependent on the external examinations completed at the end of last year, it is only now that we can celebrate the successes of the Year 12 cohort of 2020. A summary of last year’s cohort can be found below :

NB : Numbers are based on data made available by students.

The College is looking forward to welcoming back our students at the Year 12 Graduates’ Celebration and Scholars’ Assembly in two weeks. At these events, significant awards such as Dux of the College and subject award winners will be announced. These will be communicated to the Villanova community in time.

Our ‘Old Boys’ now move on to tertiary or further study in the coming weeks or will be entering the workforce. The College wishes all these men the best in their endeavours and know that they will do Villanova proud.

Start of the Year
I received an email from 2018’s Academic Captain, Asier Goni, when he finished three years ago. The academic portfolio is an important position in the student leadership team given schools are ultimately judged on their performance in the classroom. Asier had a number of great ideas that he wished to share to assist all students in achieving their best. He addressed the importance of starting the year well in a student’s own individual space. His advice is below :

Getting Organised

• Make a calendar planner with dates of drafts / assessment and upcoming events. Colour-code each subject to keep track of them. Planners can be bought at Officeworks (or found online) and hung on bedroom walls or places of study. This is a great visual to make sure students do not miss any deadlines.
• Buy manila folders for each subject to keep at home with copies of assignment tasks, research notes and handouts in order to keep it all together.
• Don’t’ waste time: There are apps such as ‘Focus Keeper’, designed to help productivity, giving you a timer for work and then a short break time.

These are great bits of advice and I would encourage parents to engage in conversations with their sons about how they might manage their time well and plan for success.

Teaching and Learning Office
The Teaching and Learning Office is a place where students can visit to discuss their academic program, progress or to enquire about careers and pathways.

Please contact the Curriculum Office (Mrs Rosie O’Toole – 3394 5521) if you would like to speak to the following staff with regards to your son’s academic endeavours :

• Mr John Christie: Dean of Teaching and Learning
• Mr Kirk Astill: Director of Studies
• Ms Liana Baillie: Director of Data Analytics and Student Performance
• Mrs Julie Duffy: Head of Careers and Pathways

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

Beginnings are exciting.  A fresh start for us all – 2021 has all the potential and experiences to come.  Breathe deeply.  Take a moment for yourself and all that you did to make it, successfully, to the start of our Junior School year.  Families have played a very special part in organising uniforms, books, bags, lunch boxes and let us not forget the ultimate challenge of the work/school/home schedule.  My heartfelt thanks to you all.  What it takes, managing the butterflies and excitement of change and the unknown, will never go unnoticed nor unappreciated by Villanovan staff.

Our theme this year as a College is “Humility and Gratitude”.  Over the next ten months we will aim to honour our Augustinian heritage, embrace our Catholic identity, and show gratitude for the people, spaces and opportunities we have.  From the smallest gifts such as a smile or greeting, to the incredible physical resources such as our St Thomas Learning Centre – we will not take for granted.  Whatever chances we have, such as our Swimming Carnival this Friday, we will embrace and celebrate.  Our time together is precious, and we are committed to making every minute count.

Year 5 students have officially taken their place as our youngest Villanovans.  Their bright, wide eyes under crisp green College hats, with perfectly ironed grey academic uniforms and polished shoes was a sight to behold on Wednesday morning.  This cohort brings the energy, positivity and life that reminds me what a privilege it is to be at the very start of the next eight years of their Villanovan journey.  Greeting these young men, together with our treasured Year 12 students being the “big brothers”, gives me the best feelings of pride, joy and gratitude.  Parents, you are putting your trust in us – we understand the emotions that come with this – thank you.

Our Year 6 students have bounced through the College gates with a wisdom that comes only from living College life first-hand. 2020 moved the goalposts yet these students navigated the unknown and forged ahead like champions.  They are our newest leaders in the Junior School, ready to help their Year 5 buddies and channel all that they know into their best work academically and in co-curricular activities.  Now on Level 2, their sky-high city views remind them that they are limited only by their imaginations – these boys have lived through setting goals and understand more about themselves as learners than they ever would have thought possible.  They are ready and pumped to make the choices that will bring them the successes they understand exist when time and effort combine.

Our Junior School staff return with some new faces.  We welcome Mr Corey Griffen (6 Green) and Mr Bart Ritchie (6 Black), teachers in new class spaces and professional goals of their very own.  Collaborative teaching partnerships have used the time made available to determine the best for the two classes that join as lifelong learners.  Learning Enrichment and Specialist Staff are already coordinating timetables and planning for the boys alongside core class teachers.  Mrs Mascadri, in her truly inspiring fashion, is determined that all Junior School families will feel like royalty in the first week back – there is no question ever too small or large for her to find a solution.  Together, our team has worked thoroughly to prepare to welcome you all to 2021.

On Monday, 1 February, at 6pm, your son’s class teacher will conduct a Parent Information Evening in their classroom.  With COVID restrictions, one parent per student is invited to attend, keeping every effort to move directly to and from rooms with social distancing a priority.  It is a very important time to see the collaborative and flexible learning spaces where organisational and behavioural expectations can be seen first-hand.  Channels of communication, procedures/policies and the chance to clarify Term 1 matters – camp or classroom – will be given priority.  OneNote and College email expectations and the support you can provide at home with both is important to understand.  These gatherings should take no more than 45 minutes.  My sincere thanks to all staff involved for their work in helping you, the parents, settle into Villanova life through these meetings.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

As the students returned to the campus this week, they brought with them an energy that is synonymous with Middle School boys. It was that strange mix of nerves, excitement, eagerness, social awkwardness and relief, that we all experience from time to time that kick started the campus back into life. The classrooms too, became living entities, with the smell of new carpets, or of stale air, being replaced by honest sweat, mild body odour, and a buzz of conversation. Learning in Middle Schools is dependent on ‘energy’, and the boys have brought that in spades this week. This energy is what invigorates us as teachers, and we are all most certainly excited about the weeks ahead.

We have been particularly excited about the opening of the first phase of our Year 7 precinct makeover, with the launch of our O’Donnell Building refurbishment. We have been able to deliver state of the art, innovative learning spaces that will undoubtedly enhance the learning and engagement for our boys. Planning too, is well underway to complete the Year 7 precinct in the coming months.

We look forward to welcoming you into our classrooms next week for our parent information evenings. The details are as follows:

Monday 1 February: Year 8 Parent Information Evening, commencing at 6pm in the Hanrahan Theatre followed by classroom visits with core teachers.

Tuesday 2 February: Year 7 Parent Information Evening

• 7 Black, 7 Blue, 7 Maroon and 7 Red commencing at 5:30pm in the Hanrahan Theatre followed by a classroom visit with core teachers.
• 7 Gold, 7 Green, 7 Silver and 7 White commencing at 6:30pm in the Hanrahan Theatre followed by a classroom visit with core teachers.

Wednesday 3 February: Year 9 Parent Information Evening, commencing at 6.00pm in the Hanrahan Theatre.

As we settle into the routines of the year, can I gently remind parents that the preferred pickup/drop-off area for Middle School is the designated space along Fifth Avenue. Obviously if you have siblings in other year levels, you may wish to make your own arrangements. I appreciate some days can be busy at the various pinch-points around the campus, however, our collective responsibility is for the safety of all students, so I thank you in advance for your patience and heightened awareness during these times.

Finally, and I will reinforce this at our evenings next week, but if you are concerned about how your son might be settling into the new school year, I would encourage you to reach out to his core teacher or his relevant Pastoral Area Leader as soon as possible.

Year 7: Mr Ben Lynam:  blynam@vnc.qld.edu.a
Year 8: Mr Matthew McGrath:  mmcgrath@vnc.qld.edu.au
Year 9: Mr Alex Sullivan:  asullivan@vnc.qld.edu.au

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Welcome Back
The first week of another academic year is always infused with great excitement and energy, especially as a new Senior class begins writing the final chapter of their Villanova Journey whilst a new cohort of Year 5 students begins writing its first chapter. It was wonderful to witness the number of Year 12 students who arrived early at school yesterday to welcome the Year 5s into the Villanova Family, demonstrating that all Seniors now step into positions of leadership, responsible for sustaining the spirit of community  which this College is built upon. With the St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre now accommodating both Senior School and Junior School students, the College’s Peer Mentoring program will continue to prosper this year as our Year 12 students embrace their Big Brother responsibilities.

This morning we also witnessed the nervous energy amongst the Year 10 students as they acclimatised themselves to their surroundings in the Senior School precinct. I am confident that they will settle into their new environment and learning pathways very well.

One of the hallmarks of our philosophy of pastoral care at Villanova is the maxim of ‘high expectations, high support’. Thank you to all Senior School parents for your support in ensuring that our students have commenced with high standards of grooming and wearing of the academic uniform. Our Community Expectations and Student Policies are clearly outlined in the Student Diary which has been distributed to all Senior School Students. Pastoral teachers, Pastoral Area Leaders and I will continue to hold Senior School students accountable in these areas throughout the year.

Tomorrow the Year 12’s will be formally commissioned as leaders of the Villanova College community at the Opening Assembly of the year which will also include the Rite of Beginning and the Presentation of Trimester One First Teams. This is a significant rite of passage in the life of these young gentlemen, whereby the Senior class pledges their vision of leadership and receives their Senior badge. The Year 12 motto for 2021 is – Humble in Confidence, Courageous in Character.  In living out this vision, the Seniors will commit to being humble in their selfless service as leaders of the College and courageous to challenge themselves each and every day to be young men of great character. I look forward to sharing with you aspects of College Captain Louis Henderson’s speech next week.

I would like to remind you about the series of Parent Information Evenings across the next three weeks:

Year 12 – Thursday 4 February, 6.00pm
Year 11 – Monday 8 February, 6.00pm
Year 10 – Wednesday 10 February, 6.00pm

Pastoral Area Leaders will be sending home further information about these evenings in correspondence early next week.

Have a wonderful year!!

Holiday Reading
One of the most enjoyable aspects of an extended period of holidays is the opportunity to get my teeth into a feast of great books. From Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World to the action-packed Matthew Reilly the Two Lost Mountains, I enjoyed my fictional indulgences, however, I also read a thought-provoking book on what the ancient philosophy of stoicism can teach us about turning obstacles into opportunities for learning and personal growth.

In his introduction to ‘The Obstacle is the Way- The Ancient Art of turning Adversity to Advantage’, author Ryan Holiday says the following:

Overcoming obstacles is a discipline of three critical steps. It begins with how we look at our specific problems, our attitude or approach; then the energy and creativity with which we actively break them down and turn them into opportunities; finally, the cultivation and maintenance of an inner will that allows us to handle defeat and difficulty. It is three interdependent, interconnected, and fluidly contingent disciplines: Perception, Action, and the Will.

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” – Marcus Aurelius

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Living Gratefully and Walking Humbly!
A warm welcome to all at Villanova, whether you are returning or just beginning your journey.

This is the end of my third week at Villanova.  As a newcomer to this community, I have been so struck by the energy and care in this community.  I have felt so genuinely welcomed by everyone. I have marvelled already at the vision for student learning here, and the committed way staff work together to ensure an innovative, creative, and supportive learning environment.  Permeating the college is the spirit of St Augustine.  The restless search for truth and the wisdom that it is held by collectively being together as community.  Certainly, the professionalism, commitment and sense of passion that exudes from staff about the work that we together engage to support the development of fine young men at Villanova has been inspiring.  I am now eagerly looking forward to meeting and working with students and families.

As we enter the 2021 school year, it is hard not to reflect on what a challenging year 2020 was. So much about our lives have changed in the past year, and despite our hopeful thinking that we could turn to a new page and begin again in 2021, it is becoming clear that we will not see a return to life as we knew it, at least not any time soon.

I have moved, with my husband and three children, from Melbourne back to Brisbane in the last five weeks.  My recent months have been filled with the reality of extended lockdown, online learning, indeed online everything, a five km radius from my home, no sport, no singing, no gathering, finding myself enjoying the aisle in Woolies with the utensils because it was the only shop open… for months.

In the midst of it all I discovered every path in my vast local parkland.  I knew every member of the family of kangaroos in my wetland.  I knew where the wombats lived.  When I craved company off a screen, I found it amongst the trees and birds in a way I never knew possible.  I filled up my car with petrol in March and filled the tank again in September.  As a staff at my last school, Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidelberg, we gathered in March around our “Keeper of the Light” statue, and we gathered again as a group for the first time in mid-December.  In our classrooms we taught online from March until November.  Our students ended the school year still wearing masks!

In Melbourne we eventually did reach a more COVID normal reality.  We were changed because of it.  So many of the things we had taken for granted, like having people together, seeing people’s face, a hug from a loved one, welcoming people into your home, enjoying sitting in a café having a coffee, being out at night, going outside the 5km ring.  Gratitude flows in us now for all these things anew because we have known what it is like not to have them.  As a community we got there, and we together learnt about what it means to make individual sacrifices for the safety and wellbeing of all.  We also discovered a new humility that came from the reality that we were simply not in control and needed to remain agile and flexible to change.

Arriving in Brisbane is quite honestly like arriving on a different planet, and it is so, so good!  I know there have been challenges here too, and that life at Villanova College has certainly been disrupted and changed by COVID 19.

Amidst all the new realities there are of course many learnings and there is much to reflect upon:

• New ways of connecting.
• New ways of belonging.
• A heightened appreciation for so many of the things that we have taken for granted.
• The sense of uncertainty has made it clear that we certainly are not the ones in control.

It is so appropriate that our College theme for this year invites us to consider humility and gratitude, two core Augustinian values.  In the weeks and months ahead, we will be exploring this theme in more detail here in the newsletter.  Next week I will outline the significant ministry groups within the College that engage in outreach, awareness raising, advocacy and fundraising both within and beyond our school.  We hope to see many students involved in 2021.

As I know families are pulling together calendars and priorities for the year ahead, we ask parents to please prioritise a fantastic night of entertainment at our La Forza event, hosted by Old Boy, Greg Cooley at Villanova College on Saturday 13 February.  As well as being a fantastic night to be with friends and meet others connected with the Villanova community, this event also gives some of its proceeds towards supporting AFAS Elders and their work on Kinatarcan.

AFAS is the Australian Filipino Augustinian Solidarity, and for over 30 years there has been a strong partnership between communities in the Philippines and Villanova College.  Kinatarcan, is a remote island that was devasted by typhoon Yolanda, and the community there is slowly rebuilding with the assistance of the Augustinians. AFAS Elders have worked with the local community for the past few years, but due to COVID were not able to travel there last year.  We are looking for your continued support with AFAS and our efforts to make a difference in the lives of extremely poor people.  The work of the AFAS Elders is specifically focussed on development of sustainable community projects which provide long term employment opportunities for the community, and to assist in improving their quality of life.

One example of this is the assistance we give to the local midwife on the Island, who is the only medical provider for the whole community.  Coming along to the La Forza event, and encouraging others in your own networks to join you for a fantastic evening is a great way to support.  Please see the flyer for booking details.

Finally, I invite you, as part of the Villanova community to join us in praying:

Gracious God,
Villanova is a community open to Your word and Your works.
In the months ahead, during our time of seeking and learning together, mould, shape, and transform us.
Give us a mind that engages with Your word and seeks to understand Your truth in this complex world.
Give us ears to be attentive to Your voice in the world and to hear what we have not heard before.
Give us eyes to see You in all of your children on this earth and to see our world from new perspectives.
Give us a willing heart to be open to others and to nurture deep solidarity with the human community.

Amen

Ms Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

It is with great pleasure that I welcome all families to Villanova College for what I hope will be an exciting year of sport ahead. Our aim is to maintain and further develop Villanova’s sports program from Year 5 – 12 and to ensure that our students are given the opportunity to participate and enjoy all the benefits which playing sport can provide. Villanova is a place which offers many opportunities for its students to become involved in a wide variety of areas including sport, music, culture etc. My advice to all students is to ‘get involved’ in the life of the College. Enjoy the challenges and friendships you encounter on the way and be proud to represent your College by the way you conduct yourself on and off the sports field.

At Villanova, it is considered a privilege to don the green and gold. I encourage all students to show pride in the uniform each week by training hard and playing even harder. Best wishes go to us all in 2021, let us all do our bit for the year to be a fun and enjoyable one!

Listed below are the members of the College’s Sports Office. Students and parents are asked to contact any of the personnel below if you have a query or question of a sporting nature:

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport, Phone 3394 5611
Mr Anthony Kemp, AIC Sport Co-ordinator, Phone 3394 5584
Mr Chris Everding, AIC Sport Co-ordinator, Phone 3394 5505
Mr Todd Kropp, Sports Administration Assistant, Phone 3394 5621

With regards to sports information, it is imperative that all students and their families regularly access the College’s website. Simply refer to www.vnc.qld.edu.au – from the home page scroll down to the ‘Latest News’ section. Within this section select the ‘Locker Room’ icon https://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/locker-room/locker-room-july-18/  which has all the latest sports information for that week. Links from the ‘Locker Room’ will also take you to the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section which outlines the times and venues for all games for that week. Links from the ‘Locker Room’ will also take you to sections pertaining to each individual sport (for example AIC Cricket, AIC AFL, AIC Volleyball, AIC Swimming etc.) which will have further details pertaining to that sport. This information includes team lists, weekly draws, training schedules and much more. The website is updated regularly and should be checked regularly by all players and families throughout the entire year.

Villanova families are strongly encouraged to download the College’s App from the App store. Simply search – Villanova College App (free download) and follow the prompts. Messages and alerts are often sent via this app. Messages regarding the cancellation of matches or training, special reminders etc are often sent. The Villa View (newsletter), website and app are our three major avenues for imparting information. Please check and use them regularly for all information pertaining to sport.

Already all AIC Volleyball, AFL and Cricket team lists, training schedules, weekly game schedules, coaches’ details and much more have been added to the website for all to see. Likewise, all information pertaining to the AIC swim season has been posted. Please take the time to navigate through the site as I believe most of your questions and queries will be answered in this section.

I thank all of those who have assisted the Villa sports program over the years in taking on the various roles needed. I encourage as many people as possible to assist in 2021 by coaching, managing, refereeing, scoring, serving at canteens etc. throughout the year when the opportunities arise. I am certainly looking forward to meeting as many people as I can over the year ahead.

This Friday after school all capable swimmers from Year 5 – 12 are invited to join the Villanova Swim Squad to participate in a swim meet/time trial at Yeronga Park Pool Complex from 4.10-5.45pm (Year 5 and Year 6 members are by invitation only, although those who have participated in the pre-season training program are automatic entries). All Year 5 – Opens Cricket teams, Year 7 – 12 Volleyball, Year 5 – 12 AFL teams will face Iona College (or Marist College Ashgrove in Year 5 and Year 6) on either Friday 29 or Saturday 30 January.

Please read further details below and access the website to view all times and venues for each sporting activity.

As this weekend marks Round 1 of the AIC Competition, I encourage all boys and their coaches to come out firing. The great work put in during our pre-season programs with the various training and trial games organised will certainly stand us in good stead v Iona. Good luck to all involved and please enjoy!

 Round 1 AIC Fixtures – Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January, AIC Cricket and Volleyball v Iona College (IONA), AIC AFL v Iona College and Marist College Ashgrove (ASH)

Please refer to the College’s website to view all times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures v Iona/ASH. Simply scroll down on the College’s home page to the ‘Latest News’ section and click the ‘Weekly Fixtures’ section to view the pdf doc which lists all game times and venues for each week. Links from the ‘Locker Room’ will take you to the AIC Cricket, Swimming, AFL and Volleyball sections which will have all team lists, training schedules and coaches’ details amongst other information.

COVID Restrictions for Round 1 and Swim Meet, Friday 29 and Saturday 30 January

Swimming – Sign in using QR code at venue. Only one parent per swimmer may attend the event.
Volleyball – Sign in using QR code at venue. Only one parent per player allowed for all games. The First VI team may have two parents per player and only members of the 10A and Second VI teams may stay and spectate the First VI game.
Cricket – Sign in using QR code at venue. Unlimited spectators but must socially distance.
AFL – Sign in using QR code at venue. Unlimited spectators but must socially distance.

AIC CRICKET 

I would like to take this opportunity to remind players and parents that cricketers need to wear the appropriate 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. All players are to have their own box protector. It is compulsory for all players to wear a helmet whilst batting and keeping up to the stumps. Any fielder who is within 10m of the bat must also wear a helmet.

Training sessions have been finalized and all players are expected to attend all sessions. If for some reason a student is unable to attend training, we ask parents to email the coaches directly (not the Sports Office). The training schedule and coaches contact details are posted on the College’s website.

It is important that all players check their team lists, as there has been player movement in all year levels. Boys have been moved around since the trials last weekend and there are still opportunities for players to be moved around throughout the season.

Please be mindful that our coaches are mainly Old Boys, outside coaches or parents. Most of whom are volunteering their services free of charge. Please be mindful of this if you need to discuss any cricket matters with them. When coaches are conducting training sessions, parents should only assist if you have been approached by the coach to help out.

Many coaches need assistance from parents during the season with umpiring and scoring duties. We ask parents to offer their services so as there is an even distribution of duties so that not one person is burdened each week with the same duty.

With many Old Boys coaching, we are calling on parents to help out with managing the team. Managers will need to put together a contact list, roster for umpiring, scoring and any other general duties that can assist the coaches. This will free up the Old Boys and let them concentrate on coaching, rather than having to do jobs that others should be doing to help out. If you are able to take on this role, please contact Mr Chris Everding at the Sports Office.

Cricket COVID-19 restriction – sign in using QR code at venue. Unlimited spectators but must socially distance.

Villanova Cricket Uniform
All players from Year 5 – 12 are to wear whites.

• White pants
• Villanova cricket shirt
• Sports shoes
• Villanova green sports cap or broad brimmed hat

Under no circumstances are players permitted to wear club shirts or club hats.

Important note – All cricketers from Year 5 – 12 are asked to wear protective equipment. It is compulsory for all batsmen and wicket keepers whilst keeping up to the stumps to wear a helmet. All players are required to purchase and wear their own cricket box protector too. Although we have asked all players to purchase their own equipment this season, we have given all coaches a team kit to draw upon if players are missing certain elements of their own equipment.

Cricket – Villanova Park Canteen
Parents of boys playing on the Andrew Slack Oval are asked to man the canteen during their son’s game each Saturday.  Information regarding this was emailed to all parents of those students who were selected in the 8A, 9A and First XI cricket teams earlier in the week.

WET WEATHER PROCEDURES

In the event of rainy weather, a notification will be placed over the College’s App. An alert will only be given if games are cancelled due to wet weather.

On training days:

If it is raining in the morning, training will be cancelled. Cancellations are generally posted with a message alert via the College’s App early in the morning. It is recommended that you contact the coach if you are unsure. The coaches’ details can be found on the College’s website.

If afternoon training is to be cancelled due to rain evolving during the day, then an alert will be posted via the Villanova App by 1.00pm as well as giving an announcement to the students over the College’s PA system. If training is cancelled during the session, boys at Langlands will be taken to the undercover carpark at Easts Rugby League Club and boys can be collected from there.

AIC VOLLEYBALL
Mr Todd Kropp, Volleyball Co-ordinator

The AIC Volleyball program has commenced again for 2021. I will start off by thanking our coaches and students for who gave up their holidays to attend training clinics and trial matches, we know this will be of great benefit for the season. Villanova will have 20 teams participating in the AIC Volleyball Competition, including an 11C team which will be a new team competing in 2021.

The Villanova teams have been hard at work this past weekend with a full set of trial matches against St Patricks. This was a great opportunity to solidify skills learned throughout the clinics and during preseason. A special mention to our 7 Gold and 8 Gold teams who competed in the first Villa v Villa challenge. Check out the boys flaunting their prizes from the match!

Villanova 8 Gold

Villanova 7 Gold

This Saturday 30 January, Villanova teams take on fierce volleyball rivals, Iona College, in Round 1 of the AIC Competition. We look forward to following the success of all teams this weekend in what will be a tough season opener but with three trial matches and the training program being well underway we will be fully prepared to hit the court on Saturday. The training schedules, team lists, game times, team duty’s, refs and scorers are all posted on the College’s website. It will be necessary for parents, players and coaches to check the College website on a regular basis to ensure all information is delivered.

Volleyball COVID-19 restriction – Sign in using QR code at venue. Only one parent per player allowed for all games. The First VI team may have two parents per player and only members of the 10A and Second VI team may stay and spectate the First VI game.

Goold Hall Canteen – Volleyball Parents
The Villanova Sports Club requests the assistance of all volleyball parents to help serve in the canteen during our home games. Parents are asked to assist in the canteen when their son arrives 20 minutes prior to the start time of their game time for warm up or when their son has been rostered on for court duty (this should be maximum two occasions throughout the season). We are seeking interested parents to assist in the canteen for home games. Please see the roster below for parents who are interested/available. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr Todd Kropp, Email: tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au should you have any questions.

Villanova Volleyball Uniform – Hire Shirts
The collection schedule for hire shirts is below. This was also communicated through the College’s morning notices.

Friday 29 January

• First break – Year 11 and Year 12
• Second break – any student who missed their session

Villanova Volleyball Uniform

• Villanova volleyball shirt (for hire from the Uniform Shop)
• Green PE shorts only (no basketball, football or rugby shorts allowed)
• Villanova socks only and sports shoes

Players are to keep their shirt for the entire season and return them to their coaches at the conclusion of the season. The hire shirt will cost $20 for the season. This cost will be added to your son’s term 2 school fees account.

Good luck to all teams this week!

AIC AFL
Mr Adam Fry – AIC AFL Co-ordinator

Welcome back to the 2021 AFL season. What a way to begin our year with such strong performances in our trial games last week against St Patrick’s College. It was fantastic to see all players and families show up early from holidays and put in such a dominating performance. It is certainly exciting to see the AFL talent Villanova has this coming season. From the weekend all coaches have managed to come up with squads for all year levels. As mentioned, these squads are not set in concrete and will continue to change throughout the season due to form and availability.

This weekend marks our first official fixture, and we will really need to be switched on and ready to go come Friday and Saturday. I ask all players to be at your designated venue at least 30 minutes prior to the first bounce so we can have an efficient and productive warmup. Some coaches may have requested earlier so check with them their start time.  All players are required to wear the Villanova Rugby shorts and socks and ensure they each have a mouthguard ready to play. Jerseys have been given to the boys last week so please ensure this is also brought along to all games. The opens are the only team playing Friday afternoons from now on and it would be fantastic to see as much Green and Gold at Coorparoo as possible to support the team. Please ensure you continue to follow the COVID safe guidelines wherever you may play this weekend.

As mentioned above, there are unlimited spectators allowed at the AFL venues, however, we do ask parents to sign in using QR codes posted around the fields and socially distancing will be enforced.  The Yeronga venue may section off fields to stop spectators from mixing between fields.

A reminder training will be on for Opens on Monday and Wednesday mornings, Year 7 and Year 8/9 squads on Thursday from 3:30pm – 4:30pm at Coorparoo AFC and Year 5/6 teams will be training Tuesday 3.30pm – 4.30 at Coorparoo AFC. A reminder that all players will be transported by school bus to Coorparoo AFC, but parents are required to pick their son up from training.

Good luck to all teams this weekend, I encourage all players to get there early and stay behind to support your teammates on Fridays and Saturdays and we look forward to seeing all players and spectators there this weekend to kick off what is sure to be an excellent and successful season.

AFL COVID-19 restriction – Sign in using QR code at venue. Unlimited spectators but must socially distance.

FOOTBALL

Junior Development Squad
Training will begin on Monday 1 February from 6:45-8:00am on Whinstanes Oval for those boys invited into the program. Invitation to the Junior Development Squad has been based on player performance during last year’s AIC season. Please see the AIC Football page on the College website for the squad list. At this stage, the program will run for six consecutive Monday mornings until Monday 8 March. Players are asked to wear suitable football training gear including shin guards and boots to all sessions.

Senior Development Squad/First XI and Second XI
Training will begin on Wednesday 3 February from 3:30-5:00pm at Villanova Park. Boys will need to find their own transport out to training and be picked up at the conclusion of the session. Please see the AIC Football page on the College website for the squad list.

AIC SWIMMING
Mrs Juanita Jacobs –  AIC Swimming Co-ordinator

Many thanks to the 97 boys who attended the first swimming squad clinic on January 18.   Coaches were impressed with efforts of the boys who worked well on the day.  The day was an excellent opportunity for the team members to get to know each other and for the new Year 5 students to meet each other, and the older members of the squad.

Training continues for the next five weeks.  The details are given in the swimming squad newsletter and on the College website.  With only five weeks left until the AIC Championships on February 26, we must have as many swimmers in the water as often as possible to ensure that we are ready for the competition.

Our first swim meet of the season will be held this Friday evening at Yeronga Pool.  Boys in Middle and Senior Squads are asked to meet at the front of the Hanrahan Theatre.  Please be in sports uniform.  Year 5 and 6 squad members will meet Ms Dawson in the Junior School area at the end of the day, and then make their way together to the front of the school.  This is our first meet and therefore our first opportunity to record times for the season.  It is expected that all swimmers will attend and will swim all events. Please read the COVID-19 restriction below.

AIC Swim Meet at Yeronga Park Pool Complex – Friday 29 January
The Villanova swim squad will travel to the Yeronga Park Pool Complex this Friday 29 January. Bus transportation will depart the College by 3.30pm. Please note that a return bus service will not be available. We ask all parents to collect their sons from the pool by 5.45pm. A full program of events is posted on the College’s website within the sports section under AIC Swimming.

COVID-19 Restriction – Please note that only one parent per swimmer may attend the carnival. The parent must sign in and socially distance.

Junior School Inter-House Swimming Carnival
No parent spectators – unfortunately due to the size of the venue and the number of students and staff present in the pool area, parents will NOT be able to attend this year’s carnival.

The Year 5 boys had their swimming trials yesterday and have been placed into divisions for Friday’s Junior School swimming carnival at Villanova College Pool. The carnival will begin after assembly at approximately 10:00am and the program for the day will closely follow these times:

10.15am: 50m and 25m Freestyle events
12:00pm: 100m Freestyle
12:15pm: Butterfly events
12:45pm: Backstroke events
1:10pm: Breaststroke events
12:15pm: Invitational relay
2.15pm: Relays
2:40pm: Presentations

All students are to wear their academic uniform on Friday and will get changed into their sports uniform and togs before moving over to the pool. Students are to bring with them thongs or other casual shoes to wear from their classroom to the pool as well as sunscreen, sun shirt (optional) hats and a water bottle. The tuckshop will operate as usual for students wishing to buy their lunch.

A number of Year 5 boys were given a letter inviting them to be members of the squad depending on their times from Yesterday. These boys will be required to attend an Invitational  College Meet on Friday afternoon at Yeronga from 4.00pm-5.45pm. Times from Wednesday, the Junior School carnival and the invitational meets over the next two weeks, will be used to narrow down the squad in each year level in the Junior School and these boys will continue training as of next Tuesday. There is only five weeks until the championships and the squad members will be required to fine tune their strokes, practise their starts and relay changes under the guidance of our swim coaches.

Lytton District Swimming Trials
The Lytton District swimming trials will be held at Moreton Bay College on Friday 12 February for the Under 10, 11 and 12 Years swimmers. Only two or three boys per event, who meet the qualifying times over the next week, will be given the relevant information regarding these trials. Boys will be nominated based on their times at the Junior School swimming carnival and the Invitational Meet at Yeronga on Friday.

The College needs to send along a parent as an official on the day. If your son is selected and you can assist, can you please contact the Mr Everding in the Sports Office and let him know of your availability. Unfortunately, we cannot release a teacher for these trials and all students must find their own transportation to and from the carnival.

Middle and Senior School Inter-House Swimming Carnivals

Date: Wednesday, 3 February (Week 2)
Venue: Langlands Pool
Time: Middle School – 9.00am-11.30am. Senior School – 12midday-2.30pm

Important notes

• All students are required to wear their sports uniform to and from school on the day of the carnival
• Students are required to bring and wear their hats, sunscreen and have water bottles.
• Students are encouraged to wear the Villa swim togs or jammers
• A canteen will be operational at both carnivals.

Please note that due to capacity and the other two pools being open to the public there will be no parent spectators permitted at the Middle and Senior Swimming Carnivals.

More information will be posted on the website early next week via the ‘Locker Room’.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT

Well done to Tom Feenstra in Year 11 who was named in the Queensland Baseball Under 16 baseball squad. Due to COVID-19, there were no nationals this year. Each state played an in-house tournament and named their honorary teams. This is a fantastic achievement by Tom, well done!

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

On behalf of the Music staff at Villanova College, I would like to welcome you and your son back to what we are expecting to be a productive year.  All going well, we are planning a great schedule of events that will allow our students to share their musical development with the community.  I look forward to seeing you at one of our many concerts throughout the year.

Music (Camp) Workshop 2021
Our Music Workshop is to be convened at Sleeman Sports Complex this year due to restrictions making a residential camp cost prohibitive.  We have over 120 students looking forward to a weekend of great workshops with some fantastic clinicians.  If you would like to view our camp concert, you are most welcome to attend; however, tickets must be booked through Trybooking.  You can access the booking site via the following link:  https://www.trybooking.com/BOHMF.

Please note:  Students are to wear academic uniform on Friday due to the Rite of Beginning.  You may bring casual dress to change into from second break on Friday afternoon.

New Staff for 2021
Over the Christmas period the Music Department has experienced a couple of staffing changes.  We farewell Mr Elias Kokkoris, Double Bass Tutor and we thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best for his future endeavours.  We welcome Ms Chloe-Ann Williamson to our Strings Department as the new double bass tutor this year.  Chloe will be working with our Junior School double bassists and tutoring our older students in the Middle and Senior School as well.

Mr Josh McKechie has accepted a new role as Program Leader – Music at Loreto College, commencing this year.  We congratulate Josh on his movement to leadership and wish him all the best with his career.  As he is working at Loreto, we look forward to continuing to collaborate over the coming years through our combined projects.  We welcome Mr Carl Harvoe to Villanova College as our new Head of Brass.  Carl is a Queensland ex-pat who joins us with a wealth of performance and teaching experience.  Carl and his family are relocating from Melbourne and will be joining us at the beginning of March.

Students in the Brass Department will maintain their lessons.  We will be utilising our casual staff to assist in covering these sessions so that our students may maintain their momentum.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your son’s brass tuition, please contact the Music Office on 3394 5691.

Rehearsals and Lessons Commence Week 2
All rehearsals and lessons will commence next week (week commencing 1 February).  Teachers will be distributing timetables directly to students and parents – please ensure you have received this by Friday afternoon.

The Term 1 rehearsal schedule is attached.  Your son’s ensemble director will be making contact regarding his first session – these will be commencing in Week 2 unless communicated otherwise.

Opportunity to Participate
The Music community at Villanova welcomes all students interested in participating in ensemble or instrument/vocal tuition.  If your son would like to take lessons on an instrument this year, please contact the Music Office on 3394 5691 or via email at music@vnc.qld.edu.au for further information.

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

ANYONE FOR TENORS – LA FORZA IN CONCERT
AFAS Elders and Greg Cooley wines invites the Villanova Community to enjoy ‘ANYONE FOR TENORS – LA FORZA IN CONCERT’ on Cassiciacum Gardens (outside Veritas) on Saturday February 13 commencing at 5.30pm.

Bring your own picnic basket or order one when you book. Cashless bar operating.

Bookings essential. Please click here for booking details

Year 7 Showcase Morning for prospective families
Please help us spread the word! Villanova College invites families interested in joining Year 7 in 2023 and beyond to our Year 7 Showcase Morning. Families will be among the first to see our spectacular new Year 7 classrooms which we believe sets a new benchmark in innovative classroom design. With enrolments for Year 7, 2023 also opening on 5 February, it is an ideal time to visit.

Date: Friday, 5 February
Time: 8.30am
To register: https://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/enrolments/tours/

Alinta Uniform Shop
Please note the term-time hours for the Alinta Uniform Shop.

Shop hours:
Monday to Wednesday:  7.30am – 9.30am
Thursday: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Last Friday of Terms 1 to 3: 9.00am – 12.00pm

Contact details:
Phone: 0432 707 972
Email: villanovacollege@alinta.com.au
Online orders: www.alintaapparel.com.au

2021 Tuckshop Menu
The 2021 menu and price list for Tuckshop is now available by clicking here. Boys are reminded to bring their student card or cash for tuckshop purchases. Student numbers will not be accepted.

Tuckshop Roster (Monday 1 February 2021 – 5 February 2021)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.