Villa View: Issue 04/22

As the term comes to an end it is with great enthusiasm I look toward to the future given the enormous promise I have felt through my interactions with the boys, parents, staff and the broader community since my arrival. I can’t lie, some of my positivity is grounded in the undying hope of a term with some semblance of ‘normal’ but moreover it is the sense of exciting possibility and the dream of what is next for Villanova.

Across this term we have engaged with DCWC and Cox Architecture to develop ideas and concepts around our new College masterplan which will ensure the highest quality facilities and learning environment for your boys and those Villa boys of the future. In the early weeks of Term 2 we will share with broader community the outcomes of these discussions for consultation and comment. The Parents and Friends Association have had some opportunity already through the recent AGM, but broader consultation will be sought.

There has also been the opportunity to have a surface level analysis of our Villanova College Teaching and Learning framework, our College process and practice in the addressing of bullying and development of positive relationships, and our framework, flowchart and practices to create and encourage positive behaviour and its associated support and response plan. Across terms two and three, and in accordance with both our College strategic plan and the College operational objectives for 2022 we will do deeper analysis, make adjustment and communicate to students and the broader community new or revised practices or approaches as they are decided. From here we will enter the implementation stage. Our reasoning is anchored in our commitment to consistent, just, fair practices, informed by contemporary research and enacted by well trained, prepared and developed practitioners. These will remain embedded in the foundations of our Augustinian values and with due consideration of our relational pedagogy and restorative practice fundamentals.

Finally, last weekend was a wonderful time to be Principal of Villanova. To have two of three First teams secure premierships is quite an achievement to be a part of, not because we won but because of how the teams achieved their success. At the start of our seasons, I had the honour of presenting caps and jerseys to our Volleyball, Cricket and AFL sides. I outlined to them my expectation of their performance. These words I reiterated to you last weekend as I wrote to you regarding the place of sport in our College and in your son’s learning.

Sport and extracurricular activities are an integral element in the education process and often allows one to highlight the value of collaboration, practice, mentorship, and problem solving in a very tangible and self-effacing way. In all teams at our college “winning” is the outcome of focused effort, repeated and spaced practice, having an explicit focus on areas of weakness or failure, analysis of skill and the subsequent focus and execution of those specific skills to their premium by all members of the team. This is done while developing knowledge of the game, it’s strategy, and establishing and executing game plans. Often this approach will result in a ‘win’ on the scoreboard. At other times we will be beaten, despite our best efforts, but in defeat we won’t have lost. There are always lessons to be learned and improvements to be made. As a standard we leave our game gracious and dignified in our losses and with humility and gratitude in our victories. If we don’t do this, that is when we have truly ‘lost’; we have lost our way!

Further,

We will be Villanova College, we will focus on the values of humility, interiority, community, and the restless search for truth. We will support families financially and otherwise as they need to be supported considering both their individual and the collective need. We will challenge boys and look to provide a robust environment intellectually, physically, and spiritually. We will succeed and fail but we will always look to improve, and in doing so dare I say ‘win’, on our terms, inside our values and with our community.

So, while our AFL and Volleyballers were rewarded as AIC Premiers, all three teams had winning seasons because of the way they played and what they have learned about themselves and their ability to focus on a task and its achievement. I commend and thank our coaching staff and parents for your commitment and diligence and the way that you are supporting my philosophy on the place and purpose of sport in our College.

COVID Protocols
A reminder to all parents regarding COVID protocols.  Please do not send your son to school if he is unwell or showing any signs and symptoms of illness. With rising numbers, we are encouraging the wearing of masks again in our College community as we would like to minimise learning disruption as much as possible across this last week of the term.

Villanova Cares Flood Relief Concert
These last three years have been somewhat barren in terms of community gathering and celebration. We would like to change that and encourage your attendance at the ‘Villanova Cares Flood Benefit’, raising funds for those affected by the recent Brisbane floods on Friday 29 April. While we have done some tremendous work in this area, we would like to make sure that in the months after the ‘Mud Army’ has disappeared those still displaced or suffering can be supported.

If you can join us, we would love you to come along for some food, wine, entertainment and fun catching up with those in our Villanova College community. The evening kicks off with pre-show drinks followed by an evening’s entertainment in Goold Hall featuring powerhouse tenor David De Vito and friends.

Grand Finalist on Australia’s Got Talent, David De Vito is a dynamic entertainer, rich with diversity and a voice capable of performing the most challenging operatic pieces through to the pop/rock genre, complimented by years of studying Classical piano and guitar.

Joined by special guest artists Coloratura Soprano Tabatha Ashmore and Cabaret songstress Nadyne Thorne, you will be in for a treat of Pop-Opera and some of the all-time classics, mixed in with Anthem numbers from the likes of The Greatest Showman, Lady Gaga, QUEEN, ACDC and more.

The evening kicks off at 5.00pm and tickets are just $55 to enjoy the entertainment with a selection of beer, wine and soft drinks available for purchase on the night, plus you can BYO a hamper or purchase a grazing box online from the team at “In A Pickle” for $30pp.

Of course, if you are unable to join us on the night, you can still donate via the website should you wish to contribute to this worthy cause. Tickets are available through Trybooking here: ‘Villanova Cares Flood Benefit’ with David De Vito & Friends Tickets, Villanova College, Coorparoo | TryBooking Australia

Alternatively, you can contact Kelli Shanahan at Greg Cooley Wines on 0421 055 799.

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 I am writing this article from home due to our family’s second round of 2022 isolation due to Covid.  There are several staff in the Junior School who have had their first round, as well as a recent increase in Junior School families who have had contact with the virus.  It is a myriad of emotions and experiences depending on so many things.  The impact on parents working – taking sick leave or working from home whilst helping children, some who might be well and others who are extremely sick.  The juggle is real.  There are questions about teaching, learning and assessment.  It is very hard to know the best way to help, to check we don’t “drop the ball” in trying to make sure the preparation is as fair as possible under the circumstances.

For some students, they can be a little worried about missing their friends, reduced contact with their teacher, and their ability to sustain attention and focus on tasks can vary.  The reality inside a home can be a rollercoaster over the day, or week.  So, what do we do?  Our best, that is it.  We make the most of it and remember it is our part to play in the bigger picture.  We are not forgotten by anyone.  Teachers who are in classrooms are thinking about you when the morning roll is called, when it is noted on worksheets or assessment tasks with your name to catch up later when you return.  Lessons and games planned with you in mind, will take place but there is always  a chance to do them again next week.  Remember you are doing the right thing for yourself, your family and others.  Trust that adjustments will be made when you return.  Make every attempt to work using OneNote when you can because if you are well, then activities and learning can still very much be taking place.  Find the balance between taking turns at home to help and staying in touch with your class study.

Our assessment period is now in full motion.  Assessment in the Junior School is conducted within our learning spaces to establish equitable platforms for achievement.  The conditions of assessment are important.  Firstly, the teaching and learning has to be completed fairly in order for the boys to show their best understanding.  At school or home, the boys can work on their learning.  The boys have their textbooks, workbooks and the detail in our class OneNote provides every opportunity for revision, further investigation and extra practice or conversation with parents at home.  What an advantage this provides compared to the days of “I forgot my book” in order to prepare for a test.  In the Junior School we also have assessment tasks that are completed over a number of lessons.  This means there is scope for more time, reflection and deeper expression of ideas about what has been studied in previous weeks.  Observations, conversations and comparisons to the boys’ abilities in learning compared to their achievements in Term 1 can be the best way to set goals for Term 2.

It is the perfect time to understand the grading process at Villanova College.  We have A-E bands of achievement, connected to achievement standards set in the National Curriculum.  The C band means the students are meeting “expected outcomes” for the Year 5 or Year 6 outcomes at this point in time.  Teachers use the evidence in assessment tasks to collaborate and decided band achievements with their class partners, but also the entire Year Level staff, including the Curriculum Area Leader.  This moderation is especially important and can take a number of meetings to formally complete the process.  To keep the integrity of assessment tasks, the curriculum cover sheet with the task details, bands and feedback for next time are sent home – not the task itself.  Teachers would be able to provide more detail about your son’s work if necessary.  The class will get feedback and time at school to go over the task and compare the A, B and C responses.  The learning continues with the assessment task and beyond – it is not the end of what you son can do to make changes as he moves through the school year.

For our Year 5 students this process is new, and it might be the first time you feel the bands of achievement are different to experiences before at other schools, and this is ok.  This is the beginning of their formal assessment journey, and they have the next eight years to make the most of how they work with their curriculum.

For me as a Junior School boy, it was always about Maths, Geography and PE.  Your son will have favourite subjects too.  The expectations for our students are to certainly enjoy their learning, but over time set goals to steadily improve and achieve their best.  Their potential will be different to their best mate or their siblings at home.  What they do to reach their absolute best can be supported by home and school alike – this includes an open mind to all subject areas (whether they are Mum or Dad’s favourites or not).

For the Year 6 students they have the wisdom of all they have learnt in 2021.  The expectations have risen of course, as every year the curriculum will require more knowledge and skills developmentally.  This can be the time that those students with a dedicated work ethic begin to shine and that is very exciting.  It takes regular revision, acceptance of feedback and a willingness to make changes to hit the targets of the marking criteria.  Teaching staff provide highly effective feedback during the teaching and learning phase to all students of every ability.  Support is a part of every student’s journey however how they use that advice can vary.  That is ok.  This is their learning phase too – and there are still three more terms to grow in many ways as a learner.

With varied absences in the Junior School, we have to all do our absolute best with this assessment period.  We have to focus on what we can do, physically and mentally.  We have to wait and see what the best options might be as individuals have many different circumstances to consider.  There is nothing we cannot figure out between home, the classroom and our Curriculum Area Leaders who work collaboratively with the Learning Enrichment Team.  The best job will be done by the end of next week and then we will celebrate all we could manage, amidst Covid and the recent floods, to make Term 1 2022 all that it could be.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Before embarking on the journey of parenthood, I will admit to being warned about the detriment that having kids would have on ones’ golf game. Years later, with two young children tearing up the house, this advice certainly rings true. However, on the rare occasion that I escape the madness and hit the course, I thoroughly enjoy having my skills, temperament and concentration tested by this great game!

Whilst these three components are essential in most sports, concentration is often something that brings even the professionals undone on the golf course. Champion golfer Jack Nicklaus once said, “concentration blocks out pressure. If you make mistakes and look for excuses, you lose your concentration and feel pressure.” And undoubtedly, we all have moments in our day-to-day lives where we lose concentration, thus increasing the risk of making mistakes and feeling pressure.

For adolescents with a developing brain, concentration, can be even more challenging.

So as the assessment and exam demand increase with the fast-approaching end of term, and as study and revision become a more essential part of home routine, here are five pieces of advice we can offer our young men about concentrating:

Be Organised

• It is easier to concentrate on the task at hand when you have set aside specific times for your other tasks. If you are not organized, then you always seem to have too many things to do and you cannot get going on any of them.
• Write down all of the tasks you have to do, breaking them into smaller parts wherever possible.

Comprehension 

• Your class work material should fall into a pattern that flows and makes sense. If it seems like thousands of disjointed bits of information, then it will be far more difficult to remember, and you will have far more difficulty concentrating.
• Divide up information into bite-size pieces and use different conceptual maps, to summarise your notes

Procrastinating

• Procrastination can stem from avoiding tasks you are not familiar with, being fearful of negative outcomes, or poor use of prioritising and time management.
• Develop a sense of progress. Break your study task down into achievable chunks. Each time you sit down to work, set an objective for that study session, enjoy the accomplishment of getting it done.
• Choose your study space wisely, avoiding places where your focus can easily be lost (e.g. television, gaming, social media, etc.)

Your body is a temple

• Remember, the mind and the body are not two separate things. To improve your concentration, get to know your own physiology better.
• For concentration, your body requires: sleep, nutrition and exercise

Productive work environments

• When creating an effective study space at home, consider the following:

• • Privacy – Find ways to eliminate unwanted interruptions.
  • Noise – Too much or too little can both be problems.
  • Air Quality – How’s the ventilation?
  • Temperature – Is it too high or low?
  • Comfort – Watch your posture and support. Avoid drowse-inducing positions.
  • Clutter – Get everything off your desk except the work that you are doing.

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Year 12 Retreat
On Monday and Tuesday next week, our Seniors will experience one of the most important aspects of their Villanova journey- their Year 12 Retreat. After a frenetic first term, punctuated with a successful mid-term examination block, it is a good time for our young men to head up the mountain to Tamborine and unplug themselves from the busyness of their normal lives and reflect on their journey from boyhood to manhood and the impact their time at Villanova has had in shaping who they are today.

In my remarks at today’s Year 12 Form Meeting, I discussed the courage that it takes for adolescent men to show vulnerability and to take risks in such an environment. I shared the following poem by Leo F. Buscaglia:

To laugh is to risk appearing a fool,
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement,
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas and dreams before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return,
To live is to risk dying,
To hope is to risk despair,
To try is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.
He may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But he cannot learn, feel, change, grow or live.
Chained by his servitude he is a slave who has forfeited all freedom.
Only a person who risks is free.

I would like to thank Dean of Mission and Identity, Mrs Kate Garrone, Service-Learning Coordinator, Ms Nicole Jones and Fr Peter Wieneke for their facilitation of the program and Year 12 Pastoral Area Leader Mr Tony Rolls and Ms Amanda Waterson for their wonderful logistical support in ensuring the best possible experience for the boys. Furthermore, I would like to affirm the staff who will be in attendance for their sacrifice in spending time away from their families in support of our students.

Improving Concentration
With the commencement of Year 10 and Year 11 examinations this week, I hope that our students feel confident that they will perform successfully built on their preparation and the diligence and commitment to their study throughout the term. A key indicator of examination success is in the ability to remain focused and sustain concentration in studying and revision. I commend the following article, posted on one of my favourite websites- ‘The Art of Manliness’.

11 Exercises That Will Strengthen Your Attention and Concentration | The Art of Manliness

Easter Holidays
I would like to wish all Senior School families a relaxing mid semester holiday period shared in the company of family and friends, culminating in a Holy Easter. God Bless.

“God is love and he has defeated evil.” – Pope Francis

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Ongoing conversion – a commitment to grow and change through lent!

The flood waters have receded, the smell of mud is finally less evident everywhere and the end of term is now in sight!  What an accomplishment to be almost there, and what a ride term 1 has been.  Well done everyone!

In the years to come I am confident this term will go down in the history books as a big one, and I imagine individually and collectively we all have stories to tell of the challenges and adversity we had to overcome in these months.  At our last assembly our prayer focused around the question from our Augustinian examen ‘For whom did my heart break this week?’  There has been much pain and suffering in our local community and in our world, and especially in Ukraine.  It is well worth keeping a dinner time check in going to find out what is happening and how all the members of our household are travelling.  Our hearts, prayers and willing hands continue to be with our families cleaning up from the floods and experiencing COVID in their households. Many of our students are preparing for exams and finalising assessments before the end of term and our Year 12s on Monday are heading off on their Year 12 Retreat.

God be with us in the moments our hearts break.

Be with us when compassion rises in response to the pain and suffering of others.

May we hear the invitation to change ourselves and to change our world.

Help us to see the need for it.

May we deal with the pain of it, and feel the joy of it.

May we be part of the revolution of kindness and compassion so needed at this time.

Amen

Villa Flood Relief – a huge thank-you!
Following the floods we witnessed a massive outpouring of support and generosity from our school community.  There have been donations prepared for Vinnies, Rosies and Emmanuel City Mission who are all serving the most vulnerable in our community.  Additionally, due to the impact in regional areas too, we partnered with Gympie Flexible Learning Centre to understand the needs of flood affected Gympie citizens.  Our big-hearted Villa community stepped up to answer the call for help:

• 100 hot nutritious meals were prepared by hospitality students
• 50 care packs overflowing with donated essentials were prepared and given directly to families in desperate need
• Over $6000 in vital gift vouchers were donated to help rebuild lives
• Sausages prepared and delivered to Emmanuel City Mission
• Free dress and a sausage sizzle created donations for flood victims

Thanks so much to everyone who gave so generously of their time or made donations.  They have been so gratefully received:

“It was an amazing day of learning as two communities came together with a shared determination to take positive action. It was an eye opening and mind expanding experience for all involved!”

We are so grateful to everyone who was able to assist in any way. Your generosity has enabled the Gympie FLC community to make a difference in the lives of those in their community most in need.  Thanks to all involved!”

Mr Neil Kelly, Leader of Learning and Pedagogy, Ms Marlene Moore, Flexi Schools Network

“Our Flexi community were absolutely blown away by the generosity of your Villa community – not just the unbelievable quantity of and quality of donations, but the effort to come up and share your time with the Gympie community so gently and generously. As Alissa Falla, Head of Gympie Flexi School Campus said, the response from the Villa community was more that we could have ever imagined.

Thank you so much for reaching out and offering your hand of friendship, solidarity and service. It has really touched not only our Flexi community but the Gympie community on the whole.”

Mr Matt Hawkins, Principal, Ms Marlene Moore, Flexi Schools Network

Our efforts as a community will continue through ‘The Villanova Flood Relief Concert’ which will be held on Friday 29^th April.  More details to follow!

Head 2 Heart
Last weekend our second Head 2 Heart program was held in partnership with Loreto College and Edmund Rice Camps.  Ten of our Year 11 students gave up their time to provide a fantastic, jam-packed day for little buddies who face so many obstacles and challenges in their lives.  Ms Jones and I both felt tremendously proud watching our boys do everything they could to ensure their little buddy was having fun.  Sometimes this meant fully embracing a moment of play, or being prepared to just walk and pace the sidelines, or doing crazy fun stuff.  One of the buddies called out with great enthusiasm “I am having the best day of my life” as he was massaging a combination of cream, chocolate sauce and Cheetos into Eli’s hair and face.

Congratulations to the following boys who were involved: Nico Vega, Tiarnan McNulty, Harry Hayes, Eli Holroyd, Heath McPherson, Ronin Begley, Joshua Butterfield, Noah Passaris, Ashton Taylor and Max Clark.

Ms Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

Villanova College – 1st AFL and 1st Volleyball Premiers!

Last weekend marked the last round of the AIC Cricket, AFL and Volleyball season for 2022. Much planning and preparation goes into each season to give each player an opportunity to develop their skills and enjoy the experience of playing schoolboy sport. Naturally the boys and their coaches are competitive and we as a College certainly do encourage all team members (players and coaching staff) to be the best they can be and to aim towards taking out premierships or aggregates if on offer. Although winning is not why we participate in sport there is no shame in proclaiming that we wish to be successful and go for the win if done in the correct manner.

Given the delayed start to the school year and the predicted absence of players due to covid throughout the season, an early decision was made that no official premierships or aggregates were to be awarded this term, except for the 1^st AFL, volleyball and cricket premierships.

Overall, our teams performed with great spirit and enthusiasm throughout the season. At any level in sport, it is ideal for all players, coaches and supporters to take their wins and losses gracefully. During this past term we had many teams who were able to go through undefeated. We had some teams who were middle of the road in terms of results and some that struggled on the score board.

My personal belief is that the true success of a schoolboy sport season is gauged on the enjoyment experienced by each player and the relationship that each player has formed with his fellow teammates and coaches whilst participating (as well as skill development).

As it turned out, our 1st teams played five games and most other teams played four games out of a possible seven game season. Some teams had drawn byes or had games cancelled due to teams being affected of illness which decreased their games played. It wasn’t the ideal season but when we had the chance to play, the boys got involved and gave their very best and seemed to enjoy themselves whilst doing so.

Villanova had an outstanding first trimester of sport led by our 1st teams. Villanova managed to secure a remarkable two out of the three 1st premierships on offer, that is, the 1st AFL and 1st Volleyball premierships. I commend the 1st AFL Head Coaches – Mr Brian Pascoe and Mr Darren Fazldeen and the 1st Volleyball Head Coach – Mr John Christie as well as their teams for the hard work put in during the pre-season and the regular season to secure their respective trophies. 1st premierships are extremely hard to win. These teams at times had to dig very deep (AFL game v Padua and Volleyball game v SPLC in particular) and play as one unit at their very best. These boys will remember their 1st premiership win for the rest of their lives. Well done players and coaches!

For the record our AFL program had seven from 10 teams go through undefeated, our volleyball program had eight from 20 teams go through undefeated and our cricket program had 10 from 30 teams go through undefeated. Although not complete seasons, we congratulate these teams. A more in-depth report for cricket, AFL and volleyball can be found below.

Congratulations to all players on a sensational season, particularly those players who gained a premiership or were undefeated. On behalf of the entire College, I wish to thank and congratulate all the coaches, managers and all players who produced their best week in, week out for themselves and the College for Villanova to have such a successful season. Well done to all!

Just as one season ends the next starts, in fact, the preparations for the up-coming chess, cross country, rugby and football seasons have been in the pipeline for many months, much spanning back into 2021. The Sports Office has advertised the important dates and information regarding Trimester 2 sport for many weeks. This information is available on the College website.

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

Rugby and football trials for Year 7 – 12 are held either on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday afternoon. Year 5 and Year 6 rugby and football are held either before and/or after school at Little Langlands or on Whinstanes. The complete training schedule can be found on the website. Please note that training will continue these days/times for each age group for the entire season.

 A complete set of internal rugby and football trials for all teams will be held this weekend. Our Chess players and Year 10A, 2nd and 1st Rugby and Football teams will have trials against St Laurence’s College this weekend.

As part of the agreement during sign-on, all players must make themselves available to participate in all training sessions and on game days throughout the entire season. I thank all those people within our community who are heavily involved in the coaching and officiating roles at these events. It certainly does take the effort of many people to ensure our boys are getting the opportunity to play sport and to represent their College. Thanks to you all and best wishes for the up-coming chess/rugby/football/cross country seasons!

Thank You – 1st Cricket Parents

 One of the many privileges of making the 1st cricket team at Villanova is you get to enjoy LUNCH!

As the 1st Cricket Manager, I have enjoyed the hospitality of all AIC schools over the past 11 years. I could be biased (but I don’t think I am), I believe our parents prepare the best lunch of them all. Down to the traditional green and gold jelly served with ice-cream to finish off the meal.

It is great to see our parents working together to make something special for their boys as well as for the boys in the visiting teams. At lunch both Captains say a few words. Most often the visiting captain mentions something about the quality of the Villanova lunches.

For the first time we thought we would invite the parents of the opposing team to share a lunch as well during the final cricket round played at Villanova Park. An invitation was issued to all 1st Padua cricket parents early last week and it seemed that most of them took the opportunity to sit down and share a meal prepared by our parents. The Padua parents were so appreciative of this gesture, particularly those who had boys in Year 12 as this was the final time they would see their son play cricket for their school. The invitation to sit down and have lunch made this final event even more special for them.

I thank our 1st cricket parents for preparing the lunches this season and for your hospitality extended towards the Padua parents and all other players throughout the season. A good deed was done by you all!

Chess, Rugby and Football Trials – Friday 25 and Saturday 26 March

Please refer to the College’s website to view all times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures. Simply scroll down on the College’s home page to the ‘Latest News’ section and click the ‘Weekly Fixtures’ section.

ANZAC Day and Labour Day – Long Weekends and Term 2 Sport

Please note that there are two long weekends scheduled early in Term 2. We ask parents to ensure their son is available to honour their commitment to the team by attending the matches scheduled before heading off to enjoy a well-deserved break.

It is imperative that players are not missing during these weekends. We ask parents to take this into consideration when planning any trips away.

Rugby, Football and Chess Trial Schedule – Saturday 26 March

The football and rugby schedules for this weekend’s internal trials can be found below. The boys will be placed into colour teams for the internal trials on Saturday. Some coaches may wait until Saturday to split up the boys because this will allow the coaches to have another look at them before going into contact. Coaches will be using these team lists as a guide but will also be mixing and moving players around on the weekend during the trials. All boys will be required to be at their venue for their allotted 90 minutes.

The canteen at Villanova Park will be in operation this weekend and will require assistance from parents.  We ask that parents look at the below schedules for football and rugby and offer some time during the day to help in the canteen. If we all pitched in it would make the task less demanding for others.

Football Schedule:

Rugby Schedule:

Please refer to the College website to view a full schedule for all times and venues for this weekend’s trial fixtures at Villanova Pk and for those teams playing at SLC (10A, 2nd XV and 1st XV Rugby and Football). Simply scroll down on the College’s home page to the ‘Latest News’ section and click the ‘Weekly Fixtures’ section.

AIC Cricket – Mr Chris Everding, AIC Sport Coordinator

Last Saturday saw the cricket season conclude with the final round of matches against Padua College. Villanova came away with 24 wins and two losses, ensuring almost all our teams finished on a positive note to what has been a very successful albeit disruptive season. Although there were no premierships on offer or an aggregate shield given, many of our sides were able to produce some great performances and 10 sides were able to finish off the season undefeated.

There were many highlights last weekend; the 8As easily chasing down 129 runs without losing a wicket. The 9Bs match went down to the last over, with Padua clinging on to claim an exciting victory by one wicket. The 7As again notched up a total of 200 plus runs. Every team in the Junior School had good wins, as did all the Year 7 and Year 8 teams. Unfortunately, the season came to an end as everyone was really getting into the swing of it!

Villanova Team of the Week – Round 7 v Padua

Round 7 Cricket Results v Padua College

In a reflection on the season, it was unfortunate that the year started off badly for our cricketers. The Queensland school year was delayed by two weeks meaning we lost the opportunity to have trials and forcing Round 1 against Iona to become a trial round for all our teams except the 1sts. The floods then took out Round 4 and Round 5 against St. Laurence’s College and St. Patrick’s College and throughout the season Covid took hold of certain year levels, resulting in teams having to forfeit games due to lack of numbers. I would like to thank players and parents for changing their arrangements to suit the Covid climate and fill in for other teams when needed. This enabled most sides to continue playing and allow boys to have a decent hit throughout the season.

There is a lot of preparation and planning that went into the selections, coaching and management of the 30 teams that represented the College this year, and a huge thank you goes out to everyone involved. Having enthusiastic and motivated coaches allows the program to be effective, and our younger age groups will benefit from the cricket knowledge being passed on to them from the coaching they are receiving. Hopefully many players will continue to play, and we can build on the 30 sides that represented the College this year.

One of the most positive aspects for the future of Villanova cricket to come out of the season were the performances of the 5A, 6A and 7A sides, all of whom played great cricket and were quite convincing victors in most of their matches.

Undefeated teams:

• 3rd XI Coached by Jamie Mullins
• 4th XI Coached by Joel O’Reilly and Harry Wilson
• 10C Coached by Paul Keene
• 9A Coached by Josh Schaumburg and Jack Challinor
• 7A Coached by Simon Smith
• 6A Coached by Oliver Timms
• 6 Gold Coached by Theo Day and Caylum Roy
• 6 White Coached by Nick Halvorson and Luke Berridge
• 5A Coached by Frazer Moloney and James Reid
• 5B coached by Luke Palmer and Isaac Langford

1st XI

The 1st XI this year found themselves in a battle early in most of the games they played. They scored over 200 runs in three of their matches and these scores usually mean, you’d go on to win but Villa was on losing side in all three games, as our bowlers struggled to dismiss the opposition. It was predicted last year that all the Colleges would have strong 1st XI teams and that many had a few Year 12s and a host of younger players. Villanova is no different, so we can expect the competition will be very strong for several years to come. The current Year 11s in the side will be eager to get back to the winner’s circle having lost their first games for Villanova since Year 5. They’ll draw positives from their experience at 1st XI level and work hard during the offseason to rebuild for next year. We thank the Year 12s for their service to Villanova cricket over the years and wish them the best for the future.

Thanks to Nathan Dufty and David Short for their preparation of the boys and for all the work they have put into the program developing our young cricketers, by being present at training and assisting all the coaches in the program with their training sessions. Nathan was at the nets at Langlands or Villanova Park every morning and afternoon, Monday to Friday to pass on his guidance and expertise to ensure the program was being delivered and that our sides were in good hands.

Cricket Coaches:

Thanks to the following people who coached a team this year:

Staff: Ben Lynam, Steve Miller and Sean Hodgson.

Parents: Paul Keene, Ross Whitby, Regan Dent, Paul Innes, Damien Lewis, Matthew Carson, Dave Capra and Simon Smith.

I would like to make special mention to following group of Old Boys, who have returned to the College and helped with the program. 18 of the 30 teams were coached by Old Boys and without them, many current students wouldn’t get a game. Some of these guys are only in their first year out but they have made the effort to get involved and the impact they have had on the boys, particularly the Junior School boys has been invaluable, and they all thoroughly enjoyed having these men as coaches:

Jamie Mullins, Tim Hazlewood, Matthew Short, Joel O’Reilly, Harry Wilson, Josh Schaumburg, Jack Challinor, Stuart Hooper, Jack Milner, Hunter Gapes, Ronan Hughes, Trent Foster, Joseph Roberts, Digby Timms, Nick Halvorson, Luke Berridge, Oliver Timms, Gunit Singh, Sachin Kaylan, Theo Day, Caylum Roy, Baiden Parker, Ben Sciacca, Dylan Crouch, Alex Ilka, Tom Wilson, James Reid, Frazer Moloney, Luke Palmer and Isaac Langford.

AIC Volleyball – Mr Todd Kropp, AIC Volleyball Co-ordinator

The 2022 AIC Volleyball season was certainly an odd, but nevertheless, exciting year for Villanova Volleyball. A season filled of ups and downs, wins and losses, and a mix of long-term development and short-term success. Our teams returned to the court post the Christmas and New Year celebrations ready to go for the 2022 season. Our teams took advantage of the opportunity to work off some of the Christmas cake at our pre-season training camp where coaches got to have one final look at their team before the season commenced.

After an extended holiday break due to Covid restrictions, our teams were ready to return to the court for our trial round against Iona College. With Covid still affecting AIC Sport, the AIC management committee made the decision to only award a premiership for the first VI teams only. Therefore, no other teams contended Premierships, nor aggregates on the understanding that Covid would continue to create issues for Colleges.

After our College returned, teams continued to train weekly with the focus on contributing to the program’s target of a more technical and tactical focus to our season. Only time will tell how our targets will fare on the court in the future, but I am optimistic our approach and long-term plan will continue to make Villanova a fierce competitor in AIC Volleyball for many years to come.

Villanova Volleyball entered 20 teams into the AIC Volleyball competition in 2022 and whilst AIC Premierships were not being awarded, I would like to acknowledge the following undefeated teams: 7B, 7C, 7D, 9C, 11C, 11B, 3rd VI and our 1st VI. Also worth noting, our 10A and 2nd VI recorded only one loss for the season.

Overall, I am proud to say it was a very successful albeit shortened season for our teams with severe weather causing AIC to abandon two rounds. The positive results we have had throughout the season was due to the tireless efforts coaches and players exemplifying what our program Is striving for, playing an aggressive style of volleyball, not being intimidated by our opponent or surroundings and being humble winners and gracious in defeat.

As a coach and coordinator, it was an honour to have worked with each of our teams throughout the season. It was truly a great experience to get the opportunity to work with Mr John Christie and the First VI team as they competed. It is with great pride that I announce Villanova’s First VI team has broken the 10-year drought and finished the season undefeated and the winner of the only Premiership on offer for 2022 AIC Volleyball.

The pursuit of this accolade started in 2020, from there we have had countless hours on the court training, in the classroom reviewing matches, reading and memorising game-plans and dealing with many other external factors that stood between us and the trophy. The season was a definition of hitting the ground running with our three toughest opponents straight up in the season. Both Round 1 against Iona, and Round 3 against Ashgrove were tough encounters, but our boys stood to the task and won both matches 3-1. Our Round 2 clash against St Peters truly proved to be a battle of the titans with our boys taking the win 3-2 in what some call the highest quality AIC match in many years. The boys in this team truly demonstrated what the volleyball program’s goals are on the court each week and set the standard for the First VI team for many years to come.

Unfortunately, the boys missed out on taking on their biggest foe, the Villanova coaches, and we have agreed to reluctantly call 2022 a draw. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tom Boxall for his effort as the First VI Captain for the past two Years. I am sure any that saw our matches would agree that our team would certainly be less for not having Tom and his leadership on the court each week, ably assisted by Vice Captains Bailey Korander-Matheson and Nicholas Craig.

I would like to acknowledge all our departing Year 12 students and thank them for their contribution to the volleyball program. It is a sombre feeling to acknowledge the departing Year 12 students from our First VI team, as I could simply not imagine a First VI training where we would not have to instruct a very specific member of the team to put his shoes on, or to go through half a roll of strapping tape per session to ensure the boys stayed in one piece. Nevertheless, the legacy of these boys will remain long after their departure. John and I sincerely thank Tom Boxall, Cooper Stevens, Nicholas Abel, Bailey Korander-Matheson, Matt Forsyth and Callan McInerney for their contribution to the First VI program over the past few years.

With that said, members of our First VI team have one more task. We sit 1-1 with our friends from Craigslea SHS at Volleyball QLD’s Schools Cup in the Honours division. With one more opportunity to prove the true winner of the two Schools’, we will eagerly wait and see who is crowned the Open honours Champions for 2022.

First VI Premiership Winning Team

Tom Boxall, Nicholas Abel, Bailey Korander-Matheson, Cooper Stevens, Nicholas Craig, Frasier Lay, Matt Forsyth, Callan McInerney, Harley Wheaton, Christos Nicolaou, Blake Bishop, Charlie Kerr and Lachlan Gillett.

AIC Volleyball Results v Padua College

AIC AFL – Mr Adam Fry, AIC AFL Coordinator

The 2022 AFL season has been the most successful since the reintroduction to the AIC competition. With over 160 players participating in AFL, Villanova footy is well and truly showing we are one of the best schools in the competition. Right back from our first trials in November 2021, we could see the eagerness and determination that this year’s AFL teams possessed before the season got underway. Even though there was no aggregate awarded this year, we can safely say we won the unofficially overall aggregate. With seven out of 10 teams having had premiership/undefeated season, the strength of our younger teams illustrates the potential of years ahead for Villanova AFL.

Across the College there were several premiership teams, which is an outstanding achievement. Our 5A, 5B, 5C, 6C, Year 7, Year 8 and First teams have all gone through the season undefeated, showing how dominate they were each week. The skill, sportsmanship, and teamwork these younger men demonstrated each weekend was extraordinary to witness. Overall, our undefeated teams all displayed dominate performances throughout the season with some commanding victories

I want to make special mention of our First XVIII, Round 7 was the perfect ending to a perfect season. Our first ever AFL First XVIII premiership was an amazing achievement and with the depth of year ten and eleven boys to come our team is in very good hands. The team week in, week out, performed at such a high level and showed outstanding skills, sportsmanship and teamwork, the entire College community are very proud. The effort alone at the annual 3am Mt Coot-Tha climb, proves how tough and resilient this group of young men are. The highlight for the season was in this last round, when the boys found themselves behind the entire game, only to storm home to a famous two-point victory. The cheer that echoed around the ground could be heard for suburbs when Frasier Lay kicked the sealer. A special mention must also go to our Year 10 superstar Oscar Tanks, who was clearly best on ground in the premiership game. This is a fantastic and well-deserved achievement from these young men. The foundation for future success of Villanova AFL has very much been set and we look forward to going for back-to-back premierships in 2023.

Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to all the parents for your support to ensure that we had such a successful season. I would like to say thank you to Craig, Chris, Todd and Anthony in the sports office for all your work behind the scenes to ensure a fantastic season. And finally, I would like to say a massive thank you to all coaches Brian, Manny, Darren, Paul, Dennis, Charlotte, Michael, Greg, Matt C, James, Dean, Amy and Bart for your hard work and dedication to these players throughout the season. Without our coaches our season would not have been even close to what it was, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed having you all show them your skill and commitment to the cause.

It has been an unforgettable season of Villanova College AFL and that would not have been possible without all our players putting in one hundred percent every week, both on the track and on the field. I look forward to trials and training getting underway at the end of 2022 and cannot wait for round one in 2023.

AIC AFL Results – Round 7

Team of the Year

No Dog Policy

 A reminder to Villanova parents that there is a NO DOG policy at all AIC sporting fixtures. There has been a concern from some of the venue coordinators, including Villanova Park that pet owners are ignoring the signs placed on the gates at each venue. All pet owners who ignore the signs will be asked to remove their pets from the venue immediately. This is also the case for all State Schools.

1st IV Tennis Training Squad

Many of our top tennis players have been issued with an invitation to attend a 1st pre-season tennis training program which commenced this Wednesday 23rd March. We wish these boys the very best as they prepare well ahead for the up-coming AIC Tennis season.

AIC Cross Country – Year 5 – 12

All information regarding the AIC Cross Country season is posted in the AIC Cross Country section on the website. This information includes the times and venues for training, coaches contact details and much more. We encourage all boys to attend.

The 12 years-Opens programs commenced this week. The Year 5 and Year 6 program commences next week.

Composite Sport

Please find below a list of composite trial and nomination dates. Paperwork for these trials is now available in the Sport Office.

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Lismore Library Book Appeal
We have watched with horror the impact the recent floods have had on communities throughout South East Queensland and New South Wales. The images we saw, particularly on social media, of the Lismore Library were heartbreaking to witness.

As library staff we understand the power of reading. Reading raises our spirits, challenges our thinking, makes us more aware of the feelings of those around us and much more. For this reason, we are asking our community to consider donating a new book or a near-new book to our Lismore Library Appeal. If you are able, please ask your son to bring the book/s to the Villanova Tolle Lege Library by Thursday, 21 April. To all our community who have been affected by the floods, we send our thoughts and prayers. Please reach out to us if you too need any assistance.

Villanova Library Team

Debut Concert Series

Our first evening of the Debut Concert Series went very well with members of our College community gathered in Hanrahan Theatre on Tuesday 22 March.  Our Music Department was represented by many of our Middle School ensembles at this event, with the concert bookended by our Wind Ensemble and combined Jazz Ensembles.

The students did a commendable job after working through a term of interruptions, and then performing with assistance from staff to cover students in isolation due to COVID restrictions.  There were many highlights from the evening, and it was very pleasing to hear some of the repertoire our ensembles have been working on over Term 1.

We are looking forward to this evening’s concert, commencing at 6pm in Hanrahan Theatre.  We feature a number of Senior Ensembles tonight, including our Supernovans, Symphonic Band, Sinfonia String Orchestra, and Guitar Ensemble 1.  Tickets are available via Trybooking:  https://www.trybooking.com/BYEET

Rock Band and Production Program

Mr Dave Campbell, our new classroom music teacher (and Villa Old Boy), has sent communication home to interested students regarding our Rock Program here at the College.  Mr Campbell brings a wealth of contemporary performance and composition experience to Villanova and will build upon the excellent foundation created by Mrs Belinda Tucker within this program.

Students involved in this element of the music program will be focussed on developing their ensemble arranging and performance skills, along with honing their song-writing craft.  We look forward to sharing the work of these students across the year with our broader community.

Should your son be interested in this program, please do not hesitate to have him contact Mr Campbell directly at the College, via email – dcampbell@vnc.qld.edu.au  or through the Music Office.

Lessons via Teams

As we face increasing absences due to COVID illness and isolation, I would like to communicate that where possible, our staff will continue to teach your son utilising technology available to all students.

If your son is in isolation but well enough to have a Music lesson, please contact his teacher or the Music Office directly to schedule a ‘Teams Meeting’ at the time of his timetabled lesson.

If your son’s teacher is in isolation but well enough to teach, your son will need to bring his laptop down to the Augustine Centre to have his lesson via Teams at school.  Communication regarding this will come directly from your son’s teacher.

If your son is unwell and unable to participate, please ensure you contact the Music Office or your son’s teacher to advise us of his absence (as per regular procedure) and we will ensure this lesson is rescheduled at a mutually agreeable time in the future.

Thank you all as we work through this challenging period.

Health and Safety

We are returning to regular activities with the appropriate hygiene measures in place.  As per College policy, we ask students that are unwell to remain home.  It is not mandatory that masks will be required ; however, we ask students to consider whether a mask is required due to social distancing challenges as they move through the building.  To reconnect you all with our hygiene procedures, this information was distributed via email reminding us of how we will work in a COVID environment.  Should you require another copy, please do not hesitate to contact the Music Office.

Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers

Our fantastic Music Support Group have organised an innovative fundraiser for Villanova College.  You may have heard the buzz about our Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers…  the MUST HAVE items for the beach/cricket/park/fishing/barbecue/etc. this Summer! (flyer attached).

Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $35; Wildcat Coolers – $30

All items can be purchased via Trybooking through the following link:  https://www.trybooking.com/BMEML

Purchases can be collected from the Music Office and all profits will go to the Music Support Group.

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

EVENTS

Sports Lunch
The 8th Annual Villanova Sports Lunch is here and will be raising funds to support all sports at Villanova College. Fun, food and laughter all the way with your MC – Victoria Carthew. Ticket price includes special guest comedian Greg Ritchie and sensational guest panellists including Andrew Mehrtens, and other special guests to be announced. Also included is a two-course meal and a four hour drinks package (beer, wine, sparkling and soft drinks). Very limited tickets. Get yours now here: https://www.trybooking.com/BXOLD

Save the date: Mothers’ Night

Villanova Cares Flood Benefit

The Villanova Cares Flood Benefit featuring David De Vito and friends will raise much needed funds for those affected by the recent devastating floods.  Save the date: Friday 29 April 2022, for an evening of delicious food, wine and powerhouse vocals. Tickets through Trybooking here: ‘Villanova Cares Flood Benefit’ with David De Vito & Friends Tickets, Villanova College, Coorparoo | TryBooking Australia

UNIFORM SHOP
Both new football and rugby jerseys are now in stock.

The uniform shop has extended opening hours across March and April. For information visit:  https://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/our-community/uniform-shop/

FINANCE
As FACTS Management has now been introduced, school fee payments through BPay will no longer be an available payment option.  Please log into https://factsmgt.com.au/ or phone FACTS on 1300 322 871 to arrange the payment of school fees.

TUCKSHOP
It would be greatly appreciated if students could bring their student cards or cash to make Tuckshop purchases. This aids an efficient service for the boys.  Inputting student numbers is greatly slowing down service time. Thank you for you cooperation.

View the 2022 Tuckshop menu and price list here: Menu-and-Prices2022-1.pdf (vnc.qld.edu.au)

VILLANOVA COLLEGE BUSINESS DIRECTORY 
Calling current parents, Old Boys and past parents — promote your business or service to members of the Villa community for free with the Villanova College Business Directory. List your business today for free via the link: https://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/our-college/villanova-business-directory/

Questions can be directed to foundation@vnc.qld.edu.au

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.