Villanova College
Villa View: Issue 09/19
Villa View: Issue 09/19
Congratulations to all involved in the 2019 International Carnival. Behind the flashing lights and the wall of tents is an army of volunteers who gave countless hours to ensure the event was a great success. My thanks to Carnival Convenor, Mr Cameron Clelland who oversaw the organisation of this event. His dedication and great organisational skills enabled the willing band of volunteers to provide wonderful food and entertainment for our community and visitors. This is Cameron’s final year in this role and I acknowledge his significant contribution to the College through his work with the International Carnival.
AIC SPORT
AIC Term 1 sports have concluded for the season and I thank the coaches, managers and supporters for their work with our students over many weeks. Our sporting program relies on many volunteers who give up their family time to be available to coach our young men. Thank you for your generosity.
Villanova College cricket won the overall Aggregate Shield for cricket with numerous premierships. Our First XI team ably led by Captain, Matt Short were undefeated this season and were worthy winners of the premiership. Their final game of the season against St Laurence’s College saw an epic battle and the tenacity and determination of our players saw a win in the final over of the day.
Our volleyball teams performed well across the season and the players thoroughly enjoyed the competition.
Congratulations to all our AFL players for a fine season. The Year 5A team was undefeated during the season. This is the first year AFL has been introduced into the senior grades and our Year 8/9 and Open teams had great first seasons.
COLLEGE BOARD AGM
Last night we welcomed members of the Provincial Council and Prior Provincial, Fr Peter Jones OSA to the Annual General Meeting at the College. Fr Peter Jones in his address reminded all present of the Augustinians continued support of Villanova College and the important work of educating young men carried out by our staff. During the meeting the College Leadership Team and I presented our vision for the future and our Action Plan for 2019. Board Chair, Mr Peter Geraghty also presented his report for the year and thanked his fellow directors for their work across 2018.
The support of the Order of St Augustine, Australasia is appreciated, and the members of the Order continue to share a great interest in Villanova College.
STAFF NEWS
Congratulations to Mr Anthony Kemp and his wife Kaitlyn on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Rosie Florence Kemp, sister for Archie and Poppy.
PRAYERS
We keep in our prayers Mrs Colleen Conway, grandmother of Matthew (Year 12), mother of Sean Conway (Class of ‘84) and sister of Old Boys, Bob and Ron Myatt who passed away on 2 March. We also continue to keep in our prayers the community in Christchurch, New Zealand. We pray that God’s love and compassion will continue to help heal the brokenness of intolerance and hate.
St Francis Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
St Francis of Assisi
God Bless
Mr Mark Stower, Principal
Open Day at Villanova College reminds me to see our Junior School through new lenses – so for one morning I put on a new pair of glasses. What I see during our tours makes me really appreciate our students, staff, parents, groundsmen and cleaners. For every corner we turn or door we enter, there is someone taking pride in their job or role in the Junior School precinct.
The boys certainly take the glory at Open Day. Our Year 5 students keep things fresh and honest when it comes to answering parent questions. Year 6 boys reveal a kind of wisdom and leadership far beyond their years. They try so hard to keep working on their task in front of them, but you can see how eager they are to be asked a question – about anything – because they now “know things”. It hits me that our work over nine weeks has achieved things we simply must acknowledge.
These students now seem like the experts to our visitors. They talk about the Villanova Tuckshop in every classroom, Mrs Blair, you would be so proud! Next, we hear about friends, how there were once nerves about getting to know people, but now we have, and it feels great. I saw some faces light up as they actualised this accomplishment in front of complete strangers. They matter, and they belong. Subjects came next – the favourites, the ones that surprisingly have become favourites (Father Peter and Father Saldie – Religion was mentioned). Even more so, was that learning was fun. There were interesting things that they were finding out across all areas of the curriculum. This was not a test they were answering; the boys were expressing how they loved their learning. They were proud of what they have discovered this term, and the progress they feel in themselves was written all over their faces. It is nothing short of inspiring to see that firsthand. Teachers were always mentioned – for “making” school fun, for being kind, for laughing as much as working hard every day. Our relationships are stronger after nine weeks. The boys feel that and want potential new families to know that they feel protected, supported and valued.
Staff kept to their planning and worked on consolidating areas as much as preparing for upcoming assessment. Rotations of small group activities, with independent research sessions, cooking and painting, it was business as usual. The professionalism showed in hosting our visitors was first-class. I appreciate that it required answering pedagogical and educational questions in the middle of a working day and that goals and plans would have changed many times over to accommodate inquiries, wait for students to finish sharing their stories and for guests to peruse the spaces. It occurred to many teachers, that in only one term there have been many gains for us to be grateful for, and that our students are making advances in so many facets of their whole being.
Year 6 Black Chapel
We were blessed enough to have some parent helpers in some classrooms, the library and canteen, as we often do throughout each week. I also know that many parents are responsible for the pristine appearance of our bricks and concrete after an extremely successful International Carnival on Saturday. The College grounds were buzzing with crowds, music and some of the best food in Coorparoo. It was our parents who have spent over six months planning and preparing stalls for games, raffles and homewares to share with the community. I know for a fact that we have some Russian Caramel, Chocolate Crackles, Chocolate Fudge and Salted Macaroons in our fridge at home that should last us a few weeks! I have it on the best authority that the Greek octopus was a highlight, and I will endeavour to queue for that earlier in 2020. Our infamous Lob-a-Choc was the last stall standing, with green tutus and over 400kgs of chocolate being won by at least every second person who probably donated it. Thank you all for being so generous, your time, energy and contributions are deeply appreciated.
It is also important to mention how hard Grounds and Cleaning staff have worked recently to prepare for College events. Never have I seen teams of people work far beyond the hours required to guarantee spotless work spaces and playgrounds for all of us to enjoy. It is at times like these that we depend upon a real collaboration of all hands to showcase an incredible place of learning.
Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School
CHRISTCHURCH RESPONSE
After the shocking news of the attack upon two mosques by an Australian citizen, many staff and students were keen to coordinate a response. The flag flew at half mast all week, and the week concluded with a special prayer service outside the Chapel. Furthermore, we observed two minutes silence in Pastoral after playing part of the Muslim call to prayer over the speakers. Inspired by the ways in which the New Zealand people were offering a ring of support around the Muslim community, we sought to do the same, creating a wider circle of solidarity. This was the prayer that concluded the two minutes of silence:
God of love, we pray today for the Christchurch communities: that the great circle of love of angels and saints will gather close during these next days and weeks and be a circle of gentle strength and protection.
We pray in particular for all those who grieve the loss of these precious lives – parents and family, friends and neighbours – that they will find courage, strength and hope to hold each other with tender care and rebuild their lives, while cherishing their memory always. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen
Looking ahead, we have two further symbolic responses planned. On Monday and Tuesday, each student was given the opportunity to sign two letters of condolence to be delivered to two local mosques. Finally, the Villanova rugby tourists are planning a special tribute when they play their matches in Christchurch.
CARNIVAL STALL: RECYCLING, VINNIES, PROJECT COMPASSION AND TEDDIES
To their credit, a group of six Year 8 and Year 9 boys spent most of Carnival manning a recycling stall. This meant sharing information about how we are collecting the refundable cans and bottles, and then making several trips to empty the accumulating bottles and cans in our larger wire bin – now nearly full. The first funds collected have been turned into Villanova teddy bear key rings. We sold these for $10 on the night with every cent going to either Project Compassion or St Vincent de Paul Easter hampers. Therefore, the discipline of recycling has enabled us to make a significant boost to our Lenten appeals – as well as adding the Villanova teddy to our cor unum spirit.
I would like to make special mention of Matthew Beames, Xavier Simondsen and Zac Child (Year 9), and Rowan Sullivan and Joshua Reid (Year 8). On top of this, parents Julian and Natarsha Chan went beyond the call of duty to deliver two bright orange bin surrounds – to draw attention to and explain the refundable bottle/ can scheme. Many parents stopped to offer support to the initiative, betraying a good knowledge of the Ministry section of the Newsletter!
The full wire bin represents about $500, as well as a change in individual habits which is adding up to a change in culture. Your sons are welcome to make suggestions as to what we spend on next. Current leader is to create some green and gold Villa basketballs as supporter prizes and for special matches.
ALPHA COURSE
We were also joined at the stand by three Villanova parents who are taking the plunge and launching an Alpha Course for both adults and young people (Year 10 – University students inclusive) next term.
What is Alpha? It is a forum for people to share their search for answers regarding the big questions in life – the ones which Google cannot answer. (Is there a God? Does my life have a purpose? Did Jesus actually live as a historical person?). Each week the format is: shared meal, followed by video input then small group discussion. There is no “right” or authoritative answer, but a leader will facilitate the group discussion.
When is the launch, and where? The launch will be held on Sunday 28 April, from 5.30 pm to 8 pm. It will be in the Staff Centre, starting with a shared barbecue. It is a free event, but there will be a contribution box in future weeks to help with the hospitality costs.
Who is involved, so far? Six Villanova parents, one ex-parent, four staff members, and three recent students of Loreto and Villanova. The door is wide open for other adults and young people to express interest. There is no obligation to continue after attending any given week. The door is wide open!
Expressions of interest and/or questions can be sent to jholroyd@vnc.qld.edu.au
Looking ahead…
Ministry had a stall at Open Day on Tuesday, and then will look to make a strong finish to Term 1 with the Project Compassion Lenten Appeal (Middle and Junior School) and the Easter hampers for local families doing it tough (Senior School).
Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity
THAT’S A WRAP
Please click here to view Issue 7 (the very last for 2019) of the Villanova International Carnival newsletter. Congratulations to all involved.
Address
24 Sixth Avenue, Coorparoo, Brisbane, QLD 4151 Australia
Villanova College is an independent Catholic School for boys under the care of the Augustinian Order. Striving for excellence in boys’ education as an Augustinian community one in mind and heart on the way towards God.
