Villa View: Issue 09/21

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family,
Hot cross buns and Easter eggs on shop shelves heralds a truly special time of the year for all Christians. For the past weeks we have been on a journey of renewal and conversion as we seek to renew our faith.

Next week as Holy Week begins, we journey with all Christians across the world as we recall Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. Pope Francis in his Lenten message encourages us to be open to the spirit through faith, hope and love.

In our Lenten journey towards Easter, let us remember the One who “humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil 2:8). During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the “living water” of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ. At the Easter vigil, we will renew our baptismal promises and experience rebirth as new men and women by the working of the Holy Spirit. This Lenten journey, like the entire pilgrimage of the Christian life, is even now illumined by the light of the resurrection, which inspires the thoughts, attitudes and decisions of the followers of Christ. 

Mid-Semester Reports
On Tuesday evening of this week, the Mid-Semester reports were released to families via Parent Lounge. The report details the academic habits displayed by each student in the subjects studied. Parents will be able to see from the report how well their son has managed the academic challenges of the new year.  Please note these reports do not contain academic results or grades for assessment tasks undertaken in the first eight weeks of this year.

Please take a few minutes over the coming days to sit down with your son to discuss the report and the ratings provided by the teaching staff. Discuss the areas that have gone well this term and look to see if there are areas that need attention. Help your son to set goals for the next report and the grades and results he aims to achieve by the end of the semester.

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday 19 April via the Zoom platform. The College staff found the use of the Zoom platform in 2020 had many benefits for families and we will continue this method for the coming round of Parent/Teacher Conferences. Details explaining how to book interview times will be emailed home to families in the next few days.

AIC Code of Conduct
With the start of the rugby and football season it is a good time to revisit the expectations of spectators at all AIC sporting matches. In 2021 I have spoken to our Senior students on a number of occasions about the importance of role modelling to our younger students the correct manner to support our teams. On occasions we have not always been a good example of support and in the excitement of the competition our supporters have lost their way and behaved as poor sports.

Interestingly this week, a newspaper article titled, “Parents Teach Good Sports”, attracted my attention. In the article the writer was pointing out the role parents play in modelling sportsmanship, “… it was crucial mums and dads kept their emotions in check while supporting their kids, with no place for umpire abuse or bad behaviour. We need to be encouraging kids to get back up, to shake it off- that’s the kind of encouragement that’s going to be helpful.”

As we begin the new season of sports where many parents and extended family will be on the sidelines, we remember that our young people will often follow the lead of adults and by being a good sport no matter the result will demonstrate to our students good sportsmanship.

Easter Holidays
Next Thursday 1 April the students will conclude classes for the term at the normal finishing time of 3.00pm. A special Liturgy will be held on Holy Thursday as our community prepares to remember the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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. 

FROM THE DEAN OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
Write That Essay
As assessment continues across the College, our students are really being challenged to demonstrate their writing skills in responding to assignments, presentation tasks and examinations. Regardless of the assessment task, crafting quality responses is key to students achieving to the best of their ability. This week in the Middle School, out teachers and students have been working together to do this by using the Write That Essay framework.

Year 7
Students are finalising their current assessments and preparing for presentations. The structure of a paragraph – point, evidence, analysis – is being reviewed to ensure all components support the point being made.

Year 8
Students have used the online tool to polish their short stories in English before submission. The focus will now shift to paragraph structures with a particular emphasis on reviewing the paragraphs used in Year 7.

Year 9
With English presentations finishing by the end of Week 9, the focus will be on maintaining persuasive skills and structural writing of our students along with introducing narrative writing for the upcoming unit. The structure of both styles of writing will be on ongoing focus into the start of Term 2.

Online Writing Tool
All Junior and Middle School students have access to the Write That Essay online tool. This tool allows students to check the elements of their writing – spelling, grammar and punctuation as well the elements that the Write That Essay program espouses – and receive feedback on how to better it. As more and more students engage with the online tool, they are seeing the benefits over Word. The instant feedback on their work allows them the fix the textual errors and have more of a focus on their content.

The platforms also provides mind mapping, planning and structures to use or scaffold their writing. This also includes the personalised learning journeys for students to access to improve their writing and reading comprehension skills.

2021 Next Step Survey
The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2020. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between April and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. If you are a parent of a Year 12 student last year, please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2021.

Further information on Next Step, including results from previous years, is available online at www.qld.gov.au/nextstep or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

ELEARNING NEWS
FUSE Cup Success!
Over the past week Villanova College has enjoyed great success participating for the first time in The FUSE Cup both regionally and internationally.

Last Wednesday, our Year 9/10 Rocket League team comprising Daniel Nolan, Spencer Griffin, William Godwin and Patrick Campbell competed in the Brisbane/Logan Live Competition at Marsden State High School. The boys competed in pairs against tough opponents in a series of round robin and elimination five-minute Rocket League battles. It was very pleasing that Daniel Nolan and Spencer Griffin made it through all their elimination races to compete in the Grand Final. Daniel and Spencer lost their final match against last year’s state champion team in a lively and tense Rocket League battle. Both our teams demonstrated the highest levels of competitiveness and sportsmanship throughout the long day, culminating in Daniel and Spencer receiving limited edition medals as runners up. Will Godwin and Patrick Campbell must also be commended on their gameplay and support of their teammates. Collectively, the boys strategised throughout the day, ‘reading the play’ of the opposition to gain any advantages in their matches. Next year we hope to go one better!

Over the past fortnight, Villanova College also entered two pairs in the Year 7/8 International Schools Mario Kart Online Competition of The FUSE Cup. Unlike Rocket League, this event was hosted entirely online over a series of Zoom meetings and Mario Kart Online Grand Prix events. Team A (Cooper Price, Hudson Donovan) and Team B (Jack Watkins, James Harris) were met with strong opposition from the first online race event, battling against students from remote Australian and international schools. Again, it was pleasing to see one of our teams, Team B, progress to the Semi Finals a week later. The Semi Final was a fast-paced grand prix between Villanova, three Western Australia schools, two schools in China and one from Canada. Jack and James performed consistently well, finishing second overall to secure their place in the International Grand Final on Tuesday 23 March. In the Grand Final – live-streamed to Twitch – our Team B kept their focus as high as their desire to win – Villanova once again finished as runners-up! As with our Rocket League participants, the team of four worked well together in the lead up with practice, racing tips, support and encouragement. This international win was certainly a team achievement!

There are more internal trials and external competitions planned for the rest of 2021, including face-to-face live Mario Kart esports events in May. It is hoped Villanova enjoys further success as our involvement with The FUSE Cup continues.

Microsoft Teams pilot classes in Term 2
During Term 2, a number of Junior, Middle and Senior School classes have been selected as a trial pilot group using Microsoft Teams as a digital pedagogy and content delivery platform. Roughly 20 classes from across the College have been selected with teachers having recently attended training to be able to use Teams as a digital classroom portal. If your son is in one of these Teams pilot classes you will receive a letter prior to the commencement of Term 2 with further instructions. Through this pilot program, the College will be seeking to develop a consistent and effective approach to rolling our Microsoft Teams for all classrooms commencing Semester 2, 2021. To learn more about Microsoft Teams in an educational context, read the official Teams Parent & Carer Support Guide at: https://edudownloads.azureedge.net/msdownloads/teams_parents_quickstartguide.pdf

Mr Jason Lane, eLearning Pedagogy Leader

Week 9 is almost complete, and Term 1 has only five days remaining.  How are you and your family managing the busyness that comes with College life?  There is a lot to be said for the reality of coordinating work, school, and co-curricular commitments.  It is quite understandable if you are weary, and I do hope you are asking for help if it is needed.  You are not alone in wondering if you have the balance of work and play tipping too far to the left.  You are in great company if there are questions about how to help your son manage his organisation and progress at school.  You absolutely need to make the best decisions for you and the family whether the rain is torrential, or the sun shines brightly.  Life is best spent prioritising at this stage of the term, so let us regroup and prioritize a few things.

1. Your son’s happiness is crucial – does he feel connections and a sense of belonging? He may recognise threads, he may feel very strong chains – but there should be ways he can feel comfortable in class, on the playground, and in team/group opportunities in the Junior School.  For Year 5s, some boys can take all year to settle in and find their true groove.  Others can experience a rollercoaster – daily, weekly, or simply every so often.  Even the calmest and collected students still need to be checked in on – reassurance that all children and adults can feel changes in their motivation, sense of worth, and connections to friends, teachers, parents, and classmates.  For Year 6s, we cannot assume that one year of College life means all the answers are clear – a new teacher, new routines, and expectations.  There is more time and effort required to achieve the same A, B and C expectations, which needs to be appreciated by us all, particularly the boys.

What can we do to help right here and now?  Focus on the person – remind the boys what you admire about them, take notice of the little things they do well, and surprise them with experiences that bring joy.  This could be as simple as a small note in a lunchbox, stopping via an ice cream shop on the way home from training, or having a well-timed game night as a family – phones, laptops and books make way for light entertainment as a unit of support.

2. Grades for assessment tasks reflect a performance at one time in life – the feedback from the task is the most important thing – strengths, challenges, and ways to improve for next time (which they have six – seven years of opportunities to reach their mastery level). Learning in 2021 has changed considerably compared to the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and even the 2000s.  Our school memories are just that – from another time.  Fun to share, but they will need to make room for the pedagogies and curriculum of today.

Who can help us make sense of the differences in education?  The boys, the teachers, Junior School Curriculum Area Leaders, Learning Enrichment Team, Villanova College Teaching and Learning Office, and the communication shared in emails, College newsletters, and class OneNote books online.  Start small, one subject at a time, or upskill in technology when you can – Parent Lounge, the Villanova App or OneNote.  You will not be able to have every answer and a foolproof success path planned within an hour.  What you do have is an incredible team working with you and time will be our best ally to appreciate the gains we will make, standing beside your son every step of the way this year.

3. Remember that these moments will pass by far quicker than you realise. Be present for this part of your son’s world – I know only too well that in a heartbeat your son will be wearing the white shirt and, on his way, to completing Year 12.  So, laugh a little more at the wet training boots and soggy gear that sits on the bathroom floor.  Turn a morning of worry about an exam into a shared story from yourself about surviving a similar situation (and even a grandparent’s reaction can bring some light to you as the son/daughter).  Reward the effort.  Know that 20 minutes of quality revision with an adult can beat two hours of independent study (I can promise you all I ever did was learn capital cities on my world map every time my Mum sent me to do homework in my room).  Be brave enough to venture through a curriculum that may seem a little confusing – let your son teach you a thing or two.  Cheer him on and make it crystal clear that all we need to do in life is our best.

What helps me during busy times?  My family, friends, and colleagues.  The students – definitely – because every smile and ah-hah moment have everything to do with the simplest things in life like fun facts, minute to win it games, slushies from the canteen (even when it rains) and who is top of the ladder in all kinds of sports.

This diagram needs to be up on our fridges at home this week – we are all doing a great job, our very best, and success is definitely the path on the right side!

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Unpacking Masculine Identity
Following on from my remarks in last week’s article about our culture and identity at Villanova College, I have continued to reflect deeply again this week regarding the consistent commentary in the mediascape about how we (as educators at an all-boys school) are responding to issues related to gender based violence, toxic constructions of masculinity and disrespectful relationships. Certainly prior to the disturbing revelations emerging from Chanel Contos’ petition, the Senior School Pastoral Team has been very attuned to incorporating within our Formation Program opportunities to explore the aforementioned areas of concern.

In last Friday’s Year 10 Formation Program Workshop, the students continued their module on masculine identity. As I have done in the past, I thought I would share the link to one of the TED Talks used in this module by educator, author, activist, pastor and coach Joe Ehrmann. The video explores the underpinning values associated with toxic masculinity whilst outlining a positive vision for how we can change the social construction of masculine identity moving forward. This is work that our Senior School Pastoral Care Team is very passionate about. You can view the video by following this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVI1Xutc_Ws

One of the pertinent concerns raised in the Ted Talk by Ehrmann is the impact of pornography in shaping masculine attitudes and ideas about sex. It is a similar fear held by prominent former Headmaster of the Kings School Dr Tim Hawkes who recently stated the following: ‘We need to recognise a Year 12 boy will have spent less than 10 per cent of his waking hours at school, He will probably have spent more time on the Net than in class. Another issue needing re-examination is the decision by governments to allow free and unfettered access to pornography.’

As we navigate the ongoing challenges of providing our students with the best possible environment- both at home and at school- to be formed into fine young men of character and integrity, let us continue to work in strong partnership to ensure that we collectively call out those attitudes and behaviours that diminish our boys and celebrate those ideas and actions which imbue a positive vision of masculinity into the future.

Year 12 Mentoring Breakfast
Next Thursday morning, the Year 12 cohort will attend the inaugural Mentoring Breakfast, culminating the special Week 10 program which will include their Year 12 Retreat and the re-scheduled RACQ DocuDrama experience.

This event has been over 12 months in the making after our intended event last year was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. Former Villanova staff member and current parent Mr John Godwin and I both sit on the College’s Foundation Management Committee and through our collective conversations and belief about the power of mentoring for our young men, the seeds for this event were sown.

All Year 12 students were asked to nominate two fields of interest for their potential future careers, and we have matched their preferences to mentors in these industries. The Seniors will also hear the wisdom and experiences of two Villanova Old Boys – Paul Weightman from the Class of 1978 and Patrick Franco from last year’s Senior class. These insights, from Paul who has been the driver of Cromwell Property Group’s success since its inception in 1998, to recently graduated Patrick, who is pursuing a film course at university, will offer our young men a diversity of perspectives in how best to navigate the challenges of transitioning from College life to Year 13 and beyond.

I would like to thank our College Foundation Manager, Ms Natalie Davidson for her energy and investment in connecting with mentors for the event, Mr John Godwin and Mrs Deanne Perrier for their enthusiasm and support, and Mr Tony Rolls and his Year 11 Hospitality classes who will cater the breakfast for the event.

“No man is capable of self-improvement if he sees no other model but himself.” – Conrado I.

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Living Gratefully and Walking Humbly!
Next Monday and Tuesday our Year 12 students are away on their Retreat.  This is a significant part of our Year 12 program.  It is an opportunity for our Seniors to leave the busyness and pressure of school in order to listen, to be affirmed, to build their friendships with their peers and to connect with the living source of his faith, hope, and life.

The ‘Ancient Words’ of St Augustine:
“In this world, two things are essential: life and friendship. Both should be highly prized, and we must not undervalue them. Life and friendship are nature’s gifts. God created man that he might exist and live: this is life.  But if man is not to remain solitary,  there must be friendship.”  Sermon Denis 16, 1

Please keep our Year 12 students and staff who will be with them in your thoughts and prayers on Monday and Tuesday.

Villanova Supports National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
Last Friday the College was a sea of orange as we united to raise awareness of this atrocity which is happening all around the world. Staff and students dressed in orange and treated themselves to yummy items for sale at the Orange NDA stalls.

Students, teachers and College leaders took the time to personalise their own poster suggesting a tip, action or advice supporting this cause. These are currently displayed around our campus.

Here are a few examples from across our three schools:

• Bullies want power over me, I won’t give it to them, even if I have to get help to stand up to them.
• Don’t ever think you are not as good as someone else.                
• Be a real mate, challenge the bully. 
• I will not be a bystander. I will stand up and say “NO!”                 
• Talk to a trusted adult, tell the bully it is NOT OK.
• Evil prospers when good men do nothing, speak out against bullying.    
• Speak up, reach out!

Congratulations to all who contributed, and may we keep this great spirit of support alive for each other, not for one, but for 365 days a year! We all can help to make our world a safer place for everyone!

Reflection on NDA against Bullying and Violence by Kath Underhill

‘Be more’ in Lent
In our Lenten series exploring five ways to build a more just world, our last pathway is ‘be active’.  Traditionally, international development programs have focused on the needs and problems that communities face.  Caritas however works from a Strength Based Approach; community members recognise their collective strengths and assets and work together towards the common good.  This can bring about transformational, sustainable development.

In this approach communities:

• Map their assets using a variety of tools
• Develop a vision for their community
• Regularly monitor their own progress

I have seen this strength-based approach in action, and it is incredibly inspiring to see communities empowered to act around their own needs.

A challenge for us in this Lenten season is to think about the different community we are part of.  What strengths and assets do you have collectively, that you could use to work for social justice?

God of Justice, awaken in me the determination to work for a more just world.
God of Love, prompt me to always seek the truth.
God of Compassion, strengthen me to raise my voice in solidarity with those experiencing poverty and marginalisation.
God of Strength, enliven in me the courage to stand beside those fighting injustice.
God of Grace, inspire me to be  more rather than to want more.
May I learn to walk your way of mercy and compassion with all.
May I be generous with what you have freely given so that my brothers and sisters can live life to the full.
Amen

Date Claimers

City Smart Sustainability
The Brisbane City Council is running clean ups of the local community as part of the City Smart initiatives that aim to encourage a more sustainable Brisbane.

The Brisbane City Council has invited Villanova College to partner with them in a series of clean ups of Moorhen Flats, starting with a launch of the initiative on Sunday 28 March 2021 from 8.30 -11.30am.

The dates for the subsequent 2021 clean ups are as follows:

• Sunday 18 April from 8.00am – 11.00am
• Sunday 16 May from 8.00am – 11.00am
• Sunday 6 June from 8.00am – 11.00am

 Interested students need further information and parental permission to attend these dates.  Ms Nicole Jones our Service Learning Coordinator can assist with this njones@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Emmanuel City Mission
Emmanuel City Mission is based in South Brisbane, and provides fun, shelter and companionship to those in West End who are experiencing homelessness. Over the Easter weekend they have extended their hours to stay open from Good Friday until Easter Sunday and provide three hot meals a day, a place to rest and a welcoming community to those in need 24/7. The festival will finish with an Easter Sunday Mass at 9am and lunch, to which all are welcome.

Families and staff at Villanova College are invited to be part of providing breakfast on Easter Saturday.  This will be a commitment from 8am until 10am and we will be cooking and serving breakfast for about 100 people.

Please email me to register your interest and for more details kgarrone@vnc.qled.edu.au

Earth Hour 2021
Every year, at 8.30 pm on the last Saturday of March, millions of people across the world join in raising awareness of the issues facing our planet. But Earth Hour is more than just an hour for the planet

• it’s a movement for our future. And it’s more than just a symbol of support.
• it’s a catalyst for urgent change.
• it’s a fantastic event to do with friends or family on this Saturday night, 27 March.

Earth Hour was started by WWF and partners as a symbolic lights-out event in Sydney in 2007.  It is now one of the world’s largest grassroots movements for the environment, engaging millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories, switching off their lights to show support for our planet.

This year – amidst the current global circumstances – in addition to switching off your lights, we also invite you to raise awareness and create the same unmissable sight online.

 For more information about this event go to Earth Hour 2021 – What’s new this year?

Earth Hour 2021 Official Video – ft “Together in This” by Natasha Bedingfield – YouTube

Mentor in a Modified Rugby Program
Easts Rugby Union Club is a supporter of the Modified Rugby Program for young people with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome or other learning and perceptual disabilities. The program has approached us and asked us to advertise an opportunity for our boys at Villanova to come along as player mentors to support these young people in playing Rugby. There is one more come and try date on 26^th March at Easts Rugby Union.

For more information contact GCSupport@gingercloud.org or call 07 35479090.”

Here is a video link also on the program and the website.

Sunday Readings at Home
Please use this link to access this week’s readings and commentaries.

Ms Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

The reason why AFL, Cricket and Volleyball was scheduled one week earlier this year was to give all AIC Colleges one week extra to adequately prepare their rugby and football teams given these are contact sports.

It has been both disappointing and frustrating that we had to cancel training sessions late last week and all this week, as well as the scheduled trial match due to be played against St Laurence’s College this weekend. You may have noticed early last week we did pursue all training when it was raining. I am certainly not one to cancel training because of rain. However, when the rain kept coming and coming, it then quickly moved to a safety issue and an issue of looking after the state of the fields for the remainder of the season. When the rain continued further, it was matter of considering playing water polo rather than footy.

With regard to rugby, we had planned to conduct scrum safe sessions across most age groups commencing this week with our specialised scrum coach, Andrew Beattie. Ben Mowen was due to be rotated across our teams at training as per schedule given to coaches. Our football skills coach,  Mickey Rooney and goalie coach among others were ready to go too. More sessions meant more opportunity for all players to prove themselves and for the coaches to have teams sorted before the end of term.

At the end of the day, we cannot help the weather. We now intend to implement our Plans – B and C with the coaching staff.

The amount of rain has seen almost all fields at Villanova Park go underwater including the access road on the west side. From experience we knew the fields would not be playable this weekend, even with the forecast of sunny weather from Thursday onwards.

At this stage we are hopeful that all training schedules will return to normal from next Monday both here at the College and at Villanova Park. We will notify all via the App if things remain waterlogged.

The three main avenues of communication to parents regarding sport at Villanova are listed below:

• The Villa View (College newsletter)
• Access to the College website. The ‘Locker Room’ contains all the important weekly sports messages and announcements, links from the ‘Locker Room’ will take you to the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section and to the individual sports sections, including the ‘AIC Rugby’, ‘AIC Chess’ and ‘AIC Football’ sections (as well as any other sport)
• The Villanova College App. Go to the App store and search for – Villanova College. Download the free app. Important messages will be given via the app from time to time. These messages are mainly used for the confirmation or cancellation of training and games.

The students also receive sports messages via the daily morning notices in their pastoral as well as information given out at assemblies.

It was interesting to note the College received several emails and calls last week regarding training times and venues for rugby and football, weekend schedules, team lists etc. This information has been posted on the web and published in the College newsletter for many weeks. Please use the avenues listed above as all pertinent information regarding sport is posted and updated regularly.

Rugby, Football, Chess, Cross Country Training – Last Week of Term
Please be aware that all rugby and football training will recommence next week as per normal. We intend to train on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (morning and afternoon) and Thursday morning only as per ‘Term 2 Training Schedule’. This schedule is posted on the College’s website under AIC Rugby, AIC Chess, AIC Cross Country and AIC Football sections.

There will be no training next Thursday afternoon to give families the opportunity to prepare for Good Friday and the Easter long weekend.

ANZAC 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.

AIC Rugby and Football Trial Games – Date Claimers 

• CANCELLED: Sat 27 March AIC Rugby and Football trial v SLC (full school trial – Year 5 – 12)
• Training as per normal from Monday 29 March to Thursday morning 1 April
• Term 2 Training will commence Tuesday 20 April
• Saturday 24 April AIC Rugby and Football trial v SPC (full school trial:  Years 5-12)
• Saturday First May Round 1 – Saturday 12 June Round 7 as per College calendar

AIC RUGBY
Mr Chris Everding – AIC Rugby Co-ordinator

Unfortunately, the constant rain last week and the deluge we received last Sunday effectively wiped-out Villanova Park for training and for the trial against SLC this weekend. It is a shame because the purpose of starting the cricket season early was to have more time to get the boys ‘rugby ready’ at the end of the cricket. The pictures posted above are of Villanova Park on Tuesday morning and clearly show that no training was going to happen, even when the water subsided.

The coaches had an opportunity to get a decent look at the boys on Saturday and albeit just for the second time, had to come up with team lists. I thank them for their conversations and working together discussing players, to be able to produce a team sheet for this week. Many coaches are still learning the names of the boys and their playing ability, so we ask for parents and players to be patient during this trial process and allow the coaches to work through their playing group.

A few boys, for various reasons, have not been to one or both sessions yet meaning there will be changes made to the team lists that appear on the web page. We envisage changes being made next week and leading up to the trial against SPC scheduled for April 24.  For your planning on that day the Year 5 – 8 rugby players will be at Villanova Park and the Year 9 – Open players will be at Shorncliffe. If your son’s name does not appear on the team list can you please contact the Sports Office, as it may be an oversight due to the volume of boys and the short sessions that the coaches have had with the players so far. We will make sure they are added to the list and coaches are made aware, so they can have a good look at them at training this coming week.

No doubt players will be disappointed if they are listed in a team or a position that they may not be happy with. We strongly encourage you to talk to your sons about their goals and what they need to do moving forward, rather than vent frustrations towards a coach. We want players to prove us wrong, just as teachers want their students to do the same. We want them to push themselves to reach their goal, rather than give in or just withdraw from playing. It is a game, and we want the boys to enjoy themselves and our coaches are volunteers, who need our gratitude and support. There are many Old Boys helping and filling up vacant positions, please encourage and support them as they begin their coaching journey.

Training for next week will be as per the schedule for Tuesday. On Thursday morning the Year 5 rugby players will train but there will be no training on Thursday afternoon as the boys are heading off on holidays. Please check the schedule on the web for training in erm 2.

AIC FOOTBALL
Mr Anthony Kemp – AIC Football Co-ordinator

The AIC Football season has officially started – albeit a drenched start! Last week saw our trials get underway for all teams in Year 5 – 12. Unfortunately, our trials during the week were interrupted by the unrelenting rain. As a result, our internal trials held last Saturday were an invaluable process in our trials to help our coaches in determining selections for the upcoming season. There are a few weeks left in our trial process with training sessions and a trial round against St Patrick’s before the season proper starts.

With this in mind, please understand that there will likely be some moving and shuffling around of players as coaches continue to assess all boys that have registered for the AIC football season. It was certainly great to see so many boys out there giving it there all during the internal trials. Likewise, many boys looked to be thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to get back out on the football pitch once again at Villanova Park. I would like to take this opportunity early in the season to thank all our coaches, parents and supporters who have helped so far in ensuring that football runs smoothly.

Unfortunately, with the rain being so heavy and constant in the last week it has meant that this weekend’s trial games against St Laurence’s have had to be cancelled with Villanova Park far too wet to play on. As mentioned earlier we will be having our next trial against St Patrick’s on the first Saturday back after the Easter holidays. The trials against St Patrick’s will be held on the long weekend for ANZAC Day and we would kindly ask that parents please plan around this to make their son/s available for the trial.

We are planning to go ahead with all training sessions next week from Monday to Thursday morning (6A) as it is important for the boys to continue to train and develop relationships with their teammates. It is also another opportunity for our coaches to continue to assess boys and plan for the upcoming season. Please continue to visit the College website for information surrounding team lists, fixtures, training schedules and important updates pertaining to the football season.

AIC TENNIS
Mr Todd Kropp, AIC Tennis Co-ordinator

 A group of Villanova’s top tennis players from Year 7 – 12 hit the court last night for the first time in 2021. This group of players have formed our First IV Tennis Development Squad and will continue training each Wednesday until the beginning of the AIC Tennis season in Term 3. Coach Bo and I look forward to following the success of these players and kicking off (or serving off) the AIC Tennis season.

Unfortunately, Villanova will not be offering the Junior Aces program in 2021. If your son is looking to get back on the court prior to the season, Morningside Tennis Centre offers several training opportunities. https://www.morningsidetennis.com.au/

AIC CROSS COUNTRY
Mr Brian Pascoe, Cross Country Co-ordinator

Year 7 – Open Squad – Cross Country Training Program
Good numbers and hard work continue to epitomise training at Cross Country despite the weather.

The members of the Cross Country squad are strongly encouraged to continue their training. Students who are participating in other sports and attending one – two sessions a week find below an outline of the general training and perceived benefit from the different sessions scheduled for the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday sessions. This may benefit you in choosing which sessions would be most advantageous considering your other training.

We look forward to having each runner in the team become the best runner he can be. Dedication to training especially when no one is watching, is a key habit that enable a team, and an individual, to grow in character.  Challenge yourself boys, because we are confident that this season the squad can achieve higher than it ever has before!

Junior Cross Country Training
Mr Tom Lonergan, Year 5 and Year 6 Cross Country Coach

Well done to all runners on the trial last Friday afternoon. Boys who have signed on for Cross Country should have received an email (sent to Parents) outlining what to expect for the coming season. Any who have not received the email are asked to contact Ms Roberts.

Training commences on Monday 29 March and Wed 31 March. There will be training sessions offered in the coming school holidays. These training sessions will be held at Whites Hill Reserve; Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8.30am – 10 am. Enquiries about Junior Cross Country can be directed to coach, Mr Lonergan on email – lonert24@gmail.com

AIC CHESS
Nick Verity and Jack Lamb, AIC Chess Co-ordinators

Congratulations to all those students who were selected to be a part of the 2021 Villanova AIC Chess Teams. We would like to thank all those boys who came to the trials and showed great enthusiasm and a love for the game.

Now that trials have officially concluded and team lists have been posted. Training is underway in preparation for our first trial round against SLC on Friday afternoon. We would like to welcome Alex Stahnke to the College as our Chess coach for the 2021 season. Please find team lists and training schedules below. Looking forward to a great season.

Boys who are selected in an AIC chess team are required to attend one morning training session in addition to at least one break-time training session per week. Training begins on 23 and 25 March.

Please Note: Training will not be held during the Term 1 break from April 1 – 19.

Term 2 Training Schedule

Junior Training:

• Thursday mornings from 7.15 am until 8.15 am in Stem Lab (behind MS Student Services Office)
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday at second break in V13

Middle, Senior and Open Training:

• Tuesday mornings from 7.15 am until 8.15 am in Stem Lab (behind MS Student Services Office)
• Monday, Wednesday and Friday at second break in T10

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
Well done to Matthew Dooley in Year 8, who won Gold and Bronze in the 2021 Queensland State Title Championships for karate in the Cadet Kumite u63kg Black Belt and KYU divisions respectively, this past weekend. This is a fantastic achievement, great effort Matthew!

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

Alternate Spaces for Instrumental Music Tuition
As we work through planning for remediation of the Augustine Centre, we will continue with our current alternate room schedule for the remainder of term.  Please find included here the document shared with families last week.

Please remember – students not taking lessons in the Augustine Centre are required to bring their College diary to assist with monitoring student movement in and out of class.

Upbeat Global Leadership Workshop
On Wednesday 31 March 2021, we have the opportunity to work with Dr Matthew Arau, Chair of Music Education at Lawrence University Conservatorium of Music, and founder and President of Upbeat Global, an organisation focused on student leadership development, mindfulness, growth mindset, and creating positive cultures. Dr Arau will be Zooming into the St Thomas of Villanova Auditorium and leading us through a student leadership workshop. This workshop will be for all Senior Musicians. Musicians in Year 10 and Year 11, and any Year 9 student interested in developing their knowledge around leadership generally is most welcome to attend as well.

There will be no cost to families for participation. Students will receive a number of useful strategies to help with mindset, mindfulness, and leadership, and a resource workbook that will guide much of what we hope to achieve over the coming year.  We look forward to sharing this opportunity together next week.

Please remember to return all attendance slips to the Music Office by TOMORROW at 3pm.

Dates for Debut Concerts
Until we are able to confirm timelines for the remediation of the Augustine Centre, we are unable to plan for alternate dates for our Debut Concert series.  We are expecting these to occur early in Term 2; more information will be communicated as it comes to hand.

Reminder – Enrolment Adjustments
The closing date for enrolment adjustments has passed (Friday 19 March).  If you need to adjust your son’s enrolment for Term 2 please contact the Music Office urgently.  As fees have been sent to the Finance Office for Semester 1, we cannot guarantee fee relief with late cancellations.

Tuition Fees – Semester 1
As per the Music Handbook 2021 (distributed via email last year), please note that all hire charges, tuition fees, and ensemble levies will for Term 1 and Term 2 will be sent via statement over the coming month.  This information will be distributed via the Finance Office.

Entertainment Publications Memberships
Entertainment memberships are one of the Music Support Groups main fundraisers.  Just click on the images below this article to purchase a membership and obtain ongoing special deals throughout the year.

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/BBQ/etc.

Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $31; Wildcat Coolers – $26

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.

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.

Michael Jones, Director of Music

^Terms and conditions apply. Go to https://www.entertainment.com.au/promotions

You are receiving this email because music@vnc.qld.edu.au is signed up to receive emails as part of your Entertainment Membership. If you no longer wish to receive future Entertainment emails you may Unsubscribe. If you have any queries, please email Customer Service or phone 1300 159 707. Never miss an offer: Add mail@email.e.entertainmentbook.com.au to your address book or safe list. Entertainment Publications Australia Pty Ltd ACN 065 011 903 is a wholly owned subsidiary of IncentiaPay Ltd. ACN 167 603 992, Level 5, 68 Harrington Street, The Rocks, NSW 2000.

* All Member offers are subject to terms and conditions. Check individual offers on the Entertainment Membership App or www.entertainment.com.au for more information. For all dining offers, it is optional for participating businesses to accept your Entertainment Memberships on all official Australian and New Zealand public holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day. © 2021 Entertainment Publications of Australia Pty Ltd.

PARENT LOUNGE
Parent Lounge is the information portal for current parents of the College. It can be accessed via the App or the Online Services / Resources For links on our website. For further information about accessing Parent Lounge, please click here

P&F MOTHERS’ NIGHT – SAVE THE DATE
THE event Villanova mums have been waiting for! The legendary P&F Mothers’ Night returns in 2021 on Friday 7 May overlooking the city lights on the Senior Terraces. Lock the date in your diaries and start rallying your friends. Ticketing information released soon.

TUCKSHOP ROSTER (MONDAY 29 MARCH – THURSDAY 1 APRIL)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.

LIBRARY ROSTER (MONDAY 29 MARCH – THURSDAY 1 APRIL)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Library.

Rev. Fr. David Brimson OSA – Villanova Staff (1950 – 1953)
David Brimson was born in Brisbane in 1916. He worked as a public servant in North Queensland, where he first met, and was inspired to join, the Augustinians. He studied in America, where he was ordained a priest in 1948, also gaining a Master of Arts and Teaching Certificate.

His first appointment on returning home to Brisbane was to Villanova College at Whinstanes. His time at Villanova was from 1950 to 1953, teaching both primary and secondary school. Concurrently with this office was his position of novice master to the novitiate there, which he held at Whinstanes until late 1954, when the novitiate and Father Dave were transferred to Victoria.

Most members of the Province serve in many locations, but Father Dave was always travelling in his role as Retreat Director, giving Retreats across all of Australia.

For twelve months in 1978 he undertook a non-stop driving tour of Western Australia, lecturing at 40 remote communities, with the aim of updating knowledge of the theology stemming from Vatican II. He was left with admiration and wonder at the marvellous work of the Sisters, Priests and Brothers of the outback.

From 1979 he travelled less, but was no less busy, taking on multiple roles in Brisbane. He was Chaplain to Griffith University and Mt Gravatt College of Advanced Education, while also holding offices of bursar at St James’s and Retreat Director and bursar at Clayfield House of Prayer. It was always a busy life for Father Dave Brimson, right up until his death in 2004. His grave is in the Augustinian section at Nudgee Catholic Cemetery.