Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival
Last week saw the culmination of 12 months hard work by the College’s Music staff, the QCMF organising committee and the broader College community as we hosted the 33rd annual Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival.

It was an amazing weekend of Music performance and celebration and is a very important time on the calendar for music students and their teachers across Queensland. I cannot even begin to share the gratitude that was offered to the College community for the work done. So many teachers, parents and Principals from those schools attending marvelled at the efforts and commitment of our wonderful community.

This week then has been an important time of reflection, not simply on the success of the festival but more the markers of the strength in our community and what is gained by us from these extraordinary efforts.

Across the four days of the festival I witnessed hundreds of our students, staff, parents and friends of the College offer freely of their time to welcome visitors, provide guidance and assistance, complete backstage and technical recording of events, compere music sections, prepare meals, serve in the tuckshop, cook BBQ’s and showcase the beauty of the people of Villanova. The boys in particular truly shone as they not only shared their musical talents but made the most of the opportunity to develop their ‘people’ skills. That set of attributes that only develop through service and engagement with others.

Much is said about the challenges that our young people don’t live up to. That young people aren’t willing to engage with, help and serve others. My experience here at Villanova of our boys is that this is not the case. They are more than willing to roll up their sleeves when called upon and in so many cases replicate the service and commitment that is demonstrated to them by their parents.

I thank all involved for making this year’s festival a success.

Athletics carnival rescheduled dates and student attendance expectations
Unfortunately, we did have to postpone our College Athletics carnival last Thursday due to the unseasonal delivery of quite a drenching of rain.

The Carnival has now been rescheduled for Friday September 13th.

This is the final day of term and we do expect all students to attend the carnival. We have seen a trend in recent times of parents giving permission for their sons to not attend school on these last days of term. This practice is unacceptable and this, our first Athletics carnival of the new House system relies on the involvement and participation of all boys.

We will, via the Heads of School, deliver further information regarding the specific details of the day and transport in the weeks ahead.

Year 12 mock exams and the road toward graduation
This morning the Year 12 students were briefed by Mr Astill, Mr Levander and myself regarding the ‘final quarter’.

With mock examinations starting on Monday they are entering into the crucial period of the year. It is a time where they need to apply themselves more diligently. It is not a time for lackadaisical effort, relaxation and a laissez faire approach to studies.
Equally, the period of time post examinations, week 10 of term, is the most vital period as the boys unpack exactly what they do know in preparation for the external exams and what they still need to master.

While it may be commonplace elsewhere for students to change down gears in this last week or treat the mock exams as a ‘no consequence’ trial this is not the case.

It would be appreciated if these messages shared with your sons this week are supported and reinforced at home across these last three weeks of term.

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.

2025 Student Leadership Executive
On Monday of this week, the Student Leadership Executive Team for 2025 was announced. I would like to congratulate Matthew Linnell for his appointment as the 2025 College Captain Elect, Matthew Dooley and Noah Lum for their selection as the 2025 College Vice Captains Elect and Dylan Fryga for his confirmation as the 2025 Vice Captain- Student Council President Elect. Throughout the process, which included interviews with Mr Begg and myself as well as the delivery of speeches to the Year 11 cohort, it was inspiring to hear the passion these young men have for the College and their ideas for student engagement and voice.

Student Voice
At last week’s College Assembly, our Wellbeing Captain Raif Kristenson delivered a poignant address on the fundamental value of our wellbeing and some of the initiatives that have evolved under his leadership within this space. The following is an excerpt from his speech:

‘Statistics indicate that a third of Australian men find it difficult to talk about mental health with 50% citing a reluctance to burden others as a reason why. The Men’s Shed Program is more than just a workshop; it’s a sanctuary where students can come together and talk openly about their challenges, share their experiences, and support one another. In this environment, we break down the barriers of isolation and create a network of mutual trust and understanding. The impact of the Men’s Shed Program is tangible, it reminds us that true wellbeing is achieved through connection with the people around us. The sense of community fostered in this environment is invaluable. Additionally, student driven wellbeing sessions have given me the opportunity to witness firsthand the importance of open conversation amongst our peers. These discussions also serve as a reminder that wellbeing is not a destination but a continuous journey, one that benefits from ongoing dialogue and collective effort. Through these programs, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is to provide spaces where people feel heard and supported. It’s not just about addressing immediate concerns but fostering a culture where wellbeing is integrated into the fabric of our daily lives. Having an open conversation about difficult topics demonstrates both courage and vulnerability, both of which being the mark of an emotionally intelligent young man.’

The Path to Purpose
Our College-wide Wellbeing Program ‘Be Your Best Self’ is built upon the science of Positive Psychology and Martin Seligman’s PERMA Framework that underpins human flourishing. The ‘M’ letter within the acronym is Meaning and Purpose and as our students navigate through the Senior years of their Villanova journey, the value of finding meaning and purpose in their lives becomes self-evident in shaping their motivation and drive towards their future beyond the College.

One of my favourite websites is ‘The Art of Manliness’ and the author Brett McKay speaks of the three horizons of purpose that stretch from the imminent and concrete to the distant and transcendent. In the first horizon of purpose, our aim is to turn anarchy into order; creating brief but shining moments when the world is set right. In the second horizon, our aim is to convert intentions into actions. The final horizon lies the big why of our lives, the hope of making a unique, meaningful contribution to the world. This purpose arises from the intersection of a need and one’s particular gifts. According to McKay, while it can sometimes be difficult to find the third horizon, there’s one definite prerequisite to discovering it: labouring diligently in the other two. For our young men, that means to be well organised and removing barriers of distractions to follow through on commitments with atomic habits to achieve outcomes and goals.

‘As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.’- Carl Jung

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Someone once said that the only predictable thing about adolescence is its unpredictability.  While this might be a fairly safe comment, one thing in their lives does remain constant, and that is the increasingly important part that relationships play.

We know that healthy relationships with teachers are crucial for success with learning. We know that positive relationships with parents are essential for a teenager’s wellbeing, safety, and personal development. Research and experience also show us, that for a teenager, relationships with peers are often their biggest priority.

As teenagers transition from childhood to adulthood and start to learn about the wider world and the various responsibilities associated with becoming older and more mature, they rely heavily on their peers to guide what is appropriate and inappropriate. This peer influence should never be underestimated – no matter how good your relationship with your child is.

While adults (teachers and parents) play a significant role in providing the best environment for the teens in their care, we often don’t have much control over who the boys are friends with. This is one area where if we try to choose for them the effects are often disastrous.

Dr Cam Caswell, an adolescent psychologist and family success coach, recently posed this question on her blog: “How healthy are your teen’s friendships?”

She writes, “Although teen friendships can be tumultuous, we have to be careful when we talk to our teens about their friends. I’ve had teens tell me that their parents hate their friends. It doesn’t make them like their friends less, it makes them resent their parents more.”

As Dr Caswell is keen to point out, friendships in the teenage years can be an ever-changing landscape. Friendships can evolve, strengthen, or even end during these years. This can often be related to the varying rates of maturity – both physical and mental – that adolescents experience. One result of this may be that they find themselves drifting away from their friends due to differing and changing interests, values, and behaviours.

Irrespective of who your son’s friends are, and whether you, as parents, ‘like’ them or not, we should always be encouraging the boys to reflect on their friendships.

In order to help young people reflect on their friendships Dr Caswell suggests these questions:

Does my friend:

• Show happiness when I succeed, and do they celebrate with me?
• Show me kindness and comfort me if I’m down?
• Make me feel good about myself?
• Respect my opinions and beliefs?
• Stand up for me behind my back?
• Make me feel heard and understood?

Whilst feeling socially connected is crucial, friendships need to reflect the values listed above, and not be corrosive and undermining. As always, we are happy to help however we can.

Have a great week in the Middle School!

Mr Sean O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Last Tuesday the Junior School joined in with Australia and began a focus on “We All Belong” as part of the 2024 Anti-Bullying Queensland Education Department program.  We do this every year.  I had a Year 5 and a Year 6 student join me on stage with a Year 12 representative, at the whole College assembly, in front of 1500 students, parents and staff to explore some ideas, thoughts and feelings about bullying.  In classes, Junior School students wore orange bows, hats, ties, shirts, shorts, socks and shoes to help remind us that standing up for ourselves and community needs to be as strong as that colour stands amongst the grey academic uniform.

For every single human being there is at some point in life, unkind and unhelpful words and actions sent in our direction.  Before the year 2000, it was often seen as a rite of passage growing up, and strategies to combat a “bully” bounced between “ignore it” or “fight like with like”.  Since the turn of the century, there have been significant changes in the world, studies and understanding of mental health have come to the forefront of our attention and media has come to play another level of communication with our children.  The short version is, those words and actions, which now include online words, images and videos – is a very delicate yet harsh world of judgements and forums for harm.

No one person nor situation is the same.  No home life nor upbringing is identical.  No family support nor living arrangements are ideal.  There is no armour we can possibly build that can prevent someone else using their words, hands, feet or technological device to attempt to cause shame.  That’s one of the worst feelings as a parent.  What we wouldn’t do to shield our sons from that moment when others say untruths, laugh or embarrass our kids whether it’s one on one, in a small group or large number of people – yet here we all are.  Together, we could honestly all nod our heads and say yep, I’ve felt that combination of helplessness, frustration and disappointment too.

So, where to then?

We have to come back to the professional resources such as https://bullyingnoway.gov.au, Bullying | How to deal with being bullied | Kids Helpline, How to deal with bullies (dollysdream.org.au); The BULLY Project Australia – Join us to end bullying in Australia!; You are not alone | Youth mental health (yrna.com.au) – and more.  As adults we have to keep reading and then talking about breaking down stereotypes, communicating and educating the diverse identities that make up a community, promote acceptance and acknowledge the space for everyone to be their true selves, foster positive relationships for our sons to see first-hand, and always, always try to listen, reserving judgement.  That’s a lot.  So imagine dialling that back to then helping a ten, eleven, twelve-year-old boy unpack that too.

So we can’t imagine perfection, but we can look to always being proactive, and then too, seek to keep having conversations and education.  When handball rules can’t silence the enthusiasm at play break – we have to stop and work out a solution.  When a game of tag is unfairly keeping one person as “it” then we have to hold a mirror up to those who think it’s funny.  When a footy game sees players not touch the ball with some always passing to only a core few, then we have to build empathy of how nobody wants to spend a lunch break calling for the ball.  More often than not, the playtime incidents are usually based on simple human needs for maximum fun with a selfish motive of wanting to win or have some glory.  It’s not always about anyone else but rather it’s making “me” look and feel good.  People can be selfish.  It’s true.  We have to work harder to see that peripheral of people around us when we get excited.

In the classroom, it tends to be about feelings of insecurity.  Boys who are disappointed in their own efforts or achievements can tend to project onto other students.  Bringing someone “down with a put down” seems like an old school tactic, but being the same brings comfort sometimes to those feel inadequate.  Something like “nerd” can take two seconds to say, and forgotten just as quickly, but it can stick in the mind of someone who has worked hard, then feels shame for doing well.  Yet there’s sometimes a mismatch of intention and perception so that needs to be unpacked through dialogue.  We have to spend time being uncomfortable to get comfortable.

Online messaging provides a false sense of privacy and unfortunately boys with devices can make very poor choices.  What seems funny online with YouTube, TikTok, in movies or on television shows, is often really in appropriate in a text message or group chat.  Digital footprints are very unforgiving.  This kind of education is always part of the beginning of owning a phone, smartwatch or laptop – yet it often takes a mistake to really learn the feeling of impacting others in an online space.  Supervision, restrictions, regular discussions and at times using examples of poor choices tend to be our best approaches in this area.

It takes a whole community to minimise the impact of negative, pointless words and actions.  It takes all the love, acceptance and promotion of differences to build a place where there is so much belonging, bullying has no oxygen to survive.  It needs the patience and support of all adults to see, hear and find a way to respond that shows we all continue to build our resilience – even the grown-ups – but we do this together.  Always together.

You are never alone.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

The gift of Music in our College – in thanks for QCMF 2024
I’m writing this newsletter article from side stage as I compere one of the sections of Concert Bands in Goold Hall for the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF).  It is so fantastic to be the host school for QCMF, which we have done annually since 1991.  This year we have had more than 14 000 student performances in 590 ensembles, which meant that between Thursday and Sunday there were over 20 000 people on site here at Villa.  Every possible space became a warmup or performance venue, and it was absolutely inspiring to walk around our campus and hear music coming from everywhere.

I’ve been privileged to be in the side wings as all our students entered and exited.  It was a constant hive of activity.  Between performances the backstage crew hit the floor to reset for the next group and they worked together so efficiently and effectively.  The groups and their staff arrived ready to perform and share music they have been working on.  Some are so new to their instrument and performing for the first time, and some have already gathered years of experience and expertise.

What struck me across the days was the incredible journey that music takes us on.  My compere notes provided background to the pieces of music being performed so that I could share this with the audience.  The descriptions took us from pop stars to movies; to recalling epic battles; stories of love and loss.  So many of the descriptions were just so interesting.  I was taken in this last concert with “Heaven’s Light” by Steven Reineke which was performed by Marist College Emerald:

“Some people come into our lives and go quickly.  Some people move our souls to dance.  They awaken in us a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.  Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.  They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints in our hearts, and we are never the same…”

Music takes us on a journey and it explores so many of the elements of the human condition.  As a staff we were led in prayer at our staff briefing by Adrian Helwig who in celebrating QCMF and the gift of music offered the following prayer written by Melbourne cartoonist and poet Michael Leunig:

“We give thanks for singers.
All types of singers.
Popular, concert singers and tuneless singers in the bath.
Whistlers, hummers and those who sing while they work.
Singers of lullabies; singers of nonsense and small scraps of melody.
Singers on branches and rooftops.  Morning yodellers and evening warblers.
Singers in seedy nightclubs, singers in the street;
Singers in cathedrals, school halls, grandstands,
backyards, paddocks, bedrooms, corridors, stairwells and places of echo and resonance.
We give praise to all those who give some small voice
To the everyday joy of the soul.”

Amen

College Mass to celebrate the feasts of St Augustine and St Monica
We gathered as a full school community on Tuesday 20 August for our College mass to celebrate the feast days of St Augustine and St Monica. Our Augustine and Monica houses took key roles in leading the mass with a choir, readers and those in the procession.  Our readings really challenged us to consider our ambitions and Fr Peter engaged students in a really thoughtful exploration of the values we aspire to.  Harry and Charlie sprang into action as characters from the film Good Will Hunting exploring between two good friends what it means to use the gifts and talents you’ve been given in life for the greater good.

It was a great link to recalling how Augustine as a young man was extremely ambitious but he found when he had achieved his aim of being an influential orator, he was still unfulfilled.  It was not until he realised he needed to focus on the higher gifts – of love, patience, kindness, forgiveness that he experienced fulfilment.  Appropriately we finished with the song ‘Hold Us Together’ which addresses directly that it is love indeed that holds us together and enables us to weather the storms that life throws our way.

If you missed the event, you can still catch it here: https://www.youtube.com/live/yu8V_xo_0t0?si=bPxQpkcBATOl5aIi

Containers for Change
Containers for Change has been an initiative driven through the Green Team at Villanova College on developing our commitment and habit of recycling.  This week the Mission Team has met with Containers for Change to receive our Environmental and Social Impact Report which celebrates our successes and explores how we can continue to refine and develop our waste management processes in the College and in our homes.

We wanted to share what we have together achieved through the Containers for Change initiative in the infographics.
Particularly seeing that we have stopped 43 260 containers from going to landfill is a great achievement.

Thank-you to the Villa community for the great work in this space.

There is still much that we need to learn about ensuring people place the right plastics only into recycling and looking at our waste management more broadly, including the litter we see around the College that the Green Team, backed by our staff are very keen to address.  Certainly we are aiming at developing habits of reducing waste and recycling as much as possible in our community.

Our Green Team is seeking a Handyperson, Fence Builder or Carpenter to house our Bees safely at Villa Park.
If you have experience in constructing a 3m by 4m enclosure, we would be most grateful if you could share your talents with us. The expanding collection of Villa hives need a safe compound to produce lots of delicious honey made from the nectar producing trees planted on Sunday. We have all the materials and the volunteers to get the job done we just need someone with the know-how. If you can spare a couple of hours of your time, please contact Alisa Cleary (Acting Service Learning Director) at alisa.cleary@vnc.qld.edu.au

Movies 4 Change Makers
Our YAYM students, along with students from San Sisto College, and senior Ministry students, are in the final stages of preparations for a new event next week – Movies 4 Change Makers (M4CM).
We are hosting San Sisto, Loreto, and Iona on the 27 August from 3:30- 6:30pm.

The objectives are:

• • To raise awareness on the impact of climate change
  • To discuss “How can our school communities work together to protect the environment and a future for all?”
  • To inspire ideas for action especially as a part of School ministry.

It is a great student led initiative that is sure to gather students across schools who are passionate about movies and making the world a better place for people and the planet.
We look forward to reporting back in our next newsletter.

Date Claimers and more!
23 August – Year 7 Twilight Retreat with Loreto
25 August – Romero Centre Welcome Walk (Sunday 8am Davies Park)
27 August – Movies for Change Makers – YAYM event for Year 9 students from several schools
TBC – Second Working Bee for Bee Expansion Project
4 September – 2 October Season of Creation (ideas to join with your family)
2 September – Commissioning of AFAS Immersion Group
6 September – Archdiocesan Reconciliation Dinner
12 September – AFAS Immersion Group departs for the Philippines.
19 -22 September – Ignite Conference
24 September – AFAS Immersion Group returns

THE ROMERO CENTRE

Welcome Walk – Sunday 25th August Join us for a 3k or 6k walk in support of people seeking asylum at Davies Park in West End on 25th August. Register for the Welcome Walk and start fundraising today. Form a team with your colleagues, friends and family. Enjoy the food, entertainment, art stalls and inspiring speeches after your walk.  Register here.

Mrs Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

Dear Parents and Caregivers

I wanted to highlight an initiative started this year by our Wellbeing Captain Raif Kristenson. The Men’s Shed Program has been operating under the guidance and leadership of Raif from Term 1, and in his own words is “more than just a workshop; it’s a sanctuary where students can come together and talk openly about their challenges, share their experiences, and support one another.”

Along with some other Senior students and Ms Kath Underhill, the boys meet regularly to speak freely and openly with each other about issues impacting them, and it is done in a safe and trusted space. The power of this initiative cannot be underestimated. One in two mental health problems develop before the age of 14 and four in five students don’t seek help. It is also a known fact that males can struggle to communicate about issues they are dealing with and are reluctant to talk about their feelings and emotions. When Raif spoke about the program at last week’s assembly he also said the following:

“The impact of the Men’s Shed Program is tangible; it reminds us that true wellbeing is achieved through connection with the people around us. The sense of community fostered in this environment is invaluable.”

Raif is the epitome of a silent achiever. His motivation and determination in the wellbeing space has ensured the Men’s Shed has been active all year and is an initiative we hope will continue into the future. Raif, College Captain Tiernan O’Neill, and the soon-to-be-announced Wellbeing Captain for 2025 will soon visit St Laurence’s College. During their visit, they will observe the operation of the Laurie’s Men’s Shed and will engage in meaningful discussions with the college’s wellbeing leaders.

In other news, the SWAT (Student Wellbeing Action Team) meetings are progressing smoothly, with the boys contributing numerous ideas for the 2025 program. This week, it’s the Year 7 and 8 students turn to meet and share their suggestions. I’m truly impressed with the insights and creativity they bring to the table.

Have a lovely week

Mrs Sheridan Carey, Director of Student Wellbeing

QCMF 2024 – Thank You
On behalf of the organising committee, I would like to extend my thanks to all students, parents, friends, and community members who volunteered, participated, and assisted in QCMF 2024.  From all reports we have received, it was another resounding success and very well received by all involved.  This outcome would not be possible without the incredible assistance from our army of volunteers, and the engagement and support from so many.  Thank you – without you all this would not be possible. 

We are now looking forward to QCMF 2025 – 14-17 August 2025. 

Wieneke Music Bursary
Entries close on our annual solo music competition on Tuesday 27th August.  Entry forms have been distributed to all student musicians in Years 6-12 and music teachers.  We are looking forward to commencing our heats on Thursday 29th August, with our Final to be convened on Tuesday 10th September. 

There are some great cash prizes on offer.  Remember – you must be in it to win it! 

Auditions for 2025
Information regarding the audition process for next year’s ensembles is currently being collated.  We expect to be able to communicate that to all students before the end of term.  Audition submissions will not be due until early Term 4. 

Key Dates Term 3
As we look ahead across the term, please ensure we pencil the following dates into your diary: 

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. this Summer! (flyer attached). 

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

All items can be purchased through the following link: Merchandise (vnc.qld.edu.au)
Purchases can be collected from the Music Office and all profits 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 

Director of Sport Address
Aside from the results, the wins and losses and scores, it is always great to acknowledge statistics that showcase the breadth and depth of sports participation at Villanova College.

In Round 4 alone, across just two days of competition, we saw:

• 31 Basketball teams in action.
• 9 Rugby League teams.
• 15 Tennis teams.
• 501 students participating in AIC Sport.
• 92 coaches.
• 55 AIC Fixtures.

Alongside our AIC participants, we have Track & Field training, Strength & Conditioning, Speed & Agility, Queensland Schools Volleyball and AFL, Composite and Lytton District Sport and many more.
We look forward to Round 5 this weekend versus Padua College. Prior to this, on Thursday 22 August, we have our first AIC Track & Field pre-season meet at QSAC. All athletes across Years 5-12 are encouraged to attend.
Please note our Interhouse Track & Field Carnival for 2024 has been rescheduled to Friday 13 September. More information below.

Draw – Round 5 vs Padua College, 23/24 August
The Round 5 Draw is now available on the Locker Room Overview page.
For all future rounds, the draw will be posted to Locker Room by the Wednesday prior to the round ahead. This is the earliest possible time we can post this information.

Team Lists
Team lists for Round 5 will be posted by Thursday 22 August to Parent Lounge and Student Cafe.
Team lists will be posted by Thursday prior to the round ahead. This is the earliest possible time we can post this information.

Livestream Links
Please note the livestream link for Firsts fixtures in Term 3 –  AIC Live Streaming (aictv.com.au)

Results

Basketball Results – Round 4

Rugby League Results – Round 4

Tennis Results – Round 4

AIC Sport Results – Associated Independent Colleges

Sports Club
The Villanova College Sports Club are looking for volunteers this Saturday 24 August at Goold Hall. Please click on the links below to register your assistance.

Round 5 Basketball – Goold Hall — Signup Sheet | Sat 24 August – Years 10-Open

Interhouse Track & Field Carnival – new date Friday 13 September
With the unfortunate postponement of the Interhouse Track & Field Carnival last week, the Sports Office has confirmed the new date for the carnival will be Friday 13 September at Villa Park.
Please mark this enjoyable day on your calendar and our Heads of School will be in touch with further logistics in the coming days.

Sport Sign-Ons
Students still wanting to register for Track & Field just need to visit the Sports Office or Mr Kemp.
Trimester 1, 2025 registrations will be available soon.

AIC Draw 2024
Please find attached the AIC Draw for 2024.

Communications
Families are reminded to access all Sport information via the Villanova College website and the Villanova College App. The Locker Room Overview page provides updated information regarding training schedules and current AIC/trial draws.

Training Schedules
The Term 3 Training Schedule is now available on The Locker Room Overview page of the Villanova College website.

Save the dates – Sporting Tours, Camps and Clinics

• Christmas holidays 2024/2025 – Cricket Oblate Tour to Perth, Volleyball AVSC Tournament Gold Coast and Swim Camp at Tallebudgera.
• ** International Tour ** – Football and Rugby Tour to Japan – Easter 2025. Approved.
• ** International Tour ** – Basketball & Volleyball Tour to USA – Christmas holidays 2025/2026. Pending approval.

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

For those students participating in Trimester 3 Sports – please see correct uniforms below. A reminder that all hire jerseys in Basketball and Rugby League, must be returned to the Uniform Shop at the end of the season.
Failure to return these jerseys incurs a significant fee.

Sport Contact List
If you are requiring information about a specific Sport, in the first instance, visit the website Locker Room page. If you need further clarification, please contact the relevant Coordinator below.
For any training or game absences, please contact your Sport Coordinator.

Director of Sport – Shaun McLean, smclean@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC AFL Coordinator – Matt Conlan, mconlan@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Cricket Coordinator – Chris Everding, ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Swimming Coordinator – Juanita Jacobs, jjacobs@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Volleyball Coordinator – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Cross-Country Coordinator – Brian Pascoe – bpascoe@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Chess Coordinator – Kath Underhill, kunderhill@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Football Coordinator – Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Rugby Union Coordinator – Chris Everding, ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Golf Coordinator – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Basketball Coordinator – Jordan Mullan, jordanedwardmullan@gmail.com
AIC Rugby League Coordinator – Alex Russell, arussell@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Tennis Coordinator – Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Track & Field Coordinator – Anthony Kemp, akemp@vnc.qld.edu.au
AIC Water Polo Coordinator – Juanita Jacobs, jjacobs@vnc.qld.edu.au
Composite District Sport – Todd Kropp, tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au
Lytton District Sport – Chris Everding, ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au

Wet weather cancellations
If there is any reason to cancel training sessions or weekend games, this information will be posted to the Villa App in the Notices section or emailed to the specific students and their parents.
Please ensure you have downloaded the Villa App and updated your preferences and settings.

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

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

Mr Shaun McLean, Director of Sport

Basketball

Villa Basketball flexed its muscles in Round 4 with a very successful weekend of fixtures against St Edmund’s College. The First V continued their dominance with a clinical 86-64 victory.
Well done to the following teams who remain undefeated in AIC fixtures this season:

• First V
• 10B, 10C, 10D
• 9C, 9D
• 8B, 8C, 8D
• 7A
• 6C, 6D
• 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D

Following the week off for QCMF, all 31 teams are ready and raring for Round 5 vs Padua College this Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August.

Mr Jordan Mullan, First V Head Coach and Basketball Coordinator

Rugby League

With the AIC bye round, I know students will be keen to get back on the field for Round 5 of AIC this Saturday. As we pass the halfway mark of the season, our Rugby League teams have been building nicely recording another great set of results in Round 4, with all of our teams registering a win on the scoreboard. It was a great display of Rugby League by all our teams but I do wish to mention our Second XIII team who recorded a 16-10 win over the SPLC First team after a loss, with a less than flattering scoreline, in our trial match. Well done to all the boys and coaches Stu and Jamie!

It will be a tough ask for our teams as they take on the powerhouse of Rugby League in AIC, Padua College, this weekend. I encourage all teams to compete with the Villanova Spirit and trust in their training and processes that have been well formed over the past few weeks.

A few reminders for all our Rugby League Families ahead of Round 5

• Please check the team list and fixture information via Parent Lounge
• Only students in full Rugby League uniform will be permitted to play in fixtures this weekend. Development squad items are not correct uniform.
• This weekend games will be played at the Curlew Park (SPC playing fields) for our Year 5-7 teams, and Year 8-Open will be played at the St Edmunds Fields (Tivoli).

Wishing all teams the best of luck for this weekend v Padua.

Mr Alex Russell, Rugby League Coordinator

Tennis

I would like to congratulate all our Villa tennis players and team managers from our round 4 matches Vs St Edmunds/ATC. We had a great day out overall with only four losses and 12 wins.  I did get the opportunity to watch the matches that were played at Ipswich where the Senior teams competed. It was refreshing to see how competitive our players are, and how far they have come from the beginning of the season. I challenge all players to keep working hard for the final three rounds, keep up a positive attitude at training and to not let your teammates down.

I would like to say congratulations to our Year 7 Tennis players and our Year 7 Tennis manager Mr Adam Zanatta (2023 Old Boy). Both teams once again had strong wins and our 7A team is currently undefeated heading into Round 5. This is great reward for them due to the fantastic attitude that they’re consistently showing with strong numbers weekly at training.

This week at training, our First IV players attended training with our Year 5 and 6 students. This was an idea from last season that was initiated by Mrs Maria Mascadri (Junior Tennis Manager) and Mr Justin Musumeci (Firsts Tennis Manager), it’s great to see it continue again for another season with the session being positively driven by our current Firsts Captain Oliver Simmons. The feedback from the session from everyone involved was extremely positive. To have our current older students inspiring the next generation of Junior Tennis players, gives me much confidence on why the overall “Tennis program” will continue to strongly grow in future years. Thank you to everyone that was involved.

After having a freshen up last weekend with no AIC sporting fixtures, we’re ready to go for our matches Vs Padua this Saturday. Our Years 5-8 teams are playing away this weekend, while our Years 9-Opens teams are at home at MTC.

A reminder to all parents to please double check the “weekly draw” that contains the venues and match times. This is located in the “Locker Room” section of the College website.

Good luck to all Villanova sporting teams in your Round 5 matches vs Padua.

Mr Nathan Dufty, Tennis Coordinator

Track & Field
It was unfortunate that due to the weather last week the Interhouse Carnival was postponed. As a result, it is now important for our athletes to be attending training each week and the AIC meets that will take place over the next four weeks. The training sessions and meets are crucial for our coaches to get an idea of how our athletes perform and to assist with team selection for the AIC Championships – therefore we are asking the boys to prioritise their athletics training.

The first two meets in particular will be important for boys to attend as it gives them the best opportunity to post times and distances towards team selection. It might be necessary after these first two meets to reduce the T&F squad to allow coaches to focus on those athletes who will represent Villa at the AIC Championships in October.

Pre-season meet #1 is on Thursday 22 August at the SAF (State Athletics Facility – Kessels Rd Nathan). Please visit the College website Locker Room page for further details.

Junior School students will be bussed at 2:15pm to SAF and will return at 5:15pm. Middle and Senior School students will depart at 3:10pm and a bus will return at the conclusion of the last event and arrive back to the College at approximately 8:15pm.
Parents are welcome to attend and take their son/s home when they have finished their events.

Running spikes
If you have running spikes at home that are no longer needed or your son has grown out of a pair, we are collecting running spikes for athletes to use at Meets, so they are not running in heavy shoes. The spikes will allow many of our athletes, who are training and may not get a run at the AIC championships to have the opportunity to run on tartan and have the correct footwear. All shoes will be kept by the Spots Office and be available for all runners.

Training and Pre-Season Meet #2 will continue in Week 8 according to the schedule below.

Monday – Middle Distance- 6:45am-8:00am Meet at Goold Hall.

Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps and Throws 3:45pm-5:00pm at Villanova Park

Tuesday – Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps and Throws 3:45pm-5:00pm at Villanova Park.

Wednesday – Meet #2 at SAF (State Athletics Facility – Kessels Rd Nathan)

Boys will be bussed to Villa Park after school and a return bus will arrive back at the College around 5:45pm. Parents can pick up their son/s at Villanova Park at the conclusion of training. If they are not collected by 5:10pm at Villa Park, they will be put on the return bus back to the College.

AIC Track & Field Season Schedule 2024

Mr Anthony Kemp, Track & Field Coordinator

Cricket Term Four- Registrations are open
All Villanova cricketers are encouraged to sign on for Villanova in the upcoming Pre-Xmas cricket competition. Our teams will now be graded, and boys will be able to form their teams and play at a higher level in the divisional BEARS cricket competition (Year 7 to 11) and EDJCA (Year 5 and 6). We strongly encourage all our players to please consider signing on for Villanova Cricket Club. Please note that Term 4 Club Cricket is separate to Term 1 AIC Cricket and team selections from Term 4 Cricket have no bearing on team selections for Term 1 AIC Cricket. Registrations are now open, and you can sign on by going to the cricket page on the Villanova Website.

Training will be in the morning during the week for all teams and these sessions will be run by outside coaches. This service is included in the sign on fee. We do need parents to be assistant coaches and run the boys during matches throughout the season.

Cricket Parent helpers needed.
For the College to run an effective Term Four Club Cricket programme, we need the assistance of parents to take over running the logistics. We have been fortunate enough to have several good parents run the Zone Cricket for many years and they have moved on as their boys have graduated from the College. Roles will consist of assistant coaches (coach the team on Saturdays) team managers, year group managers and Bears and EDJCA delegates.

Please email Mr Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au, if you can assist and take on a role for Term 4 club Cricket.

Mr Nathan Dufty, Cricket Coordinator

AIC Touch Football
In Term 4, AIC will again host the Touch Football invitational. Further details are below, currently we are only inviting students in Year 7-11 to register and registrations can be completed via the link on the Locker Room page.
Date: Saturday 19 October 2024
Venue: St Laurence’s College playing fields – Runcorn
Times: TBC on draw release

Water Polo
Carina Leagues Warriors Water-Polo are offering Water-Polo training this term Tuesday/Thursday nights $5 at the door 6.30pm-8pm. It would be a good opportunity for anyone interested in playing or improving skills before Villa Water-Polo in term 4. It’s a great sport for those who can swim but prefer team sports!

Mrs Juanita Jacobs, Water Polo Coordinator

Strength & Conditioning
Strength & Conditioning continues in Term 3. Refer to the Term 3 Training Schedule on the Locker Room Overview page. The gym is available to all students in Years 7-12.
A note that the following groups should be accessing the gym as a mandatory part of their training schedule in Term 3:

• Monday mornings – Year 9 and 10 Rugby League
• Monday and Thursday afternoons – elite Swimmers
• Tuesday mornings – First V Basketball
• Wednesday afternoons – Open Rugby League
• Thursday afternoons – Track & Field
• Friday mornings – Years 9-Open Basketball & Tennis

Term 3 Training Schedule – including S&C

Mr Marco Mastrorocco, Strength & Conditioning Coordinator

Speed & Agility Training Term 3 – Years 5-8 students
The Term 3 Speed & Agility Programme has now closed. Details relating to the Term 4 programme will be available soon.

Met East/Composite Sport
Nomination paperwork for 13-15 Years Cricket is now available from the Sports Office. Completed paperwork is due back to the Sports Office no later than Wednesday 28 August.

External Achievements
A big congratulations to Year 12 student, Oscar Tanks, who recently represented the U17 QLD AFL team who travelled to Melbourne to take on Victoria Metro. Not only did QLD record a historic win on away turf, but Oscar also kicked one goal in the 20-point victory. Well done, Oscar! We look forward to following your journey.

Congratulations to Henry W (Year 11) representing Pacific Golf Club in the final round of the Pennants Golf this weekend. Henry won his game on the 18th hole, finishing 1 up. Henry played Juniors as the Number 2. Henry was also our Number 1 player at the 2024 AIC Golf Championships. Well done Henry!

 Villa Sport – humble in victory, gracious in defeat.

• Deceased Villanovans Mass

• Join us for our Weekly Breakfast Café!

A reminder that every Tuesday morning, our talented Year 11 Hospitality students take charge and run a delightful breakfast café from 7:30am to 9:30am. We have built a fantastic following of students and teachers, especially between 8:00am and 8:30am. However we would love to extend a warm invitation to parents to join us, particularly between 8:30am and 9:30am, to keep the boys busy and enjoy a delicious breakfast.

• Letter from Chief Health Officer

2024 041 Att 1 Letter Chief Health Officer Influenza Vaccination
2024 041 Memo Chief Health Officers letter re Influenza Cases

• Parking Compliance  

Please find an update from Brisbane City Council below;

• 2024 Non-government schools census collection notice

The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) would like to advise all staff, parents and guardians that it will collect certain information about your school, its staff and student body as part of the 2024 Non-government schools census collection (the census).
How and what information is collected for the census?
Census information is provided to the department by your school legal entity (the approved authority) via the SchoolsHUB website.
The census provides information about your school and the number and characteristics of the school’s staff and student body during a specific reference period. Characteristics collected through the census include:
teaching and non-teaching staff
-students’ year level and workload
-students’ gender and age (as on 1 July 2024)
-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students
-students with disability
-students receiving distance education
-boarding and overseas students.

The names of students and staff are not collected, apart from the name, position and contact details of the staff member nominated as the primary contact for the census.

Census special circumstances applications
Census special circumstances applications may also be made by schools to include a student(s) who did not attend during the census reference period but otherwise meets census eligibility requirements. Schools will provide the department with information and documents about the student demonstrating their eligibility. The department does not require personal information about a student and asks schools to de-identify any documents before providing them.
Purpose of the census collection
The information provided during the census is collected by the department in accordance with the Australian Education Act 2013 (the Act) and the Australian Education Regulations 2023 (the Regulations). The Act and Regulations require the legal entity responsible for the administration of the school (the approved authority) to provide this information to the department to:
-ensure the provision of Australian Government funding to schools is properly calculated and
appropriately managed
-conduct research, statistical analysis and develop school education policy for the Australian
Government
-meet national and international reporting obligations on school students in Australia
-publish and provide information about schools to the public.

Use and disclosure of personal information
Your personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act).
Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who
is reasonably identifiable.
Any use or disclosure of your personal information must occur in accordance with the Privacy Act
and the Act and Regulations, and any other applicable laws.
Your personal information provided to the department through the census may be:
-used or disclosed by the department as outlined above under the heading ‘Purpose of the census
collection’
-disclosed to the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to publish
on the My School website and included as high-level data for ACARA’s National Report on
Schooling in Australia
-disclosed to state and territory government departments and authorities in accordance with the
Act and Regulations
-disclosed to Australian Government departments and authorities in accordance with the Act and
Regulations
-disclosed to non-government school representative bodies in accordance with the Act and
Regulations
-disclosed to a contracted auditor where the department decides to audit or verify the
information provided by an approved authority about a school. The contracted auditor may use
previously collected information or request access to individual student records for comparison
purposes. The contractors may pass this information onto officers within the department, if there
is a discrepancy in the data provided by the school and the school’s records and further
investigation is required. The contracted auditor must handle personal information in accordance
with the Privacy Act
-disclosed to the department’s service providers so they can provide information and
communications technology support services to the department.
-used to validate data from other collections undertaken by the department
-used or disclosed where it is otherwise required or authorised by law including under the Act or
Regulations, or otherwise permitted under the Privacy Act.

Other than in exceptional circumstances (for example, investigation of fraud relating to overseas
students), the department does not disclose any of the personal information collected to overseas
recipients.

You can download the Department of Education’s privacy policy or request a copy at
privacy@education.gov.au. The privacy policy includes information about:
-how to access or correct personal information held about you or your child
– how to make a complaint about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles
– how the department will deal with such a complaint.

What do you need to do?
You are not required to do anything. The approved authority of the school is responsible for providing the information to the department.
Contacts for further information
Your school can provide more information about the data it provides for you or your child as part of the census.
To find out more about the census collection and reporting, visit SchoolsHUB.