Villa View: Issue 16/19

Mission Day was a wonderful celebration of our community spirit as students and staff came together to raise funds for Australian Filipino Augustinian Solidarity (AFAS) work in supporting communities in the Philippines.

Across the day a range of activities were held, and the majority of these activities were student driven. The Amazing Race saw senior students assisting Year 5 students as they raced around the grounds finding answers to questions about the history of Villanova College. Year 7 students did a marvellous job setting up the Foods of the World Experience and displayed a smorgasbord of great food to be enjoyed. The Year 10 students were responsible for the afternoon carnival and did not disappoint with amazing activities for the students to enjoy.

A special thank you to Mr John Holroyd and his team of helpers who oversaw the organisation of the day.

VILLANOVA PARK
This weekend fixtures against Marist College Ashgrove at Villanova Park will see a significant crowd to watch the football and rugby matches. The Manager at Villanova Park undertakes significant preparations to ensure the crowds and spectators have ample spaces to watch the matches without impeding on the flow of pedestrians or the match areas. I ask all spectators to be mindful of not encroaching on to playing areas during play.

At the last two home games our staff have had to speak to some spectators about drinking alcohol. It is the policy of AIC Sports that there is to be no alcohol at AIC fixtures. As a member school of AIC, Villanova College supports this policy.

BUILDING UPDATES
The New Learning Centre foundations work is continuing with the grounds works underway and the pilings being put in place. To date work has been on target and the builders are happy with progress.

The Villanova Park Grandstand continues to move forward with preparations in place to complete the roofing of the grandstand to begin the internal fit out.

Thank you for your understanding and patience with the construction work currently being undertaken at the College. With everyone’s co-operation we will keep our community safe as the works continue.

PRAYERS PLEASE
We keep in our prayers all members of our community who are battling illness at this time. We pray for a speedy recovery and comfort to those who tend the sick.

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

God Bless

Mr Mark Stower, Principal

I BELIEVE CAMPAIGN
The highest levels of performance are empowered by the deepest levels of belief.

This Saturday we play Marist College Ashgrove who have always been tough competition for Villanova. What is the difference between us and them? Is it that they have a deeper belief? I think we need to change our mindset, to change our reality. Much like in 2010, where we experienced great success on the rugby field, and in 2013 when our football boys brought home the silverware. Our First XI cricket team had the belief this year and what did this bring them? They beat Marist on the McMahon Oval, something that hasn’t been done by a Villanova First XI cricket team in recent memory.

I believe that our First XV rugby team can beat them. I believe our First XI football team can beat them. I believe that every Villanova team that takes the field can win. This weekend we need the entire Villanova community to stand up and show that they believe. What you believe drives what you do, and what you do determines what you achieve. When it happens this weekend where do you want to be? Do you want to say, “I was there when Villanova beat Ashgrove”?

Our time in the green and gold will not last, but the memories we make certainly will. This Saturday, June 1, we come together not as individuals, rather as a collective College, Junior, Middle and Senior School students converging as one on the sporting field and on the sideline in the Wildcat’s Cage. On a day that will hark back eight long years to the First XV’s last premiership, and as we did then, and have done ever since, we believe. I believe.

Our First XI football players will not be left wanting either. Although some sceptics might write them off, not us. We believe in our talented football boys as they face their toughest competition, because the underdog has gotten up before on Villanova Park’s field 5.

Saturday will be a day far more than just another school sporting fixture. This is a day we call all Villa men to Villanova Park. I remember my days in the grey shirts, a sprightly, young Year 5 student, screaming my lungs out, spurring on the boys in the green and gold. This weekend I will make yet another great memory from my time here.

The highest levels of performance are empowered by the deepest levels of belief.

I believe.

Matt Rolls, Villanova College Captain 2019

CHANNEL EL 4151 – EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS UPDATE

Exceptional Mathematicians and Literacy Legends
Recently our Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 teachers were involved in a selection process to identify students within these cohorts who rank in the top 5% either in Literacy or Numeracy. Congratulations to these students who gained selection at this preliminary phase.

Just last week we saw our Year 6 and Year 7 exceptional Mathematicians complete the first of five Australian Maths Olympiads. The minds were ticking, the pencils were scribbling, and this group were hard at work to solve five extremely challenging Mathematical Problems.

TOURNAMENT of MINDS
Tournament of Minds is an exciting and challenging program which is open to all students from Year 5 – Year 10, regardless of academic results.  If your son is a creative thinker, is a great team player and is looking for some extracurricular activity, then this may be for him! Participation is not during school time.

This program will officially commence in Week 1 of Term 3.  However, trials will be on the following dates, so if your son is interested, he will need to attend at least three of these sessions over the next three weeks, prior to selection of the teams to represent Villanova. Villanova has a history of great success in this program, so we have high expectations for 2019! Please email me to confirm a place in these sessions, the venue will be T10 unless otherwise advised.

EL 4151 – PARENT INFORMATION BREKKIE
Parents are invited to come along to the following Information Session, where more details will be available on our emerging Exceptional Learners Program at Villanova College:

Event: What’s on Offer at Villanova?
Date and Time: Friday 14 June from 7.30 am until 8.30 am
Where: Lower Hanrahan Theatre
RSVP: https://www.trybooking.com/BDCDR by 3:00 p.m. Wednesday 12 June.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Mrs Kath Underhill (kunderhill@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Program Leader Exceptional Learners

YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY CAMP
Educational theorist David A. Kolb’s career was largely focussed on the virtues of experiential learning. His firm belief was that “Learning is the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience”. The Humanities, by virtue of being placed in, around and amongst people and the environment, offers our young men the perfect opportunity to position their classroom outside traditional settings and within the experiential domain.

Moreton bay mud flats in the afternoon. Myora Springs, North Stradbroke Island, 16^th May.

Mandated as a part of the Year 12 Senior Geography syllabus and conducted over two days at North Stradbroke Island, the College’s Senior Geographer’s recent field study gave them an opportunity to engage in this method of learning. The concept of sustainable development is central to their ongoing Geography studies and offers them an insight to the challenges they will face in everyday post-schooling life, whether it be in their own personal decisions, within organisations or policy making for government.

The report assessment the students will compile will be largely created around the data they collated during the field study. It requires them to consider the three pillars of sustainability; social, environmental and economic concepts, while applying these throughout a detailed decision-making process. This process affords them access to practical, experiential and analytical learning and enables them to develop an authentic comprehension of contemporary geographical concepts and sustainable ideals.

With the assistance of The University of Queensland’s Moreton Bay Research Station personnel, our students used a wide range of testing techniques throughout the field study including water testing with the Horiba; a complex measuring device that reports such information as turbidity and salinity. They also conducted surveys of forests and mangrove vegetation and biotic surveys of macroinvertebrates. Overall, it contributed to an exercise in recording and comparing data to establish patterns and to devise responses to geographic problems.

Conducting biotic surveys at Brown Lake

I was very pleased with how our young men applied themselves to their studies. The days were very long outside in the elements, and there was significant new information for them to process. They were able to demonstrate their teamwork and collaboration skills; these will continue to be refined during the lead up to them submitting their own individual reports in coming weeks. The students showed wonderful maturity and focus and most importantly, had great fun and experienced new and exciting things while they did this.

Mr Matt Lalor, Geography teacher

NATIONAL MOOTING COMPETITION – BOND UNIVERSITY: LEGAL STUDIES
On Thursday May 16, a team of Year 11 Legal Studies students competed in the Bond University National Mooting competition at Bond University on the Gold Coast.  Mooting is a legal debate, which requires students to argue the facts of their case in a real courtroom setting.  This is obviously a daunting experience as students must submit their argument with the judges continually interjecting to clarify the student’s position and understanding of the law.

The team consisted of Frazier Brockett (Senior Counsel), Samuel Redmond (Junior Counsel) and Jai Everding (Solicitor). We were the Appellant, representing the plaintiff in a negligence case in which we were appealing against an earlier decision of injury sustained to our client based on the negligent actions of the defendant.  Our legal submissions were based on the grounds that the defendant owed a Duty of Care to the plaintiff despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the manner in which the injury was sustained and that our client was only 30% contributory negligent for their injuries due to the extenuating circumstances.

Frazier was extremely eager as Senior Counsel, demonstrating his strong command of the issue and legal argument. He effectively argued that the defendant (Cool Pool Pty Ltd) did owe a duty of care, despite the actions being caused by a third party, because of circumstances of the activity, which involved minors being involved in an after-school year celebration event at their swimming pool.

Samuel submitted our second argument, that our client was only 30% responsible for the injuries sustained due to the actions of the defendant and the special circumstances surrounding our client. The Bond University lecturers who assumed the roles of judges in this matter made a special commendation on the performance of Frazier and Samuel in their appropriate courtroom manner, understanding of the law and effective communication. They were particularly impressed with their ability to listen and respond carefully to matters presented to them.

The students thoroughly enjoyed the mooting experience and it was a great insight into the difficulties and complexities of the legal system and its processes.

Mr Kirk Astill, Curriculum Area Leader – Senior School Social Science, Legal Studies Teacher

Educating boys means developing the whole individual – academically, physically and mentally.  The emotional side of boys is crucial.  Their sense of self, their relationships with others, and understanding where they fit in the world is very important.  It takes time, includes taking risks and failing on occasion, but our sons need to be taught that our emotions matter.

It would be easy to pick up several published books on Well Being and run with the curriculum plans from other schools.  Yet, in the Junior School, we are choosing to build upon our Restorative Practices, Circle Time, Buddy Program and Senior “Big Brother” time with our personally developed Well Being program.  It is for us – an all boy, Year 5 – Year 12 College environment.

Piloting the weekly class in 2018 with a Year 5 class proved that boys loved an allocated time each week that was just for them.  They grew in confidence and the ability to identify how they felt about their world, their life in the past and present – and how to be excited about their future.  In 2019, we are building a Year 6 program with all classes participating.  To experience this side of teaching and learning first-hand is mind blowing.  It is a challenge to leave the classroom because there are boys who simply are not done sharing everything – our boys really do want to talk, knowing that we are listening.

Using the College Social-Emotional Learning Framework, designed in line with our Augustinian heritage and College values, our Well Being guidelines are being unpacked from the moment your son begins his Villanova journey.  Self-awareness, Self-management, Social Awareness, Relationship Management and Responsible Decision Making are the overarching concepts.  It is fair to say we cover these in so many ways in our classrooms, the playground, on sporting grounds, on the stages and in religious life experiences.  Well Being is about explicitly working with the boys to find commonalities between experiences, language and our management of ourselves.  It brings us as staff to a very level playing field – sharing our own strengths and challenges in a setting where the boys really get to know us as people.  We are not the authority because we are human, and we are still working on our best selves.

So, what does this mean for our students?  I hope it means some conversations with you at home.  The Well Being books are designed to share some of our intentions and stimulate some sharing with parents.  If we can model to the boys that we are all managing feelings, actions and reactions then we are heading in the right direction.  I hope it means the boys learn something fascinating about the people they spend so much time with.  The “ah hah” moments are happening all the time in Well Being.  “I never knew that!” or “Wow – you too?” are so important for boys.  They are not alone – they have much more in common than they ever thought possible.  Even with the boys they would never think they had a thread of connection with – and this is important.  We can say the boys are Villanovans, however they need to feel that themselves, and Well Being classes generate that opportunity.

The priceless bonus of Well Being is the joy it brings the boys in unexpected ways.  To have students running to me at second break because they have taught Mrs Rouhliadeff how to throw and spin a football (no easy feat, trust me) to change “her fixed mindset to growth mindset Mr Rouhliadeff” is gold.  There is joy in helping each other.  There is solidarity in seeing positive changes and shifts in mindset.  There is value in having the time to speak how we feel about school, home and life in between.  Being listened to, and having our feelings validated, builds trust.  I want our sons to trust us – that we have succeeded, failed and we show up to do it all again.  We lead, we follow and sometimes we cruise a little.  We take turns in having the spotlight and we learn to develop pride in others having that podium finish even when we have worked to our potential.

We will continue to work on a Well Being program that is created especially for our boys.  They deserve nothing but the best, and they are helping us to make Well Being all about them, which is the point.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Last week the College celebrated Mission Week, a week-long acknowledgement of our commitment to social justice. The week culminates on Mission Day, which sees the three schools come together for a day of both action and celebration.

Over the past month our Year 7 boys have been planning their multicultural food stalls. The event was not only a tribute to our cultural diversity but a perfect example of young men working together, motivated by a collective desire to help others in need [and, let’s face it, enjoy good food]. When the rest of the student body (and teachers) finally descended on the multicultural stalls they were treated to a culinary journey spanning much of the globe. It included Indian samosas, Iraqi dolmades, galaktoboureko from Greece, jam and cream scones from the UK and the classic lamingtons and ANZAC biscuits from the land of Oz.

I want to congratulate the boys both on the energy they brought to their stalls, and on their eagerness to raise as much money as they could for AFAS.

Our Year 8 and Year 9 students came together to attempt to identify, evaluate and plan a way forward with regards to their impact on the environment and how as a school community we can implement and develop processes of eco-sustainability. Their efforts in this regard were truly remarkable. The two cohorts were joined by panel members from the community including: St. Vincent De Paul, QuayClean, a Member from the Queensland Government, and CDS Recycling – all of whom expressed how impressed they were with our boys. Quite captivated by the passion of our community members and the enthusiasm of our Villanova students, the College has committed to continue the journey of making the world a cleaner, more environmentally sustainable place for the future.

I have personally travelled twice to the Philippines with AFAS, once as a student and once as a teacher. I have seen first-hand the benefit of the proceeds that Villanova has collected via AFAS’ work. It has given families an opportunity to improve their livelihood and provided countless children access to better education.

The work of AFAS and our other ministry groups (including Middle School’s YAYM) is truly to be applauded as it raises both money for, and awareness of, social justice issues both locally and internationally.  Participation in such groups also gives our young men the opportunity to develop an important strand of our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework.

These SEL competencies include:

• Showing respect and empathy for others
• Understanding other points of view and perspectives
• Appreciating diversity (including gender, ethnicity, religious beliefs)
• The development of social justice consciousness

Again, well done to everyone upon the completion of yet another successful Mission Week.

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Each Sunday evening I receive my weekly serving of Brain Food from my favourite blog Farnham Street- www.fs.blog. The insights offered pertaining to mental models, decision-making and human engagement are always thoughtful, and I have read two articles that have value in a Senior School context in the domains of time management and connectivity.

1. The Value of Time

The Roman philosopher Seneca once said, ‘lay hold of today’s task and you will not need to depend so much upon tomorrow’s. While we are postponing, life speeds by’. This note from Seneca to Lucilius explores time and how we use it. Seneca continues:

We were entrusted by nature with the ownership of this single thing, so fleeting and slippery that anyone who will can oust us from possession. What fools these mortals be! They allow the cheapest and most useless things, which can easily be replaced, to be charged in the reckoning, after they have acquired them; but they never regard themselves as in debt when they have received some of that precious commodity, – time! And yet time is the one loan which even a grateful recipient cannot repay.

One of the recurring issues that arise in the experience of Senior School students is how they use their time- whether used purposefully or burnt through social media distraction. I have always advocated a healthy balance in the program of students which includes engagement in co-curricular activities and family time. This in turn makes the remaining time for academic study more precious and hopefully more valued and respected.

The alternative argument that non-involvement in the broader life of the College will provide more time for study is often a false economy as in my experience, it is often wasted due to procrastination. If your son requires assistance in articulating a weekly study plan, he can speak to his ACP teacher (in Year 11 and Year 12) or Pastoral Area Leader.

2. The Power of Connection

The fundamental value underpinning our philosophy of pastoral care at Villanova College is the importance of relationships. In developing healthy and respectful relationships, the ability to empathise and connect are two crucial elements. “Limbic resonance” is a term used by Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini and Richard Lannon in their book, ‘A General Theory of Love’, to express the ability to share deep emotional states. The limbic section of the human brain is associated with emotional intelligence. In conversations with Senior School students, resonance and connectivity occur when they feel respected and understood and this often occurs if they feel they have been truly listened to.

The following technique promotes active listening: listen, summarise, show.

According to the author:

A simple way to focus your attention is to listen with the intention of summarizing the other person’s point of view. This stops you from using your mental energy to work out your reply and helps store the other’s words in your memory as well as identify any gaps in your understanding so you can ask questions to clarify. The nature of these questions in themselves will show to the other person that they are heard, and effort is being made to take them seriously. Just as it is not enough to know, when it comes to human relationships, it is not enough to understand. What is crucial is to show you understand. If empathy is recognizing another’s perspective, consideration for the other needs to be externalized from you for it to exist and build rapport.

AIC ROUND 5 SPORT
This Friday afternoon and Saturday, our chess, football and rugby teams will face Marist College Ashgrove in Round 5 of AIC competition. Fixtures against Ashgrove are always challenging encounters yet often one of the most powerful forces is the preconceived mindset of players who doubt their ability to win before a bishop is moved, a football headed, or a scrum engaged.

The Cor Unum Spirit Committee in their #iBelieve campaign has attempted to stir within all teams a firm belief that we will have a successful round against Ashgrove. I have encouraged all Senior School students who I have spoken to this week to get behind our Firsts teams and attend these fixtures in the Tolle Lege Library and at Villanova Park.

“It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” – Muhammed Ali

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

MISSION DAY NEWS

A Great Day: Mission Day 2019
“Work as if everything depended upon you, pray as though everything depends upon God.” (St Augustine)
Mission Day is an apt moment to test St Augustine’s advice. To take 1250 students off timetable to provide an educational experience of community building is like taking a young battalion out of the barracks and into action. A complicated picture of apparent confusion is the first impression, however, as the deeper reports come in, you realise that Mission Day has been a magnificent success.

Some Snapshots
For Mission Day to succeed, there have to be many unsung heroes, in both the student body, and amongst the staff. Here are some snapshots:

One Year 7 student at his Irish food stall, remained at his post selling biscuits and snacks from 12.15pm right through until 2.45pm. He epitomised the commitment and generosity of the whole Year 7 cohort to reviving the Villanova Multicultural Festival.

An unforeseen and wonderful consequence of the Festival was the way in which other students jumped at the chance to share their culture through food. We had International students cooking Chinese dumplings, and two students from Iraq offering specialities from home which they had been up half the night preparing. This was a way of saying to the College community, “This is the gift and unique identity which I am delighted to offer.”

Equally outstanding was Filipino World. A team of staff, students, past students and members of the local Filipino community worked from the start of the day to create three stunning centrepieces: the roasting pig (named Pork E in a poll of 500 students), a pop up sari sari (general) store, and a 2D Jeepney (Filipino minibus) for selfies. Filipino World allowed all students to taste and see what our AFAS students are privileged to experience every second year.

Meanwhile, under the steadying hand of staff member Mick Garske, four Year 10 students created an exhilarating challenge of the best 500 metre row on the rowing machines. First XV prop, Dante Santos, set the record mark for the day – 1.29. The rumour is that he will smash the College record next year – set by Christian Welch in 2011.

The Amazing Race brought Year 11 and 12 students together with their Year 5 brothers in a challenge which brought out the sheer sense of fun in many of the boys. One team visiting our special display of old canes and the “defo” (a detention write-out) in Langlands preferred instead to visit a living treasure – staff member Mrs Vicki Lamb.

The soundtrack for the day was provided by a combination of Filipino pop music at Filipino World and the bands rocking on the Quadrangle Stage. The Jammy Dodgers (Year 10) are great value, while another highlight was Mr Levander’s remarkably strong performance of Crocodile Rock. Who would have thought he had such a powerful voice?

Knowing that our Year 8 and Year 9 students were going to attend a “Q and A” on saving the planet, two of our QuayClean staff, Erika (dressed in recycling fancy dress) and Ruan, gave up their morning to attend, and provided some film clips which they wanted the boys to see. Under Quayclean, our recycling efficiency has moved in one year from 0% to 21%. One of my snapshots of the day therefore occurred at 6pm: Erika and Ruan were still cleaning the Quadrangle in humble service to College community.

The “Mission” of Mission Day
From an early moment in the year the planning team of Mr Sullivan, Mrs Wilson, Ms Waterson, Ms Colbert and Mr Wilson saw that the main purpose of Mission Day was to express the values which show us at our best: rolling up our sleeves together to create something good; committing our gifts and talents in generous service of the common good and celebrating the diversity of our own community. This meant that there would be no Krispy Kremes and no pizza, we ourselves make what we would then enjoy and share.

These aims were achieved with the enormous help of the Year 7 and Year 10 cohorts, led respectively by Messrs Lynam and Sean O’Neill. Everyone loved the Multicultural Festival. I sense that not only the cohort, but also the parents and families have been brought together by this shared venture.

In similar vein, we asked the Year 10 students to step up and create all the elements of a carnival the boys would expect and enjoy. 1000 meal deals ready and cooked at 1.30pm – no problem! A range of fun activities ranging from lob-a-choc to penalty shoot-out to teacher dunker to basketball competition – a pleasure! Students re-deployed to assist the Grounds and Maintenance Team – only too happy to help! Wherever you looked there were Year 10 students having a five-star day: becoming Villa men.

As a staff member, you literally had to chase boys away to have a rest – only to find them sneaking back to a different part of the front line.

Staff-Student Friendship
If there is one abiding characteristic of an Augustinian school, then it lies in the quality of the relationships between staff and students. Augustine says that “imitation is the essence of what we call teaching.” What students see on Mission Day is a number of very busy teachers giving up all their time in ways which suit their gifts: some organising, some patrolling and keeping students safe, some joining in and having fun, some taking on the students in netball, debating, rowing….I hope the students take time this week to thank a teacher and share a memory from the day.

Where to next?
After surveying students, staff and parents, we will write a report on Mission Day 2019 – including financial details – and make recommendations for 2020. (Currently, the gross takings are approaching $18,000, which is a tribute to the generosity of Villanova families.) All students will be invited to reflect on their experience of the day, and how far its aims were achieved. My view is that Pope Francis is right. If you mute the desire of young people to be passive consumers, you switch on a capacity for fun, creativity, and community:

‘Today consumerism determines what is important. Consuming relationships, consuming friendships, consuming religions, consuming, consuming…whatever the cost or consequences. A consumption which does not favour bonding, a consumption which has little to do with human relationships…the result is a culture which discards everything that is no longer ‘useful’ or ‘satisfying’ for the tastes of the consumer.’ Pope Francis — Address to bishops at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 2015

Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

Over many years, Villanova has earned an excellent reputation within the AIC sporting association for its high level of sportsmanship and conduct shown on and off the sports field. At the AIC Ecumenical Service held at the commencement of each year we are reminded that all AIC Colleges share similar values and each College expects the highest standards from their communities when competing. By this time, you may have noticed that all AIC venues have used similar signage around their respective sporting fields which reiterate to all involved the standard of behavior expected.

From time to time students, spectators and coaches from all Colleges including Villanova can and do get things wrong in the heat of the moment. As we reach the back half of the footy season, I ask all involved to be mindful of their actions. Respect for our College, the opposition and officials must always be upheld. Overall, the level of behavior shown by the Villanova community throughout the football season has been very good.

I congratulate all chess, rugby and football players for their efforts over the weekend. The results across the board from Rounds 1 – 4 have been very pleasing. As an old boy from an opposing AIC school, together with my experience working in three different AIC Colleges, there seems to be a common feel amongst most AIC schools (spanning back to when I went to school) that Ashgrove should be feared. Although Ashgrove are a very competitive school and rightly deserve credit and respect, I believe most schools who oppose Ashgrove psych themselves out before they play their game.

Many teams over many years have been beaten (in their heads) before they even reach the game. Put very simply and with the utmost respect, Ashgrove boys are just like all other boys. I certainly challenge our boys to be bring a positive mindset to the game and back themselves this weekend. I urge players to play fairly but aggressively. Stand up and meet the challenge front on and embrace the battle. In short, I am asking the boys to give this weekend a ‘fair dinkum crack!’.

As I say to the Villanova boys often – when you hop in the car and leave Villanova Park after the game, ask yourself the following questions, did I give everything today and did I leave anything in the tank? Have no regrets boys, these sentiments tie in beautifully with the campaign arranged by our Senior School this week – I Believe!

Good luck and best wishes to all teams. Enjoy!

AIC CHESS, RUGBY AND FOOTBALL FIXTURES
Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June – Times and Venues

All times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures against Ashgrove College are available on the College’s website.

AIC FOOTBALL AND AIC RUGBY TEAM PHOTOS
Team photos will be taken for all teams playing at Villanova Park this Saturday, June 1. Please refer to the respective ‘AIC Football’ and ‘AIC Rugby’ sections via the Locker Room on the website to view the photo schedule. Next weekend will also be marked as a photo day for those teams not playing at Villanova Park this weekend.

VILLANOVA SPORTS CLUB – CANTEEN SCHEDULE
As we have many games at Villanova Park this weekend the Sports Club requires the assistance of all rugby and football parents to help serve and cook at the canteens. Your help is needed!

AIC RUGBY
By Mr Blake McLauchlan, AIC Rugby Co-ordinator

Villanova competed against St Peter’s Lutheran College in Round 4 last weekend. Overall, we had a total of 10 wins and seven losses. It was pleasing to see that out of all games played against St Peter’s, we walked away with five wins and two losses which is an outstanding result.

Our First XV continue their undefeated season winning four from four.  It is great to see that the hard work and dedication to remain disciplined as a team has led to these boys getting the results they deserve, and I would like to wish them all the best again for this weekend’s top of the table clash against Ashgrove.

I remind all players the importance of training to the best of their ability to ensure that what is practised at training filters into the game. There have been numerous close games this season and if players continue to put in the hard work, hopefully we can turn some of these close results into wins for Villanova!

The Year 8’s were lucky enough to train alongside Wallaby great Guy Shepherdson on Tuesday. Guy played 17 tests for the Wallabies, played in the 2007 World Cup, played more than 70 games for the Brumbies and was part of the 2011 Reds Super Rugby title team. The boys certainly appreciated his insight into the game and we thank our 8B coach Ben Cree for introducing him to the boys.

As we look towards Round 5 against Ashgrove this weekend the First XV, Second XV, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5 Gold teams remain undefeated. We wish these teams the best of luck as they hope to continue their undefeated season. Ashgrove have proven for many years that they can produce some quality teams.  I urge all players to continue to train hard, be aggressive, play within the spirit of the game and as always, chase the win.

Best wishes to all teams!

AIC Rugby Results v SPLC

AIC CHESS
By Mrs Mylan Warren, AIC Chess Co-ordinator

Round 4 saw the team play St Peter’s and although we left Villanova early, we once again had to fight our way through traffic.  The Open’s had a close fought loss, the Senior A’s, unfortunately also lost and the Senior B team came back fighting with a draw.

The Junior teams both drew, and while the Intermediate A team had a loss, the Intermediate B has won every game in the competition so far.

It will be an incredibly close competition but hopefully all teams will be triumphant in the next round, especially when we come up against Ashgrove this Friday night with a home game.

Tomorrow, chess group photos will be taken straight after school before our game. Boys need to be in full winter academic uniform, including ties for all boys and blazers and long trousers for the Seniors.

As usual, training continues every morning tea break. Good luck to all the boys for this coming Friday’s game.

AIC FOOTBALL
By Mr Anthony Kemp, AIC Football Co-ordinator

The latest round against St Peters proved to be a much more successful round and saw many teams get back into a winning mentality. Villanova came away with a total of 12 wins, three draws and seven losses. This places many of our sides in great stead for the always tough and uncompromising opponent of Ashgrove which we will face this weekend. At this stage of the season many of our teams are currently sitting near the top of their respective division making this next round of fixtures against Ashgrove even more important.

Unfortunately, our First XI side went down for the second straight week losing 3 – 0 in a game that they will feel like they were the better side. The 3 – 0 score line certainly doesn’t paint a true picture of the match with the Villanova boys dominating possession throughout and peppering the opposition goal with shots. The St Peters goal keeper surely would have been in the running for player of the match as he kept his side in the game with several close saves and great efforts on his line to keep the ball out. The scoring by St Peters was opened mid-way through the first half with a shot deflecting off one of our defenders’ head finding the back of our net. Villanova continued to make a huge number of chances only to be stopped by the keeper, crossbar or side netting.

The second half was a mirror image of the first with the Villanova First XI continuing to dominate the ball and field position. Frustratingly, the St Peters side were given one opportunity through a quick counter attack from a Villanova corner to pass the ball up the field and stretch the lead by another goal. A late penalty goal was conceded to close out the game. The boys will be back and firing this week against a quality Ashgrove First XI and would love to see as many supporters as possible on the sidelines!

Congratulations to the Second XI who continue their great season with another impressive win in a tough division. Other notable mentions must go to the following teams who remain unbeaten at this stage in the season which is a fantastic achievement:  9B, 8A, 6B, 6C and 6 White.

Good luck to all the players and coaches this weekend!

TRIMESTER 3 SPORTS TRIALS – TENNIS, RUGBY LEAGUE AND BASKETBALL

The abovementioned trials will take place the week after the last round of rugby, chess and football. Please read the information below regarding the trials. The full season schedules for each of the sports will be posted on the web late next week.

AIC Tennis Trials

Any student who wants to play tennis for Villanova must complete a ‘Trimester 3 Sign-On Form’ (available on the web and now overdue). The initial trials will be held at Morningside Tennis Centre the week after the rugby and football season concludes, that is, the week beginning Monday 17 June.

A trial schedule will be posted in next week’s Villa View and on the College’s website. After the ‘trial week’ all coaches will then select all teams within that age group.

The managers of each age group will conduct these trials and they will select four players in each team plus two reserves for the age group. Once these trial sessions are completed, the official training schedule (to be published soon) will commence in Week 1 of Term 3.

All teams from Year 7 – Year 12 will have two training sessions. Both sessions will be conducted before school from 6.30 am – 7.45am on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. One of these sessions will be taken by a specialised tennis coach while the team manager will take the other session. All players are to attend both sessions. Transport will only be provided back to the College after the morning sessions. Students from Year 5 and Year 6 will also have two training sessions; both will be conducted after school on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4.15 pm -5.45 pm. Please consider this information before signing on. Game dates are as per College calendar.

All tennis training and trials will be held at Morningside Tennis Centre.

AIC Basketball Trials
Any boy who wants to make an AIC basketball team must complete the ‘Trimester 3 Sign-on Form’ to register their interest (available on the web and are now overdue).

All trials will commence the week beginning Monday 17 June. Each age group will have at least two trial sessions within the trial week. Year 5 and Year 6 trials will be conducted during school hours. A trial schedule will be posted in next week’s Villa View and on the College’s website. After the ‘trial week’ all boys (for certain age groups only) will be required to attend the basketball clinics to be held on Saturday 22 June. After the clinic all coaches/managers will then select all teams within that age group.

All trials will be conducted in Goold Hall, at Clem Jones or on the outside courts on campus. Once teams are selected, a regular training schedule will be followed. Please note that several teams will train at Clem Jones Basketball Arena on Tuesday and/or Thursday morning 6.30 am – 8.00am. Students are to find their own way to the Clem Jones Arena and the College will organise a bus to transport all players back to school.

AIC Rugby League Trials
Any boy who wants to make an AIC rugby league team must complete the ‘Trimester 3 Sign-on Form’ to register their interest (available on the web and are now overdue).

All trials will commence the week beginning Monday 17 June. Each age group from Year 5 – Year 12 will have at least two trial sessions within the trial week. A trial schedule will be posted in next week’s Villa View and on the College’s website. After the ‘trial week’ all coaches will then select all teams within that age group.

All trials will be conducted at Little Langlands or Villanova Park. Buses will be provided to transport players to Villanova Park in the afternoon for trials. Parents are required to collect their son/s promptly from both venues after the trials.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
Well done to Ethan Hill, Tom Feenstra and Sebastian Shimizu who all competed in Queensland State Baseball Championships recently. The Met East team took out the bronze medal. A great achievement by all three boys!

Tom Feenstra is currently in Adelaide playing baseball for Brisbane Metro in the 2019 Junior League (u14s) Nationals. The southern teams are proving tough competition, and all are enjoying the experience. Well done Tom!

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

WIENEKE BURSARY COMPETITION – FINALS TUESDAY 4 JUNE
This coming Tuesday we will be hosting our annual Wieneke Family Bursary finals in Hanrahan Theatre.  The event commences at 6.30pm with our Junior School finalists.  After the adjudication of our Junior School Finals, we will proceed to our Middle and Senior School sections.  The entire evening should conclude by 9.00pm.

Please join me in congratulating our 2019 Bursary Finalists:

Junior School
Martin Beltran Mahoney – Violin
Oscar Dowling – Guitar
Noah King – Alto Saxophone
Samuel Mar Fan – Alto Saxophone
Jack Neate – Tenor Saxophone

Middle School
Lachlan Beake – Guitar
Tobey Bernal – Voice
Ronan Flaherty – Piano
Thomas Kielenniva – Alto Saxophone
William Lukin – Cello

Senior School
James Battersby – Trumpet
Nic Chay – Alto Saxophone
Jack Meimaris – Whistle/Accordion/Piano
Timothy Nielson – Voice
Max Shearer – Piano

I strongly encourage you to come along and support our young musicians.  There is no charge to attend this event – it is going to be a great evening of entertainment.

SYDNEY TOUR INFORMATION
The final itinerary will be distributed over the weekend.  Please note that we have postponed this Sunday’s rehearsal and a revised rehearsal schedule will be distributed to all participants.  Information regarding this has been emailed home.

ST MARTIN’S SUNDAY FUNDAY
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our musicians from Big Band and Irish Ensemble 1, along with their respective Directors Mr McKechie and Mr Perlinski, for their performances at the recent St Martin’s School Fete.  We have shared some footage of the morning via our Villanova Music Facebook page.

We have some more performances lined up over the remainder of term – stay tuned for details on these special appearances.

STRINGS CONCERT WITH PROFESSOR VOGEL
This coming week we welcome Professor Annette-Barbara Vogel to Villanova College.  As our guest, she will be working with students from St Laurence’s College, St Joseph’s College, Loreto College, as well as students from Villanova College.  Professor Vogel will be working with our students mostly through their regular rehearsals with our Sinfonia students participating in an Open Rehearsal on Monday afternoon after school, joining our colleagues from St Laurence’s for a combined concert on Friday evening.

Tickets for the concert are available via Trybooking using this link:  https://www.trybooking.com/BCVIY.  This will be a great evening of music – I strongly encourage you to come along and hear some fine musical performances.  A poster for the concert can be viewed by clicking here.

QCMF AND MUSIC SUPPORT GROUP MEETING
Our next QCMF Organising Group and Music Support Group Meeting is scheduled for next Monday June 3, commencing at 7.30pm in the Chapter Room at the front of the Augustine Centre.  I look forward to seeing you all there and sharing the preparations underway for this year’s fantastic festival.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS 2019
If you have purchased books through the drive, please collect your books from the Music Office.  If you require clarification around collection of your Entertainment Books, please contact Mrs Schrauf in the Music Office on 3394 5691.

Entertainment Books can still be purchased through our Villanova Music Support Group portal (link below) or through the Music Office.  For a limited time if you purchase an Entertainment Book or membership online, you will receive a $10 Priceline Gift Card.

Thank you all very much for your continued support of this initiative.  We look forward to being one of Entertainments biggest contributors again!

DATE CLAIMERS – Term 2
As is tradition, we look forward to the fantastic events we have planned in the near future:

Thank you all for your continued support of Villanova Music.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

The first edition of the Villavoice for 2019 will be hitting mailboxes this week. Amongst its pages, you will read about the exciting plans for our Coorparoo campus and the playing fields of Villanova Park. We invite you to become a part of the College’s most transformative building program in its history.

PLANNING FOR NOW, ADVANCING OUR FUTURE
Villanova College as we know it today would not exist without the generosity of generations of parents, families and Old Boys. Drawing on this tradition, the Villanova College Foundation has reformed with the purpose of providing leading educational opportunities for our young men.

As you will read in the latest edition of the Villavoice, a key driver for the re-establishment of the Foundation has been the identification of new College-wide funding priorities which can be supported through philanthropy. These include increasing the provision of life-changing student bursaries and the transformative Master Plan developments at the Coorparoo Campus and Villanova Park.

Many of the facilities and programming enjoyed by today’s Villanovans are a result of the foresight, hard work and support of donors from generations past, who we honour and thank. Previous Foundation efforts focused on specific building projects and although successful, without dedicated staffing, the Foundation has been dormant for a considerable period. The Foundation is a long-term commitment and through the innovative ideas and support of the Villanova community, we are certain that its impact will grow significantly over the years to come.

The Foundation’s costs are underwritten by the College’s general operating budget, which means your donation always goes towards the trust fund of your choice.

We have inherited a great legacy from our founders, and as donors ourselves, we look forward to celebrating the future success of the Foundation and our great College with you.

Yours sincerely

Mark Stower, College Principal and Proud Donor   
Paula Hoctor, Chair – Villanova College Foundation Committee, Current Parent and Proud Donor

FOUNDATION SUB-COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS

Foundation Finance Sub-Committee
We are seeking assistance from an independent financial advisor to help guide Foundation funds (cumulative donations) on investment decisions. Please direct expressions of interest to the Foundation via foundation@vnc.qld.edu.au

Foundation Business Breakfast Sub-Committee
We are also seeking assistance from interested persons to help with the planning and organisation of business breakfasts in 2019/20. This is an exciting initiative to engage and connect VOB, current families and existing Senior students. Please direct expressions of interest to the Foundation via foundation@vnc.qld.edu.au

RECONCILIATION WEEK AT VILLANOVA COLLEGE
This week is Reconciliation Week, a very important week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  Reconciliation Week began on May 27 which was the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and the week will end on the anniversary of the High Court Mabo Decision – June 3. These two events are significant milestones for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the reconciliation journey.

This is a time for all Australians to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander shared histories, cultures and achievements, as well as explore how we as individuals can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The handprints placed in the various gardens around the College symbolise the theme for Reconciliation Week – Grounded in Truth – Walk together with Courage. We as a College walked together with courage to place these handprints to show our journey in reconciling with the past. It should be our responsibility to foster positive relations – the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community must be grounded in a foundation of Truth.

For St Augustine, the Search for Truth is not something we can undertake alone. Rather, only through working to build Community with all of our sisters and brothers can our lives be Grounded in Truth, for “ultimately only truth conquers, and the victory of truth is love.” [Sermon 358,1]

Ms Barbara Dewis, Year 6 teacher

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – VILLANOVA COLLEGE BOARD
Villanova College, established in 1948, is part of Australia’s Augustinian community and provides accessible high-quality education to boys from Year 5 to 12.  The College is incorporated as a company Limited by Guarantee and governed by a Board of Directors.

Villanova is seeking interest from people willing to contribute to the ongoing development of our College and Catholic education in the Augustinian Tradition by investing their time and skills as a Director on the Board or Member of one of the Board’s Committees.  The position is honorary and voluntary, and does not carry any remuneration.

The Boards draw on the Expression of Interest Register to fill all vacancies as and when they occur.  The Board is presently seeking interest from people committed to Catholic education and who possess the necessary skills and experience in areas such as:

• Education
• Finance / Accounting
• Commercial / Business
• Marketing
• Law
• Property, Building, Project Management or related disciplines
• Human Resources
• Other relevant discipline

If you wish to register your interest to be considered for future openings on the Board, please complete an Expression of Interest Form via the College website.  Further information will be provided to interested persons at a Board Information evening to be held on Thursday 6 June.

Board Information Evening
An information evening for those interested in joining the Board will be held next Thursday 6 June in the Tolle Lege Library commencing at 6.00pm.  Please RSVP to principal@vnc.qld.edu.au by Tuesday 4 June, 2019.

Mr Peter Geraghty, Chairman Villanova College Board

TUCKSHOP
It is necessary for all students to have their student card with them when making purchases at the Tuckshop. Boys who have lost their cards are to have them replaced.  Replacement cards are available from the Tolle Lege Library (before school or at first or second break) at a cost of $5.00.

To view our current tuckshop menu: Tuckshop Menu Price List – 2019

Roster

Monday 3 June
Michelle Dixon
Alicia Maunsell
Kyle-Ann Walsh
Heather Martin
Leah Coogans
Mary Sclavos
Sylvia Vaitsas
Carmel Scaini
Lisa Gifford

Tuesday 4 June
Kate Hartley
Jo Phillips
Lisa Meredith
Jilane Anderson
Deanne Perrier
Lisa Stone
Nicole Binney
Victoria Lenton
Nicky Rosso

Wednesday 5 June
Lisa Prendergast
Lisa Moroney
Clare Godwin
Peta Diedrichs
Eleni Diakos
Maree Martin

Thursday 6 June
Tracey Wells
Diana McGregor
Janine Pugh
Maria Horton
Kerry Lapish
Naomi Greenwood
Lan Tran

Friday 7 June
Lesley Stevens
Amanda Robinson – Ilka
Melissa Paterson
Bridget Manning
Merissa Ryan
Barbara Dardengo
Amanda Knight
Melody Phillips
Jane Short
Lucinda Timms
Loretta Jordan-Vieira

LIBRARY ROSTER

Tuesday 4 June
Melanie Pickering
Cristina Palacios

Wednesday 5 June
Donna Leahy
Madhu Kalaimannan

Friday 7 June
Gino Avolio

THE SECOND RECTOR
Fr John Louis Hanrahan OSA

John Louis Hanrahan was born in Limerick City in 1920 and entered the Order in 1937 at Orlagh.  After studying in Rome and Dublin he was ordained in 1943.  He arrived in Australia in 1948, just before the College started at Whinstanes.

As the second Prior and Rector, John was a good communicator, a scholar and a man of culture.  He introduced elocution and drama, and fostered choral and instrumental music.  He shared the first Rector’s Augustinian spirit and ability to win love and loyalty.  In fact, he had creativity and eagerness to spare, maintaining his position as part-time university lecturer in Latin and his involvement in the Villanova Players.

In conversation and when teaching, Fr Hanrahan’s use of language and humour was entertaining and brilliant.  He taught with a sense of the dramatic – pregnant pauses, raising of eyebrows, sense of humour, and heroic turn of phrases were all well-used with subtlety.  With the small numbers in the Senior classes, a Hanrahan class was an unforgettably delightful seminar-like experience.  Here was a man who loved learning, was completely masterful and in his element teaching.  He would sometimes go from lecturing at the University of Queensland straight into a classroom of secondary students at Villanova!

After six years as Rector of Villanova, Fr Hanrahan became the Provincial of the Australian Augustinians.  Driving himself as hard as ever, he twice developed major cardiac conditions which forced him to leave all work at the age of 48 years.  As mentally agile as always but barely able to leave his room, he lived in retirement in a nursing home in Ireland from 1969 until his death on 25 January 1981 – just 60 years old.

In all Fr Hanrahan was on the staff at Villanova for 17 years, and this constituted the major portion of his active priestly ministry. The warm and gregarious spirit often attributed to Villanova is a part of his legacy that remains strong at the College right to the present day.

WRITING AND ILLUSTRATING SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMPS
Budding Junior and Middle School authors and illustrators may be interested in the following school holidays camps:

Write Like an Author: Holiday Writing Camp
8 – 10 July at Forest Lake State Hight School. Details by clicking here.

Draw Like an Illustrator: Holiday Illustration Camp
8 – 10 July at Forest Lake State Hight School. Details by clicking here.