Villa View: Issue 16/20

Welcome back to all our families. It was great to see the students return to the College on Monday. The noise in the yard at break time was wonderful to hear. In so many ways the noise heralded a return to some normalcy in these challenging times. The students were very excited to see their classmates and teachers and return to the classroom.

It is expected the students will take a little time to settle back into the normal school routine after a break of almost eight weeks. Over the course of this week our staff will be settling students into the normal classroom routine. For a small number of students there is a need to attend to haircuts and uniform items such as ties.

In the classroom our teachers will check the work students have covered over the last five weeks to determine the progress of each child. Early reports indicate that the majority of students maintained their studies while at home so thank you to the parents for a great job supervising and assisting your son when necessary. Over the coming weeks students will be monitored through diagnostic testing and other tools to provide feedback to students on their individual academic progress.

With the many challenges our students have had to face over the past weeks it is pleasing to see that their enthusiasm for life and joining with their mates has not diminished. I often find our young people can surprise us with their resilience. With the great support our students receive from home and the College, we can expect much of them as they settle back into school life.

Risk Management Committee
Villanova College Board is seeking suitably qualified and experienced people to join the newly formed Risk Management Committee. Experience in organisational risk and governance would be highly desirable. The Risk Management Committee will be a sub-group of the College Board and will report to the College Board through the Chair.

It is our hope that within our community there are suitably qualified and interested persons who are willing to give of their time to support the Villanova College Board with this important work. If you are interested in contributing to this committee, please complete the Expression of Interest Form via the following link.

National Reconciliation Week
Wednesday 27 May marked the beginning of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June). The theme, “In this together” reminds us that we all play an important role in the reconciliation process.

In 2020 Reconciliation Australia marks twenty years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation.

Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding of the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution.

2020 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the reconciliation walks of 2000, when people came together to walk on bridges and roads across the nation and show their support for a more reconciled Australia.

As always, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and Australians now benefit from the efforts and contributions of people committed to reconciliation in the past. Today we work together to further that national journey towards a fully reconciled country.

Reconciliation Prayer
Holy Father, God of Love,
You are the Creator of all things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history
and the sufferings of Our peoples,
and we ask your forgiveness.
We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus
to reconcile the world to you.
We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better
future for our Nation.
Teach us to respect all cultures.
Teach us to care for our land and waters.
Help us to share justly the resources of this land. Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.
Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
(Wontulp Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group 13 March 1997 Brisbane, Qld).

God bless
Mr Mark Stower, Principal

Reconciliation Week takes place from Wednesday 27 May to 3 June and the 2020 theme is, “In This Together”.  Could a phrase be any more appropriate at this point in time?  It is an opportunity for a greater education about Indigenous people in Australia.  There are historical events to revisit with our eyes wide open, there are stories to hear with our ears wide open, and there are connections to make with our hearts and minds wide open.  This is a time to continue the search for peace, for prioritising communities a platform for sharing, and for all of us to take on the responsibility for recognising the First Australians’ rights.

Exploring https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/ should be a part of every Junior School person this week.  There are videos, interviews, fact sheets and details about the impact that settlement and colonisation has had on Indigenous Australians.  There is so much to learn, and the most important thing is that it can be done with respect, in a calm manner and with dignity for all.  Gaining a perspective that is informed and that is balanced, is crucial for moving into the future with the hope of ensuring that Indigenous Australians can live a life that is true to their heritage, culture and beliefs.  That the kinship of family – brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles, can be understood by Non-Indigenous people.  That the effects of generational trauma can be given priority in Australia’s health system.  That cultural differences between the spoken and non-verbal behaviours can be understood with more sensitivity in daily conversations.

In Year 6 Well Being Classes this week, the boys are unpacking some important concepts about Indigenous Australians.  Who are the First Australians, what is kinship, what is the Stolen Generation? – It has been the reaction of many boys in 2020, that there are so many new things to learn before we can truly work towards building better relationships.  I congratulate the level of sensitivity and interest that the boys have shown in these studies, knowing that our states of well-being require education, discussion and sharing in order to make small changes in our lives.  Year 5 students have some Indigenous picture books and activities that will be covered over the coming week.  A great opportunity to build upon the History and Literacy lessons also being explored at the moment.

Reconciliation means to restore relationships.  People are not perfect, we have a background story that can extend back generations, years, months, weeks, days or minutes – and sometimes the timing of our background situation, bumps into a present moment with some consequences.  We are not always using our best non-verbal communication, nor tones of voice, or being careful with our word choices.  So, we are restoring and reconciling our relationships probably much more regularly than we realise.  How important it is to make the effort and to acknowledge that harm has occurred in the first place, be of a mindset that is open to being accountable for our part played and then find common ground to move forward.

Relationships matter an incredible amount, as they provide us with security and hope.  Our friendships and work relationships mean we can get out of bed, walk through the College gates, and take risks in the classroom and playground that we need to, so that we grow and develop to the fullest of our potential.  We can do this if we have connections that are positive, consistent and are built on trust.  Kindness, thoughtfulness and inclusiveness reinforce our sense of value in a community – our worth to the group.  It matters above all else.

The recent two months have seen us realise how face to face contact impacts our emotions.  We feel more assured and generally happier when we can read someone’s face, body and hear the tone of their words, rather than reading online (even with punctuation and emojis).  As human beings, we thrive with the colours of words and being witness to actions.  We can rise to greater heights when others encourage, support and give us a helping hand.

Make this a week to reconcile with someone – which relationship around you could do with your attention and care?  Realise the power you have to receive the reconciliation from another, even if you need a little time and space in the lead up.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Student Wellbeing – Building Resilience
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of resilience building in the social and emotional development of our Senior School students. In last week’s Year 11 Formation Program workshop, we explored ten purposeful tips to build resilience as outlined by the American Psychological Association. They are:

1. Make connections
Good relationships with close family members, friends, peers and teachers are important. Accepting help and support from those who care about you and will listen to you strengthens resilience.

2. Avoid seeing crises as insurmountable problems
You can’t change the fact that highly stressful events happen, but you can change how you interpret and respond to these events. Try looking beyond the present to how future circumstances may be a little better. Note any subtle ways in which you might already feel somewhat better as you deal with difficult situations.

3. Accept that change is a part of living
Certain goals may no longer be attainable as a result of adverse situations. Accepting circumstances that cannot be changed can help you focus on circumstances that you can alter.

4. Move toward your goals
Develop some realistic goals. Do something regularly — even if it seems like a small accomplishment — that enables you to move toward your goals. Instead of focusing on tasks that seem unachievable, ask yourself, “What’s one thing I know I can accomplish today that helps me move in the direction I want to go?”

5. Take decisive actions
Act on adverse situations as much as you can. Take decisive actions, rather than detaching completely from problems and stresses and wishing they would just go away.

6. Look for opportunities for self-discovery
People often learn something about themselves and may find that they have grown in some respect as a result of their struggle with loss. Many people who have experienced tragedies and hardship have reported better relationships, greater sense of strength even while feeling vulnerable, increased sense of self-worth, a more developed spirituality, and heightened appreciation for life.

7. Nurture a positive view of yourself
Developing confidence in your ability to solve problems and trusting your instincts helps build resilience.

8. Keep things in perspective
Even when facing very painful events, try to consider the stressful situation in a broader context and keep a long-term perspective. Avoid blowing the event out of proportion.

9. Maintain a hopeful outlook
An optimistic outlook enables you to expect that good things will happen in your life. Try visualizing what you want, rather than worrying about what you fear.

10. Take care of yourself
Pay attention to your own needs and feelings. Engage in activities that you enjoy and find relaxing. Exercise regularly. Taking care of yourself helps to keep your mind and body primed to deal with situations that require resilience.

These pragmatic strategies to foster a resilient mindset will be drawn upon in our work supporting our Senior School students, especially in our academic mentoring, wellbeing and formation programs.

“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” – Nelson Mandela

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

The ‘Villa Man’ Podcast
It was a privilege recently to listen to three parents, all ex-military, discussing their insights into the formation of good young men. In the following podcast, Brendan Cox, Manny Lynch and Quentin Masson share their insights on the importance of focussing on character growth, as well as offering thoughts about how our Seniors can make the most of a COVID-19 effected year. Please click on the image below to listen.

Ministry Overview
The ability of the Ministry students to be so adaptable and positive in the face of a paradigm shift has been outstanding. From SVP meetings with guests zooming in from Vinnies Youth to finding new ways to express solidarity and compassion, the Ministry students have just not stopped in creating a better Villanova. Isaak Collie, Ministry Captain, provides an eloquent overview of how the Ministry students have been operating these last three weeks:

The Ministry team enjoy a good slogan. ‘Do it again but better,’ ‘Men of ministry and morale,’ ‘What we do, we do for badges,’ ‘Jaffa-Cake Tuesday.’

It seems our ministry slogan is as evolving, dynamic, and uncertain as our current COVID-19 situation. I have been a student active in ministry since Year 8, and I have never witnessed such a unique and difficult challenge. Yet students involved in ministry have stepped up and created ingenious new initiatives that have allowed ministry to keep moving forward in these trying times. Some of our live projects include a new rose garden at the chapel, digital masses and services, special YCS visits and events, the brothers in arms day last Friday, the upcoming virtual sleep-out with Lourdes Hill College, and many more.

Ministry in COVID-19 has been very different, but it has brought out the best in us, challenging us to think outside the box. And although this year may not be as record shattering as the last in terms of funds, it will be known as the year where good ministry prevailed, regardless of the adversities faced and the circumstances surrounding us. How else can Ministry truly be measured?

Maybe that should be the new ministry slogan.

Isaak Collie, Ministry Captain, 2020

YCS and Green Team  – “Brothers in Arms:”
YCS, the Ministry group who look after the wellbeing of students on campus, have responded magnificently to the changed circumstances this term. On Monday this week, the “brothers” were out in force, alongside two wild-cats and the Pope, to welcome the younger students back to the College.  It was noticeable how students who may have felt a little nervous broke out into smiles when they saw the white shirts lining the gates. Elbow bumps and free Villanova handballs ensued. (The handballs were paid for because of the students’ hard work in recycling bottles and cans).

The Green Team likewise had a stellar week, promoting the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si, and turning the sod for a new rose garden in honour of St Rita of Cascia. Even as I write, staff members Gary Meilak and John Roberts are preparing the earth and the border for the new red rose bushes – kindly donated by staff member Maryanne Bray.

St Monica’s Kitchen continues to offer free frozen meals to any community member who sees a need, either in their own family or for a neighbour. All you have to do is email stmonica’skitchen@vnc.qld.edu.au and discreet arrangements will be made. A warm thanks goes to Mr Tony Rolls and the Hospitality team for a donation of a further 35 meals.

Settling the Books
Transfers have just been made following initiatives in Term 1, with $898 to Caritas, and $402 to Kids Helpline after the excellent Anti-bullying day organised by Junior School, with Mrs Maria Mascadri at the helm.

Reconciliation Week: 27 May to 3 June
Lachlan Galbraith has led a co-ordinated response to Reconciliation and I commend you to his article below. We used the following prayer to begin our Reconciliation Week activities:

Reconciliation Week by Lachlan Galbraith, Goold House Captain

This year’s theme for National Reconciliation Week is In this together. From 27 May to 3 June, Australians will unite to learn about our shared histories and achievements to explore how we as a nation can contribute to reconciliation in Australia. These dates are significant to Australia’s reconciliation journey. The 3 June 1992 marked the end of the ten-year Mabo case in which the High Court decided that Terra Nullius should not have been applied to Australia and recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a civilised society have called Australia home for tens of thousands of years.

On May 27, 1967, following decades of activism, over 90% of all Australians voted in favour for amending the Australian Constitution. This Referendum was regarded as a symbolic turning point, revealing a widespread desire for Aboriginal equality in Australia. It enabled the federal government to pass the (Northern Territory) Land Rights Act, which has benefited many Indigenous Australians.

In 2020, Reconciliation Australia marks 20 years of forming a more just and reconciled nation. Australia’s history of change has seen major success when the wider community contributes. It is vital that we, as a nation, strive to empower for change and rectify Australia’s damaged history. We must recognise that we cannot merely support this within a week in a year, every day of the year must be spent developing an understanding of this journey.

As humans, we all make mistakes and sometimes forget that the people around us deserve the respect and dignity that we wish to receive. Every student and staff member has made mistakes in dealing with others. We always seek to respond restoratively at Villanova, and the College has taught me to treat others in the way I wish to be treated, and to stand by their values of respect, equality and supporting the dignity of others.

The theme of In this together accentuates these values, and at Villanova in this week of reconciliation, we too are showing respect for all Australians by recognising that we are all in this together. It is important that as a community, we encourage as many members as possible to get involved, mateship within community is extremely important to this cause. Through recent times of struggle due to COVID-19, our respect for one another has been tested and together, we have started to see the light at the end of these hard times. The times of deliberation are at an end and it is now time to act upon these thoughts and desires and create change.

As part of the Villanova community, we can all play a small part as an act of solidarity throughout the week, whether that is a prayer before dinner or spreading awareness on social media. This week, what better cause is there to unite together as a community in solidarity with those who have been dispossessed and disregarded so we, as one community, can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel of a reconciled nation.

Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

Earlier this week the AIC Management Committee released a statement which outlines the AIC sports calendar for Term 3. Please take the time to read as much information regarding next term is found within.

AIC Media Release

As was published in last week’s Villa View, Term 3 will involve a half season of basketball and tennis being played over the first four weeks of term. During Week 5 we plan to run the AIC Cross Country Championships on Wednesday 12 August while also conducting rugby, football and chess trials before we play another four weeks of rugby, football and chess competition in Weeks 6 – 9 of the term.

The Rugby League season is yet to be confirmed but is likely to be held as a three-day tournament during the September school holidays or during Term 4 on Saturdays. Track and Field will commence training halfway through next term with two AIC meets being held on September 3 and 10 followed by the Championships held in Week 1 Term 4.

Complete season schedules including all trial and training dates and times for basketball, tennis, rugby union and football will be released late next week. In the meantime we are asking boys to complete an online registration form for those wishing to play AIC Basketball, AIC Tennis, AIC Rugby League and AIC Track and Field next term – https://form.jotform.com/VillanovaSport/term-3-sport-sign-on

Boys can do AIC Basketball or Tennis (as they are played at the same time). Students can also do AIC Football or AIC Rugby Union and AIC Chess and AIC Track and Field and AIC Rugby League at the back half of the term.

We won’t reissue a sign-on form for AIC Rugby Union, AIC Football, AIC Chess and AIC Cross Country as this has been done previously. We ask you to please check the respective sign-on lists posted in the AIC Rugby Union, AIC Football, AIC Chess and AIC Cross Country sections of the website and check if your name does appear. If you wish to add or take your name from the already complied list, please contact the Sports Office and we will amend sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au

I have written much about the government restrictions in recent editions of the Villa View.  Given we are in stage one, the Sports Office has worked hard to put plans in place commencing next Monday 1 June for the ‘Return to Play’ of the First XV Rugby Squad, Year 5 – 12 Cross Country Squad, Open Tennis Squad and the First V Basketball Squad.

From Stage 2 of restrictions the Cubs and Sabres Basketball Squads, First/Second  XI Football squad training programs will be added. The full ‘Return to Play’ schedules which includes all times and venues for each of these sports can be viewed in full detail on the web via the ‘Locker Room’. A list of all participants is also posted.

Unfortunately, due to government restrictions we cannot include a ‘Return to Play’ schedule which is inclusive for all students at the College from Year 5 – 12.

When Level 3 restrictions come into play from the July 10, gatherings increase to 100, contact and the use of shared equipment is allowed. At this time, we can involve the entire College. Therefore, the reason we have scheduled the AIC Tennis and AIC Basketball trials on Saturday 11 July.

Things are certainly ramping up in the Sports Office as we look to put all plans in place for the return of sport for all.

I again urge all boys to sign on and register their names to play sport next term and represent their College.

AIC CROSS COUNTRY

Date Claimer – AIC Cross Country Championships – Wednesday 12 August, Venue – either Curlew Park or Limestone Park (TBC)

With Stage 1 restrictions in place, it is permissible for boys to train in groups of no more than 10 (that is, a coach plus nine runners). Commencing from next Monday June 1 our Year 5 and Year 6 squad will train on Monday and Wednesday afternoons (with two squads of nine only) 3.15 – 4.30pm at Little Langlands. Our Year 7 – 10 squads will train Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon 3.15 -4.30pm (with three squads of nine only).

Our Year 11 and 12 runners will continue with their self-directed training. Our cross-country coaches will continue to supply these boys with a program to follow. The Year 11 and 12 runners are expected to re-join the squad training on June 12 when the restrictions are expected to move to Stage 2.

Year 5 and Year 6 Cross Country Training
The full list of Year 5 and Year 6 boys who are invited to train Monday and Wednesday afternoons 3.15 – 4.30pm at Little Langlands is posted in the ‘AIC Cross Country’ section of the website. These boys will be trained under the guidance of Miss Amy Roberts and Mr Tom Lonergan. All boys will be escorted to Little Langlands after school. Parents are then required to collect their son from Little Langlands promptly at 4.30pm.

When stage 2 restrictions come into play, we will increase the squad sizes to include more boys from Monday 15 June.

Year 7 – 10 Cross Country Training
Cross country runners from Year 7 – 10 must register with a running group by using the links found within the AIC Cross Country section of the website. We will only operate three groups of nine, capped at 29 students. The training forms will be updated weekly. The Year 7 – 10 cross-country training will be under the careful guidance of coaches Mr Dave Barton, Mr Jordan Roache and Mr Brian Pascoe.

There will be three venues used to ensure recommended safe distancing and separation between the groups.

• Villanova college surrounds – Hill sessions – on campus.
• Stones Corners/ Langlands Park sport fields and bike paths – jog to venue
• Coorparoo AFC or Seven Hills Reserve – Travel by school minibus to and from venue

The online registration will automatically close when a group is full, so be quick to avoid disappointment. However, due to the limited number of positions we will initially limit each student to 2 sessions per week to allow maximum participation.

Year 7 – 10 Cross Country Training Registration – Term 2 Weeks 7 (1 – 5 June) and 8 (8 – 12 June)
https://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/student-life/co-curricular/sport/aic-cross-country/

All runners to meet at Goold Hall at 3.15 pm and runners will be dismissed from Goold Hall at 4.30 pm.

AIC BASKETBALL
The AIC Basketball season will be played as a half season consisting of four rounds only. Rounds 1 – 4 will be played during the first four weekends during Term 3.  We must commence our basketball and tennis trials on Saturday 11 July. We cannot trial earlier as Stage 3 restrictions allowing 100 people to gather open from 10 July.

However, we are considering training certain age groups within school time this term. All will be confirmed by the end of next week.

AIC Basketball Season Dates (subject to change based on government health advice)

Basketball Trial weekend – Saturday 11 July (first day of ‘Stage 3 of restrictions’ where training/trials can occur, last weekend of the school holidays, all coaches and players must be available, only chance boys can make a team)

Round 1 – Saturday 18 July
Round 2 – Saturday 25 July
Round 3 – Saturday 1 August
Round 4 – Saturday 8 August

Note – Year 5 and Year 6 basketball games will be played on Friday afternoons.

Those who are wishing to play AIC Basketball must register their interest using this link to the online sign-on form https://form.jotform.com/VillanovaSport/term-3-sport-sign-on

First V Basketball, Cubs and Sabres Squad – ‘Return to Play’ Training Schedule – The full schedule including times and venues and squad lists is now posted within the AIC Basketball section on the website.  The First V basketball squad will return to training on the week beginning Monday 1 June. The Cubs and Sabres will begin training during the week beginning Monday 15 June. All groups will continue to train throughout the June/July holidays. All other students will commence their basketball with trials held on Saturday 11 July.

AIC TENNIS
The AIC Tennis season will be played as a half season consisting of four rounds only. Rounds 1 – 4 will be played during the first four weekends during Term 3. We must commence our basketball and tennis trials on Saturday 11 July. We cannot trial earlier as Stage 3 restrictions allowing 100 people to gather opens from 10 July.

AIC Tennis Season Dates (subject to change based on government health advice)

Tennis Trial weekend – Saturday 11 July (first day of ‘Stage 3 of restrictions’ where training/trials can occur, last weekend of the school holidays, all coaches and players must be available, only chance boys can make a team)

Round 1 – Saturday 18 July
Round 2 – Saturday 25 July
Round 3 – Saturday 1 August
Round 4 – Saturday 8 August

Those who are wishing to play AIC Tennis must register their interest using this link to the online sign-on form https://form.jotform.com/VillanovaSport/term-3-sport-sign-on

First IV Tennis – ‘Return to Play’ Training Schedule – 16 of our best tennis players have been invited to join a Pre-Season Tennis Training Squad Program due to commence on Wednesday 3 June at Morningside Tennis Centre. All information regarding the program including the squad list is now posted within the AIC Tennis section on the website. All other age groups will commence trials on Saturday 11 July.

AIC RUGBY UNION
The AIC Rugby Union season will be played as a half season consisting of four rounds only. The official trial week for rugby and football is set down to occur the week after the shortened AIC Basketball and Tennis season, that is, the week beginning Monday 10 August. Although we do plan to commence trials earlier in Weeks 3 and Week 4 next term around the AIC Basketball and Tennis schedule. More information about this will be distributed as soon as possible.

The First XV, Second XV, 10A, 9A and 8A rugby squads will start their training even earlier as per below. These squads are by invitation only. All squad lists are found within the AIC Rugby Union section of the website. All teams will train at Villanova Park from 3.50pm -5.00/15pm. Bus transportation will be provided to Villanova Park only.  Parents must collect their son/s promptly from Villanova Park at the completion of training sessions.   The schedule has been made to allow boys to play AIC Basketball or Tennis and pre-season rugby training as well.

First XV Squad: (First XV and Second XV) – training schedule as per below.
10A Squad – Every Tuesday afternoon in Term 3 leading up to the AIC Rugby season, that is, 14, 21, 28 July and 4 August at Villanova Park 3.50 – 5.00/15pm.
9A Squad – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon in Term 3 leading up to the AIC Rugby season, that is, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30 July and 4, 6 August at Villanova Park 3.50-5.00/15pm.
8A Squad – Every Thursday afternoon in Term 3 leading up to the AIC Rugby season, that is, 16, 23, 30 July 6 August at Villanova Park 3.50-5.00/15pm.

AIC Rugby Season Dates (subject to change based on government health advice)

• Internal Trial – Every age group will have one trial session held either in Week 3 or 4 in Term 3 at Little Langlands (timetabled around basketball and tennis training as much as possible)
• Official Full Trial Week – 10 -13 August
• Full School Rugby Trial– Friday 14 August v St Patrick’s College (long weekend – please keep date free)
• Round 1– Saturday 22 August
• Round 2– Saturday 29 August
• Round 3– Saturday 5 September
• Round 4– Saturday 12 September

Sign-ons – An online sign-on form was made available earlier in the year. We ask families to check this list which is posted within the AIC Rugby Union section of the website and contact the Sport Office if your son needs to be added or withdrawn from the list already formulated sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au  All information has come directly from the online sign-on process.

First XV Rugby Squad – ‘Return to Play’ Training Schedule – In an effort to get our top teams back into training. Our First XV Rugby Squad will commence training the week beginning Monday 1 June with a fitness program. Given groups cannot be more than 10, we have a schedule in place for only 27 players to return to training in the following time slots – 6.30 – 7.00am, 7.00am – 7.30am, 7.30 -8.00am.

The full training schedule as well as a list of all groups is now posted within the AIC Rugby Union section on the website.

During Stage 2 of restrictions, our First XV Rugby Squad will then train twice weekly at Villanova Park on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons as well as participate in three weekly Strength and Conditioning sessions as per the schedule found on the website. All sessions at Villanova Park and in the College gym will continue through the holiday period up until the official ‘Rugby and Football Trial Week’ held the week beginning Monday 10 August.

AIC FOOTBALL
The AIC Football season will be played as a half season consisting of four rounds only. The official trial week for rugby and football is set down to occur the week after the shortened AIC Basketball and Tennis season, that is, the week beginning Monday 10 August. Although we do plan to commence trials earlier in Weeks 3 and 4 next term around the AIC Basketball and Tennis Schedule. More information about this will be distributed shortly.

The First XI, Second XI and 10A football squads will start their training even earlier. These squads are by invitation only. Please see all squad lists posted within the AIC Football section of the website. Rugby Union section of the website. All teams will train at Villanova Park from 3.50pm -5.00/15pm. Bus transportation will be provided to Villanova Park only.  Parents must collect their son/s promptly from Villanova Park at the completion of training sessions.  The schedule has been made to allow boys to play AIC Basketball or Tennis and pre-season football training as well.

First XI Squad (First XI and Second XI) – training schedule as per below.
10A Squad – Every Tuesday afternoon in Term 3 leading up to the AIC Football season, that is, 14, 21, 28 July and 4 August at Villanova Park from 3.50-5.00/15pm.

AIC Football Season Dates (subject to change based on government health advice)

• Internal Trial – Every age group will have one trial session held either in Week 3 or 4 in Term 3 at Little Langlands (timetabled around basketball and tennis training as much as possible)
• Official Full Trial Week – 10 -13 August
• Full School Rugby Trial– Friday 14 August v St Patrick’s College (long weekend – please keep date free)
• Round 1– Saturday 22 August
• Round 2– Saturday 29 August
• Round 3– Saturday 5 September
• Round 4– Saturday 12 September

Sign-Ons – An online sign-on form was made available earlier in the year. We ask families to check this list which is posted in the AIC Football section of the website and contact the Sport Office if your son needs to be added or withdrawn from the list already formulated  sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au All information has come directly from the online sign-on process.

First XI Football Squad – ‘Return to Play’ Training Schedule – In an effort to get our top teams back into training. Our First  XI Football Squad will commence training at Villanova Park after school on Tuesday 16 June and continue every Tuesday afternoon from 3.50 – 5.00/15pm up until the last week of the June/July school holidays. From Week 1, Term 3 the First XI/Second XI football squad will then train every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Villanova Park up until the official ‘Rugby and Football Trial Week’ held the week beginning Monday 10 August.

The full training schedule as well as a list of all groups is now posted within the AIC Football section on the website.

AIC CHESS
Chess will be played on Friday afternoons during the same season as rugby and football.

• Round 1– Friday 21 August
• Round 2– Friday 28 August
• Round 3– Friday 4 September
• Round 4– Friday 11 September

Those who are wishing to play should register through Mrs Sally England, sengland@vnc.qld.edu.au.

AIC RUGBY LEAGUE
All season dates and times are still to be confirmed. Rugby League could be played as a three-day tournament during the September holidays or on Saturdays during Term 4. Students must play AIC Football or AIC Rugby in order to be selected to play AIC Rugby League. Those who did not return their hire jersey from last year will not be considered to play this year.

Those who are wishing to play AIC Rugby League must register their interest using this link to the online sign-on form https://form.jotform.com/VillanovaSport/term-3-sport-sign-on

AIC TRACK AND FIELD
Track and Field training will commence during the last four-five weeks of Term 3 with some possible September holiday sessions. There will be two AIC Track and Field meets held in Term 3 on Thursday 3 and 10 September. The AIC Track and Field Championship will be run over a two-day period in the first week in Term 4.

We will schedule track and field training around rugby and football training. We encourage boys to play rugby or football and also participate in track and field.

Those who are wishing to participate in AIC Track and Field must register their interest using this link to the online sign-on form https://form.jotform.com/VillanovaSport/term-3-sport-sign-on.

 Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Tuned In Podcast – Episode 6
This week our Music Vice Captain Digby Timms, Vocal Captain Jacob Keay, and Brass Captain Dylan Crouch reflect on our return to school.  They are joined by special guests Miranda James and Eloise Crawford – Loreto College – where they spend some time reflecting on the success of our co-production of Mary Poppins.

We really hope you enjoy this week’s episode. Click on the image to begin listening

Message from the Director of Music
We now have everyone back on site and our lessons and rehearsals are running well, albeit in a different fashion.  With our new processes it is vital that we support each other through this new period and ensure everyone is contributing effectively to the community.  This week I ask you to consider how you may effectively do this as we return to regular activities.

Hope you enjoy this quick video:  https://youtu.be/fVsrN8kUPOs

Ensemble lessons and rehearsals Week 7
Please ensure your son has engaged with the Ensemble Rehearsal Roster and group listings.  The documents distributed on Friday last week will remain enacted until the end of Week 8 (Friday 12 June).  We will communicate processes for Week 9 and 10 next week.

Adjustments to Enrolment
All adjustments to enrolment must be submitted by Friday 5 June.  Please ensure all enrolment or cancellation forms are signed and submitted to the Music Office – music@vnc.qld.edu.au – before 3pm on this date.  Forms received after this date may attract fees for the entirety of Term 3.

Stay in Touch
We will be maintaining contact via email, through the Villanova Music Facebook page, and through your son’s OneNote music diaries.  Should you require assistance or consumables for your son’s instrument, please don’t hesitate to contact Music Office on 3394 5691.  Leave a voicemail if it’s unattended – we will get back to you!

Thank you all for your continued support of Villanova Music.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Uniform Shop
The Shop has returned to normal trading hours:

Monday: 7.45 – 10.00am
Thursday: 7.45am – 10.00am
Friday: 7.45am – 10.00am

Students may collect pre-ordered items daily between 11.30am and 12noon.

The Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open from 8.00am to 9.30am on Thursday.

Tuckshop Roster (Monday 1 June – Friday 5 June)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.

Getting to know the Villanova Rectors

Villanova’s First Rector – Fr Richard Ronan Benignus (Ben) O’Donnell, OSA
Rector 1948 to 1957

Fr Ben O’Donnell OSA was born in 1917, at Kilronan, County Galway.  He was the fifth child of a family of 13 children, five of whom entered religious life.  Fr O’Donnell’s father was a lighthouse keeper on regular transfers to different lighthouses.

Fr O’Donnell was received into the Augustinian Order at Orlagh in 1934, pursuing his studies in Cork then Rome, and ordained in 1941.  After teaching in Ireland, he was sent to Australia in 1947 as Prior of the Augustinian community and the first Rector of Villanova College.

The Villanova staff were all young Augustinians, with Fr Ben the oldest member at thirty!  After the trials of establishing the College at Whinstanes it became obvious that it was not a suitable location. Fr O’Donnell then led the negotiations to relocate the College to Coorparoo.  He supervised the building of the new College and visited local primary schools to recruit boys to Villanova.

Fr O’Donnell was a great leader and set standards by example. He set the tone and pace for the community and all difficulties were borne together. Fr Ben embodied the Augustinian spirit of community and friendship, and communicated this to others.  A man of piety and vision, a true pioneer, his sense of fun and his unfailing good humour made light of the many difficulties faced by the Augustinians.

Fr Ben O’Donnell finished as Rector in 1957, and until the onset of his final illness lived in the community of St Augustine’s College, Dungarvan.  He passed away in December 1996.