Villa View – Issue 16, 3rd October 2024

It is with great excitement that we begin Term 4 and for our Year 12 students the ‘final quarter’. Certainly, the current predictions on their academic achievements highlight that the vast majority have been working hard
toward their post school goals, whether that be University courses or placement in trade apprenticeships and traineeships. The mock exam period at the end of Term 3 certainly did its job in highlighting to boys where there
existed gaps in their knowledge, and it is hoped that our students have taken heed of their teachers feedback and started the task of remediating any knowledge gaps and deepening their understanding as they move toward the period of external exams.

For the rest of the College though this term remains an important stepping stone in learning and development. It is our only term where there is a limited range of weekend and AIC sporting commitments and is then a wonderful time
to consolidate each boys learning and ensure that academically, developmentally and emotionally they are ready for the next stage of their education and growth.

Term 4 is the check in stage for each boy against the values framework and GREATS matrix. There will be opportunity for each boy to evaluate where have been his points of growth, academically and personally; his displays of respect and the valuing of others, himself and his learning; his moments and commitment to effort and improvement and well as his understanding of and commitment to being accountable in times of both success and failure.

The term will see him acknowledge those times of service and teamwork and what was gained by him through these experiences. It is through these thoughts and consideration that we have our sons develop to their fullest potential and ensure that as men they become responsible, reflective, considered and critical in the way they move forward and grow into their lives and their future self.

AFAS Immersion
The Term 3 holidays bore witness to one the College’s most important and long-standing activities as we once again travelled to the Philippines for our AFAS journey, the 33rd year of this association which has survived not only changes in personnel,
and College leadership but also COVID where face to face experiences were not possible.

Nineteen students, five teachers, two parents and a former staff member left on Thursday 12 September to share in the experience of meeting with our AFAS scholars to develop friendship and fraternity while growing their understanding of faith
and life in the ‘majority’ world. The stories of their experiences which will be shared with the community in due course were truly inspiring and each boy, and adult, had opportunity to reflect on their experiences and work quite tangibly in the
‘restless search for truth’ that we speak of in regard to our College gateway values.

I share just a small and simple reflection of the activity and impact from one of our AFAS pilgrims:

Working at LCC was an experience I will never forget.

The opportunity to work with and around people, all who were very happy, was so enlightening and empowering. Throughout the whole day, there didn’t seem to be a moment where a smile wasn’t shared.

In the first part of the work, I found a group and managed to buddy up with a few of the teachers at the school. These teachers were in the maths/science subject area, and their stories of how they teach and what they do
at the school was really interesting to hear. In exchange, I gave some information about our school, it was great to hear some different perspectives on similar topics.

Following the introduction, the teachers from LCC began to teach me some Tagalog words, associated with what we were doing. For example, they taught me how to say words such as “dig” and “scoop”, which created joy and laughter,
as I’m sure I was saying it completely wrong.

In terms of the actual work, it was extremely tiring, paired with the heat and humidity. However, this became less of problem when I viewed the Filipino people, doing the same work with a huge smile on their face. It gave me a sense of gratitude and gratefulness, and I was able to continue working, finding a way to enjoy the work.

It became apparent to me that it wasn’t about working, it was about creating friendships and relationships through the work. There was so much enjoyment spread all across the school, and that was mainly due to the love and humility that was shared in all the work that was done.

Obviously, we are not in a position where every boy can travel to the Philippines to have these experiences, however we are certainly a place where such opportunities are available in many places in the College calendar without necessarily heading to overseas destinations. Our Green Team, the work we do with Rosies and Emmanuel City Mission, volunteering days with local Catholic primary schools are all opportunities to have boys widen their experience beyond that which exists in their family home. If boys avail themselves of these opportunities, then they are truly opening the door to the full experience of a Villanova education and making it more likely that whey will understand and embrace the ideals of the Augustinian graduate.

I share my thanks for our pilgrimage staff of Ms Kate Garrone, Ms Amanda Waterson, Ms Melissa Liddy, Mr Terry Gaffney and Fr Saldie Resolado for their accompanying of our boys on this trip.
Without their generous gift of time, it would not be possible.

AIC Track & Field Carnival
The final event on the AIC calendar occurs this week with the annual Track & Field carnival at the Queensland State Athletics Centre. While the last few years of AIC Athletics has not been a golden era, there is certainly promise this year
and one cannot question the commitment of our athletes or staff to delivering their best and a strong outcome for the College. As such it is with great appreciation and interest that I look forward to our teams performances under the leadership
of Christian Porreca and Lachlan Brown and the guidance of our track and field coordinator Mr Anthony Kemp. I am sure all will do their best for the Green and Gold.

Mr Paul Begg, Principal

In keeping with the Spirit of Reconciliation, Villanova College acknowledges the Yuggera and Turrbal peoples, as the Traditional Custodians of this land on which we stand. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging. This has always been, and always will be, a place of teaching and learning connected to country, culture and community.

Welcome back, Senior School families, to the final term- albeit longer this year- of the academic year. I hope you found time for relaxation and renewal during the holiday break after the intensity of the previous term.
As we return, our Year 12 students are nearing the end of their Villanova journey, with much to focus on before the start of external exams. I commend those young men who took advantage of last week’s study and tutorial sessions
in the Learning Commons at the St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre. We continue to pray for our Year 12 students, wishing them success and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

This term, our Year 11 students will officially begin their Unit 3 studies, encouraged to adopt a “white shirt mentality” as they prepare for their commissioning as the Seniors of 2025.
Year 10 students have made a strong start to their Senior School journey and, along with Year 11, will be called upon to take on further leadership responsibilities both within their Houses and across the College.

I wish all Senior School students every blessing for a strong finish to 2024.

2025 Student Leadership Team
Following the announcement of the 2025 Student Leadership Executive of Matthew Linnell, Matthew Dooley, Noah Lum and Dylan Fryga earlier in Term 3, the remaining positions of Student Leadership were confirmed in the final week of last term. Throughout the selection processes, it was inspiring to hear the passion these young men have for the College and their ideas for student agency and action.

Portfolio and House Captain Appointments:

Academic Captain                                              Samuel Mar Fan
Cor Unum Spirit Captain                                 Harry Masson
Cultural Captain                                                 Wade Wilden Powell
Ministry Captain                                                 Leon Tom
Wellbeing Captain                                              Xavier Wincote

Adeodatus House Captain                                Darcy Woodger
Alypius House Captain                                      Sean Kelly
Ambrose House Captain                                  Jack Kossaris
Augustine House Captain                                 Samuel Binney
Monica House Captain                                     Charlie McGrory
Nicholas House Captain                                   Lewis McMahon
Rita House Captain                                            Riley Andrew
Thomas House Captain                                     Liam Menzies

Holiday Reading
One of the most enjoyable aspects of holidays is the opportunity to get my teeth into a feast of great books, the most recent of which was Right Thing, Right Now by modern-day Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday.
I have shared some of his thoughtful musings in the past, however, his latest offering in his cardinal virtues series has some wonderful takeaways on the value of justice which is synonymous with our identity as a Catholic school.

For the ancients, a strong sense of justice was the foundation for everything meaningful in life. The three other Stoic virtues of courage, wisdom and temperance all stem from justice, however, the modern world often suggests
that acting justly is optional. Holiday argues that this belief is fundamentally wrong, and the widespread reluctance to stand by one’s convictions contributes significantly to social and moral decline.
As always, I endeavour to offer our students of the Senior School a pragmatic vision of the intrinsic value of social justice in the formation of their character.

“It’s easy to stand in the crowd but it takes courage to stand alone.”- Gandhi

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Welcome back to Term 4 to all our Middle School families,

I hope everyone enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating break away from school.

As we step back into the rhythm of school life, I wanted to touch upon the value of humility and the impact it can have. The value of humility is a tough one to teach our young men as so much of society is telling them to push themselves to be better than those around them and that to put others first, means you will be last. St Augustine himself challenges this notion when he wrote, “Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.”

Over the holidays, one moment stood out from the world of sport that offered a powerful lesson of humility for all of us. During the AFL finals, Oscar McInerney from the Brisbane Lions faced a heartbreaking moment when he missed the grand final due to a shoulder injury. In the preliminary final, he dislocated his shoulder and was in excruciating pain as he was very slowly helped from the field. His bravery to resurface and go back out on the field and play under severe duress was surely a big part of the inspiration which helped them win. We learnt after the game that he was ruled out of the grand final, a heartbreaking moment for a player who had played in nearly every game this year. Despite this, he did not distance himself from the game or let his disappointment cloud his view. Instead, he was on the bench, actively supporting his teammates, and remarkably, he appeared to be one of the happiest people on the field when his team won.

What was particularly heartwarming was seeing Oscar’s genuine joy when his replacement, Darcy Fort, received his premiership medal. In that moment, Oscar demonstrated incredible humility, placing team success above his personal situation. He embodied the very essence of humility and in doing so, role modelled a behaviour for our young men to aspire to.

What can we learn from this as a school? Like the Brisbane Lions, we are a community where the focus should be on the collective rather than the individual. Just as Oscar removed personal pride and ego, we too can learn to celebrate the success of others and contribute to the greater good of our school. His selflessness reminds us that true greatness often comes not from personal accolades, but from lifting others up.

As St. Augustine wisely said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Humility strengthens our character, fosters stronger bonds within our community, and helps us grow. When we focus on supporting one another and celebrating the achievements of those around us, we build a school environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Here’s to a fantastic term ahead, filled with learning, support, and mutual respect.

P.S. Even though I’m not a Lions supporter, well done to the Lions!

Mr Sean o’Neill, Head of Middle School

This week the Junior School engages with a focus on “Adopting a Growth Mindset” as part of our pastoral development.  Now, just who rolled their eyes when reading that?  Be honest!  Come on, let me help you find the strength to unpack what that means for us.  Small steps lead to great leaps, I promise.

Coming back from the September holidays, I know one thing is true.  We are happy, refreshed and comforted by the time we have had to do what?  Self-care.  The kind of attention we need after the hard work of Term 3 left us a little out of breath and with very few kilometres in the petrol tank of patience.  So, we find a series to binge on a streaming service, put our heads into a book, slip on the headgear and play our gaming devices uninterrupted or use nature – beach, camping, interstate or international travel – to escape.  All of this, even the treat of a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner at a favourite restaurant is a part of improving our mental health and well-being.  If only life could continue down that path, however my waistline and screen time needs to balance out with returning to work.  I need to save that kind of vacation vibe for December.

So, on Sunday, before school started, I came into work where I could focus on my Term 4 goals.  How am I going to improve myself – as a teacher, leader and positive influence on the students, staff and parent community?  It’s a very broad net to cast, however it’s no different to the boys who have so many subjects at school and simultaneously have co-curricular commitments as well as family responsibilities.  Also, no different to all of you – our parents – who have paid work commitments, a household to coordinate and multiple schedules to run with regards to homework, belongings and drop offs and pickups.  We have so much going on, right?  Where do we start?

Keep it simple.  Narrow down what is vital, or of high personal interest.  Allow yourself the chance to be inspired.  For me, that’s always about spending quality time outdoors.  That’s what makes me happy.  Conversations about life, holidays, sport results, new haircuts, and some laughs when I test drive my dad jokes.  Building relationships.  Looking out for who is a little nervous returning to school.  Making sure that playtime is safe after a few weeks of maybe a little more “street rules” away from College gates.

Term 4 is always a time to check in with teaching staff about new opportunities and goals for their professional pathways in the future.  I need to make appointments and listen carefully to what’s important to them at this stage of their life.  For you at home, I need to make sure that we have a strong, positive finish to 2024.  The next nine weeks are about really showing your sons just how much they have learnt.  How important those “bumps” have been in making changes.  Perhaps it’s about supporting new strategies to prove that changes are good – it’s a chance to grow.

Once I get my interests defined, then it’s all about “how”, “when”, “who” and “what steps” will make these visions a reality.  Life is busy.  Plans need solid communication and commitment.  Not everybody has a Maria Mascadri, however I know just how much she helps me at this time of the year.  The Junior School Disco, Friday of Week 2, is one of her numerous commitments to making sure that school has the fun factor and the rites of passage that boys will talk about long after they graduate.  So, whilst she coordinates bookings, decorations and the glamour that is disco, I know she is my helping hand to keep me accountable.  That’s so important.  Having someone who knows your vision and is a support person for keeping you honest means you have a far greater chance of meeting your targets.

So, to the Junior School community, set your goals for Term 4.  What do you wish for in terms of academic achievement?  One subject, clear target identified.  Make it challenging but reasonable.  Who will help you?  What steps make this possible?  How will you know you are on the right track?  What kind of memories do you want to make in the classroom with your presence over the next two months?  Kindness, thoughtfulness and integrity.  The blessing that is a boy who puts others first.  The angel that takes care of the fundamentals such as a simple tidy up or returning of belongings in a room.  Small things matter the most.  Which classmate could you have a positive impact on – someone a little less known to you than the best mates you hang around with.  Can you be brave enough to put a smile on a new friend’s face?  Start with simple ideas – sharing pencils, picking them as a partner for a class task, paying a compliment.

We can improve all the time.  It can be planned or spontaneous.  There is no pressure or expectation apart from trying your best.  Making these moments matter because you are blessed enough to be around people who are also ready to show you their best side.

Commit to yourself one goal, for the day, week or term.  Do something special.  Share your experience or maybe keep it to yourself.  Surprise yourself with something different, new or out of the ordinary and just see what happens.  Chances are, you will light up inside just like the disco ball is going to sparkle in Goold Hall next Friday – enjoy!

Mr Stephen Rouliadeff, Head of Junior School

I have been in several conversations in the last week where people of been genuinely shocked that we are in October.  2024, feels like it has just gone so quickly!  There is so much happening in our world at present.  In Queensland we are celebrating the victorious win of the Lions on the weekend; we are preparing for elections and hearing lots of news about the US elections; there are numerous unusual weather patterns causing disruptions around the world; and the conflict in Israel, Palestine and neighbouring countries is not feeling closer to a peaceful resolution.

It is certainly a mixed experience for our young people, and more than ever they need family, community and school around them in the process of growing up and finding their place in the midst of all that is happening.  The wrap around support of our students is a partnership as educators we share with families.  I am particularly grateful for having shared most of the holidays with four staff, two parents, a former staff member and 19 of our Year 11 students on the AFAS immersion.   Whilst away I witnessed extraordinary growth in each of these young men in our days in the Philippines.  Each of them really embraced the opportunity to be in another culture and another place and were eager to experience and learn from our partners.  They have experienced firsthand what it means to be given an extravagant welcome, which Will Fritz on assembly on Tuesday shared was not dissimilar to the energy of the final at the MSG.  Indeed the scripture that talks about ‘welcoming the stranger’ has now been a personal experience; and beyond the drum beat and cheering they met friends who remembered people from Villa and asked after them and genuinely wanted to know how they were.

Part of the unique experience of our immersion within our wider Augustinian network is that our group of 2024, represented the College in our 31 years of partnering with Augustinian schools and projects in the Philippines.  We were fortunate to have two people on this immersion, who were on the first one in 1993 – Kerry Bayfield and Adam Fritz.  They brought to the program this year a special awareness of the history of AFAS and the stories of the impact the partnerships have had on both Villanova and our partners over the years.  We are very keen to share some of the boys reflections over this term, as the group went as representatives of the whole Villa community.

All students, staff and families are invited to participate and contribute to our AFAS relationships through our awareness raising and fundraising during Mission week.  Every family is invited to participate at home with a special meal and a Red Candle.  As a school community we together fund 21 scholarships and several Augustinian projects.  Each immersion we have the opportunity to visit with the families.  The difference that Villa is making to not only the child receiving the scholarship but the family is so deeply appreciated.  I had a grandmother, who is raising two of her grandchildren take my hand in hers, hold it to her chest, and with tears in her eyes just whispered, ‘all I can say is thank-you!’  That thank-you extends to all at Villa making this happen, and of course is our small contribution to what the Augustinian nuns in our schools and the teachers do to enable the learning and flourishing of our scholars day after day, week after week and month after month.  Here are a few stories from the boys.

Sharing a wall with the prison
While visiting the homes of the scholars of Divino Amore Academy(DAA) students were given a glimpse into the scholar’s lives. During the visit we were provided with an opportunity to glimpse into the lives of the scholars and learn how they live under their difficult conditions. Compared to the lives of many of us in Australia the conditions in which these students live in may appear un-liveable. Despite their harsh conditions the scholars maintained a positive and joyful personality throughout our visit.

Compared to houses in Australia homes in the Philippines may seem unrecognisable at first. Most houses consist of between one and three rooms which are shared between the entire family, some of these houses even holding up to 12 people. Under most circumstances residents do not even own their land, but rather the government does. This means that if the government ever chooses to expand a road or other structure, they have the right to demolish any part of the residents property.

In one of the scholars house’s that the group visited one wall of the property was shared with the wall of a prison. The overwhelming sound from this prison forced the family of four to sleep in their family-owned sari-sari stall. As well as this if the government decided to expand the prison at any point their house would be demolished and they would be forced to move.

During the house visits we also had the opportunity to experience the street life within Cebu. A huge part of Filipino culture are sari-sari stalls. These small shops, generally on the side of the road, sell affordable Filipino snacks and essentials to the local community. Visiting one of these stalls along with our scholars was a great way to connect with both the scholars and their culture and communities.  Despite their harsh living conditions the genuine compassion and joy the locals had along with their exceptions generosity is outstanding and nothing like we have ever experienced in Australia.

The Power of family
On the way to the scholar’s house my group took a tuk tuk up the road, through a muddy and potholed filled path with both tuk tuks getting bogged. When we got to the humble home of our scholar it  was it was a small wooden hut  with two homemade bamboo beds. The small home was like a sauna as it was ten degrees hotter inside than out. It had me and all the boys drenched in sweat within five minutes. However, they were so proud of what they had. It was incredible as the mother and father of the kids left it was just the grandparents to look after the two kids. With the granddad nearly being 71 and still working every day in the sugar cane field and making caracole for a basic income to send his kids to school and feed them each day. After seeing the house we went over to neighbours  home. They were starting to build a new business in raising and selling pigs. With four of them in sleeping in an unbuilt home and a baby that was two years old. Everything out there was home made from the pig pens to their little house made from bamboo. When leaving we ran into a water buffalo that was used to plough the land and was controlled by one man. It was so different seeing the way of life these people live just to make a small income, and the way in which kids live and strive to get an education each day. This really highlighted the fact of how much family means to people over there and how strong their bonds are.
By Toby Wills

A new perspective on our opportunities
On the 15th of September during the 2024 AFAS immersion, groups of students separated into groups of 3-4 with the mission to travel the distance and visit the scholars families within their homes. My particular group visited the home of a 13-year-old girl Brianna. Their family welcomed us into their home with hospitality and kindness as we attempted to gather together inside the families tiny homes.

As a person, a son, a student, I have always been grateful and proud of where I come from. However, visiting these families and scholars really puts my mind into perspective of how big the difference is between what we have, and what the scholars have.
By Harry Masson

Understanding the challenges
Our visit in the Philippines has shown many different emotions throughout the trip, this personally was one of the most eye-opening moments of the trip. Group 4 had the opportunity of visiting two scholars Sean and Seth. We got into the crowded green machine with the two families and all I could think of was what it was going to be like. When we made it the Seth’s house, we pulled into a clay brick house with the fly screen broken, windows broken, not being able to afford a simple kitchen and living room and the household being very crowded. I then thought how lucky I was to be born into a stable and safe household with food being a couple steps away from me. When we gave the family their gifts, they were so grateful and humble in receiving gifts which made me think – what if all humans were that humble in receiving or giving.

Then we made it into Sean’s house. Sean’s house was a stable house with a mother running the household, but it really hit me why Sean was on scholarship. Sean’s aunty was terminally ill and his mother had many hospital bills to pay and look after the sick aunty. This stuck with me for a while as my family is going through a similar situation with my aunty. My personal experience with my aunt has been horrible. I realise that my situation is very tough – and could appreciate it would be tougher for Sean’s family due to their financial situation and the lack of family around. What I realised with the trip to the scholars home is to seize every opportunity in life because life is so short, if you don’t make the most of them, someone else will be open to take them. To be grateful for what we have compared to the Filipino’s, the society, toilet, housing is a lot nicer in Australia compared to the Philippines. And to finally to always open your arms to people, don’t take opinions into perspective, just do as God has taught us in his time present.
By Luke Phillips

We are remembered!
Visiting the scholars’ houses within the Philippines was an eye opening and humbling experience. The homes were quite small and a lot of them had been missing simple necessities. The cramped spaces and shortage of facilities reflected the day to day struggles these families undergo. Despite these conditions, they still remained energetic and hopeful which made me greatly admire the resilience of these people. whilst visiting one of the scholars, Samantha, her parents recognised my brother from a previous trip in 2017. Their memory of him highlighted the deep effect AFAS has had over the years. It became a reminder that AFAS doesn’t just offer financial support, however, also builds lasting relationships within the communities it helps.

AFAS’s contribution to its scholars goes past scholarships. The foundation gives them a chance at a better future, providing opportunities that wouldn’t be available without it. Visiting their homes put this into perspective for me. It became clear that without AFAS, many of these students may no longer have the opportunity to continue their studies, let alone dream of a brighter day after today. The gratitude they expressed underscored the importance of this work, and I left with a desire to want to want to help more. Seeing firsthand the living conditions of the chosen scholars made me realise how important AFAS is.
By Anthony Duskovic

2024 Vinnies Christmas Hamper Appeal
Christmas is just 83 days away!
Join us in bringing some joy and festivity to households who are living below the poverty line in our own backyard.

SEE & JUDGE:
For 3.3 million Australians (13.4%), including families and 761,000 children living below the poverty line, Christmas can be a time when meeting their most basic needs, like putting food on the table or a place to call home, is a real struggle.​   2022 Poverty in Australia Snapshot ​

SEE & JUDGE: Our local Vinnies Chapter has already supplied us with the details of 22 households who are struggling and will face a bleak Christmas.  Try to imagine the faces behind this data.  We have the opportunity to bring some Christmas cheer in 2024 to:

ACT: Week 3 and 4 Donations to Mentor Groups

In Weeks 3 and Week 4 the Vinnies and YAYM ministry teams will be collecting donations from your Mentor Group or Junior classroom to create 22 hampers for our local households in need.
We will provide your teachers with the details of the household you will be collecting for and a list of possible items to donate.  All you will need to do is remember to bring your donations to school in Weeks 3 and 4.

ACT: Weeks 5 and 6: Packaging of hampers

ACT: Week 7: Deliver our hampers to Coorparoo, Greenslopes and Stones Corner.
In Week 7 our Vinnies and YAYM teams will distribute the hampers to families.  Please join these teams if you would like to assist.

Please keep your eye on social media for further updates in the coming weeks.
A big thankyou to the organisation work that has already gone into planning with Alisa Cleary, Kath Underhill and our Vinnies partners.

Mrs Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

Welcome back to the final term of the year. I trust that everyone enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating holiday break and are now ready for the exciting and productive weeks ahead.

As part of our parent wellbeing series, Empowering Parenting Workshops, parents and caregivers get to hear from experts in the field about the issues that are unpacked and discussed in the wellbeing program.
On 16 October, parents from Years 5-10 will get the opportunity to hear valuable information from prominent clinical psychologist and former teacher Dr Judith Locke. Judith is renowned in the field of child wellbeing
and draws on research, evidence and her own clinical experience to inspire educators, parents and students to adopt age-appropriate strategies that inspire confidence and resilience.

For parents of Villanova and Loreto College, this presentation assists parents adopt a parenting approach that truly builds their teens’ resilience, wellbeing, and competence. Topics will include helping students become more responsible in their daily responsibilities, helping them cope with challenges and tricky emotions, and ensuring ongoing family harmony.

By coming together, we can make a significant positive impact on our children’s wellbeing. Your participation and support are crucial to the success of this initiative. I encourage parents to attend this session to receive practical tips and strategies for helping your child in challenging situations. For more information and to sign up for the free event, click on the following link:

Empowering Parenting Session (raiselysite.com)

As the Year 12 students’ time at Villanova comes to a close, we are committed to informing them about social issues that may impact their wellbeing. In their final wellbeing lessons, the boys will hear from pivotal organisations such as Red Frogs, who will emphasize the importance of partying safely during Schoolies, and Villa Old Boys, who will present “Punt the Punt,” a program aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of gambling. The goal of these presenters is to ensure we are preparing young Augustinian men who are fully equipped to face the challenges of the world after graduation.

Speaking of Old Boys, we’ve introduced a new initiative that allows our community to hear from past students. Yesterday, the boys watched a video package during assembly that showcased what some of our Old Boys are doing now, what they miss about Villanova, and their words of encouragement and advice for our graduating seniors. What stood out to me, and what I shared with the College, was how much they missed the Villanova culture. They spoke about wishing they were still part of something special and urged the students not to take it for granted—advising them to “soak it all up while you can.” They missed the spirit, the mateship, and the camaraderie. It’s often the case that we don’t realise how good something is until it’s gone. So, I encourage not only the graduating Seniors but all boys to cherish and make the most of their time at Villanova.  It will be over before they know it!

Mrs Sheridan Carey, Director of Student Wellbeing

Welcome back to Term 4. I hope all our students have enjoyed the chance to take a break from their studies and rejuvenate themselves for what is always a quick last term.

Is it too early to prepare for assessment?
As assessment periods approach, students often face increased pressure, which can lead to significant stress. While some handle it with ease, others may find it overwhelming. One of the best ways to manage this pressure is
through preparation. The earlier students start (no, Week 1 is not too early), the less likely they are to feel anxious as deadlines loom. As a parent, your role is crucial in helping them manage stress and maintain a balanced approach to studying.

Here are some practical tips to support your son(s) during this busy time:

Encourage a healthy lifestyle
A well-rounded lifestyle is key to achieving good results. Remind your son(s) that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. Ensure they:

• Eat balanced meals: Provide nutritious snacks and meals to fuel their brainpower.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help them stay alert and focused.
• Get enough sleep: Sleep is vital to memory consolidation and overall performance. Encourage them to avoid sacrificing rest for late-night study sessions.
• Exercise regularly: Even a short walk or some stretching can relieve stress and help students focus better.
• Schedule relaxation: Encourage downtime to avoid burnout. Short breaks can recharge their mind and improve retention of information

Offer practical support
Openly ask your son(s) how you can help. Offer to:

• Assist with organising their study schedule, setting reminders, or preparing an exam timetable.
• Help source materials such as books, stationery, or online resources.
• Quiz them on topics they need to memorise. Some students find it easier to retain information by talking through their notes or practicing with a parent.
• Prepare nutritious lunches and snacks, allowing them to focus on studying without distractions.
• Encourage limited use of social media or gaming during study blocks to reduce distractions.

Focus on effort, not just results
It’s important to reassure your son(s) that effort matters just as much (sometimes if not more) than results. Encourage them to:

• Take pride in the hard work they are putting in, regardless of the final grade.
• Build resilience by learning from mistakes and overcoming challenges.
• Celebrate small successes along the way, fostering motivation and confidence. Avoid criticism and negativity.
• Remind them that academic performance is only one part of their life’s journey. There are many ways to achieve future success, and exams are just one-stepping stone and one pathway.Keep communication open

Keep Communication Open
Be a consistent source of support for your son(s) by maintaining open lines of communication. Try:

• Having regular check-ins to discuss their progress, challenges, or concerns.
• Creating a relaxed environment for these conversations; sometimes casual chats during car rides or while having dinner are more effective than formal sit-downs.
• Being patient if they express frustration or anger. Acknowledge their feelings and offer a listening ear. If you notice that stress is affecting their well-being, encourage them to seek help from a College counsellor, teacher, or other professional resources.

Help manage worries and stress
If your son(s) feels overwhelmed, guide them through problem-solving:

• Allow them to express their concerns fully before suggesting solutions.
• Encourage them to identify specific worries and work through ways to manage them, whether it’s time management, understanding a subject, or handling test anxiety.
• Explore available resources, such as speaking with teachers, seeking academic support, or accessing online tutorials.
• Ask them how you can help. Sometimes your presence and understanding are the most valuable support you can provide.

Final Thoughts
Examinations and assessments can be stressful for students, but with the right support, they can navigate these challenges successfully. By fostering a balanced approach that includes both academic preparation and emotional well-being, you can help your son(s) develop resilience and the skills needed to thrive under pressure. Remember, your encouragement, support and understanding will make a lasting impact.

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

Villanova College Triumphs at “Battle at Bond” FUSE Cup Fortnite Competition
Villanova College made waves at the recent “Battle at Bond” FUSE Cup Fortnite competition, held at Bond University on the Gold Coast on Saturday, September 7. The event, a partnership between Bond University, The FUSE Cup, Queensland Government, and the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, aimed to redefine the Fortnite gaming experience by promoting positive online behaviours and teamwork.

The competition featured a series of challenges within the Fortnite game environment, including parkour, accuracy/agility speed courses, and competitive team combat games. These challenges were designed to showcase gaming skills and effective collaboration, addressing concerns about the game’s reputation for toxic behaviour.

Villanova College’s teams, comprising Year 7 and 8 students, competed against older students from schools across Southeast Queensland. Despite our youth, the Villanova squads performed exceptionally well! Team 1 claimed the top spot, bringing home the Battle at Bond trophy! Congratulations to Hayden Hill, Arlo King, Finn Larsen and Henry Mutton! Team 2 comprised of Sage Arancibia, Harry Gillespie, Tom Lambert and Jacob McGreevy narrowly missed the top 4, finishing in fifth place by a very slim margin.

Harry Gillespie, the youngest player in the competition, was awarded the MVP badge for his outstanding sportsmanship and support throughout the event, engaging positively with both his own peers and opposition teams.

The event also included screen-free breaks and game zones for the public to experience esports gaming similar to the official competition challenges.

This successful outcome demonstrates Villanova College’s commitment to fostering positive gaming experiences and sportsmanship in the evolving competitive space of esports.

Get ready for AIC Esports on Saturday 19 October!
In two short weeks, Villanova will host the third annual AIC Esports round in the Hanrahan Theatre. This event involves teams from all eight AIC Colleges competing in a round robin of 10-minute Capture the Flag games played in the Minecraft Education game environment. The presentation of the event in the Hanrahan Theatre involves high-end AV and staging solutions provided by Mr Caain Miller and his team of past and current students.

Last year Villanova won the event, beating St Laurence’s College in a thrilling grand final match. We are currently finalising placement for our two representative teams, as well as arranging for non-playing students to host and referee the servers running the timed games. I look forward to reporting on the outcome of this unique AIC even in the coming weeks. The event runs from 8:45 am until 1:45 pm in the Hanrahan Theatre and spectators are most welcome.

Mr Jason Lane, Director of E-Learning

Lessons and Rehearsals
As we return from our Term 3 break, we welcome all our musicians back into lessons and rehearsals from Week 1.  Please ensure your son has received his timetable and is aware of when his lessons are occurring.
As Term 4 is a busy period for assessment, please check and communicate any clashes with exams as early as possible to ensure our staff are able to reschedule.
The sooner we address these challenges, the smoother the term will be for all!

Gala Concert Series
Information regarding the Gala Concert Series was distributed to families last term.  Please ensure you check your inboxes for the information and complete the gig sheet as soon as possible.
The concerts will run across Weeks 2 and 3 as per the table below.  For those who have not received the email, please contact the Music Office to receive the information again.

Auditions for 2025
A quick reminder that all audition submissions are due next week.  Please double check with your teachers regarding your recording and where you need to upload it to.  Looking forward to listening to your recordings over the coming week!
We will be announcing new ensembles over the coming fortnight.  Please be prepared for adjustment to your morning rehearsal schedule should you change ensembles.

Music Support Group Meeting
Next Monday evening, our Music Support Group will be meeting at 6:30pm in the Chapter Room, adjacent to the foyer of Hanrahan Theatre.  We look forward to seeing you all there to learn a little more about music at our College.

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

Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers
Our fantastic Music Support Group have organised an innovative fundraiser for Villanova College.  You may have heard the buzz about our Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers…
the MUST HAVE items for the beach/cricket/park/fishing/BBQ
Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $35; Wildcat Coolers – $30

All items can be purchased via TryBooking through the following link:  https://www.trybooking.com/BMEML

Purchases can be collected from the Music Office and all profits will go to the Music Support Group.

Entertainment Publications Memberships
Entertainment memberships are one of the Music Support Groups main fund-raisers.  Just click on the link to purchase a membership and obtain ongoing special deals throughout the year.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of Music at Villanova College.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Director of Sport Address
The AIC Track and Field season will conclude this week with the AIC Championships being held on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 October. The team has worked hard throughout the season during their training sessions and pre-season meets to continually improve and get themselves ready to compete to the best of their ability. The season has provided many highlights and encouraging signs and we are looking forward to some positive results both individually and as a team. I look forward to sharing some of the results next week.

I would like to congratulate our Track and Field Captains for 2024 who will no doubt continue to lead the team with pride:

• Junior School – Trystan L
• Middle School – Josh N
• Senior School – Lachlan B
• 2024 Captain of Track and Field – Christian P

Best of luck to all athletes over the two days of competition.

Track & Field
Please find some information below regarding the event schedule, bus departure times, uniform requirements etc.  Although parents may attend the event it is a requirement that all student athletes on both days arrive at the College and use the bus service provided to the venue. This is to ensure the staff account for all boys and the entire team is present for photos. Parents may collect their son from the venue if they are in attendance.

Day 2:              Friday 4 October 8:30am – 2:00pm Main Stadium – QSAC, Kessels Road, Nathan
Team Photo:   All athletes are to assemble/meet in the quadrangle at Villanova College at 6:30am for a 6:45am team photo.
Transport:       Bus departs Villanova College from Sixth Avenue at 7:00am and will return to the College by 2:45pm.

All athletes are to meet on the quadrangle for a team photo before boarding the bus. Boys are to ensure they have eaten beforehand and have all the necessary food, drink and equipment for the day.  The first event on the program for Day 2 begins at 8:30am (Open 3000m).

Uniform:         All athletes are required to wear the full Villanova College athletic uniform. Boys who are not competing may wear their team shirt and green PE shorts.

Competing athletes must wear the following:

• Villanova athletics singlet
• Villanova green athletic shorts or rugby shorts
• Villanova team shirt (COMPULSORY)
• Villanova sports cap (green)

The boys will need to bring the following:

• Hat/sunscreen/wet weather gear (if required)
• Water bottle/s
• Food (fruit, sandwiches)
• Boys must bring their own food. Lunch will not be provided. A canteen service will be operational on Friday
• Please avoid junk food such as chips and milk drinks
• Other sportswear i.e., spikes

Thank you for supporting your son during the track and field season this year.  I am sure all boys will give their best across the two days and we look forward to an enjoyable and successful couple of days.

AIC-Track-and-Field-Championship-Program-2024

AIC T&F 2024 – Events and Results

Sports Club
The Villanova College Sports Club’s AGM is this Wednesday 9 October, from 6-7pm upstairs Level 3 in the St Thomas of Villanova building. All welcome.

Sport Sign-Ons
Registrations for Term 1, 2025 Sport, AFL, Cricket, Swimming and Volleyball is now available via the link below. Registrations will close by Wednesday 9 October.
To keep up to date with selection trials and training schedules, please visit the Locker Room Overview page, and the individual Locker Room sport pages (e.g. Swimming page, Volleyball page, etc).

AIC Term 1, 2025 Sport Sign-on

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

Training Schedules
The Term 4 Training Schedule, for Weeks 2 and 3 only, is now available on The Locker Room Overview page of the Villanova College website. This includes Swimming selection trials which commence on Tuesday 8 and Thursday 10 October.
Selection trials for Years 6-Open (2025) AFL, Cricket and Volleyball teams commence in Week 4, Term 4 from Monday 21 October. This schedule will be available soon on the Locker Room.

Save the dates – Sporting Tours, Camps and Clinics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mr Shaun McLean, Director of Sport

Cricket
Term 4 – Zone Club Cricket

Good luck to all students that are representing Villanova Cricket Club and participating in the upcoming club season in either the Bears or EDJCA competitions. I hope that all students enjoy the season ahead and create many memorable memories, whilst having plenty of fun.

The Term 4 Villa Cricket club training schedule is outlined below:
MONDAY – Year 5 and Year 6 students.
TUESDAYS – Year 7 and Year 8 students.
WEDNESDAYS – Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 students.
All training sessions are conducted at Little Langlands nets. Each session runs from 6.30 -8.00am and are conducted under the supervision of specialist Cricket coaches.

AIC – Villanova Cricket – save the dates:

• Week 4 of Term 4 (2025 Cricket selection trials at Little Langlands nets)
• Sunday 20 October (Internal cricket trials at Villa Park)
• Weeks 5-9 of Term 4. Aggregate squads weekly training at Little Langlands nets.
• Saturday 9 November. Team trials against Iona College for 7A,8A,9A,10A, 2^nd XI and 1^st XI teams.

Please email Mr Nathan Dufty, ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au, if you have any questions regarding Villanova Cricket.

Mr Nathan Dufty, Cricket Coordinator

Volleyball
Our First VI Volleyball squad hit the court early in Term 3 ahead of the 2025 season. The team also got a chance to catch the Queensland Pirates compete in the Australian Volleyball Super League (Senior Men’s and Women’s National League) in action during their game against South Australia. We even snuck in a quick photo with the players from the Men’s team!

Mr Todd Kropp, Volleyball Coordinator

AIC Touch Football
The trial and training schedule for the AIC Touch competition can be found on the Locker Room page. With an overwhelming number of registrations, it has become necessary to hold a ‘trial’ for some age groups ahead of the carnival. This means, unfortunately, not all students who have registered will be able to compete. The students selected after the trial in Week 2 will be invited to a training session during Week 3 ahead of the competition on Saturday 19 October. Final team lists will be made available via Parent Lounge on Monday 14 October.

AIC Water Polo
We are now calling for expressions of interest for the Term 4 AIC Water-Polo carnival. Please see event details below, for students interested in competing please complete the registration (link below) by Friday 11 October.
Date: Sunday 20 October 2024
Divisions: Year 7, Year 8/9, Year 10/11
Times: TBA on draw completion (8am start)
Venue: Marist College Ashgrove Pool

Water Polo Registrations here – Years 7-11 only

Strength & Conditioning
Strength & Conditioning commences for our Firsts and Development squads from Week 2, Tuesday 8 October. No sessions on Monday 7 October due to the public holiday.
The training schedule for Weeks 2 and 3 can be viewed on the Locker Room page. This includes the schedule for S&C. The schedule for Weeks 4-9 will be available soon.

Speed & Agility Training – Years 5-8 students
Please find attached the Term 4 flyer. The Term 4 programme will run on Friday mornings from 11/10/24 to 29/11/24. Open to all students in Years 5-8.
Registration and payment though Parent Lounge. The event is now active.

Speed & Agility Programme – Term 4, 2024 – Years 5-8 students

External advertisements

Villa Sport – humble in victory, gracious in defeat.

Writers Festival 2024

Villanova College’s 2024 Writers Festival and Book Fair will be held in Week 3 of Term 4 in the Tolle Lege Library. This event promises to be an enriching experience for students, with renown author Nick Earls. For more information on the entire event click here.

• Book Fair 2024 – Click here for more information. 
• Writers Festival – Workshops with Nick Earls  – Click here for more information.

2024 Villanova College Celebration of Excellence Evening

In a year of innovation and change at Villanova College, Mr Paul Begg cordially invites all Villanova families to attend this major event in the College’s calendar, our 2024 Celebration of Excellence awards evening. Held at Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the awards evening will acknowledge outstanding achievement across Academic, Cultural, Service and Sporting Fields in Years 5 – 11. Join us for a memorable night of recognition while being entertained by our home-grown talented musicians. Let’s honour excellence and be inspired together!

Once the lists are confirmed, parents of award winners will be contacted on Monday 21 October. Additionally, this list will also be displayed at the College for students. However, the ticket booking office will open this Friday 4 October from 9.00 am for anyone wishing to attend. At this stage the limit is 4 tickets per booking. Book your tickets at: https://qpac.com.au/whats-on/2024/villanova-college-2024-celebration-of-excellence

Doors open at 6pm. Ceremony will commence at 6:30pm and conclude around 8:30 pm.

This year we are expecting a full house, so please be considerate and only book what you require. If you require additional seats, please contact Kath Underhill at kunderhill@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Villa Verve 2024 – Save the Date! 
Mark your calendars for Friday 18 October at 5pm in Goold Hall. Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating student creativity, from stunning
Visual Arts to captivating Music, Drama, and Media performances.

2024 Co-Curricular Photos – Thursday 10 October

This is a reminder that the Co-curricular photos for the following groups will take place on Thursday 10 October:

• Junior School Leaders
• Student Council
• Debating
• Esports
• Eucharist Ministers
• Sons of Old Boys
• Grandsons of Old Boys
• STEM / Exceptional learners
• Representative Sport (Sports attire must be worn)

Students With Disability Travel Rebate

Semester 2

• Was your child included on the latest Commonwealth Census as a student with a disability requiring supplementary, substantial or extensive adjustments?
• Does your child’s Personalised Learning Plan confirm their transport needs are demonstrably different to those of their same aged peers by reason of their disability?
• Has your school’s learning support teacher assessed your child’s Travel Capability Rating as ‘semi-independent’ or more dependent?

Visit our website to see if you qualify for financial assistance to help with the cost of transport and
apply at www.schooltransport.com.au during October.

Late applications cannot be accepted after 31 October 2024.