Villanova College
Villa View: Issue 18
Villa View: Issue 18
Dear Members of the Villanova College Family
Mission Day 2017 was a great celebration enjoyed by all. The students entered into the festivities with great enthusiasm and had a wonderful time enjoying the carnival and entertainment on offer. Thanks to the support of our community over $18,000 was raised to continue the work of the Australian Filipino Augustinian Solidarity (AFAS) Group in the Philippines. This is a fantastic effort by all involved in the day and I thank our Ministry Leaders, Mr John Holroyd and the many staff involved for their organisation and enthusiasm.
The Semester One Assessment Period has arrived and students have received instructions, an Assessment Schedule and expectations for the upcoming exams. Year 11 and 12 students are to attend all scheduled assessment tasks in full College uniform including hats and with all required equipment.
Below are a number of beneficial tips for students during exams:
EXAM TIPS
- Do not cram the night before and stay up all night studying – instead review the main points the night before
- Avoid stressful people – use positive talk to keep stress down
- Eat well– healthy and nutritious food
- Watch caffeine intake and high energy drinks
- Prepare to be prepared – be organised and packed the night before an exam – avoid all last minute panic
- Get a good night’s sleep – regular sleep is the best way to control exam stress
- Arrive at the exam venue ahead of time with all the required equipment
- Focus – during the exam focus only on the exam and not the people around you
- Start strategically – review the whole paper before you start – select the place where you are able to start confidently
- Manage your time – work through the paper paying special attention to questions with the big marks
We wish our students every success with the upcoming End of Semester Assessment Period.
At the end of this week we farewell our visitors from St Rita’s College, Chicago. Five students accompanied by staff member, Mr Andrew DiMarco have enjoyed a wonderful two weeks experiencing life in an Australian school and the sights of Brisbane. Our families have been extremely generous in opening their homes and hearts to our visitors and making them feel welcome. The exchange program provides an opportunity for staff and students of both Augustinian Colleges to learn more about the cultures of the two countries and experience the global Augustinian family.
Prayers Please
In the wider Augustinian family we keep in our prayers the family of professed student, Tuấn Anh Lê OSA whose brother, Phero (Peter) died in Vietnam on Monday 5 June. We also keep in our prayers the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom.
Peace Prayer of St Francis (Extract)
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
God bless
Mr Mark Stower, Principal
“It seems impossible until it is done” Nelson Mandela
Mission Day Review
The students set two aims for Mission Day 2017:
- We aim to raise $20,000 for the students, families and schools of the Philippines we visit every two years
- The campus be flooded with a spirit of generosity and service for half a day, making us a light on the hill.
At the time of writing, Mission Day has grossed $18,365, smashing the previous record by about $5,000.
Many visible and unsung heroes of Mission Day lit up our particular hill in Coorparoo. I saw so many students who simply stayed all afternoon with their Pastoral, with a spirit of happy service. Due to the commitment of so many students and Pastoral teachers, we had a wider range of activities and stalls than ever before, with new features laser tag, ping-pong and a soccer competition included this year.
The drawing of the generously supported raffle provided an apt conclusion to the day. The lucky winners were Charlie Berridge (Year 5) taking home the Anthony Mundine signed boxing gloves, Mrs Palmer (staff) the Lions jersey, Calvin Nguyen (Year 11) the Maroons replica jersey and Joel O’Reilly (Year 10) the statue of Saint Augustine.
On this day we posed the following question to students – if you could lead a social justice curriculum for one or two lessons, what would be interesting and challenging to each sub-school? My highlight was the passionate keynote speech by Olivier Ragoo (2012) which showed how his final dreams at Villanova launched him into the world with rocket fuel. Middle and Junior School student listened to a range of presentations by social justice organisations, perhaps the most engaging of which was by Orange Sky Laundry, founded two years ago by two recent Gregory Terrace graduates to bring dignity to the streets through mobile (bright orange) washing machines.
On a day of unbridled consumerism, unfortunately not every boy shows the spirit of service. For some there is a temptation to be greedy (e.g. Krispy Kremes and pizza). This is a hard learning for all of us, but it’s important to see that different boys tune into the point of the day at different stages of growth, and the sunshine of Mission Day pours on the just and unjust alike.
Each year we look to improve, and this year we were fortunate to have vastly improved signage thanks to staff member, Mrs Casey Ouston. I would like to offer a warm thank you to the team of parents who cooked in the morning and then ensured a smooth transfer to the morning tea stalls – beating of the crows sent to sabotage the event. A huge thank you to team leaders Matthew Davies, Daniel Duskovic and Fabrice Ragoo. They poured their hearts into making it a great day and were not afraid to dream big. I am obviously biased, but I welcome one day in the year when a risk is taken and the dreams of creating a better world are pursued to the hilt.
Mr John Holroyd, Vice Principal – Ministry, Mission and Evangelisation
“The things that we love tell us what we are.” Thomas Aquinas
Mission Week takes place once a year and is regarded as one of the most important weeks of activity and purpose for Villanovan Ministry in the year. The aim of this week is to inspire solidarity among young Villanovan men to support our Filipino brothers and sisters across the oceanic divide. Mission Week furthers this goal of Augustinian camaraderie by raising as much funds as possible in a single day – Mission Day.
Overall, Mission Week and Mission day are a testament to the positive change that Villanovan men can provide for the world and generations to come. Student assisted and run initiatives helped raise an unprecedented $18,365 so far to support construction projects in the Philippines. Villanova’s 2017 Mission Week has now been declared the best ever, setting the bar for the many years of continued service to come.
Best wishes and regards to all the families, students and teachers who put time and effort into making this year’s Mission Day such a resounding success. Without them the Villanova community and ministries would be unable to reach such great heights of service.
Fabrice Ragoo, Ministry Captain
This weekend marks the final round of AIC chess, rugby and football for 2017. For many of our Year 12 students this will be their last opportunity to play schoolboy footy. Many of these boys have enjoyed representing Villanova since their days back in Year 5 or Year 8. On behalf of the College, I thank all the Year 12 students for their efforts over the years and I wish them the very best in their last game for the mighty ‘Green and Gold’.
The cross-country season is now in full swing. Both the Year 5 and Year 6 and Year 7 – 12 squads have been training for a number of weeks now. At present, we are seeking more students to join the Cross Country squad. I ask all boys from Year 5 – 12 who currently play rugby and football to give serious consideration to join the AIC cross-country squad after the footy season is over. We need our best runners to represent our school on the day of the AIC Championships. If you know your son is more than capable, please encourage him to become involved. All information pertaining to the Cross Country season can be found on the College’s website under the AIC Cross Country section.
We are currently looking to finalise all trial arrangements for the next trimester of sport. If your son has not completed a sign on sheet, please direct him to the Sports Office or have him download a ‘sign-on form’ from the College’s website. In fact, these sign-on forms were due at the Sports Office last week. All details regarding the trial schedule for the AIC basketball and AIC tennis season is posted on the College’s website. The trials begin next week. Information regarding the AIC track and field season will be posted on the College web page early next term. Track and field training will not commence until after the Exhibition holiday week.
This weekend Villanova is up against Ashgrove and it will be a big day, as the Mega-Raffle is to be drawn at the half time break of the First rugby game. The winner will take the grand prize of $10 000. Many thanks to all members of the Sports Club for their continued support of this fundraiser. I ask all students from Years 5 – 12 to make the extra effort this weekend to stay and support their fellow schoolmates in the other matches, particularly the First rugby and football games that will be played at Villanova Park this weekend. I wish everybody all the very best for the final round of rugby, football and chess.
AIC Rugby, Football and Chess Fixtures, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 June – Times and Venues
All times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures against Marist College Ashgrove are available on the College’s website.
Villanova Park Canteen
All parents are asked to assist in the canteen during the time your son/s have their warm ups. We desperately need help first thing in the morning preparing the food and cooking the BBQ. Please help if you can.
AIC Rugby and Football Results – Round 6
Outstanding Team Photos
Football: The following teams will have their team photo taken at Villanova Park this Saturday, Round 7: 7th XI at 8.00am and 9 White at 9.00am. Please meet Mrs Underhill near the scoreboard and ensure you arrive dressed in your correct playing apparel. Remember – be on time or you will miss your photo!
Rugby and Football Clinics
Please refer to the respective AIC Rugby and AIC Football section on the website to view information regarding a Rugby Academy Skills Session run at Ballymore and a Football Clinic run at Eastern Suburbs Football Club in the coming weeks. We believe both of these sessions will be great opportunities for our students to develop further their skills.
AIC Chess – Mrs Sally England, AIC Chess Co-ordinator
This week is the last round of competition and is at home against Ashgrove. It is a vital round for all as the individual premierships and the aggregate are all on the line. Good luck to all the teams and congratulations for a very competitive season.
Team photos will be taken immediately after school finishes on Friday and all students including C team members are welcome to attend. Games should finish around 5.30 – 6.00pm and students will be free to leave at the conclusion, as a presentation night will occur early in Term 3 (parents will be notified of this date later on).
The final coaching session will be held this Friday, but chess will continue to be played at morning tea until the end of Term 2 and into Term 3 to allow the boys some lunchtime activity. Once again, a final good luck to the boys for Friday night.
AIC Cross Country – Mr Brett Morrissey Cross Country Co-ordinator
The Year 7 – 12 cross-country runners are in their sixth week of preparations for the AIC carnival in August. We meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 6:45am outside Goold Hall, and walk down to Langlands Park to train. The runners are consistently taking part in high quality training sessions and are now beginning to show significant improvements.
Everyone is beginning to gain an understanding of the different types of sessions that go into preparing a runner for AIC day. Terms like threshold runs, hill pyramids and fartlek sessions are becoming common tongue, and the lads are learning the importance of “pace” during sessions as opposed to simply how far they run. It has been the coaches’ pleasure to witness many runners pushing their limits in what is surely one of the toughest sports in our AIC calendar.
Numbers have generally been between 30 – 50 runners, but the College would love to see these numbers grow as the rugby and football seasons conclude. It is imperative that the lads intending on joining the cross-country squad once their other sports are finalised, begin training before the holidays, and maintain this over the two week June/July holidays! Runners should race weekly in their local Park Run, or come along to Thompson Estate Athletics on Thursday nights at Clem Jones, from 6.30pm.
After the holidays, there are three warm-up carnivals (details on the College website) and the climax is AIC Cross Country at Limestone Park, Ipswich, on the Wednesday of Week 5, Term 3. The coaches, Mr David Barton (old boy), Mr Brian Pascoe, Mr Kane Corby and Mr Brett Morrissey (Villanova staff) would love to see plenty more runners join in the training ASAP. See you there!
Cross Country Camp: All relevant forms and payments were due back to the Sports Office yesterday.
AIC Tennis Trials
Any student who wishes to play tennis for Villanova must complete a ‘Trimester 3 Sign-On Form’. All trials will be held at Morningside Tennis Centre (MTC) and the College will provide bus transportation for all players back to school after the morning sessions. All boys must find their own way to MTC for the morning and evening sessions.
There will be two weeks of trials. Trial number 1 will commence on the week beginning Monday 12 June. Trial number 2 will commence the following week beginning Monday 19 June. Within these two trial weeks, all age groups will have four trial sessions in total – trial session numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 as per the schedule below. All interested students are to attend ALL trial sessions in order to be considered for selection. The managers and coaches of each age group will conduct these trials and will choose four players in each team plus one reserve for the age group. All teams are then to follow the training schedule commencing on Wednesday 12 July.
Please note that some managers may require more time to select teams, therefore, some players may be required to attend one or two of the regular training sessions held in Term 3 before teams are finalised.
AIC Basketball Trials
Any boy wishing to make an AIC Basketball team must complete the ‘Trimester 3 Sign-on Form’ to register their interest. These forms have been distributed to all students during their pastoral class. These forms are available from the Sports Office and are posted on the web.
Year 5 and Year 6 Trials will be conducted within school time.
Year 7 – Open Trials: There will be two weeks of trials held. All trials will be conducted in Goold Hall or at the Clem Jones Centre for all age groups. All players trialling at the Clem Jones Centre must find their own way to the venue. The College will then organise bus transportation back to the College afterwards. Trial Week No 1 will commence the week beginning Monday 12 June. Trial Week No 2 will commence the following week beginning Monday 19 June. Within these two trial weeks, all age groups will have 3 – 4 trial sessions in total – Trial Session No 1, 2, 3 and 4 as per trial schedule found below. All interested students are to attend ALL trial sessions in order to be selected to represent Villanova. After these trials, the coaches will then select all teams within that age group. Once selected all teams will then follow the Term 3 training schedule as posted on the ‘season schedule’ on the web within the AIC Basketball section.
Please note: Coaches may choose to make a first cut of players after the first trial week. All players who have made it through the first cut are then able to attend the basketball clinic on Saturday 17 June.
Representative Sport
Well done to Tristan Lacy who has made the Met East 13 – 15 years basketball team. Tristan will now compete at the State Championships in Brisbane in early August. Congratulations and the best of luck Tristan!
Congratulations to Paddy Price, Tyreece Rotscheid-Felu, James Livingstone and Matt Winsbury who all made the Chairman’s XV to compete at the Queensland Schoolboy Rugby Trials held later this month. Well done and best wishes!
Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport
Students Represent at Middle School State Honours Ensemble Program Qld
Last weekend, 430 students attended the inaugural State Honours Ensemble Program Middle School South-East Queensland, convened by Open Conservatorium Griffith University. Schools and colleges from across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast and the Darling Downs nominated their finest Middle School musicians to attend and accept the opportunity to work with some of the best music educators in Australia and overseas. The program ran from 2 – 4 June at the Queensland Conservatorium where students were able to work within some of the best musical facilities in the country.
Villanova College nominated over 30 students to participate in this program. Of this cohort, eight students were offered and accepted a position in the program. I would like to congratulate these students publicly for accepting this opportunity. The students involved over the weekend were:
Sebastian Allan, Year 8 – Euphonium
Jack Cocking, Year 8 – Euphonium
William Ilka, Year 7 – Trumpet
Andrew McKee, Year 8 – Trumpet
Andre Oberleuter, Year 8 – Clarinet
Julian O’Loan, Year 8 – Tuba
Fiachra Richards, Year 8 – Trombone
Pictured below are the students taken in the foyer of the conservatorium upon conclusion of the concert.
Left to right: William Ilka, Andre Oberleuter, Andrew McKee, Jack Cocking, Julian O’Loan and Sebastian Allan. (Fiachra Richards absent)
Vocalist Representing Villanova
Year 11 student, Jack Challinor has been selected to participate in a combined choir who will be performing at the Association of Catholic Secondary Schools Queensland and the Sister Mary MacDonald Leadership Oration. The choir is comprised of student representatives from across the association who will meet twice before performing for these important events. Congratulations Jack, we wish you all the best with this activity.
Tour Information
Itineraries and information for both tours including final packing lists will be distributed by the end of this week. If you have not received your information, please contact the Music Office urgently on 3394 5691.
Massive Raffle Draw – Great Prizes!
The Music Support Group have organised a fantastic raffle to be drawn at the Thursday evening Debut Concert, on 8 June in the Hanrahan Theatre. Tickets will be sold for $5 each or three for $10. These can be pre-purchased by contacting the Music Office on 3394 5691 and purchasing via a credit card transaction. Alternatively, these tickets will be on sale prior to the concert tonight in the Hanrahan Theatre.
We have some great prizes on offer for our lucky winners:
First Prize: 3 Nights’ Accommodation at Paradise Resort Gold Coast plus a double 7-Day Pass to Dreamworld, White Water World and Skypoint Tower
Second Prize: $200 QPAC Voucher – expires May 2018
Third Prize: Dining Voucher to California Native
Debut Concerts
Our debut concerts have been very warmly received over these first cold days of winter. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those students who have performed thus far and thank the parents and friends that have come to support our musicians.
Our final concert for the term is on this evening, commencing at 6pm in Hanrahan Theatre. It will be another great night of music – we look forward to seeing you there!
Date Claimers
We now look ahead to August with our currently scheduled events. Please ensure these are marked in your diaries.
Term 2:
| Sunday 18 June | Big Band performance at St Catherine’s School, Wishart Fete
Irish Ensemble 1 performance at St James’ School International Fair. |
| 19 – 23 June | Rockhampton Diocesan Music Camp Tour (MS students) |
| 26 June – 2 July | Rhapsody Rotorua Tour (SS students) |
Term 3:
| Monday 10 July (Staff Day) | Symphonic Band workshop at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School 2 -5pm. Concert at 6pm |
| Monday 17 July | Music Supporter’s Group Meeting and QCMF Planning meeting – 7:30pm in Music Classroom, level 1 of Augustine Centre |
| Thursday 20 July | Wind Ensemble and Concert Band workshop at Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School. 3:30-5:30pm. Concert at 6pm. |
| Monday 7 August | Music Supporter’s Group Meeting and QCMF Planning meeting – 7:30pm in Music Classroom, level 1 of Augustine Centre |
| Tuesday 8 August and Thursday 10 August | QCMF Preparation Concerts. All ensembles will be required to perform once over these evenings. |
| Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 August | Queensland Catholic Schools’ and Colleges’ Music Festival hosted by Villanova College. Students will be required to volunteer for a short period over the weekend. All ensembles will perform once. |
Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music
Our Lady’s Visitors’ Day
Address
24 Sixth Avenue, Coorparoo, Brisbane, QLD 4151 Australia
Villanova College is an independent Catholic School for boys under the care of the Augustinian Order. Striving for excellence in boys’ education as an Augustinian community one in mind and heart on the way towards God.
