Villa View: Issue 18/20

I was recently discussing the issue of racism with a colleague following the demonstrations that have occurred around the world. Interestingly, she made the comment that prejudices such as racism begins not with acts of violence but often with a joke or comment that goes unchallenged and over time can become ingrained and acceptable.

Racism is a complex problem and can be difficult to unravel and bring out into the light. What I was reminded of by my colleague was the times when I did not stand up and challenge a friend for their language and attitude towards others.

As a Catholic school we value the dignity of the person. We believe all people are created equal and are the image of God. This is challenging for each and everyone of us. It requires courage and conviction. Courage to challenge those we meet who do not display this value by their words or actions. Conviction to uphold this value in our own actions and words.

One of the many challenges educators face is how do we, in partnership with our families, teach young men to respect the dignity of all people? Firstly, it must be by the example of the adults in this community. We need to hold each other to the highest ideals in respecting each person. Secondly, we need to consistently challenge our young men when their words and actions do not reflect this value of respecting the dignity of all people. Thirdly we need to expose our young men to the inherent beauty in diversity and difference.

One example of engagement with diversity is through the Social Justice programs offered by the College. Opportunities exist where young men and staff encounter people who are often the discarded elements of our society. Through the process of meeting these people and listening to their stories, our young men often see the beauty of the person shine through.

Term Three Activities
All are aware of the restrictions currently in place for social distancing and personal hygiene. As we plan for the resumption of activities in Term Three the College will be required to have in place plans to mitigate the risks of large gatherings and the mingling of adults at events. These rules and guidelines are required by law and cannot be dismissed.

The rules and guidelines will apply to sporting fixtures at all venues across the eight AIC Association Colleges. There will probably be restrictions on spectators at sporting events which will be a great disappointment for the students and their families who may miss out on watching their sons play their games.

The College is mindful of the desire for families to be present at sporting events and will work within the guidelines and laws to ensure the safety of all in our community is maintained.

Plans for the resumption of sporting activities will be communicated to families by the end of this term.

Arrangements for the final two weeks of Term Two
The final two weeks of the term will see the students complete their assessment tasks and begin preparations for the next units of work.

In the final week of the term our Year 5 and 6 students will begin the transition to the St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre under the guidance of their teachers. This is an exciting time for our Junior School as they take possession of their new facilities. Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff – Head of Junior School is very excited about his new office.

Final Day for Students Term Two – Wednesday 24 June
First Day of Term Three – Tuesday 14 July

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

God bless
Mr Mark Stower, Principal

This Tuesday would have seen Year 5 students host their grandparents for a morning of music, drama and showcasing academia highlights – not to mention the infamous Rosary Beads made by hand.  It is typically a morning of the best egg and lettuce sandwiches ever made and a hot cup of tea in the sunshine on the top oval, having a yarn about Grandparents favourite topic – their grandsons.  We are always asked “are they being a good boy?” and we reply every time – “You bet, they are the right combination of cheeky and smart or quiet and humble”, because they are.  Especially when their Pop, Nan, Nonna, Nonno, Yiayia, Pappous, Babushka or Dedushka is around – boys beam, butter wouldn’t melt in their mouth, and they are all up for the cuddles and love.

My grandparents are no longer with us.  It’s a little sad as an adult, yet as a young boy I lived every moment with them like they would always be around, that we had plenty of time together.  My Russian grandparents (Dad’s family) got to meet Harry, and rub the tummy to say hello to Jack.  My English grandparents (Mum’s family) got to see both boys grow up to their late primary years.  Both grandparents marvelled at everything and anything our boys did.  Harry could run through the veggie patch (and it would be funny no matter what he stepped on), marvel at Grandpa Nikoliovic’s racing pigeons and then smash the painted boiled Easter Eggs that Grandma Zoia had painstakingly hand painted within seconds of eating ice cream moments before dinner.  Grandma Janet was more reserved, taking every delight in sitting back watching Harry and Jack play, eat and run wild with each other.  She could see my older brother Peter and I so clearly, she could see traits of my uncles as well.  Grandma Janet was happy just being around family and so was Grandpa Ron (always dressed in collared shirt and tie, even to sit in the sun in the garden – I am not joking).  They had 8 children for a reason, so there would be over 50 at every family gathering – the more noise, chaos and pot luck dinners, the better.  It is still a tradition that every Christmas, that we get together and the grandkids – and great grandkids now – run wild until midnight.

So Junior School grandparents – this week we salute you.  For you are the reason we have these boys with us in 2020.  You have passed the genes on, the wisdom down the family line and the common sense “to call a spade a spade”.  Please read the following and imagine your grandson saying the words – there is bound to be something that rings very true for you.

The Seven Seriously Sensible Reasons We Love Grandparents:

1. Grandparents know what matters and what doesn’t – they won’t fluff about with words, actions or waste time with waffle. They have learnt that life is about love, time and memories.  It’s that simple.  It’s refreshing and what we all need to remember.
2. Grandparents relish us for all our faults, our short-comings, our repeated mistakes. Your best effort is all that matters.  Loving and accepting each other is the one rule to follow.
3. Grandparents rock because you think the grandsons are cute, handsome and adorable no matter what. The more toilet paper they unroll as a toddler in the bathroom – the better.  The more toothpaste they squeeze over their hands, the sink and the mirror – the funnier it is.  When they spill a drink, you say “that’ll be cleaned in a jiffy” unlike Mum and Dad who go red in the face and tremble, muttering something that sounds like a Hail Mary in sinister tones.  You love the boys all muddy after rugby getting into the family car – as you drive off in your clean one.  Grandparents rock their good looks no matter what their size or shape because you know that these spunky genes came from the best stock there is – you!
4. Grandparents rule because they are into the boys’ favourite foods. Coming to your house is like having a bakery and lolly shop rolled into one.  You make the pikelets, cakes or sausage rolls from scratch and there’s the right amount of love put into each one.  Even though you love liquorice you keep that stash of sour jellies for the boys even though you don’t understand why a ten-year-old boy would deliberately put something sour on his tongue!  When you babysit grandsons, it’s pizza, nachos or hot chips which you know are the only food groups a growing boy needs.  This is followed by ice-cream eaten straight out of the tub and the only deal is the boys don’t tell Mum and Dad – they’ve got you covered – they’ll never find out right?
5. Grandparents know that staying up late is a necessary part of our child development. Bedtimes are not on the register at all.  There are movies with the best endings that must be seen, there are games that need to be won (and that’s usually by the boys – you have this amazing skill of winning right up until the very last moment….?) and there are stories to be told.  If grandsons fall asleep in front of the TV, then that’s where they stay – camping out on the couch means they will be in the best possible spot for the morning cartoons.  Showers are optional and often left for “tomorrow” as “kids today get sick more often because you’re not eating enough dirt”.  Today’s clothes are tonight’s pyjamas as it saves the washing.  There’s no short cut for our sleep over that you can’t manage.
6. Grandparents know that test results don’t make the man. Yes – grandsons need to “give it a good crack of the whip” but the marks will come and go like today’s headlines in the news.  You tell the boys stories of playing hooky down at the creek, finishing school in Year 9 to go and get a “real job”, as well as remind the boys that life is meant to be lived large and not learnt out of a book.  You happily do the boys’ projects, so they can cut to the fun stuff on weekends – not like Mum and Dad who think that the boys should be “accountable” for their own ideas.  If only boys had an assignment on the best “Guinness Book of Records” fact or Mine craft world design, then the A+s would be a dream to score.  Grandparents also know what marks that the grandson’s parents got – and this is always good ammunition for lads to know at the end of every semester!
7. Grandparents thoroughly enjoy winding up our Mums and Dads. They have a big smile on their face as they give grandsons the second chocolate milk before lunch or swiftly sweep the vegetables into a secretive serviette at dinner.  Grandparents can make bodily noises far louder than the Year 5 boys at the table.  Grandparents say, “Yes honey” even when Mum or Dad have said “No” ten times over.  Age overrules common sense every time and it puts grandsons on the winning podium.  Then Grandparents get to leave at the end of the day, waving and smiling as the parents wonder how on Earth they are going to balance out the blood sugar levels or get the grandsons to sleep before midnight.  Grandparents are the closest allies!

Grandparents, you mean everything to us, no matter where you are in heaven or on earth.  Stay in our lives and be strong in body, mind and presence – our parents, students and staff need you.  Grandparents are very much a part of our community and we are still holding you dear, be it at a safe social distance in 2020.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

This week’s podcast episode features Mr Kent Morley-Buchanan, our Middle School Maths, Science and Technologies teacher who shares memories of his time at Villa and his recent return as a teacher. Click the image to begin listening.

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Student Wellbeing Taskforce
Next Monday afternoon, the Pastoral Area Leaders, Counselling Team and Heads of School will meet as part of a newly formed Student Wellbeing Taskforce. A bedrock of our next strategic plan, Student Wellbeing is one of our primary concerns in the support the development of the young men in our care. Our intention is to continue to implement evidence-based programs that cultivate positive wellbeing and develop student resilience and capacity to flourish and fulfil their potential. One significant action is to introduce the practice of Positive Education as a means of proactively supporting student wellbeing.

Positive Education brings together the science of Positive Psychology with best practice teaching to encourage and support individuals, schools and communities to flourish. Since the early 20th century, the fields of psychology have focused primarily on reactive approaches of healing mental illness rather than proactively promoting strategies to foster wellbeing.

The Positive Psychology movement, founded by Professor Martin Seligman of the University of Pennsylvania, has engaged in the scientific exploration of human wellness and optimal functioning. According to Seligman, the field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work and play. I look forward to sharing with our community the work of the taskforce into the future.

Move into Senior School Level of St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre
This week saw the Year 11 and 12 English oral presentations being conducted in the new tutorial rooms of the St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre. Certainly, the Senior School students were very excited to test-drive their new spaces. In discussions with some Senior School Curriculum Area Leaders, we are also looking at delivering at the end of this term some lectures in our new auditorium to our Year 12 students across the core classes to orientate our young men to this form of content delivery and pedagogy.

Next week, I will be convening a meeting of student leaders and student councillors across the Senior School to discuss the inhabitancy of the new Senior School Level and expansion of the Senior School precinct. Agenda items include:

1. The Year 12 Kitchenette- items to be purchased, use and care of the space;
2. The use of the Senior Study- open/closing time and expectations;
3. The establishment of a Year 10 and 11 study space in Veritas;

As I stated to our Year 11 and 12 students during their tours of the new Senior School level last week, it is building designed for adults to be treated by adults. It is absolutely paramount for our Senior School students to embrace this philosophy of high expectations within a culture of individual empowerment and responsibility

10 Ways to Succeed with Zero Talent
I have previously shared the work of leadership writer Jon Gordon. I subscribe to his weekly newsletter and came across this thought-provoking post on the simple things that can make a significant difference in shaping positive trajectories:

1. Be On Time– Honour others by respecting their time. Earning respect starts by giving it.
2. Show Up and Do the Work– If they praise you, show up and do the work. If they criticize you, show up and do the work. If no one even notices you, just show up and do the work. Just keep showing up, doing the work, and leading the way.
3. Give Your Best In All That You Do– It doesn’t matter what everyone else is or isn’t doing. Focus on your contribution every day. When you give your best, you’ll inspire others to give their best too.
4. Be Positively Contagious– Your attitude is contagious. Choose to be Vitamin C today. Look for opportunities to encourage and uplift those around you.
5. Have an Attitude of Gratitude– Every day we have a choice. We can choose to be grateful and see the good in all that we have, or we can let anger, fear, doubt, and insecurities rob us of our joy and the life we’re meant to live. The choice is yours today.
6. Seek Solutions vs. Dwelling on Problems– How you see the world determines the world you see. When you seek solutions, you see a world of possibilities and are able to overcome challenges.
7. Have Passion– Passion fuels your purpose. The strongest may survive but it is the passionate that will thrive. Get excited today!
8. Be Coachable– Stay humble and hungry and be a lifelong learner. The best of the best are always striving to get better and so should you.
9. Do More Than What’s Required– Average effort generates average results. If you want more, do more. Even a little extra each day can create big results over time.
10. Believe in Yourself– Stop listening to the self-sabotaging voices in your mind. Talk to yourself and feed the positive instead of listening to negative. You matter. You are capable. You can do great things. You are here for a reason.

“Pessimistic labels lead to passivity, whereas optimistic ones lead to attempts to change.” – Dr Martin Seligman

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Villa Man Podcast: Mental Health
My apology about a technical glitch last week. I feel this week’s Villa Man podcast is very timely: Villanova parents Brendan Cox, Manny Lynch, and Quentin Masson humbly offer the benefits of their hard-won experience on having a positive mindset. Please click on the icon below:

World Environment Day Event
Under the energetic and creative leadership of Theo Day (Year 12), and Campus Minister, Fr Saldie Resolado, the Green Team assembled an effective display for students to interact with last Friday. There were two piles of rubbish. One represented evil, and one good. The good pile consisted of over 1,700 cans and bottles recycled by students in the last three weeks. No doubt, at least one plastic bottle would have otherwise made its way into Norman Creek – and into the gut of a bird or a turtle. Also, the money raised through recycling is put back into the system, for example Fr Saldie’s judicious purchase of three plastic basketball hoops for boys to aim the bottles and cans through – and therefore into the right bin.

The evil pile – admittedly smaller – was of rubbish left around the College or put into the wrong bin. Of course, it is the action which is evil (not the person) as it represents the kind of thoughtless laziness which slowly chokes not just our own campus, but what Pope Francis calls our “beautiful planet.” There is no better education than that which is bravely and humbly offered by peers. I urge all students and staff to remember this display and dissolve the evil mountain into the good mountain.

Reconciliation Week and The Bigambul Project
The thought and effort put into Reconciliation Week, with Goold House Captain Lachlan Galbraith and Mr Blake Stockton at the helm, continues to open up and align with new opportunities. On Wednesday we were visited by Mr Paul Wilson who runs the Augustinian Volunteers Program for young graduates. This year, three ACU students are conducting a first people’s language reclamation project under the auspices of the Augustinian Volunteers – the Bigambul Project. Interestingly, Paul has done great work in Sydney with a similar project. We look forward to learning more about this project and offering support.

St Vincent de Paul Virtual Sleep-Out: Friday 19 June
One of my favourite programs has been airing over three nights this week, namely Filthy Rich, and Homeless. As you know, the premise of the show is to take B list celebrities into the gutter, and into homeless hostels for a week and follow how they go about coping, for example with the indignity of having to beg.

The aims of the virtual sleep-out are not as a televisual, but broadly challenge our Year 11 and 12 students to walk in the shoes of those who are homeless and at risk in the time of social distancing. Simply, they are asked to sleep in swag or sleeping bag on the back deck or similar on the night of Friday June 19. There are a number of accompanying challenges, for example to have a $2 dinner, to access videos from our partner organisations (Rosies, Vinnies and Emmanuel City), to keep a journal with a personal response, and others. The learning journey for the evening and overnight will be made available by a special One Note created by the SVP students.

There are many special challenges for homeless people in COVID-19 which we are seeking a better understanding of through this solidarity event. Many of the usual friendly support services, such as Rosies, Vinnies and Orange Sky, have temporarily closed down. Shelters and meeting-places that have remained open, such as Emmanuel City Mission, have had to observe strict social distancing rules, e.g. line-ups for breakfast and lunch which stretch outside the building.

Our Year 11 and Year 12 students are warmly invited to accept the challenge of sharing in a small way what it feels like to sleep more roughly on a cold night. The letter of invitation is available from me on request – jholroyd@vnc.qld.edu.au .The SVP team have poured a great deal into planning this event, and are hoping to raise awareness in order to collect urgently needed items for outreach organisations whose doors are still open. Here is an overview of the event by Ashtan Edser, our 2020 St Vincent de Paul Captain:

Next Friday, June 19, we have a sleep out which is primarily run by the Saint Vincent De Paul ministry group at Villanova College. The event aims to raise awareness for those who are less fortunate and disadvantaged, perhaps especially because of COVID-19.  All Year 11 and Year 12 students have been invited to this event and the new ministry group in Junior school named ‘Mini-Vinnies’ will be invited to engage with the evening activities designed to raise awareness about those in our community who are doing it tough and are homeless.  Being homeless can mean that a person is sleeping in unusual places where you would otherwise not sleep, such as the street, or in your car. But, more deeply, we wish to find out more about the wider issues faced by people who do not feel that they have a “safe” home to go to, for example because they are in emergency or unstable accommodation.  Simply by sleeping out in your backyard, or on your deck, simulating the kind of environment you would be in every night if you were sleeping rough, you will gain an insight that you cannot get by theory alone.

 YAYM: Campaign to Support Local Nursing Home Residents – Reaching Out
The campaign of finding ways to contact people especially impacted by social distancing is quietly gaining ground. The next step we wish to take is to send birthday cards to the residents of Duhig Village elderly residence – the residence which YAYM (Middle School student ministry) usually visit twice a year. Thinking further ahead, the plan is to sell the gifts which were to have been offered in our annual Mothers’ Day stall, with options for families to purchase them for their own family members OR to pay them forward to one of the Duhig Village residents as a special surprise. I know that with my father having just gone into a nursing home in the UK, the stringent rules on visiting have created a challenging distance between our grandparents’ generation, and young people. This is the gap which YAYM are seeking to close.

Letter-writing campaign photo: Sophie Nakamura (Lourdes Hill College) and Isaak Collie

Minecraft Club – A YAYM initiative
YAYM meetings each Wednesday provide a listening forum for Middle School students. With some of the traditional ways of creating spirit and serving others on hold, such as sausage sizzles, we are on the look-out for new ideas. Enter spirited Year 7 student, Leon Tom. This one-man whirlwind of persistence and optimism has initiated a Minecraft Club for Middle School students. He sought the appropriate permissions and has won a helpful ally in IT staff member, Mr Callum Cooper. The latter gave up time to unblock a few community games – Minecraft and Roblox –  for students to enjoy on shared servers. There were many students in attendance, so, we will have to go to a bigger space next week! Ultimately, the boys are working towards a “gamers for change” event, in which a gold coin donation from each player will be used as a way of donating to young people at risk, who do not share the education and friendship opportunities enjoyed at Villanova.

“As a student in YAYM, I believe that we need to raise up spirits in many ways throughout the school. We started this by starting the game and drawing club and in the future, we will have more good ideas that will raise up your spirits.” (Leon Tom, Year 7 student).

Mini Vinnies
The much-anticipated launch of Mini Vinnies for Year 5 and Year 6 students occurred last Wednesday under the warm guidance of staff members Ms Chloe Adams and Mr Ben Valentine. The propitious number of 11 Year 6 students and one brave Year 5,  attended the very first meeting of a club which may well last into the 23rd century. Appropriately, Frederic Ozanam founded Vinnies in 1831 in direct response to an epidemic (cholera).

The Junior School students are looking forward to having a direct say in building a better Villanova and serving the local community. Current Ministry Captain Isaak Collie, and SVP President Ashtan Edser both spoke at the meeting; what emerged was the appreciation they feel about having been involved in Ministry throughout their time at the College. The Senior students also described the empowerment which comes from the See-Judge-Act cycle.

AFAS
You may have been reading our series of reports about how our partner schools in the Philippines have been faring during the COVID-19 crisis. With a far flimsier welfare safety net in these communities than here in Brisbane, many families are struggling. AFAS are determined to sustain and even increase their support to our sister schools and their communities this year.

The donation by Villanova parent Dr Juergen Landmann (GP at Carina Medical and Specialist Centre) of his time and services through a flu vaccination program could not have been timelier. Dr Juergen’s son, Sam, became interested in AFAS after his Mission Day experience last year, and this has led to an extremely generous donation ($10,000). Essentially, Dr Juergen invited Villanova College families and colleagues from the medical community to donate to AFAS in return for a free flu shot.

Spirit Friday
When you ask students if they see the Holy Spirit at work at Villanova, some will always answer that they do – and usually they cite the occasions when the boys come together in fun, friendship, and shared community projects (cor unum spirit.) The spirit of the College is perhaps best celebrated in the stirring renditions of Ancient Words and some of the other hymns which raise the roof. The chance to sing as a community is one of the things we are missing at the moment. Therefore, an uplifting spirit song will be the basis of Friday morning prayer each week. This will be the first one tomorrow, a Blessing sung by Churches around the UK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUtll3mNj5U

Final Prayer
This prayer was written by a Year 12 student and appeared in our daily notices last Friday:

Blessed are those who don’t have it all together. Blessed are those who have run out of strength,
ideas, will power, resolve or energy. Blessed are those who ache because of how severely out of
whack the world is. Blessed are those who on a regular basis have a dark day in which despair
seems to be a step behind them wherever they go. Blessed are you, for God is with you. God is
at your side, God meets you in that place. We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

All parents are encouraged to view the season schedule documents for the up-coming AIC Basketball, AIC Tennis, AIC Rugby and the AIC Football seasons which are located within the respective sport sections on the web via the ‘Locker Room’. These schedules contain important information regarding trial and training times, regular season draws, coaches contacts, uniform requirements and much more. AIC Rugby League and AIC Track and Field season schedules will be made available early next term as dates have still not been confirmed.

Within these season schedule documents we have listed the game times, however, please be advised that due to the restrictions in place, the AIC Association will need to change all game times this season to allow venues to be cleared and cleaned in between use. Therefore, this will make the day longer.

Currently an ‘AIC COVID-19 Action Plan for the Return to Play of Sport’ is in the final stages of drafting. This will act as our guide to ensure we follow all the correct procedures and protocols when sport returns. A decision to have parents attend AIC Basketball and AIC Tennis games will be made shortly by the AIC Management Committee. Please brace yourself for the possibility that no parents will be able to spectate at any AIC Basketball or Tennis games this season. It is highly likely that parents will be required to ‘drop and go’ and ‘pick up’ only.

By the end of term, the College will publish maps of all venues including drop off and pick up points as well as entry and exit paths for players (and possibly spectators). It is a requirement that all those who attend games will be required to register their attendance at the venue before entering. As mentioned earlier, venues (including furniture, high touch points, toilets, equipment etc.) are required to be cleaned after each game. Specific drop off times and pick up times will be advertised for all games to avoid co-mingling and excess crowd gatherings. Furthermore, appropriate signage and sanitiser stations will also be present at venues.

All this information will be supplied to our families before the end of term ready to be put in place for our first day of major trials which are to be held on Saturday 11 July for basketball and tennis.

Please read below some important information regarding times and dates for those who wish to represent Villanova in AIC Basketball and AIC Tennis next term. Saturday 11 July is the day after government restrictions are lifted to 100. Therefore, we have scheduled these trials at this time. It may be the case that the government may bring forward the Stage 3 restrictions earlier. If so, given the vast array of plans put in place already to run these trials on the Saturday 11 July which includes venue hire, locking in coaches etc, the College will most likely stick to the times and dates issued already.

Boys will be selected directly after the trials and those who make a team are then to commence training the very first week of next term as Round 1 is played the very first weekend back next term. Again, all the training schedules for every team are found within the ‘season schedule’ documents in the respective sport sections on the web via the ‘Locker Room’.

To lessen the burden on Saturday 11 July and to increase the trial period for each age group (given there will be only one trial day) all Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 basketball trials will be timetabled to take place during school time this term. Running these trials during class time avoids the current restrictions in place of groups of no more than 20. All Year 5 – 12 tennis and Year 8 – 12 basketball trials will remain on Saturday 11 July.

With regard to AIC Rugby and AIC Football, a decision on the timetabling of games and inclusion of spectators has not been made, as these seasons are still too far away for decisions to be made. We are hoping government restrictions will open more during this period. In fact, the government restrictions for this period have not been announced at this stage, therefore, we must sit tight and wait before we can make any decisions on this front. Again, please be prepared to accept that parents may not be able to watch rugby and football games this season.

May I please draw your attention to the section below regarding those who have not yet returned their hired Villanova AFL jerseys and volleyball playing shirts. The Uniform Shop has the number outstanding close to 100. Perhaps it may be the case that many families are simply unaware that they have not handed this back. Please check your cupboards and return these items of clothing to either the Uniform Shop or Sports Office as soon as possible.

Catch up photos for those who missed out on their volleyball and cricket photos being taken during the season in Term 1 will be taken tomorrow in school time in front of Langlands Building. Make sure you bring all gear including wearing white socks. Sets of volleyball shirts will be made available for the volleyball photos. The schedule is found below.

Next week the First XV and Second XV Rugby and First XI and Second XI Football Squads will train at Villanova Park. The Cubs and Sabres Basketball Development Squads will commence their pre-season training programs, the First V Basketball team will change their sessions to Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Year 5 – 12 Cross Country squads will continue training as normal.

I urge boys from Year 7 – 12 to join the Cross-Country squad training sessions held every week. Next week’s online sign-ons are now open via the link found in the AIC Cross Country section on the website. These online sign-ons for each training session ensures we are only permitting a maximum of 19 boys plus the coach to each training session. As we have three coaches the College can accommodate up to 57 boys. Year 5 and Year 6 squads are pre-set, these lists are posted on the web within the AIC Cross Country section.

Please continue to read this weekly sports section to ensure you are updated with all the latest information regarding the ‘return to play of sport’ at the College. Not long to go now for all boys at the College to be given the opportunity to trial and play sport and enjoy!

Term 3 Sport Sign-ons
The official online forms for boys wishing to play AIC Basketball, AIC Tennis, AIC Rugby Union, AIC Football, AIC Track and Field are now closed. A list of all students who have signed on to play these sports is now posted in the respective sport sections on the website. Please access these individual sports section via the ‘Locker Room’.

Please check that your son’s name appears within every sport list which your son is keen to participate in. Advise the Sports Office if you wish your son’s name to be included or withdrawn.

Volleyball and AFL Hire Shirts/Jerseys
At present there are many volleyball and AFL shirts/jerseys which have not been returned to the Uniform Shop. There have been numerous announcements asking for these to be returned.

Could I please ask all AFL and volleyball players to check and see if they have returned their uniform or not. If these items are not returned by the end of term an $80 replacement fee will be issued.

Term 1 Volleyball and Cricket – Catch-up Photos
Please be aware that the following catch up team photos from Term 1 will take place this Friday, June 12, on the front steps of Langlands. Please arrive five minutes prior to your scheduled time, dressed in your playing uniform. Volleyball uniforms will be supplied on the day.

Volleyball Photo Schedule                                                                                                                                               

10:05am – 9A
10:10am – 9B
10:15am – 9C
10:20am – 8A
10:25am – 8B
10:30am – 8C
10:35am – 8 Gold
10:40am – 7A
10:45am – 7B
10:50am – 7C
10:55am – 7 Gold
11:30am – First VI

Cricket Photo Schedule
11:00am – Fifth XI
11:05am – 10C
11:10am – 10 Gold
11:15am – 9 Gold
11:20am – 8 Gold

AIC BASKETBALL SEASON
The full ‘AIC Basketball Season Schedule’ document is now posted within the AIC Basketball section of the website which is available through the ‘Locker Room’ page. Please refer to this document for all information pertaining to the up-coming season.

AIC Basketball Trial Schedule – Times and Venues
Any boy wishing to make an AIC Basketball team must have registered their interest via the online sign-on form which is now closed. A list of those who have registered is found within the AIC Basketball section of the website.

All teams will be selected directly after the trials listed below. All players will then follow the training schedule found within the ‘AIC Basketball Season Schedule’ which is posted on the website. Training begins as from Term 3, Week 1.

A Villanova basketball hire singlet for each player selected will be issued sometime in Week 1 next term. Mr Stower has kindly waived the usual $20 hire fee this year.

Please note – due to restrictions NO PARENTS are permitted to attend trials on Saturday 11 July. Parents must drop off and collect only on this day. More information regarding the COVID-19 procedures, drop off and pick up points etc. will be featured in next week’s Villa View.  A decision will be  made as to whether parents can spectate during the regular season soon.

Year 5 and Year 6 Basketball Trials – to be selected within normal PE class time during the remainder of Term 2. Teams will be selected and announced by the end of Term 2. This list will be placed on the College’s website via the ‘Locker Room’. These boys are not required to attend further trials on Saturday 11 July.

For this year only the College will transport all Year 5 and Year 6 teams to the away venue. Parents are required to collect their son from the venue immediately after the game is completed.

Year 7 Basketball Trials – to be selected within normal school time on Thursday 11 June. Teams will be selected and announced by the end of Term 2. These boys are not required to attend further trials on Saturday 11 July.

Year 8 – Opens Basketball Trials – all teams to be selected on Saturday 11 July. Teams will be selected and announced at the end of the trial session, so all players are ready to commence training Term 3, Week 1

GOOLD HALL

 CLEM JONES – CARINA
Address – 56 Zahel Street, Carina

AIC Basketball External Trial Games
Given the timeframe, only the teams listed below will have a trial game against Ashgrove on Wednesday July 15 after school.

Venue – Villanova College

• 4.00pm – 7A (Outside Court)
• 4:00pm – 8A (Goold Hall)
• 5:00pm – 9A (Goold Hall)

Venue – Marist College Ashgrove

• 4.00pm Champagnat Centre Court 2 – 10A
• 4.00pm Champagnat Centre Court 1 – 11A
• 5.15pm Champagnat Centre Court 2 – Second V
• 5.15pm Champagnat Centre Court 1 – First V

Bus transportation will be provided for those boys playing at Ashgrove. Parents are asked to collect their son/s directly afterward the game. NOTE – No parents are permitted to attend trials. Drop off and pick up only.

AIC TENNIS SEASON
Any boy wishing to make an AIC Tennis team must have registered their interest via the online sign-on form which is now closed. A list of those who have registered is found within the AIC Tennis section of the website. All trials will be held at Morningside Tennis Centre on the following dates and times.

Please note: There will only be one tennis trial session this year. This is due to the timeframe and road map of restrictions passed down by the Queensland Government. Villanova tennis trials will commence with an ‘Internal Tennis Trial Day’ held on Saturday 11 July which is the last Saturday of the July school holidays.

All interested students are to attend this trial session in order to be selected to represent Villanova. The managers and coaches of each age group will conduct these trials and will choose four players in each team plus up to two reserves for each age group. All teams are then to follow the training schedule as outlined on the ‘AIC Tennis Season Schedule’ document which is posted within the AIC Tennis section of the website via the ‘Locker Room’. All tennis training will commence on the first day of Term 3, that is, Tuesday 14 July.

Internal Tennis Trial Schedule

AIC External Tennis Trial v Ashgrove
Given the timeframe, only the First IV team will have a trial game against Ashgrove on Wednesday July 15 after school.

Venue – Marist College Ashgrove

• Time and Court TBA – First IV

Bus transportation will be provided for those boys playing at Ashgrove. Parents are asked to collect their son/s afterwards.

VILLANOVA RUNNERS CLUB (VRC)
Every Sunday – all welcome

The VRC will meet on Sunday afternoons 4pm – 5pm at Whites Hill Reserve. (Cricket Ovals, Boundary Rd, Camp Hill) This is an opportunity for Villanova College athletes to maintain/build up their Aerobic fitness as part of their training for the coming Cross Country and Track and Field seasons.  An open invitation is extended to the boys interested in improving their fitness (squad will be limited to 19 runners).  Assemble on Cricket Oval 3 at 4 pm; where a Tabata session will be held, followed by aerobic running in the surrounding bushland.

 Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Tuned In Podcast – Episode 8
This week’s episode of Tuned In is still being refined in the can.  Unfortunately, we’ve hit a few obstacles with Year 11 assessment period.

The episode will be distributed via email to families and students involved in the program, and will also be distributed via our Villanova College Music Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/villanovacollegemusic/?ref=bookmarks

Please jump online and have a listen to this week’s views from the music student body.

Want to be on the show to share your music or music experience?  Make contact with the production crew at tunedin@vnc.qld.edu.au.  We are now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeart Radio – make sure to add us to your podcast feed!

Ensemble lessons and rehearsals Week 8 and beyond
We will continue with our rehearsal roster as distributed last week.  Please ensure you check your son’s group and note the days he is required; we recommend marking them in your son’s diary to assist with planning.  To clarify for everyone, the following groups are the only ensembles rehearsing on a roster rotation:

• Concert Band (Monday morning)
• Camerata String Orchestra (Monday morning)
• Junior School Wind Band (Wednesday morning)
• Wind Ensemble
• College Choir
• Symphonic Band

All other ensembles are rehearsing together; students are required every week for rehearsal.

Adjustments to Enrolment
The date for adjusting enrolments has lapsed.  If your son is considering a change, please ensure all paperwork is submitted ASAP to allow negotiation around fees charged.

Thank you all for your continued support of Villanova Music.  We are glad to continue to be of service to you and your son as we navigate this challenging time together.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Entertainment Memberships
Due to the current climate, we have not been heavily promoting our Entertainment Memberships in 2020.  Please note that 2019/2020 Entertainment books/ memberships will be expiring at the end of June.

Entertainment are no longer selling books, just digital memberships from 2020 onwards.  If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please access our membership portal through the links below.  There are a number of great offers available focussing on supporting local and small businesses through this challenging period.

Villanova College Music Support Group
Alison Schrauf
07 33945691
music@vnc.qld.edu.au

^Your bonus WISH eGift Card will be sent by email within 30 days of purchase. A $10 WISH eGift Card will be issued when a Single City Membership is purchased, or a $20 WISH eGift Card when a Multi City or Multi Plus Membership is purchased between 15:00pm Friday 22 May 2020 and 09:00am Monday 13 July 2020 AEST. One eGift Card per order. Offer excludes Entertainment waitstaff and Corporate Partner offers. View WISH eGift Card FAQs here – http://giftcards.woolworths.com.au/help. WISH eGift Cards do not expire. Lost or stolen cards cannot be replaced. If you request a refund on your Membership within 30 days of your purchase and it is after receiving your eGift Card, the amount of the eGift Card will be deducted from the original value of your Membership purchased.

*2 months extra Membership applies to activated Single City and Multi City purchased between 22 May and 13 July 2020. From time of purchase, an Activation Code must be activated within three months. If activated within three months, the Membership will expire 14 months from the Activation Date. If not activated within three months, the Membership will expire 17 months from the Purchase Date.

+Bonus $50 Discover Queenland Voucher. T&Cs apply. See www.entertainment.com.au/promotions.

#WIN 1 of 5 x $1000 WISH eGift Cards. T&Cs apply. See www.entertainment.com.au/promotions.

*All member offers are subject to terms and conditions. Check individual offers on the Entertainment Membership App or www.entertainment.com.au for more information. For all dining offers, it is optional for participating businesses to accept your Entertainment Memberships on all official Australian and New Zealand public holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day. © 2020 Entertainment Publications of Australia Pty Ltd.

Co-curricular Photos
The following catch up team photos from Term 1 will take place TOMORROW, Friday 12 June, on the front steps of Langlands. Please arrive five minutes prior to your scheduled time, dressed in your playing uniform. Volleyball uniforms will be supplied on the day.

Volleyball
10:05am – 9A
10:10am – 9B
10:15am – 9C
10:20am – 8A
10:25am – 8B
10:30am – 8C
10:35am – 8 Gold
10:40am – 7A
10:45am – 7B
10:50am – 7C
10:55am – 7 Gold
11.30am – First VI

Cricket
11:00am – Fifth XI
11:05am – 10C
11:10am – 10 Gold
11:15am – 9 Gold
11:20am – 8 Gold

Vacation Care Program Bookings – Now Open
Bookings are now open for Vacation Care at Helping Hands Villanova.

Please click here for the flyer outlining all the exciting in-service activities on offer each day. Our educators have prepared a program for our families that’s jam-packed each day with structured activities including indoor and outdoor play. Our heightened focus on safety and hygiene means we will not be running excursions or bringing in incursion providers these school holidays.

You will see the attached flyer displays the daily fee (before any applicable Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is applied). Please note that the current funding package that provides for ‘free care’ has been extended to 12 July 2020 which means there will be no cost for any care up to and including this date. 

Anthony Tizzone, Service Co-ordinator

Tuckshop Roster (Monday 15 June – Friday 19 June)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.

The third Rector of Villanova College – Fr Kevin Burman OSA
Kevin Burman was born in Cairns in 1931, the middle brother of three boys.  After completing his secondary schooling at St Augustine’s, Cairns he decided to join the Augustinian Order.  There was no novitiate in Australia, so he travelled to Villanova University in New York then studied at the Augustinian College in Washington.  Fr Burman was ordained in 1956.

On his return to Australia that same year, he joined the staff at Villanova College where he remained for the next 19 years.  He was appointed third Rector of the College in 1965.  Due to the College rapidly increasing in numbers and the task of Rector becoming more onerous, it was decided to separate the positions of Prior (leader of the Augustinian community) and Rector – which had previously been combined.

Fr Burman was an outstanding educator and strengthened the Augustinian spirit, building on the earlier foundations of the College Rectors.  He broadened the academic life of the College and provided facilities to accommodate a wider curriculum, including film and music. The original library, a general-purpose room, the first three floors of Mendel Hall with an art room, science labs and classrooms were instigated during his headship.

The current Tolle Lege Library, conceived and supervised by him, was completed after his term had ended, but remains a legacy to his foresight.  The swimming pool and extended facilities at Villanova Park gave sport a great impetus.  Villanova became a force in TAS Competitions, winning premierships in all sports and in all grades of competition.

Fr Burman recalls that Villanova prided itself in a sense of achievement over his time as Rector.  He describes these years as renewing the College all over again – it gained a sense of maturity in sporting and academic life, ethos and fabric.  It was a period of building upon what had already been established, a time of consolidation and striving for new goals.

Fr Burman retired from the Villanova College staff in 2012 and now enjoys his days in the Priory on the College campus.