Villa View: Issue 2

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family
The Mass of the Holy Spirit on Tuesday was a wonderful celebration to mark the commencement of the 2017 academic year. Once again Fr Peter through his homily, inspired our young men to strive to be the men of hope, character and faith. At the conclusion of the Mass the presentation of the Senior students and the Senior Leadership Team was held. Before the Villanova College community, the students recited their pledge to uphold the values of this College and to bear witness to a model of servant leadership based on the example of Jesus Christ. We will continue to support, encourage and challenge our Senior students to live up to the words of their pledge each day during 2017.

I have been very pleased with the positive attitude and enthusiasm displayed by our students over the past fortnight. The students have entered back into school life with energy as school work has started in all classrooms. Setting a routine is crucial for boys and they need to know what the expectations are at home regarding completion of homework, study time, computer time and household chores.  At school we find setting clear expectations is comforting for boys as they know what to expect and will strive to meet our expectations. So it is at home, set clear expectations from the start and establish a set routine that is manageable in your home.

There are excellent resources available to parents on the Andrew Fuller Website-http://andrewfuller.com.au/free-resources Please take some time over the coming weeks to review these materials.  I am confident you will find many helpful tips and strategies to assist you in supporting your son to get the most out of this academic year.

We welcome to our community Brother Saldie Resolado who has recently moved from Sydney to Brisbane for a year of formation at St James Parish, Coorparoo and Villanova College. Brother Saldie, a Deacon of the Church, will be ordained to the Priesthood later this year. We are very pleased Brother Saldie has joined our community and will keep him in our prayers this coming year.

The first few weeks of this term are typically a time for settling into school life and a routine. Over the past week there has been a number of extra activities and the students have embraced the opportunity to be involved in a range of different events.  The Outdoor Education program offered to our younger students at this time provides many challenging activities and new experiences. The time away together also provides an opportunity to meet new classmates and to establish friendships in the early weeks of the year.

Congratulations to Mr Craig Smith, IT Manager and his partner Kae on the recent birth of their son Corban Martin Smith.

You have made us for yourself, O Lord

And our hearts are restless until they rest in You.

God bless,

Mr Mark Stower, Principal

“Putting Teaching First” is the Villanova College theme for 2017.  It is about prioritising our attention on what we teach, how we teach and why we feel it’s our best practice for boys in this day and age.  School is vastly different from the days when a peroxide blonde and lanky Stephen Rouhliadeff ran wild in the playground in Year 5, 1985 at Scarborough, Perth.  It is fair to say that in today’s world we have so many benefits including the scientific knowledge of brain mechanics in boys, as well as access to technology and resources to maximise our hours together in a school day.  In 2016 we consciously moved to all Year 5 and Year 6 teaching staff formally reflecting upon their classroom practices using “The Art and Science of Teaching” by Robert J Marzano.  This year we move towards a deeper analysis of our classroom aims, practices and the reflections that move us, as professionals, to improve our educative skills each term.

All teachers at Villanova are here because they have a genuine passion for working with boys.  They participate on Pupil Free Days and attend lectures and tutorials in their own time that reveal the latest statistics and research on boys, social/emotional learning and academic tools for success in learners of all kinds of abilities.  The planning that goes on behind the scenes out of school hours is done at administrative levels, in Year Level Teams, in paired collaborative partnerships and ultimately with individual flair and personality.  Our planning is audited by Mrs Leanne Addley, the Junior School Curriculum Leader and Mrs Nichole Rouhliadeff, our Junior School Religious Education Curriculum Leader.  Regular meetings are held to discuss progress within the National Curriculum and our classes, knowing that every cohort is unique and requires flexibility.  Our assessment is moderated and consulted within teams and summarised and reflected upon in terms of the results obtained.  This way future goals and considerations can be used the following year.

Nurturing and inspiring 28 boys every day takes energy, patience and many alternate plans, because “life” is certainly going to throw us some curve balls each day.  Our teachers can predict and prepare to within an inch of perfection, yet they will know just when to make changes so that the boys’ best interests are kept in mind.  The attitudes and energy levels of the students can require a teacher to alter a lesson’s delivery.  This may be environmental (e.g. hot weather), physical (e.g. comfort levels in furniture) or emotional (e.g. finding balance with relationships) and this is when a teacher’s experience will come into play.  When they can read their students’ non-verbal language and sense the needs of a group, the teacher will move mountains to make things work effectively.

Teachers need to find common ground between curriculum and the interests of boys, which is no simple feat I can assure you.  All kinds of groupings, games and humour are woven into lessons to catch attention, keep engagement and hopefully ensure the storage of information and retainment of skills.  The subjects demand prior knowledge, require effective teaching of new knowledge and ultimately want students heading into the next tier of knowledge every time.  There is no end to learning, there’s always more, always improvements to make and yet we need to celebrate the students’ best efforts.  They are capable of achieving a particular amount, on a particular day, at a particular time in their young lives and this is crucial to recognise.

Our Year 5 students are about to embark on discovering what standards they are achieving using criteria sheets and studying for perhaps the very first time.  They may have considerable growth in store as they realise on a conscious level just how much work goes into getting the “top marks” in a new cohort of 160 students.  Every boy in the Junior School will strive for their best and that is all we can ask.  Every adult in our community does the same, and as adults we are not shy in asking for help with our weaknesses, so let’s be sure to model our own abilities to our sons.

“Putting Teaching First” can mean so many things to different people.  It’s not about the teacher being right, every time in every situation.  It’s about realising why we are all here, within these buildings at Coorparoo, between 8.25am and 3pm, although often earlier and later!  We are here to provide the platform of learning for boys.  We are here because we want to be.  We are here because if we work together, remember that all our intentions are good, fair and considerate to all students, then we can help these boys achieve their best in life.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

This week has seen the continuation of the positive momentum that was established after last week’s excellent start to the new school year. The major challenge within the Senior School has been to ensure that our young men settle back into a disciplined routine of academic focus amidst the energy and excitement of a number of important events within this week’s calendar.

I would encourage you to discuss with your son the way in which he has reconnected with his studies, and if there are any concerns to make contact with his classroom teacher. This is particularly important for our Year 11 students who are experiencing the increased rigour of studies and their new elective choices.

Mass of the Holy Spirit

This week’s Mass of the Holy Spirit was a wonderful occasion for the Villanova community. I was impressed by the way in which the Senior School students displayed such reverence throughout this significant ritual. Towards the conclusion of the ceremony, the Year 12 cohort was commissioned as the leaders of the student body pledging a vision of servant leadership and a theme to Be Our Brother’s Keeper. I would hope that this theme strongly resonates within each Senior School student whereby all are collectively responsible for the welfare of their fellow Villanova brothers.

I would also like to congratulate the Student Leadership Team for the way they have commenced their leadership journey, particularly their enthusiasm and ambition for greater connectivity between the three schools and their vision to nurture the Villanova spirit. I encourage each student to support their initiatives throughout the year.

Senior School Swimming Carnival

Yesterday’s annual Inter-House Swimming Carnival was an incredibly enjoyable experience for those who participated and engaged in the spirit of the day. I would like to commend the efforts of the House Captains who mobilised the support of the Year 12 students in creating a lively atmosphere. Well done to Connor Wadsworth and Heavey House for being crowned this year’s champions.

Parent Information Evenings

The first of the Senior School Parent Information Evenings was held this week with our Year 12 parents gathering to listen to a recurring message of the shared journey we walk together in the support of the young men in our care. A copy of the presentations will be made available on Parent Lounge so that you may reinforce the intentional messages with your son. A reminder that the dates and starting times for the Year 10 and Year 11 Parent Information Evenings are listed in the Parent Information tab below.

Responsible Use of Social Media

During introductory Form Meetings and throughout the Parent Information Evening series, I wanted to illuminate the importance of our Senior School students engaging in the responsible use of social media. It is a reality that the use of social media is the primary form of communication of today’s youth. Whilst there are positive aspects underpinning the connectivity established by social media platforms there are also inherent dangers that exist when certain applications such as Facebook and Snapchat are misused. As we walk the journey together in guiding our young men, could I please ask that you discuss with your son the importance of maintaining a positive online presence where they remain true to their identity and the values of integrity and respect for privacy.

I look forward to meeting parents and members of the Villanova community on the weekend for the commencement of the AIC cricket and volleyball seasons.

“In order to discover the character of people we have only to observe what they love.” Saint Augustine

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

At the conclusion of the 2016 school year, the Sports Office was very confident with the progression made to our pre-season trial process for the cricket, volleyball and swimming programs which would enable us to be in a strong position leading into 2017. It always strikes me that no matter how well prepared and organised we are leaving one year behind, there is no escaping the usual ‘first week frenzy’ as we prepare for the trial matches and events scheduled the first week back of a new year.

Please note that due to Music Camp last weekend, a number of teams across the board did have players absent. Therefore, teams will differ this weekend as we head into Round 1 of the AIC Competition against St Patrick’s College.  Now that we have reached Week 2 of the school year, all training programs across all sports and year levels are set for the season ahead. These schedules along with the coaching contact details, team lists and by-laws are found on the College’s web site.

The Sports Department communicates information to both parents and students via the Villa View (College newsletter), website, morning notices and the Skoolbag App. Regular access to the College’s website is essential. Please be advised that we aim to post the weekly draws on the website by Wednesday of each week. All team lists for each team sport should be posted by Thursday if not earlier.

As part of the ongoing and far reaching learning process at Villanova, we do require our students to take responsibility. When a student commits himself to a team, the College expects that he makes every effort to attend all training sessions and games throughout the season within reason. It is not the responsibility of a student to pick and choose which sessions they would like to attend. If a student’s training schedule conflicts with any other Villanova co-curricular commitment we will be more than happy to negotiate an alternative schedule, however, your son must communicate this to the College via the Sports Department.

I must congratulate the many coaches and players who represented the College last weekend in cricket, swimming, AFL and volleyball trials. In order to move the ‘sporting elephant’ we need many hands on deck to ensure that all Villa teams are well prepared and organized. I thank the many people who have assisted the sports program so far by fulfilling the various roles needed in order for things to run smoothly.

Villanova heads into Round 1 of competition this weekend against St Pat’s (SPC) in cricket and volleyball and St Laurence’s in AFL. I ask all players to be focused and ready for battle as we look to commence the season well. Our swim squad will travel to Ashgrove via buses organized by the College this Friday evening for the second AIC swim meet of the season.

As always in order to gain good results we must put a substantial effort into our training. I ask all coaches and players to focus on what they need to do at each training session each week in order to improve. The next challenge is put this into action on game day. The fact is we need to train hard and play hard every week in order to do well. Pride in the jersey, leaving nothing in the tank and giving our best to our College and to our mates is what we want, no matter the result.  Good luck to all this weekend and enjoy. Go Villa!

Teacher Supervision after Training

It is College policy that the supervision of students by attending staff ceases 15 minutes after the completion of the advertised finishing time of the training/practice session.

1. For training/practice conducted on the College Campus, students will be instructed to wait for pick-up inside the Sixth or Eighth Avenue entrances to the College.
2. For training/practice conducted at Little Langland’s, coaches/managers will escort students to either of the on-campus pick up locations and instruct them to wait inside the grounds.
3. For training/practice conducted at other venues (e.g. Villa Park during rugby/football season) students are to remain at the designated location for pick-up e.g. the car park areas.

Round 1 AIC Fixtures – Saturday 4 February, AIC Cricket and Volleyball v St. Patrick’s College (SPC), AIC AFL v St Laurence’s College (SLC).

Please go to the Weekly Fixtures to view all times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures against SPC/SLC. Simply scroll down on the College’s home page to the ‘Latest News’ section and click the Weekly Fixtures section.

AIC Cricket

I would like to take this opportunity to remind players and parents that cricketers need to wear the appropriate uniform to all AIC games. The uniform consists of the Villanova cricket shirt, Villanova hat or cap and white pants for all players. It is not acceptable for any player to wear any club cricket shirt or hat when representing Villanova. All players are to have their own box protector. It is compulsory for all players to wear a helmet whilst batting and keeping up to the stumps.

Training sessions have been finalized and all players are expected to attend all sessions. If for some reason a student is unable to attend training, we ask parents to email the coaches directly (not the Sports Office). The training schedule and coaches contact details are posted on the College’s website.

It is important that all players check their team lists, as there has been player movement in all year levels. Boys have been moved around since the trials last weekend and there are still opportunities for players to be moved around throughout the season. All coaches will be consulted regarding the development of players and player movement. Boys should seek clarification from coaches if they are unsure as to why they have been moved and all parents are asked to have a chat to their sons if they are distressed about being moved. There are only three staff coaching the 35 sides that will represent the College this season, all the rest of the teams are looked after by Old Boys and Parents. Please be mindful of this if you need to discuss anything cricket with them. When they are conducting their training sessions, parents are only to assist if you have been approached by the coaches to help out.

Cricket – Villa Park Canteen

Parents of boys playing on the Andrew Slack Oval are asked to man the canteen during their son’s game each Saturday.  Information regarding this was emailed to all parents of those students who were selected in the 8A, 9A and 1^st XI cricket teams.

2017 AIC Volleyball – Ms Barbara Dewis, Volleyball Co-ordinator

In the heat experienced by all players it was a great start to the volleyball season last weekend when Villanova took on Marist Ashgrove in the trial matches. Special thanks go to coaches who have the challenging task of selecting teams from an array of talented individuals to begin Round 1 against St Pat’s.  As of this week, boys will have a regular training schedule which is posted on the web. Please ensure your son knows which team he has been selected in as well as attending all scheduled training sessions. If at any time your son cannot attend a training session, please inform the coach of your son’s team via email or phone, coaches contact details are found on the web.  This would greatly assist coaches when game time comes around.

In order to host home games, we do require a huge amount of help. From time to time each player will be asked to perform particular court duties. We ask parents to support the College by ensuring that your son is available and attends the designated court duties before or after his game.  For all team lists, training times, duties and game times please check the website for the information.

Goold Hall Canteen – Volleyball Parents

The Villa Sports Club requests the assistance of all volleyball parents to help serve in the canteen during our home games. Parents are asked to assist in the canteen when their son arrives 30 minutes prior to the start time of their game time for warm up or when their son has been rostered on for court duty (this should only be two occasions throughout the season).  At the moment we are seeking interested persons to operate the canteen for the Year 7, 8 and 9 home games.  If you are able to assist, please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Blake McLauchlan in the Sports Office.   Contact persons for the Year 10, 11 and Opens canteen are Brad McDowall and Vicki Templeton.

AIC AFL – Mr Adam Fry, AIC AFL Co-ordinator

I would like to thank all those parents and players for their efforts and participation on Saturday at our recent trials, it certainly made for a great start to our season and demonstrated to us as coaches that we have many talented players to work with this year. From the weekend Mr Conlan and I have managed to come up with two squads for both the Year 5 and 6 players. As mentioned these squads are not set in concrete and will continue to change throughout the season depending on player performance, attendance and attitude.

This weekend marks our first official fixture and we will really need to be switched on and ready to go come Saturday. Below are our game times and I ask all players to be at Yeronga at least a half hour prior to the first bounce so we can have an efficient and productive warmup.  All players are required to wear the Villanova Rugby shorts and socks and ensure they each have a mouthguard ready to play. Jerseys will be given to the boys this week at school so please ensure this is also brought along Saturday. A reminder training will be on for both grades on Tuesday from 3:30pm – 4:30pm at Coorparoo Football Club and that only the Year 6 teams will be training on Thursday as Year 5 will be away on camp.

I encourage all players to arrive early and stay behind to support your teammates on Saturdays and we look forward to seeing all players and spectators there this Saturday to kick off what’s sure to be an excellent and exciting season.

AIC Swimming – Mrs Kate Alexander, AIC Swimming Co-ordinator

Boys who are keen to become involved with the swim squad are asked to commit themselves to as many training days and times as possible. We expect that all AIC squad members will attend the weekly Friday invitational meets in order to gain race practice and to record times to be considered for final team selection.

AIC Swimming Breakfast

After the compulsory Friday morning swim training session, the College (with parental assistance) will provide a cooked BBQ breakfast for all squad members from Year 5 – 12. We ask all squad members to return their ‘swim brekky forms’ ASAP so that we are able to cater correctly. Parents who are able to assist with the preparation are also asked to indicate this on the ‘brekky form’.  These forms are located on the website or at the Sports Office.

AIC Swim Meet at Marist College, Ashgrove – Friday 3 Feb  

The Villanova swim squad will travel to Marist College, Ashgrove this Friday, 3 February. A bus will depart the College by 3.15pm and should return by 6.50/7pm. A full program of events is posted on the College’s website within the sports section under AIC Swimming.

Lytton District Swimming

Boys who have been nominated to swim in the Lytton District swimming trials will be given the relevant information by the end of this week. The trials will be held at Moreton Bay College on Friday 10 February. Students who have nominated for this event must find their own way to and from the event. Due to the nature of this trial, only three boys per age group can be nominated from Villanova for each stroke.  We are also required to send along a parent as an official. If your son is selected and you can assist, please contact the Sports Office as soon as possible.

Met East Swimming

The Met East Swimming Trials will be held at Chandler on Tuesday, 28 February. Students who turn 13 years or older in 2017 are nominated directly based on qualifying times. Students turning 12 years or younger must attend the Lytton Trials in order to gain entry. Any student who wishes to participate must see Mr Stariha for all the necessary forms. Please note a $20 fee will be charged to each swimmer who wishes to nominate.

AIC Rugby and Football

With many clubs now having their sign-on days, please be aware that information regarding AIC Rugby and Football will be sent home in a couple of weeks, particularly to the Year 5 and Year 6 students. It is important to note that

Boys should make themselves available to play school rugby/football. The AIC pre-season/trials commences at the end of Term 1 and throughout Term 2. The season consists of two trial games and seven rounds as per the College calendar. Please be aware that College commitments take precedence over club commitments as per College policy.

School rugby/football is played on Saturday mornings between 7.30am and 3pm as per the College Calendar. All A and B teams will have two training sessions each week. C teams and lower may only train once a week.

• All Year 5 and Year 6 training will be held at Little Langlands (rugby) or Whinstanes (football)
• Year7 – 12 rugby (plus 1st/2nd football) – Monday and Wednesday afternoon at Villanova Park 4.00pm – approx. 5.15pm
• Year7 – 12 football (excluding 1sts and 2nds) Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at Villanova Park

Allowing your son to participate in AIC rugby/football promotes school spirit, camaraderie and a sense of personal achievement in representing his College.

Villa-Fit Years 7 – 12 New Year, New Membership Required

The program is always evolving and improving to cater for the needs of our students. Different elements of the boy’s fitness will be tested in the first week of term, and be retested at the end of term to see their progress. Training will be a combination of strength, flexibility and cardiovascular work as Villa-Fit moves outside in the mornings in urban training. Cost for Term 1 2016 is $140.00 or $240.00 for Semester 1. Boys may access Villa-Fit before and after school hours except for Friday afternoons.

Forms may be collected from the Sports Office or downloaded from the College webpage and payment is to be made through the College Finance Department. Please return the completed registration form to the Sports Office.  All boys are required to bring a towel to each session, No Towel –  No Gym.

Junior Villa-Fit for Years 5 and 6

Term 1 for Year 5 and Year 6 is now full.  Junior Gym will start this Friday, 3 February.  A staff member from Junior School will escort the boys to their first gym session.  Please remind all boys to bring a towel to each session.

Representative Sport

Well done to Joshua Schaumburg who was recently selected in the Queensland 15 Years Cricket Team. Josh will now attend the nationals to be held in Brisbane/ Sunshine Coast from 25 March – 2 April.  This is an outstanding effort. Well done Josh! 

Congratulations must also go to Mitchell Rieck who made the 11 – 12 years Aquathlon team. Mitchell will now compete at the State Championships to be held in late February. Great effort Mitchell!

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

SPORTS CLUB NEWS

A warm welcome is extended to new and existing families from the Villanova College Sports Club.

Would you like to win $10 000?  You can if you purchase a ticket in the Sports Club Mega raffle ticket, with only 200 tickets printed.

The Mega raffle is one of the main fundraising events for the year organised by the Villanova Sports Club.   Mega raffle tickets will be ready for purchase from 6 February, 2017.

Monies raised from previous Mega raffles have helped fund the building of the Villa Park cricket nets, renovations to the outdoor basketball courts and specialist coaching, just to name a few.

Tickets can be bought individually or get together with other members of your son’s sports team and purchase a ticket as a syndicate.

To purchase a ticket  telephone Jeremy Meredith on 0407 895 207, Robyn Gunning at the College Tuckshop rgunning@vnc.qld.edu.au or Allyson Smith from the College Finance Department asmith@vnc.qld.edu.au.

We have commenced Week 2 with a bang!  Music Camp, rehearsals, Junior Music and some exciting news – it’s all happening in the Music Department!

Lessons and Rehearsals

Most lessons and rehearsals have now commenced.  Whilst timetables have been distributed, I would appreciate it if you encouraged your son to come down to the Music Office with their diary and a pencil.  They can say hello to Mrs Schrauf, take a look at the noticeboard, and copy down their lesson times.  I understand lesson times may change for unforeseen circumstances, however it would be great to know everyone is clear on when lessons are scheduled so that clashes may be minimised.

Ensemble lists for Big Band, Jazz Ensemble, Stage Band, Irish 1 and Irish 2 have been posted outside the Music Office.  Rehearsals for these ensembles will commence at the allocated time from Week 3.

The rehearsal schedule is on display in the Music Building, has been distributed by the Skoolbag App and available here.

Junior School Music

Year 6 Ensembles have commenced rehearsals.  Band meets on the Hanrahan Theatre Stage and String Ensemble rehearses in the String Room on level one of the Augustine Centre.  Students are to arrive for a 7am start.

Year 5 students who have played an instrument will be asked to bring their instruments along to their Instrumental Music lesson on Tuesday 7^th February along with the most recent book you have used at your previous school.

New Students to the College

New students enrolled at Villanova College in the Middle and Senior Schools are most welcome to join our co-curricular Music program.  We will be contacting those students that have identified as ‘musicians’ through the enrolment process this week.  All other interested students are encouraged to come down to the Music Office to introduce yourselves or alternatively contact us during business hours on 3394 5691 or via email at music@vnc.qld.edu.au.

There is opportunity to learn guitar, piano and voice at Villanova College.  Information regarding our program is available from the College website, on Parent Lounge or through the Music Office.  Please don’t hesitate to make contact!

Music Camp 2017 – Mapleton

Our 2017 combined Music Camp was a roaring success with the only activity marring it being the 3 ½ hour journey home to Brisbane with the rest of SE Queensland.  Many more people than I expected took a four-day holiday and enjoyed a longer weekend around Australia Day!

Around 180 Villanova and Loreto students enjoyed a weekend of rehearsal with some fantastic, internationally renowned clinicians.  Jodie Lutherborrow worked with our band students, Mark Sullivan worked with our string students, Andrew Vievers worked with our guitar students and Tim Sherlock worked with our choir students.  Much music was played and much more was learned to ensure that 2017 will become a successful year for our collective Music Departments.

The concert back at Villanova was a veritable success with our students sharing the fruits of their labour with family and friends.  The quality of work produced was excellent for the start of year and creates great anticipation around the calibre of future concerts.  The finale was rousing enough to have the entire audience on their feet singing with the students, what a great afternoon!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teachers and administration staff whose work ensured the weekend ran without concern.  I would also like to thank our parents who came to share the load around meal and break times.  Without your collective efforts, this weekend would not have been possible.

Communication

As per 2016, information regarding the general running of the program and upcoming events will be communicated through Villa View.  Information relating directly to your son’s ensemble involvement in a performance will be communicated via email and/or a letter sent home at rehearsal times.  Emergent matters relating to urgent changes to routine will be communicated via the Skoolbag App.

We will be exploring the use of social media to communicate calendars and events electronically.  Please stay-tuned for further information.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Last week saw students across three cohorts bringing new laptops to the College. This means Villanova College now has BYOD laptops across Years 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11. The main goal throughout last week was to connect students’ new BYOD laptops to the BYOD wi-fi network, set passwords (for new students only), install Google Drive, set up Google Chrome extensions and install Office 2016. There were several hurdles during the BYOD start-up sessions. Most significantly, typing, setting, syncing and remembering passwords. Some of the installations we intended coordinating at school were not completed, which impacted the extent of  “BYOD homework” for families in some year levels.

I am pleased to report that as of Tuesday afternoon this week a majority of these start-up issues are resolved. This has been due to the persistence and hard work of parents at home installing software, families creating networks of support with other families, emails to the BYOD contact address, and a steady stream of students (with laptops in hand) seeking support from our wonderful IT staff at the Library IT Helpdesk.

Some parents may be questioning the worth of such a harrowing experience. We live in an age where these hurdles and challenges – these opportunities for learning – are part of the new technology landscape. Families are no longer in the position to simply outsource management of technology. Families need to know and understand how to create accounts, set restrictions, install software, diagnose basic computer issues, connect peripherals and so on. Prior to BYOD, families would “receive” a perfectly working and connected laptop – much like driving a brand new car off a showroom floor. However, the ICT General Capabilities of the Australian Curriculum state that our students should be able to manage and maintain their own laptops, to know software, hardware, peripherals, to understand basic maintenance of files, etc. None of this is possible if we continue to hand fully operational devices to students. So thank you parents for your problem-solving, persistence and patience.

BYOD set-up Checklist

At this stage, all BYOD laptops at the College should have the following software and services installed and connected:

1. Office 2016 apps installed and your son signed in with his College email address and password for OneNote 2016 (Years 6-12, not required in Year 5).
2. Outlook 2016 set as the default mail client, with your son signed in and his College email account sending/receiving internal emails. This is different to 2016 where students could choose to use their own email client. Using Outlook across the College allows students to push emails to other software such as OneNote, integrate calendars, set reminders/follow-up flags, etc.
3. Google Drive installed and your son signed in with College email address and password. (No files should be stored on the Desktop, Documents, Movies or Music folders – these are not backed up to any close and will not be retrieved in case of hardware fault or theft.)
4. Google Chrome installed and set as the default browser (if possible). Further, students should be signed in to Google Chrome with their College email address and password – this automatically adds extensions act the College has purchases, extending the capabilities of the Chrome browser.
5. Install Sophos Endpoint Protection – if your family is not already using an alternative anti-virus application.

Links to follow set-up instructions (as above) have been added to the BYOD page under the Forms and Resources section. Scroll down and look for the BYOD set-up instructions links.

IT Helpdesk Hours

If any of the installation requirements above are not complete (or there are issues with following them) please have your son bring his laptop to the Library IT Helpdesk at the following times:

Before school 7.45-8.30am

Morning tea 11.12-11.55am

Lunch 1.25-2.05pm

After school 3.00-3.30pm

The IT Helpdesk staff will work with your sons to install software, set/sync passwords, sign in to services, troubleshoot problems with devices and many other tasks. These talented gentlemen should always be your first point of contact concerning any issues with BYOD laptops. 

BYOD Email

If you have any other issues with BYOD laptops that you son cannot resolve with a visit to the IT Helpdesk, please contact our BYOD email address on: byod@vnc.qlde.du.au – your email will be read by IT and teaching staff, then assigned for response and action. 

Hot swap Laptops

If your son’s BYOD laptop needs replacement or replace, the College has “hot swap laptops” (basic operational laptops) for students to use. There is a process to follow to borrow these. Please visit the BYOD web page of the College website, scroll down to the Resources and Forms section, click the “BYOD laptop repairs, servicing and hot swap loans” link and open the PDF.

Running Windows on Macs

Students in Years 7-11 who have Mac laptops and study Technologies subjects are required to install Windows on their Mac laptops, if their teacher requests them to do so. There are a number of ways to achieve this – either by installing Parallels, VM Ware Fusion, using the Bootcamp Utility or open source solutions such as Virtual Box. In each instance, students will be required to have a license key for a valid Windows operating system. Students in Technology subjects who require assistance or advice should contact the IT Helpdesk team or parents use the BYOD email address.

BYOD in Years 9 and 12

Students in Year 12 have the option to BYOOD (bring your own other device). This is NOT available for students in year 9 at the present time.

In the coming weeks I’ll continue to update parents on software, settings and short tutorials to help students (and families) learn to manage and control their own BYOD devices.

Mr Jason Lane, Junior, Middle & Senior Schools Elearning Pedagogy Leader

 Senior School Parent information evenings

Tuesday 7 February

Year 11 – starts at 6:30pm

Monday 13 February

Year 10 – starts at 6:00pm

Venue: Hanrahan Theatre

STEM OPPORTUNITIES

During the holidays, Year 12 student Harrison Rieck was fortunate to be able to participate in the National Youth Science Forum in Canberra.  To be selected for this program, Harrison had to work his way through a very rigorous selection process facilitated by Rotary.  This involved Harrison undergoing a series of interviews and presentations to selection committees at both local and state level.  Harrison then had to present a written report to Rotary on his experience and the skills he gained after attending the forum.

Below is Harrison’s summary of his experience at the forum:

“The National Youth Science Forum was both an opportunity to immerse myself in the diversity of Australian science and an opportunity to make friends and contacts from which I will benefit for a lifetime. Throughout our 12 days in Canberra we heard from countless leaders in the scientific community including Dr Rolf Landua from the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Nobel Laureate and current Vice-Chancellor of ANU, Professor Brian Schmidt and the CEO of the Australian Academy of Science, Ms Anna-Maria Arabia. We were also granted special access to many labs and institutions such as The ANU’s Quantum Computing Centre, The National Computational Infrastructure and The Molonglo Observatory Synthesis Telescope. The NYSF is without question the greatest experience of my life to date. “ 

The College community congratulates Harrison on this wonderful achievement.  If any Year 11 student wishes to participate in this program, please either speak to Harrison or contact Mrs Jacobs.  Applications will open in March and close in May.

Mrs Juanita Jacobs, Senior School Science Curriculum Area Leader

Senior Maths Tutorials

Students from Year 10 – 12 are invited to attend Senior Maths Tutorials on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3.15pm – 4.15pm on the mezzanine level of the Tolle Lege Library.  These tutorials are open to students of all mathematical ability, however students attending must be motivated to improve their mathematics.

Mr Brett Morrissey, Senior School Mathematics Curriculum Area Leader

Senior English Tutorials

Students is Year 12 are invited to attend Senior English Tutorials on Wednesday afternoons from 3.15pm in V11.  Students with concerns about the tasks or unit currently being taught in class are especially invited to attend as these tutorials are an ideal forum to ask questions or join in discussions.

Mr Paul Gribben, Senior School English Curriculum Area Leader

Tuckshop Roster

Monday 6 February

Kym Edser, Nicole Winsbury, Jenny Lanskey, Liz Burge, Donna Heaton, Chris Ghikas, Rachel Meyer, Donna Skelton, Donna Fingland, Angie Childs

Tuesday 7 February

Tricia Intelisano, Angela Crisafi, Irene Tornatore, Mechelle Fury, Kelly Collins, Dimi Stergou, Maria Kambouris, Genevieve Keskinidis, Lisa Waugh, Miranda Dang

Wednesday 8 February

Karen Meimaris, Natalie Jayne Dunton, Ruth O’Brien, Leanne Kruysmulder, Alison Wilde, Maria Perez

Thursday 9 February

Julie Paterson, Debbie Winfield, Jane O’Brien, Lydia Wilcox, Georgina Horky, Deanna Trembath, Jayne Smith, Kellie Killips, Catherine Bishop, Anita Fung, Nicky Micheletti

Friday 10 February

Mary Atkinson, Maria O’Leary Chay, Cath Davies, Effie Prineas, Kelly Kendall, Tamara Hanley, Melissa Lorimer, Marina Pennisi, Nicole Dillon, Melissa Clark, Loreena Clark, Cathy Harris, Maria Spina, Angela Connolly, Jen Thomas, Kym Verity

Tuckshop menu and price list

Library Roster

Monday 6 February

Leah Coogans, Bronagh Earthrowl

Tuesday 7 February

Loretta Jordan-Vieira, Maria Perez

Wednesday 8 February

Melanie Higgins

Thursday 9 February

Kelly Stassi, Cecilia Pavilion

Friday 10 February

Michelle Dixon

International Carnival

Stay up to date with the College events please proceed to the event calendar.