Villa View: Issue 22/21

On Saturday we will begin the enrolment process for our 2023 Year 5 students.  I always find this process to be thoroughly enjoyable. Before you are a new family, often with no connection to Villanova College who are seeking a great education for their son. Many have done their research before arriving and have decided an all-boys’ school is the right environment to place their son to flourish and develop into a fine young man.

Research carried out in 2019 by Independent Schools Queensland found the top 10 reasons parent choose independent education:

1. Preparation for student to fulfil potential in later life
2. The high quality of teachers
3. School seemed right for child’s individual needs
4. Good discipline
5. Teaching methods/philosophy
6. Encouragement of responsible attitude to schoolwork
7. Reputation of school
8. Emphasis placed by school on developing student’s sense of community responsibility
9. Range of subjects offered
10. Size of school

As we celebrate Catholic Education Week, I also hope for our families that there is an appreciation and desire to be a part of a Catholic community for the values that permeate our community.

The theme for Catholic Education Week in 2021 is, “A Spirited Tomorrow” and we celebrate the men and women of the past who through their dedication, persistence and sacrifice established Catholic schooling in Australia 200 years ago, as well as our present staff who carry the story of Catholic education forward today.

COVID Update
Following clearance from Queensland Health, I am pleased to advise that the students from the family with a positive case are now clear to return to all normal activities. The parent is out of hospital and fortunately only suffered mild symptoms. The family has thanked our community for their thoughts and prayers. We were very fortunate the parent had been fully vaccinated.

Villa Ball
Congratulations to the Parents and Friends Association and Villa Ball Convenors, Mrs Alison Gamer and Mrs Lauren Audet for the great social event they were able to stage last Saturday evening at The Tivoli. Over 160 parents of the College and a number of staff enjoyed a great evening of dancing (socially distancing) and just catching up after so long without social functions.

There were many sponsors who supported the event and kindly donated prizes for the many raffles. The Parents and Friends Association and Villanova College is very grateful for their support.

Good Manners
Our “Good Manners” program continued this week with the focus on student behaviour on public transport. Most years I receive numerous complimentary emails from the public about our students behaviour on public transport as well a number of emails describing behaviour that is simply unacceptable.

On public transport our students are expected to act like a gentleman and offer their seat to an adult who may be standing, especially to the aged. We expect the students to keep their bags and gear out of aisles and off seats. When conversing with their mates to be mindful of their language. Finally, to ensure that they do not have loud music or loud games playing from their phones.

1. Offer your seat to an adult
2. Keep the aisle and seats clear of bags
3. Be mindful of your language
4. Keep the volume down

Prayers
We keep in our prayers and thoughts the Farrelly family and Isaac (Senior 2019) and Nathan (Senior 2020) following the death of their older brother Luke over the weekend.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen

God bless

Mr Mark Stower, Principal

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

It has been a busy start to the new semester. Over the break, Semester One reports were released and as a result there have been many conversations going on that have been focused on improving students’ levels of achievement. Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences were again held online on the first day of term providing further opportunities to discuss progress.

Subject Selection
Last Tuesday evening, students in Year 10 participated in a virtual Year 11 Subject Selection Evening as part of their Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning. Interviews with parents / guardians and senior staff have been occurring this week as part of this process.

Next Wednesday evening (4 August), Year 9 students and parents / guardians are invited to the College at 6.00pm to be involved in the Year 10 Subject Selection Evening. There will be a general presentation in Hanrahan Theatre to commence the evening after which students and parents are invited to visit classrooms in the Veritas building to view presentations and ask questions of the Senior School Curriculum Area Leaders and other staff. Subject selections are then due the following Friday (13 August) via the online subject selection platform ready for student interviews to commence. Reminders will be sent next week.

Once the Year 10 and 11 subject selection processes are completed, we will turn our focus to the Year 9 Subject Selection evening. Year 8 students and parents / guardians will be contacted in the coming weeks with details.

Assessment Calendars
Our students are regularly reminded of the importance of planning and being organised. We are all aware of how busy they can get, with academics, co-curricular activities and other activities outside of school all contributing to a full calendar. To assist with planning, all students in Year 7 to Year 12 and parents / guardians have access to their assessment calendars for the remainder of the year via Student Café and Parent Lounge. Year 5 and Year 6 calendars are available from the students’ classroom teachers.

Examination Timetables
Assessment calendars allow for longer term planning to be completed; however, it is the examination timetables that our students are always very keen to get their hands on. Each term’s examination timetable is released some weeks before the examinations commencing. Student Café and Parent Lounge are again the locations for these. Year 7 to Year 11 timetables will be updated over the coming weeks. The upcoming Year 12 examination block (commencing on Thursday 5 August) has been available for some weeks.

All Year 12 students and teachers are aware of the importance of performing well on the external examinations. The Year 12 External Examination timetable has been available since earlier in the year and our students should be well aware of their commitments in October and November. The first week proves to be a very busy time for some students. The timetable can be found at : QCAA external assessment timetable 2021.

Successful Learning
I have received numerous enquiries from parents / guardians asking for advice on ‘how should my son study?’ It is always a difficult question to answer as each student and their circumstances are different. The College continues to look for information and strategies to assist our students. I read recently a short article written by Professor Bill Lucas from the Mitchell Institute based on what successful learners do. It is a short but very relevant summary of what successful students do in producing good academic results:

Twelve ways to be a more successful learner | Victoria University (vu.edu.au)

In commencing the new semester, now is the time to implement a number of these strategies, and I would encourage parents / guardians to engage in discussions with their sons as they assist them with their studies.

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

Our Focus of the Week in the Junior School from Monday will be “Respect Me, Include Me”.  Why?  Well, in recent days, conversations indicate that some of our Year 6 students appear to be pushing boundaries with manners, respect and courtesy towards staff and other students.  What’s quick and easy?  Lecture and give consequences.  What changes attitudes and behaviour long term?  Thought, reflection, research, and proactive measures.  This is taken from the work the Junior School teachers have completed with Developmental Relationships Framework | Search Institute (search-institute.org).  It has been a source of support for staff in the Junior School for some time, and well worth returning to on a regular basis.

The Focus of the Week is based on a Social and Emotional Learning Framework.  Students have a National Curriculum, yet the person, the individual, needs to learn so many things about themselves.  Relationships are crucial to living a best life.  Knowing ourselves and knowing how to work/play with others is integral to happiness.  That happiness helps bring harmony into a class, and consequently into a cohort.  Long gone are the days where assumptions are made that children know “their place”.  Today’s world is more unpredictable than ever, so our relationships must be positive, inclusive, stable and a source of comfort, always.

So, what’s involved next week?  We prioritise.

“Respect Me”.  Students need to hear, see, know and feel that we take them seriously and treat them fairly.  The power is balanced because respect works both ways.  Give a little, take a little.  Build trust.  Prove that turn taking is real.  We do this by:

• Listening and learning from students. We don’t know everything despite our age, experience and we must remember that pressures such as time mean that rushing our work can sometimes look to younger people that we are not really present, available or value their input.  We must encourage conversations, knowing that every valuable minute given means students have a genuine sense of belonging.  Choices must be available at some point – making decisions together shows we respect their current situation, head space and this is the prime opportunity to express care.  Being cared for is amazing – any adult knows this is true.

“Include Me”.  Students need to reflect on previous learning before being thrust into today’s tasks.  What went well yesterday?  What could have been better?  In a 24-hour period, boys can be the perfect reality check on just what they remember that they learnt, recall how they felt and can give you the most honest “next time” ideas you have ever heard.  How often do we ask, “how did I do?”.  We certainly give feedback in all kinds of ways, all day, every day.  It’s time we gave the students uncontested time, without retribution, the chance to reciprocate.  Be brave enough to listen and consider how we can make changes that can impact learning exponentially.  We do this by:

• Planning for feedback from students – in a safe space, with no judgement and with a great sense of humour. Be a real person, acknowledging faults and short comings as an adult, admit that the profession can bring pressure or stresses that sometimes mean reactions are less than ideal.  Flaws can be fabulous for bringing about equilibrium.  Relationships can flourish when people are real, down to earth and humility is in the picture.  Keep the big picture at the forefront – we are managing life together, five days a week for 10 weeks at a time.  Let’s do better.  Help me, help you.  Ok that’s Jerry Maguire – I couldn’t help myself!

I will be the first to put up my hand and announce I am far from perfect. However, I love my job.  I breathe in the energy and vitality from these young men.  I’m not too proud to go back to the essence of relationships and find strength in regrouping our approach to the most important part of our future – the 10 and 11-year-olds that today might need a helping hand, but tomorrow will help us just as much.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Gold! Gold! Gold! Awesome Foursome! Queen of the Pool! We certainly have a lot to celebrate, and it is very easy to get caught up in it all. There are, however, other celebrations going on. Ones that are not in the spotlight, ones that are about the human spirit, ones for which there are no gold, silver or even bronze. These are the amazing stories behind some of the world’s athletes.

Following her memorable Olympic debut in Rio, it was inspirational to see the return of Syrian swimmer, Yusra Marconi. Competing for the Refugee Olympic Team – a team many do not even realise exists – Marconi’s story speaks volumes about the strength of character and determination needed to make your way to Mt Olympus.

Fleeing war-torn Syria, Yusra and her sister took a 25-day journey, putting themselves at grave physical risk, enduring fear, anxiety, and many other hardships in their quest for a safety that we here in Australia tend to take for granted. She recounts:

“We were on a dinghy that was supposed to be for vacation. Only seven people are allowed on it, but we were 20 people. Usually it’s like 10km, so it takes round about 45 minutes in these small dinghies. The boat was already broken somehow and after 15 minutes the motor stopped; it didn’t work anymore.

My sister jumped in the water from one side, and I jumped from the other side which she wasn’t very happy about. She started screaming at me to go up to the boat even though we were both swimmers.

After that, two guys also jumped from either side, and we tried with one hand to put it on the rope and then do kicks to stabilise the boat and so on. That took us three hours and a half until we reached the shore.”

Arriving initially in Greece and making their way through many adventures [if that’s the right word!] and a further seven countries, they ultimately found refuge in Germany, where she and her sister now live.

Swimming has always been Yusra’s passion. Making it to the Olympics was a seemingly unachievable dream, but she did it. The dream didn’t have quite the fairy tale finish she had no doubt hoped for, as her 100m butterfly heat time didn’t qualify her for the semi-finals. Be that as it may, the lesson that is her life and her lived experience is profound. Dreams are worth pursuing no matter what the final result. Dreams – built on hard work, sacrifice, determination, failures along the way, and resilience that allows us to bounce back – are often the foundation of the greatest of human achievements. That is why we tell the boys to NEVER denigrate a dream – yours or anyone else’s.

This is a such relevant message for our Middle School boys at the moment. During this last week, the boys have been reflecting on their academic results from Semester One and setting goals for Semester Two. My hope is that the boys can see this as not just another boring, mundane exercise, but as a chance to inspire themselves and reinvigorate their dreams. In the final analysis, maybe that’s the true message behind the Olympics, that dreams plus hard work is the best way to get you where you want to be.

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

As we come to conclusion of the third week of the term, it is vitally important that all Senior School students have positive routines in place with regards to application to their studies and are diligently working to put in place the feedforward advice offered at the parent teacher conferences so they can improve their academic performance across this second part of the year.

Tomorrow we affirm the academic excellence of our young men across Semester One at our Academic Assembly. To receive an award at this ceremony is one of the highest achievements for any Villanovan and I congratulate in advance all Senior School award winners.

 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
In our Year 12 Academic Coaching Program (ACP) modules this term, we are focussing upon the habits and behaviours that lead to holistic success- both academic achievement and positive wellbeing. In the past, I have shared in this column the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

1. Be proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Put first things first
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

There is a great video that unpacks these habits in a very clear and engaging way. You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFc08j9eorQ&t=2s

Run for Mental Health
Earlier in the year, our Year 12 students received a presentation from the organisation LIVIN. LIVIN is all about living your life at the top and breaking the stigma around mental health by connecting, supporting and encouraging one another to talk about their feelings and challenges because “It Ain’t Weak to Speak”. Following this talk, Year 12 student leaders Ben Sciacca and Lachlan Friedman were inspired to participate in the Gold Coast Half Marathon and raise funds for LIVIN. Both Ben and Lachlan did an outstanding job in raising over $5000 for the organisation however their opportunity to participate in the half-marathon was disappointingly crushed by the last Covid lockdown and restrictions.

Last Sunday, Ben and Lachlan honoured the commitments made by their donors and finished a 21km course along the CBD, West End and the river, finishing under the Story Bridge. I would like to congratulate both young men for their inspirational efforts in continuing to advocate the importance of positive mental health amongst adolescent men.

The Resilience Project – Empathy
I would like to continue unpacking the GEM principles of wellbeing this week with a focus on the value of empathy. The importance of being ‘other-centred’ is strongly promoted within our Catholic ethos at Villanova College, particularly illuminated in the Gospel values of love and compassion, such was the powerful lived example in the ministry of Jesus. To be empathetic is to put ourselves in the shoes of others, to feel and see what they are. Engaging in this practice, especially considering the experience of those at the margins- the poor, the homeless, the downtrodden- is an incredibly powerful act, yet confronting for some young men. The following video outlines what we can do to practice empathy:

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/everyone/empathy/

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” – Mother Teresa

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Living Gratefully and Walking Humbly!

As part of Catholic Education Week, we at Villanova College join with 307 Catholic schools in Queensland this week to celebrate and promote our distinctive mission and ethos.  Last week our Head of Junior School, Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, unpacked the theme ‘A Spirited Tomorrow’ reflecting on how our students and staff are ‘Full’ of spirit here at Villanova – in their learning, in their interactions and friendships with one another, in their engagement in all that is on offer at Villanova College.  Importantly it is the ‘spirit’ and energy they bring to what they are doing.

This week Junior School students and their families have been encouraged by the invitation of competition (always such a winner with boys) to consider the gifts of the Holy Spirit – wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, courage, piety, wonder and awe.  Surely these are all gifts we seek for ourselves and for those we love!  Families have named the gifts in their son and how they share it with others.  What an affirming competition.   Mr Rouhliadeff also urged and encouraged us, as parents and staff to find our ‘Spirit of Tomorrow’ – remember your past enthusiasm for life, engage your present vibe for fun, and believe that tomorrow will bring hope.  These invitations are certainly worthy of a dinnertime conversation in your home this week.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.  Surely our world needs young people supported to do this!

At Villanova College, as an Augustinian school, we are inspired and encouraged by the life of St Augustine and all those who have followed him in his tradition. Our College is 73 years old, and over this time so many boys have become young men in their years at Villanova.  As an Augustinian school we humbly seek to offer the following distinctive windows or lenses through which our students, staff and families can continue to find value and renewal in their life journey:

• Humility
• Interiority
• Community
• The restless search for truth
• Ongoing conversion

The truth is searched for both by looking within and attending to the inner teacher, and through listening to the community. The process is underpinned by humility.  Again, as we celebrate Catholic Education week, unpacking these lenses around the dinner table through simply sharing the joys and challenges of the day supports the development of these lenses for living.

As we explore this theme of ‘A Spirited Tomorrow’ we are invited by Pope Francis to consider the role of Hope.

“To Christians, the future does have a name, and its name is Hope. Feeling hopeful does not mean to be optimistically naïve and ignore the tragedy humanity is facing. Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn’t lock itself into darkness, that doesn’t dwell on the past, does not simply get by in the present, but is able to see a tomorrow.”  Pope Francis

Spirt of Hope,
Open our eyes that we might see what is needed in our world.
Open our hearts that we might have the courage to respond.
Amen

JEREMIAH 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Forming fine young men at Villanova – our ‘Containers for Change’ continues!
Congratulations and thank you to all students in Year 10 and Year 6 who have contributed so far.  Our Containers for Change ensure recycling of plastics and also benefit the following ministry projects:

• Project Compassion
• Emmanuel City Mission
• AFAS funds
• Green Team gardens
• Vinnies Appeal

And most of all,

• Villanova Bursaries

Please remember that you may drop your collection at 23 Morley St, Coorparoo and give to our Villanova scheme I.D. 10463346

Date Claimer – Mission Day on Friday 27 August
Only four weeks until our Mission Day for 2021!  This is a day when we celebrate our Villanova College community, and we reach out through this to support others.  This is part of our commitment to developing fine young men who make a difference in the world.  We have an ongoing relationship that as a community has spanned almost 30 years with communities in the Philippines.  There has been over this time a continual flow of friendships between students and staff at Villanova and those in schools and community projects we have connected with in the Philippines.  We can’t physically visit this year, but our Mission day will provide an opportunity to learn more about these communities and to raise funds to support scholarships and needed development in the schools and community projects.

Our AFAS group has been brainstorming ways to engage in the day and our Year 10s who have been focusing on community service are preparing to be actively involved in much of the food preparation and running of stalls.  We’ll need the support and engagement of all of our students to make the day a success.

Sunday Readings at Home
Please use this link to access this week’s readings and commentaries.

Ms Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

Many thanks to all involved with the running of the annual Interhouse Track and Field Carnival today. A full report will be given in next week’s Villa View.

Last Friday our Year 5 and Year 6 students commenced Round 1 of the AIC Basketball season against Iona. Unfortunately, the outdoor games had to be cancelled due to the wet weather. Our boys did well, winning the majority of games overall.

The results on Saturday for the remaining Year 7 – 12 basketball and the Year 5 – 12 tennis matches were closely contested with Villanova narrowly winning the day overall. However, Iona proved too strong in the rugby league games.

It would not be uncommon for teams to change slightly after last weekend in readiness for Round 2 against St Peters. In fact, we encourage our coaches to constantly monitor players from all teams and change teams weekly based on player performance, attendance and attitude at training and on game day. Rewarding players for consistent effort is an important part of our sports program.

AIC Track and Field training program will commence the week beginning Monday 16 August, that is, the week after Ekka week. The College is committed to ensuring that we offer a quality training program for those students who are interested in joining the Track and Field program from Year 5 -12. Please find below further details regarding the up-coming Track and Field pre-season program.

I would like to remind students once again, about following through when a commitment is given. Villanova is a place where many opportunities are on offer across many different areas. The College is very mindful not to overburden students. I have mentioned on more than one occasion that the Sports Office is committed and has the flexibility to negotiate training schedules where a student has made other co-curricular commitments.

The College endeavours to provide the best possible coaching across the sports program. In fact, we have many very well qualified coaches in place so that our students and the program continue to improve. It would be disappointing to source quality coaches and not have students attend the sessions without apology. Please urge your son to follow through with the commitment given or have him come to the Sports Office to talk through any issues, we are here to help.

I must also remind all students of the College’s expectations when it comes to uniform standards. We have advertised the uniform requirements in the Villa View for several weeks now. The current uniform requirements are also listed in the respective AIC Basketball, Rugby League and Tennis sections on the website within the ‘Season Schedule’ documents.

In particular, I would like to remind all tennis players to adhere to these standards as there were the odd alternatives worn by players’ last weekend. We are hoping the standard will be improved this weekend. I also saw several boys wearing socks with slides rather than the required shoes and socks both to and from games. This is not a good look for Villanova College.  Parental support in this matter is essential and will be much appreciated.

This weekend Villanova will face St Peter’s Lutheran College. As usual, we will expect a high level of competition from our rivals. Please note that all Year 5 – 12 rugby league teams have a BYE round this weekend. As always, we would expect our boys to give 100% on the court/playing field. I urge all boys to stay and support the First games.  A reminder that we must conduct ourselves in the correct manner whether it be playing the game or as a spectator.

I wish everybody involved with basketball and tennis all the best this weekend. Please enjoy!

AIC Tennis, Rugby League (BYE) and Basketball Round 2 v St Peter’s Lutheran College, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 July – Times and Venues
All Year 5 and Year 6 basketball games are played on Friday afternoons. Note some Year 5 and Year 6 teams will play Ashgrove. All Year 7 – 12 basketball and Year 5 – 12 tennis and rugby league games are played on Saturday.  Please refer to the College’s website to view all times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures against St Peter’s Lutheran College.

Goold Hall – Basketball Training
Goold Hall will come back online tomorrow. As from next Monday the Year 5 – 12 AIC Basketball training schedule will return to normal, as per schedule listed in the ‘AIC Basketball – Season Schedule 2021’ document posted on the website within the ‘AIC Basketball’ section via the ‘Locker Room’.

AIC BASKETBALL
Mr Sean O’Neill, AIC Basketball Co-ordinator

The basketball season began well on the weekend with our match up against Iona. Despite the rain on Friday, we were still able to play some Junior School games and won all four. Congratulations especially to our Year 5 players who experienced their first ever win in the green and gold. Overall, we had 16 wins and 11 losses which is a strong first round against a very tough opposition.

Special mention must go the Year 7 age group and Opens who both won all their matches. The First V had a convincing 108 – 74 win and had to overcome some early nerves and good shooting by Iona to come from behind and take the win. It was great to see that all 11 players who took the court contributed points, especially our rookies who got their first ever First V points. Captains Harry Rouhliadeff (33 points, 19 rebounds) and Will Mahoney (22 points, 11 assists) led the way with excellent performances. This week sees us up against St Peter’s and hopefully a strong showing will put us in the hunt for Champion School.

AIC Basketball Results v Iona College

AIC RUGBY LEAGUE
Mr Blake McLauchlan, AIC Rugby League Co-ordinator

Iona proved to be a tough opponent for the opening round of AIC Rugby League. Overall, Villanova had one win, one draw and five losses. Whilst we may not have won the day, there is no doubt that we challenged Iona across most year levels. At times, our boys were on top but simple errors coupled with fatigue allowed Iona to capitalise and get the win. Well done to our Junior School teams for their outstanding start to the season.

Unfortunately, the First XIII had their first taste of defeat for the AIC season. There were some tough lessons to be learnt for our boys. Iona was able to take their chances early and opened up the scoring through some rattled defenders around the ruck. At half time they were challenged to dig deep and tighten up their defence through the middle and I commend our players for rising to the challenge and not giving up. Although they conceded more points in the second half, they started to listen to each other and focus on the basics. At the end of the game, it was clear that they believed in themselves and their abilities as a rugby league side. I urge the First XIII to build on this belief as we look towards Round 3 at Villanova Park.

I would like to remind all players of the importance of training to the best of their ability to ensure that what is practised at training filters through to the game. Please ensure that if you are absent from training that you contact your coach prior to training so that the coaches can plan effectively and get the most out of the training sessions.

This week all teams will have a Bye for Round 2. I wish all teams the best of luck next Saturday 7 August for Round 3 against Ashgrove at Villanova Park. Train hard, be aggressive, play within the spirit of the game and as always, chase the win.

AIC Rugby League Results v Iona College

AIC TENNIS
Mr Todd Kropp, AIC Tennis Co-ordinator

Villanova enjoyed a great first round of AIC Tennis this past weekend against Iona College.  Our teams took to the court early last week in preparation for a tough season opener. Our results showed the benefit of the team’s hard work and preparation. Overall, Villanova won the day with nine wins and seven losses with one loss going down to games count back. Unfortunately, our First IV team went down in some hard-fought matches.  Joe Timms, First IV Captain, had this to say:

Round 1 against Iona College was always going to be a tough match for the boys. For years now they have been one of the strongest schools in the competition. The First IV went down 7 – 1, but the overall score didn’t reflect the quality of matches which took place.  St. Peters this weekend will be hard. They are the strongest school in the comp but that doesn’t mean we give up. Ash Barty proved this week at the Olympics that champions can be beaten. Villanova College is known for our sportsmanship, so if you win be humble, if you lose, lose graciously. Don’t forget who you are in the face of defeat. Good luck!

Round 2 offers no rest for our tennis teams with another tough round facing St Peters, arguably the measuring stick of AIC Tennis. I know our players and coaches will be busy on court preparing this week and I look forward to seeing how our teams fare against another tough opposition.

Another friendly reminder that the weekly fixture and team lists is now accessed via the College app through Parent Lounge. May I please request that all players arrive at least 30 minutes before their game each week. Best wishes to all involved!

 AIC Tennis Results v Iona College

AIC TRACK AND FIELD TRAINING
AIC Track and Field training officially commences the week beginning Monday 16 August, which is the week after Ekka week. This year all students from Year 5 – 12 will train on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at Villanova Park using our new Track and Field facility. A bus will transport all athletes to and from each training session. We hope to commence training at 3.45pm and conclude by 5.15pm. The bus should return to the College around 5.40pm. The coaches will cover all track and field disciplines across all age groups at these sessions (excluding middle distance, these boys will train at different times). Training as a Year 5 – 12 squad will increase team spirit and ensure our athletes are able to attend the various sessions we have on offer.

A full season schedule will be posted on the Villanova College website by early next week. At the conclusion of the Interhouse Carnival, the coaches will invite students from Year 5 – 12 to be a part of our Track and Field squad. This squad will be announced and published next week.

All Track and Field coaches will monitor student attendance at all training sessions. Students will be contacted by either their coach or a member of the Sports Office to explain any absenteeism. We encourage all students to contact their coach if they are unable to make training. Rolls will be taken each week to ensure that those who have been identified as our best athletes attend the sessions and follow through with their commitment as this not only builds character, but also the College’s Track and Field program. Parental support on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Please be on the lookout for the full Track and Field program and the Track and Field squad early next week.

TERM 4 ZONE CRICKET
This year Villanova will again run an internal cricket competition for Year 4 students who will be entering the College in 2022. All Year 4 matches will be played in the afternoon at Kianawah Park, to keep the boys together and to free up cricket fields in the morning and this also allows keen cricketers to continue to play club cricket in the morning if they wish. The current Year 5 students, who are interested, will be invited to play for Villanova in the Eastern Districts pre-Christmas competition during Term 4 in the U11 divisions. Year 6 students wishing to play will be placed in either EDJCA or BEARS competitions.

All Year 7 – 12 students wishing to play will be placed in a team and will play in the BEARS competition. Forms inviting your son to sign on will be sent home shortly. The format will be an online registration and all parents will be given the steps to follow to sign on successfully. Teams will only be nominated if we have enough parent volunteers to coach and manage on Saturdays. The organisation of the season is set up here at the College and the weekly coaching is also taken care of but the running of matches on Saturday, is the responsibility of Villanova parents. Please indicate if you can be a match day coach/manager on the form. Students are free to play for other clubs and this decision will have NO bearing on AIC selections in 2022.

Please note that depending on numbers, there could be some students playing with boys in other year levels. We will try and place boys in the same age group, but we don’t want to be short on numbers or have too many in a team, when sides are graded for BEARS divisional teams.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
A gentle reminder to all parents to please notify Mr Craig Stariha – Director of Sport, via email cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au if your son has made any representative team. It has been the case that some boys have been left off our representative lists which appears in this section each week simply because the College has not been notified by parents. Once students make a Met East, Qld State or National representative team, all information is often given directly to the parents not the College. As soon as the College receives the official ‘Principal Consent Form’ to complete for the various sports, this becomes our official notification. Students are not to complete without this form being completed.

The College will publish all Met East, Qld State and National representatives (Composite District and Lytton District representatives will not be published). The College will publish limited non-school/club representative teams – only state teams and higher.

Well done to the Ryker Smith, Charlie Farmer, Tom Longland, Flynn Spooner and Hugh Stanbury who participated in the Qld State 12 Years Rugby Carnival over the weekend. Their Met East team did very well and were runners-up at this event. Great effort boys!

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Music Support Group Meeting Change
Due to the proximity of QCMF to our regular meeting time, we have moved our MSG meeting to Monday 2 August at 7.30pm in the Augustine Centre.  Communication has been sent to all families on our MSG contact list.  Please ensure you note the adjustment in your diaries.

QCMF Recordings
Thank you to all students and staff for their involvement in our recording sessions last week.  I appreciate the effort that has gone in to preparing and sharing these performances.  The music filmed for festival by our ensembles has been of a good quality and I am pleased with the work produced after what has been a very busy, interrupted Semester.

Augustine Centre Update
On Monday 26 July, we took delivery of five new pianos into the Augustine Centre; replacement instruments for those that were removed due to being mould affected.  We are very pleased to have these fantastic new instruments in the building and I am certain that our students and staff are very appreciative.  I would like to recognise our Music Support Group who purchased the new Grand Piano that has been positioned on Hanrahan Theatre Stage.  Their wonderful contribution will help make our concerts a great spectacle well into the future!

Chamber Ensemble Evening
The second instrumental music assessment task for our Band and Orchestral String students (Chamber Performance) will be shared publicly with our community over the next two Monday afternoons.  Year 12 students will be performing in Hanrahan Theatre on Monday 2 August, commencing at 4pm.  All Year 6 – 11 students will be sharing their performances in Hanrahan Theatre and St Thomas of Villanova Auditorium from 4pm on Monday 9 August.

Parents are welcome to attend these performances.  They will be required to register their attendance digitally through the Qld App, and socially distance within the venues.  The St Thomas of Villanova Auditorium may have limited capacity due to gathering limits.  Information regarding these performances has been distributed to families.  If you require further clarification, please contact the Music Office via email or phone on 3394 5691.

QCMF 2021 will be a hybrid event running 12 – 15 August 2021.  Student performances will be streamed from four dedicated ‘studios’ in the Augustine Centre, along with live adjudication and compering throughout.  If you can open or close a door, file papers, press a button, welcome a visitor or enjoy compering, we need your help.  We are looking to re-form our QCMF family to come and celebrate music education in Catholic Schools.

We are expecting more than 20,000 people to view the streams we will be sharing.  This will be the largest hybrid school music festival in the world – we are making history!

If you would like further information regarding this year’s event, please contact the music office on 3394 5691, or email music@vnc.qld.edu.au.  If you would like to come along and assist, please visit our volunteer portal at https.//www.qcmfvolunteering.com.au and register.

Volunteers Required

QCMF 2021 will be a hybrid event running 12 – 15 August 2021.  Student performances will be streamed from four dedicated ‘studios’ in the Augustine Centre, along with live adjudication and compering throughout.  If you can open or close a door, file papers, press a button, welcome a visitor or enjoy compering, we need your help.  We are looking to re-form our QCMF family to come and celebrate music education in Catholic Schools.

We are expecting more than 20,000 people to view the streams we will be sharing.  This will be the largest hybrid school music festival in the world – we are making history!

If you would like further information regarding this year’s event, please contact the music office on 3394 5691, or email music@vnc.qld.edu.au.  If you would like to come along and assist, please visit our volunteer portal at https.//www.qcmfvolunteering.com.au and register.

Communication re Lesson Absences
We continue to send a proforma to parents and students who miss a lesson without explanation.  Please understand that this is merely an opportunity to open the lines of communication and an invitation to communicate with your son’s teacher or the music office regarding the absence.

The following wording will be sent.  Please note, this is a proforma used for all students – it is not a personal communication, more an opportunity to open a dialogue.

• Unfortunately, your son did not attend his instrumental music lesson today.
• Please ensure he is aware of the time and date of his next lesson via the timetable previously distributed; it is attached for your reference.
• To assist with our records, please contact the Music Office regarding your son’s absence – music@vnc.qld.edu.au or 3394 5691.

We look forward to our continued partnership in the musical education of your son.

Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers
Our fantastic Music Support Group have organised an innovative fundraiser for Villanova College.  You may have heard the buzz about our Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers…  the MUST HAVE items for the beach/cricket/park/fishing/BBQ/etc. this Summer! (flyer attached).

Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $35; Wildcat Coolers – $30

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

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

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

Opportunity to Participate
The Music community at Villanova welcomes all students interested in participating in ensemble or instrument/vocal tuition.  If your son would like to take lessons on an instrument this year, please contact the Music Office on 3394 5691 or via email at music@vnc.qld.edu.au for further information.

Date Claimers
It gives me great pleasure to share our future events.

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

COMMONWEALTH SCHOOL DATA COLLLECTION NOTICE
Please click here for information regarding the collection of certain information about your child’s school, its staff and student body by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

YEAR 5 LASER SKIRMISH
A great day out for Year 5 students and their dad (or significant other cool male adult).

When: Sunday 22 August
Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Cost: $65 for father/son (includes skirmish and sausage sizzle)
Where: Laser Skirmish Mount Cotton
Bookings/payment: via Parent Lounge

LIBRARY ROSTER (MONDAY 2  – FRIDAY 6 AUGUST)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Library.

TUCKSHOP ROSTER (MONDAY 2  – FRIDAY 6 AUGUST)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.