Villanova College
Villa View: Issue 26
Villa View: Issue 26
Dear Members of the Villanova College Family
The Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF) is once again upon us. This event requires an army of volunteers working tirelessly to ensure all our visitors have an outstanding experience of music over the coming four days. We are very pleased to welcome to our College the many thousands of students, their families and supporters.
From humble beginnings, Villanova College has been providing opportunities for young men to experience education in the Arts. All of our students involved in the Music program will be involved in the many activities of the Festival supported by their peers who will assist with the stage management, technical recordings and welcoming guests. We look forward to a wonderful Festival and celebration.
Replacement of wall in Sixth Avenue
Work has been completed on the removal of the front stone wall in Sixth Avenue this week. Unfortunately, there will be more work required to stabilize the area over the next twelve months. Work in this area provides an opportunity for the College to engage with Brisbane City Council to determine the feasibility of creating a drop off zone and waiting area in Sixth Avenue to assist with the flow of traffic around the College. Our architects and engineers will liaise with BCC over the coming months.
AIC Cross-Country Competition
Congratulations to the Villanova College Cross-Country Team on placing third in the recent AIC Competition. Many of the runners achieved personal best times and a number of our runners performed admirably winning their age division. Thank you to Coaches – Mr Brett Morrissey, Mr Kane Corby and Mr Brian Pascoe and the many Old Boys who supported the runners during the season.
Children’s Hospital Foundation
Year 8 student Max Shearer is certainly a courageous and determined young man. During his short life, Max has undergone numerous stints in hospital undergoing surgery to remove brain tumours. While in hospital, Max and his family have been supported by the Children’s Hospital Foundation, which helps sick children by funding life-saving medical research, investing in vital new equipment, and providing comfort, entertainment, support and care for children and their families.
In 2017, Max is an Ambassador for the Foundation and their major fundraiser, 1200 km for Kids Charity Bike Ride. The riders will depart Sydney on Saturday 14 October and arrive in Brisbane at the Lady Cilento Hospital on Friday 20 October. Information about the ride and donations can be found at the following link: http://www.1200kmsforkids.com/
You have made us for Yourself O Lord
And our hearts are restless until they rest in You.
God bless
Mr Mark Stower, Principal
Year 10 Academic and Pastoral Interviews
This week, we commenced an academic and pastoral review of our Year 10 students, focusing upon their transition into the Senior School and their hopes and aspirations for their remaining two and half years at Villanova College. The team of interviewers have been incredibly impressed by the way in which our Year 10s have engaged in these interviews, especially their depth of reflections pertaining to their academic performance and subject selections, their recent camp experience as well as their hopes for their cohort as they move forward on their Senior School journey.
A ‘Villanova” Man for All Seasons
In our conversations with Year 10 students, one of the questions that is asked explores their engagement and involvement in College life. When discussing this, I share my triangular model of a Villanova Senior School student. One who answers the call of our College Patron, St Thomas of Villanova who stated: ‘we are not born for ourselves, and the natural gifts and the free graces that we receive are not for ourselves alone but we have them that they might be of benefit to all.’
At the apex of the triangle should be the core focus of all students – achieving their full potential and committing to their learning pathway. I often hear the argument by some students that they cannot afford the time to engage in extra-curricular activities because it compromises their study and academic achievement. I challenge this view and the evidence strongly suggests that those students who experience the richness of College life and share their gifts and talents by involving themselves in cultural and musical pursuits, sporting programs and ministry service opportunities do remarkably well academically as they learn to use their time more purposefully. I strongly encourage all students to embrace the trifecta of academic achievement, extra-curricular contribution and servant leadership throughout their senior years.
The Reward of Resilience
With the annual Inter-House Track and Field Carnival held this week, I thought I would finish my article by sharing the remarkable story of our own Australian athlete and newly recrowned World Champion hurdler, Sally Pearson. As a passionate fan of track and field, her performance at last week’s meet in London was one of the highlights of my week (making up for Usain Bolt’s bronze medal in the 100m). Her comeback to the highest peak truly reflects the values of courage, persistence and resilience. To rise above the psychological scars of a string of near career ending injuries and missing the Rio Olympics is testament to her mental toughness. Her story is one that all students can draw inspiration from when they are challenged by adversity.
“Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient” – Steve Maraboli
Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School
Congratulations to the entire Cross Country squad from Year 5 – 12 including all coaches and managers for a sensational performance at last week’s AIC Cross Country Championships. Villanova placed third overall which is our best ever result. Furthermore, we had three first places and two second places from the eight races run on the day. These fantastic individual performances are outlined below:
Year 5: Ryan Siebel – Second Place
Year 6: Mitchell Rieck – First Place
12 years: Cohen Stewart – First Place
13 years: Jacob Dimmick – Second Place
15 years: Jaxon Paterson-Wright – First Place
It seems unusual for there to be no sport scheduled for this weekend. I know this will come as a welcome break for parents who are forever transporting their children to and from the various activities each weekend. I hope you are all able to relax and enjoy some family time. A full schedule of next weekend’s fixtures will be published in next week’s Villa View.
I believe the standard of dress and the common approach our boys are taking in wearing their sport’s uniform throughout the season thus far has been excellent. My hope is that each week Villanova teams are well prepared, well organised and well presented. I must say that I am extremely happy with what I am seeing so far this season.
I think it is timely to thank all parents for their continued support throughout the year. Whether it be transporting boys to games and training, ensuring the boys are correctly attired or assisting and supporting the College in upholding our policies and procedures (not to mention the help given with canteens, coaching, scoring and managing etc.) A strong partnership and support between the parent body and College is fundamental in order for our boys to receive the best education and opportunities possible. I thank all parents for your continuing support.
A very pleasing round of fixtures was played against Padua last weekend with great results. Next week we face Iona College. Villanova’s track and field pre-season training program officially commences next week. Please read all details below. I encourage all boys to get involved and to keep up the good efforts. Results come about through hard work and commitment given at training and on game day throughout the entire season. As stated, many times we are all responsible to do our part to ensure Villanova gives its best each week. Rest up this weekend boys, next week we are looking for all to fire on all cylinders against Iona!
AIC Basketball – Mr Sean O’Neill, AIC Basketball Coordinator
The Villanova basketball juggernaut continues to roll on with another convincing display against Padua on the weekend. Of the 24 games played, Villanova was victorious in 22. The First V had an easier win on the weekend by 37 points, which was considerably less stressful after the nail-biters of the last two weeks. Our perimeter shooting was a highlight and reminds the boys that we are in still in contention and able to win against any side when we play our best. The weekend’s results continue to highlight the strength of our program and show just how hard our players are training and competing. It also shows how important the inclusion of our two High Performance Squads have been in accelerating the skills of players. For sixteen weeks, players were exposed to two sessions of acceleration to work on their fitness, speed, agility, footwork and jumping skills. They then had skills sessions with our High Performance Coach, Murry Aldred. It has certainly shone through in games and no doubt, has helped us win many of the tight games.
As it is an interrupted week with QCMF, many teams will only train once so it is important that we use this bye to freshen up and return ready to battle against one our great rivals Iona. With only three games remaining, it is imperative that we continue to enjoy our training and absorb the pressure of Saturday games.
AIC Basketball Results v Padua
AIC Tennis – Mrs Kath Underhill, AIC Tennis Coordinator
A mixed week was had last week with our mighty Villanovan tennis players trying their best against Padua College. Once again spread out over three venues, it was great to see an increase in supporter numbers at the different venues cheering our lads on. Out of 17 teams, we came away from the day with 11 wins, well-done boys.
Enjoy the bye this week; we look forward to the next round on 26 August.
AIC Tennis Results v Padua
AIC Track and Field
The AIC track and field pre-season training program will officially commence next Tuesday afternoon at SAF (State Athletic Facility). Training will continue every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon throughout the season for all age groups in all disciplines. A bus will transport all athletes to and from training and should return to the College at approx. 5.40pm.
The complete ‘season schedule’ is located on the College’s web page. Based on the results from this week’s Inter-House Track and Field Carnival a number of students will be asked to join the Villanova Track and Field squad and will be required to train each week. Students who have AIC tennis and AIC basketball training on these afternoons should see Mr Stariha in the Sports Office to negotiate an alternative training schedule.
Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport
Address
24 Sixth Avenue, Coorparoo, Brisbane, QLD 4151 Australia
Villanova College is an independent Catholic School for boys under the care of the Augustinian Order. Striving for excellence in boys’ education as an Augustinian community one in mind and heart on the way towards God.
