Villa View: Issue 26/20

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family,
Last Thursday I had the pleasure of joining with our staff to host the 2020 Year 12 Retreat at the College in the surrounds of the St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre. The students normally have an overnight experience where they are away from the College and spend time together at Mt. Tamborine. Despite not being able to hold the retreat in the normal manner the students jumped enthusiastically into the activities.

I was so impressed with the manner in which the students and staff came together on the day to share their stories of trials and triumphs. Participants shared their own life journeys and the lessons learnt along the way. The depth of sharing by the students is a testament to the trust placed in the staff and the openness of our students.

The day finished with Mass in the open with our Year 12 students leading the music and sharing the prayers of the faithful. Fathers Peter and Saldie concelebrated the Mass and later the students shared a meal together before departing for home.

One of the activities undertaken during the day was listing the characteristics of the “Villa Man” and recognising what actions allow these qualities to flourish. The qualities listed by the students were the following: humility, honesty, being respectful, showing compassion, being a good mate, presenting with integrity, demonstrating faith, displaying enthusiasm, becoming educated, being passionate, displaying empathy, a caring nature and being resourceful.

The students were also very perceptive when identifying the inhibitors to developing these characteristics. We spent some time talking about the images of a man that are destructive and debilitating.

I came away from the Retreat buoyed by the discussions and spending time with good men who want to be their very best.

Rugby, Football and Chess
We will do our very best to ensure the Rugby and Football games held on Saturdays are conducted in a manner to ensure compliance with all guidelines and regulations. In order to achieve this, we need the co-operation of all families, students and all coaches and managers.

As always, the safety and well-being of our participants and the wider community is foremost in our planning. The Association has devised an AIC COVID Safe Return to Sport Plan and safety plans for all venues based on the restrictions and expectations set down by Sports Associations’ governing bodies and Queensland Government Health guidelines.

Measures in place 

• Football and Rugby – two parent/guardian spectators per participating student.
• Chess (indoor venues) – no parent/guardian spectators allowed.
• Allow 100 student spectators for the First XI and First XV games only.
• All other games, players and parents/guardians are asked to follow the “Get in-Play-Get out” rule.
• Scan into and out of the venue to allow for accurate contact tracing if required by Queensland Health.
• First XV and First XI games will be live streamed each week.

Please be mindful that if you have any of the following symptoms you are not to attend the sporting fixtures:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Continuous cough or sneezing
• Extreme nasal or chest congestion

If we all do the right thing, we will be able to enjoy a return to sporting fixtures and our students will benefit enormously from the activities.

Red Candle Week
There are lots of ways that community is formed among those who make up the Villanova family. One of the very strong ways occurs this coming week. Our whole community of individual families have the opportunity to pray together at evening meal time. Your son should deliver the means to do so: a red candle and a prayer guide. In Red Candle Week, while at table, we think of those whose family tables are less well supplied.

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

God bless

Mr Mark Stower, Principal

Subject Selection
Subject selection for students in Years 7 through to 10 is currently underway. For all of these students, it is an opportunity to engage in a process where they have input into the subjects they study next year. On Monday evening, Year 7 and 8 parents and students were given the opportunity to participate in a webinar about subject selection for 2021. On Tuesday, this presentation and other associated subject information was made available on the College website in order for students to then choose their electives for next year. Students will have also received an email on Tuesday asking them to submit their preferences by Wednesday 26 August. Thank you to all parents and students who have engaged in this process and to those students who have already entered their preferences for next year. 

 If there are any questions about subject selection, please contact the Teaching and Learning Office on 3394 5521. 

Senior Education and Training (SET) Planning
The subject selection process for students currently in Year 10 is a slightly more involved process as it involves them choosing their course of study for Years 11 and 12. It is still important for these students to choose their subjects based on their level of engagement and success but now they also need to consider the implications of subject choice on prerequisites for university entry and post-schooling options. Year 10 students and parents have begun meeting with senior staff at the College in this SET Plan process. For Year 10 parents who are yet to book a SET Plan interview, please log on to the Parent Lounge to do so. The process of booking this interview follows the same process of booking a Parent-Teacher interview. 

Once again, if there are any questions about subject selection, please contact the Teaching and Learning Office on 3394 5521. 

Year 12 External Examinations Preparation
Two weeks ago our Year 12 students engaged in a week of practice or ‘mock’ external examinations in preparation for their end of year examinations. This was an important opportunity for students to encounter the types of examinations they can expect to complete in October. Whilst students finished the week very fatigued – with some students sitting six separate examinations during the week – the experience was a worthwhile one. Students have not just been given their results back but more importantly feedback on areas for improvement. Many of our students achieved excellent results and have built a platform of solid preparation for upcoming examinations. However, some underestimated the work required to achieve the desired results. For both groups, it is important that study organisation is in place over the coming 10 weeks to maximise their subject results. 

 The cohort will sit another series of mock examinations in Weeks 8 and 9. 

 Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning 

Zoom Web Conferencing Update
Zoom Web Conferencing was used during the College’s Learning@Home phase in early Term 2. This communication platform enabled students and teachers to interact and collaborate remotely. Upon reflection of the challenges and successes of the Learning@Home phase, teachers and students agreed that Zoom was useful for engagement in the learning process due to its real-time nature and two-way exchange of information. Even the ability to simply “see” teachers and peers whilst working remotely was an important benefit.

In the event of any future temporary school closures due to COVID-19, the College intends to use Zoom Web Conferencing to facilitate content delivery and regular check-ins with students. This decision has prompted the College to invest in an industry-level education subscription to the Zoom Web Conferencing platform. This change enforces several security protocols aimed to ensure safety, privacy and effective digital citizenship practices when using Zoom.

This afternoon, the College will finalise the Zoom subscription upgrade and usage policy. At this time, your son/s may receive an email titled “Zoom account invitation” (or similar) with a link that will update your son’s Zoom profile and settings. Your son/s will need to update their account to this new profile type to continue to use Zoom at the College.

In addition, all future Zoom meetings hosted by the College will be facilitated through a new and unique URL: https://vnc-qld-edu-au.zoom.us/  When your son enters this address into a web browser he will be able to sign in to his Zoom profile and/or join a meeting.

At this stage, this is all your son is required to do – to click the invitation link and follow the prompts to upgrade his Zoom profile. If you have any questions regarding this subscription upgrade please contact me via email:  jlane@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Mr Jason Lane, Middle and Senior Schools eLearning Pedagogy Leader

In our Year 6 Wellbeing Classes this week we have built upon our focus of the meaning of ‘attention’ and explored the skill of ‘listening’.  As human beings, we thrive on being seen, noticed or recognised for what we contribute to our community.  It encourages us to keep trying, motivates us to take risks and supports our reaching our full potential.

Positive attention is like building savings in a bank account.  Praise, recognition for accuracy, being spotted when we are being our best means the world.  Up goes the pride factor, our sense of belonging and self-worth is secure.  It means a great deal to know we are valued in the classroom and the playground.  Even adults find great comfort in knowing they are regarded with respect and that they are wanted, needed or liked for who they are, a combination of strengths and areas that are still “under construction”.  Recognition, admiration and the promotion of our best selves means we can find the resilience to get out of bed, walk through the College gates and give our day the very best version of ourselves.

Constructive feedback can be a whole other story.  Hearing how we can do more, be more and show more can be met with many reactions, depending on how our mindset is working.  If we are strong in our sense of worth, then a suggestion to change or improve is met with good humour, agreeance and a willingness to think outside our typical range of strategies.  If we feel vulnerable, then further feedback can feel heavy, create anxiety and contribute to a feeling of hopelessness.  So, we look to people who are our family and our friends.  Can we find the strength and support in people who understand us, can be empathetic or sympathetic to our situation?  Does our support network enable us to find solutions or dwell in a spiral of self-doubt?  This is a crucial time for growth so we need the right balance of understanding and a helping hand towards moving forward so that we can be our very best selves.

In our Year 6 Wellbeing activities over the past six weeks, we have been amazed at the way that our Junior School students can build their trust in emotional and social intelligences.  There have been games, online tasks and some challenges that have seen the boys find out firsthand just where their strengths lie in “attention” – a word they hear quite often.  Focused attention is like switching our brains on like a flashlight – an intense amount of concentration on one main idea.  Sustained attention is embracing a new concept but holding the concentration long enough to relate the new information to our world.

Shifting attention is keeping focus when there is movement and other information being introduced – can you keep your mind clear on the target?  Divided attention is like multi-tasking, so the challenge was all about juggling ideas at the same time.  Situational attention was about the students experiencing decision making under different kinds of pressure.  Who knew that “attention please” really meant so many different things?  Well now, we have a new appreciation, that’s for certain.

Listening has also taken on a whole new meaning, from hearing of familiar sounds in a guessing game, to drawing pictures given only shapes and spatial clues, the boys have unpacked their ability to truly listen.  It takes hearing, comprehension and context.  Just like our Circle Times provide the chance to share our sense of selves and our place in the world.  The boys have the chance to speak up, reveal their confidences, insecurities and wonders.  They realise they are not alone.  That someone wants to know the very essence of “how are you?” not just in passing, but on a level that is genuinely present.  This is so important to our young boys, more than ever.  The chance to express themselves and know that someone is showing attention, listening and will receive their thoughts or ideas is paramount to our Villanovan Values – interiority (knowing ourselves), community (belonging) and the search for truth (being brave enough to be honest).  The gospel in 2020, the word of Jesus is very much alive and beating its own drum in our young men.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Year 11 Leadership Day
Yesterday, the Year 11 cohort attended the annual Leadership Day – the culminating experience within the program leading into the selection of the 2021 Student Leadership Team.

The day commenced with an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion featuring the leadership insights of guest speakers Mr Brendan Cox and Mr Quentin Masson – both Villanova parents. Brendan is the CEO of Legacy Brisbane and a former officer of the Royal Australian Army whilst Quentin is the Global Head of Government and Defence/Special Projects for the Toll Group. Questioned by Dean of Identity and Mission Mr John Holroyd, both men imparted wisdom of their experiences in the defence of their country and their advice for our young men in facing the challenges of leadership:

• What is it that motivates you as a leader?
• What does servant leadership look like to you?
• Is there a story you can share about when a unit or team has come together to achieve something great? How did this occur?
• Would you mind saying a bit about well-being?
• Why is mental health important and how can we help each other to look after it?

I would like to thank Brendan and Quentin for their generosity in sharing their story and look forward to their continuing contributions to the leadership program within the Senior School.

After morning tea, I spoke to the grade about how they intend to shape their Senior Vision for 2021. I recalled the adage that there are three types of people: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. The truly great senior cohorts make things happen- inspiring a shared vision which enables students to contribute their gifts and graces for the benefit of the community.

The work conducted at last week’s Leadership Workshop on their Senior vision, goals and aspirations was then shared and considered by five members of the current Student Leadership Team- I thank Max McCaul, Tadgh O’Neill, Murphy Woodger, Isaak Collie and Declan Ries for their contribution and reflections.

In the afternoon session, the students engaged in the first round voting process before concluding the day’s program with a Mass celebrated by Campus Minister Fr Saldie Resolado. In his homily, Fr Saldie used a poignant reference to the film ‘The Lord of Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’: you will unite, or you will fall. In Frodo’s quest, he needed the support and fellowship of his companions on the journey in order to manoeuvre through the challenges and barriers placed in his way. It was through this unity of purpose and brotherhood that he ultimately succeeded.

I would like to thank Year 11 Pastoral Area Leader Mr Blake McLauchlan for his energy and enthusiasm in the organisation of the Leadership Day Program and for Mr Sean O’Neill and his band of Year 10 students for cooking the BBQ lunch.

Round 1 v St Laurence’s College
This Friday afternoon and Saturday marks the traditional rivalry round versus St Laurence’s College and as such there will be a significant level of anticipation and excitement for all chess, football and rugby games. All Year 11 and 12 students and parents have been emailed regarding the COVID protocols for those Open Football and Rugby players intending on playing their game and staying throughout the afternoon to support the First XI and First XV teams. It is vitally important that all students and parents are aware of their responsibility to follow these expectations. I wish all players the very best in their fixtures.

‘If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters just the same.’ – Rudyard Kipling

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Year 12 Retreat
As the sun was setting over the agora (gathering area) outside the St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre last Thursday, you would have found the Year 12 cohort united, sharing Mass as brothers in arms. A great chorus of Ancient Words drifted into the evening air, symbolising how the students are gently formed and shaped by the strong values of our community.

Villanova College is a place where good friendships are made, and those friendships are built upon trust, loyalty, shared endeavours, and the willingness – as on retreat – to be open about your real self. It was a privilege for the 17 staff members involved to walk with the students, to listen to their stories, and to see how they took the initiative to affirm each other, and members of staff.

Each person will have a few memorable snapshots of the day. One of mine would be the memory walk across the campus in small groups. As we came to the Middle School, many students named Year 9 as a very happy year. Why? Well, they had fun in class, without being disrespectful, and in many cases the boys worked out whom they walk with (i.e. made good friends).

Another highlight at the end of the lunch break, was seeing so many Seniors and Juniors joining in together and running happily on the green grass. The very first rector of the College, Fr Ben O’Donnell OSA, summed up the importance of special milestones and memories on the day of the opening of the O’Donnell Building in 1994:

The real monuments are to be found in the hearts and minds of the thousands of students who have passed through these halls, monuments of truth and love, of honour and friendship.

I humbly believe that the Year 12 retreat was a landmark day, and I thank the parents and staff members who made it possible.

Choc-Tops
Last week saw the sale of home-made choc tops thanks to a combined effort by YAYM and SVP. So far about $100 has been made towards sponsoring a Buddies Day for Vinnies. Never has so much chocolate sauce been spilt in such a good cause!

Buddies Day enables vulnerable young people to have a day out when otherwise they would not have that opportunity. There is a high volunteer ratio, however, included in the 2019 Buddy Day were a team of three Villanova Old Boys.

Looking ahead:  Mission or Red Candle Week
This year’s Mission Week falls in the week of the Feast of St Augustine. It is a special week in which we try to give each student a taste of what it means to be part of a community who face outwards in service of and solidarity with people who do not currently share the advantages we enjoy. In particular, we seek to raise awareness and funds for AFAS, so that we can continue to support three sister schools in the Philippines.

These are the same schools whom we visit and work alongside every second year, sharing friendship, building amenities, and seeing community service projects in action. This strong relationship has existed since 1992. The unique challenge of 2020 has of course been COVID-19. Since our three sister schools have continued to fund community support programs – there is no state support in the Philippines – AFAS has made special extra donations to directly support these programs, e.g. feeding programs.

Parents and families are warmly invited to share in the solidarity by praying a special prayer with a red candle brought back from the Philippines. These red candle and prayer resources have been put together this week by our dynamic AFAS team, and your son will bring them home by the end of the week. We hope that your family will sit down for dinner on a few occasions next week, light the candle, and say the prayer.

The red candles are made in Cebu by people who very much benefit from having that work, and the people light them both at the Santa Niño Basilica (Basilica of the Holy Child) and at many street shrines that you find in the poroks and barangays (neighbourhood communities). The students who went on the AFAS Exchange last year brought the candles back, having made room by donating their work clothes and shoes. You have been invited to donate $5 via your Term Three school fees statement. This is very much an invitation and suggestion as it may well be that there are other causes to which you are committed.

AFAS will be on tour around the campus next week, bringing many iconic features of Filipino culture to the attention of the boys. Look out for the jeepney (passenger bus), the sari sari stall (all-purpose shop), the fishing boat, and tinikling (twinkle-toe dancing with bamboo poles).

Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

I must congratulate the entire Villanova College Cross Country squad from Year 5 – 12 for a sensational effort at last week’s AIC Cross Country Championships. Villanova performed brilliantly to take out the Year 5 and Year 6 Cross Country Aggregate (tied with Ashgrove) for the first time in AIC history.

Furthermore, Villanova had its best-ever results in the 12 years – Opens category, placing second overall, only one point behind winners Ashgrove. Other stand out performances are listed below:

Villanova’s Best Results – AIC Cross Country Championships 2020

• Villanova – Year 5 and Year 6 AIC Aggregate Champions (tied)
• Villanova – Year 5 AIC Age Group Champions
• Villanova – 12 Years AIC Age Group Champions
• Villanova – 15 Years AIC Age Group Champions

12 Years – Open Aggregate Table
First: Ashgrove 38
Second: Villanova 37
Third: SPLC 36
Fourth: Iona 35
Fifth:  Padua and SLC 23
Seventh:  SEC 16
Eighth:  SPC 14

Year 5 and Year 6 Aggregate Table
First: Villanova and Ashgrove 13
Third: Iona and Padua 12
Fifth: SLC 11
Sixth: SPC 7
Seventh: SPLC 4

Best Individual Performances
Third Place – Year 5 event, Liam Holmes
First Place – 15 Years event, Mitchell Rieck
First Place – Open event, Jaxon Paterson-Wright

On behalf of the entire College we thank the coaches – Ms Amy Roberts, Mr Tom Lonergan, Mr Jordan Roache, Mr David Barton (Old Boy) and our Cross Country Coordinator Mr Brian Pascoe, for their excellent work and preparation of the team over many months. Well done to all runners and reserves who have trained hard over the pre-season to produce excellent results. Please read below an in-depth cross-country report. Simply an amazing effort!

The quick change over of seasons from basketball/tennis/cross country to rugby/football/chess/track and field has caused the Sports Office to run overtime and on all cylinders plus some. We cannot thank all coaches, officials, players and parents enough for doing their part to ensure that there was a relatively smooth process with the crossover of sports.

Last Friday, we successfully held a full school set of rugby and football trials against St Patrick’s College. We again thank both College communities for adhering to the COVID-19 procedures put in place. I have added these procedures again in this week’s Villa View for your consideration. Please scroll below to refamiliarize yourself with the procedures put in place.

This week we face Round 1 of chess, rugby and football against St Laurence’s College. History suggests this would normally be a round which draws many spectators to the game from both Colleges. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will not be the usual crowd gatherings this weekend.

Live Streaming – to account for the limited crowds who can attend the game this weekend, both the First XV rugby and First XI football games will be livestreamed. Please find the links below to all games.

St Edmunds v Ashgrove RD 01 – https://vimeo.com/event/233946 (football 12.30pm – rugby 2.15pm)
Padua v St Pats RD 01 – https://vimeo.com/event/233951 (football 1.30pm, rugby 3.15pm)
Villanova v St Laurence’s RD 01 – https://vimeo.com/event/233955 (football 1.30pm, rugby 3.15pm)
St Peters v Iona RD 01 – https://youtu.be/uFGu2QneMgQ (football 1.30pm, rugby 3.15pm)

Track and Field training has commenced this week and will continue every week until the AIC Track and Field Championships are held in Week 1 of Term 4.  Given the busyness of this current sport season, we have only scheduled one Track and Field training session into the program per week.  I encourage all athletes to attend this weekly training session as a matter of priority. A complete AIC Track and Field season schedule is now posted in the AIC Track and Field section of the website. Please scroll below for further Track and Field details.

Football Training (Villanova Park) – As we now have Track and Field training on Wednesday afternoons, the College has decided to reduce all football training at Villanova Park to only one session per week to accommodate spaces for Track and Field training.

As from next week, all 7A/B, 8A/B, 9A/B and 10A/B teams will continue with two training sessions at Villanova Park on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. The Sports Office has been able to free up more space to accommodate these teams only. All C teams and lower from Year 7 – 12 (including Thirds – Sixths) will only train on Monday afternoons.  Players who have a clash between Football and Track and Field training must participate in Track and Field.

Basketball and Tennis Team Photos – All Year 5 – 12 tennis and basketball photos will be taken at the College during school time next Thursday 27 August. We ask all players to bring their respective sports uniforms for these photos please. Those boys who have returned their basketball singlets to the Uniform Shop will be given one on the day to wear. At present we still have many basketball singlets which have not been returned, perhaps these could be handed back directly after the photo next week. Please scroll below for all times and venues.

As usual, I challenge the boys to give their best again this week as we face St Laurence’s College in Round 1 of the AIC Competition this weekend. Best wishes and enjoy!

AIC Chess, Rugby and Football Round 1 v St Laurence’s College, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August – Times and Venues
All AIC Chess games are played on Friday afternoons and all AIC Rugby and Football 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 Laurence’s College in the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section.

AIC FOOTBALL
Mr Anthony Kemp, AIC Football Co-ordinator

 In what has been an unusual year it was certainly pleasing to see football being played once again at Villanova Park last Saturday in the trial against St Patrick’s. If last weekend’s results are anything to go by then Villanova will be in for a good season with many strong performances from our teams. Our First XI boys had a strong final hit out before starting their season this weekend. Their match against St Patrick’s ended in a 1-1 draw, however we looked to be the stronger team and unfortunately missed a few opportunities that we will no doubt look to capitalise on in future games. The First XI have been preparing well for the season ahead and I wish them all the best.

As this is a shortened season, we will be having three round matches followed by a finals round. This weekend will see Villanova play rivals St Laurence’s in the first round of the official AIC Football season. This is no doubt a great way to start the season and will be a big match up for many of our teams. It is imperative that all players come focused and ready to perform to the best of their ability and get a flying start to the season! To help with this, players need to ensure they are at their venue twenty minutes before kick-off to warm-up and prepare. All players are reminded to wear the Villanova football uniform for their games this weekend. I encourage parents and players to check the College Website on a weekly basis to check team lists, venue and game times.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents, players and coaches for their efforts so far in preparing the boys for the season ahead, it is appreciated!

Good luck to all of our teams playing this weekend.

AIC RUGBY
Mr Chris Everding, AIC Rugby Co-ordinator

The wait is finally over for our rugby players. This weekend will see 26 teams across the College take on traditional rivals St. Laurence’s College. The Year 5 – 8 teams will play at Runcorn, while the Year 9 – Opens will begin their season with a blockbuster at Villanova Park. There are many things to look forward to this Saturday. The Year 5 boys will play their first official match in the Green and Gold and they cannot wait! The enthusiasm at training is infectious to everyone present. The Opens will field five teams this year, something which has not occurred for a very long time.

The First XV are back on the Main Oval and will run up the tunnel onto Villanova Park. Unfortunately, as players have to leave after earlier games, we will be down on spectator numbers and there will be no tunnels, which is disappointing for such a big match, however, this is how the season, albeit a short one, will play out.

Our results last weekend against St. Patrick’s College were pleasing from Year 5 through to Year 12 and our teams will take a lot of confidence into Round 1. Villanova will play Iona in Round 2 away before a home game against St. Peter’s Lutheran College in Round 3. Finals matches in Week 4 will be played at different locations. Please check the Locker Room to find venues for each year level.

Good luck to all teams and especially the First XV, who have trained for many years to get an opportunity to play First XV Rugby. We wish you and all teams the best of luck for Saturday.

AIC Rugby and Football COVID-19 Procedures – Villanova Park and Runcorn
We ask all families to check the Villanova Park and Runcorn COVID-19 Site Plans which are found within the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section.  Simply scroll below the weekly schedule to view the COVID-19 Site Plans of each AIC College. Some important information regarding COVID-19 procedures for Villanova Park is listed below. Please take time to read this very important information.

Villanova Park – COVID-19 Site Information
All fixture times and venues are posted in the ‘Weekly Section’ of the Villanova College’s website: https://www.vnc.qld.edu.au/student-life/co-curricular/sport/weekly-fixtures/

COVID-19 Guidelines

• Players, coaches, staff, spectators (maximum of two per player) and officials are only permitted to enter the venue.
• Parents are encouraged to park in the designated car park areas which are near their son’s playing fields.
• Eastern Car Park – Fields 1, 5, 6 and 7
• Western Car Park – Fields 1, 2, 3 and 4
• Players must arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time. At the conclusion of the match all players, coaches and spectators must vacate the venue immediately
• Players are to apply their strapping before arrival at the venue
• Please adhere to the home and away spectator areas as indicated on the COVID-19 map
• First aid stations are situated on the halfway line of each field

Site Registration

• All adults including coaches, officials, staff, spectators and first aid officers etc must register their attendance using their phone and the QR codes which are posted around the venue (EVA Check-In, a contactless, secure sign-in system by simply using your phone)

Hygiene

• Utilise the hand sanitiser before, during and after the game. These are located at the many sanitiser stations at the venue
• Shower at home both pre and post-game
• Come to the venue dressed in playing uniform. There will be no access to changerooms (First teams only). Toilet facilities will be available. Players are not to bring any unnecessary equipment e.g. footballs
• Follow the displayed signage at the venue and social distance at 1.5m always
• If you are displaying signs and symptoms of feeling unwell STAY AT HOME and seek appropriate medical advice
• Those who display symptoms will not be permitted entry

Canteen Facilities

• No canteen facilities are available at Villanova Park this season
• All players, coaches, officials and spectators are required to bring their own water bottles to the venue. Two full water bottles per player is recommenced. Water fountains will be operational at the venue

Download the App

• We encourage all members of the community to download the COVID Safe App to assist with contact tracing in the event of a contracted case whilst at any AIC sporting event

AIC Rugby and Football Season Schedules
All schools will be broken into two pools of four schools. The first three weeks will be played as a round robin with each team in the pool. After the first three rounds all schools within same the pool will be ranked. During the last round, which will be a finals round (12 September), schools will play the same ranked school in the opposite pool.

Each school will be responsible for hosting a certain age group during the finals round. A list of the host Colleges is found below. Year 5 and Year 6 teams will compete on Saturday mornings as usual, however, they will not play finals on Saturday 12 September. The Year 5 and Year 6 teams will play another normal round on this day as they do not compete for premierships in the AIC competition. The opposition is yet to be determined.

Pool A – Ashgrove, St Edmund’s, St Patrick’s and Padua
Pool B – Villanova, St Laurence’s, Iona and St Peter’s

Round 1               Saturday 22 August v St Laurence’s College (home schedule)
Round 2               Saturday 29 August v Iona College (away schedule)
Round 3               Saturday 5 September v St Peter’s Lutheran College (home schedule)
Finals Round     Saturday 12 September. Each AIC College will be responsible for hosting a specific age group on this day as per below.

Host Colleges for Finals Round – Year 5 – St. Laurence’s College, Year 6 – St. Patrick’s College, Year 7 – Padua College, Year 8 – Iona College, Year 9 – Villanova College, Year 10 – St Peter’s Lutheran College, Opens – Marist College Ashgrove.

AIC CHESS
Mrs Sally England, AIC Chess Co-ordinator

Finally, the wait is over, and the AIC Chess Competition is ready to start. Tomorrow, the teams will play St Laurence’s at home, with games getting underway in the Tolle Lege Library as soon as our opposition arrive.  There will be no food provided this year so please make sure the boys bring something to eat if they cannot survive until dinner time. The night will finish earlier than usual; however, it is difficult to estimate when that will be. I expect any time from 5.30 pm onwards,  so please arrange with your son/s about their collection.  The student collection point will be at the main gate on Sixth Avenue, and all boys must be collected by a parent/guardian

Congratulations to the following boys who have been chosen to represent Villanova College in 2020:

Senior
Opens – Alex Ilka, William Ilka, Aiden Lee, Mason Luu and Mitchell Droop

Senior A and B
Isaac Langford, Daniel Waugh, Thomas Hoctor, Harry Blaser, Patrick Bryant, Connor Whitby, Christian Dang, Blake Waugh, Alex McDougall and Noah Walsh

Intermediate A and B
Tom Winn, Alex Hulme, Oliver Wills, Harry Bryant, Jack Neate, Eli Dunstan, Seb Wilson, Lachlan Sturgess, Adam Kielenniva and Jordan Barry

Junior Chess
Beau House, Adam Ibrahim, Reuben Wagels, Ryan Thomson, Riley Bryant, Josh Sneyd, Max Kwok, Daniel Cooney, Hamish O’Toole and Hugh Hoskins

The following week, 28 August, we will be playing at Iona College. The boys will be transported by bus to Iona and returned back to Villanova for collection.  If your son is unable to play due to illness or other commitments, please contact myself or Mrs Warren as we will need to arrange for the reserves to play.

Good luck to all players this week.

AIC CROSS COUNTRY REPORT
Mr Brian Pascoe, AIC Cross Country Co-ordinator

‘Sports don’t build Character; they reveal it.’ John Wooden

The performance by the Running Wildcats at the 2020 AIC Cross Country Championships was absolutely outstanding.

In Villanova College’s sporting history since 1948, traditionally part of the TAS Competition and now in the AIC Competition the best Villanova had placed was third. This result was only achieved three times, in 1987, 2015 and 2018, so our second placing in 2020 was an exceptional result.

The depth of commitment and love for the ‘Running Wildcats’ by the coaches was on display as the aggregate results were read out. The dark glasses worn by team coach Dave Barton (‘09) weren’t enough to hide the tears of joy rolling down his face. Don’t let him blame the St Pat’s dust!

I strongly encourage any student who has not participated in Cross Country before to consider joining the Running Wildcats next year and challenge yourself.

There were many great runs on the day which was a product of the perseverance, consistency and hard work displayed over a particularly challenging Cross Country season. The effort was rewarded with many great performances by Running Wildcats, who managed to show how great they are.

Significant efforts displayed by Running Wildcats at Curlew Park included:

• Under 12: Charley Hegarty 4th, Patrick Holmes 12th, Malachy Griffin 18th, Will Rogers 24th, Jay Gill 26th, Daniel McPhee 27th, Bailey Horvath 28th, Ollie Jacobs 34th, Henry Wright 35th and Sam Mar Fan 41st.
• Under 13: Jake Brogan 12th, Mitch Millard 23rd and Gianni Laurito 35th.
• Under 14: Ben Hermiston 17th, Kyan Simpson 22nd, Isaac Greenwood 34th and Will Green 36th.
• Under 15: Mitch Rieck 1st, Cohen Stewart 4th, Alex Friedman 11th, Jakob Beaverstock 13th and Luke Schaumburg 18th.
• Under 16: Michael Anderson 5th, Jacob Dimmick 7th, Ben Sciacca 14th, Luke Pascoe 23rd, Nick Green 26th and Will Mahoney 29th.
• Open: Jaxon Paterson Wright 1st, Josh Smith 15th, Lachlan Friedman 18th and Ollie Rae 27th.

The aggregate for the Cross Country is calculated from the placings of the first six finishers from each school. Our Under 15 age group (who were defending champions) unfortunately lost two key runners just days out from the AIC Championships, when Caden Griffiths and Jack Saunders were ruled out due to injury. The first five runners finished in the top 20, so we knew we had a chance to retain the premiership but needed another runner to finish strongly.  Charlie Corrigan appeared running the race of his life to finish 35th and seal the Under 15 title for Villanova.

The two individual winners on the day were Mitch Rieck (15) and Jaxon Paterson Wright (Open). The runs from both boys were impressive and just reward for the significant effort both boys apply to their training. Jaxon, who was injured last season also undertook a substantial rehabilitation to be fit for his performance. Jaxon ensured he was in front at the end of the first of three two km loops. He won the Open race setting up his winning lead of over 30 seconds in the second lap, completing the middle two km’s in 6.18 min at a 3.09 pace, blistering.

I would like to acknowledge the excellent running program delivered to the Running Wildcats by the coaches and managers. This continued throughout the Learn@Home period. The work of Amy Roberts, Tom Lonergan, Jordan Roache and David ‘Barto’ Barton’s, empathetic and professional attitude, assisted each competitor to show how great they are!

AIC JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY REPORT 
Mr Tom Lonergan, Year 5 and Year 6 Cross Country Coach

Villanova College – Junior Cross Country Champions
For the first time, since AIC has included the Juniors on Cross-Country Championship day, Villanova has emerged as victors, and the result was due to the committed effort of all boys in the squad.

While there are always “hard luck” stories when everything is counted on the one day; Villanova was able to put them behind and make sure the positives outweighed the negatives. We were blessed with a very talented Year 5 cohort and a Year 6 group able to overcome the loss of four of last years top seven runners. Nothing great is ever achieved without hard work; the fact that we had about 14 boys, in each year level, attend at least four of the seven holiday training sessions was exemplary.  When the hard decisions had to be made, about who was eligible to attend the Championship, we found there were 18 boys in each year level who had produced with regard to attitude, attendance and effort.

Year 5 Race
Right from the beginning of the season the boys took to cross country running with a relish. Spectators at Cross Country Meets see the boys run off at the start but then must wait patiently until the runners hit the home straight with just 70 metres left  to run.

Fortunately, for Villanova, we did not have to wait long for the green singlets; Liam Holmes, Jacob Short and Archie Dickinson hit the finish line – 3, 4 and 5. They were well supported by Oliver Kotzur 8th, Billie Pearson 17th, and Patrick Overland 22nd.

Our first six accumulated just 60 points. This gave Villanova a clear first place from Iona 75 and Ashgrove 123. The next six boys did their job, of pushing opposing runners back in the points. Steven Woodgate 39th, Lennox Hine 43rd, Aidan Davies 55th, Ethan Haywood 69th, Miller Reinmuth 75th and William Bruce 78th completed the champion team.

Year 6 Race
At the end of last year’s championship, we thought we only needed a “good” Year 5 group to enable a 2020 win. However, we had not counted on the team being weakened by losing four of our best runners.

Fortunately, two of the boys Angus and Beau ran exceptional races and finished in the top six. Ronan McMahon 8th was best, running true to form. He was followed in by Nate Lobegeiger 13th, Angus Chalmers 26th, Beau Poustie 27th, Jack Fitch 32nd and Oscar McCoola 37th, which added to 143. This left us in fifth place which was just two points behind Iona on 141 points. Others to make up the Year 6 team included, Max Fischer 42nd, Luke Judge 61st, Tom Longland 63rd, Charlie Clive 71st, Charlie Farmer 72nd and the spirit of the team, Christian McIlwain 74.

Once all racing had been completed, it emerged that Villanova’s eight pts for Year 5 and three points for Year 6 equalled with Marist College Ashgrove’s five points in Year 5 and six points in Year 6 both totalling 11 points, with Iona and Padua tied in third place.

AIC TRACK AND FIELD SEASON PROGRAM 
Commitment, Dedication and Effort – The ‘Villanova Way’

 AIC Track and Field (T and F) training has commenced this week and will continue every Wednesday at Villanova Park until the end of the season. A full season schedule is posted on the web. This includes all coaches, training times and venues, AIC meets dates and much more. As we will not have an Interhouse Track and Field Carnival to help us choose our Year 7 – 12 Track and Field squad, we have decided to use the results from last year to choose our squad (plus anyone else who is interested to join). The Year 5 and Year 6 boys will be chosen from the Junior School Track and Field Trial Day held last Thursday. Mr Everding has given a note out to all Year 5 and Year 6 boys who have been selected.

Due to the restructure of the AIC sport seasons this term, we now have AIC Rugby Union, AIC Football and AIC Track and Field training all at the same time. As Villanova Park is used as the training venue for each of these activities, therefore we are restricted to the number of training sessions we can offer.

It has been decided to offer only one Track and Field training session per week. This will take place on Wednesday afternoons throughout the entire season leading up until the AIC Track and Field Championships which will be held in Week 1 of Term 4, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October.

This year we intend on training our entire AIC Track and Field squad from Year 5 – 12 in all disciplines/events on the same afternoon each week, excluding the middle-distance athletes. The entire squad will be transported by bus to and from Villanova Park to use our newly constructed Track and Field facility. The boys will train from 3.45pm to 5.15pm. The bus will then return all athletes back to the College for collection by approximately. 5.40pm. Please find listed below a complete list of our 2020 Track and Field coaches.

Includes all students from Year 5 – 12 in all disciplines excluding middle distance.

Villanova Training Schedule
When:  Wednesday afternoon
Where: Villanova Park
Time:  Bus departs Villanova at 3.10pm and returns at 5.40pm

 Middle distance athletes will train at Little Langlands on the days listed below:

• Year 5 and Year 6 – Monday and Friday afternoon at Little Langlands 3.15 – 4.45pm. Coach: Mr Tom Lonergan
• Year 7 – 12 – Monday and Wednesday mornings 6.30 – 7.30 am at Coorparoo AFC, 33 Birubi Street, Coorparoo (the oval behind Coorparoo SHS – marked with an athletics track). Students to find their own way to the venue, boys will be transported by bus back to Villanova at the completion of training – Coach – Mr Brian Pascoe

Villanova Track and Field Coaching Staff

• Sprints and Hurdles – Mr Chris Everding, Mr Ben Valentine and Mr Michael Garske (plus external qualified coach – Bill McKenny)
• Middle Distance (800m/1500m and 3000m) – Mr Brian Pascoe and Mr Tom Lonergan
• High Jump – Mr Craig Stariha (plus external qualified coach, Mr Stephen Karger)
• Long Jump and Triple Jump – Mrs Terri Dillon, Mrs Nichole Rouhliadeff, Ms Liana Baillie
• Shot Put – Mr Blake McLauchlan, Mr Anthony Kemp and Ms Barbara Dewis
• Discus – Mr Paul Schiavo (plus external qualified coach, Mr Michael Criticos)
• Javelin – Mr Tony Rolls (plus external qualified coach, Mr Neil Janse)

If for any reason a student is unable to attend his allocated training session, he must contact his coach and notify them as a matter of courtesy. The Track and Field coaching staff is comprised of experienced members of staff from Villanova, as well as several external professionally qualified coaches.

I encourage all students who are keen to represent Villanova College in Track and Field this season to take advantage of all training sessions offered.  This year the College will not run the annual Inter-House Track and Field Carnival, so we are unable to ascertain an official train-on squad. At this stage all those who are interested may join the squad.

We do understand that many of our athletes will have other co-curricular commitments including AIC Rugby Union and AIC Football. The Sports Office at Villanova College is keen to negotiate an individual training schedule with these students for them to participate and represent the College in Track and Field.  This is important to our program as it ensures our best athletes are representing Villanova on the day of the Championships.

All Track and Field athletes are required to purchase the items below from the College Uniform Shop and wear them to all AIC Track and Field meets as well as on the day of the Championships. Please note, these items are not for loan or hire, each student must purchase their own items.

We recommend that the Year 5 students hold off buying any clothing until their place in the squad is confirmed by their coach. In the meantime, these boys can wear their PE uniform until further notice.

Villanova Track and Field Uniform

• Villanova squad shirt (same shirt worn by the AIC swimmers/cross country runners/tennis players)
• Villanova athletic singlet (used for Cross and Country and Track and Field)
• Villanova athletic shorts (white)
• Villanova sports cap (green)
• Villanova sports jacket (not compulsory but recommended)

Villanova Track and Field Training Dates and Venues

AIC Track and Field Meets

Please assist the coaches by ensuring your son is available to attend all meets.  A bus will transport all athletes to and from these meets. A complete event schedule for these meets will be posted on the College’s website in the week’s leading up to the event.

Assistance with timekeeping and officiating at the Thursday night carnivals would be greatly appreciated. Please contact a member of the Sports Office or the coaches if you can help at any of the lead-up carnivals.

I look forward to an enjoyable and successful season. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Sport on 3394 5611 or cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au particularly if your son has other co-curricular commitments and a negotiated training schedule needs to be organized.

Commitment, dedication and effort are needed by all to produce strong results on the days of the AIC Championship. I thank you in advance for your support and wish the boys all the best in their preparations for the AIC Track and Field season.

AIC Basketball and Tennis Team Photo
AIC Basketball and Tennis team photos will be taken on Thursday 27 August here at the College. Please see the relevant schedule below for times, all players are asked to be dressed in their Sport specific uniform. Please note: Basketball playing singlets will be returned to the students for their photo.

Basketball Team Photos
Please meet at the undercroft near the Tuckshop five minutes before the scheduled photo time dressed in your basketball uniform.

Tennis Team Photos

Please meet at the front steps of Langlands five minutes before the scheduled photo time dressed in your tennis uniform.

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Auditions are approaching…
As per our Music Department calendar, preparations for auditions for all Middle School and Senior School ensembles have commenced this week.  Students will have received this information via email and through their instrumental music teacher.  Please note – this audition process is NOT a prerequisite for participation.  You cannot fail this audition.  This is an annual assessment tool we use to gauge the development of the program overall and guide decisions around the number and type of ensembles we require each year.

We aim to develop balanced ensembles that contribute to the ideal learning environment for an effective music education.  Students will be positioned in ensembles that best reflect their current ability and reflect the capability of our program overall.  These positions and placements are made with careful consideration of each student’s developmental stage and skill level; we want the ensemble experience to be empowering, not destructive.

Gala Concert – Week 8
Initial information regarding our planned concert on Thursday 3 September will be communicated home to families tomorrow.  Please keep an eye on all email transmission and contact the Music Office if you have not received this by 3pm, Friday 21 August.

We will need to limit the number of attendees for these performances; as such, this will be a ticketed event.  Information regarding ticketing will be forwarded home – please note that there will be no tickets available for purchase at the door.

We thank you for your patience with this as we navigate this challenging terrain.

Performance Uniform Requirements
This year has been extremely quiet in terms of performance opportunities for our students.  However, as we move into a post-pandemic period, we are looking forward to more opportunities to share our music with the broader community.  We will have at least one performance in Week 8 this  term, with others scheduled for Term 4.  Students will be required to wear performance uniform for these activities.

To assist with preparations for these events in September, we would like to clarify performance uniform requirements with families.  As it has been some time between performances, I would also like to ask our ‘veteran’ performers to check their uniforms; you may have grown between events!  Best we are prepared now before the hectic nature of school life returns.

May I ask now that all students review their performance uniform situation after our College photo shoot.  There are a number of students who will require a resize and please note that all students require black business socks.  I wasn’t pleased with the number of multi-coloured, logoed, sport socks that were appearing underneath trousers in the photo shoot.  Please head to Kmart and grab a cheap pair of plain black socks in preparation for September.

Performance uniform information is outlined below:

All Year 5 musicians are required to wear:

• grey shorts;
• formal white shirt (available from uniform shop);
• long school socks;
• school tie;
• black leather belt; and,
• polished black school shoes

The following table outlines uniform requirements for the remainder of our ensembles:

All uniform items can be sourced through the Uniform shop or external clothing retailers. For further information regarding uniforms for ensembles at Villanova College, please contact the Music Office on 3394 5691 or music@vnc.qld.edu.au

Key dates for Term 3
Key dates for Term 3 were distributed via email during the final week of the holidays.  May I ask that you note the following dates in your diaries as ‘set’ for the coming term:

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

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

*Value displayed is an example of potential savings within the Membership only and is subject to available offers at any one time. The redemption examples show how a Member could redeem the cost of the Single City Membership in one day.

^The additional $10 and $20 per Membership sale during the current promotional period 12am 14 August 2020 – 11:59pm 13 September 2020 AEST will be paid to the relevant Entertainment fundraising group as per the standard payment terms within the corresponding quarter.

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

School Photos
It is now just over a week until Silver Rose Photography will be taking class photos:

Monday 31 August: Year 5 to Year 10 class groups, individual photos and all sibling orders
Thursday 3 September: Year 12 cohort and individual photos and Year 11 class groups and individual photos

• Year 12 Cohort are to be at Goold Hall, ready to be photographed at 7.00am sharp.
• Year 11 students are to be at Goold Hall, ready to be photographed at 8.40am sharp.

Please wear full winter academic uniform, including tie, long trousers and blazers.  Be aware of the College’s Hair and Grooming policy: Boys are expected to have their hair clean, brushed/combed and of a length that is neat and tidy at all times. Teased or untidy hair and outlandish styles are not acceptable. Faces must be clean shaven. Side burns must not extend past the ears.

Sibling packages MUST be ordered before Wednesday 26 August (the sibling package will not be available to purchase as of Wednesday 2 September via Silver Rose website).

All class group and individual orders MUST be in before Monday 7 September to avoid the late fee of $9.

Please note that Silver Rose never place student images online to view before purchase due to security reasons. If you are not happy with the image provided, Silver Rose will refund upon return of the photos.

Click here for ordering instructions.

Tuckshop Roster (Monday 24 August – Friday 28 August)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.

The Augustinian Magazine
Click here for the latest edition of The Augustinian Magazine.

Augustinian Vietnam Mission Fundraiser – St James Parish
Almost a year ago, three of our Augustinian brothers went to Saigon in Vietnam to plant the first Augustinian Community (OSA) in the region.  Fathers Phu, Tan and Michael have braved the realities of living in communion, that is, sharing life in common on the way to God, and at the same time integrating themselves in the life of the wider community. In less than a year, the Augustinian community has attracted a combined total of six local candidates under our ‘Come and See’ program and the Aspirancy stage.

Donations to this Fundraiser will be used to assist in the living expenses of our new Augustinian Community in Saigon, especially in this time of the CV19 pandemic. Fundraiser ends 7th September, but our date to reach our target is 30th August 2020.

Support the Vietnam Mission by reaching the target of $3500 by clicking here.