Villa View: Issue 28/21

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family,
St. Augustine viewed friendship and community as very close links. Both express the value of relationships and the ‘other’ as a place of encounter with God. Both demand a movement away from self and an honouring of the other. The role of friendship in his life shines through every phase of that life and he expresses eloquently his esteem for friendship with a deep fascination for that theme. “In all situations, in every place and time, one should have friends and seek them out” (De Ordine II, 8, 25). In fact, the aspects of friendship for Augustine are values needed in community, as well: agreement and accord, benevolence, and mutual love.

Again, the friendship which draws human beings together in a tender bond is sweet to us because out of many minds it forges a unity (Conf. II, 5,10).

Last Saturday someone ran the line for our footy teams.  Someone served drinks in the canteen and made sure there was sugar for the coffee.  Someone stocked up the fridge not long after sunrise, and someone made sure there was gas for the barbecues.  Someone cooked, cut up and served steak burgers.  Last Saturday someone filled the team’s water bottles, and someone took care of the scoreboard and clock.

Someone brought the oranges, and someone washed the jerseys.  Someone ensured there were referees, and someone refereed.  Someone made visiting staff welcome.  Someone brought green and gold balloons, and someone made a banner to run through.  Someone soothed painful arms and iced suspect swellings.  Someone mowed and marked ovals and put out welcome signs.  Long after most had gone home, someone was there picking up strapping tape and taking down marquees.

Someone.  Every home, every business, every institution, and every event has its share of someones, and the sense of community and friendship in that place depends on those humble, silent hard-working someones.  Someone puts up their hand.  Someone gets involved.  Someone does their little bit.  Once I asked my boarders at a previous school to sit a ‘School Knowledge Test’ in order to graduate.  The last question surprised them all: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the dorm?”  A joke?  One student reflected that he had seen the cleaning woman several times – she was tall, light-coloured hair and in her 50s.  As to her name…?  Just before the test concluded, a student asked if the last question would count towards the result.  “Absolutely,” I stated.  “In your careers, you will meet many people.  All are significant.  All deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.”  The cleaner’s name was Margaret.

Do you know the names of your someones?  Do you thank them?  Do you appreciate them?  Last week demonstrated what the Villanova community is about.  There were many events and people behind the scenes to make our community shine.  We are blessed to have these people with us…so from all of us, ‘thank you!’

All members of the College community are welcome to attend the Mass for Deceased Villanovans on Sunday 12 September in Goold Hall.  Mass will commence at 10.00am and conclude with light refreshments.  Please RSVP to Ms Nat Davidson ndavidson@vnc.qld.edu.au

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

God bless

Mr Steven Bremner, Acting 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. 

Year 12 Mock Examinations
Whilst our Year 12 students have been preparing for external examinations in an ongoing way all year, they have commenced mock examinations this week. The results and feedback from these mock examinations will inform all Year 12 students’ preparation for the external examinations that commence at the end of Week 3 in Term 4. The College community wishes our Year 12 students all the best over the coming six weeks as they continue with their study.

NAPLAN
NAPLAN results for 2021 were released to schools last week. After the 2020 testing was cancelled, this year Villanova College students completed NAPLAN online.

Villanova’s results in comparison to state and national means are shown below and we are pleased that our cohorts have achieved above these averages.

I thank all Villanova College staff for their dedication and hard work in educating our young men. NAPLAN is the result of months and years of work done in the classroom by a committed teaching staff.

NAPLAN reports will be made available to parents next week. An email will be sent giving instructions on how to access reports.

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

RUOK Day is today, Thursday, 9 September.  What a simple question to ask, “Are you ok?” or “How are you?” – we hear it all the time right?  Consider our responses that we fire off, without even blinking.  “Fine”, “great”, “well thanks” – are these your top three?

This week, we are putting time and energy into our Pastoral time each day, and our Circle Time, to really check in with our mental health.  Using A conversation could change a life | R U OK? as a platform, we are making conversations our priority in Year 5 and Year 6.

Speaking tends to be mostly an easy skill for our young men.  Conversations roll off the tongue at every given opportunity, and truth be told, some students think that our masks mean that conversations never have to stop!  Our achievements, thoughts, reactions, and observations are common themes.  Boys generally tend to look for laughs that lighten the mood and add excitement to the experience that is happening.  Taking turns when speaking can be a challenge – who doesn’t love to speak at the same time, at the very moment that ideas pop into our minds.

Listening can be a skill that takes some time to master.  It’s an active process – requiring concentration, presence, and self-control.  More difficult than you think, listening takes a great deal of energy – but it’s liquid gold for the recipient, especially someone who’s in need of our help.  It’s when we are most busy, tired, or under numerous deadlines that listening can feel a little intrusive, however we must put relationships first.  People matter.  So how do we prioritise?  In what ways can we check in genuinely, and make sure that people are travelling well?

Asking is our first step.  The last thing we need to do is have the same question repeated to us – we need to feel that the inquiry from family, friends, or school is genuine.  There is a time and place for conversations that could involve personal struggles or revealing situations.  Be mindful of this if you are willing to approach someone.  Consider your first point of contact – be reassuring and make your question all about caring for someone.  Try some of these:

Listening will mean a possible delay in your trip to the tuckshop, getting your books packed, or time away from your game during lunch.  Are you ready for this?  You are by no means required to “solve” anything – but you need to commit a few minutes to be the helping hand.

Your creativity will then be put into place – actions and ideas for the individual.  Be positive and practical.  There is no value in “well, you should have studied over the weekend” for someone who is worried about an exam scheduled for that day.  What is helpful?  “Well, here are four things that I know might help you – let’s practice those”.  Something is always better than nothing.

Lastly, a follow up is very worthwhile.  Perhaps after the exam, check in with your mate.  Reassure him that the event has passed, and there is always something to look forward to.  Feelings of remorse and regret are valid, however channelling these into actions of change – planning, organisation, and revision with a mate – provide hope.

We have a whole world happening around us.  There are news events in Afghanistan, COVID updates, and natural disasters that might just be resting a little heavy on some of our shoulders.  We have families managing all kinds of situations with changes in economy, work locations, and job requirements.  Families are making plans for holidays, sporting events, and catching up with relatives – and we keep changing these plans depending on circumstances out of our control.  There are still all day-to-day events that are very important to our young men – friends, schoolwork, and belonging.  It’s quite alright, understandable, and “normal” to have days where we feel overwhelmed.  Let’s be sure to make that very clear this week, in our classrooms and homes.

I hope that you are okay.  I want you to know that if you are not, then we are here, and ready to help, in person, via email, or over the phone.  Together, we can find the path through.  You are so important to us.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Making a responsible decision can be really challenging for some of our young men. As they get older and we look to them to make more decisions in their life, their challenge becomes very much ours too. This often leads to frustration for all concerned.

As adults, we understand that adolescence is a time of significant physical, emotional, social, and cognitive change. Neurological reconstruction sees their pre-frontal cortex (the thinking part of the brain) rely heavily on the limbic system (emotional part of the brain) to make many decisions. This explains why teenage decision-making is more likely to be the result of emotion rather than common sense.

Thankfully, we also know that socio-emotional skills [such as responsible decision making] can be learned and, more importantly for us, should be taught. Both schools and parents have a significant role in developing this skill set. To be truly effective in teaching these skills, we, teachers and parents, need to ensure that they are integrated into classroom learning and everyday home life.

But what is it that constitutes responsible decision making?

Put simply, it is the ability to make flexible and responsible decisions. That in turn involves problem solving through a process of option weighing and the consideration of consequences. It means being able to create and execute a plan of action, evaluate its effectiveness, consider the inhibitors, and then review and revise the plan as necessary.

Given the above, how do we facilitate our young people developing this skill? Our Year 7 students are currently exploring how best to make decisions and solve conflict in their Personal Development (PD) program.

On the home front we support Social Emotional (SE) learning by integrating it into everyday learning experiences. A few simple strategies:

Encourage your sons to:

• Imagine or brainstorm other ways of doing something
• Remain open to new or alternative ideas or ways of thinking
• Setting and achieving homework and study goals
• Evaluating risks associated with certain activities
• Apply the following six steps when solving simple daily problems:
• Identify the problem
• Think about why it is a problem
• Brainstorm practical solutions
• Evaluate those solutions
• Put solutions into action
• Evaluate the outcome [including possible consequences]

Each year the College surveys its students using the Social Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) instrument. The survey is completed anonymously and provides us with a snapshot of how the boys’ overall wellbeing and SE development is going. A handful of the questions relate to responsible decision making:

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Positive Culture
As a passionate rugby supporter, watching the New Zealand Rugby Team, synonymously known as the All Blacks, clean sweep our Australian Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup series last Sunday was hard to watch. The All Blacks, one of the most iconic and storied teams in world sport continue to cultivate and sustain a culture of winning – both on and off the field. I have long studied the cultural characteristics of successful sporting teams and organisations – what is the fabric of their culture which powerfully translates to performance.

A few years ago, I read the book ‘Legacy’ by James Kerr which revealed the leadership and cultural blueprint of the All Blacks. Kerr reveals the series of mantras that contributed to a culture which secured back-to-back World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015. I would like to share some of these thought-provoking mantras which have significant takeaway value for our Senior School students- not just to become better sportsmen, but better men.

Mantra #1. Sweep the Sheds
“Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done.” 

It would be easy for the All Blacks to develop out-sized egos.  After all, they now dominate their code, and have millions of adoring fans. But how can anyone take their success too seriously when expected to literally and figuratively ‘sweep the sheds’ – the smelly dressing rooms. It’s how the All Blacks express and practise humility, which they marry up with pride. Pride in performance; total humility before the magnitude of the task.

Mantra #3. Play with Purpose
“Ask ‘Why?’”

The only way a team effectively pulls together in one direction is by knowing what the higher purpose is. The sense of direction is needed to create belief and personal meaning in each player.  A clear vision, well-communicated, is what keeps the All Blacks surging forward, and successful teams energised.

 Mantra #10. Know Thyself
“Keep it real.” 

Self-awareness is the catchcry of many of the world’s most admired thought leaders – from Brené Brown (Dare to Lead) to Patrick Lencioni (The Ideal Team Player). It is also one of the most critical components to a healthy team culture. High-performing teams promote a culture of honesty, authenticity and safe conflict, and leaders lead the way on this.

 Mantra #14. Be a Good Ancestor
“Plant trees you’ll never see.” 

This is the moment where All Blacks are asked to “leave the jersey in a better place.” In a nutshell, it’s about individual players adding to the legacy of this great team. True leaders, by being stewards of the future, can simply outlast the competition. Character is highlighted here.  And character takes a higher place in the All Blacks than reputation, because “your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” 

Growth Mindset
One of the aspects of character formation that we emphasise within the Senior School is the path to continual self-improvement. Within this journey, the adoption of a growth mindset, whereby the student believes that their ability is not a fixed constant, is an incredibly powerful mental model. One of the underpinning attitudes pertaining to a growth mindset is the learnings that come from failure.

According to clinical psychologist Jo Lamble, we learn a lot more from failure than we do from success. Failure also allows us to feel humble and vulnerable, two forces that open ourselves up for introspection and ultimately personal growth. Whilst we do celebrate and emphasise the value of success as educators and parents, we must also ensure that we support our young men to process failure in a positive and purposeful way. One such way is ensuring our students have clarity around the feedback and feedforward they receive after every assessment item so that they understand the areas which require attention and further skill development moving forward.

“Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” – Denis Waitley

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Living Gratefully and Walking Humbly in our Mission Week!
Mission Week ended on Thursday of last week with our inaugural Dare 2 Donate Day.

The day culminated with our Dare 2 Donate concert.  After weeks of not being able to gather as a full community due to COVID restrictions it was a joy to be together.  Our concert was a celebration of generosity and courage.  Teachers and our student leaders had accepted dares that took them out of their comfort zone, encouraging them to do things that they normally would not do.  We had role reversals with teachers in Villa uniforms and all sorts of other attires normally not worn at work. Mr O’Neill had to dress as a Collingwood supporter; Fr Saldie was in a Hawaiian shirt and ready for the beach; James Reid wore a swimming cap and googles throughout the day; our Wildcats appeared on many occasions; there was karaoke in the primary school; students teaching classes; a Monty Python quote off between Mr Rolls and Mr Holroyd; Mr Hughes drinking a whole bottle of Kombucha; a staff versus students Basketball game; teachers jumping into the swimming pool fully clothed; our senior pastoral leaders singing ‘My Heart will go on’ from Titanic in four part harmony… and much more.  The dare that brought every student to their feet in a standing ovation was Mr Levander singing ‘One’ with the fantastic backing of our senior band The Rentons.  There were also fantastic performances by our student bands The Chits and The Shamps.  The concert finished with a spectacular rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody by our Villanova Wild Cats!  Woven amongst all this fun has been our friends in the Philippines and stories of their lives and the wonderful opportunities our Villa community has had to visit them over the years.

At home over the last week families responded to the invitation to light a candle and pray for our Filipino friends; and in Pastoral classes each morning there was an opportunity to watch video messages directly from our scholarship students who provided a window into their lives and spoke about what it means to receive the support from Villanova to attend school.

We set the goal as a community to raise the $8000 required to support scholars and programs run through AFAS, and I’m delighted to share that with all the money now counted we have achieved this aim!  This was achieved through our Free dress day; whole school BBQ and Dare 2 Donate.  It is a wonderful insight into our generosity as a community and the power of what we can achieve when we come together and support each other.  Hopefully we’ve all stretched and grown our hearts in this year’s Mission week.  A huge thank-you to all who have been involved!

In another explosion of generosity during our Mission Week our community was invited on Tuesday night to respond to a call for emergency clothing, games, activities for the over 400 Afghani refugees that have arrived in Brisbane in recent days.  Most of them had no more than the clothes they were wearing, and after leaving such trauma in Afghanistan they face 14 days in quarantine.  We have all felt deeply concerned by the stories and images emerging from Afghanistan, and people responded swiftly and with extraordinary generosity to the call in our community.  By Thursday morning we had literally run out of space between my office and front reception and the quarantining hotel indicated they simply would not have capacity to process any more than what we had already received.  So we loaded up the van and vehicles and dropped all we could directly.  We’ve called for a pause on donations and will certainly let people know when more is needed.  It was a privilege to hear the stories connected to people’s donations and the generosity was moving.  Thank-you to all who gave!

At the beginning of Mission Week we invited people to consider what their Mission is and to engage in our collective Mission here at Villa to work towards building the City of God – to building a more just, loving and compassionate world.  All students and staff were asked to consider what action they would take in doing this throughout Mission Week.  In a world where there is much we are concerned about it has been a gift to touch into the generosity, humility and daring of our Mission Week.  These are expressions of our spirit at Villanova College.  It is what we all love about the place.  It echoes the mission of St Augustine and all those Augustinians who have gone before us across the centuries.  May it continue in our days and weeks beyond Mission week!

God of joy
During our Mission Week we have gathered and shared.

Enlarge our hearts that they will be big enough to receive the greatness of your love.

May we go from this week stretched and inspired by your example in Jesus of love poured out for others.

May we have the courage to open up new horizons, capable of spreading joy as we act for a more just, loving and compassionate world.

Amen

Forming fine young men at Villa

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

Ms Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

Villanova had another good round of results against St Edmund’s College on the weekend. Overall, Villanova won the day in basketball, rugby league and tennis. The final round of AIC basketball, rugby league and tennis will be played this weekend against Padua College.

Overall, we have many basketball teams who can take out a premiership this weekend. No doubt the game of the week will be a ‘top of the table’ clash between Villanova and Padua. In fact, many of the open games this week are ‘top of the table’ clashes. In addition, we have a good number of teams who need to win this weekend as well as hope some other results go our way to take out a premiership. At the end of the day, we can only control what we do this weekend and hope things go our way elsewhere. Nevertheless, the expectation is the same for all students. We train hard, play hard and give our very best for our team and the College. I am sure that our boys will not take the opposition lightly as I know they have a hunger to come away with the silverware after this weekend.

I ask all boys to keep up the good efforts at Track & Field training. The attendance has been very pleasing over the last fortnight. After this week we can solely give Track and Field our full attention as the basketball, rugby league and tennis programs will be finished. Last weekend we saw our boys compete in the first AIC Track & Field meet at SAF for the season. This Thursday we have the second and final meet set down at SAF. We expect full attendance by all squad members. After this week we only have 4 more weeks of training (including holiday training) before the Track & Field Championships are held in Week 1 next term. Not long to go now, so our full attention and commitment to training and to the meet this Thursday must be placed high on our priority list. Track and Field training will continue next week on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Villanova Park as per usual and throughout the up-coming holiday period. Please see the Track & Field holiday training schedule below.

The Villanova swim program commenced this week with 3 sessions offered to all boys from Years 5-12. Traditionally, most of the boys within the school (as well as those who are enrolled at the College in 2022) will commence training Week 1 next term. At a total price of $150 for the season, it is certainly good value for money. I encourage as many students as possible to avail themselves of this program. One thing is for sure, if we want results, we must put the work in now! Please go to the website and look for the online swimming registration form in the ‘AIC Swimming’ section.

As mentioned above, the final round of AIC fixtures this weekend will see Villanova up against Padua. This will be the final time that our Year 12 students will play basketball, rugby league and tennis for the green and gold. I thank these men for their contributions over the years and wish them, as well as all other teams, the very best this weekend. Let’s go hard till the end boys and please enjoy!

Covid Restrictions (to be applied across all AIC sporting venues)
AIC Basketball – Two parents per player are permitted at each basketball venue for all games. They are no student spectators except the First V game where each school is permitted up to 20 student spectators each. All spectators must wear masks indoors and sign in using the QR code at each venue.

AIC Tennis & Rugby League – Please note that unlimited spectators are permitted at the outdoor venues. All spectators must carry masks with them, must socially distance and sign in using the QR code at each venue.

AIC Tennis, Rugby League and Basketball Round 7 v Padua College, Friday 10 and Saturday 11 September – Times and Venues
All Year 5 and Year 6 basketball games are played on Friday afternoons. 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 Padua College.

Livestreaming – First V Basketball v Padua College
The First V basketball game – Villanova v Padua College will be livestreamed commencing at noon this Saturday 11 September – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL0A8zEQCDkte-Q1Dx7AicA

VILLANOVA SWIMMING
Please be advised that the Villanova swim program has commenced for all students from Year 5 – 12. The numbers participating so far have been pleasing despite many of our students currently involved with basketball, rugby league, tennis and the track and field training programs.

We are hoping many more students will join the program as of Week 1 next term. The cost of these sessions will be a one-off fee of $150 per student for the entire season leading up to Week 1 of the school year in 2022. This is outstanding value for money as students can access up to three sessions per week for nearly four months. You can’t get better than that!

All students who are interested need to complete an online swimming rego/payment form that is available from the College’s website in the ‘AIC Swimming’ section found via the ‘Locker Room’. We encourage as many boys as possible to participate. Our success in 2022 is dependent upon the work put in this year!

Villanova Swimming Training Schedule
All training sessions will be held at Langlands Park Memorial Pool, located at 5 Panitya Street, Stones Corner. All training sessions will be under the direction of Mr Felipe Barraza Rojas – Villanova Swim Coach (Year 9 – 12) and Ms Kerry Holland – Villanova Swim Coach (Year 5 – 8).

Training is open to all students who hope to become a member of Villanova’s 2022 Swim Team or for students wishing to increase their physical fitness.  Please note that these sessions are for students who are capable swimmers only, they are not ‘learn to swim’ sessions. Parents who are looking for ‘learn to swim’ sessions may wish to enrol their son/s in an alternate program run at Langlands Pool.

(Commenced Tuesday 7 September for current Villanova students and on Tuesday 5 October for students commencing at the College in 2022)

Fees: A flat fee of $150 will be charged per student for all training sessions up until the start of the 2022 school year. This includes all sessions over the summer holiday period. Students are then entitled to attend as many training sessions as possible throughout this period. Altogether, those who join the program could have access up to 50 training sessions throughout this period at a cost of only $150 (this is $3 per session by highly skilled and qualified swim coaches). The more sessions you attend the more value for money you receive. This represents outstanding value.

Kerry Holland has asked all members of the Jets Swim Club to participate in at least one of the Villanova squad sessions each week.  These additional sessions will help build team spirit and provide further skills training for Met East squads, and relay practice.

For those wishing to enroll in the swim program, please click the link below to register your details online. Information regarding payment can also be found within this link. Please understand that the personal details and emergency contact information provided within the registration form will be shared with the staff from Langlands Pool. Langland Pool does not have access to the College’s data base and needs your contact information in the event of an emergency. If your details change you must notify the Sports Office (details below) as the updated information the College receives is not shared with Langlands Pool. If you do not wish for your emergency details to be shared with the staff from Langlands Pool, we will be unable to allow you to participate in the program.

Villanova Swimming Registration Link – https://form.jotform.com/VillanovaSport/aic-swimming-registration—202122-

Flipper/Pool Buoy and Bag: All students are required to purchase their own flippers and pool buoy for training. Langlands Pool will supply your son with a training pack at a cost of $85. The order form is posted on the website within the AIC Swimming section. This order must be lodged with Langlands Pool directly (not Villanova College) to receive your training gear at a discounted price.

For those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity, please complete all information required in the registration link above. It is common for most boys to commence the program in Term 4 although there is an option to start earlier for the current students. Late comers into the swim program will be accepted; however, they will be required to pay the full fee.

If you have any further queries please contact the Villanova College Swim Co-ordinator, Mrs. Juanita Jacobs via email jjacobs@vnc.qld.edu.au.  Alternatively, please contact the Sports Office on 3394 5621 or via email sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au

AIC WATER POLO
At this early stage it is likely that the AIC Water Polo Competition will be held on Sunday 24 October next term. This will be open to current students from Years 7 – 11. The divisions will most likely be the same as previous years, that is, three in total – Opens/Year 9 – 10/Year 7 -8. We will publish more details of this competition when more information comes to hand. Please be aware that the College will accept nominations from those who participated in the AIC swim program only.

SENIOR FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT SQUAD
A full invite list of the abovementioned squad will be posted within the next week. The squad will trial in Term 4 on the Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 November out at Villanova Park. All boys listed in the squad are expected to attend these trials and any boys who are not listed but are keen to trial are most welcome to attend these trial dates and to register their interest with the Sports Office. After the two initial trials the squad will be reduced before recommencing early next year. More information about start dates of the program next year will be communicated next term.

AIC TENNIS
Mr Todd Kropp, AIC Tennis Co-ordinator

Well done to all tennis players on some great results over the weekend against St Edmund’s. Overall, we won the day against St Edmund’s including a solid win by our First tennis team in a tough encounter with the opposition First team 6-2.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Year 9 boys, Sebastian Wilson and Joey Watson, who have continuously played as part of our Year 10 team throughout the season. If you were to watch a game, it would be clear the boys have no issue competing against an older and arguably better opposition with them both even recording wins in some rounds.

Currently we have the 11A team on track for a premiership with a few other teams waiting on the results from this weekend. With the final round remaining against Padua College, I challenge all boys to continue to do their very best and finish off the season well. Can I please also remind our boys of the uniform requirements outlined on the Locker Room page.

Photos
Year 5-9 AIC tennis teams will have their team photos taken this Saturday 11 September. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled time, dressed in the correct sporting apparel. If you arrive LATE, sorry NO photo.

Location: Morningside Tennis Centre (Court 5)

AIC Tennis Head Coach Bo and the team from Tennisgear are hosting a break-up function this Sunday at Morningside to celebrate the 2021 season. All students and their families are welcome to join for some fun on the tennis courts. There will be plenty of courts, racquets, and tennis balls available so come and enjoy a morning of tennis. (Info attached)

Finally, we wish the Year 12 boys all the best as they play their final round of tennis for the green and gold this weekend.

AIC Tennis Results v St Edmund’s College

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

Round 6 against St Edmund’s was a very successful weekend with all teams showcasing excellent skill and teamwork in order to overcome a typically tough opposition. The Year 5’s and Year 6’s had a bye on Friday afternoon meaning we only had 23 teams play and we came away with 19 wins and four losses. The Year 7’s showed their progression this year with all four teams having convincing wins.

The First V were seeking redemption after losing in the grand final to St Edmund’s last year and they came out firing with an excellent first quarter display. They maintained a healthy lead throughout and came away victors 84-49. William Mahoney had 17 assists, Harry Rouhliadeff had 26 points and Joe Wilson had his first double-double for the season.

This week will be the final round against Padua and will be a particularly tight contest in the Open division. All four Open teams are vying for a premiership against Padua which will make for a huge spectacle at the La Cordelle Centre.  This is a fitting conclusion for the Year 12’s who have been a part of the basketball program for so many years that they all get to finish with a grand final.

Good luck to all teams this weekend.

AIC Basketball Results v St Edmund’s College

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

We completed Round 6 versus St Edmund’s College with three wins, one draw and two losses. Congratulations to our Year 6, Year 9 and Year 10 teams for taking out the win and to our First XIII for securing the draw.  It was fantastic to see all teams scoring points and defending their line in the warm conditions. At times throughout the day, our boys were on top with the games that we lost, but simple errors coupled with fatigue allowed St Edmund’s to capitalise and get the win.

Congratulations to our First XIII for securing a draw in the final moments of the match. The score was 24-6 in favour of St Edmund’s at half time. The boys approached the second half with a new mindset, completely changing the momentum of the match. They managed to hold the ball, complete their sets, and defend their line, keeping St Edmund’s scoreless in the second half.  It was clear in their body language at the end of the game that they believed in themselves and their abilities as a rugby league side. The boys have proven that they can score points against quality rugby league sides, so I urge our First XIII to build on this belief and remain composed as they look towards going into battle against Padua College this weekend.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the seniors taking to the field in their last match of rugby league for Villanova the best of luck. I encourage all our Year 12 men to cherish the moment as it is something that they will no doubt look back on with fond memories.

This weekend we take on Padua College ay Banyo. I challenge our boys to bring a positive mindset to the game and back themselves this weekend for the final round.  Taking on Padua College at their home ground can be a difficult task at times, so I urge all players to play fairly but aggressively.

I wish all teams the best of luck for the final round this weekend. Play within the spirit of the game and as always, chase the win!

AIC Rugby League Results v St Edmund’s College

AIC TRACK & FIELD
The AIC Track & Field Championships is held on the first Friday and Saturday of Week 1 next term, that is, on the 8 and 9 October.

Our aim is to announce the team by Thursday of next week. Therefore, it is imperative that all athletes attend the meet this Thursday as well as the training sessions held next week to post a good qualifying time/distance/height to make the team.

Training will continue throughout the upcoming holiday period. Although some may be away on holiday, we are hoping that most of the squad (those announced in the team and the reserves) can attend training over the holiday period. We need to keep up training and practise over this period as the championships are held at the end of the first week back next term.

Please find below a list of important date claimers for the Track & Field Squad (note – the middle-distance runners will follow a different training program).

Track & Field Date Claimers

Term 3 (final two weeks)

• Thurs 9 September – Second Track & Field Meet at SAF
• Tuesday 14 September – Training at Villanova Park (3.45pm – 5.15pm)
• Thursday 16 September – Training at Villanova Park (3.45 – 5.15pm) TEAM TO BE ANNOUNCED
• Friday 17 September – Track and Field Squad barbecue at school – first break

Holiday training 
Boys to find their own way to and from training at Villanova Park

• Tuesday 21 September – Training at Villanova Park (8.00 – 9.30am)
• Tuesday 28 September – Training at Villanova Park (8.00 – 9.30am)

Term 4, WEEK 1 (final week)

• Tuesday 5 October – Training at Villanova Park (3.45 – 5.15pm)
• Wednesday 6 October – Training at Villanova Park (3.45 – 5.15pm)

AIC Track and Field Championships

• Friday 8 October – Day 1 at QSAC
• Saturday 9 October – Day 2 at QSAC

Running Spikes/ Waffles
The Sports Office is looking for donations from families of any old running spikes or waffles that you may have lying at the bottom of a cupboard. Some athletes, particularly the younger ones, would benefit from borrowing a pair to run in. We would like to have a supply of these shoes to lend out to boys for the championship days when they run on the tartan tracks.

Year 5 and Year 6 Middle Distance – Holiday Training
An invitation for all-comers; boys/girls and adults – contact Tom Lonergan – lonert24@gmail.com

Holiday Training – due to the school holidays falling towards the end of the season it is necessary to continue regular training during this period. We will train at Whites Hill Reserve for most holiday sessions. Training will be held on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the holiday weeks. (Training time 8.30 – 10 am)

Villanova Park has been booked for a training session on Monday 27 September. Besides the usual training on that day, run-offs may be held for any places in the team which have not been decided.

ZONE CRICKET
All cricket teams for the Term 4 competition will be published on the College web by the end of next week. Coaches and Managers will be in contact with parents about the season ahead and responsibilities that need to be fulfilled. Training for all year levels next term will begin the first Tuesday morning back (Monday is a public holiday). The training schedule is located in the Sports Locker Room on the College website. With Monday 4 October being a public holiday, the Year 5 and Year 6 groups will have their session changed to Thursday morning of that week. If there is a clash with other commitments, please contact the Sports Office and we will have a look at managing the clash. The first round of matches will begin on Saturday 9 October and the draw for the season will be sent to all parents by team managers once they have been advertised.

Thank you to Ross Whitby and Jeff Ilka for all the pre-season work you have put in to get the players sorted and all the other requirements, that need to be completed before teams can take the field. Thanks also to the parents for volunteering to be assistant coaches and coordinate the placement of players into teams.

At this stage we still require four more boys to sign up in each age group to make up the team numbers. Some year levels will have multiple teams and if we get the extra numbers, then it means the boys won’t have to play across year levels to cover gaps.

We are looking for a couple of game day coaches for the Year 5, 6 and 7 boys. Training will be conducted by specialists at each session; however, we require parents to run the games on Saturday mornings. It is important that we have a team contact and someone who can organise the smooth running of each match. Please contact the Sports Office if you can assist.

CRICKET CAMP
September Holidays at Villanova Park

A ‘Holiday Cricket Camp’ will be run over the up-coming September school holiday break. The camp is run by 10KSports at Villanova Park on the 29 and 30 September. Please use this link to all registration and payment details.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
A very belated well done to Mitchell Vedelago and Hamish Massey who represented Met East at the Qld State Football Tournament held in Toowoomba earlier in the term. Both boys played exceptionally well and came away with a bronze medal at the State Carnival.

Pictured above – Mitchell Vedelago and Hamish Massey

Hamish Massey was then selected in the Queensland State Team. This is an outstanding achievement. Well done boys!

Well done to Dante Febo (Year 11) who has been selected to participate in the upcoming U16 BJRU State Championship. Best wishes Dante!

Pictured above – Dante Febo alongside Former Wallaby great Tim Horan

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Music Captain 2022
On behalf of the music community at Villanova,  I would like to take a moment to congratulate Blake Waugh for his election to Music Captain for 2022.  Blake has accepted this role graciously and I look forward to working with him as we move through the next 12 months.  In congratulating Blake, I would like to reflect upon the current music leadership team under Harrison Egart, and congratulate the Seniors for their efforts and endurance through another great year of music here at Villanova.

Music Leadership Nominations for 2022
Information has been distributed to all Year 10 and 11 students seeking nominations for student leadership positions within the music program for next year.  Students are required to submit a completed nomination form, along with their written response to selection criteria outlined on the nomination document.  These submissions are required before 3pm on Thursday 16^th September.  Students nominated for leadership roles will be required to present to members of our community during week 1 of Term 4 with the election, for members of the music community, to be convened shortly after.

Chamber Ensemble Evening
Congratulations to the students who shared their music at Monday evening’s chamber ensemble evening.  From all reports the event ran smoothly and the music presented was very high quality.  Thanks must go to all staff involved – Ms Bastos, Mr Harvoe, Mrs Petherick, Miss Smith – and the students for supporting their colleagues through this vital assessment task within our calendar.

Junior School Concert – Tuesday 14 September
Next Tuesday we will be hosting the first Junior School Concert of the year.  Whilst it has taken some time to get to this point, we are very excited to be able to share some fantastic music from our Junior School musicians.

The concert commences at 3:30pm.  Students are required to wear their academic uniform for this event (NOT performance uniform).  We will have our Year 5 Band and String Orchestra (Tuesday morning groups) and our Junior School Band and String Orchestra (Wednesday morning groups) perform at this concert.  The concert will conclude by 4:30pm.

Information relating to ticketing and logistics has been emailed home.  If you feel you have missed this information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Music Office on 3394 5691.

Audition Submissions
Thank you to all students who have submitted their audition material for 2022 ensembles.  We are waiting on some final submissions this week; however, look forward to being able to collate this information to share with the community very soon.

Please note – this audition process is not the only factor that influences your son’s ensemble next year.  Ensemble balance, graduation of Seniors, work completed throughout the year, and rehearsal attendance are all elements that support the audition evidence in decision making.  All the best with your preparation!

Music Support Group Meeting
Our fantastic Music Support Group will be meeting next on Monday 13 September, commencing at 7:30pm in the Chapter Room at the front of the Augustine Centre.  If you would like to learn a little more about music and the music community at the College, I strongly encourage you to come along and meet this motivated group of volunteers.  We look forward to seeing you there!

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

All profits go to the Music Support Group.

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
We can now look ahead to what the new term brings!  Further information will be distributed shortly to participant families:

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Musical Update
As we come towards the end of the term, this is a final reminder that the deadline is looming if you would like to be considered for a role in the 2022 production of High School Musical.

We’ve had great numbers register their interest so far and we are all very excited to see what you have to offer in our upcoming auditions in Week 2 of Term 4. Please use the following link and register your interest to be part of the cast on stage, the orchestra or the backstage and sound crew – register your interest here.

A reminder to ensure you have read all the information in the audition pack that was emailed to all eligible students and families two weeks ago prior to signing up. We will run some rehearsals for all boys who have expressed interest in either a lead or chorus role at the end of this term and also in the first week of Term 4.

We can’t wait to announce the cast, crew and orchestra in the not too distance future. Until then make sure you, ‘get your head in the game’ and sign up for this amazing opportunity.

Mrs Justine Silk, Musical Producer

Esports Middle School Champions – back-to-back!
Last Thursday, Year 7 students Harvey Anderson, Connor Chaseling, Grant Crawford and Jules Thomson had the privilege of attending the regional FUSE Cup Rocket League esports tournament at Sheldon College, Redland Bay. After many weeks of attending friendly and competitive games playing Rocket League on the Nintendo Switch platform, these four students earned the right to represent the College and defend our title as the regional esports champion school.

Team A (Harvey Anderson and Jules Thomson) met strong opposition from the first game and narrowly missed out on progressing from their round robin heats to the sudden death Quarter Finals. Their disappointment was palpable, and I could tell that both boys felt they had let the team and their school down. This was certainly not the case.

Team B (Grant Crawford and Connor Chaseling) played steady and consistently against mixed opposition in their round robin heats. It was pleasing to see them make the cut and progress from their heat pool to the sudden death Quarter Finals.

It was at this point that I saw our two teams become an ‘awesome foursome’. Harvey and Jules sat directly behind and alongside Grant and Connor for all subsequent matches. From this position, Jules and Harvey were able to read the play of the opposition, calling ball position, ‘boost’ levels, anticipating defensive and offensive plays and offering constant encouragement. It was such a great display of teamwork – and strategy!

Grant and Connor won their sudden death Quarter Final match, then continued their winning streak through the Semis to proceed to the Grand Final. The Grand Final was tense and epic. Organisers moved the game to the Sheldon College Auditorium. As teams settled into position the shout caster announced Villanova as the clear underdogs. But, as was already clear to me, I had seen Grant and Connor’s game develop from round to round that day. They were set to peak at the right moment.  Additionally, they had unwavering support and strategy with Harvey and Jules in their corner. Against the odds, Team Villanova won by one goal in the third and deciding five-minute match.

I was so proud to witness the genuine excitement of the boys when they won. Team Villanova truly epitomised teamwork, resilience and composure. In a LinkedIn announcement after the event, tournament organiser Dan Martinez stated, “It was great to see all of the students involved demonstrating resilience, emotional regulation, teamwork, critical thinking, effective communication and problem solving. Just some of the skills developed through esports.”

Our Rocket League team now joins our Mario Kart team at the state finals during mid-October on the Gold Coast. It is hoped our fine esportsmen can continue with their success as we enter the highest level of the FUSE Cup competition later this year.

We also wish the very best to our Year 9/10 Division representatives – Patrick Campbell, Flynn Curtis, William Godwin and James Naylor – competing in the FUSE Cup Super Smash Brothers tournament at St Johns Anglican College this coming Friday. Hopefully we have news of more success to follow next week!

Mr Jason Lane,  eLearning Pedagogy Leader

Support our Junior Team in the Theatresports Grand Final
Congratulations to Flynn Curtis, James Hainge, Will Godwin, Bryce Laidlaw, Turlough O’Neill, Tiernan O’Neill who have made it through to the Youth Theatresports Junior Grand Final on Saturday 9 October from 3.00pm at La Boite Theatre, Kelvin Grove. The boys would love the support of the Villanova Community. See the flyer below for details.

SEEKING DONATIONS FOR OUR ECO-CLASSROOM
The Middle School STEM Club is busy developing and refining projects to be entered into the Science Teachers Association Queensland annual competition for 2021. One of our groups is keen to restore an unused, rather bare part of the Middle School Precinct into a lush, eco-friendly, courtyard for class groups to use. We are looking for the following materials and plants, if you have any lying around your house that are no longer needed and are happy to donate – we’d love to hear from you.

• Native plants (specifically grevilleas, creeping rosemary, and lavender)
• Birdhouse, birdbath
• Possum box
• Garden beds or edging
• Pebbles for pathways

Figure 1 The proposed site for eco-classroom

Figure 2 Proposed design for eco-classroom

Please contact Mrs Kate Alexander (kalexander@vnc.qld.edu.au) or Ph: 3394 5690 if you are able to offer any assistance towards our project.

Many thanks – Mrs Kate Alexander, Mrs Shannon Lynam & MS STEM Club students

SUPPORTERS GEAR
A range of Villa Supporters Gear is available – including new quick-dry Wildcat towels – order now for a great Christmas gift. VNC Face Masks are now back in stock. The full range is available via the online store.

YEAR 5/6 PARENT END OF YEAR FUNCTION
Tickets for the Year 5 and 6 Parent End of Year function are now open:

Date: Saturday 6 November, 2021
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: Martini Bar, Story Bridge Hotel
Cost: $45.00 (includes drink on arrival, canapes and noodle box)
Bookings: click here

LIBRARY ROSTER (MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER  – FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Library.

TUCKSHOP ROSTER (MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER – FRIDAY 17  SEPTEMBER)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.