Villa View: Issue 3/23

It’s a privilege to have the chance to write to our Villanova Community this week.  I encourage us all to take a minute to reflect on “What Measure is a Life?” – a question posed by Jim Knight in an Educational Leadership (February 2023) publication.  We are half way through Term 1 – we have Year 12s preparing for their exam block and Year 5s learning how to “take a test” as their first Maths exam is next Monday.  In between, is the vast journey of eight years of education.  All the stories, the highs and lows, shared with parents, extended family, friends, teachers and classmates.  It is an incredible time to see as a teacher – watching a young man grow, make decisions, rise to the occasion and sometimes need us a little more (and hopefully we catch that moment with open eyes, full heart and a clear head).  As a parent, I will always remember the first years my sons came to Villanova.  It is also true, that as my youngest son finishes his formal Villanova education this year, that I put every “last firsts” from Terms 1 to early Term 4 of sport, special events and calendar opportunities as a supporter, volunteer and witness to our sons finishing strong together, a priority for the memory bank.  “What Measure is a Life?” for me is about people, connection and community.

We are halfway through our first term of 2023.  Settling in with new year levels, teaching staff, timetables, expectations of teaching and learning, training and game times – and don’t forget the inclusion of camps, parent evenings and Year 12 Teacher/Parent/Student conferences have been included into our schedules.  There are goals – defined by, with and for our sons.  Academically, we have that responsibility to seek growth through changes and effort.  These goals are always made with reference to balance – a young man’s personality, co-curricular commitments, part-time work schedule, family responsibilities and social network.  Knight (2023) refers to the “whole life”.  The big picture.  Beliefs, energy, wants, needs, actions and reflections.  At different stages of development, each young man may need to focus on different areas with a different lens – perhaps the scale tips at times – and as the adults, we should try to be available to see, hear or be available when it does.

What appeals to me on the level as a human being, is that Knight (2023) acknowledges that post-Covid we may find we are slightly falling a little short of our expectations.  We have had some losses in unprecedented times, small or large, and we tried to band-aid them with our pre-Covid coping strategies.  This is not a free pass for what we do, say or achieve in 2023.  It’s acknowledging that we are vulnerable.  To family circumstances and relationships that have been through circumstances that were new, to work situations and still the ongoing effects of change/loss or adjustment, and yet we strived to continue with teaching and learning that would somehow, with the incredible devotion of teaching staff, find a way to engage and inspire achievements of the potential that students had in reserve.

This week, define yourself by when you listen, are grateful, be available for someone, prioritise someone in need, make time to pray, or put yourself first in an instant.  If you were mindful and able to, make this a daily practice.  One small intention.  Ripple effects on the people around you like you will never comprehend.  Knight (2023) reminds me to be present.  I am in an Acting Principal position, and I strive to be what I can every day.  Flawed as always, but hopefully making an impact where I can, and when I can.  It’s challenging but I find gratitude in walking along corridors and into classrooms I would not ordinarily do otherwise.  I hear the insight of staff who might often greet me, make social conversation but now share professional thoughts and opinions.  It’s a precious thing, to be available for those moments.  I’m seeing segments of College life that come together to make this incredible place where we work.  There are so many examples of thoughtfulness, kindness and people who pull together when the lives of our students, staff and parents matter.  In a week, there has been the unbridled joy of news about babies, the thrill of a century scored at AIC cricket for our record books, the quick inhale hearing about the passing of a past staff member, Cletus Davis.  In between, the busyness of boys still learning to catch buses, managing an evacuation drill, ensure that the NAPLAN browser is uploaded and enjoying Shrove Tuesday pancakes before Lenten pledges begin takes place.

The measure of our life is what we decide brings us value and joy.  It might shift, and not be as constant, particularly as we grow older.  It’s the privilege of being given opportunities to be a witness to changing the lives of others.  This might be in a professional or personal sense – but none the less, it’s with the intention of seeing who you spend time with, noticing their wellbeing and capacity for changes that help them move forward.

I choose people as my measure of living my best life.  I know full well that I will be giving out many more Pepsi Max’s this Friday as I might not quite know as many first and last names of our Year 5 students – yet they will love this more than some of you might appreciate – but how blessed I have been to expand my part in living an undivided life.  One that has me crossing the lines of Junior, Middle and Senior School.  Grateful and seeing the “measure of life” with so many students and colleagues.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, 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. 

The Junior School has a Focus of the Week.  For our Year 5s/6s and staff, each week we aim to explicitly connect the core values of the College to young men between the ages of 10 and 12.  From Monday to Friday, we display our intention – last week “Accountability” and this week “Respect” and we explore it, through Circle Time, incidental moments on the playground and during learning, as well as using the infinite wisdom of our Year 12 Peer Mentors on a Thursday morning – the big brothers.  Social and emotional development for boys must come from purposeful teaching and learning.  It’s just as important as the National Curriculum with subject areas.  The happy, balanced young man needs his spiritual and emotional side nurtured and educated as well.

Any teacher will tell you – starting with the word accountability means boys think of “accounts”, “accounting” and a maths vibe blossoms in their heads.  Maybe it’s to do with banking?  Something about money.  So we need to explicitly teach the term in a pastoral sense – so hopefully Father Peter’s assembly skit with a couple of our First Sport Captains last Friday at our College Assembly has a deeper meaning for our boys.

Being accountable.  We start with synonyms which I believe the Year 5s are learning with their Literacy units.  Owning your words and actions.  Being honest about what you say and do.  Putting your hand up in a situation for what you contributed.  Being a part of the conversation.  Making the time to be present.  Investing in each other.  Acknowledging imperfections.  Taking on what can be done better.  This can be hard for a lot of our boys.  It’s not about “shame” with doing something wrong or making a mistake.  It’s the chance to learn more about us, our triggers, reactions and the consequences.  Without punitive threats, with the highest support in conversations, empathy, sympathy and honesty.  Teaching that we can make amends when mistakes occur.  Making changes in our routines, organisation and commitment to doing our best takes effort – this is how we are accountable to each other – and being our best Villanovan selves.

So staff share experiences – how we plan, teach, adapt to changes, react to unexpected moments, and reflect with their teaching partners about lessons and day to day classroom management.  The support they can find with another pair of eyes, ears and perspective in our spaces is invaluable.  They have someone who can hold them accountable – celebrating the victories but also being the listening ear and constructive guidance counsellor when outcomes might not meet expectations.  Staff also share how they are parents, partners, sons/daughters, friends and colleagues which mean we are totally human beings who are accountable to others in our lives.  We are accountable in many other ways just like the boys – and of course, the parents!  Nobody said accountability was easy – but it’s part of our integrity and role as a believer in Christ, or as part of any faith system, to hold ourselves up to a higher power.

This week our focus is on “respecting each other” and doesn’t that mean so many different things?  The respect at home, between a parent and child, is similar but different to that of a teacher and student, again it’s similar but different to a boy’s classmates – and even again with friends.  So we can’t just write those words down.  We have to unpack them.  Model them.  Staff need to remind the boys how to show parents respect at home – with timely reminders about Shrove Tuesday pancakes, packing togs for swimming and how to manage homework around family life.  Staff model respect with their teaching partners all the time – the boys see a team relationship working constantly through every lesson, lunch break and before/after school commitment.  Turn taking, leading but also following, speaking but also listening, sharing strengths but asking for help with challenges – our imperfections make us the perfect examples every day.

For our Senior Peer Mentors this week – how do they feel about respect?  Almost grown men, just shy of turning 18 years old (some already have!) when legally they now have incredible responsibilities for respect on the road as drivers, as citizens out in public and with the expectation to demonstrate sportsmanship and leadership in a crisp white shirt.  How does this feel?  Empowering or pressuring?  Sometimes it’s even harder when men transition between child and adult – what we thought was always the “dream life” is actually much harder.  We will be listening carefully to just where our big brothers are at so far.

The human condition is always an interesting one.  What we perceive, say, think, act upon and interpret from a situation will always be different to another.  I am so proud that we try our very best to give our youngest Villanovans the chance to consider themselves in new or more wholistic ways.  We are helping them realise who they are – that they might be more conscious about themselves in different ways each week, with the highest of support and best of learning intentions.

­Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Eight camps in three weeks involving 27 staff and 418 students is a lot of work and some may question if it is really worth it! The enormous growth and development shown by the students during their time away, however, shows just how important camps are – and in a way that can’t be achieved in a classroom, in normal curriculum-based activities. While some students showed some trepidation when leaving for camp and during some activities, it was lovely to see their Villanova brothers rally around them and support them on the bus ride, in the cabins and during those activities. The sense of accomplishment they felt upon returning home knowing that they had not only made it through the camp experience but learnt more about what they could achieve with the help of teachers and friends cannot be underestimated. This year is about community, and camps are certainly a community event. New relationships – student/student, student/staff, staff/staff – were built or further developed. Any community relies upon the relationships within it to truly flourish. While not the only means of bringing this about, camp is certainly a very effective one.

The activities completed on camp were fun, challenging and created a camaraderie that is now being built upon back at school. The forming of new friendships was especially evident in Year 7 where they were able to spend real time getting to know each other, resulting in the expansion of some friendship groups and the forming of new ones. More importantly it gave these groups a sense of cohort and what that means.

As I spoke to each group on the last night of camp, I made sure that they were reminded of the teaching staff that came away with them and to thank them for the personal sacrifice they made to come away on camp. I also am grateful to the staff as not only did they give up their time, but they brought real energy and enthusiasm to their groups and worked hard to form strong student-teacher relationships.

All Middle School students are currently in the process of setting their goals for Semester 1. This process provides a great opportunity for you parents to involve yourselves  in your son’s education and reflect with them on what they want to achieve in the coming months and just how they are going to make that happen. These goals will then be approved by members of the Pastoral Team before being made visible to their classroom teacher.

Mr Sean O’Neill, Head of Middle School

As we draw towards the midpoint of this first term, it is extraordinary to reflect upon the myriad of calendar events that have already occurred and the energy and enthusiasm in which our young men have exhibited in their pursuits inside and outside of the classroom.

Next week, our Year 12 students will be entering into an examination block and I wish our Seniors every blessing for exceptional results. Our Year 11 students have commenced Unit 1 of their QCE journey and our Year 10 have successfully navigated their transition into the Senior School.

In the cocurricular life of the College, our sportsmen across the AFL, Cricket, Swimming and Volleyball programs have been actively engaged in training to maximise their individual and team performances, highlighted by a magnificent century by First XI Cricketer Finn Thallon last weekend in securing the Collis Cup against St Laurence’s. Our musicians are learning new repertoires ahead of their debut concerts and our Year 12 students have recommenced their commitment to supporting those at the margins at Emmanuel City Mission.

As we pivot towards the back end of this first term, it remains incredibly important that our young men are well supported in maintaining their mental health and wellbeing in the way in which they balance their commitment to academic improvement with their cocurricular engagement and part time employment. As always, if there is any sense that further intentional support is required in this area, I encourage parents to contact your son’s Head of Year.

Transition into Senior School Interviews
As stated above, our Year 10 cohort has made an impressive start to their Senior School journey. They are embracing their new elective subjects and certainly stepping up with their attitude and mindset to their studies. As part of each Year 10’s transition into the Senior School, they complete a goal setting module within the College’s TrackOne Program and meet with either the Head of Year or myself for an interview. These often are a highlight of my day and I commend our Year 10 students for their level of introspection in assessing their learning habits which has cultivated great conversations. I look forward to continuing to witness this group flourish as the year continues.

Student Voice
This year, our weekly College assembly has been strategically shaped to include greater student voice, engagement and leadership. I would like to congratulate our College Vice Captains, Charlie Corrigan and Connor Moloney who have done an exceptional job in serving as our emcees and for the contribution of members of the Student Leadership Team and Year 12 cohort. Each assembly is intentionally aligned to one of our pillars within the GREATS Framework for Student Formation. Last Friday’s assembly focussed upon Accountability, particularly in how integral this tenet is to shaping a strong young men of character. Academic Committee Student Leader Jackson Moloney stated the following: “the journey to manhood is not a straight one with failure and fault throughout; whether it’s not getting the mark you wanted in maths or losing a rugby game. The importance of accountability is its role in our growth after these failures and how we look at ourselves in the mirror after the fact.” Tomorrow’s assembly will focus on the importance of teamwork. I look forward to continuing to share the voice of our student leaders throughout the year.

“It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.”-  Moliere

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Ash Wednesday – Being our ‘best selves’
Yesterday in an extended Pastoral over 100 of our students took a leadership role within their pastoral group to assist in leading their class in our Ash Wednesday prayer.  They assisted in setting up the room, assigned readers, made sure the prayer with all the video links and audio worked, and assisted with the distribution of the ashes.  Around the school today I’ve been hearing from staff and students alike how much they enjoyed this model of praying together in their pastorals.  What a great gift of service our leading boys took in assisting to mark this important day in our Faith Calendar.

The reading was taken from St Paul’s letter to the Colossians.  Paul wrote that if you are serious about living a life with Christ, act like it.  Paul encouraged the early Christian community to make a choice to kill off everything connected with a way of life that kills your best self: doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, vulgarity, dirty talk.

Paul suggests you’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with God’s label on it.  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.  Be even-tempered, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as God forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

The students were invited to image putting on these new clothes.

Putting on a shirt and it is about having compassion and care for others.
Putting on glasses and seeing others and the world through God’s eyes of love and kindness.
Putting on running shoes and that they represent strength and the discipline to really train and be disciplined as someone who is determined to use your gifts and talents to improve the lives of others and make our world a more just and loving place.
Pulling on a hat and it is a commitment to acting calmly and being prepared to listen to and forgive others.

All students were invited to consider what habits they could personally commit to letting go of in the next 40 days?  What new habits can you personally commit to developing in the next 40 days?

We asked them to choose one or two things – both a habit to get rid of, and a new one to form.

Following up at home!
Perhaps as a family at home you can consider how each day during lent you are making the commitment to being your ‘best self’.
Research now tells us that it takes 3 weeks to form new habits.  We’ve got 40 days in lent so we can change habits and cement them!
A prayer for lent at Villa as we consider how to be our ‘best selves’ in community are applicable to belonging to a family as well:

Loving God,

May we know what we can contribute to those around us.

May we give generously.

May we forgive easily.

May we share honestly.

May we contribute fully.

Help us to build a community that is ‘stronger together’

Amen

Across Lent we have a commitment to raising funds for Project Compassion in the Junior and Middle school and supporting the Vinnies hampers in the Senior school.  Boys have already begun thinking through how they can contribute to these very worthy projects.

Ministry Group meeting schedules
We’ve had new students joining Ministry groups which we warmly welcome.  These meetings are always advertised in the student bulletin.

Study of Religion Mini- Conference – Asylum Seekers
On Monday the 13^{th of} February, our Year 12 SOR classes had the opportunity to ask questions to Naser Moradi, an Afghan asylum seeker who has been living in a detention centre in Melbourne the last eight years. We also listened to Mark Taylor, the humble founder of the Work and Welcome program, which has been helping refugees have a steady paying job for the last 30 years. Since Mark conceived of the idea of helping refugee arrivals achieve their first employment in 2000, over 300 people of refugee background have been assisted. At the time, Mark was a humble teacher at Padua. There were many obstacles to his simple yet brave idea. But Mark persisted, motivated by St Francis’s saying that “It is giving that we receive.”

Naser shared his experience of living in detention in Melbourne for 8 years and the conditions he was kept under. Visitors would need a special visit to pass, and rules would change on any given day, for example the occasion when a visitor was not allowed in because wearing a “Love will find a way” T shirt. He discussed with the boys his experience as an asylum seeker having to flee from Afghanistan without his family. He gave us a glimpse of the painful background, ie the persecution of many of his family and friends – all Hazaras – in his mountain village.  He also expressed his passion for painting, showing the boys his paintings that he had created throughout his detention. The main aim here was to express a vision for hope – perhaps a little like Banksy’s murals. Fortunately for Naser, he has just been released from the detention centre and is now living in Melbourne. To listen to him was to feel your conscience awaken.

Mark Taylor is an ambassador for the Work and Welcome program which provides asylum seekers and refugees with jobs at Private Schools. There are many schools under the program with many more organisations taking up what is such a humble but effective scheme. At schools like Villanova, many of the staff give up a few cups of coffee a week to create the salary for a worker from refugee background.

Overall the experience was an effective one as the SOR IA1 exam is based on how different religions’ ethical teachings would react to the issue of refugees or asylum seekers. But of course, it’s not just about writing in an exam booklet, but finding the way in which your talent or passion can create change – as Mark Taylor so memorably put it.

Heath McPherson, Year 12

Mrs Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

Scholars’ Assembly
Two weeks ago we congratulated our Semester 2, 2022 academic award winners at our Scholars’ Assembly. It is always great to gather together in Goold Hall as an entire College community to acknowledge students for their hard work and efforts. The College’s Academic Captain, Thomas Rieck drew upon the week’s theme of effort by not only discussing effort that delivers great results but also effort that may not result in success but learning. He encouraged all Villanova students to continue to strive for their best, whatever that best looks like.

As detailed in a previous newsletter article, the Semester 2 awards acknowledge those students who excel in the second half of the year and who may or may not have received Semester 1 or Celebration of Excellence academic awards. The awarding of an academic excellence badges for students who received awards in both Semester 1 and 2 was also done to acknowledge consistency and persistence.

Recipients were :

The second part of our assembly turned to our Year 12 cohort of 2022 where we welcomed back 5 of our high achievers. Each of these young men, who achieved an ATAR of 99.00 or above, were congratulated for not just their results but acknowledged for their grit, determination and hard work. Callan McInerney (ATAR 99.90) also spoke of the effort required to succeed in his studies.

Year 12 Examinations
Year 12 examinations commence on Monday and as such the cohort will be on exam block conditions. This is an important week for our Senior cohort as they navigate a number of internal assessments. The College wishes the students all the best for the week. All Year 12 students should know of their obligations for the week; numerous emails and presentations from staff have been given to ensure that students are prepared to do their very best.

NAPLAN
Preparations for NAPLAN continued this week with our Year 5, 7 and 9 cohorts participating in practice sessions to ready themselves for Week 8 and 9 testing. Information relating to NAPLAN has been circulated via messages to the students and emails to parents. Further information will be sent over the coming weeks.

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching & Learning

Congratulations to our Term 1 sports teams for an outstanding set of results in Round 3. Our AFL teams remain strong winning eight of the 13 games played, and our Cricket program had an amazing weekend with 18 wins from 25 matches.

A special mention to Villanova’s most recent First XI centurion Finn Thallon. Finn scored 101 not out, a knock that helped his team secure the 2023 Collis Cup. The Collis Cup trophy was donated by Jeff Rolls, a St Laurence’s College Old Boy and Villanova Parent, in 2013. The cup recognises the links between the two Colleges with regards to sporting rivalries and the locations of each school on a hill, Collis being Latin for hill.

In today’s newsletter we include sign-ups for Term 2 sports. Students interested in registering for Term 2 sports will need to click on the link provided below and complete all information by Friday 10 March.

Best wishes to all sporting teams this week. Remember being humble and respectful is not only an expectation, but something we should all strive for both on and off the fields of play.

Communications
Families are reminded to access all Sport information via the Villanova College website and the Villanova College App. The Locker Room tab provides updated information regarding training schedules and current AIC/trial draws.

The AIC Draw 2023 can also be accessed here. A note that in some cases, draws may not match the AIC draw (for example this is the case in AFL). Families are encouraged to always check The Locker Room for accurate draws. Weekly Team Lists will be posted regularly to the Parent Lounge and Student Cafe Portals.

For full updated Term 1 results please click on the links provided below.

AFL
Cricket
Volleyball

Parent Volunteers
A reminder that the Villanova Sports Club run canteens at each of the home sporting venues on Saturdays. If any parents have some spare time on game days to lend a hand, perhaps during your son’s warm-up or Cricket lunch, or duty at Volleyball, that would be very much appreciated. Revenue raised from our canteens goes directly towards the development of our Sports programs. Thank you in advance for your assistance. It is very much appreciated.

Please sign up here to assist on our Goold Hall canteen at Volleyball: Volleyball Canteen Volunteers 25-2-23.

Please sign up here to assist on our Villa Park canteen at Cricket (Firsts families required only): Cricket Canteen Volunteers 25-2-23.

Term 2 Coaches Welcome and Induction evening
Please save the date for our Term 2 Sports Coaches Welcome & Induction evening, Wednesday 15 March, 6:00-7:30pm at Villanova College.

All Term 2 Sports Coaches will be encouraged to attend – Chess, Cross Country, Football and Rugby. The primary goal will be for attendees to leave with all induction and compliance items completed, so that coaching can commence asap.

If you are interested in coaching a Term 2 sport, we would love to have you on board. Please contact the sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Strength & Conditioning
Villanova College’s 2023 Strength & Conditioning (S&C) program has now commenced. The Villanova gym will be supervised by experienced and accredited S&C coaches, every morning and afternoon of the school year. The College is very happy to announce our partnership with Athletix, who will be providing our ongoing Strength & Conditioning support in 2023.

With regards to the training schedules, in-season and pre-season sports will be prioritised, plus there will be development sessions available for students across Years 7-12. Based on gym floor space, the numbers able to attend each session will (of course) be limited. Students are able to join a stand-by list if sessions are full.

Registrations are still open for S&C sessions in Weeks 3-8 Term 1. Please click on the link provided to register your attendance.

AFL
An excellent round of AFL against St Laurence’s College with many close results within a goal. In close games, effective use of the football is crucial. Actions to consider in making your mate, ‘Best on Ground’ when using the football include:

• Be confident
• First option
• Long and direct to forwards
• Run from behind to receive and outnumber
• In one way, out the other

I challenge each player to apply these actions to their game, especially when the scores are close. Ensuring that you make your mate, ‘Best on Ground.’

Unfortunately, a couple of results were influenced by questioning or challenging the umpire’s decision. This is not the action of the Villa-Man. In the future all AFL players are challenged to, ‘Control the Controllable.’

Thus, react to the decision made doing what you can do to assist the team, rather than reflecting on your interpretation of the umpire’s decision. I challenge each player to ask themselves, ‘Is what I am about to do going to benefit the team?’

In a week of close games, the 6C’s displayed significant improvement to register a great win in their game against St Laurence’s; well done boys.

Mr Brian Pascoe, 1^st XVIII Head Coach

Cricket
It was a successful round of cricket against our cross-town rivals SLC which saw us walk away with 18 wins and one tie from 25 matches played. SLC has showed in previous seasons that they’re always a strong cricketing college, so it was great to see so many positive results across the cricket program. In our aggregate games, we had a great day out with nine wins from 10 matches played. It was also very pleasing again to see such positive results amongst the Year 5 and Year 6 teams. We have plenty of teams who remain “undefeated” so far this season which is great reward for their hard work. This Saturday’s matches see us pass the “halfway point” of the season and we remind all players and coaches to stay focused, prepare well every week at training and finish the season strongly.

1st XI Cricket
Last week in my match report, I spoke about what we can do better “individually” and “as a team” and how our full focus is how we prepare for SLC. The 1^st XI playing group were very excited for our first home game of the season and as a team, we promised to never give up, finish the season strongly but most importantly – make sure that we represent the College proudly.

I’m happy to report that the players showed these traits, stuck to their word, and got their first win of the season which resulted in Villanova retaining the “Collis Cup Trophy”. The day started with a special moment which saw Dean Basili presented with a Villanova 1^st XI baggy cap. This is always a special moment for any player, and he was warmly welcomed to the team and presented his Baggy Cap by former 1^st XI premiership captain Matthew Short.

Captain Tom Rieck won the toss and as a team we chose to bat, however it didn’t go to plan with us losing two early wickets which had us being 2-1. Enter Tom Rieck and Finn Thallon to the crease who put on a great partnership to steady the ship and take us to 2-65. Although we consistently lost wickets throughout our batting innings, we were able to put on partnerships as a team and this resulted in us scoring 9-241. Our batting innings had a special moment which saw Finn Thallon score a century (101no). It was a great innings of courage, determination, and grit. Finn has been our most consistent batsmen this season so far, he works very hard on his game every week and it’s a great reward for him personally within our team environment. As a team we were happy with that team total, and we knew it was very defendable. Our bowling innings started well with Larry Clark (1-28) and Tom Rieck (1-30) applying the pressure, the first two wickets that SLC lost were from great run outs which is something that we really work hard on at training. Bowlers Henrik Frederiksen (3-37) and Dean Basili (1-9) kept the pressure on during the final session and took wickets at key moments which resulted in us bowling SLC out for 198.

As coach, I’m extremely proud of the players for showing that great spirit to “never give up” after our first two losses, it’s great reward for them to get a win against strong opposition. As a team, we need to keep working hard on our skills and preparing well and hit our “team performance targets” for the rest of the season. Congratulations again to Year 10 student Finn Thallon on his terrific century, he now becomes the Villanova’s most recent century maker in AIC 1^st XI Cricket with our last centurion being back in 2014.

Good luck to all Villanova sporting teams in Round 4 vs St Edmund’s College.

Mr Nathan Dufty, 1^st XI Head Coach

 Villanova Cricket Uniform
All players from Years 5-12 are to wear whites.

Cricket Whites

• White pants
• Villanova cricket shirt
• Sports shoes
• Villanova green sports cap or broad brimmed hat

Under no circumstances are players permitted to wear club shirts or club hats.

Important note, all cricketers from Year 5-12 are asked to wear protective equipment. It is compulsory for all batsmen and wicket keepers whilst keeping up to the stumps to wear a helmet. All players are required to purchase and wear their own cricket box protector. The College will provide two helmets per kit.

Wet Weather Procedure
In the event of rainy weather, a notification will be placed on the Villanova College App. If afternoon training is to be cancelled due to rain evolving during the day, then an alert will be posted via the Villa App by 1.00pm, as well as giving an announcement to the students over the College’s PA system. If training is cancelled during the session, boys at Langlands will be taken to the undercover carpark at Easts Rugby League Club and boys can be collected from there.

Mr Chris Everding, Cricket Coordinator

Swimming
The Villa swim team participated in their fourth meet for the season, competing against four other schools at the Centenary pool – St Peter’s, Ashgrove, St Edmund’s and St Patrick’s. There was a good turn up of swimmers and we again had many personal bests in the pool. The new Year 5 swimmers are now used to our routine and have really enjoyed competing.

After a lot of consultation with the coaches and managers, we are proud to announce the Swim Squad Vice Captains for 2023. The Vice-Captains will support our Swimming Captain Oscar De Tina.

• Senior School – Hugo Harrison
• Middle School – Wyatt Clelland
• Junior School – Isaac Haywood and Ashton Lewis

These boys will be presented to the college on Friday’s assembly, with the open team.

This week the routine will change a bit, as we compete on Thursday 23 February at Chandler. All schools will be present on the night. For some of the boys it will be their first-time swimming in such a large venue, and it is a valuable experience to be able to swim in the big arena, in preparation for the final AIC championships. This will also be the final time trial for team selection. We will make the selections based on the fastest recorded times, so for boys who are pushing for a place in a relay or individual event, this may be your last chance to post a competitive time.

As usual the bus will leave from the front of the College to take the boys to the pool. There will be a bus returning after the final individual events. Parents who wish to collect the boys from the venue must do so by 6:10pm. When the event concludes, we will be returning to school immediately, and cannot wait for boys to be collected.

Friday morning will be a breakfast for the whole squad. We will finish training a little early to make our way back up to the school pool area. If you are able to assist with the breakfast, please contact the Sports Office. It would be very much appreciated.

Mrs Juanita Jacobs, Swimming Coordinator

Volleyball
It was certainly a tough weekend on the court for our players coming against a well-known volleyball contender like St Laurence’s. As we move close to the halfway point of the season, this is a good opportunity and challenge for our teams to show some resilience after some tough starts. With another tough opponent this week in St Edmund’s, I challenge our teams to set and control the standard of the match and not be intimidated by our opponent or a specific moment of the match but be calm and controlled during each point and play until the whistle is blown.

It was a tough encounter for our First VI team who went down 3-1. There were definitely disappointing times during the match where our team were not reaching the standards we set for ourselves. With that said, I am proud to say the team has returned to the court with some determination this week and will be looking for a better performance in our match this week.

A few friendly reminders –

• Our Senior teams are at home this week and will need to check the duty requirements.
• Our Junior teams are off to St Edmund’s College, please check the draw carefully and allow sufficient travel time.
• Students without the correct uniform will not be permitted to play.

 Mr Todd Kropp, 1^st VI Head Coach & Volleyball Coordinator

Term 2 Sport Sign-Ons – Chess, Cross-Country, Football and Rugby – Online Now!
All students who are interested in representing Villa in Term 2 sports from Year 5-12 must complete an online registration form. This form is available via the link below:

Villa Sport – Term 2 Sports Sign-On

Within the online form please tick your preference. Note that Rugby and Football will be played during the same time. Students who are eligible may choose either Rugby or Football as well as Chess and Cross Country.  Please see below all information pertaining to the up-coming Rugby and Football season.

• RUGBY UNION (Open to all students from Year 5 – 12). Games played on Saturday as per College calendar.
• FOOTBALL (Open to all students from Year 5 – 12). Games played on Saturday as per College calendar.
• CHESS (selected students from Year 5 – 12). Games played on Friday afternoon/evening as per College calendar.
• CROSS COUNTRY (Open to all students from Year 5 – 12). Meets – refer to College calendar.

We ask that all parents complete this online registration alongside their son/s.

All Term 2 Sports nominations are due by Friday 10 March.
We expect that when a boy commits to a team that he follows that commitment through until the end of season. Both parents and players must acknowledge within the online sign-on form that they are aware of the College’s policies and expectations with regards to school sport. The College’s Selection Guidelines and Code of Conduct can also be found on the online sign-on form. Please note that school sport is given priority over club sport.

Rugby and Football Training/Trials
The first training/trial session will occur the very first week after Round 7 of Cricket, AFL and Volleyball. That is, the week beginning Monday 20 March 2023 (Week 9, Term 1).

Training times and venues for all Year 5-12 Rugby and Football teams will be provided in the coming weeks. The College will provide bus transportation (one-way) for all teams training at Villa Park. Parents are required to promptly collect their son after training as  there will be no return bus service from Villa Park.

Please see the divisions below. Note in each division the players will be graded from A, B, C etc. Opens will be graded from 1sts, 2nds, 3rds etc.

Rugby and Football – Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Opens

AIC Rugby and Football Trial Games – Date Claimers 

• Monday 20 – Thursday 23 March (Rugby and Football training/internal trials)
• Saturday 25 March Internal AIC Rugby and Football Trials at Villa Park (1^st, 2nds and 10A Rugby and Football v SLC at Villa Park, all other teams will trial internally)
• Saturday 22 April AIC Rugby and Football trial v IONA (full school trial – Years 5-12)
• Saturday 29 April Round 1 – Saturday 10 June Round 7 as per College calendar

Rugby and Football – Coaches/Referees – express your interest here!
If any parents or students have an interest in Rugby or Football coaching and/or refereeing, please contact: sportsoffice@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Chess
More information regarding Chess will be available soon. Chess is played on Friday afternoons in Term 2. Boys can participate in Chess, Cross Country and either Rugby or Football if they wish.

Cross-Country
Training will start for Villanova’s Cross-Country Squads in Week 7 of Term 1. In preparation for this, I encourage all boys who intend to join the ‘Running Wildcats’ to begin their own training and start their own running. The AIC Cross-Country Championships will again be conducted at Curlew Park, Shorncliffe on the 31 May. The training schedule will be posted soon via the Villanova College website via The Locker Room and the Villanova College App.

Mr Brian Pascoe, Cross-Country Coordinator

Composite/Met East Sport

Mr Shaun McLean, Director of Sport

Words of Wisdom from the Super Coach.
Due to the season, I would like to confess:  I am an Aussie Rules tragic.  One of my passions (beyond family, music and music education of course) is the Brisbane Lions.  Regardless of how one-eyed I may be in this regard, I am always open to information from other sources of wisdom.  Some came to me this week surprisingly from the Courier Mail…

Wayne Bennet, super coach, went on record as having two golden rules.  The first of which was ‘Never be late.’  We often speak to our musicians about arriving on time to lessons and rehearsal – it was edifying to note that this was a tenet for so many sporting stars who have worked with Mr Bennet over their successful careers.  As a team activity, Wayne felt that if a player was late (to training, a meeting, the game) they were placing themselves above the team.  It was communicating, whether intentionally or not, that their personal agenda was more important than those of all the others they were working with or playing for.

A wise old conductor of mine had a saying – ‘Early is on time, on time is late.’  When I worked with him professionally it was extended to include ‘and late is fired!’  Although a little more abrupt, the message was the same – turn up prepared not for you, but for your team mates.

At Villanova we speak of community.  The word community suggests a responsibility to the ‘other,’ not just the self.  How we show up, how we prepare, how we work together all demonstrates the value we place not in the activity but in each other.

I look forward to working with you all this year as we turn up for each other, we work together, and we produce some amazing music for our community.

Debut Concert Series
As we move toward the end of term, and as our camp program concludes, we look forward to our first series of concerts here at Villanova College.  Information regarding these events and uniform requirements have been distributed to families of participants; if this information has not come to you, please contact the music office as a matter of urgency – music@vnc.qld.edu.au.   

We will be celebrating two evenings of music in Week 7 – Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 March.  Our ensembles have been working diligently over the start of this year to prepare a great program for you all.  Both nights are great evenings of entertainment and will be the hottest ticket in Coorparoo this side of Easter!  The table below outlines the ensembles performing each evening:

Tickets will be required for all acts inside Hanrahan Theatre.  Our fantastic Music Support Group will be running a barbecue and selling refreshments prior to both concerts (from 5pm).  All food/beverage bundles and tickets can be purchased online via TryBooking – links to each concert are above.

We look forward to sharing a great evening of entertainment with you all.

Year 5 Instrumental Music
Our Year 5 musicians have been doing some amazing work in their lessons.  We are now almost three lessons in, and I have seen some incredible things happening.  I’ve witnessed students making their first sounds (always exciting), students demonstrating some real grit and working through early challenges, and some incredible ‘canons’ happening.  The students have done a great job integrating into our program and I am really looking forward to their opportunity to perform a little later this term.

Our IM team have asked me to communicate that we are posting homework information on Teams each week.  Please have your son show you the chat inside his IM Teams channel.  Your son’s teacher will also have posted the PowerPoint demonstrating instrument care and general program information.  Please ensure you have viewed this with your son – it is also a great resource to refer to when having issues with the instrument and or queries regarding the program.

As always, should you have any questions regarding the immersion program here at Villanova, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the Music Office at music@vnc.qld.edu.au or 3394 5691.

Assembly Commendation
I would like to publicly commend our Guitar Ensemble 1 for their performance on Assembly last Friday.  The students shared Mr Neville’s arrangement of ‘Nancy Mulligan,’ an Ed Sheeran classic.  I hear that Ed was super impressed – he must have caught the stream whilst he was at Lang Park sound-checking for his concert that night.  Well done, gentlemen!

Music Support Group
Our next Music Support Group meeting will be convened on Monday 13 February in the Chapter Room at the front of the Augustine Centre, commencing at 6:30pm.  All parents are most welcome to attend.  We encourage you all to come along and learn a little more about what happens behind the scenes in music here at the College.

Key Dates Term 1
As we look ahead across the term, please ensure we pencil the following dates into your diary:

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. (flyer attached).

Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $35; Wildcat Coolers – $30
All items can be purchased via TryBooking through the following link:  https://www.trybooking.com/BMEML
Purchases can be collected from the Music Office and all profits will go to the Music Support Group.

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

PARENT INFO
Year 7 Vaccinations
The Chief Health Officer has notified Queensland schools of a change to the National Schedule of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Please see the attached for further details. 2023 009 Att 3 Information to parents legal guardians of year 7 students

Parent Council Meeting – Archdiocese of Brisbane
Catholic School Parents Queensland is hosting an Archdiocese of Brisbane – Parent Council Meeting on March 9.
Brisbane Archdiocesan Parent Council meeting-March2023_flyer
Click here to register: https://www.eventcreate.com/e/brisbane-parent-council-meeting-march2023

P&F
Contact: Peter Roberts (President)
0412 055 884 or pjroberts0968@gmail.com

Sports Club 
Contact: Sally Warren (President)
sallyjwarren@gmail.com

Music Support Group
Contact: Michael Molloy (President)
Villanova College Music Office music@vnc.qld.edu.au

COMMUNITY NEWS

Villanova College Master Planning Activities
Planning for the Future
Villanova College has taken the next step towards the development of a new multi-purpose hall and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (‘STEM’) building and the future delivery of a new café/ canteen, Learning Institute and refurbishment of Mendel Hall.

In accordance with Chapter 2, Part 5 of the Planning Act 2016, we have asked that the Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning approve an amendment to the existing education facilities designation of our campus located in Coorparoo.

To assist with future development of the College a Master Plan has been developed with Cox Architects which strives to provide an appropriate balance between the built form and open space areas while considering the impact of the proposal on adjoining residential development. The Master Plan will be delivered over two stages as follows:

Stage 1A + 1B

• New approximately four storey building to accommodate Multi-purpose hall and STEM facilities (located in the southern part of campus, south of Seventh Avenue)
• Closure of Seventh Avenue to public access

Stage 2A + 2B

• New single storey building to accommodate café/canteen and Learning Institute
• Refurbishment of Mendel Hall

Ministerial Infrastructure Designation
To deliver on our commitment to the College community we will request that the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning endorse this Master Plan and amend the current designation over the subject. The MID process provides an alternate assessment pathway to lodging a development application with Brisbane City Council and allows for the delivery of essential community infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.

The MID (AID-1222-0657) has been requested in accordance with Chapter 2, Part 5 of the Planning Act 2016. If the Master Plan and MID is approved, this designation would acknowledge and reflect what the College uses this land for today and secure development of the campus in the future.

Having your say
To have your say about the proposed MID amendment, you can make a submission to the Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, the Hon. Dr Steven Miles via:

• online: statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/mid-consultations
• email: infrastructuredesignation@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au
• post: PO Box 15009, City East, QLD, 4002
• Phone the Infrastructure Designations team on 1300 967 433

Please note, if you make a submission, it should:

• Be clearly marked as ‘Proposed MID for the development of Villanova College’
• Be in writing, dated and signed by each party or entity who made the submission
• State the name and address of each person or entity who made the submission
• State the grounds (or reasons) for the submission and the facts and circumstances relied on in support of these grounds.

Any submission must be received by the Minister on or before 9 March 2023.
If you wish to discuss the proposal with one of the project team. We would welcome the opportunity to brief you on the Villanova College Master plan.

TUCKSHOP NEWS 2023
All volunteers rostered on for the upcoming week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.
The 2023 menu and price list for Tuckshop is now available by clicking Tuckshop Menu 2023 Please note there are current supply issues with Hash Browns.

All students new to the College are asked to bring cash for tuckshop purchases until student ID cards have been received and a Flexischool account has been created and linked. Existing students with student ID cards and Flexischools accounts are reminded to bring cash as a backup for purchases until new ID cards have been received.

Volunteering at the Villanova College Tuckshop
The Tuckshop is a modern, commercial area of the College that provides an affordable and nourishing breakfast, morning tea and lunch service for the boys. Breakfast preparations begin from 7.00am and morning tea and lunch preparations beginning at 8.30am with the day concluding at 1.15pm.

We run a self-service system, with a diverse menu consisting of both freshly prepared and pre-packaged items.
It is managed by a paid convenor but could not exist without its dedicated volunteer helpers.
We welcome help from Mums, Dads, grandparents, other caregivers, friends, etc.

If you are interested in volunteering at Tuckshop you would be rostered on one day every four weeks generally from 8.30am to 1.15pm but for those of you who can accommodate or prefer an earlier start and/or finish, you can be rostered on the breakfast shift from 7.00am.

Even if you can only give just an hour or two, this is still very welcome – we can make use of any time you are able to give us.
Our helpers are provided with a cuppa and cake for morning tea, a delicious lunch, lots of laughs and an opportunity to see their sons in the College environment.
If you’re a little nervous about volunteering alone, why not join with a friend!

Current volunteers have mentioned the following reasons as to why they enjoy working at the Tuckshop:

• it helps our boys and the College community
• it is a great opportunity to meet other parents and chat to others with similar interests
• the boys enjoy seeing their parents at the College (even though they will not always admit it!)
• it is a chance to get to meet your son’s friends and their teachers
• it is a great way to seek advice from parents who have “been there, done that!”
• it is a lot of fun

If you are interested in volunteering you can register you interest at: Volunteering at Villanova » Villanova College (vnc.qld.edu.au) ,
call the Tuckshop on 3394 5592 or email Dot Blair – tuckshop@vnc.qld.edu.au

2025 ENROLMENT
Year 7/2025 enrolment applications will open on Friday 3 February.
For further information please contact our Enrolments Officer at enrolments@vnc.qld.edu.au

ENROLMENT COLLECTION NOTICE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS
2023 Student Residential Address and Other Information
The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) would like to notify you that we have requested for your child’s school to provide residential address and other information.

Under the Australian Education Regulation 2013, the school is required to provide the department with the following information about each student at the school:
• Names and residential addresses of student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
• Student residential address (excluding student names)
• Whether the student is a primary or secondary student (education level)
• Whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).

The school collects the above information by generating a unique and unidentifiable – student reference number (SRN) for each student record. The school only uses the SRN for this collection. It is not allowed to be used for any other purpose. The number only indicates to the department that each record provided is for one student.

Purpose of the collection
The Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection (the Collection) informs Australian Government school education policy and helps ensure funding for non-government schools is based on need.

The information collected will be used to inform school funding calculations. It is combined with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data to calculate a non-government school community’s capacity to contribute to schooling costs.

From 2020, the department introduced a new measure of capacity to contribute: the Direct Measure of Income (DMI). The DMI is based on the median income of non-government school students’ parents or guardians using the Collection data. Find more information about the DMI on the What is the methodology for the Direct Measure of Income (DMI)? Department web page.

Use and disclosure of personal information
Your personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). Personal information is information or an opinion about an identifiable individual. Personal information includes an individual’s name and contact details.

Any use or disclosure of your personal information must occur in accordance with Privacy Act and the Australian Education Act 2013 and Australian Education Regulation 2013.

Your personal information provided to the department through the Collection may be:
• disclosed to the ABS for the purposes of capacity to contribute calculations and analysis as a part of the Multi-Agency Data Integration Project (MADIP). Find more information about MADIP on the ABS website MADIP page.
• disclosed to a contracted auditor where the department may from time to time, carry out an audit of a school’s collection submission. The contracted auditor compares the school’s submission with the school’s student enrolment information. The contracted auditor will not use the information for any
other purpose.
GPO Box 9880, Canberra ACT 2601 | Phone 1300 488 064| www.education.gov.au | ABN 12 862 898 150
• disclosed to its service providers for the purposes of providing the department with information and communications technology support services.
• used or disclosed where it is otherwise required or authorised by law.

The department does not intend to disclose your personal information to any overseas recipients.

Find the department’s privacy policy on the Department of Education website which includes information on:
• how individuals can access and seek correction of personal information held by the department;
• how complaints about potential breaches or breaches of the Privacy Act can be made;
• how the department will deal with these complaints.

The department commissioned an independent privacy impact assessment (PIA). The PIA assesses the flows of information under the Collection, compliance with the Privacy Act and measures in place to safeguard the
personal information being collected. The current version is available on the 2018 Student Residential Address Collection: Additional Required information Privacy Impact Assessment web page.

What do you need to do?
You are not required to do anything. Your school is responsible for providing the department with the requested details; however, you can contact the school to update your family’s details.

Contacts for further information
Your school can provide additional information about the Collection process.
Alternatively, please visit the SchoolsHUB Address Collection help and support page.

To contact the department about privacy-related matters, email privacy@education.gov.au or write to:
Privacy Officer
Legal Services
Department of Education
LOC: C50MA1
GPO Box 9880
Canberra ACT 260