Villa View: Issue 36/19

When I was growing up my mum seemed to always be a step ahead of us kids. When we were getting up to mischief, she had the uncanny ability to know straight away. I discovered many years later that mum had a very well-connected network in the neighbourhood. Other mothers in the streets surrounding our family home were her eyes and ears. With four energetic boys, she needed all the help she could get to keep us on the straight and narrow.

I wonder how she would handle social media today. I wonder how any parents keep on top of what is going on, the conversations and the information being shared between “mates” via Snapchat, Instagram and other platforms. Every parent wants to trust their child is doing the right thing on social media, but we know that this is not always the case.

The College staff have presented many different workshops to our students on the topic of social media. We have invited external presenters to speak with parents and students on this topic. Despite this work the students have the view that what they are doing and saying on social media is private and is only between friends. Unfortunately, in this current climate, very little remains private. When students are posting material that is harmful to others, they need to have the mindset that they potentially are displaying the content on a huge billboard at Stones Corner. If this was really what happened to their posts, would they be happy to see their words or images on display for all to see?

I urge parents to please have a conversation with their son about his use of social media and to caution him about what content is posted. Resources to help with this chat can be found on https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/skills-advice/good-habits-start-young

END OF YEAR ARRANGEMENTS
To conclude the end of the year, the following arrangements are in place. On Thursday 28 November students will be attending their respective end of year activity as per the schedule below:

Years 5 and 6 – Wet and Wild
Years 7- 9 – Wet and Wild
Year 10 – White Water World
Year 11 – The Odyssey Challenge (focusing on team building and leadership experiences)

Information will be sent home early next week to all families detailing arrangements and requirements.

On Friday 29 November the students will be dismissed following the final whole of College assembly at 10.30am.

STAFF FAREWELLS
At the end of this year we will farewell the following staff and I thank them for their significant contribution to the College and especially to the students they have taught and supported during their time at the College.

Ms Alex Christou
Mr Stuart Denigan
Mrs Danielle Galpin
Ms Paula Henry
Mr David Hood
Mrs Erika Schofield

We also have three staff members taking leave in 2020 – Mrs Dianne Martin, Mr Peter Meecham and Mrs Sam Sleep. On behalf of our community, we wish these men and women every blessing for the future.

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

God bless
Mr Mark Stower, Principal

Tonight, we celebrate our Year 6 Moving On Ceremony in the Hanrahan Theatre.  For two years there have been 147 students who have embraced the opportunities and managed the high expectations of the Junior School at Villanova College.  They have coordinated co-curricular commitments, performed in music rehearsals and realised their potential across the academic subjects in the classroom.  Socially, they have formed friendships that I hope will last a lifetime.  Emotionally they are much more aware of who they are, what they need to do their best, and most importantly, know that staff and their brothers are always on call to help.

Each student will be celebrated tonight for their achievements in Year 5 and 6.  We will remember their highlights – camps, social justice fundraisers, sporting teams and carnivals, musical and theatrical events, and favourite classroom learning projects.  Projected onto the screen will be images of everyone’s favourite moment – always an incredible medium to really appreciate just how far each student has come along.  Our official Student Leaders have been working behind the scenes to prepare the commentary that will remind us what life has been like through the eyes of ten, eleven, and twelve-year-old boys.  There are bound to be many laughs, and some quiet tears of pride, but this evening is by far one of the best parts of role – thank you in advance to all Year 6 students for keeping us grounded and inspired to make the memories shine brighter for you.

Our Sportsman of the Year will be announced this evening.  As Mr Everding takes the stage, I know that our young men will start looking towards those classmates who have excelled in competitive arenas across the AIC, Lytton, Metropolitan East and State/National levels.  As the speech is being read out, so too will the list of the finest accomplishments that have been by this individual.  Their dedication to physical and mental capabilities in water or on land will be impressive.  The time invested by this student and his family to commit to the hours of training and attendance at competitions mean that together, they will celebrate the highest honour this evening.  I also wish to take this moment to commend any individual who has set their alarm, put themselves into trials to make a sporting team, and shown 100% effort to use their coach’s guidance and work collaboratively or completely on their own for the sake of their best score or time.  To wear the green and gold is the honour we all share.  The Wildcat is with us in every stroke, step and goal.

The recipient of the Robert Sellars Augustinian Fellowship Award will be declared proudly tonight.  We will remember Robert Sellars and his cheeky smile, welcoming his family to be with us and present the highest accolade in the Junior School.  Callum Hackett was his classmate and Melissa Liddy was teaching at Villanova when Robbie was cracking jokes, keeping life real and managing his treatment for leukemia.  Robbie’s story and legacy lives on in the boys who walk through our gates every day.  With our social/emotional programs we purposely set out to help our students develop the self-control, the kindness and the service to others, so our sons can be the best mate that one day will be the best partner and father.  Staff are responsible for nominating a group of students that show the absolute highest qualities of goodness, spirit and strength in humility.  We will notice who puts others first over the two years.  Nominations must be seconded, and then staff must give examples of such qualities, which are to be voted upon during attendance at a special meeting just for this purpose alone.  I am thrilled to be awarding such a prestigious recognition this evening to an incredible student, knowing that his family will be proud, thrilled and overjoyed to see him acknowledged for all that he has done.  He has made our Junior School so much better for just being with us.

When tonight is all said and done, just know how proud we are of your sons.  As we call out names and hand over their certificates, there will be family, friends and staff who will really admire each person walking across the stage.  They have grown in ways that can’t be measured in testing.  They stand tall because of their time in the Junior School and they are most certainly ready for their next adventure in the Middle School.  God bless these boys and the people who love them.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

YEAR 12 GRADUATION
Last Thursday, the Class of 2019 celebrated a significant rite of passage in their young lives – the completion of their secondary education. During the day, a Graduation Assembly was called to allow the student body the opportunity to affirm the Year 12 students for the final time and thank the Seniors for their outstanding leadership of the College over the course of 2018.

One of the many highlights was Year 5 student, Ronan McMahon’s generous tribute to the big brothers of Year 12 which was included in last week’s Villa View. During the assembly, the Student Leadership Handover Ceremony was also conducted. College Captain Elect for 2020 Max McCaul affirmed the Seniors of 2019 for their remarkable leadership of spirit and their service to the community. College Captain Matthew Rolls finished his moving speech with these fitting remarks:

As we leave this place, embarking on new journeys and an exciting future I leave you with one, simple message; embrace it. These past few days I have found myself consistently asking the question; Where have these years gone? Where have the days spent in the classroom surrounded by mates gone? Where have the lunchbreaks playing handball gone? Where have the Saturdays spent at Villa Park gone? Why do I get tingling sensation down my spine when I relive the memories of my time spent here?  It’s because this place means something to me, and to the 119 young men that say goodbye today.

It’s because this place offers something so indescribable, something that we will dearly miss when we are gone. So, don’t let the minutes pass you by, because one day, in the not so distant future, you will be standing here, fighting back the tears as you bid this place one final farewell, that I can promise you. So, thank you… and goodbye.  

At the conclusion of the assembly, the student body formed a Guard of Honour stretching from Goold Hall to the where the Villanova journey begins in the Junior School Precinct to offer one final tribute to an eclectic group of young men who have etched a significant chapter in the rich history of our fine college.

I would like to personally thank the Seniors of 2019 for a remarkable year. Under the inspirational leadership of College Captain Matthew Rolls, they made their Senior Vision a living reality and in so doing confirmed that where passion lies, success follows. I would also like to affirm Year 12 Pastoral Area Leader Mr Peter Meecham for his guidance and support of the Seniors throughout the last two years.

“The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future.” – Plato

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

YAYM ELECTIONS AND ARCHBISHOP DUHIG EXCURSION
By any measure, YAYM have had a superb year. One reason is the quality and open-mindedness of our 2019 leaders: Jose Sibi, Xavier Simondson, Will Gyte, Zac Child and Caleb Rogers. They have been notably inclusive. Effectively, a new branch of YAYM has developed, namely the Year 9 boys who call themselves the Sausage Sizzle Party, led by Tom Price and Jack Stone. Fittingly, we have one last hurrah for 2019, namely our annual visit to the elderly residents at Duhig Village Nursing Home, with whom a strong friendship has been formed.

The program will include Christmas carols, bingo, Caleb Rogers’s famous Family Feud questions, and Zac Child’s famous biscuits. A staff member is also going to make individual tree decorations to leave as gifts. We have secured five-star transport: the new Villanova green-sleeve bus.

Last Wednesday a new leadership group was elected, with Ryan Hegerty as President, Thomas Huey and Joshua Reid as co-secretaries, and Charlie Berridge as Year 8 rep.

VINNIES HAMPERS AND BUSH FIRE APPEAL
Tuesday this week was our green and gold day in solidarity with, and practical service to the many communities affected by the terrible bush fires. We chose Vinnies to donate the funds raised to, as they offer both short term relief (care packs) and longer-term support, e.g. rental payments while homes are re-built.

It was also humbling to see how quickly the Vinnies hampers for near neighbours filled up. Take the basket in my pastoral room. On one day, nearly every student added items and the basket was full. Interestingly, the Gospel contains no mention of fund-raisers, but it does provide miracles of multiplication, like the feeding of the 5000. My own view is that the miracle occurs when everyone chips in.

GRADUATION MASS – THE NARROW DOOR
As described above, there is no shortage of students who have a heart to help others in the community. This other-centred-ness – as Charlie Fisher (former Deputy Principal) used to call it – is the antidote to a culture which sometimes slips into individualism, and entitlement. The recognition and emphasis on other-centred behaviour was I think modelled and accelerated by our Senior Cohort of 2019. Fittingly, Fr Peter Wieneke OSA, College Chaplain, gave a memorable sermon during the Graduation Mass last Thursday alerting us all to the importance of “narrow doors.” These doors are the difficult little decisions we face each day: be courteous or keep the air pods in; step aside for a visitor or remain in a clump across a corridor; pick up the litter or watch it float by – and so forth. As Fr Pete rightly noted, our departing Seniors became so used to taking narrow doors that they became the Villa men of who we are all so humbly proud.

PRAYER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY BUSH FIRES:
This is the prayer we used for morning notices on Tuesday – the day of our bush fire appeal.

God Almighty, giver and sustainer of life,
For those whose homes are threatened by fire,
We ask your mercy.
For those whose lives are threatened by flames,
We pray your protection.
For those who have lost all their possessions,
We pray for your comfort.
For those whose health is impaired by smoke,
We pray your healing.
Be with those who respond,
Keep safe firefighters, police and volunteers.
Make their efforts effective.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayers.
Amen.

Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

As the Christmas holiday period is just around the corner, it would not be unreasonable to assume that the sports program at Villa would be on ‘shut down’ mode. Not so! Please find listed below some of the sporting activities we have planned over the summer vacation period.

Villanova’s success in sport this year has been very pleasing. Success in sport comes through hard work and dedication from many people. The hard work and dedication needed to do well is often unseen and is generated by the efforts of many people spanning the entire season. This includes involvement in the lengthy pre-season programs. Currently we have many students involved in cricket, volleyball, swimming, football and rugby pre-season programs. I acknowledge the efforts these students and their coaches give towards these programs and I congratulate them all for their ongoing commitment and dedication. Well done boys!

Unfortunately, hard work and dedication will not always guarantee premierships or first places. This is an unpleasant fact that we just have to accept. However, in my mind, there is no doubt that hard work and dedication is instrumental in building a positive school culture and builds character among our students. Sport at Villa is about getting involved, giving your best, pride in the jersey, enhancing school spirit and enjoying the challenges you face with your teammates.

I suppose the bigger picture here is not about winning or premierships, although we work for them. It’s about giving it your best shot and accepting that things don’t come easy and at times you have to grit your teeth and get ‘stuck in’ in order reap the rewards. There are many life lessons to be learnt whilst participating in sport. I thank the entire community for the efforts given this year. Again, there are many opportunities listed below for our students over the vacation period. Our success next year will be traced back to our hard work and commitment given by those involved in the activities such as those listed below. Keep up the good work boys!

AIC VOLLEYBALL TRIAL GAME V SLC – SATURDAY 23^RD NOV
Please be aware that a full set of volleyball trial games has been organisd v SLC this Saturday 23^rd Nov. All times and venues are posted in the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section in the newsletter.

VILLA SUMMER VACATION SPORT PROGRAM  

Andrew Slack Squad Training

• The S&C training sessions will continue during the first week of the school holiday period, concluding on the Friday 6^th December
• The field sessions will conclude on Thursday 28^th November
• The S&C training sessions will commence on Monday 13^th January
• Any parents who are not already members of the “Villa Andrew Slack Squad 2019/20” Facebook page are invited and encouraged to join – the coaches will be using this group as a key point of contact for parents and players
• The coaches will contact the players via Facebook to arrange the schedule commencing in January.

Ben Mowen Squad Training

• The S&C training sessions will continue during the first week of the school holiday period, concluding on the Thursday 5^th December
• The field sessions will conclude on Wednesday 27^th November
• The S&C training sessions will commence on Tuesday 14^th January
• There will be no field sessions held during the Christmas vacation period
• The first field session will commence on Wednesday 5^th February

 Cricket

• 1^st XI v Trinity College, Adelaide game at Villa Park on Monday 2^nd December, 9am
• 1^st XI v GT game at Villa Park on Wednesday 4^th December, 9am
• Oblate Cricket Cup in Melbourne, Sunday 8^th – Thursday 12^th December
• 1^st XI T20 Comp hosted by Padua on Monday 20^th & Tuesday 21^st January – all day
• Year 7A v 7B Internal Trial Match – Thursday 23^rd Jan @ Villa Park,  8am-12 midday
• Year 6A&B, 8A&B, 9A&B, 10A&B and 1^st, 2nds, 3rds, (4ths v 5ths internal) cricket trials v Churchie on Friday 24^th January (schedule below). If boys are unable to play, please email Mr Stariha cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au so that alternative arrangements can be made
• Year 5-10 Cricket Camp will be conducted on the 14 – 16 January.  All details found on the web.

Volleyball

• Volleyball Schools Cup Tour to Gold Coast Sunday 8^th – Friday 13^th December
• Volleyball Clinics at Goold Hall – January 20, details found on web and below

 Swimming

• Villanova College Swimming – Langland’s Pool. Last day – Friday 20^th December, start back – Monday 6^th January
• A Swim Clinic will be conducted on Monday 20^th January, 7am-1pm.  All details are found within the AIC Swimming section on the web

 Football

• 1^st XI & 2^nd XI – Day 1 of training in 2020 on Wednesday 12^th February, 3.30-5.00pm, Venue TBC.

AIC AFL, CRICKET & VOLLEYBALL TEAMS
The draft AFL, cricket and volleyball teams are now published on the web. We aim to publish the volleyball teams again next week after the trials v St Laurence’s held this Saturday 23^rd Nov. Volleyball teams will be graded A-C (D teams in Year 8 and 9) based on ability. Cricket teams will be graded A-C based on ability. All teams lower than a ‘C’ team will be referred to as a ‘coloured team’. These coloured teams are of equal ability, therefore a ‘gold’ team is no better than a ‘green’ or ‘blue’ team despite how the team lists are presented.

It is normal that some boys may feel disappointment. I ask all members of the community to be resilient and accepting of the coaches’ call. There has been much time, effort and communication amongst the coaches to get the selections correct. Inevitably, there will be a difference of opinion from some within the community. This happens in all teams at all levels right up to the national teams.

AIC VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Clinics – 2020 Date Claimer
Please be advised that a volleyball clinic will be scheduled for Monday 20^th January at Goold Hall for all volleyball players from Years 7-12.

Venue:  Goold Hall, Villanova College, 8^th Avenue, Coorparoo
Uniform:  Sports PE uniform or any suitable sports clothing

AIC Cricket Trials
Please find below the schedule for the cricket trials to be played on Friday 24^th January v Churchie. Team lists are found on the web under the AIC Cricket section. All players in these teams are required to attend, as these trials will form part of the trial process. Most teams will play with up to 12 players per team. After these trials, the coaches are required to select their team to participate in a full set of school trials v St Patrick’s College on Saturday 1^st February. If your son is unavailable for the trial below, please email Mr Craig Stariha – cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au so that alternative arrangements can be put in place.

*Year 7A v 7B Internal Trial Match – Thursday 23^rd January @ Villa Park, Andrew Slack – 8:15am-12:45pm

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
Well done to Charley Hegarty who recently made the Met East Aquathlon team and will head to the State titles held in Hervey Bay in February. Best wishes Charley!

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

ENROLMENT CONTRACTS
Please ensure all enrolment documents have been returned to the Music Office – we require this data to ensure we are able to plan for 2020.

INSTRUMENT RETURNS
All College instruments will be available for loan from early next week.  If your son has been utilising a College instrument and wishes to loan this over the break, please ensure your loan agreement is returned before taking the instrument home.

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA CONCERT
Thank you to all performers and audience members who participated in Tuesday evening’s concert.  It was a great event and a wonderful way to finish the year.

I would like to recognise the efforts of our fantastic Music Support Group for organising the catering for this event and their support across the year.  Thanks also to the staff across our entire department who have worked with the students preparing them for so many events across 2019.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
On behalf of the Instrumental Music Department at Villanova College, I would like to wish you all a safe, happy, and Holy Christmas.  We look forward to seeing you safe and well in the New Year.

Thank you all for your continued support of Villanova Music.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

THE VILLA KITCHEN COOKBOOK
With Christmas just around the corner, what better present to give and receive than a recipe book filled with tried and tested recipes from the wonderful Villanova community. The book not only contains recipes and food images reflecting our Villanovan tastes and flavours but also encompasses images of the school, its surrounds and a brief history of a number of its buildings. Together it creates what is bound to be a treasured memento of your sons’ time at the College. It is also a wonderful keepsake for any Old Boy you know who may wish to relive their Villa days.

The Cookbooks can be purchased via Flexischools for $35 and any orders will be sent home with your son. If you have any queries regarding the cookbook or its purchase, please contact Jacqui Steendyk – jsteendyk@vnc.qld.edu.au. All proceeds from the sale of the cookbook go towards the Villanova College P&F. We look forward to you enjoying your copy of The Villa Kitchen.

TUCKSHOP
Tuckshop Menu Price List – 2019

TUCKSHOP ROSTER

Monday 25 November
Liz Burge
Donna Skelton
Natalie Blackshaw
Michelle Blum
Megan O’Neil
Dave Learoyd
Doone Wildin

Tuesday 26 November
Christina Ross
Ita Dumont
Maria Kambouris
Miranda Dang
Jo Buchhorn
Melissa Moir
Luisa Snell
Genevieve Keskinidis

Wednesday 27 November
Karen O’Mara
Narina Jenkinson
Alison Wilde
Sam Thompson
Rum Raddatz
Monica Curtis

Thursday 28 November
No Tuckshop

Friday 29 November
No Tuckshop

LIBRARY ROSTER

Tuesday 26 November
Cristina Palacios
Melanie Pickering

Wednesday 27 November
Donna Leahy
Madhu Kalaimannan

Friday 29 November
Gina Avolio

YOUTH MASS – PARISH OF STS PETER AND PAUL
Please click here for details of the Youth Mass (high school age and above) on Sunday 24 November at 5.30pm.

TELEVISION: 1959

Villanovan, Vol.2 No.3: November 1959
Technology changes, however, the issues just get transferred to the following generations!

This extract is from the Rector’s Report delivered at Speech Night by the Rector, Fr. J. Hanrahan at the Rialto Theatre, West End on November 6, 1959.

“… I cannot subscribe to the cry of protest and woe being sent up all around us because of the advent of television.

Undoubtedly, it is a fascinating – and time-consuming – medium, but if the parents exercise even ordinary restraint, they can make it an invaluable ally in controlling their children.  In the multitude of poor programs, there is a leaven of most informative and educational telecasts, which will broaden the horizons of our youth, and give them first-hand information they would never otherwise have obtained.

I do not fear television, but I do fear the thoughtless parents who are not strong enough to insist on ‘watching rules’.  They themselves, their children and we teachers will regret the arrival of TV into those homes.

I know of no more excellent single aid to teaching than this new medium, and we should aim to make a set available to every class being catered for in the ABC’s Television for Schools series.  I hope some kind benefactor will lighten our financial worries by donating a set to the College.  With the building needs ahead of us we are unwilling to turn aside finance into such a channel while the basic demand of classroom space is not yet met.”