Villa View: Issue 36/21

Dear Members of Villanova College Family,

This Thursday evening the Year 12 students of 2021 will graduate from Villanova College. Sharing the evening with these young men will be their parents, extended family members and staff of the College. The saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’, comes to mind as I reflect on the journey for these young men over the past years. Through many different activities, parents of our students get to know each other and often spend time together, whether on the side of sporting fields, at school functions and even going on camping holidays together. It is this support that is so crucial to raising good young men. Over the years our students have been exposed to great role models, people who show them the way to act, behave and live a good life. Often they are there to provide advice, pick up the pieces when things go wrong and support each other with the task of raising a teenager.

On Thursday evening we give thanks to the many mums and dads, teachers, coaches, managers and extended family members who have helped shape the young men who will stand proudly before those present in Goold Hall to finally walk out the door as a Villanovan.

We keep our Year 12 students and their families in our prayers.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sunshine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Vaping and E-cigarettes

I started to smoke when I was 13 years of age. By the time I left school to go to University I was smoking 15 cigarettes or more a day. This habit stayed with me until I was 32 and my health started to deteriorate. I had a young family at the time, and they needed their dad around, so I quit. It was one of the hardest habits to beat. I know in my heart that I can never put another cigarette in my mouth. It would all start again.

The latest statistics on vaping sees one in seven teens engaging in the practice. There is a lot I do not know about vaping, so here is some research:

• Johns Hopkins University (US) researchers say vaping is less harmful than cigarettes, however they found it is still not safe.
• Australian National University and Melbourne University researchers found using e-cigarettes triples the chances of a non-smoker taking up cigarettes.
• E-cigarettes burn liquids that contain nicotine, often at higher levels than a tobacco product.
• Curtin University research has found vapes contain chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons linked to lung, bladder and gastrointestinal cancers. Further research found “dangerously high levels” of lung irritant benzaldehyde and high levels of a cinnamon flavouring known as trans-cinnamaldehyde which the TGA has now banned.
• Buying or selling an e-cigarette that contains nicotine without a doctor’s prescription is now illegal in Australia.

So what do parents do when they discover their child may be vaping? In broaching the topic with your son it is important not to immediately go on the defensive or be judgemental. Find a good time for a conversation away from other members of the family. Help your son to find good research on vaping that points out the effects and harms. Calmly, confiscate the vape and explain the reason for doing so is to keep him safe. If you are concerned he is accessing vaping at school please ring the respective Pastoral Area Leader. We are currently working with our families to develop the best way to deal effectively with this growing problem.

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

God bless

Mr Mark Stower, 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. 

I have my eldest son graduating tonight with the class of 2021.  What does this have to do with our Junior School boys who graduate in the classes of 2027 and 2028?  For some of you, it would be understandable to think it’s “so far away – it doesn’t apply to us”.  That’s a fair reaction, but I promise you that the time is going to slip by so quickly that you just might remember this article in another 6 to 7 years and appreciate what I’m about to share with you.

I still remember Harry’s first day in Year 5.  He was a tall kid but just low key and looking around for his mates to play with, once they had consumed a bacon and egg burger (his first of hundreds thanks to Dot Blair and the College Canteen/Villanova Park Canteen).  As parents, we watched him succeed, stumble and find his way through all the expectations – uniform standards, homework, assessment and co-curricular teams.  Part helpless but always supportive, we put our complete trust in Harry building resilience and figuring out his strengths and challenges – we could see the eight years ahead and knew that there was plenty of time – this was a long term process for us as family and not an express lane to anywhere in record time.  Yet somehow, here we are.  At this “finish line” which all of a sudden seems so soon, but also offers a little welcomed relief.  It’s bittersweet – we are excited for him but the reality of the world that waits for him is one we don’t quite recognise ourselves.  We have to trust that he’s ready – and try to remember that as 17 year olds, perhaps there’s a lot to be said for just being plain old excited to get on with life.  Sound familiar?

It reminds me that what we do here in Year 5 and Year 6 seems so BIG – and this week gives me the chance to see the whole picture from the other end.  Life does bring us surprises – ups and downs – but they soon fade as we return to being busy with something else.  Friendships do change, but they also return.  Classes, teams and social opportunities create flows that we can never predict from the young age of 10 or 11 years.  There are so many great times that wait for our young men, even as they come into a heavy assessment period in the Junior School this week.  Yet all of a sudden, I now have one son who has no more exams left at Villanova and that is surreal.  What he achieved in Year 5 or Year 6 is a distant memory – and even his Year 12 exams in recent weeks are now a thing of the past – worrying will achieve nothing and all that lies ahead are the opportunities he hasn’t heard about yet.  It’s a great moment in time.  Very much about “seize the day” as was mentioned in our College Notices early last week – be grateful for this place and time for it really is a time to make memories with mates.

So I’m suggesting the adjustment of the parent binoculars this week.  From short term to long term.  Accepting that at this stage of the year, it’s about celebrating what are your son’s successes, and taking the challenges as the goals for 2022.  We need to embrace the eight days left of 2021 and relish the personalities and charms that make our learning spaces the Red/Blue, Gold/Green and Black/White groups.  Acknowledge the efforts behind the results and be satisfied that we all tried – staff, parents and students.  That you are all lucky enough to have the next six to seven years of trying again but for our Seniors, that chapter is done.  Of course they will keep making their path in life, but it’s not the same without the teachers/coaches and office staff who know them so well.  Who treasured their highs and lows but all of a sudden must say goodbye and good luck.

I am so glad that I work in a place where I see our students continue and finish their schooling journey.  I can truly give thanks, this year of all the 17 years I have worked at Villanova College, that I watch incredible people find their way through curriculum, sport, drama, music, tuckshop queues, film, leadership roles and life in general.  We in the Junior School, get to remember individuals for their beginnings and endings – hoping, in the smallest way, that we helped just a little in them being happy and healthy “fine young men” because we tried to set the standard in Year 5 and Year 6.  Sometimes it really does take looking back to see just how lucky we are.

To the class of 2021, the classes of 2027 and 2028 are keeping that cycle of love, learning and laughing all too real and ready to challenge you in future Old Boys’ events.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

Year 12 Formal

On Tuesday this week, the Year 12 students celebrated the first component of their end of year celebrations at the Senior Formal. It certainly was a memorable night. The sartorial choices by our young men are to be commended- they certainly looked incredibly stylish in their dinner jackets. The way in which these young men engaged with their partners, parents and teachers throughout the evening was also very impressive and reinforced the strength of our wonderful community.

I would like to thank Year 12 Pastoral Area Leader Mr Tony Rolls for his meticulous organisation of the evening. I look forward to sharing with you, reflections from the Year 12 Graduation in next week’s Villa View.

Courageous in Character

As the Class of 2021 come to end of their Villanova Journey tonight, so comes the ultimate fulfillment of their Senior motto: ‘Humble in Confidence, Courageous in Character’. These fine young men have led the College well this year and pass on a strong leadership legacy built upon the virtues of courage and justice.

I have written about the four cardinal virtues first articulated by the ancient Stoics in the upcoming edition of the Villa Voice- those being courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom. I am currently reading the first in a series of books that illuminate these virtues. Ryan Holiday’s, ‘Courage is Calling’ Fortune Favours the Brave’, focuses upon the barrier of fear that stifles courage yet the importance of finding within oneself the courage to be your authentic self.

I would like to share an excerpt from Holiday’s introduction to the book:

‘The greatest moments in human history all share one thing- whether it’s landing on the moon or civil rights, the final stand at Thermopylae or the art of the Renaissance: the bravery of ordinary men and women. People who did what needed to be done. People who said, “If not me, then who?”’

Our philosophy within the Senior School is to promote the importance of young men of good character, fortified with virtue of courage, to contribute to the common good of our wonderful community at Villanova.

The Value of Humility

One of the core Augustinian values is that of humility, one half of our College theme for 2021, coupled with gratitude. As an avid reader of the fabric of positive cultures and teams, humility is often spoken of as a key thread. The value, however, can sometimes be misunderstood and connected with attitudes of indifference and dousing a drive to achieve. I have often shared the reflective wisdom of Shane Parrish and he recently wrote an editorial on his perspective on humility:

‘Humility is the anecdote to arrogance. Humility is a recognition that we don’t know, that we were wrong, that we’re not better than anyone else. Humility is simple to understand but hard to practice. Humility isn’t a lack of confidence but an earned confidence. The confidence to say that you might not be right, but you’ve done the diligence, and you’ve put in the work.

Humility keeps you wondering what you’re missing or if someone is working harder than you. And yet when pride and arrogance take over, humility flees and so does our ability to learn, adapt, and build lasting relationships with others.

Humility won’t let you take credit for luck. And humility is the voice in your mind that doesn’t let small victories seem larger than they are. Humility is the voice inside your head that says, ‘anyone can do it once, that’s luck. Can you do it consistently?’

More than knowing yourself, humility is accepting yourself.’

“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” – Epictetus

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

AFAS – Farewell to Tony Hindmarsh

“We do not make ourselves free, but become free through mutual participation in one another’s lives.” – Augustine in Confessions 4, 8,13

The transformative power of relationships is at the heart of an Augustinian way of being in the world. Here at Villanova, we have had a connection with communities in the Philippines for nearly 30 years through our AFAS program.  AFAS is about relationships, built upon a solid base of shared Augustinian values, that have grown across time.  They have occurred through time spent together sharing culture and stories and through shared experiences of working alongside one another, listening to dreams, sharing the struggles.

There have been many staff and students/young people involved both in the Philippines and at Villanova, enabling the immersions to happen, and maintaining the connections between visits.  Tony Hindmarsh, as a Villanova College staff member, has held AFAS in his heart and has been a constant weaver of the connections, and an enabler.  His commitment has been core to the ongoing connection with our partners in the Philippines.  As 2021 draws to a close, his official role with AFAS ends, and we give thanks for all he has contributed.  We extend our deep gratitude to Tony for the work he has done.  I invite you to enjoy the memories and thanks from some staff and past students who know him well:

“For nearly 30 years I have been inspired by Tony’s passion for AFAS and his mission to work for justice for the poor and marginalised in the Philippines.  The time spent on the roof top at CSAB  debriefing the day with the boys and staff, where we just spent time talking and crying and trying to come to terms with the level of inequity that we witnessed over there will always stay with me.  His sensitivity and ability to focus on what we can do to help, ignited in the boys a sense of purpose in their lives and an awareness that even the small things can make a difference.  Without a doubt this spark has intensified in the AFAS boys as they continue into adulthood.

The laughter sitting on top of the bus, as staff travelled between Murcia and Mumbucal, because there was no space in the bus, is another fun memory. However, the most powerful memories will always be the memory of our scholars’ parents, the mother’s and father’s, grandparents, often in tears, grasping Tony’s hands and expressing their gratitude for giving their children an opportunity for an education.  It is those memories, which will linger with me the longest, knowing that Tony through his humble service and strong sense of mission has enabled communities to grow, families to have a future and that he has truly lived his mission, to make a difference in the lives of very deserving people.” – Juanita Jacobs Senior School Science Curriculum Area Leader

“Tony has been a great servant to our AFAS program. His enthusiasm, passion and desire to improve the quality of life for our Filipino friends has been greatly appreciated by the Villa college community. We were all the better for having a man like Tony involved in our school, and we thank you for your service. ” Rohan Dooley (AFAS Trip 2013 and 2014 graduate)

“Tony was a consistently present, supportive, and  dedicated member of the AFAS community. The knowledge, experience, and compassion he demonstrated to us students, fellow teachers, and the Filipino AFAS community was not taken for granted. Rather than a single memory of Tony it will be his character that I will remember the most and how he taught me, particularly through his actions, the seriousness of our role and mission, and the impact we could have on students less privileged than us. Thank you, Tony, for all that you have contributed to AFAS.” – Ian Desouza, former Villanovan of the Year, Dux of the College, and now holds a PhD in Engineering/Maths

“Tony’s commitment and dedication to AFAS and the education of Villanovans cannot be overstated. I was fortunate to accompany Tony and other AFAS members on a solidarity trip to the Philippines in 2016. From that trip Tony gifted me (and a few others) a memory that will persist through my life.  One of the first evenings in Cebu Tony took a few of us out the front door of the hotel to observe how significantly challenging life was for many people in the City. We didn’t go further than a few meters out the door and I saw a family of three crashing on the streets; Mum, Dad and a baby huddled together against the night. With them were many more trying their best to sleep on the concrete. Some had “the luxury” of a cardboard box flattened to provide insulation on the ground. I’d seen homelessness and poverty before in Australia but not to this extent. This experience fundamentally changed my outlook on the life I am privileged to lead and would never have happened without Tony. Thank you for this gift Tony and thank you for the service you have done for others like me over the years.”  – Jarrod Cameron

In Tony’s work through AFAS we see evidence of the Augustinian tradition articulated by former Rector of the College Fr Michael Morahan – a deepening the human vocation of knowing oneself, contemplating the caring for others and creation, and embracing an active responsibility role as citizens of our country and the world.  Long may these connections through AFAS continue!

Junior School takes the recycling message to a whole new level

A couple of weeks ago we shared about the project our Green team has undertaken to ensure that our recycling bins are being used effectively.  The Junior School has creatively engaged with the project, painting up the bin lids with fantastic designs that tell the story about what we are doing and why!

Take a moment to study the images.  As they say, a picture tells a thousand words.

Running for our Villanova Bursary fund – Bridge to Brisbane

Running for a cause makes a difference! On Sunday 7 November a group of portfolio captains with a few additional Villa boys took part in the annual Bridge to Brisbane fun run. Lead strongly by our leader Fr Saldie, everyone pushed themselves to their limits. With everyone competing in different categories and running their best we all decided to finish as a strong team. As our school vice-captain said, “if we start together, we must finish together”. We were lucky enough to get a photo with the Lord Mayor due to our incredible team spirit. After talking with a few of the boys after the race the one thing they all said was how amazing this experience was. Without the comradery from the boys, the experience wouldn’t have been as amazing as it was. The Bridge to Brisbane provided us boys the amazing opportunity to help our Villa brothers in the community who are unable to afford to go to Villanova. The $7,500 raised will financially aid some of the families in our community. The incredible response from our community and comradery shared amongst the boys this year will undoubtedly be a lasting cause that will no doubt grow in the years to come.

Bailey Korander-Matheson, Cameron Wallis and Patrick Grigson

Sunday readings at home
Please use this link to access this week’s readings and commentaries: 21_november_christ_the_king_readings_commentaries_and_prayers

Ms Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

It was unfortunate that the AFL and First VI and Second VI Cricket trials were cancelled against Iona last weekend. I know the coaches and players were disappointed. These trials were scheduled to give our coaches more opportunity to settle on their teams leading into the respective 2022 AIC sport seasons and for our players to prove themselves to their coaches. All volleyball games did go ahead as planned which was a positive.

This weekend we have our last set of trials against St Laurence’s in Volleyball and the Year 8 – Opens AFL teams. Last week I asked the students to refrain from attending the games in droves to support our teams as our intention was for those trials to be a ‘low key’ weekend with the focus purely placed on player performance. This weekend, the boys may return to support their fellow school mates, bearing in mind, it is still a trial weekend where we shouldn’t be too concerned with results as coaches are still experimenting with player combinations and getting things right for next year. Given it is a host round, I ask our boys to be mindful of their behaviour and be positive supporters without the need to jeer the opposition please.

After this weekend, we will reset and repost all teams ready for the further trials we have planned for 2022.

As the Christmas holiday period is just around the corner, it would not be unreasonable to assume that the sports program at Villanova 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. I strongly encourage all players to attend their allocated trials and/or clinics organised. Those who are unable to make the events planned due to family circumstances must inform their respective coaches.

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, AFL, 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 must 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 Villanova 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 is about giving it your best shot and accepting that things do not come easy and at times you must 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!

Thank you to Canteen Volunteers

Read the thank you note from Sarah Patterson, Sports Club Canteen Convenor: Thank you note

AIC AFL and Volleyball Trial Games v SLC – Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November

Please be aware that a full set of volleyball trial games has been organized against SLC this Saturday 20 November as well as some Year 8 – Open AFL trial games on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 November. Please be aware that all members of the Year 10 – 12 volleyball teams will have a court duty before or after their match. Team lists can be found on the respective Parent Lounge and Students Café portals. Please visit the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section via the ‘Locker Room’ page on the website for all times and venues.

Villa Summer Vacation Sport Program
Andrew Slack Squad Training

• The Strength and Conditioning training sessions will continue up until Friday 17 December
• The Strength and Conditioning training sessions will commence on Monday 3 January
• Any parents who are not already members of the “Villanova Andrew Slack and Ben Mowen Rugby Squads’ on the Team App are strongly encouraged to join the group. Mr Todd Kropp from the Sports Office emailed all parents regarding the sign-on process last week. Please refer to the email sent. If you have any questions, please email Mr Kropp and he will assist – tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au
• Field sessions will begin, Term 1, Week 3 – with two sessions per week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6.30am – 7.45am. First session Tuesday 8 February.

Ben Mowen Squad Training

• NOTE – The Strength and Conditioning training sessions will commence later than what was published on the ‘Andrew Slack and Ben Mowen Program Calendar’. The first session will now commence on Tuesday 25 January not on Monday 3 January as was originally published
• Field sessions will begin, Term 1, Week 3 – with 2 sessions per week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6.30am – 7.45am. First session Tuesday 8 February.

Cricket

• First, Second, Year 10 Development team Trial v GT at GT– Tuesday 30 December (teams posted in the parent lounge and student cafe portals now)
• First XI Cricket Tour – Toowoomba, Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 December
• First XI Christian Brothers Cricket Tournament– Monday 10 – Friday 14 January – (draw posted within the AIC Cricket section on the web)
• First XI T20 Tournament at Padua– Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 January (Draw TBC and will be posted on the web when received)
• Annual Cricket Camp /Clinic at Villanova Park– Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 January, at Villanova Park.  The camp is suitable for all 2022 Year 5 – 9 students. The flyer is posted within the AIC Cricket section on the web, more information found below
• 10A T20 Tournament at Ashgrove– Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 January (Draw posted in the AIC Cricket section on the web)
• Churchie Trial– Friday 21 January – 6A, 6B, 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 3rds, Seconds, First XI will have their annual cricket trial against Churchie (teams posted in the parent lounge and student cafe portals now). Times and venues are now posted in the AIC Cricket section on the web and are found below. Please keep this date free. There will be a 7A v 7B internal trial on this day as well (Churchie will not have Year 7 teams trailing on this day for us to play).
• Saturday 29 January – Year 6-12 cricket trials v St Laurence’s College, Year 5 will have internal trials. Times and dates TBA
• Saturday 5 February – AIC Round 1 v Iona

Villanova Cricket Clinic – 18-20 Jan 2022
The annual Villanova Cricket Camp will be held at Villanova Park on 18-20 January 2022. This camp is open to all Year 5 – 9 (2022) cricketers, including boys entering the College in 2022. We recommend all players attend the camp as a good way to bolster their skills before the AIC Cricket season.

Venue:  Villanova Park, Manly Rd, Tingalpa

Ticket Price:  $210.00       Food and Drinks: BYO

Register @ – www.10ksports.com.au/events

Time: 3 Day Camp – 8am – 12pm each day

AIC Cricket Trials – Villanova v Churchie, Friday 21 January 2022 (Year 6-12 ‘A and B’ Team Trials)
Please find below the schedule for the cricket trials to be played on Friday 21 January v Churchie. Team lists are in the Parent Lounge and Student Café portals. 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, teams will be reset and republished ready for the Year 6 – 12 cricket trials v St Laurence’s College on Saturday 29 January.

After the First/Second/10A trials against Gregory Terrace and the First trials during the Toowoomba tour and the Christian Brother Tournament, the college will repost the full school team lists on the web to advertise the First/Second and 10A teams in readiness for the trials v Churchie next year. Please hold tight and stay tuned for these updated team lists. The team lists will be advertised via the respective parent lounge and student café portals.

If your son is unavailable for the trial below, please email Mr Chris Everding – ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au so that alternative arrangements can be put in place.

Villanova College v Churchie – ‘A and B’ Cricket Team Trial Schedule, Friday 21 Jan

*Note – The Year 7A v 7B teams will play an Internal Trial Match on this day as per scheduled above

AIC Volleyball
Volleyball Date Claimers

• Saturday 20 November – AIC Volleyball Trials v SLC – Times and venues found in the ‘Weekly Fixture‘ section on the website
• First VI Toowoomba Volleyball Tour – Wednesday 1 – Friday 3 December
• Monday and Tuesday 17 and 18 January – AIC Volleyball Clinics (see details on website and below)
• Saturday 29 January – Full school Volleyball trial v St Laurence’s College
• Saturday 5 February – Round 1 v Iona College

Villanova Volleyball Clinic Schedule – 17 and 18 January 2022
Please be advised that volleyball clinics will be scheduled for Monday 17 January for all Volleyball players from Year 7 – 12, and Tuesday 18 January for selected teams. Please see the schedule below for details.

Monday 17 January
Years 7 to Open
Venue:  Goold Hall, Villanova College, Eighth Avenue Coorparoo
Uniform:  Sports PE uniform or any suitable sports clothing

Tuesday 18 January
Years 7 to Open

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

AIC Swimming
Date Claimers

• Villanova College Swimming – Langlands Pool. Last day – Friday 17 December. Start back – Tuesday 4 January
• A Swim Clinic will be conducted on Monday 17 January from 6.45am-11.30am, all details below and within the AIC Swimming section on the web.

Villanova Swim Clinic Schedule – Monday 17 Jan 2022

Who: Open to all swimmers who have been training at Langlands Pool or for those serious swimmers training at other Clubs
Venue:  Langlands Pool
Date: Monday 17 January 2022
Time:  6.45am – 11.30am

Improve your performance in the water. Coaches will work on perfecting your body position in the water, stroke correction and core strength to achieve maximum efficiency in the water. Training will involve a combination of pool work, gym training and feedback of strokes. We will also begin to work on starts, turns, and finishes. Students must bring own morning tea and snacks, all swimming gear, running shoes, water bottles, hat and shirt for gym work.

Don’t miss this opportunity to improve your skills in the water and expand your knowledge about swimming. Please register your attendance with the Villanova Swim Co-ordinator – Mrs Juanita Jacobs email: jjacobs@vnc.qld.edu.au

AIC AFL
Date Claimers

• Friday 19 November First Trial match v St Laurence’s College – Times and venues found in the ‘Weekly Fixture‘ section on the website

• Saturday 20 November, Year 8-10 Trial matches v St Laurence’s College – Times and venues found in the ‘Weekly Fixture‘ section of the website
• Friday 28 January – First team trial v SLC, times and venues TBA

• Saturday 29 January – Year 6A/B/C, Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 and Year 10 team trial v SLC. Year 5A/B/C squads will have internal trials, times and venues TBA

First/Second Football Trials
The College will commence the First/Second football program Tuesday 23 November at Villanova Park from 3.45 – 5.00pm. The second session will be held on the 25 November as per below.

Trial session dates

• Tuesday 23 November
• Thursday 25 November

Currently we have a list of students who we require to attend the trials posted within the parent lounge and students café portals. Any other student who aren’t listed and would like the opportunity to trial are welcome to attend. Boys are to find their own way to the trial venue. Those who cannot make trials for any reason are required to inform Mr Kemp – AIC Football Co-ordinator akemp@vnc.qld.edu.au

AIC AFL, Cricket and Volleyball Teams
The draft AFL, cricket and volleyball teams are now published on the respective Parent Lounge and Student Café portals. We aim to publish the volleyball teams and the Open AFL team again next week after the trials v St Laurence’s held this Friday 19 and Saturday 20 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.

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

Return of Loan Instruments

The Census date for the return of College Owned instruments was Tuesday 16 November.  This date includes all instruments that will be loaned in an ongoing process into next year, and all Double Basses and Tubas that are currently stored at home.

If your son has a College owned instrument currently at home, can you please organise for the return of this resource to the Music Office, top floor of the Augustine Centre, as soon as possible.

Villanova/Loreto College Music Workshop

As per calendars distributed earlier this term, we will continue with our Villanova and Loreto College Music Workshop in 2022.  An invitation will be distributed to students in Senior and Middle School very shortly.  We will require camp forms before the conclusion of next week; payment will be required upon return to school in January 2022.

We have a great team of clinicians put together, ready to guide our ensembles toward a fantastic year of music making.  I strongly encourage all of our Senior and Middle School musicians to attend.

Return of enrolment forms

To assist us in finalising enrolments and timetabling for 2022, we require all students to return their enrolment form advising their intent to participate in the coming year.  This includes all Year 5 students who are involved in the immersion program.

Please ensure this paperwork is returned to the music office via email – music@vnc.qld.edu.au – or in person as soon as possible.  If you have any queries or concerns regarding the information that has been distributed home, please do not hesitate to contact me through the Music Office on 3394 5691.

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/barbecue/etc. this summer! View the flyer here: Merchandise flyer

Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $35; Wildcat Coolers – $30

All items can be purchased via TryBooking through the following link

Purchases can be collected from the Music Office and all profits will go to the Music Support Group.

Entertainment Publications Memberships

Entertainment memberships are one of the Music Support Groups main fund-raisers.  Just click on the link to purchase a membership and obtain ongoing special deals throughout the year.

Date Claimers

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

LIBRARY ROSTER (MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER – FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Library.

TUCKSHOP ROSTER (MONDAY 22 NOVEMBER – THURSDAY 25 NOVEMBER)
All volunteers rostered on this week will be contacted directly by the Tuckshop.

Please note that the tuckshop will be CLOSED on Friday 26 November.

Creative Arts Night – Villa Visions Exhibition – People’s Choice Award
The People’s Choice Award recipient for 2021 was awarded to Blaise Mellifont for his ‘Impressionist Skateboard.’ This award acknowledges the most popular artwork judged by the general public at the 2021 Villa Visions Art exhibition. Our congratulations are extended to Blaise. We thankyou for your continued support of the Creative Arts Department and look forward to welcoming our Villanova families and friends to the Creative Arts night in 2022.

Vanessa Briggs – Visual Arts Teacher

Upcoming Events

David DeVito
Saturday 12 February 2022
Villanova College
As seen on Australia’s Got Talent! From Opera to ACDC, Neil Diamond to Leonard Cohen, ABBA, Queen & much more! Information and tickets Here