Villa View: Issue 38

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family

The sudden death of Mr Nick Simpson has been a very sad occasion for our College community. Nick was a past student of Villanova College and taught at the College for many years influencing the lives of so many students. He was a great mentor to younger teachers and was always willing to share his knowledge of Mathematics teaching and experience. Nick was a man of integrity and people had enormous respect for Nick. We keep Nick’s family, his wife Marie and children, Chris and Emma as well as his brother and fellow staff member Peter Simpson and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

The funeral for Mr Nick Simpson will be held in Goold Hall on Wednesday 5 December at 10.00 am.

Eternal rest grant unto Nick, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen

PRINCIPAL’S SUMMATIVE REVIEW
Below is a letter from the Villanova College Board Chair, Mr Peter Geraghty to all families

Dear Parents

During September 2018 the Villanova College Board conducted the Summative Performance Review of Mr Mark Stower, College Principal. Mark is currently completing his fourth year in this role and his current contract will conclude in December 2019. The College Board conducted a thorough process involving three stages; 360 degrees survey, Review Panel and Focus Groups and Feedback of Report.

Following the conclusion of the Performance Review I am pleased to announce that Mark has received the unanimous support of the College Board and the endorsement of the Prior Provincial, Fr Peter Jones OSA and the Provincial Council to continue in the role of College Principal of Villanova College for a further five-years contract commencing in January 2020.

I take this opportunity to congratulate Mark on his leadership of the College over the past four years. The review highlighted numerous strengths of Mark’s leadership and provided valuable feedback to Mark for areas of growth and development.

I look forward to working with Mark and the College Leadership Team as well as the community of Villanova College as we begin an exciting phase of our history with the new Master Plan and Strategic Planning for the future.  

Yours sincerely

Mr Peter Geraghty, Chair – Villanova College Board

My sincere thanks to all those who participated in the review process.

FRIDAY 30 NOVEMBER
Tomorrow, students will attend school as normal with a special end of year liturgy and College Assembly commencing at 10.00 am. Parents are most welcome to join us in Goold Hall at this time. Students will be dismissed at 10.45 am. 

Year 12 QCS PERFORMANCE
The results from the 2018 QCS Test have been released and I am pleased to report that our students have shown a mark improvement this year. In comparison with the State, Villanova College students performed well and I thank the members of the teaching staff led by Mr Jamie Seefeld for their work with the students.

END OF YEAR
As the 2018 Academic Year draws to a close, I offer my thanks to all families who have so actively supported the staff of the College across this year. I wish all our families a very Holy and happy Christmas and joyous New Year and look forward to welcoming you back to the College along with many new families in January 2019.

You have made us for Yourself O Lord

And our hearts are restless until they rest in You

God bless

Mr Mark Stower, College Principal

On Sunday 2 December, we officially begin our Church season of Advent.  It is a time of preparation and anticipation.  Gathering family and friends together to share faith, meals and each other’s accomplishments over the lunar year.  It is the beginning of the new Liturgical calendar in the Catholic faith.  Together we will celebrate “Year C” and study the Gospel of Luke each week in Mass and prayer until Sunday 24 November 2019.

This week the Junior School is abuzz with the love of learning.  Formal assessment is now complete, so there is opportunity for learning above and beyond curriculum guidelines.  Students have requested topics be explored further – curiosity is driving the lessons.  Teachers have become the students of our young men – as passion for subject areas such as Geography and Physics can take the spotlight.  Boys have been preparing presentations in Genius Hour workshops and in Chemistry based inquiry projects to share with their peers.  Inspiration is clearly felt within each classroom and it’s a wonderful time of the year to see the fruits of our spirit alive and in action.

I am very grateful for the talents and humble service of our Junior School Staff in 2018.  Nothing is possible without their willingness to plan and prepare, instil and deliver, collect and reflect as professionals.  The commitment to outside of school hours for co-curricular training, games and performances is the highest possible, just for your sons.  We farewell two staff members from the Junior School; Sean Carroll will be taking up a job closer to home at Southport State High, the appeal of enjoying the surf rather than tackling the M1 every day was too much to resist!  We also wish Cameron Wicks every success in his work at St Elizabeth’s, Tarragindi, next year.  His strengths in sport and technology will be missed.  Matthew Wilson will marry early in the holidays and it is a lifetime of love and happiness that we send to him and Linka.  They have an incredible overseas honeymoon planned to begin their time as husband and wife – blessed be their journey.  May all our staff find peace and joy with their family and friends, who certainly will be looking forward to spending more time with them.

A favourite part of my week has been hearing the holiday plans of our Year 5 and 6 students.  Beach camping, resort stays, interstate and overseas trips – there is much anticipation building for family time.  Our prayers are with all our families for the packing, travelling and extended family get togethers.  No alarm clocks, no lunch boxes and no criteria to meet for these boys.  The smiles say it all this week.  The Christmas holidays are well-deserved and rewards the souls of us all – staff, parents and students.  I hope it’s a time of relaxation, rejuvenation and quality time together with the people that you love.

For the loved ones who are not with us this festive season, we remember you still.  Your memories will be talked about by the people who were there with you, once upon a time.  We have Villanovan families who will find this year’s celebrations are different with the passing of a sibling, child or parent.  May the eternal light and peace find you, calm and reassure you.  Our College community will be thinking of you over the break.

For my family, we will be wrapping up renovations over the holidays.  After 20 months, there is still a list of things to do (you can imagine my delight), but the end is in sight.  In between exercise, beach trips and my mother visiting from Perth, I know that my home needs last bouts of work done (lucky me), but the vision is coming together.  It’s almost unrecognisable, but with two teenage sons the new spaces are perfectly timed.  We will be counting our blessings, hosting Christmas Day lunch with extended family.

Thank you for a wonderful 2018.  Our Junior School has created memories that we will treasure for years to come.  May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

As the sunset darkens over the green and gold of 2018, we can certainly celebrate another successful year in Middle School.

Inside the classroom, each student found success, somehow and somewhere. Much of our message throughout 2018 was themed around effort, encouraging all students to set learning goals and then work hard to achieve them. Again in 2018, our overall NAPLAN results highlighted the significant growth and improvement that the boys had achieved over their years at Villa.

Outside of the classroom our boys continued their commitment to our cultural programs. Finding their way into the vast array of ensembles, our Middle School boys again featured heavily throughout the QCMF weekend. The boys were equally well-represented at this year’s Villa Visions Art Exhibition; perhaps the best Villa Visions In years.

In the sporting arena our boys also tasted success. With record participation rates in 2018, I congratulate all Middle School boys on their ongoing commitment to their chosen sports and thank the large number of coaches and managers who supported our boys throughout the year.

Our teachers, led by Ms Kristina Whitehead, continued their own journey of improvement. Engaged in their pod/team, the teachers collaboratively sought to refine their practice as to improve outcomes for students. Running now for five years, our CRP (Collaborative & Reflective Practice) program has been incredibly successful and engaging and truly models our Augustinian value of life-long learning. I commend the staff on their engagement with this process and especially thank Kristina for her leadership.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts of our Year 9 House Vice-Captains who served in their roles with great dignity and maturity. They include: Louis Henderson, Henry Holt, Ryan Walker, Lachlan Friedman, Tom Trevethan, Baiden Parker, Thanasi Keskinidis and James Reid. I thank them for being outstanding role-models for their peers and for their endless support throughout the year.

I also thank the Middle School’s staff leaders, each of whom showed unwavering dedication to their portfolios. These staff include Mr Peter Simpson, Mr Alex Sullivan, Mr Matt McGrath, Mr Ben Lynam, Ms Sally England, Ms Hannah Elder, Ms Amanda McKay, Ms Kate Alexander and Mr Shawn Creamer. I also thank Mr Tass Sakellariou and Mr Adrian Hellwig for their ongoing pastoral support of the boys.

On behalf of all boys, parents and staff very special thanks must go to Mrs Vicki Lamb. Her daily support for the boys is incredible, and we are truly blessed to have Vicki working in the Middle School.

This week the Villanova community mourns the loss of Nick Simpson. Not just an outstanding teacher, Nick was a friend and mentor to many staff and devoted much of his life to serving the College and its students. Nick was the Middle School Mathematics Coordinator for a number of years and he helped develop our highly effective Maths programs. He we will incredibly missed. On behalf of all Middle School families, I extend our heart-felt sympathies to the Simpson family.

Finally, I thank all families for their ongoing support of our Middle School and I wish all families a safe and happy Christmas break

Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Holiday Reading
On Monday of this week, I had the pleasure and privilege of visiting some Junior School classes to emphasise the importance of reading. The visits form part of our strategic intent to foster and promote self-directed reading of fiction for our students.

I would hope that all Senior School students would aim to allocate some holiday time for ‘reading for pleasure’. I look forward to reading Philip K Dick’s ‘The Man in the High Castle’ after being absorbed by the Amazon Prime TV series based on the novel. What are you reading this holiday period?

Happy Holidays
I would like to wish all Senior School students and their families a wonderful holiday period, full of relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation. I am particularly excited for 2019 and our consistent vision of ensuring that our Senior School continues to provide our young men with the best possible environment to nurture their gifts and talents.

I finish with a prayer for the festive season by Robert Louis Stevenson:

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.

Amen!

May God’s grace bless you all during the festive season.

“What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace.”– Agnes M. Pharo

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

SVP Delivery of Christmas Hampers
The fully prepared Christmas hampers for 20 sets of neighbours looked very inviting: Each one packed to the brim. The extent of the thoughtfulness that went into the gifts and the items included is quite humbling. We have seen:

• Gift cards
• Table cloths and teddy bears
• Individually wrapped gifts, including toys and games
• Pastorals collecting extra money to top up the baskets

I would also like to thank the number of students and staff who helped to deliver the hampers over the last two days, not to mention those who continue to come into my office with further donations. There is a surplus of cans, chocolates and staple goods which will be delivered as a Christmas gift to Blind Eye Ministries (homeless drop-in centre) later in the week. Special thanks are due to Nickolas Sofios, Alex Wang, Bradley Roulant, Mrs Warren and Mrs Dauth-Sousa, for all the extra work they have done in wrapping the baskets and writing personal notes for each.

YAYM visit to Duhig Village Nursing Home
23 students and four staff members, attended the annual Christmas visit to our friends at the Archbishop Duhig Nursing home. The burst of Christmas Carols sung was enhanced by the superb singing voice of Eoin Hartley. The room went quiet when he sang a solo verse of Silent Night. Caleb Rogers (Year 8) took the lead with Family Feud, before handing over to master Bingo-caller, Luke Palmer.

Whilst we chatted and handed out home-made gifts – delicious cookies baked by Zac Child (Year 8) and decorations made by the Year 5s – a small group of students went upstairs with Mrs Underhill to greet the bed-bound residents. Zac, and Year 7s Josh Reid and Tiarnan O’Neill showed incredible maturity in this regard.

There were many highlights – Will Gyte (Year 8) meeting the same couple he enjoyed the company of six months ago and all being welcomed by so many people with Villanova connections – including Joan, mother-in-law of staff member Mrs Henry. Manager Deana made a great point when she said it was wonderful to know that our generation will in turn be looked after by such good people as these young men.

Special thanks in the organisation go to the dynamic duo, Mrs Underhill and…Zac Child!

Fittingly, we farewelled a fine leadership team of Year 9 members at a local fast food emporium: Harry Corrigan, Hugh Mulligan, Isaac Langford, Luke Palmer, James Haines and Ned Gallagher. They have reached the highest status in Ministry, namely Legends of Awesomeness!

True Augustinians
Holy words of our faith come to us through sacrifice (From the hymn Ancient Words)

Singing this hymn together at the memorial Mass for Mr Nick Simpson on Wednesday brought the whole community together. Led by Fr Peter Wieneke, students, staff, parents and Old Boys remembered everything Mr Simpson had done daily, to create the community at Villanova. As Fr Peter said, Nick always placed love of community before self advantage.

There is a mysterious remark St Augustine makes about the Eucharist, “See what you are, become what you receive!” I think this means that if you lean into your ordinary life every day, you will end up influencing very many people. This is what Nick has done at Villanova College. It is so humbling to have worked every day alongside a gentle and thoughtful man who has made such a difference.

Eric Mugenga, our Work and Welcome worker, is also an Augustinian. You can hear where he is on campus sometimes because of the warmth with which the boys greet him. I think they have sensed how much he loves Villanova and pours into every day at the College. For him it is a home. He said yesterday, “How can I know who I am unless my friends tell me?”  That insight about what community offers has grown from the deep pain of his past. It is through sacrifice, every day, that words of truth can be spoken.

John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

Rehearsal Schedules and Activity Calendar
Rehearsal schedules and our music calendar for 2019 will be distributed over the coming week.  We are taking a final look at our routine to minimise interaction with sporting commitments for our students.  So that you are all aware, we are planning to ensure all Core Ensembles are scheduled for morning sessions; hopefully this will lighten the load in terms of your planning for the coming year, particularly with activities outside the College.

Loreto and Villanova College 2019 Combined Music Camp
The invitations for next year’s combined music camp have been distributed.  We look forward to sharing a weekend with 260 musicians from Villanova and Loreto College early next year.  Participation in this camp is based on demand – please ensure your medical form is completed and returned by the closing date – Friday 30^th November.  Camp fees may be paid through flexi-schools over the period before school returns.

Thanks for a great year!
Once again, on behalf of our music team here at Villanova, I would like to thank the families and students who have been working within the department this year.  We have had a great year of music making and I am looking forward with much excitement to what the New Year holds for us all.  All the very best to you and yours over the Christmas season, may you find much joy and hopefully a little rest too!

Date Claimers
As per tradition, we cast our eyes over the remainder of the year.  Please note the following in your diaries:

Michael Jones, Director of Music

Please read below some important information regarding the Villanova College summer vacation sports events.

SUMMER VACATION SPORT PROGRAM
Andrew Slack Squad Training

• The strength and conditioning training sessions will continue during the first two weeks of the school holiday period, concluding on Friday 14 December
• The field sessions will conclude on Thursday 29 November
• The strength and conditioning training sessions will commence on Monday 14 January
• Any parents who are not already members of the “Villa Andrew Slack Squad 2018/19” Facebook page are invited and encouraged to join – the coaches will be using this group as a key point of contact for the parents and players
• The coaches will contact the players via Facebook to arrange the schedule commencing in January 2019.

The Andrew Slack squad at their final field training session of the year gearing up for the festive season!

Ben Mowen Squad Training

• The strength and conditioning training sessions will continue during the first two weeks of the school holiday period, concluding on the Thursday 13 December
• The strength and conditioning training sessions will commence on Tuesday 15 January
• There will be no field sessions held during the Christmas vacation period
• The first field session will commence on Wednesday 6 February.

Cricket

• Combined First XI/Second XI/10A T20 against GT game at Villanova Park on Wednesday 5 December. Four games will be played on two fields played in both morning and afternoon. Players to play two games during the day – team lists and schedules are posted on the website
• Oblate Cricket Cup in Perth, Sunday 9 – Thursday 13 December
• Old Boys v First XI Cricket game at Villanova Park on Wednesday 23 January, 2.30pm
• Year 7A v 7B Internal Trial Match – Thursday 24 January at Villanova Park (Field TBC) 8am-12 midday
• Year 6A and 6B, 8A and 8B,9A,10A and First XI, Second XI, Third XI and Fourth XI cricket trials against Churchie on Friday 25 January (see schedule below). If boys are unable to play, please email Mr Stariha cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au so that alternate arrangements can be made
• Year 5 – Year 10 Cricket Camp will be conducted on the 21, 22 and 23 January. All details found on the web.

Volleyball

• Volleyball Schools Cup Tour to Melbourne Sunday 9 – Friday 14 December
• Volleyball Clinics at Sleeman Sports Complex – Jan 18 and 19, details will be placed on web asap (please read further information below).

Swimming

• Villanova College Swimming – Langlands Pool. Last day – Friday 21 December. Start back – Monday 7 January
• A Swim Clinic will be conducted on Monday 21 January, all details are found within the AIC Swimming section on the web.

Queensland Schools Swimming Relay Carnival Report – Mrs Juanita Jacobs, AIC Swimming Coordinator
Villanova nominated two teams into the QSS relay carnival.  Both teams were our successful A team from the AIC Carnival, most of whom have continued to train during the winter with Guilly and Kerry at Langlands. The Year 6 team of Tyler Clelland, Will Vig, James Humphries, and Charlie Kerr qualified for both the freestyle and medley finals and were placed fourth in very tight finishes for both finals.

The Year 5 team had more success, qualifying second into both finals, and finishing third in the freestyle relay and second in the medley relay.  Congratulations to the team of Charley Hegarty, Will Rogers, Oliver Jacobs and Hudson Bishop on a great result.  It is an exciting and promising start to the Villanova swim season with impressive finishes like this already.  Well done to both teams.

Football

• First XI and Second XI (including all Japan tourists) – Day 1 of training in 2019 will be Wednesday 30 January, 3.30 – 5.00pm, Venus TBC.

AIC Cricket and Volleyball Team Lists/Training Schedules/Coaches Contact
All AIC cricket and volleyball team lists, training schedules and Coaches contacts are now posted on the web. Training will officially begin on Thursday 31 Jan (First week of Term 1 next year).

AIC Cricket Trials
Please find below the schedule for the cricket trials to be played on Friday 25 January against 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 against St Patrick’s College on Saturday 2 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 24 January at Villanova Park (Field TBC) 8am -midday
 
Representative Sport
Well done to Sam Binney who recently competed at the Australian School Sport Track and Field Championships in Melbourne. Sam participated in the 10 years shot event and threw a PB of 11.50m to secure an overall fourth in the competition. Having the fourth best 10 years shot competitor at Villanova is outstanding, well done Sam!

Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

VILLANOVA COLLEGE UNIFORM SHOP
The Villanova College Uniform Shop will be open on Monday 21 January 2019 until Friday 25 January 2019 from 9am – midday and 1pm -3pm.

From Tuesday 29 January 2019 until Friday 1 February 2019 the Uniform Shop will be open from 7.45am -10am.

From Monday 4 February 2019 normal trading hours will resume as below:

Monday               7.45 – 10am
Tuesday               CLOSED
Wednesday         CLOSED
Thursday             7.45 – 10am
Friday                  7.45 – 10am

Villanova College Second Hand Uniform Shop
The Villanova College Second Hand Uniform Shop will be open on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019 from 9am – midday.

From Thursday 31 January 2019 the usual trading hours of 7.45am – 9.15 am will resume.

2019 TERM DATES

Term 1: Wednesday 30 January – Friday 5 April
Please note that students in Years 5, 7 and 12 will commence school on Wednesday 30 January.  Students in Years 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 will return to school on Thursday 31 January.

Term 2: Wednesday 24 April – Friday 21 June

• Tuesday 23 April – Parent Teacher Conferences/Pupil Free Day
• Thursday 25 April – ANZAC Day Public Holiday
• Monday 6 May – Labour Day Public Holiday
• Monday 24 June – Friday 28 June – Staff Days

Term 3: Tuesday 16 July – Friday 20 September

• Monday 15 July – Parent Teacher Conferences/Pupil Free Day
• Wednesday 14 August – EKKA Show Holiday
• Friday 16 August – Pupil Free Day

Term 4: Tuesday 8 October – Friday 29 November

• Last day for Year 12s – Friday 15 November