Villa View: Issue 38/20

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family,
Over the past two weeks we have celebrated a number of significant events including the Year 12 Formal, Mass and Graduation Ceremony, the Year 6 Moving On Ceremony and the Year 9 Transition Ceremony. At each of these special occasions our parents have joined us in recognising the efforts of our students in meeting the challenges of this year.

2020 has certainly been a year to remember and we can all be very proud of how we, the Villanova College community, have supported each other to meet the many challenges we have faced since early March.

As the school year concludes it is fitting to congratulate our major awards winners across the College.

Year 12
Villanovan of the Year: Isaak Collie
Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Muir
Musician of the Year: Nicholas Chay

Junior School
Robbie Sellars Augustinian Fellowship Award:  Christian McIlwain
Sportsman of the Year:  Darcy Kerr and Harvey Thompson (joint award winners)
Musician of the Year: Hadley Holt and Benjamin Lestani (joint award winners)

Staffing News
At the end of this year we will farewell the following staff members. We thank them for their contribution to the College over their time with us and the significant impact they have had on all members of our College community.

Teaching Staff: Mr Justin Feuerriegel, Mr Jack Cabassi, Mrs Maureen O’Dwyer, Mrs Dianne Martin, Mr Luke Cahill, Mrs Vickie Opie, Mrs Samantha Sleep and Mrs Katie Dauth-Sousa.

Support Staff: Mrs Chris Purcell, Mrs Vanessa Fitzgerald – Uniform Shop, Mr Pat Zietsch – Audio Visual Co-ordinator, Mrs Julie Herden – Enrolments Officer, Mr Vince Scuderi – Audio Visual Co-ordinator, Mr Ben Stuart – Teacher Aide and Mr Benji Lynch – Teacher Aide.

We wish all departing staff the very best for the future and wish them every success.

Thank You
On behalf of the staff members of the College I wish to thank all our families for their support during what has been an extra-ordinary year. We can all be extremely proud of how well we all handled the many challenges thrown our way over the past 10 months. We are hopeful 2021 will see the medical sciences providing a response to the pandemic and the presence of Coronavirus.

I wish all our families a very Merry Christmas and an enjoyable break over the coming weeks. We pray families scattered across Australia will now be able to come together for Christmas.

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. 

Collaborative and Reflective Practices Program
Many teaching staff at Villanova College are involved the Collaborative and Reflective Practices (CRP) Program, which aims to bring together educators to discuss pedagogy and professional practice, to identify and track their impact on the students in their classrooms and ways to increase this impact.

The CRP program began in 2014, with one ‘pod’, which included seven teaching staff from our Middle School Maths and Science Departments. The late Mr Nick Simpson, along with Mrs Kristina Moffett, ‘saw a need to provide teachers with an opportunity to reflect on pedagogy and meet to discuss topics of interest, as well as share ideas, research and their classrooms’. Since then, the program has grown to include ten pods, involving over 80 staff, across 11 different year levels and departments.

After the sudden loss of Mr Simpson in 2018, one of our highly respected colleagues, friend and founder of the CRP program, the Nick Simpson Memorial Award, for dedication to improving teacher practice through collaboration and reflection was created. The award has been established to recognise staff who show outstanding commitment to CRP, through their leadership, innovation, reflection and professional practice. Candidates for the award are nominated by their pod colleagues and the final award winner is chosen by a panel of five members of leadership.

This year’s nominees were:

• Year 5/6 Blue, Gold, White Pod: Ms Chloe Adams
• Year 5/6 Black, Green, Red Pod: Mr Matthew Wilson
• Year 7 Pod: Mr Jordan Roache
• Mixed Middle School Pod 1: Mrs Sophie Studders
• Mixed Middle School Pod 2: Mrs Shannon Lynam
• Mixed Senior School Pod: Mrs Eleni Greenaway
• Instrumental Music Pod 1: Ms Christine Byrne
• Instrumental Music Pod 2: Mrs Emma Jimenez

The overall award winner for the Nick Simpson Memorial Award for 2020 was Ms Chloe Adams, from the Year 5/6 Blue, Gold, White Pod. We congratulate Chloe and all the nominees for 2020 on being recognised by their peers for their outstanding commitment and engagement in professional reflection in CRP this year.

Ms Kate Alexander, Collaborative and Reflective Practices Program Leader

Middle School STEM Club
Congratulations to Charlie Hodgson-Day and Sebastian Wilson (Year 8), who have won a $200 bursary from Birdlife Southern Queensland for their project on the impact of crows at Villanova College, in the STAQ Science Competition. This bursary is aimed at inspiring younger students to foster an interest in biological science. Mr Neil Humphris from Birdlife Southern Queensland presented the boys with their cheques on Tuesday.

Congratulations to all our students involved in the VNC Middle School STEM Club. We look forward to another exciting year of projects and investigations next year.

Ms Kate Alexander and Mrs Shannon Lynam, Coordinators – VNC Middle School STEM Club

Term 4, Week 8 in any year, is an emotional time for parents, teachers and students.  There are positive feelings with regards to nostalgia for the year – looking back at photos, talking about experiences that made us laugh (and always will), and the successes experienced in academic growth are the best part.  This is also the time when parents and staff realise that their best efforts in supporting their young man brought out the best possible outcomes.  Our collective intentions to realise the potential of any student comes from our hearts and minds that do their very best to provide the platform for celebrations.  There are students who have improved in organisation, self-awareness, social connections, listening, acting upon instructions and taking pride in their brand-new St Thomas Learning Centre.  We have been witnesses to an incredible amount of joy in 2020, and for that I know we should be very grateful.

Our Principal, Mark Stower has made special mention of the Junior School staff and students who moved seamlessly across the College campus this year.  That amidst the settling back into learning at school, we also did our absolute best to complete assessment for Semester One, whilst packing and transitioning into spaces we had planned for over the past five years.  Anybody who has moved to a new house knows full well that there is always much more involved than just boxes and relocating.  Yet we made that a highly successful experience, doing the best we could to involve the boys with visits, and trial lessons before the official move.  Staff spent a great deal of energy and time behind the scenes to prepare, move and negotiate the practical side of sharing the spaces we now really call home.  That is a phenomenal achievement, and I am very grateful to the professionalism of the Junior School team who will include this in their list of 2020 accomplishments.

The role of an educator is the impossible dream of balance and I am the first to admit that perfection often eludes me – mistakes are made, and I must constantly look to doing better.  Changes are very much a part of our world and as we work with your sons, we must negotiate multiple energy levels, abilities and needs.  It takes a level of multi-tasking.  2020 has been a year like no other and as human beings we have all done our best at home, at work and in the classroom.  Constructive feedback is always welcomed – the Junior School will continue to plan and grow in the right direction with your help.

The season of Advent begins this Sunday 29 November, and it is a time of waiting – with great anticipation and excitement in the Catholic Church.  It is a time to reflect, prepare and give ourselves the space for “interiority”, one of our College Values.  It is a time for us all to return to some wonder and awe – to notice the miracles around us.  Our families, friends and the earth itself – our stewardship of this place with these people – it’s what matters.  The words and actions of others – through experiences together, over shared meals and even at times with tokens of appreciation help us to stop, look around and breathe in the gratitude for what we have together.

Our recent collections of items for St Vincent de Paul and the Emmanuel City Mission were above generous and thoughtful.  It is the thoughtfulness and actions of service for strangers such as this, that really bring my emotions to the top of the mountain.  The idea that our neighbours may find comfort and renewal through small acts of kindness at this time of the year – that charities need our time and support more than ever before – is what matters.  Our new “Are you Okay?” garden reminds me each day that we all have a back story when we see each other in passing, when we meet for challenging conversations and in times when we celebrate the accomplishments together.

In 2021, I wish to congratulate Mr Jack Cabassi on his new appointment to St Laurence’s College, and to Mr Ben Valentine on his 12-month contract in the Middle School as a Year 7 class teacher.  Both gentlemen will be missed but have a great deal to look forward to on their journey as professionals.

To Mrs Mascadri, my heartfelt thanks for being the spirit we all need to make this Junior School a place of learning, safety and kindness.  It is noticed by everyone who visits this part of the College, just how crucial you are to the success we experience.

Merry Christmas to all Junior School families and staff. Have a safe and wonderful holiday and we look forward to seeing you in 2021.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

As our academic school year draws to a close, it is with heartfelt thanks and appreciation that I extend my congratulations to all Middle School students, parents and teachers for their contribution to 2020. Looking back to January, who could have predicted the unique challenges that lay ahead of us? There is no doubt that this year has required us to be ‘agile and fluid’ as we constantly readjusted to new ways of living and learning.

This week the Middle School celebrated with the Year 9s as they finished their time with us and commenced their transition into Senior School. Supported by Mr Alex Sullivan and led by House Vice-Captains Mitch Rieck, Caden Griffiths, Connor Moloney and Thomas Winn, our Year 9s have continued to impress their teachers throughout the year with their desire to learn, and their fun-loving approach to school. On behalf of all the Middle School teachers who worked with these boys over the past three years, we wish them all the very best for their journey ahead.

As Middle School teachers, we also extend our thanks to all parents, Year 7, 8 and 9 for their ongoing support throughout the year. A parent, who shall remain anonymous sent me a great quote this year as she came to terms with parenting a teenager for the first time.

The quote read, “Raising a teenager is hard… but, being a teenager is hard, too, which is why our kids need someone they trust to lean on, to come to for advice, and to share their lives – the good, the bad and the ugly. Having a front row seat in our kids’ lives is a far better place to be than sitting on the highest bleacher.” As we all know, these front row seats mean we get messy sometimes, however the journey of raising good young men, is one we all do together and with each other’s help. To that end, we look forward to walking the journey with you again next year.

I would like also to take this opportunity to thank my support team – the Pastoral Area Leaders, Alex Sullivan, Matt McGrath and Ben Lynam, and especially Peter Simpson who took over during my absence. Let us not forget our counselling team of Tass Sakellariou, Ashleigh Wright and Adrian Hellwig – who have done so much unsung support work behind the scenes to make sure that our boys [and their parents] got thought this ever so challenging year.

Finally, on behalf of all students, parents and teachers, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mrs Vicki Lamb, our Middle School Student Services Officer. Vicki works tireless behind the scenes ensuring the smooth running of our Middle School and her passion and diligence for her role is something we are truly grateful for.

As the festive season fast approaches, I wish our Middle School community a safe and happy Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I look forward to seeing you in the new year for the start of a new adventure – 2021.

“May the blessing of joy abide within you; May the blessing of peace rest upon you; May the blessing of love flow out through you; May all the blessings of the Lord be yours at Christmas and in the new year.”

Best wishes,

Mr Greg O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Ceremony
Last Thursday evening, the Class of 2020 celebrated a significant rite of passage in their young lives – the completion of their secondary education. Following rehearsals earlier in the day culminating with our very own version of the running of the bulls – the Captain’s Run, the cohort returned with family members in the evening for Mass and the Graduation Ceremony. College Captain Max McCaul’s final speech expressed his appreciation of the way in which the Senior cohort rose above the challenges of COVID to shape their own unique Senior year:

Tonight, I was going to try and write a speech that didn’t involve the word COVID. Yet I don’t think I can truly talk about our Senior year without mentioning it. In my report for the Villanovan this year, I mentioned that I would not change this year at all, even with COVID. That is because of my brothers behind me. You lads have created an atmosphere that has made 2020 a year we will always remember. We made the most out of our senior year and were able to lead this school in the right direction for the future.

At the conclusion of his speech, he invited the cohort to recite the following pledge, such was the importance of supporting mental health as a key facet of their Senior leadership vision:

We, the Senior Cohort of 2020, pledge to continue to empower every person who suffers from mental health challenges and offer support to friends or family in need. Whilst, our time at Villanova College comes to an end, we shall never forget those who made our memories so joyful and lastly pledge to be forever supportive of the boys who walked through these gates with us for our first and last time.

Towards the conclusion of the evening, three of the Major Year 12 Awards were announced (the Dux of College will be awarded in 2021 following the finalisation of external examination results and ATAR scores). It gives me great pleasure to inform our community of the worthy recipients of the following awards:

Villanovan of the Year: Isaak Collie
Sportsman of the Year: Hamish Muir
Musician of the Year: Nicholas Chay

I would like to personally thank the Seniors of 2020 for an extraordinary year against the odds. They made their Senior Motto – ‘Brothers in Arms’ – a lived reality and they needed to in order to face the challenges thrown at them with resilience and pragmatism. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Year 12 Pastoral Area Leader Mr Tony Rolls for his guidance and support of this group of young men over the last two years.

Happy Holidays
I would like to wish all Senior School students and their families a wonderful Summer holidays – after the year that we have had, it is vitally important that all embrace the opportunity to unwind, reflect and recharge the batteries ahead of our return in 2021. I am particularly excited for next year with our continued strategic focal points in the areas of transforming teaching and learning, imbuing a culture of positive education underpinning student wellbeing as well as providing our young men with avenues to express their faith in action through service learning.

I would like to thank our wonderful Senior School teaching faculty for their work with our students this year as well as the care provided by the Pastoral Area Leaders – Mr Tony Rolls, Mr Blake McLauchlan and Mr Sean O’Neill. I would also like to affirm our Senior School Student Services team of Mrs Joy Browning, Mrs Sandy Foster and thank Mrs Helen Bullen for her energy, enthusiasm, and professionalism in the role whilst Mrs Browning was on leave. May God Bless you all this festive season.

“God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas, it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.” – Pope Francis

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Christmas Appeal
The first hampers were delivered yesterday to local households. One older gentleman was delighted with the gift. He said that he was nearly out of food and his pension cheque was still three days away. Our Service Learning Coordinator, Ms Nicole Jones, lets each person know that a basket can be expected. It turns out that a woman who will receive her hamper today is an ex-Villanova mum who goes in for spinal surgery tomorrow. With each car full of students, staff and baskets, there are many stories like these.

One Junior School student asked how many people are reached and helped by the Appeal. My conservative estimate would be 250 people, once you consider the members of 26 households, and the patrons of Emmanuel City Mission and Rosies. We have also made up two large hampers for Bruno, our Work and Welcome worker. He has fifteen siblings, all of whom are living with his parents in two adjacent houses south of the city.

There has never been a more generous collection in my time at the College. It is taking many student and staff hours to pack and organise the hampers. The project therefore brings staff and students together in a powerful way, to reach out to people within the neighbourhood.

I would like to record special thanks to the staff who are assisting: Ms Byron, Ms Jones, Ms Kieseker, Ms Underhill, Ms Palmer, Ms Dauth-Sousa, Mr Stuart, Ms Elder, Ms King, and Ms Kenny. There are also many students from Year 9 – 11 who assist either with packing or delivery. About 12 staff will form a convoy to drop off the abundance of extra donations next Monday at Emmanuel City Mission (Drop-In Centre) before also cooking breakfast for 80 patrons. A special thank you to Ms Byron and Ms Jones, who are controlling the logistics of this big operation.

Stationery
If your son has any unused stationery items – e.g. pens, felt pens, books of lined paper etc – then could he please donate to our special overseas appeal? This year we are assisting old boy Kush Sami (2011) to make stationery packs to be shipped to the poorest students in Sri Lanka and India.

Work and Welcome
On Tuesday we welcomed Mark Taylor to the College in his capacity as organiser of the Work and Welcome scheme. A former Padua College teacher, Mark first conceived the idea 27 years ago. Currently there are 14 people of refugee background working in different schools across Brisbane. Mark is still friendly with many of the men and women who have enhanced the Villanova community.

Bruno has had a similar enhancing effect this year and I want to pay special tribute to John Roberts and Gary Meilak of our Grounds and Maintenance team who do so much for Bruno – from giving him driving lessons (and using the translate function on their phones to ensure that their teaching is making sense).

A Shared Campus – Laudato si’
One of the achievements of the newly formed Green Team in 2020 is to have made us all a bit more aware of the way we share our campus – not just with each other, but with the natural world, which likes not to be suffocated.

It has been humbling over the past few weeks to see one staff member rescue not just one but two chicks from the currawong nest in the Veritas rafters. He now feeds the two chicks a box of crickets a day, and the tamer chick of the two happily hops up his arm to say hello.

So, it was not a massive surprise to find two curlew chicks wandering along the second floor of Veritas yesterday. Once again, the staff members on hand did not pass by on the other side, but carried out a rescue, restoring the youngsters to a worried mum.

Advent
You can almost sense in these stories a touch of the Christmas story, where the world spins a bit closer to Heaven – and our senses are better attuned to the other creatures which share the stable or the campus with us.

I think it is genuinely true that God reaches closer to the human world at Christmas, despite all the commercialism, and this idea is beautifully expressed in John Betjeman’s poem, Christmas. After describing “the sweet and silly Christmas things,” the poem suddenly asks a serious question:

And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue,
A Baby in an ox’s stall?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me?

I hope that each Villa family enjoys a happy and holy Christmas, with some time set apart for what truly matters.

Sunday Readings
Click here for Sunday Readings.

Mr John Holroyd, Dean of Mission and Identity

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

VILLANOVA SUMMER VACATION SPORT PROGRAM

Andrew Slack Squad Training

• The strength and conditioning training sessions will continue during the first week of the school holiday period, concluding on the Friday 4 December
• The field sessions will conclude on Thursday 3 December
• The strength and training sessions will commence on Monday 11 January
• Any parents who are not already members of the “Villa Andrew Slack Squad 2020/21” 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. Please note this page is setup for coaches’ communications to players and parents only.
• The coaches will contact the players via Facebook to arrange the ‘Training Camp’ scheduled to commence in January before the boys begin school, that is, the week beginning Monday 18 January.
• Field sessions will begin, Term 1, Week 2 – with two sessions per week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 6.45am – 8.00am. First session Tuesday 2 February.

Ben Mowen Squad Training

• The strength and training sessions will continue during the first week of the school holiday period, concluding on Thursday 3 December
• The field sessions concluded on Wednesday 25 November
• The strength and training sessions will commence on Tuesday 12 January
• There will be no field sessions held during the Christmas vacation period
• The first field session will commence on Wednesday 3 February, that is Term 1, Week 2

Cricket

• Tuesday December 1 – First XI/Second XI and 10A trial against Gregory Terrace at Villanova Park. All games commence at 9.30am
• Thursday December 3 – First XI trial against John Paul College at JPC. Game commences at 9.30am
• Monday December 7 – Internal T20 matches at Villanova Park (involving boys from First XI, Second XI and 10A teams)
• Tuesday December 8 – ‘Team Day’ (involving boys from the T20 matches from Monday December 7)
• Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 January – First XI T20 tournament hosted by Padua
• Tuesday 19 – Thursday 21 January – Cricket Clinic at Villanova Park (see information below)
• Friday 22 January  – The 6A; 8A; 9A; 10A; Second XI and First XI will have their annual cricket trial against Churchie.  Times and venues are posted in the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section on the web. Please keep this date free. We will also have an internal 7A v 7B cricket game on that day too. If boys are unable to play please email Mr Stariha cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au so that alternative arrangements can be made
• Saturday 23 January – All cricket teams from Year 6 – 12 will have a trial game against St Patrick’s College (times and venues TBA), Year 5 will also have internal trials on this day (specific times and venues are posted in the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section on the web).
• Saturday 30 January – Round 1 against Iona College

Volleyball

• First VI training clinic and friendly matches – Saturday 28, Sunday 29, Monday 30 November
• Volleyball Clinics at Goold Hall – 18 and 19 January details found on web and below
• Saturday 23 January – Volleyball trial against St Patrick’s College (specific times and venues are posted in the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section on the web)
• Saturday 30 January – Round 1 against Iona College

  Swimming

• Villanova College Swimming – Langlands Pool. Last day – Friday 18 December. Start back – Monday 4 January
• A Swim Clinic will be conducted on Monday 18 January from 6.45am-11.30am, all details below and within the AIC Swimming section on the web

 AFL

•  Friday 22 January – First team trial against SPC, times and venues found within the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section on the website
• Saturday 23 January – Year 7 and Year 8/9 team trial against SPC. Year 5A and 5B and Year 6A and 6B internal trials, times and venues found within the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section on the website

AIC AFL, CRICKET AND VOLLEYBALL  – Team Lists/Training Schedules/Coaches Contact/By-Laws

All AIC AFL, Cricket and Volleyball Team Lists, Training Schedules and Coaches Contacts are now posted on the web. Training will officially begin on Thursday morning 28 January (Week 1 of Term 1 next year).

CRICKET/VOLLEYBALL, SWIMMING CLINICS 

Please see below some information regarding the clinics organised for next year.

Villanova Cricket Clinic – 19 – 21 January 2021
The annual Villanova Cricket Camp will be held at Villanova Park from 19 – 21 January 2021. This camp is open to all Year 5 – 9 (2021) cricketers, including boys entering the College in 2021. We recommend all players attend the camp as it is a good way to bolster their skills before the AIC Cricket season.

Venue:  Villanova Park, Manly Road, Tingalpa
Ticket Price:  $210.00
Food and Drinks: BYO
Register:  www.10ksports.com.au/events
Time: Three Day Camp (8am – 12noon each day)

Villanova Volleyball Clinic Schedule – 18 and 19 January 2021
Please be advised that volleyball clinics are scheduled on Monday 18 January for all volleyball players from Years 7 – 12, and Tuesday 19 January for selected teams. Please see the schedule below for details.

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

Monday 18 January

Tuesday 19 January

Villanova Swim Clinic Schedule – Monday 18 January 2021

Who: Open to all swimmers who have been training at Langlands Pool or for those serious swimmers who have been training at other clubs
Venue:  Langlands Pool
Date: Monday 18 January 2021
Time:  6.45am – 11.30am

Coaches will work on perfecting your body position in the water, stroke correction and core strength to achieve maximum efficiency in the water. Students must bring their own morning tea and snacks, all swimming gear, running shoes, water bottles, hat and shirt for gym work. Please register your attendance with the Villanova Swim Co-ordinator – Mrs Juanita Jacobs email: jjacobs@vnc.qld.edu.au

AIC CRICKET TRIALS
The cricket trial schedule for games to be played against Churchie on Friday 22 January and St Patrick’s College on Saturday 23 January (plus internals) is now posted on the website under the ‘Weekly Fixture’ section. All 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 final teams to participate in the AIC Round 1 game against Iona College on Saturday 30 January.

If your son is unavailable to attend these trials please email Mr Craig Stariha – cstariha@vnc.qld.edu.au so that alternative arrangements can be put in place.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY ATHLETIC PROGRAM
Please find below an opportunity to be involved in an athletic development program over the holiday break.

REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
Congratulations to Oliver Davey (Year 8) who recently attended the Nacra NSW/ACT Sailing State Titles where he won third place.  This was an open fleet event, whereby Oliver and his crew member Niamh sailed against much older fleets. This is an outstanding result. Oliver aspires one day to represent Australia at the Olympics. Well done and best wishes Oliver!

Pictured above – Oliver and Niamh

Congratulations to Harry Rouhliadeff (Year 11) who has been invited to attend a three-day training camp at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence. The purpose of the camp is to continue identifying and developing future Boomers. The camp will take place in Canberra from 30 November – 3 December 2020. This is an outstanding achievement and we wish Harry all the very best.

Mr Craig Stariha, Director of Sport

AMEB Examination Results
Our Brass Department have recently participated in a round of practical examinations through the Australian Music Examinations Board.  I would like to congratulate the participant students and our Brass staff for their fantastic efforts in preparing for and sitting these examinations.  I would also like to thank Mr Josh McKechie for coordinating the examinations at the College.

Please join me in congratulating the following students for acquitting their recent performance exam:

I would also like to wish Harry Corrigan all the best for his violin practical exam tomorrow (Friday 27 November).  We are confident Harry will do very well.

Merry Christmas!
Thank you all for your continued support of Music at Villanova College.  It has been a challenging year; however, we have emerged together valuing each and every contribution, looking forward to a new year with much excitement.

On behalf of the Music Department, we wish you a safe, happy and Holy Christmas with family and friends.  We look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

As my gift to you all – I leave you with a little music from Mr Bean and the Salvation Army.  Have a great break.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSWpVId72Jo

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Entertainment Memberships
Entertainment Publications are no longer selling books, just digital memberships from 2020 onwards.  If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, please access our membership portal through the links below.  There are a number of great offers available focussing on supporting local and small businesses through this challenging period.

Thank you all for your continued support of Villanova Music.  We are glad to continue to be of service to you and your son as we navigate this challenging time together.

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

*Value displayed is an example of potential savings within the Membership only and is subject to available offers at any one time. The redemption examples show how a Member could redeem the cost of the Single City Membership in one day.

^The additional $10 and $20 per Membership sale during the current promotional period 12am 14 August 2020 – 11:59pm 13 September 2020 AEST will be paid to the relevant Entertainment fundraising group as per the standard payment terms within the corresponding quarter.

*All member offers are subject to terms and conditions. Check individual offers on the Entertainment Membership App or www.entertainment.com.au for more information. For all dining offers, it is optional for participating businesses to accept your Entertainment Memberships on all official Australian and New Zealand public holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day. © 2020 Entertainment Publications of Australia Pty Ltd.

The “Give If You Can” 2020 Appeal – Villanova College Foundation

Look out for your copy of the latest Villa Voice (hitting mail boxes next week) featuring the Give If You Can 2020 Appeal, raising funds to assist Villanova students experiencing financial hardship.

With many key 2020 fundraisers cancelled due to COVID, and in view of the many  challenges this year we are appealing to “Give If You Can” for those in need in our College community. To donate go to  https://donations.vnc.qld.edu.au/donation-portal  and select the donation fund of your choice. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Our sincere thanks to Class of 1962 Old Boy Mr Brian Doyle for designing our 2020 Appeal logo. More about Brian’s brilliant career is featured in the upcoming Villa Voice.

To find out more about the Villanova College Foundation, contact Foundation Manager, Ms Nat Davidson – ndavidson@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Helping Hands – Vacation Care Program
Here at Helping Hands Villanova, we are here to help care for your boys in a fun environment. We open at 6:30am for before-school care where we offer a nutritious breakfasts while also creating a lighthearted environment for young men to grow and play. This care also extends to after-school care until 6.00pm. During this session we provide a variety of activities including a multitude of clubs. Our sports club has focused on cricket to prepare the boys for their games on the weekend. We also offer a homework club every afternoon, where students are assisted by Old Boy staff and student teachers. For those looking for fun alternatives on the school holidays, we offer a vacation care program from 30 November to  18 December, reopening on 4 January until 25 January. For this year’s Christmas school holiday period we have organised multiple excursions including rock-climbing and many incursions such as laser skirmish day. For inquiries please send us an email at villanova@helpinghandsnetwork.com.au or call 0437 784 379

Click here for the Vacation Care program.