Villa View – Issue 15, 27 August 2026

Villanova College Named a 5-Star Best School in Australia

Villanova College is honoured to have been recognised by The Educator Magazine as one of Australia’s 5-Star Best Schools. This national recognition acknowledges and celebrates schools demonstrating exceptional performance, innovation and commitment to the development of young people.

The 5-Star Best Schools initiative sought to identify Australia’s most forward-thinking and impactful schools; those demonstrating excellence not simply through academic results, but through the breadth and quality of the educational experience they provide.

As a College we were invited to participate in a detailed national assessment process, providing both quantitative evidence and qualitative information about their programs, initiatives, practices and outcomes. Submissions were then evaluated by The Educator’s editorial and research team across six core pillars of educational excellence:

• Innovative extracurricular programs – opportunities that extend learning and encourage participation, talent development, leadership and engagement beyond the classroom.
• Comprehensive student support – structures and programs that respond to the academic, pastoral and developmental needs of students.
• Safety and wellbeing initiatives – approaches that promote student wellbeing, belonging, positive relationships and safe learning environments.
• Technology in learning – the purposeful and innovative use of technology to enhance teaching, learning and student outcomes.
• Diversity and inclusion – practices that foster an inclusive community in which students are respected, supported and provided with opportunities to flourish.
• Holistic student development – an educational approach that recognises the importance of developing the whole person, including character, relationships, leadership, service and personal growth.

Importantly, the assessment considered both measurable outcomes and the strength of each school’s story. Final selections were based on the overall impact and originality of programs and each school’s demonstrated commitment to student success.

To be recognised among this select group of Australian schools is a wonderful affirmation of the work of our teachers, the effort of our students and the commitment of our parents across the tapestry of College life that makes Villanova such a wonderful place to call ours. It reflects this collective contribution of our students, staff and families and our commitment to seek excellence while remaining deeply attentive to the formation and wellbeing of every young person.

For Villanova, this recognition also resonates strongly with our Augustinian understanding of education. Excellence is not simply about achievement; it is about continually seeking improvement, building community, pursuing truth and helping young people grow intellectually, socially, spiritually and personally.

We are delighted to have the quality and breadth of a Villanova education recognised at a national level and congratulate our entire College community on this achievement.

Non State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) renewal process
Over the last 6 months the College community, led by our Deputy Principal Ms Kristy Watkins, has engaged in the NSSAB review and renewal process. This process occurs every five years and is a time where the government regulator of Non-State Schools, (NSSAB), audits the College to ensure that we are operating according to the Act, its objects, purposes and rules.

This is a compliance review and asks the College to share all aspects of operations. It includes analysis of governance structure, finance processes, child safety and wellbeing compliance, full review of policy across the expanse of operations and business operations elements such as WH&S and adherence to legal requirements pertaining to employment.

It is a rigorous and at times an exhaustive process, but a highly valuable one for the betterment of the College, its long term sustainability and most importantly for the benefit and development of our students. I must sincerely thanks Ms Kristy Watkins, Ms Renae Bowman and the College leadership team for the effort to prepare the review documentation. The initial review was a successful process and we now move toward our official submission to NSSAB later in the year.

Villanova College’s new Strategic Plan 2027-2032
With the heavy lifting of the NSSAB review complete the College will now look to the development of the new strategic plan. Our current plan, and its five pillars, while not out of date and educationally relevant does need a deeper analysis and critical examination to ensure that is serving the current and future needs of students, staff, faith life and community.

While in 2023 there was a regeneration of the strategic plan it was a modest review. This saw an additional three years of focus on similar themes and directions, with the addition of staff development and wellbeing as priority. This review will be far deeper and result in the regeneration of a new plan and set of pillars. This process, while facilitated by the College Principal is an action of the College Board.

Community Survey
In the next fortnight all members of community; students, parents and staff will be invited to complete a comprehensive survey to establish understandings and benchmark Villanova’s performance as we build into the next strategic plan and era of the College’s operation and evolution.

The survey is conducted by a highly respected company, MMG education, who will be able to look at our community results and share against national benchmarks so that we can set good direction in consideration of community feeling and needs.

As with anything of value there is a small time commitment. Perhaps 20-30 minutes, but when the opportunity comes, we would appreciate your feedback and sharing.
We regularly survey our parents at the end of each year, however it has been some time since we have engaged a commercial entity and done a large-scale survey such as this.

Community Forums and panels
A further parent of the process is the stakeholder’s forum meetings. These will be conducted toward the end of this term. These will be paired with survey results to help shape the Strategic Plan. While there will be further reminders if you have interest in being a part of these forums you are welcome to express your interest. While not everyone can be a part of the forum process, we are looking at getting a good cross section of the community. For further information you can contact Ms Carmen Nauer in the Principals Office.

Mr Paul Begg, 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.

It was another eclectic fortnight across the Senior School punctuated with a number of events. The Year 11 continued their engagement with the student leadership selection process with a morning of presentations from Mr Begg, myself and a panel of current SLT members ahead of the first round of voting for the SLT executive team.

Last Friday night, I had a privilege of attending the annual Battle of Bands competition, pitting some wonderfully talented rock bands consisting of students from Years 7-12. The musicianship and original songwriting of the bands was a tribute to their immense talent and support of Mr David Campbell and the guys from Ballpark Music. Congratulations to the Year 10 Band on taking the victory.

Staff Senior Banquet
This evening, our Year 12 students will be participating in one of Villanova College’s most storied traditions—the Staff-Senior Banquet. This major Year 12 event highlights the quintessential relationship between teachers and students and provides our seniors with a special opportunity to connect with our generous staff outside the classroom. The event also underscores the importance of unity and shared commitment as the Senior class prepares for their mock exams and final examinations. As stated by College Captain Reid Gapes-

“We can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. There is one last stretch, one last opportunity to make the most of this year. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of young men to spend this last year with. So, soak up every little moment. Work hard over these next couple of weeks through mocks and externals. And if there’s one thing I hope we take with us from our time here, it’s the memories. The random conversations before class, the laughs in the changing rooms, the bus trips, the wins, the losses, and all the moments that probably didn’t seem important at the time but somehow became the moments we’ll remember the most. One day, we’ll look back at Villanova and realise how quickly it all went.”

I would like to thank Mrs Stephanie Sullivan for her assistance in the organisation of the evening. Furthermore, the significant contribution of the Year 12 Parent group, led by Mrs Amanda Gapes always makes the occasion a special memory within the Villanova journey for our young men.

Villa Loreto Cup
Last Friday, the final game in the annual Villa Loreto Cup was conducted on Whinstaines with the touch boys claiming victory to secure the series 2-1. The yearly competition aims to provide opportunities to strengthen social connections with our sister school. Following the touch, we moved to the Auditorium for a friendly game of family feud which revealed some interesting insights to the dating habits and personalities of the contestants. I would like to thank the student leadership teams of both schools for their contribution to the planning of the events across the year.

“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” – Japanese proverb

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Growth: Becoming the Best Version of Ourselves
At Villanova College, Growth is about far more than academic results. While learning and achievement are important, true growth in the Middle School years is holistic. It is about the development of the whole person. Intellectually, socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

The Middle School years are a time of significant change. Boys are developing new skills, forming their identity, building friendships, learning from mistakes and discovering who they are becoming. Growth is not measured solely by grades on a report card; it is seen in the student who demonstrates greater resilience after a setback, shows kindness to a classmate, takes responsibility for his actions or has the courage to step outside his comfort zone.

In the classroom, growth looks different for every student. It may be a boy who asks a question when he does not understand, contributes to a discussion when he would normally remain silent, or perseveres through a challenging task rather than giving up. Growth occurs when students embrace learning as a journey rather than focusing solely on the destination.

Beyond the classroom, growth can be seen in the relationships our students build, the service they provide to others, the leadership they demonstrate within their House communities and the way they embody our Augustinian values. Every sporting contest, House event, camp experience, liturgy, service activity and mentor group conversation provides opportunities for personal growth.

As parents and educators, it is important that we celebrate progress as much as achievement. Growth is often gradual and can sometimes be difficult to see in the moment. However, it is through the daily habits of effort, reflection, perseverance and kindness that young men develop the character and confidence required for life beyond school.

St Augustine reminds us of the importance of continual growth and learning when he writes:
“Let our searching be such that we can be sure of finding, and let our finding be such that we may go on searching.”
This quote captures the essence of the Middle School journey. Growth is never complete. Each achievement opens the door to new opportunities for learning, reflection and development.

As we continue through the year, may we encourage our young men to focus not only on what they achieve but on who they are becoming. When students commit themselves to growth in all aspects of their lives, they develop the skills, values and character that will serve them well long after they leave the classroom.

Mr Sean O’Neill, Head of Middle School

Looking for Solutions
From the moment we wake up each morning, we are solving problems.
What will I wear? What do I need today? Where did I put my keys? What time do I need to leave? Have I charged my phone? What will I have for breakfast?

Most of the time, we don’t even think of these as problems. They are simply part of being human and navigating our day. It is when something becomes inconvenient, takes longer than expected or requires more effort than we planned to give that we suddenly recognise it as a “problem”. This is often when the sighing, eye-rolling and drama can begin!

Our Year 5 and 6 boys are certainly not immune to this. Neither are their teenage siblings, their parents or, if I am being honest, the adults who work at the College.

The challenge is not to avoid problems. Life is full of them. The real learning comes from developing the confidence and strategies to work through them.

One of the best approaches is simply to be prepared. Five minutes of organisation can save half an hour of unnecessary stress. Packing a school bag the night before, checking the College Diary or OneNote, making sure the correct books and equipment are ready, preparing a uniform and knowing what is happening the following day can make a remarkable difference.

By Year 5 and 6, we want our boys increasingly taking ownership of these routines. This doesn’t mean they don’t need help. A parent checking that a sports bag has made it out the door, preparing something special for lunch or offering a gentle reminder when tiredness takes over is not “doing it for them”. It is supporting them while they learn to do it for themselves.

There is a wonderful little strategy we use in the Junior School called “3 Before Me.”
If something goes wrong, we encourage our boys to try three things before immediately asking an adult to solve the problem for them.
First, stop and think.
When we are rushed, frustrated or worried, our thinking can become muddled. Taking a breath, slowing down and resetting can be the difference between reacting to a problem and actually solving it.
Second, look properly.
Not a quick glance. Not “I can’t find it!” after three seconds.
Actually look.
Empty the tidy tray. Check underneath the books. Look in the classroom, your locker or the place where you were last using it. Retrace your steps. We often discover that the thing we are looking for was there all along; we simply weren’t looking carefully enough.
Third, ask a mate.
A second perspective can be incredibly powerful. A friend might remember where something was left, suggest somewhere else to look or simply help make the treasure hunt a little more entertaining.

There are, of course, problems that are more complicated. Friendship difficulties, misunderstandings, worries about learning, moments of conflict or situations that simply feel too big to navigate alone require something more than “3 Before Me”.
They require conversation.
Finding a trusted person who will listen without immediately trying to fix everything is incredibly important. Sometimes we need a friend. Sometimes it is a teacher. Sometimes it is a parent. Sometimes it is another adult we trust.
But problem-solving is not only about being willing to ask for help. It is also about being willing to give it.

As we move through the busy final weeks of Term 3, I encourage our boys to look around. Is there someone who is struggling to find their place? Someone who has forgotten something? Someone who seems frustrated? Someone sitting on their own? Someone who simply needs another person to stop and listen?

Being a good friend or Villa brother sometimes means putting our own plans on hold for a few minutes.

The adults in our community need to model this too. One of the things I love most about working in a school is that some of the best solutions come when we stop pretending that we have all the answers ourselves. A teacher raises a concern, another offers a different perspective, someone else suggests a practical solution and suddenly a problem that seemed complicated becomes manageable.

That is teamwork.
That is community.
And, importantly, that is learning.

Solutions don’t always appear immediately. Sometimes we need to breathe, wait, have another conversation and try something different. Being frustrated because the first solution didn’t work doesn’t mean we have failed. It simply means we haven’t found the right solution yet.

I often remind myself that there is very little value in spending too much energy dwelling on what isn’t working. We need to acknowledge the problem, learn from it and then turn our attention towards what might work.

Look for the solution.

Be curious.
Ask for help.
Offer help.
Be prepared to try again.
Listen to another perspective.
Stay flexible.
And don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t have the answer yet.

Some of life’s greatest learning happens when things don’t go according to plan. The problem itself may not be something we would have chosen, but the opportunity to learn how to respond to it is incredibly valuable.

After all, we are not preparing our boys for a life without problems.

We are preparing them to become young men who know what to do when problems inevitably arrive.

Mr Stephen Rouliadeff, Head of Junior School

As we move into the final weeks of Term 3, the pace of academic life across the College continues to accelerate. This is a particularly significant period in the school year, with students across all year levels engaged in assessment, examinations, reflection and preparation for the learning challenges that lie ahead. While the weeks ahead are undoubtedly busy, they also present an important opportunity for students to demonstrate persistence as they work towards finishing the term strongly.

For our Year 12 students, the commencement of the Mock Examination period marks a significant milestone in their educational journey. These examinations provide an authentic rehearsal for the QCAA External Assessment period that will occur in Term 4. Beyond assessing knowledge and understanding, the Mock Examination program provides students with valuable experience in managing examination conditions, refining revision strategies and identifying areas requiring further attention before their final examinations. We encourage our Year 12 students to approach this period with confidence and discipline.

Similarly, our Year 11 students are reaching an important stage in their Senior studies. Across many learning areas, students are completing their final formative internal assessments before transitioning into summative assessment programs in Term 4. The work completed during this period will play a critical role in preparing students for the academic expectations of their final year of schooling and establishing strong habits for success in the Senior Phase of Learning.

Students in Years 10 and below are equally engaged in important learning milestones. Year 10 students are preparing for their Semester 2 examinations, providing valuable opportunities to consolidate learning and further develop the study routines that will support them as they move toward Senior studies. Students in Years 7 to 9 are completing assessment and examination programs designed to strengthen their knowledge, skills and independence as learners. Meanwhile, our Years 5 and 6 students continue to develop the foundational literacy, numeracy and learning habits that underpin future academic success. For all students, this period serves as a reminder that consistent effort, organisation and effective preparation remain key ingredients for achievement.

Year 12 Hospitality Restaurant Evening
Last Wednesday evening, our Year 12 Hospitality students showcased the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their studies by hosting a special restaurant evening as part of their certificate requirements.

With an Italian cuisine theme, students were responsible for planning, preparing and delivering a professional dining experience for invited guests. From menu preparation and food presentation through to customer service and front-of-house operations, students demonstrated a high level of organisation and professionalism throughout the evening.

Guests enjoyed a carefully prepared menu and warm hospitality, with students confidently applying industry-standard practices in a real-world setting. It was particularly pleasing to see the pride students took in every aspect of the event, ensuring a high-quality experience for all in attendance.

Experiences such as these provide invaluable opportunities for students to demonstrate their practical skills while developing important workplace capabilities including teamwork, communication, problem-solving, time management and customer service. The evening was a credit to the students and their teachers, and we congratulate all involved on the outstanding standard they achieved.

The success of the evening reflects not only the dedication of our Hospitality students but also the strength of our vocational learning programs in preparing students for future pathways and employment opportunities. Well done to everyone involved.

Upcoming Examination Timetables
Examination timetables for the upcoming assessment period were recently communicated by Mr Tyler McCluskey, Acting Director of Studies, and are also available via myVilla. Families were reminded that examination timetables are published online together with key expectations relating to the examination period.

Students should carefully review their individual examination timetable and ensure they arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to the commencement of each examination. Students should also ensure they have the correct equipment for every examination session. Unfortunately, it remains too common for students to arrive at examinations without the required materials, and in some cases without any equipment at all.

As part of this year’s stationery requirements, all students were required to purchase an examination stationery pack. Students should now ensure this pack is readily available and prepared for use throughout the examination period.

With a large number of examinations scheduled across the coming weeks, students should also pay close attention to examination room allocations listed on their timetable. Families are encouraged to remind their sons to check these details in advance rather than on the morning of an examination.

Students in Years 7 to 9 are reminded that they are expected to attend normal timetabled classes whenever they are not sitting an examination. Lessons will continue throughout the examination period and remain an important component of the curriculum program.

Year 10 and Year 11 students will operate under examination block privileges for the Semester 2 examination period. As communicated by Mr Tyler McCluskey and Mr Matt Levander, this arrangement provides students with greater responsibility and flexibility as they progressively prepare for the routines and expectations associated with Senior schooling. This privilege should be used wisely and productively. Students are encouraged to utilise available study rooms at the College, dedicate time to meaningful revision and seek assistance from their teachers where appropriate. The ability to manage time effectively, remain organised and maintain productive study habits will be critical skills as students progress through their academic journey.

ICAS and Australian Mathematics Competition
Over the past four weeks, a significant number of students from Years 5 to 10 have participated in the ICAS Writing, English and Mathematics competitions.

ICAS is one of Australia’s longest-running academic assessment programs, providing students with the opportunity to challenge themselves against a national and international cohort of learners. The assessments are designed to evaluate higher-order thinking, problem solving and the application of knowledge beyond the traditional classroom environment.

Participation in programs such as ICAS reflects a willingness to embrace academic challenge and extend learning beyond regular curriculum expectations. We thank all students who chose to become involved and congratulate them on their commitment and effort. We look forward to recognising and celebrating student achievement once results become available later in the year.

In addition, a large number of Villanova students from Years 7 to 12 participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). Conducted by the Australian Maths Trust, the AMC is one of the largest school-based mathematics competitions in the world and challenges students to apply mathematical reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking in unfamiliar contexts.

The competition provides an excellent opportunity for students to engage deeply with mathematics and challenge themselves beyond their regular classroom studies. Similarly, we look forward to recognising the success of our students once results are released and thank our Mathematics Faculty for their support of these enrichment opportunities.

Book Week 2026: Symphony of Stories
Book Week provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and the power of stories across our College community. This year’s theme, Symphony of Stories, encouraged students and staff to explore the many ways stories connect people, ideas, cultures and experiences.

Throughout the week, students enjoyed a range of engaging activities coordinated by our Library team. In a fitting connection to the theme, our String Ensembles performed in the Library, creating a unique atmosphere where music and literature came together. Students in Years 7 and 9 also had the opportunity to hear from Old Boy and acclaimed poet Liam Ferney, who shared insights into poetry, writing and the creative process.

Our Library staff also invited teachers and staff members to recommend their favourite books, creating displays throughout the College that showcased a diverse range of reading interests and encouraged students to discover something new. It was particularly pleasing to see our Year 12 student leaders actively involved in the celebrations, sharing their favourite books, authors and literary characters with younger students and helping foster a culture of reading across the College.

As educators, we know that reading remains one of the most powerful contributors to academic achievement and lifelong learning. Extensive national and international research continues to demonstrate strong links between regular reading and improved literacy, vocabulary development, critical thinking, academic performance and overall wellbeing. Students who read widely not only develop stronger communication skills but also build empathy, imagination and a deeper understanding of the world around them. At Villanova College, fostering a love of reading is an important part of our commitment to developing curious, capable and lifelong learners.

Thank you to our Library staff, visiting guests, student leaders and all those who contributed to making this year’s celebrations such a success. We are already looking forward to Book Week 2027.

Tournament of Minds
Congratulations to our Villanova Tournament of Minds (TOM) teams who competed in the Regional Division competition at Lourdes Hill College last Sunday. TOM is a multidisciplinary problem-solving program where our teams were given 6 weeks to work together to solve a challenging problem and present a solution to a panel of judges. Building on Villanova’s storied legacy in this competition, our teams were awarded first place in Social Sciences and second place in Language Literature respectively, with our Social Sciences team now progressing to the State Finals. This team has an enviable record in this competition as the 2025 International Tournament of Minds Champions, and we’re excited to see where their ingenuity, creativity, teamwork and problem-solving acumen will take them this year!

Thank you to the support of Mrs Colleen Goodin and Mr Matt Smith who assist in the student’s preparation for the event.

Study Skills Corner
Stay Organised and Productive Across All Your Devices
As schoolwork becomes increasingly digital, many students find their laptops, tablets and online accounts overflowing with files, downloads, tabs and notifications. A cluttered digital space can make it harder to focus, increase stress and reduce productivity.

To help students streamline their digital study life, consider the following strategies:

1. Clean Up Your Desktop and Folders
   1. Delete unnecessary screenshots, duplicate files and old documents.
   2. Create subject-specific folders.
   3. Move loose files into organised folder structures.
   4. Complete a quick digital tidy-up each Friday.
2. Organise Your OneDrive and Cloud Storage
   1. Create a folder for each subject.
   2. Use meaningful file names.
   3. Save important resources where they can be easily located.
3. Manage Your Downloads Folder
   1. Review and clear downloads weekly.
   2. Move important resources into their correct folders.
   3. Delete files no longer required.
4. Reduce Digital Distractions
   1. Limit the number of tabs open while studying.
   2. Turn off unnecessary notifications.
   3. Use browser tools to organise tabs and improve focus.
5. Use Digital Tools Intentionally
   1. Utilise calendars, task management tools and digital planners.
   2. Explore flashcards, revision platforms and educational videos.
   3. Regularly review the apps installed on your device and remove distractions.

A clean and organised digital environment supports stronger focus, greater efficiency and improved learning outcomes.
Families and students are encouraged to access the Study Skills Handbook for additional resources and strategies.
Website: Study Skills Handbook
School Username: forvillanovaonly
School Password: 129results

Tutoring Opportunities
Each Secondary School faculty offers student tutoring opportunities during the term. In some faculties, sessions are available on specified days and times, while in others, support may be arranged by appointment. Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to reinforce understanding, seek clarification, and build confidence in their learning.

Villanova College Tutoring – 2026

Students are strongly encouraged to make use of these opportunities, particularly as we move into a busy assessment and examination period.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of the academic life of the College.

Mr Kirk Astill, Dean of Teaching and Learning

AI presentations to students – resources for parents and students
On Friday 7 August, students in Years 7 to 10 participated in the EmpowerED program. While the session was delivered to students in Years 7 to 10, the key messages and strategies apply equally to students in Years 11 and 12, particularly for assessment preparation, study habits and academic integrity.

During this program, students engaged in a presentation about ethical and responsible use of AI called “Taking the Stairs with AI”. This presentation covered several key points:

• AI as an Arrival Technology and what this means;
• the different ways we use AI, using the metaphors of Transformer, Enabler and Trainer;
• cognitive offloading – a term used to describe what happens when we “hand over” the challenging and essential business of problem solving and learning to AI;
• recent research from a significant study linking AI use to improved homework results, reduced homework time, but decreased exam results over time;
• how to use AI the right way to support important cognitive processes required to be a confident, engaged student.

This presentation concluded with examples of prompts that support cognitive offloading, for example, “Write a conclusion based on [topic]”. The correct prompt should be “Ask me questions to help me develop my own conclusion for [topic]”. This prompt guides and supports the student towards a conclusion that is their own, and that can be defended and recalled.

A key challenge for students, indeed all of us, is that AI is heavily embedded into all the digital spaces with use each day – it is in toolbars, search bars, menus and much more. In many respects, we can feel like we are going “against the grain” when we dismiss these AI buttons, calls to action and time-saving shortcuts.

Another key challenge is, the shorter and simpler the prompt, the less helpful it is likely to be. Longer, more structured prompts are harder to write, but essential to responsible, ethical use that supports learning. Once again, “going against the grain” is the requirement – like taking the stairs, not the lift or the escalator.

To support students using AI responsibly and ethically, Villanova College provides the Cechat platform for all students in Years 7-12. Within this platform, students may use the Universal Chat option to create prompts to support learning, under the guidance and endorsement of their teachers.

Cechat is a premium product that has been built intentionally around the values, principles, curriculum, and co-curricular program of the College. Within Cechat, there are purpose-designed “Trainer agents” for students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. Each agent is pre-loaded with tasks and information related to current assessments at the College in these year levels. However, its real value is in its design: each trainer agent has instructions and guardrails designed to help students “take the stairs with AI, not the lift”, based on the key messages from the EmpowerED sessions. This means that students do not need to enter long, complex prompts to use AI responsibly and ethically – they can simply ask questions about their current work and assessments and go from there.

Please find all resources, prompt guides for each year level, and a recording of the 25-minute presentation in myVilla at: https://schoolbox.vnc.qld.edu.au/homepage/1209
Although these resources are organised by Year 7–10, families of students in Years 11 and 12 will also find the guidance and prompt examples useful.

You can also access this page via the myVilla homepage > BYOD & ICT tile > AI at VNC page.

Mr Jason Lane, Director of E-Learning

Mass of St Augustine and Adeodatus
On Tuesday our Villanova community came together to celebrate the Feast of St Augustine and Adeodatus with a beautiful Mass at the College.

We were especially honoured to welcome Archbishop Shane Mackinlay and Fr Tony Banks OSA, Prior Provincial and our Acting Chair of the College Board, Mrs Paula Hoctor who joined our community for this important celebration. We also thank Fr John Sullivan OSA, Fr Francis Belciña, OSA, Fr Fadi Salame, Fr Pete Wieneke OSA and of course our very own College Chaplain Fr Saldie who did an amazing job in preparing and celebrating this.

The Feast of St Augustine is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the life and teachings of our patron, and on the values that continue to shape our community – a restless search for truth, the importance of community and humility, and a commitment to serving others. As we prepare to celebrate Father’s Day, it was also fitting to honour Adeodatus, whose relationship with Augustine reminds us of the gift of family and the influence that fathers and mentors have in nurturing faith, character, and wisdom.

AFAS Immersion
With only three weeks until our pilgrims depart for the Philippines, preparations for the AFAS Immersion are well underway.

Throughout the term, students have been meeting regularly for formation sessions focused on cultural awareness, language learning, Filipino cuisine, and the practical aspects of travel. One of the highlights has been learning a dance that they will perform during their time in the Philippines and preparing for lessons that they will deliver at a Filipino school.

This week, students will participate in the Global Village program, meeting scholars and community members online for the first time via Zoom. These experiences form an important part of their preparation and will culminate in a commissioning ceremony in Week 9, ahead of their departure in Week 10.

The immersion invites students to step beyond their comfort zones by embracing a new culture, building meaningful relationships with our Augustinian partners, and opening themselves to learning, service, and transformation. The personal growth witnessed in each participant throughout this journey is always remarkable, making this one of the most enriching experiences we offer.

Mrs Eleni Greenaway, Dean of Mission and Identity

Foundation Update
It has been a busy few weeks for the Foundation team. While we’ve wrapped up another wonderful Old Boys Muster Week, there has certainly been no slowing down since!

As part of Book Week celebrations, we were delighted to welcome back Old Boy Liam Ferney (1996), who spent time with our students sharing his passion for poetry and storytelling. Liam’s insights, experience and generosity in giving back to the next generation made a lasting impression on those in attendance. We are incredibly grateful to him for returning to Villanova and paying it forward to our students.

Looking ahead, preparations are well underway for our Charlie Fisher Cup Golf Day, with registrations now open. This event is always a highlight on the Villanova calendar and a fantastic opportunity for parents, Old Boys, staff and friends of the College to come together for a great day on the green. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or simply looking for a fun day out, we’d love to see you involved. There will be plenty happening throughout the day, including raffles, a live auction and some fantastic prizes, meaning there will be opportunities to be a winner even if your golf game doesn’t quite cooperate!

To register a team, click here.

We are also currently seeking raffle and auction prizes. If you or your business would like to contribute, we would love to hear from you.

One of the most rewarding parts of Old Boys Muster Week was hearing how much our alumni enjoy returning to Villanova and seeing the College today. Following those conversations, we are pleased to announce that College Tours will now be offered on the first Monday of every month. These tours will be open to Old Boys, current parents and members of the wider Villanova community.
It is a wonderful opportunity to see what’s happening around the College, experience the growth and development taking place, and connect with fellow members of our community.

Meanwhile, our Pope Leo XIV Precinct continues to take shape, and we cannot wait to welcome the community into this exciting new space. We know it will be a place where countless memories are made for generations of Villanovans to come.

There are still opportunities for members of our community to support the project through the provision of equipment and resources. If you would like to learn more, please contact the Foundation team at foundation@vnc.qld.edu.au.

It has been an incredibly busy and rewarding term across the College, and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the remarkable support our community continues to show for Villanova. Thank you for your ongoing support of the Foundation and the many initiatives that help strengthen our College community.

I hope to see many of you at the Charlie Fisher Cup in November.

With gratitude,

Mrs Effie Kent, Development & Foundation Manager

QCMF 2026
As we completed Week 5 and completed the Week 6 pack down, we reflect on another successful festival.  With 106 schools, and almost 650 ensembles participating, we witnessed over 15,500 student performances from musicians from across Australia and New Zealand.  It was another incredible four days of student music making.

Our Villanova musicians did another fantastic job as performers and as hosts with much positive commentary coming from our broader community who attended this year’s event.  Our students were commended on the way in which they interacted with our visiting guests.  Our ensembles all did an admirable job across the event with many Gold and Silver awards received.

On behalf of the QCMF organising group, I would like to extend my thanks to those who contributed their time through volunteering for this year’s event.  Without your support, the festival would not be feasible.  I would also like to recognise and thank the Festival and Villanova staff who worked diligently both in view and behind the scenes to make sure the event ran smoothly, safely, and effectively.

On a personal note, I would like to thank the QCMF organising group for their work in ensuring this year’s event continued the fine history of QCMF.  We are all looking forward to next year’s iteration and the wonder it will bring.

Battle of the Bands & Song Writing Workshop
Over the beginning of Term 3, our Rock Program has had the wonderful opportunity to again work with Paul and Dean from Ball Park Music.  Over 3 sessions, 6 bands have worked on crafting one original composition, and developing their sets with a handful of cover songs.  The work produced in terms of composition has been quite impressive.

On Friday 21^st August, the students had the opportunity to rock the hill with the transformation of Hanrahan Theatre from a 500 seat concert hall, into a venue that would rival Festival Hall (or rather Fortitude Music Hall).  With the genius and support of our AV team, and student production team, a serious sound and lighting rig, along with punter barrier, was installed in the lower theatre over 2 days.  Sound checks through Friday rivalled the air traffic noise over the school, and we were set for a big night of rock.

These concerts are always a wonderful insight into how music supports the development of our students.  From those who demonstrate introversion generally, taking a strong presence on stage, to those who struggle to focus in the classroom attacking a sweeping riff or complex rock beat with concentration and precision.  The music is always good, but it’s the personal development and growth that I particularly enjoy.

Tonight was a competition.  ‘Winners’ for the evening, winning the prize of a studio recording of their new single, was “Blank.”  Blank also took out the people’s choice award; D9SH won a highly commended award; and, Sam Pauli won the ‘best guitarist’ award.

Thanks must go to Mr Campbell, Flaherty, and Weule for their organisation and drive.  Thanks to Mr Miller and our AV / Production team for their hard work so close to festival.  Thank you to the musicians for their wonderful performances, and thank you to those who came and supported this event.  Another great night here at Villanova College.

Term 3 Gala Concert Series
As we move past QCMF and prepare for the coming year, we move into preparations for our Term 3 Gala Concert Series.  This year, we are sharing performances for the final time from our 2026 ensembles.  We are looking forward to seeing you in Hanrahan Theatre from 6pm on Tuesday 8^th September, and Thursday 10^th September.
Gig sheets with performance information will be distributed before the weekend to all participant musicians.

Auditions for 2027 Ensembles
Audition material for 2027 ensembles is currently being distributed by heads of department.  Please check with your tutor regarding audition requirements for the ensembles you are, or would like, to participate in next year.  Remember – new groups commence at the start of Term 4.

Wieneke Family Music Prize
The entry forms for our annual Wieneke Family Music Prize will be available for collection from the Music Office next week.  Our annual solo competition will be held early Term 4 with heats over the first couple of weeks.  Please speak with your tutors regarding your repertoire and start preparing for an early October ‘heat.’  We are looking forward to listening to all our soloists very soon.

Key Dates Term 3
As we look ahead across the term, please ensure we pencil the following dates into your diary:

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

How to Use MyVilla and The Locker Room
Families are reminded that MyVilla and The Locker Room on MyVilla are the central locations for Villanova Sport information, including weekly training schedules, fixture information, draws, team lists and key sport updates. To support families in navigating these pages, we have prepared a simple step-by-step guide:

How to navigate the MyVilla Locker room and sports pages.docx​

Families are encouraged to bookmark this page and check The Locker Room on MyVilla regularly throughout the week, as sport information may be updated as fixtures, venues and team details are finalised. The Villanova College App will continue to be used for urgent updates, including cancellations or same-day changes. Thank you for your support in staying connected with Villa Sport.

Director of Sport Address
Round 4 Updates
Round 4 against Iona College provided another encouraging opportunity for our boys to compete, learn and grow. Basketball recorded 19 wins from 31 matches, including eight wins from 12 aggregate fixtures, with our First V securing a 94-62 victory at Goold Hall. Rugby League recorded three wins from 14 matches, with the First XIII earning a hard-fought 24-16 victory at Villa Park. Tennis achieved 10 wins and a draw from 15 matches, including seven wins from 11 aggregate fixtures, with our First IV winning 5-3. While these results are pleasing, the continued growth shown through effort, teamwork, resilience and sportsmanship remains most important.

Fittingly, Growth is our G.R.E.A.T.S. focus this week, beginning with our Track & Field athletes competing at AIC Meet 1 at QSAC this Thursday, August 27. Round 5 follows on Friday and Saturday. The undefeated First IV will face the also undefeated First IV from St Peter’s Lutheran College, while the First XIII sits equal first heading into the final three rounds and the First V carries positive momentum following consecutive victories. There is still plenty of work ahead, but we are proud of the way our students continue to represent Villanova. Thank you to the players, coaches, officials, volunteers, families and supporters from Villanova and Iona who contributed to another positive day of AIC competition.

Go Villa! 💚💛

Mr Matthew Hannan, Director of Sport

Season Results to date

2026 Basketball Round 4.pdf

2026 Rugby League Round 4.pdf

2026 Tennis Round 4.pdf

Green and Gold Recognition
This term, Villanova Sport continues to recognise students and teams who represent the College with pride, humility, effort and strong team spirit.

The Grill’d Green and Gold Player of the Week initiative gives coaches the opportunity to acknowledge students who demonstrate our G.R.E.A.T.S. values through their attitude, improvement and contribution to their team.

Grill’d winners for Week 6
Basketball
Year 6: Jackson G
Year 7: Lewis F

Rugby League
Year 6: Stirling H
Year 9: Tommy M
Year 10: Caleb H

Tennis
Year 9: Cooper D, Luke S
Year 10: Rex A, Jude D

Track & Field
Year 9 William K

Together, these initiatives shine a light on the positive habits, team focused actions and character that make Villa Sport so special.
Congratulations to each of these students for the way they represented Villanova College through effort, respect, teamwork and pride in the Green and Gold.

Round 5 vs St Peters Lutheran College – Volunteer Callout|
We are seeking volunteers to assist with the smooth running of Saturday’s home AIC Basketball fixtures against St Peter’s Lutheran College on Saturday, August 29. Your support plays an important role in creating a positive and well organised match day experience.

Registering is quick and easy – no account or password is required, and your email address will not be shared. Every role contributes to ensuring a safe and enjoyable day for everyone.

• Goold Hall Canteen Volunteer Registration

Thank you in advance for your support – our community relies on it.

AIC Code of Conduct
Families are encouraged to review the AIC Code of Conduct – April 2026 ahead of Saturday’s fixtures.

Parents and spectators are asked to model positive behaviour, respect officials and their decisions, encourage effort and enjoyment and appreciate good play from both teams. Players are expected to compete hard and fairly, accept officials’ decisions, respect teammates and opponents and demonstrate humility in victory and graciousness in defeat.
These expectations apply before, during and after fixtures, including online interactions.

Key Updates and Announcements
Communications
Families should access sports information via the Villanova College website and App. The Locker Room and Villanova College phone application will be relied on to provide key updates between Villa View Newsletter issues. All training and match changes or cancellations will be communicated via the Villanova College phone application.

No Dog Policy
A reminder that there is a NO DOG policy at all AIC sporting fixtures. Venue coordinators at and adjacent to Villa Park have reported that some pet owners are ignoring the gate signage. Pet owners who ignore the signs will be asked to remove their pets immediately.

Fixtures, Results and Training Information
AIC Draw 2026
Please find linked the AIC Draw for 2026.

Training Schedules
The Term 3 Weeks 2 to 9 Training Schedule has now been published to the Locker Room page. If any changes or cancellations occur, the Villanova College App will also be updated accordingly.
Please note: In the event of cancelled sessions or extremely poor weather, sessions may be adjusted or rescheduled where possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Team Lists
Team lists are published via The Locker Room. Basketball team lists will be released by Thursday evening, with Rugby League and Tennis published by Friday lunchtime ahead of the round. This is the earliest possible time this information can be finalised and shared.

Key Links

Sport Results – Associated Independent Colleges

Trimester 3 Sport Uniforms
Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Villanova College Uniform Look Book, which can be found on the Uniform Shop page of the College website. Uniform Shop opening hours are also available on this page. All students selected in AIC teams are expected to wear the correct Villanova College uniform for AIC fixtures each week.

2026 Uniform Shop Hours (School Term Only)
Monday: 7:30am – 9:30am
Tuesday: 7:30am – 9:30am
Wednesday: 7:30am – 9:30am
Thursday: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Friday: CLOSED

Sport Specific Updates
AIC Sport Contact List
For information about a specific sport, please first visit the Locker Room page on our website. If you require further clarification, please contact the relevant Sport Coordinator, listed below. Until coach contact details become available online, please report training or game absences directly to the relevant Sport Coordinator and coach. Available contact details can be found through The Locker Room.

Trimester 3 Sports Coordinators
Basketball Coordinator – Sharon Casey (sharon.casey@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Golf Coordinator – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Rugby League Coordinator – Wian Joubert (wian.joubert@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Tennis Coordinator – Angus Sullivan (angus.sullivan@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Track & Field Coordinator – Andrew Lund (andrew.lund@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Sport Office Administration
Sports Administrators – Angus Sullivan (angus.sullivan@vnc.qld.edu.au) and Maria Mascadri (3 days per week) (mmascadri@vnc.qld.edu.au)
AIC Sports Leader – Wian Joubert (wian.joubert@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Central Sharks District Sport – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au) and Wian Joubert (wian.joubert@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Term 4
Touch Football Coordinator – Chloe Witt (chloe.witt@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Water Polo Coordinator – Lauren Robinson (lauren.robinson@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Trimester 1 Sports Coordinators
AFL Coordinator – Angus Sullivan (angus.sullivan@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Cricket Coordinator – Wian Joubert (wian.joubert@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Swimming Coordinator – Julie Colbert (jcolbert@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Volleyball Coordinator – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Trimester 2 Sports Coordinators
Chess Coordinator – Kath Underhill (kunderhill@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Cross Country Coordinator – Brian Pascoe (bpascoe@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Football Coordinator – Wian Joubert (wian.joubert@vnc.qld.edu.au)
Rugby Union Coordinator – Chris Everding (ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Sport Department Reminders
Villa Sports Club Meeting Tuesday, September 1 – 6:00-7:00pm on Microsoft Teams
Parents are warmly invited to join us for the Villa Sports Club meeting on Tuesday, September 1, taking place on Microsoft Teams from 6:00 to 7:00pm. Please use the following link to join: Villa Sports Club meeting on Tuesday, September 1. If you happen to encounter any technical difficulties with logging in, simply send an email to matthew.hannan@vnc.qld.edu.au and he will be happy to assist.

This meeting offers a fantastic chance to connect with your fellow parents, show your support for our sporting community and play a part in the continuing success of Villa Sport. We truly value your involvement and encourage you to attend, as your presence and input always make a positive impact.
We are looking forward to seeing you online and sharing a productive and enjoyable meeting together.

Regional and External Sports
Central Sharks trial information (formerly Composite/Lytton): Paperwork for the following sports is now available from the Sports Office. Nominations returned after the due date will not be submitted.

The table below lists the sports/activities that are currently available to students wishing to nominate for the district & regional school sport pathway. Students wishing to nominate should have extensive experience in their chosen sport including club or previous representative history.

Mr Todd Kropp, Regional Sport Coordinator

Saturday 5 September – You Asked, We Listened! IGNITE 2026 Is Now Free

Dear Villa families,
You asked. We listened! We have some exciting news about IGNITE 2026. Due to overwhelming feedback from our Villa community, the P&F has listened – and IGNITE 2026 is now a free, family-friendly Riverfire celebration!

Join us at Villanova College on Saturday 5 September from 4pm to 9pm for a fantastic night under the Brisbane skyline, with the best part still to come: front-row views of the Riverfire fireworks from our beautiful Terraces (Flyovers from 4.30pm).

Bring the whole family, invite your friends (all are welcome) and settle in for an evening of music, food, community and fireworks. What’s on?

• Free entry – no tickets required
• Kids are very welcome!
• Sausage sizzle available for purchase
• BYO food welcome
• Bar operating throughout the evening – no BYO drinks
• Riverfire fireworks from an unbeatable vantage point, accompanied by Triple M synchronized soundtrack

So forget the riverbank crowds and fighting for a spot with a view. Come to Villa, spread out, bring your picnic, grab a sausage, enjoy the music and watch Riverfire light up the Brisbane sky.
No tickets. No cost. Just come along!
A huge thank you to our P&F for listening to our community and making IGNITE a celebration for everyone. We can’t wait to see you on the Villa Terraces!
Thank you to our Sponsors Shane Hicks and the Place Teams and Matsos.

Warm Regards,
Villanova College Parents and Friends Association

A Reminder About MyVilla and the Villanova College App
As we continue to streamline communication across the College, we would like to remind parents and caregivers that MyVilla remains the central hub for important information relating to your son’s education and College life. The Villanova College App provides convenient access to MyVilla directly from your phone.

2026 Census Privacy Collection Notice
Census and special circumstance applications privacy collection notice

About
The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) would like to advise all staff, parents, guardians and students (where applicable) that it will collect certain information about your school, its staff and student body as part of the non-government schools census collection (the census) and special circumstance applications.
How and what information is collected for the census?
Census information is provided to the department by your school’s legal entity (the approved authority) via the Education Funding System (EFS).
The census provides information about your school and the number and characteristics of the school’s staff and student body during a specific reference period. Information and characteristics collected through the census include:
•teaching and non-teaching staff
•students’ year level and workload
•students’ gender and age (as on 1 July 2026)
•Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students
•students with disability
•students receiving distance education
•day, boarding and overseas students.
The names of students and staff are not collected, apart from the name, position and contact details of the staff member nominated as the primary contact for the census.

Census special circumstance applications
A census special circumstance application is for a student who did not attend during the census reference period and/or did not have a pattern of regular attendance at a school during the year but otherwise meet the non-government schools census eligibility requirements. Schools can apply to have a student individually considered for inclusion in the census through a census special circumstance application. Any information provided to the department through this application should be de-identified by the school.
Purpose of the census collection
The information provided during the census is collected by the department in accordance with the Australian Education Act 2013 (the Act) and the Australian Education Regulations 2023 (the Regulations). The Act and the Regulations require the legal entity responsible for the administration of the school (the approved authority) to provide this information to the department to:
•ensure the provision of Australian Government funding to schools is properly calculated and appropriately managed
•conduct research, statistical analysis and develop school education policy for the Australian Government
•meet national and international reporting obligations on school students in Australia
•publish and provide information about schools to the public.

Use and disclosure of personal information
Your personal information is protected by law under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act). Personal information is information or an opinion about an identified individual or an individual who is reasonably identifiable.
Any use or disclosure of your personal information must occur in accordance with the Privacy Act and the Act and Regulations and any other applicable laws.
Your personal information provided to the department through the census may be:
•Used or disclosed by the department for the purposes outlined above under the heading Purposes of the census collection.
•Disclosed to the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) to publish on the My School website and include as high-level data for ACARA’s National Report on Schooling in Australia.
•Disclosed to state and territory government departments and authorities in accordance with the Act and Regulations.
•Disclosed to Australian Government departments and authorities in accordance with the Act and Regulations.
•Disclosed to non-government school representative bodies in accordance with the Act and Regulations.
•Disclosed to a contracted auditor where the department decides to audit or verify the information provided by an approved authority about a school. The contracted auditor may use previously collected information or request access to individual student records for comparison purposes. The contractors may pass this information onto officers within the department, if there is a discrepancy in the data provided by the school and the school’s records and further investigation is required. The contracted auditor must handle personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act.
•Disclosed to its service providers for the purposes of the provision of information and communications technology support services to the department.
•Used to validate data from other collections undertaken by the department.
•Used or disclosed where it is otherwise required or authorised by law including under the Act or Regulations, or otherwise permitted under the Privacy Act.
Other than in exceptional circumstances (for example, investigation of fraud relating to overseas students), the department does not disclose any of the personal information collected to overseas recipients.
You can find the department’s privacy policy on the Department of Education website or request a copy from the department at privacy@education.gov.au. The privacy policy includes information about how to access or correct personal information held about you or your child, how to make a complaint about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how the department will deal with such a complaint.

What do you need to do?
You are not required to do anything. The approved authority of the school is responsible for providing the information to the department.

Contacts for further information
Your school can provide information about data provided for you or your child for the purposes of the census. To find out more about the census collection and reporting, visit EducationHUB