Villa View – Issue 14, 28 August 2025

Feast of St Augustine and St Monica
This week the College celebrated the feasts of St Augustine and his mother St Monica, while also recognising his son Adeodatus. Our celebration was through the Eucharist, and it was a wonderful occasion for the community. It is of course St Augustine’s life and story that we distil our interpretation of the Jesus story of the gospel and find an example of direction and modelling of Christian life. Augustine’s story sees him grow from an imperfect and flawed person to finding peace, meaning and truth as he found and aligned himself with the Christian narrative and example. In his words the idea of Tolle Lege, to take and read, the words of the gospel and find transformation and an ongoing conversion through life.

It was of course the thoughts and writings of Augustine that inspired the establishment of the Order of St Augustine (OSA) in 1244 AD and the growth of the charism that has, in our two Australian schools shaped and defined those values that we hold dear in both an Augustinian education and the Augustinian Graduate; Community, Humility, Interiority, the restless search for truth and ongoing conversion.

Through all of our Augustinian House patrons we look to find their example that we can draw energy and example from, and align to contemporary life. Having and growing faith, our own and that of our children, is a difficult task but what a wonderful gift. To have the gospel as the blueprint for their life’s actions and an understanding that through living those gospel values we create with one another, God’s kingdom is here among us.

Congratulations to Mr Steven Bremner
It is with joy and sadness in equal measure I share with the community the news that Mr Steven Bremner has been appointed to the role of Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.

Steven has been a wonderful servant of Villanova College, its students, and families for twenty years and spent the last 10 as the College Deputy Principal. Steve began his time at the College as Head of Year 10, progressed to Head of Senior School, and then in 2016 moved into his current role. He has always been a person who lived and modelled the Augustinian values and will be sorely missed in the community. In my reference for Steven I reflected;

“As a leader in Catholic Education Steven combines the expectations of his role with the values of Catholic education in a careful and nuanced way. He promotes our College values both in principle and practice. He is a wonderful model of service to all in the College community. Steven expresses his faith in a public way and takes opportunities with both staff and students to share his faith perspectives and engage in discussions that encourage personal spiritual thought and growth across every setting in College life.”

Greater than this though is that he is a wonderful friend and a gentle man with an Augustinian heart.

As a community we congratulate and thank him for his faithful service. Steven will depart Villanova College at the end of the 2025 academic year and begin in his new role for the 2026 academic year.

Non State Schools Accreditation Board Child Protection Audit 2025
As part of the governance and Regulatory requirements of the Non State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB) the College this week participated in an Audit of our policies, procedures, governance structures and practices in regard to Child Protection, Safeguarding and Safety. This is a process whereby a number of Queensland Catholic and Independent Schools are randomly selected to be visited by an external accredited auditor and have our compliance with the various government Acts audited. While a stressful time it was both a positive experience and one which we are very pleased to have been selected for. As a College we are committed to excellence in the safety and care of all children in our care and take this responsibility very seriously. The outcomes of our audit will not be known for a period of time but we were very pleased with our ability to respond and show evidence of our compliance and deep commitment. I give thanks to Mrs Kath Hackett, Mr Steven Bremner & Ms Agi Waloszek for their wonderful work and steadfast diligence to compliance and child safety.

Next year the College is due for its full audit by NSSAB but at this point we have no timeline or information to share.

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.

Term 3 has been full of flavour, creativity, and a touch of friendly rivalry as our Middle School MasterChef competition has taken centre stage. What began with 26 enthusiastic students has gradually been whittled down through weekly challenges, and we now find ourselves preparing for a Grand Final between two very talented young chefs.

The journey to the final has been anything but ordinary. Each week, our contestants have been stretched with a wide variety of challenges. From creating dishes with ingredients beginning with the letter “P,” to working with staples such as chicken or sweet slices through to our semi-final which asked the boys to recreate a take-away restaurant dish. These challenges have pushed the boys to think outside the box, balance flavours carefully, and present their dishes with flair.

Why do we do it? Because MasterChef gives our young men a chance to showcase a talent beyond the classroom. It sparks their interest in cooking and nutrition, while also building skills in planning and presentation. Just as importantly, it provides another avenue for students to grow in confidence and share their passions.

One of the most delightful parts of the competition has been seeing the boys gather in the prep area each week, talking animatedly about their dishes. One of my favourite lines I heard was “Oh, you used nutmeg? I was going to but went with cinnamon instead.”  The camaraderie amongst the group has been remarkable, with students offering advice on plating, sharing ingredient tips, and celebrating each other’s efforts, regardless of who advances to the next round.

Middle School MasterChef has also strengthened the relationships between students and teachers. Each week, different staff have been judging and have enjoyed seeing the boys in a completely different light, outside the classroom setting, and it has sparked conversations that have gone far beyond assignments and assessments. I must admit, however, that my waistline has certainly suffered each Monday as I’ve attempted to taste every dish on offer!

A very special thank you must go to our parents, who have supported their sons in this adventure – whether it’s providing ingredients, offering kitchen tips, or cheering them on. We hope this experience has sparked curiosity at home too, with students cooking more meals for their families (and hopefully helping with the clean-up afterwards!).

As St Augustine once reminded us: “Food is not just about nourishment but at the core of any community. For in the sharing of a meal and good conversation we grow closer together in unity, and unity brings us closer to the mind and heart of God.” MasterChef has been a shining example of how food really does bring people together – in creativity, in seeking to bring pleasure to others rather than ourselves, and in the joy of participation and appreciation.

We look forward to crowning our 2025 Middle School MasterChef Champion very soon!

Mr Sean O’Neill, Dean of Students

Year 12 Cohort – The Final Run Home
It is hard to comprehend that our Year 12’s are just six school weeks from commencing their external examinations and another four weeks until they finish at the College. There is still a bit to be done and achieved in this time, however, the finish line is close.

Starting next week, the Year 12 cohort will be engaged in mock examinations for two weeks. These examinations are an important opportunity for the students to test their knowledge and skills relating to the content learnt to date and to assist them in refining their study focus for Term 4. It is an important opportunity to identify strengths and weakness in the understanding of subject matter, to seek feedback on the ability to respond to the cognition and assessment requirements, and to guide further learning and preparation for the external examinations.

We certainly wish the cohort of 2025 all the best over the coming three weeks.

The St Thomas of Villanova Learning Centre will be open in Week 2 of the holidays on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd October) for Year 12 students to use in the lead up to Term 4 and for preparation for their external examinations. Students will be able to use Level 3 in the morning from 9.00 to 11.30am and again in the afternoon from 12.30 to 3.00pm. Year 12 students will be sent a link to sign up for these holiday study opportunities.

End of Term Assessment
Mr Astill (Director of Studies) has communicated with all students (and their parents / carers) in Year 7 to 11 as to their commitments with regards to these examinations. All students should be checking these timetables carefully to ensure they are well prepared for upcoming examinations.

There is always a certain amount of illness around the school, particularly across the cooler months. If your son is going to be away on a day where he has an examination, parents / carers should email the Teaching and Learning Office (tandl@vnc.qld.edu.au). If your son is in Year 11, a medical certificate is required.

Reporting
Mid-Semester 2 reports will be made available to parents / carers at the beginning of the first week of holidays via Parent Lounge. This report is an interim report and indicates a student’s application in class across all of his subjects. Parents / carers can access their son’s results for each assessment task via Parent Lounge as they become available, with final subject results being provided in the Semester 2 report that will be made available at the end of the year.

Gamifying Your Study Routine
Turn Your Study Sessions into an Exciting Challenge

Studying doesn’t have to feel like a chore. By gamifying your routine, you can make learning more engaging, motivating, and even fun. Gamification involves turning your study tasks into a game, complete with goals, challenges, and rewards. It’s a great way to stay motivated and tackle your workload with enthusiasm.

Create a Reward System
Rewards are a simple yet powerful motivator. Set up a system where you earn points for completing tasks, and exchange those points for rewards. For example:

• 5 points for finishing a Maths worksheet.
• 10 points for revising a chapter.
• 20 points for acing a practice test.

Once you accumulate enough points, ‘unlock’ a reward, such as:

• Watching an episode of your favourite show.
• Enjoying a treat like your favourite snack.
• Taking a guilt-free break to play a game or chat with friends.

Tip: Keep track of your points in a notebook or app. Seeing your progress is motivating in itself!

Make It Competitive
If you thrive on competition, gamify your studies with a friend or sibling. Set shared goals, such as completing a certain number of practice questions or memorising key terms, and see who finishes first. You could even create mini prizes for the winner.

Ideas for Competitions

• Who can complete the most flashcards in 10 minutes?
• Who gets the highest score on a quiz or mock test?
• Who memorises a list of vocabulary words the fastest?

Tip: If you’re studying solo, compete against yourself by trying to beat your previous ‘high score’. For example, aim to complete more practice problems in a shorter time.

Use Digital Study Games and Apps
Technology makes gamifying your study routine easier than ever. Many apps are designed with game-like features to make learning more enjoyable. Here are some popular options:

• Kahoot: Create interactive quizzes and play against friends.
• Quizlet: Use flashcards and test yourself with timed challenges.
• Habitica: Turn your to-do list into a role-playing game where you earn rewards for completing tasks.

Tip: Explore subject-specific apps like Duolingo for language learning or Prodigy for Mathematics.

Design Your Own Challenges
Get creative and build your own study challenges. For example:

• Create a ‘study streak’ by committing to 20 minutes of focused study each day for a week. Reward yourself if you succeed.
• Set time-based challenges, like completing an assignment in 45 minutes or reviewing an entire topic in one session.
• ‘Level up’ by gradually increasing the difficulty of your tasks, such as moving from easy practice questions to exam-level problems.

Tip: Name your challenges and track your progress to make the experience more engaging.

Gamifying your study routine transforms studying into an interactive and rewarding experience. By creating a reward system, introducing friendly competition, and using study apps, you can stay motivated and even have fun while working toward your academic goals. Give it a try—you might just find yourself looking forward to your next study session!

Mr John Christie, Dean of Teaching and Learning

Mass of St Augustine and Adeodatus
On Tuesday, our College community came together to celebrate the Feast Day of St Augustine and his son, Adeodatus. In the lead up to Father’s Day, this celebration held special significance as we reflected on the profound father-son relationship between St Augustine and his son Adeodatus. Their bond reminds us of the importance of love, faith, and shared spiritual journey within families.

During our Mass, we also took time to acknowledge and bless members of our community who are preparing for upcoming travels. We especially prayed for our AFAS Immersion group heading to the Philippines, and the students participating in the China Study Tour. May their journeys be safe, enriching, and filled with opportunities to grow in faith and understanding.

Fr Saldie offered a powerful homily, highlighting the relationship between St Augustine and Adeodatus and emphasising the significance of Christian baptism. Sharing a quote from Pope Benedict XVI, he reminded us that “Baptism is communion with the One who conquered death and holds in his hand the keys of life. Belonging to this circle, to God’s family, means being in communion with Christ, who is life and gives eternal love beyond death.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr Saldie for leading and preparing our Mass, and to Fr Peter, Fr John, and Fr Anson for concelebrating with us. Their presence and prayerful leadership continue to enrich our College’s spiritual life.

Work and Welcome
This term, we have had the pleasure of welcoming Abdullahi to Villanova College as part of the Work and Welcome program, supported by Multicultural Australia. Abdullahi has been working closely with our Facilities team and has made a wonderful impact in such a short time. His warmth, dedication, and positive presence have been deeply appreciated by all who have had the chance to work alongside him.

Abdullahi has shared how much he is enjoying not only the work but also the culture and kindness that define the Villanova College community. Next week, he will join some of our Year 11 Study of Religion classes as a guest speaker, sharing insights into the Muslim faith—particularly its rituals—as part of the curriculum. Our students are looking forward to this unique opportunity to learn from a faithful adherent.

The Work and Welcome program provides meaningful employment opportunities to people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, offering valuable experience and helping build strong community connections. For over a decade, our staff have supported this initiative through voluntary salary contributions—a powerful testament to the spirit of solidarity and compassion that runs through our College.

As the term draws to a close, so too will Abdullahi’s time with us. We will be sad to see him go, but we are grateful for the time we’ve shared and the contributions he has made. His presence has enriched our community, and we wish him every success in the future.

Mrs Eleni Greenaway, Dean of Mission and Identity

My eldest daughter is currently experiencing a quintessential childhood experience. She was gifted her first ‘big-girl bike’ for her recent birthday, and we are in the process of weekend and after school trips to the park to learn how to ride. This weekend just gone was our most successful venture to date, where she peddled, steered and safety disembarked multiple times with no help from Mum and Dad. Hearing her calling out “I’m doing it, I’m doing it” as she realised we had let go of the seat was also a core-memory parenting moment for my wife and I.

When sharing the important update with family members, we’ve been trying to find ways to ensure the effort she has put in is celebrated, rather than just her achievement. I recently heard renowned developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey discussing the importance of providing our children with emotional support to proactively manage their mental health. He challenges the notion of defining children by their achievements, behaviours or even success. His work indicates the importance of ensuring young people are acknowledged for the meaningful effort they put into all aspects of their development, rather than by their results, awards or trophies.

Whilst it’s very easy to say “I can ride a bike”, this doesn’t encapsulate the effort that went into learning. How you were brave by trying again after falling off, how you persevered when it felt incredibly difficult, how you used trial and error to figure out the correct position your foot needs to be on the pedals.

This week we have been speaking to our boys about the importance of putting maximum effort into everything they do. This time of year is a difficult one. We are more than half-way through our term and lots of boys are feeling tired or overcoming illness. The holidays are also just that little bit too far away to really see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ yet. It also means that we cannot yet see the fruits of our labour. The goals we set at the start of the term can feel very difficult to stay focused on.

We’re specifically challenging the boys to put effort into their:

• Organisation – taking better care of their property when at school. After 3:00pm, the bag-racks are not the space for an expensive sports jacket, or musical instrument. Our classroom entry ways are becoming mini storage areas, where caring teachers have collected left over goods after school each day.
• Litter – Keeping our schoolyard clean is an important, yet never-ending process. Picking up after ourselves or stopping a game for a few moments to clean up a mess is important.
• Uniform – some boys have fallen into bad habits, particularly with their HPE uniforms for sports lessons. They are wearing incorrect shirts, socks or even shorts. We need to remind our boys to be more organised in packing the equipment they need each day and ensure they are taking pride in their appearance.
• Relationships – when we are tired and stressed it is easy to forget to put effort into the ways in which we speak and act with our peers and teachers. I heard a brilliant quote the other day – “Treat others how you want to be treated” is not great advice to give to kids. “Treat others how THEY want to be treated, not everybody appreciates the same things” is more appropriate. This is the essence of developing empathy and showing kindness and compassion towards others.

It is natural for boys to look for shortcuts and take the path of least resistance, so we want to ensure we are challenging the boys to be more thoughtful and purposeful in their actions. As teachers and parents this can feel like a very difficult task at times, so we also want to find ways in which to celebrate and promote effort when we see it.

Here are some practical ways in which you can focus on emphasising effort over achievement with your sons:

• Use effort based praise – be specific when celebrating success. If your child is proud of a sporting achievement remind them of the hard work they put into the development and practice of a skill. If they worked hard to achieve something, but didn’t get the result ensure this is acknowledged too. (Examples -“I’m not surprised to see you doing so well, I noticed how much you’ve been practicing that lately”, “Even though you found that really difficult, you didn’t give up, we can try a different way next time”.)
• Celebrate Progress – this acknowledges and builds on a strong emotional support for our boys. We don’t love you because you achieve things, we love you because you are you. Highlighting their past self is effective in executing this. Example – “Look how much earlier you started your homework today, I didn’t even need to remind you”).
• Encourage Reflection – a crucial step of the learning process that often gets neglected by our busy lives. (Examples – “What have you tried to do so far?”, “What could make this easier for you?” “Would you do anything different next time?”).
• Model it yourself – At times we do so much for the boys, that they end up taking it for granted. Share moments when you have had to apply extra effort in your day. Children learn to value effort when they see adults doing the same thing.

Mr Callum Hackett,  Head of Year 5 and 6

QCMF 2025 – That’s a Wrap
On behalf of the QCMF Organising Group, and music students and teachers from across our State, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our Villanova and St James Community for their involvement in this year’s festival.  With over 22,000 visitors coming to our campuses over the four days of festival, we were only successful as hosts through your assistance through volunteering, attendance, and support of the event.   

We appreciate the impost this has on routine for our entire school and suburb.  We are also appreciative of how this brief incursion provides so much support for the wonderful music education that is occurring in so many of our schools.  For the students that had the opportunity to attend this year, and for the schools who had the capacity to provide this performance opportunity for their students – thank you. 

We have distributed our Community Engagement Questionnaire to all online ticket purchasers, schools, and adjudicators.  We look forward to receiving your comments and commencing work on refining our 2026 offering. 

Rock Program Battle of the Bands
The Villanova Rock Program convened their annual Battle of the Bands last Friday evening.  We had around 200 people in attendance, coming to experience the transformation of Hanrahan Theatre into the most incredible Rock Venue in Brisbane’s inner-East.   

Six Artists/Bands shared their sets of cover songs and one original work.  The standard of composition, arrangement, and performance was impressive with the adjudicators working very hard to determine which ensemble would take out the main prize.  After much deliberation, the Judges’ Award was delivered to ‘Good Company,’ with ‘Overdrive’ taking out the People’s Choice Award.   

Congratulations must go to all participants – their performances overall were high-quality!  Thanks to Mr Flaherty and Mr Weule for their work in coaching the students to this level.  Thanks and kudos also to Mr Miller, Mr Hartley, Mr Sutherland, Mr Manning, and the AV Crew for making the event look and sound incredible once again.  Looking forward to the music our teams will produce next year! 

Wieneke Family Bursary
This year’s Wieneke Family Bursary will be convened over Weeks 9 & 10 this term.  Students are to have their entries to the music office no later than Monday 1st September.  We have extended entries across the weekend to afford students a little more time.  Heats will occur during Week 9 with the Finals scheduled for Tuesday 16th September, 2025.  This will occur in Hanrahan Theatre commencing at 6pm.  More information to come direct to music students! 

We are looking forward to hearing our 2025 entrants and learning who our new finalists will be! 

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 

DIRECTOR OF SPORT ADDRESS

Round 4 delivered another outstanding weekend of sport. Beyond wins and losses, it is worth celebrating the scale of participation at Villanova – 648 students, 71 coaches and 55 fixtures across just two days of Basketball, Rugby League and Tennis. That is Villa Sport at its best: mateship, humility and a restless search for improvement.

As we head into Round 5 and beyond, I encourage all students to prepare with intent, compete with pride and support one another in every challenge ahead.

Round 4 Results

Basketball

• 19 wins from 31 matches, including 6 Aggregate wins from 12 fixtures.
• The First V recorded a stirring 85–70 victory over previously undefeated Iona – a true team performance built on discipline and trust.

Rugby League

• 4 wins from 12 matches, with 1 Aggregate win from 5 fixtures.
• The First XIII started strongly but were eventually overpowered by the undefeated Iona, going down 34–6.

Tennis

• 10 wins from 16 matches overall, including 6 wins from 12 Aggregate fixtures.
• The First IV secured a 5–3 win – a composed display of teamwork and quiet determination.

Full results are available via “Key Links”, below.

Key Program Updates

Training

Trimester 3 Basketball, Rugby League and Tennis training continues as scheduled. Please refer to The Locker Room for the most up-to-date schedule.

Week 7 – Round 5 vs St Peter’s Lutheran College

• Basketball: Years 5, 7–9 travel, Years 6, 10–Opens host.
• Rugby League: All matches hosted at Villa Park.
• Tennis: Years 5–8 travel, Years 9–Opens host.
• Thursday, 28 August: AIC Track & Field Meet 1 @ the State Athletics Facility (SAF), Nathan – Villanova hosting track events.

Week 8 – Round 6 vs Marist College Ashgrove

• Basketball: Years 5, 7–9 host, Years 6, 10–Opens travel.
• Rugby League: All matches at MCA.
• Tennis: Years 5–8 host, Years 9–Opens travel.
• Wednesday, 3 September: AIC Track & Field Meet 2 @ SAF, Nathan.
• Friday, 5 September: Year 5 Orientation Day (AFL & Cricket Trials).

Mr Matthew Hannan
Director of Sport

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 issues. All training and match changes or cancellations will be communicated via the Villanova College phone application.

Villa Park Parking Reminder – Respecting Local Property and Access

We kindly remind families to avoid parking on driveways or private property associated with Hometown Bayside when attending Villa Park. While we understand parking can be difficult due to limited onsite availability, we ask all visitors to respect our neighbours and surrounding streets. As this is a public road, it remains outside the College’s jurisdiction – thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

Sports Canteen Update – Transition to Cashless Payments

A reminder that the Villa Park Canteen is now cashless – only card or contactless payments will be accepted. Thank you for your understanding and support, as we streamline our operations.

No Dog Policy

A reminder to Villanova parents that there is a NO DOG policy at all AIC sporting fixtures. There has been a concern from some of the venue coordinators, including Villanova Park that pet owners are ignoring the signs placed on the gates at each venue. All pet owners who ignore the signs will be asked to remove their pets from the venue immediately.

Lost Property – Villanova Park

Any items left behind at Villa Park will be stored in the First Aid Room. Students are encouraged to collect these during their next visit to the venue.

FIXTURES, RESULTS and TRAINING INFORMATION

Schedules

This week’s schedule is now available via the “General Information” section on the Locker Room page.
Draws are typically posted each Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming round. This is the earliest possible time the information can be made available.

Term 3 Sport Training Schedule (including 2025 Track & Field Season Schedule)

AIC Draw 2025

Please find linked the AIC Draw for 2025.

Team Lists

Team lists will appear in the Parent Lounge and Student Cafe sections of the portal.

In a regular week, team lists are posted by Friday morning, each round. Basketball team lists are announced by Thursday evening, to allow for Friday afternoon games.

We appreciate your understanding – coaches are using all available sessions this week to fairly finalise teams. Thank you for your patience and support.

Training Schedules

For all updated information regarding training and selection trials schedules, please visit the Locker Room page of the Villanova College website. Please ensure you review the most up-to-date version each week. The version date is included in the document title.

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.

AIC Team Photos – Saturday 30 August

AIC Team photos will be taken this Saturday 30 August. Students will be required to arrive 10 minutes prior to their photo time in their full sporting uniform including boots/playing shoes. Any student late or not in their correct playing uniform will not be included in the photo. The schedule has been included on the fixture/draw information on the Locker Room page.

Livestream Links

Please note the livestream link for Firsts fixtures in Term 3 –  AIC Live Streaming (aictv.com.au)

Key Links

Season Results to date:

2025 Basketball Round 4.pdf

2025 Rugby League Round 4.pdf

2025 Tennis Round 4.pdf

AIC Sport Results – Associated Independent Colleges

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. Note: Report training or game absences directly to the Sport Coordinator and relevant coach; available on Parent Lounge and Student Café.

Trimester 3 Sports Coordinators:

Basketball Coordinator – Liam Johnston (liam.johnston@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Years 5-8 Basketball Coordinator – Sharon Casey (sharon.casey@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Golf Coordinator – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Rugby League Coordinator – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Tennis Coordinator – Nathan Dufty (ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Track & Field Coordinator – Andrew Lund (andrew.lund@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Sport Office Administration:

Sports Administrator – Nathan Dufty (ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au)

AIC Sports Leader – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Assistant Director of Sport – Chris Everding (ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Director of Sport – Matthew Hannan (matthew.hannan@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Composite District Sport – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Lytton District Sport – Chris Everding (ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Term 4:

Touch Football Coordinator – Todd Kropp (tkropp@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Water Polo Coordinator – Lauren Robinson (lauren.robinson@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Trimester 1 Sports Coordinators:

AFL Coordinator – Sharon Casey (sharon.casey@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Cricket Coordinator – Nathan Dufty (ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Swimming Coordinators – Julie Colbert (jcolbert@vnc.qld.edu.au) & Lauren Robinson (lauren.robinson@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 – Nathan Dufty (ndufty@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Rugby Union Coordinator – Chris Everding (ceverding@vnc.qld.edu.au)

Basketball

Last weekend saw our Villanova Wildcats take on our long-time rivals, Iona College, in what was another memorable chapter of this proud sporting tradition. The First V set the tone early, playing with grit and a real sense of unity to claim a dominant victory. Their performance not only inspired the younger age groups but also reminded us all of the spirit that makes Villanova basketball so special.

Across the program, the results finished evenly at six wins each. This is a fantastic step forward compared to last year’s results (five wins to seven losses) and reflects the continued growth and belief within our squads. Every team gave their all and the pride shown in wearing the green and gold was clear from start to finish.

Congratulations to all players, coaches and families who contributed to such a spirited day of basketball. We now look ahead to St Peter’s this week, in what promises to be a pivotal round for all teams as the season momentum begins to build

Mrs Sharon Casey and Mr Liam Johnston

Y5-8 Jnr Basketball Coordinator and Basketball Coordinator

Rugby League

Another tough round of AIC Rugby League this past weekend as we took on (arguably) the Rugby League measuring stick in Iona College. As we predicted, it was a hard-fought day with many close scorelines. A quick honourable mention to our Year 5A team who maintained their undefeated streak with a win over a tough Iona side.

It was a tough encounter for our First XIII team who took their first loss against a well trained First Iona team. Our boys had a strong start to the match, but Iona’s size and ball movement proved too strong. Our First team will enjoy the weekend off and return to the field against Marist College in round 6.

Our Rugby League teams will have their team photos taken this Saturday in front of the Slack scoreboard on our main field. We ask all families to please arrive 10 minutes prior to the photo time in full playing uniform including boots as photos will not be held for late students. The schedule can be found on the Locker room page.

Finally, I wish all our teams the best of luck in our final home game for the AIC season.

Mr Todd Kropp, Rugby League Coordinator

Tennis

I would like to congratulate all our Villa tennis players and team managers from our round 4 matches Vs Iona College. We had a great day out overall, with us losing 6 matches and recording 10 wins across the day.  I did get the opportunity to watch the matches that were played at Iona College Courts where our Firsts, Opens and year 10 teams competed. It was refreshing again to see how competitive our players are, but more importantly – how great our sportsmanship was on the day and how proud I was of our students in which they individually conducted themselves across the day. I challenge all players to keep working hard for the final 3 rounds, keep up a positive attitude at training and to not let your teammates down.

Firsts Tennis

I would like to say a special congratulations to our First’s Tennis team and our First’s Tennis coach Mr Darren Blade. Our Firsts Tennis team once again had another great win and are currently undefeated heading into RD5. This is great reward for the entire ‘Firsts Tennis Squad’ who have worked tirelessly and trained hard since pre-season training started in early Term 2.

The team knows that the remaining three rounds will be their toughest matches for the season, but all players are playing with extreme confidence and they’re excited about the opportunity and the tough challenges ahead, which starts with this Saturday’s fixtures against last year’s Firsts Tennis premiers, St Peters College.

Weekly Schedule

A reminder to all parents to please double check the “weekly draw” that contains the venues and match times. The weekly draw is located in the “Locker Room” section of the College website.

Team Photos

For all teams playing at MTC this Saturday, please ensure that you arrive at least 10 minutes before your ‘scheduled photo time’, as we need to keep the ‘team photo process’ as smooth as possible, so that we don’t affect our allocated warm up period and match starting times. The photo schedule is included in this week’s ‘weekly schedule’ file.

Good luck to all Villanova sporting teams in your upcoming RD5 matches Vs Iona College.

Mr Nathan Dufty, Tennis Coordinator

Track and Field

Track & Field Notice

Following the success of our 2025 Interhouse Athletics Carnival, we are prepared to commence the season with renewed focus. Participation in training sessions and meets is essential for coaches to assess athlete performance and facilitate team selection for the AIC Championships. Accordingly, we request that all students prioritise their athletics training commitments.

Attendance at the first two meets is particularly important, as these events provide key opportunities for athletes to establish times and distances contributing to team selection. Please note that, following these initial meets, it may be necessary to reduce the track and field squad to allow coaches to concentrate their efforts on those selected to represent Villanova College at the AIC Championships in October.

Pre-season Meet #1 will take place on Thursday, 28 August at the State Athletics Facility (SAF), Kessels Rd, Nathan. For additional information, please consult the Locker Room page on the College website.

• Junior School students will depart by bus at 2:15pm to SAF and return at 5:15pm.
• Middle and Senior School students will depart at 3:10pm, with the return bus scheduled to arrive at the College at approximately 8:15pm, following the conclusion of the last event.
• Parents are welcome to attend and may collect their sons upon completion of their respective events.

Running Spikes Collection

If your son possesses running spikes that are no longer required or has outgrown his current pair, we invite you to donate them. Collected spikes will be available for use by athletes during meets, ensuring they have access to suitable footwear. All donated shoes will be managed by the Sports Office and made accessible to all runners.

Training Schedule and Pre-Season Meet #2

Training and Pre-season Meet #2 will occur Wednesday during Week 8, in accordance with the schedule below:

Monday

• Middle Distance: 6:45am–8:00am at Goold Hall
• Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps and Throws: 3:45pm–5:00pm at Villanova Park
  • Students will be transported to Villa Park after school, with the return bus scheduled to arrive at the College at approximately 5:45pm. Parents may also collect their sons from Villanova Park at the conclusion of training. Should you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact the Sports Office.

Tuesday

• Sprints, Hurdles, Jumps and Throws: 3:45pm–5:00pm at Villanova Park
  • Students will be transported to Villa Park after school, with the return bus scheduled to arrive at the College at approximately 5:45pm. Parents may also collect their sons from Villanova Park at the conclusion of training.

Wednesday

• Meet #2 at SAF (State Athletics Facility – Kessels Rd, Nathan)

Term 3 Sport Training Schedule (including 2025 Track & Field Season Schedule)

Mr Andrew Lund, Track and Field Coordinator

Rugby League Training – Transport and Venue Details:

For teams’ training at Villa Park, please note the following:

• Buses will depart immediately after school from Sixth Avenue, outside the front of the College.
• A teacher will escort players onto the buses.
• Players are to change into their training gear at Villa Park.
• Students must not wear boots on the bus.

Parents are required to collect their son from Villa Park after training. There will be no return bus service from Villa Park on Thursdays. Parents are asked to collect players between 5:15pm and 5:25pm from Villa Park – no later, please. Our aim is to avoid requiring Villanova staff to remain on-site beyond 5:25pm. We appreciate your support and consideration.

Villanova Basketball and Rugby League Game Day Uniforms:

All students from Years 5-12 in Rugby League and Basketball must hire the Villanova Basketball singlet or Rugby League jersey during Week 1 of Term 3, in readiness for the upcoming season. The Uniform Shop will have all relevant shorts, jersey and socks, also available for purchase. Please note, all Rugby League players will collect their jerseys on Friday, in preparation for this Saturday’s matches – please see the “STUDENT NOTICES” section below.

Players not wearing the correct uniform will receive a warning and may be asked to sit out the following week if the issue is not resolved. Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Villanova College Uniform Look Book. This information is found on the College website Uniform Shop web page. Opening hours for the Uniform Shop can also be found below. All students selected in AIC teams are expected to wear the correct uniform for AIC fixtures each week.

2025 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

For those students participating in Trimester 3 Sports – please see correct uniforms below.     

* These items are available for hire through the Uniform Shop

What to wear at training?

It is acceptable for Rugby League players to wear any coloured/club or other old clothes to training. Boys are not encouraged to wear their Villanova playing uniform to training but may do so if they wish. We certainly would not recommend Rugby League players to wear their PE uniform or any shirt that will get ripped and torn.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Villa Sports Club

The Villa Sport Club meetings are a great opportunity to connect with fellow parents, support our sporting community and contribute to the ongoing success of Villa Sport. We encourage all parents to attend — your involvement truly makes a difference.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sports Club – Villa Park Canteen Volunteers

Volunteers are needed at Villa Park and Goold Hall on Saturdays during Term 3. Please sign up via the weekly registration link in The Locker Room and College App Notices section. Your support directly helps our AIC sporting programmes.

The next chance to help out at the canteen at Rugby League and Basketball games is this Saturday, 30 August! Both Villanova Park and Goold Hall will need extra hands on the day. Volunteer numbers have been very low this term, which has limited our food options. Your support is truly appreciated – every contribution makes a big difference.

• Please register via https://signup.com/go/nSFzrjh (Goold Hall Canteen)
• Please register via https://signup.com/go/YGkuvTP (Villa Park Canteen)

Thank you in advance – our community thrives on your support.

SPECIALISED SERVICES

Physiotherapy and Concussion Management

A friendly reminder that strapping is available for all Firsts players in AFL, Rugby Union, Football and Rugby League at a cost of $5 per joint, charged to school fee accounts. This service will continue each Saturday.

Students recovering from suspected concussion must be cleared by the assigned paramedic at the venue. Bridie also manages concussion of students after game days. She can facilitate return-to-play plans and provide final clearance for participation in AIC Sport. The Villanova College Concussion Management Plan is available here:

Villanova College Concussion Management Plan – May 2025

Concussion triage sessions are available at the following times:
• Monday – 7:30 to 8:00am in the College Gym
• Wednesday – 8:00 to 8:30am in the College Gym

Please notify the relevant Sports Coordinator and Director of Sport Mr Matthew Hannan if your child is likely to attend one of these sessions.

STUDENT NOTICES

Term 4 Club Cricket (Bears and EDJCA Competitions)

Registrations are now open for Villanova cricket club, all players who played AIC cricket for Villanova in Term 1 are encouraged to play for Villanova Cricket Club in Term 4.

We understand that many students opt to play for other cricket clubs in the association, but it would be great to have a strong representation of ‘Villanova Teams’ for the upcoming season, with our T4 teams playing Saturday matches at the picturesque Villa Park and Kianawah Park fields. This also allows students to work on ‘specific skills’ and build on ‘team partnerships’ within in your cohort, which will also strongly help to improve our overall cricket program as we lead into the Term 1 AIC season.

All mid-week training sessions are covered by ‘specialist coaches’ with that coaching included in the registration costs, with Villanova parents only required to take on match day coaching and manager duties. We believe that Villanova cricket club offers the best coaching to player ratio, which allows us to put a strong focus on skill and player development.

Please go the AIC cricket section of the Villanova college website for all the Information on how to register.

AIC Cricket | Villanova College

If you do have any questions regarding term 4 club cricket, please contact Villanova Cricket Coordinator Mr. Nathan Dufty in the Sports Office.

Mr Nathan Dufty, Villanova Cricket Coordinator

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

A huge congratulations to Nathan H (Year 9) who travelled to Ballarat, Victoria to compete in the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships last weekend. Nathan placed 38th in National placing and 8th in QLD for his age group. Congratulations, Nathan! We look forward to following your success.

SPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDERS

Wet Weather Cancellations

If there is any reason to cancel training sessions or weekend games, this information will be posted to the Villanova College phone application in the Notices section. Please ensure you have downloaded the Villanova College application and updated your preferences and settings.

The Villa Sports Department will endeavour to cancel morning training sessions by 6am and afternoon training sessions by 2pm. If a training session is cancelled, students must not be dropped at training venues, as supervision cannot be guaranteed. Please check the Villanova College phone application regularly for these notifications.

If any AIC fixtures are cancelled, we will follow the same procedure above. Timing will be dependent on when that information becomes available.

FINAL REFLECTION

“ True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis

That sentiment was clear across Round 4 – from our senior players who encouraged and guided the younger grades, to boys who picked up a mate after a tough moment on court or field. It is in those small, selfless acts that the strength of Villa Sport is truly seen.

Congratulations to our First IV Tennis team on their unbeaten start – a reward for discipline, teamwork and quiet confidence. Best of luck to them as they face St Peter’s in a major test this Saturday.

We also celebrate the many students preparing to wear Villa colours for their first Track & Field meet this Thursday afternoon. Their willingness to train hard, step forward and represent their College is a proud milestone.

As we enter the second half of Trimester 3, let us remember – we can win and we will learn. When we support our mates, show humility in victory and resilience in defeat, we honour what it means to be part of Team Villa.

Go Villa! 💚💛

2025 House Esports Championship
The 2025 House Esports Championship has been an exciting showcase of skill, teamwork, and friendly competition, bringing our College community together through the popular console game Mario Kart Deluxe 8. Here’s a recap of the journey that culminated in a thrilling whole-College Grand Final in Goold Hall last Friday.

In the lead-up to last week’s House Assembly, each House Mentor Group competed in Time Trials on the challenging Big Blue course. Every student who participated earned 1, 2, or 3 points for their group based on their race times, contributing to their House’s overall score. A special congratulations to Nicholas 2, who earned the highest group score across the College with 22 points, and to our Augustine Junior Schoolers, who demonstrated incredible involvement and enthusiasm, achieving 18 points. When all Time Trial points were tallied, Nicholas House emerged as the top qualifier with an impressive 128 points, followed by Adeodatus, Thomas, Monica, Augustine, Alypius, Rita, and Ambrose.

The House Assembly last Friday provided a lively and engaging conclusion to the competition. The top racers from the Junior, Middle, and Senior Schools joined forces, representing their Houses in a series of solo and relay races in the Mario Kart Triforce Cup 150cc Grand Prix. These races determined the top four Houses that advanced to the ultimate Grand Final Race.

The Grand Final Race was the culmination of weeks of dedication and competition. In this final 3-minute race down the Wario Mountain course, each House’s Champion raced to secure victory for their team. Representing their Houses were Joshua R. from Alypius, Cooper C. from Ambrose, Jack F. from Nicholas, and Nate N. from Rita. After a closely contested race, the final results were as follows:

1. Alypius – 2025 House Esports Champions
2. Ambrose
3. Nicholas
4. Rita
5. Augustine
6. Adeodatus
7. Monica
8. Thomas

Congratulations to Alypius House for their well-earned victory!

This event would not have been possible without the effort and dedication of many individuals. A sincere thank you to our Student Organising Team: Adam K., Taylor P., Damian E., Cooper C., Alex W., Zac H., Toby P., Jacob S., and Nate N. We also extend our gratitude to the teachers who gave their time to assist and ensure the event ran smoothly: Mrs Kenny and Mr Smith.

The 2025 House Esports Championship has been an incredible celebration of community spirit, friendly competition, and teamwork. Congratulations again to Alypius House and to all students who participated and contributed to their Houses.

This event has set a high standard for the future, and we look forward to seeing even greater participation in next year’s championship. Thank you to all students on their involvement and enthusiasm, and may the spirit of good sportsmanship and inclusive competition continue to thrive at the College.

Mr. Jason Lane, Esports Coordinator

Can’t attend, then buy a raffle ticket: 

• Year 7 and 10 Student Immunisation Program

In conjunction with Queensland Health’s annual School Immunisation Program (Ozcare) all year 7 and 10 students will be offered free vaccinations to protect against vaccine preventable diseases.

Year 10 students will be offered vaccines against meningococcal (ACWY – 2 doses and B – 1 dose) disease on Monday 3 November.

Only students whose parents have registered consent for the vaccine will receive the vaccine.   Ozcare has changed to a simple and secured digital system for the 2025 School Immunisation program.   If you wish for your son to participate in this program and did not complete this process earlier in the year when the information was first disseminated, it is not too late to indicate your consent.  Please use the link or the QR code below to register your consent.

https://OzcareMetroSouth.book.vitavo.com.au/school/VillanovaCollege-jLRAUW

• Ozcare will also be offering students in Year 8 and Year 11 the opportunity to receive their missed vaccinations from 2024.  Please use the link/QR Code above.

Please email SIP.Brisbane@ozcare.org.au if you have any questions regarding the digital system or the Immunisation Program.

• Host an International Student at Villanova College! 

• Non-government schools census collection notice 2025

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).
How and what information is collected for the census?
Census information is provided to the department by your school legal entity (the approved authority) via the SchoolsHUB website.
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 2025)
•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
Census special circumstance applications may also be made by schools to include a student/s who did not attend during the census reference period but otherwise meets census eligibility. Schools will provide the department with information and documents about the student demonstrating their eligibility. The department does not require personal information about a student and asks schools to de-identify any documents before providing them.
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 SchoolsHUB.

• Are you ready for Brisbane’s New Bus Network?

The new network, including the introduction of Brisbane Metro M1 services, launched on Monday 30 June. Brisbane’s New Bus Network is inspired by world-class transport systems like those in London, Hong Kong, Auckland and San Francisco, and tailored to meet Brisbane’s growing needs. The new network links local buses with turn-up-and-go services on dedicated busways to deliver more bus services, to more places, more often.

With changes to more than 70% of bus routes, we encourage your students to use Translink’s journey planner to find out what these changes may mean for them. Students can plan their new journey by:

• Step 1: Visiting Translink’s journey planner
• Step 2: Entering their start and end location
• Step 3: Finding their new journey.

For district (school) services, please use Translink’s school service finder and/or Journey Planner on school travel dates.

We’re here to help
We recognise this is a big shift which is why our team and Translink will be at key bus stops and stations to support your students to navigating the new network.
It may take some time for your students and our bus drivers to become familiar with the new network, and we thank you for your patience while these changes are introduced.

You can visit the Brisbane Metro website to learn more about how Council is enhancing our city’s public transport network to keep you moving.

Other network impacts
Logan and Redlands bus changes
On Monday 30 June, Translink also made some changes to Logan and Redlands bus services, including updated stops, new timetables, renamed routes, and route changes. Additional information on these service changes can be found on Translink’s website.

Get in touch about the new network
If you have any additional questions about the new bus network, please contact Translink by calling 13 12 30 or visiting Translink’s website.