Villa View – Issue 17, 20th October 2023

It was with great honour we announced last Friday our student leadership team for 2024. This concluded a significant process of our Year 11 students first making a ‘call to leadership’ to their peers. Nominating those boys with whom they had the confidence in to lead them, and the entire student body in 2024.

Some 90 boys moved through to a period of interiority where they were asked to consider themselves as leaders, what they believed about themselves and how in leadership they felt they could respond to the call. This was done via the submission for consideration of their GREATS Reflections. The cohort then again voted on this group and some 17 boys were invited to be considered for the roles of College captain, Vice-Captains and Student Council President. These boys were interviewed and then those who wanted to be considered for the final round of Executive leadership presented to the Grade. These boys spoke with honesty, passion and commitment about their time at the College, their hopes for 2024 and their belief in each other and the cohort. It was at this point that the students then considered and made their final choice.

This process ensures that we elect and select to leadership boys who have considered carefully the opportunity and the challenges as well as what it might mean for them and how they shape community. It is our wish that through this process, whether successful or unsuccessful the boys have grown and learned a little of themselves and their aspirations. With that in mind I share with you the full student leadership team for 2024.

2024 Student Leadership Team
Executive
College Captain                                                  Tiernan O’Neill
College Vice Captain                                      Joseph Grigson
College Vice Captain                                            Charlie Kerr
College Vice Captain                                      Ewan McCarthy
Student Council President                          Diego Wieczorek

Portfolio Captains
Academic Captain                                             Luca Ter Horst
Cor Unum Spirit Captain                             Harry Innes
Cultural Captain                                              Ronan Flaherty
Ministry Captain                                              Harrison Bryant
Wellbeing Captain                                           Raif Kristenson

House Captains
Adeodatus House Captain                             Roman Dunne
Alypius House Captain                                    Lachlan Gillett
Ambrose House Captain                                 Lachlan Ebrington
Augustine House Captain                                 Luke Caffery
Monica House Captain                                     Ned Godwin
Nicholas House Captain                                   Joseph Watson
Rita House Captain                                            Louis Murnane
Thomas House Captain                                    Daniel Walding

House Announcements
On Thursday of this week we announced to boys and parents their new House for 2024. This has been an amazing logistical effort, and I am most thankful to Mr Sean O’Neill and the Heads of Year for their work in this mammoth logistical task. What I would ask parents is that if you feel there are gaps or errors in process, or your son has not been placed in the same house as his brother if that could be highlighted. However, there will be very little movement by choice. The heads of Year have very carefully paired, and separated boys across the year levels to ensure a well-balanced House and that the skill and talent in sport, academic and service commitments is as fairly distributed as possible to ensure the system’s best success. Further Heads of House were distributed through a random process so that there could be no favouritism or perceived favouritism in house or family allocation. I am certainly looking forward to what 2024 may bring us in this new initiative. More information on our new Houses can be found here: Our House System | Villanova College (vnc.qld.edu.au)

Year 6 AFL State Champions
Congratulations to Mr Conlan and our Year 6 players for doing what the Lions and Broncos couldn’t quite do, bring home the trophy!

Last weekend our talented and hard-working Year 6 AFL players won the State Championship with a resounding victory. This is a wonderful way for these young men to conclude their primary sporting journey and I do hope that they bring with them this enthusiasm to their middle years next year.

Staff News
It was with enthusiasm and pleasure I share with the College community the appointment of Ms Lianna Baillie to the position of Dean of Learning and Teaching at Ambrose Treacy College in 2024. Liana has been a wonderful asset to the College in her role as Director of Data and Analytics and has certainly positively influenced out teachers engagement and understanding of student data stories as well as driving the College Student Goals setting plan. While we will miss Liana, her professionalism and friendship it is wonderful to see our staff acknowledged through their elevation to positions of further leadership and responsibility.

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.

Year 12 Farewell Assembly
The Senior Class of 2023 will forever be remembered in the annals of history, as a cohort which possessed a holistic love of their College- engaging wholeheartedly in all areas of Villa life with spirit and determination. At their commissioning ceremony in Term 4 of last year, the Seniors pledged that they would be ‘Stronger Together’, and they have successfully lived out their motto to leave a profound legacy as a connected brotherhood of fine young men.

Today we conducted the Year 12 Farewell Assembly and Guard of Honour, one of the significant rites of passage events in our College calendar. Students and staff affirmed the Class of 2023 for a wonderful Senior journey as the baton of leadership of the student body was passed onto our Year 11 students as our 2024 Student Leadership Executive were entrusted with our symbols of leadership as part of the Student Leadership Handover.

Year 5 student Noah Ibrahim, showing oratory skills and panache beyond his years, spoke glowingly of the impact our Year 12 students have had as outstanding role models, especially to our Junior School students in the areas of peer mentoring and being outstanding Big Brothers.

In his final address to the student body as College Captain, Mitchell Rieck encapsulated the quintessential qualities of an Augustinian place of teaching and learning- the centrality of the student teacher relationship and the profound impact it had on the formation of the Senior class. Mitch stated the following:

“To call yourself our teachers is an understatement, for you have become our mentors, role models, friends, and above all, our greatest supporters – or maybe a close second to mum and dad. You have guided this cohort from a group of kids to brotherhood that is truly stronger together. You have awakened passions that will now become our profession, you have inspired us, motivated us, and above all prepared us for not only the next four weeks of exams, but for whatever our lives become. Throughout our final year, you have worked tirelessly, and arguably at times harder than your own students, to give them every opportunity for success, and so I say again with the utmost sincerity. Thank You.”

Following the Student Leadership Team handover, 2024 College Captain Elect Tiernan O’Neill delivered his inaugural address and spoke graciously about the leadership legacy of this year’s Senior class. “Stronger together-that is the motto from the class of 2023. Not only have you as cohort embraced this motto, but you have lived this motto. The achievements, memories and legacy left by you are ones to be admired and remembered for years to come.”

Next Monday sees the commencement of the External Examination Block and I wish all our Year 12 students every blessing for success in the completion of their final exams. I would like to thank all our Year 12 teachers for their dedication and unwavering support of our students in preparing them for the challenges to come.

Student Leadership
Last Friday, the Student Leadership Executive Team was announced to the Year 11 cohort in Hanrahan Theatre. I would like to congratulate Tiernan O’Neill for his appointment as the 2024 College Captain Elect, Joseph Grigson, Charlie Kerr and Ewan McCarthy for their selection as the 2024 College Vice Captains Elect and Diego Wieczorek for his confirmation as the 2024 Student Council President Elect. Throughout the process, which included interviews with Mr Begg and myself as well as the delivery of speeches to the Year 11 cohort, it was inspiring to hear the passion these young men have for the College and their ideas for student engagement and voice as we move towards the Commissioning of the Senior Class of 2024 and the Student Leadership Investiture within the Mass of All Saints on Friday of Week 5.

I am also pleased to confirm the following Portfolio Captain and House Captain Appointments:

Academic Captain                                              Luca Ter Horst

Cor Unum Spirit Captain                                  Harry Innes

Cultural Captain                                                 Ronan Flaherty

Ministry Captain                                                Harrison Bryant

Wellbeing Captain                                             Raif Kristenson

Adeodatus House Captain                                Roman Dunne

Alypius House Captain                                      Lachlan Gillett

Ambrose House Captain                                    Lachlan Ebrington

Augustine House Captain                                  Luke Caffery

Monica House Captain                                       Ned Godwin

Nicholas House Captain                                     Joseph Watson

Rita House Captain                                              Louis Murnane

Thomas House Captain                                       Daniel Walding

House System Update
Yesterday, our students were sent an email from their new Head of House informing them of which of the eight new houses they would be a member of from next year. In a special College Assembly yesterday afternoon, the new Heads of House addressed the student body and announced the inaugural House Captains. There was certainly an air of excitement within the campus for our ‘brave new world’ of student formation and house competition to come. Across the term, more information will be shared with students and families regarding the shape of the system and our new Houses. Our Year 11 cohort will begin the process of learning the stories of their House patrons and considering ideas to imbue and develop House spirit leading into the commencement of the House Cup next year.

“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

Friday 27 October is when Australia celebrates World Teacher’s Day.  This is such an important opportunity for us all as parents and students.  We all know how great it is to have a happy son.  If a teacher has helped our students just for one memorable moment in a day, then we often find the smile is a little bigger that evening over dinner.  It can be for a million reasons.  An open classroom door in the morning that means unpacking books and checking the timetable to get books organised.  A helping hand with homework that was a little challenging to complete, be it for lack of time or some confusion with the concepts involved.  A birthday remembered and discussed – the presents, special dinner or plans for celebrating.  A lunch break where a debating speech is checked, printed and rehearsed for the speech that evening.  A kind word when expectations are met and so there’s a chance to grab a “spooky treat” from the Halloween corner.  A compliment on a new haircut.  Interest shown on the weekend’s sport results because a special game was taking place.  A smile when a book is forgotten and so a quick trip to the photocopier is made to help out.  The millionth pencil is lent out, knowing that it’s unlikely to ever come back.  Noodles are made for lunch when a lunchbox is lost, and a student is hungry.  The list is long but it’s never impossible for teachers who really can be the world’s most incredible problem solvers.

My favourite teacher was from Year 3.  School didn’t seem hard – it was fun.  It was 1983 and I can only imagine how different the curriculum was back then.  I walked to school as it was only around the corner from where we lived.  My parents were still married so life seemed easier then.  I had a routine and my teacher just seemed energetic, happy and carefree.  By Year 6, I was often the first kid at school.  Mum used to tell me, “it’s too early to go to school” but I was determined to get there, ready to play with whoever showed up.  It was tennis, as new courts had been put in – my Mum had bought a $45 tennis racquet for me (very expensive in those days) – or basketball, as this was a game you could shoot on your own or join in with mates to help with rebounds and start a little competition.  My life was my friends – I don’t think I actually thought much about my teachers on a conscious level.  Yet now, I know with all my heart how much it matters to have that person who shows they know you on a level that is genuine and makes an impact.

In Year 6 over the coming weeks, we will focus on the Robbie Sellars Award – all Junior School staff nominate students who have shown an incredible passion for life, positivity and their school hours.  Robbie was an incredible example of a young human being who knew that his terminal illness did not define his love of life.  He lifted the spirits of classmates, teachers and confirmed that every minute of life is for living.  See the miracles in front of you.  Show gratitude for every breath you take.  Leave a legacy that others will remember.  The Robbie Sellars Award is presented to the student who loves, and lives life to the fullest.  They remember that students and staff are people – that manners, respect and spirit is within us all.  It’s how we embrace the small moments every day.  Over Year 5 and Year 6, what can our students show us matters most – what is their legacy they want to leave behind?

If you are able to read this newsletter in time, I hope that you find a small way to reach out to a teacher in the next week – this is your chance to say thank you for the smallest or biggest moment your son might experience in 2021.  Just an email, card, post-it or smile will suffice.  That kind of support gives us all the courage to keep going in a world that is unpredictable at the best of times, but it has the most important treasures of all – your sons – that make every effort worthwhile.

Mr Stephen Rouhliadeff, Head of Junior School

It has been a full and challenging few weeks since our last Villa View.  Just two days after Villanova worked in partnership with the new Brisbane Holocaust Museum and brought together eight Catholic schools in a Justice Forum: Learning from the Past…. Standing Up In 2023! the terror of Hamas unfolded in Southern parts of Israel near the Gaza Strip which is now becoming a war zone.  There is loss, tragedy and grief for all.  There is a growing sense of how volatile the whole area is.  What does standing up mean in this context?  How do we build peace in a time like this?  Certainly our prayers for peaceful resolution are needed here in what is an incredibly complex situation.

In Australia our referendum to change our constitution to provide our First Nations people a voice to parliament did not pass.  In our area we voted ‘yes’ and as we look at this and the results across our country there are many questions that we need to be asking, and most importantly at this time we need to be companioning First Nations people in our own lives that we know to ensure them that we are listening to them, that we love and care for them.  At Villanova, we deeply appreciate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, staff and families.   What is clear is that our journey of reconciliation as a nation is far from over.

Into the mix of all of this there is so much that is good that is going on for our students at Villanova.  Students have been serving breakfast at Emmanuel City mission; there have been groups out with Rosies providing friendship and a cuppa to those on the street; 26 students and staff are on the countdown for our immersion program to the Philippines with AFAS; our bees have been making honey that needs to be collected; Vinnies are preparing for the Christmas hamper appeal; YAYM has run a sausage sizzle to fund breakfasts for the homeless; and Harry Masson graduated the Ozanam Leadership Program through Vinnies.  This is the rich tapestry that is our life!  In our quieter moments of the week I invite you to pray with me Joan Chittister’s prayer for conscience and courage that I included in our last newsletter, and which is still so relevant.

Loving God,
lead us beyond ourselves
to care and protect,
to nourish and shape,
to challenge and energize
both the life and the world
You have given us.

God of light and God of darkness,
God of conscience and God of courage
lead us through times
of spiritual confusion and public uncertainty.

Lead us beyond fear, apathy and defensiveness
to new hope in You and to hearts full of faith.

Give us the conscience it takes
to comprehend what we’re facing,
to see what we’re looking at
and to say what we see
so that others, hearing us,
may also brave the pressure that comes
with being out of public step.

Give us the courage we need
to confront those things
that compromise our consciences
or threaten our integrity.

Give us, most of all,
the courage to follow those before us
who challenged wrong and changed it,
whatever the cost to themselves.

Prayer for Conscience and Courage by Joan Chittister

‘To lose yourself in the service of others!’
Celebrating the work of our Ministry Captains in 2023
As our Year 12 students complete their final weeks of school, we gathered for our annual dinner to celebrate the work that our Ministry Captains have led in gathering students together to make a difference in our community at Villa and beyond.  Our Ministries are all student led and the projects and works that are done through them flow from the ideas, interest and passion of our students.  It is a simple model, and it works.

This year each week there are five ministry groups in action in the school coming together to think about how to create engagement and belonging in our College community; caring for our environment, our bees, Norman creek; raising awareness for people who are struggling and needing the support of others; raising money and gathering together hampers for those in need; developing our Global VILLAge through building Augustinian connections through AFAS.

We were joined last Thursday by guest speakers from Emmanuel City Mission, Rosies, Fight for Balance and Habitat Brisbane.  All spoke about how they aim to make a difference in the lives of others.  All shared about their connection with students from Villanova college.  Rob Jansen spoke about the act of planting a seedling for a tree that will grow and hopefully thrive for 200 to 300 years.  This is an act of hope.  It is about doing something small now to make a lasting difference in the future.  A great insight into what is at the heart of serving others.

Our Ministry Captains Isaac Solomon and Joaquin Wieczorek spoke with the group gathered about the impact that Ministry has had upon them.  Joaquin focused on the power of losing yourself in the service of others and how indeed that leads to the development of community and a finding of oneself.  Isaac, on behalf of the boys gave a special vote of thanks to Ms Nicole Jervis for her positive influence and the way that she encourages, supports and enables our students in taking action.  She is an inspiration to the Ministry students, and he expressed the gratitude he feels as a graduating student.  He also wished her well as she takes 2024 off as she focuses on mothering and the growth of her own family.  We will miss her and look forward to her return.

It has been such a privilege to work with our Ministry Captains in 2023.  They have led their peers well.  They have been outward focused and generous with their time and energy.  They have had a heap of fun, doing their bit to make our world a better place!  We wish them and all our seniors who have been involved in ministry all the best for their futures.  We hope we will continue to see their good works out in the world and that they will continue to lose themselves and find themselves in the service of others.

Date Claimers for Term 4
AFAS Immersion 2024: Invitation for current Year 9 and 10 students and parents to attend an information session
Students in Year 9 and 10 are invited to apply for the AFAS immersion to the Philippines which will be held in the September holidays of 2024.  We are holding an information session for interested parents and students to attend on Thursday 2 November from 7.30-8.30pm in the St Thomas of Villanova Auditorium.

Please click here to access a flyer for further information, including how to register for the information evening.

Final assembly for our Year 12 students
Today our Friday assembly was dedicated to our Year 12 students. It was their final full College assembly at Villanova College.  It is our opportunity to recognise the unique contribution they, as a cohort, have brought in their time at the College.  For the beautiful ceremony, we were joined by many parents of our Year 12s.  If you missed the assembly, you can still view it online here: https://www.youtube.com/live/PoWtte05HWY?si=EJ5llnJX27jlbwsJ

Mass for All Saints – 9.30am on Friday 3 November
Our Term 4 College Mass focuses on people across Christian history who have followed the call of the gospel to love others.  They are our saints, and we draw on their lives as inspiration for our own.  This mass is also a time when our community calls our Year 11 students into the role of leading our school community.  It is marked by a movement into white shirts.  An outward sign of the role each senior student plays in taking responsibility for how they learn, engage and create community and culture in our College.  We will be blessing those too who will take on specific student leadership roles.  Many of our Year 11 parents will be joining us for this mass, and certainly we will extend the welcome through a shared link on Social media.

Pastoral Masses
Our College chapel has been filling with students and parents as the junior school students celebrate their class masses.  With all that is happening in our lives and in our world locally and globally creating spaces to stop and pray is part of our DNA here at Villanova College.  It builds community and it links us with the Christian tradition which can guide us in the challenges and hardships alongside the joys in our lives.  Whilst these masses have a roster, there is always room for more students, staff and families to attend.  Parents are welcome to attend when their son’s mass is on, and we love it when grandparents come to.  Masses are held in our chapel and start at 8am and are finished by 8.30am.

Please ensure that your son is present when his pastoral or team is gathering.

Term 4

Mrs Kate Garrone, Dean of Mission and Identity

This week, the Year 12s will sit their final lesson at Villanova. As the end of the year approaches and another ‘batch’ of students heads out into the world, I often find myself reflecting on the cohort, how they have contributed to the school and how they will be remembered.

It is safe to say the 2023 Year 12 graduates will always be remembered.

Their enthusiasm, passion, sense of humour, talent and mateship defines them and will leave a gap in the student body. However, it is a gap I am certain will be filled by our current Year 11s who are an exciting and determined group of boys. Their commitment to ensuring the smooth and successful transition to the house system is outstanding, and I truly cannot wait to see the impact they will have.

This week, the boys will find out what House they are in next year. They will find out which house they belong to, and what will essentially be their school ‘family’ while they are at Villa.

We all have a natural instinct to belong and be part of things. It is hardwired into us because it makes life better in so many ways. We feel happier, more confident and less stressed when we’re part of a group. It’s about sticking together, helping each other out, and just feeling like we are part of something important. So, it’s not just about fitting in, it’s about being a happier, more fulfilled human being.

This term in Wellbeing, the Year 10s are doing a unit on inclusivity. The importance of being included and having a sense of belonging is ingrained in us from early childhood. We are revisiting this concept in the Wellbeing program because as stated earlier, the yearning to ‘fit in’ and the fundamental need to ‘belong’ are enduring human instincts. These needs continue from our early years, through our school days, in our professional lives and within our families.

Sometimes we can forget to be inclusive or how it can feel to not be included. The unit undertaken by the Year 10s will revisit these concepts with the aim to make a difference in someone’s life by focusing on inclusivity and belonging.

To the parents of Year 12 – this is a final and bittersweet farewell. Thank you for being a wonderful part of our community and walking alongside your son in his Villa journey.

Mrs Sheridan Carey, Director of Student Wellbeing

AIC Esports this weekend – all welcome!
On Saturday 21 October, Villanova is proud to be hosting the second annual AIC esports round in the Hanrahan Theatre from 8:45am – 1:30pm. The AIC esports round was introduced in 2022 and was a huge success, with 7 of the 8 schools entering 14 teams into an exciting and challenging structured tournament playing Minecraft Edition Capture The Flag.

So, what is Capture the Flag exactly? The game is familiar to most students and is played on timed maps on the Minecraft Education sandbox game platform. This fast-paced game involves both attack and defence. Each team must assign players to protect its own fort whilst mounting an assault on their opponent’s fort. Within the heart of each team’s fort is a flag which must be protected at all costs. Points are scored when a team captures the other team’s flag and retrieves it to their own fort. Much of the gameplay occurs in the open ground between the two forts, in the ramparts that surround the fortresses and occasionally inside the guarded fortresses themselves. Each player uses the same laptop, mouse, mouse mat, even the same chair, to enforce a completely level playing field. The only difference is team strategy, player skill and communication.

Unlike other AIC sports, this event is largely coordinated and marshalled by our Middle School students. In addition, this event remains the first Minecraft-based face-to-face competitive esports event to be held in Australia, and more broadly across the Asia-Pacific region. The live nature of the event creates an atmosphere and energy similar to other forms of competitive sport.

In 2022, Marist Ashgrove defeated St Laurence’s College in a thrilling grand final. This Saturday around 1pm the 2023 Champion School will be crowned.

Spectators are most welcome to attend. We will have a coffee van on site from 8:30am, and a fundraising cake/donuts stall outside the theatre foyer. The entire theatre is set aside for players and spectators, so come along and witness the sound and sight spectacular that is esports this weekend!

Mr Jason Lane, Esports Coordinator

Generative AI and Responsible Use module
Since last week, students across Years 9, 10 and 11 have been completing an online module on generative AI and responsible use. This module covers the different AI platforms and tools that students can use, such as ChatGPT, and gives examples of responsible, ethical use including useful prompts to support study and research. Importantly, the module also covers examples where use of AI can constitute dishonesty, misrepresentation of one’s skills, and academic misconduct.

The module takes 20 minutes to complete. Students in Years 9 and 10 have completed the module in form meetings, and Year 11 students have been completing the module independently in their ACP classes.

To be informed on the College’s position on using AI responsibly, parents and families are also welcome to review the module using this public link: https://rise.articulate.com/share/iqPwdjCDAuSxkDFhQYdAysEnoTcWBYG1

If you do review the module, please do not continue to the final “Verify my achievement” section, as this is where students complete a form to receive an automated certificate at a later time.

In classrooms and learning spaces, students will see visual reminders of the key principles of the module spelling the acronym “VOW”. V means we value integrity first and foremost, never misrepresenting our abilities or knowledge, O means we need to be objective and always fact-check and cross-check the information generated from AI, no matter how convincing or correct this information may seem. W means we must withhold private, personal information in all forms of prompting as we do not know where and how this information may be used as large language models (LLMs) continue to evolve and become more sophisticated over time.

Mr Jason Lane, Director of Elearning

Battle of the Rock Bands
Congratulations are in order for The Shamps (Kai, Harry, Fergus and George) and Mr Campbell for their recent efforts at the Battle of the Rock Bands at Clairvaux MacKillop College.  Villanova has been involved in this event for each of the seven years it has been running and our students this year were by far the best representation we have had.  Along with earning best instrumentalist awards across the group:  Harry – Best Guitarist; Fergus – Best Bassist; George – Best Drummer:  the students earned themselves second place overall.  Well done gents – great outcome for you all!

Gala Ball
Thank you to our musicians from Amadeus Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, and Big Band for adding to the atmosphere of the inaugural Gala Ball at City Hall.  I am proud of the manner in which you prepared for and presented yourselves on the night.  Congratulations and thank you for your efforts.

Open Rehearsal – Year 5 Ensembles – Tuesday 10 October
We convened our first ‘Open Rehearsal’ for Year 5 ensembles last Tuesday morning.  The goal of the session was to enlighten our parents as to what their son’s experience in rehearsal each week is like and give them a sense of the great work the boys are achieving.  We shared with them the thinking, listening, and physical processing that the students undertake to play music together, and even got our parents to play under tuition of their son’s at the end of the session.

The morning was well received, and I would like to thank the parents who shared this moment with us, the students for their continued efforts, and the staff for ensuring the success of the morning – thank you!

Senior Musicians’ Dinner
Last Friday our Senior Musicians and a handful of Year 11 musicians gathered with parents in the Augustine Centre to reflect on what has been an amazing eight years of music.  We had the opportunity to listen to our QCMF performances from 2023, present our awards for Year 12 students, and share one final performance from our Seniors Musicians before they graduate.

Thanks must go to Mrs Sullivan, Mrs Schrauf and Mrs Peace for their assistance in preparing everything for the evening and thank you to the students in Year 11 and staff that were able to join with our Seniors for this celebration.

We would like to take a moment to congratulate our Year 12 Award Winners:

Thank you to all our Senior Musicians for your service, participation, and your music.  We wish you all the very best for your upcoming exams and beyond.

Wieneke Family Music Prize
On Tuesday evening the Finals for the Wieneke Family Music Prize were convened in the Lower Hanrahan Theatre.  It was another great evening of music with 15 of our fine soloists sharing their music for some generous cash prizes.  Mr Craig Kennedy, Director of Music from St Rita’s College, was our adjudicator for the evening and he had a difficult job attempting to determine whom would receive the ultimate prizes.

I would like to congratulate all our finalists and recognise them here:

Congratulations to our prize winners:

Finally, congratulations to all students who entered the Prize this year and participated in our Heats.  It is a brave decision to place yourself in such a competition – I thank you for your courage and for being willing to put yourself forward.  I look forward to seeing you all participate again in 2024.

2024 Music Leadership Opportunities
Our Music leadership process has been underway this past week.  I look forward to being able to share our entire Music Student Leadership Team with you all in our next edition.

Key Dates Term 4
As we look ahead across the coming months, please ensure we pencil the following dates into your diary:

Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers
Our fantastic Music Support Group have organised an innovative fundraiser for Villanova College.  You may have heard the buzz about our Villanova Camp Chairs and Wildcat Coolers…  the MUST HAVE items for the beach/cricket/park/fishing/BBQ

Villanova Branded Camp Chairs – $35; Wildcat Coolers – $30
All items can be purchased via Trybooking through the following link:  https://www.trybooking.com/BMEML
Purchases can be collected from the Music Office and all profits will go to the Music Support Group.

Entertainment Publications Memberships
Entertainment memberships are one of the Music Support Groups main fund-raisers.  Just click on the link to purchase a membership and obtain ongoing special deals throughout the year www.entbook.com.au/22002q9

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

Mr Michael Jones, Director of Music

Director of Sport Address
As we approach the end of one year and begin planning for the next, it is important to acknowledge the role our coaches play in the development and growth of our young men.

Across fourteen AIC Sports in 2023 the College has employed over 200 coaches. This includes all sectors of our community from staff, Old Boys, parents, students and external professionals.  

Coaching at Villanova College is a volunteer role; meaning it is a way to give back to the school without the expectation or need for reward. In essence, our coaches model our Augustinian values of Humility and Community through their offering of charity and teaching. 

On behalf of Villanova College, I would like to extend a thank you to all our wonderful coaches, managers and coordinators, who thanklessly give up their time to afford our boys opportunities to learn and thrive through sport. 

Important dates – Term 4
Term 1 Sport registrations have now closed as we approach selection trials in AFL, Cricket and Volleyball. Please see important dates below for Term 4: 

• From Week 2 – AIC Swimming training has commenced on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings at Langlands Pool 

• Week 4 – AIC Cricket selection trials commence (all year levels) 

• Visit the Locker Room page for the full Week 4 Cricket Selection Trial Schedule. 

• Week 5 – AIC AFL and Volleyball selection trials commence (all year levels) 

• Visit the Locker Room page for the full Week 5 and 6 AFL Selection Trial Schedule. Also on the Locker Room is the full calendar of events for AFL in season 2023/2024. 
• The Volleyball Selection Trial Schedule for Week 5 will be available soon.  

• Week 6 – Pre-season games vs Iona College 
• Week 7 – Pre-season games vs St Laurence’s College 

Communications
Families are reminded to access all Sport information via the Villanova College website and the Villanova College App. The Locker Room tab provides updated information regarding training schedules and current AIC/trial draws.  

The AIC Draw 2023 can also be accessed here. A note that in some cases, draws may not match the AIC draw. Families are encouraged to always check The Locker Room for accurate draws. Weekly Team Lists will be posted regularly to the Parent Lounge and Student Cafe Portals. 

AIC Draw 2024 – Draft only
Please find attached the “draft” AIC Draw for 2024. Please note this is only a draft version and changes may occur prior to the commencement of Term 1, 2024. 

AIC Draw 2024 (draft only)  

Return of Basketball and Rugby League Hire Jerseys
Final reminder. All students who played Basketball and Rugby League in Term 3, 2023 are required to return their hire jersey to the Uniform Shop. This was required by Monday 16 October but has now been extended to Thursday 19 October. Failure to return jerseys will incur a fee of $110.   

AIC Touch Football Invitational – Saturday 21 October at SLC Playing Fields, Runcorn
Villanova College will enter four teams into the AIC Touch Football invitational this coming weekend. Our teams will consist of 1 x Primary (Year 5 and Year 6), 2 x Year 7/8, and 1 x Year 10/11. Further information regarding the carnival can be found below: 

Date: Saturday 21 October
Venue: St Laurence’s College Playing Fields, 18 Nathan Road, Runcorn.
Time: Draw posted on the Locker Room page. Approx 8am first game – 12.30pm.
Uniform: Villa HPE shorts, sport socks and playing shirt provided by the Sports Office 

Students are reminded to please bring lunch as this will not be provided. 

A special thank you to Ms Want, Mr Classen, Mr Russell and Year 12 students Caden and Connor for coaching our teams this weekend. 

Mr Todd Kropp, AIC Touch Coordinator 

AIC Water Polo – Sunday 22 October at Marist College Ashgrove
Thank you to all the swimmers who have nominated for the 2023 Water Polo competition. If you received an email from Mr McLean this week, then you are part of the squad for the competition this Sunday.  

The games will be held at Marist College Ashgrove pool (112 Glenlyon Drive, Ashgrove) this Sunday 22 October. The draw can be found via the link below. 

There is an opportunity for the Year 7 team only to have a practice session on Thursday afternoon at the Villa pool (session is from 3:15-4:15pm – at the Villa pool, not Langlands).  

• Year 7 students need to arrive at Marist College pool by 7:30am (finish by 11:20am).
• Year 8 and 9 students should arrive at 7:30am (finish by 11am).
• Year 10 and 11 players should arrive by 11:30am (finish by 2:30pm).

All teams will be supervised and coached by our Water Polo Coordinator Mrs Jacobs and our external coach.   

Boys are to wear Villa sports attire to and from the venue – HPE shorts and HPE shirt or Villa Sports shirt, etc. All players must be in togs or skins for matches (no board shorts). 

Boys are encouraged to bring a wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, water and food. There is also a canteen available.  

We are required to have parents assist on the bench as per the schedule. If you are available to help, please let Mrs Jacobs know on arrival. We appreciate your assistance.  

AIC Water Polo Tournament Draw – 22/10/22  

Mrs Juanita Jacobs, Water Polo Coordinator 

Term 1 Sport Registrations
Term 1 Sport registrations are now closed. Students are encouraged to visit the Sports Office if there are any changes to what was submitted online.  

Training Schedules
Please see link below with the Term 4, 2023 training schedule. This schedule commenced in Week 2, Term 4 (from Monday 9 October). This training schedule is only for Weeks 2-4, Term 4.  

Villa Sport – Term 4, 2023 – Training schedule  

Following Cricket selection trials in Week 4, an updated training schedule will then be posted from Weeks 5-8.
For all updated information regarding training and selection trials schedules, please visit the Locker Room page of the Villanova College website. 

AIC Cricket 2024 – Selection Trials Commence Next Week
Cricket trials will be conducted next week at Langlands for all students wishing to trial for a team in 2024. All students who trial will be placed in a team. Players can bring their own gear to the trials, but the college will have cricket kits available for use. This is the first stage of the trials, and the boys will be graded on their batting and bowling by independent selectors. Following the net session next week, phase two will be conducted on Sunday 29 October at Villanova Park, where the boys will be asked to trial against other Villanova students to compare apples with apples. Students will then be placed into trial teams for games to be played in the new year. 

** Please note – all year levels below are 2024 year levels. For example, if your son is currently in Year 6 (2023), he will attend the Year 7 (2024) trials on Tuesday afternoon 24 October. 

Year 6 – 12 (2024) Cricket Trial Schedule – Trials conducted Week 4, Term 4 – 2023 

Cricket Trials – Selected players only from Year 7 – 10 (2024), Sunday 29 October 2023 at Villanova Park
Please note the trial games for cricket will be played on Sunday 29 October at Villanova Park. These trials are for selected teams/students only from Year 7-10. Depending on whether player numbers increase or decrease during the trials next week, some games may be added or cancelled.   

Date: Sunday 29 October 2023
Venue: Villanova Park, Manly Road, Tingalpa
Uniform: Villa cricket whites or any suitable sports clothing 

* All players need to be at their respective venues 30mins prior to the commencement of their game. 

Years 7 to 10
Venue:  Villanova Park, Manly Road, Tingalpa 

AFL Queensland Primary Schools Cup – State Champions
Our Junior School (Year 6) AFL team showcased grit, pride, tenacity and unwavering determination throughout the recent tournament, ultimately clinching the 2023 AFL Queensland Primary Schools Cup.  

The battleground was the Maroochydore Multi-Sports Complex, where schools from across Queensland converged for the competition. The tournament posed a gruelling challenge, requiring the team to play a demanding schedule of 6 x 20-minute games in hot, windy conditions on Friday.  

In an epic showdown against St Vincent’s Primary School in the semi-final, Villa turned the tables from their pool match, emerging victorious 2-4-16 to 1-0-6. Throughout the competition, the boys played for one another, demonstrated excellent football IQ and self-belief. Ultimately, these strategies propelled them to success, enabling them to triumph over All Saints Anglican Primary School in the Grand Final with an impressive score of 7-5-47 to 4-3-27.   

At the conclusion of the Grand Final, all players were presented with individual medallions and Tom Ford was also presented with the medallion for Best on Ground. All players represented Villanova with distinction and thoroughly deserve the success they’ve achieved.  

Congratulations to all students involved (listed below) and our amazing coach and Villanova staff member Mr Conlan.  

Zone Cricket
In case of bad weather, parents are to contact their team manager directly. Notices for zone cricket will not be placed on the College App.   
Training times for Zone Cricket from weeks 4-9 at Little Langlands are below: 

Mr Nathan Dufty, Zone Cricket Coordinator 

External Achievements
Our Captain of Track and Field, Hugo Harrison (Year 12) continues to go from strength to strength following his 100m and 200m victories at the AIC Championships. Hugo finished a remarkable first in the 200m at the State Schoolboy Championships and second in the 100m. Hugo will now represent Queensland at the National Titles in April. Well done Hugo! 

College Captain Mitchell Rieck (Year 12) recently competed at the annual Bridge to Brisbane 10km race. Mitchell performed outstandingly finishing second in the Under 18 years category and 25th overall, with a lightning-fast time of 33 mins and 56 secs. Congratulations Mitchell! 

Leo Gellweiler and Harrison Borg (Year 5) represented their basketball associations at the recent Basketball Queensland State Championships. Following their success as teammates in the Villanova 5A team, Leo and Harrison found themselves on opposite sides of the court during the tournament; but they still found time to catch up for a friendly photo. Well done boys! 

Mr Shaun McLean, Director of Sport

• Upcoming Events

Villa Verve – Friday 20 October at 6pm in Goold Hall, Villanova College. No tickets required.

Mother of Old Boys Afternoon – Saturday 21 October | Mother of Villanova Old Boys (vnc.qld.edu.au)

Villanova College Golf Day – Friday 27 October | Villanova Golf Day – The Charlie Fisher Cup | Villanova College (vnc.qld.edu.au)

Derby Day for Ladies – Saturday 4 November | Villanova Derby Day for Ladies (vnc.qld.edu.au)

• Community Meetings

P&F – Monday 6 November – 6pm in the Library

Music Support Group – Monday 13 November – 6:30pm in the Augustine Centre, Chapter Room

• Students With Disability Travel Rebate
  Semester 2
  Does your child have a verified disability that requires transport assistance to and from school?
  Has your school’s learning support teacher assessed your child’s travel capability rating as ‘semi-independent’ or more dependent?

Visit our website to see if you qualify for financial assistance to help with the cost of transport and
apply at www.schooltransport.com.au by 31 October.

Late applications cannot be accepted after 31st October.