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Villanova College

Mission and History

Villanova College is a Catholic school for boys where dedicated education helps develop respected men within a faith community. Our staff, parents and students, both past and present, contribute their gifts and talents towards the development of young men of Gospel values who seek the common good. Our community promotes life-long learning by continually challenging itself in the restless search for truth.

Operating Principles

In following the path of St Augustine:

  • We embrace the living traditions of the Catholic Church, participating in the mission of the Archdiocese of Brisbane with our Augustinian charism and organisational independence.
  • We bear witness to the Gospel’s vision of life, centred on Christ, and challenge those values of contemporary Australian society which erode the dignity of the human person.
  • We value and seek humility and interiority as the just paths for each individual to form, nurture and restore healthy relationships with themselves, with others and with God.
  • We assist our students to realise the fullness of their potential as they strive to integrate the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of life and culture in ways most appropriate to their particular stage of development.

History

Since being founded by five Irish priests back in 1948, Villanova College has always been an independent Catholic school for boys under the care of the Augustinian Order.

The College opened on a 10-acre property in Hamilton, with the large onsite residence, called ‘Whinstanes’, functioning as three classrooms, a chapel and sacristy. Students also had access to tennis courts, cricket oval and other sporting facilities.

Forty boys attended Villanova that first year and by 1951 it was clear the Whinstanes property could no longer adequately house the growing student population. After much searching, the Augustinian Fathers eventually chose Coorparoo as the new site for the College in 1954.

Villanova College still sits on this very site in the grounds of Langlands. From 40 students to 1,200, Villanova has continued to grow into the close community we now cherish today.

The Augustinian Order has a long history in education reaching back 700 years. A love of learning and pursuit of understanding are hallmarks of the Order, which Villanova has made part of its character since day one.

This unrelenting pursuit for knowledge and understanding ensures our lives will be based on truth, for it is truth that conquers. This is reflected in the College motto: Vincit Veritas (“Truth Conquers”).

Villanova Timeline

1948

Whinstanes

Five young Irish Augustinian priests, led by Fr Ben O’Donnell OSA, established Villanova College at Whinstanes in the suburb of Hamilton. The Whinstanes property featured a stained-glass window with the motto Vincit Veritas (“Truth Conquers”), which mimicked St Augustine’s own dictum: “What is more noble, brothers, than to be conquered and governed by truth?”

1954

Coorparoo

Villanova College moved from Whinstanes to Coorparoo in order to facilitate student growth. It has since flourished into the proud Catholic school we know and love today.

1948 - 1958

Fr Ben O'Donnell OSA

Founding Member and First Rector of Villanova, Fr O’Donnell OSA was a quiet, friendly man. His fellow Australian Augustinians were young and full of energy. They quickly established personal links with many members of the local Catholic community, which rallied to support their ambitions. This close relationship between staff and parents and friends of students of the College has been a defining trait of Villanova ever since.

1959 - 1964

Fr Louis Hanrahan OSA

Villanova’s second Prior and Rector, Fr Hanrahan OSA, co-founded Brisbane’s first Catholic theatre group, the Villanova Players, in 1948. Language, music, drama and the visual arts have played an important part in the curricular and co-curricular programs at the College ever since.

1965 – 1970

Fr Kevin Burman OSA

Fr Kevin Burman OSA, third Rector of the College, helped provide facilities to further accommodate Villanova’s curriculum including the original library, science labs and swimming pool. Fr Burman OSA also sought out graduates who could further enhance the academic strength of the College, while at the same time bringing sporting success to all grades.

1971 – 1976

Fr Donal Paul Dempsey OSA

Fr Donal Paul Dempsey OSA was part of Villanova’s permanent staff from 1955 until 1969, returning in 1971 to assume the role of Rector of the College. Fr Dempsey OSA had a particular enthusiasm for art, music and drama, and his encouragement of parent involvement in school life reinforced Villanova’s valued tradition.

1976 – 1986

Fr Laurence Mooney OSA

Fr Laurence Mooney OSA, past student and the College’s fifth Rector, brought great change to education in Queensland. He explicitly articulated Augustinian educational philosphies and Villanova’s distinctive ethos in developing staff. Fr Mooney OSA further fostered the sense of community within Villanova, emphasising the role of students by founding the Student Council.

1987 – 1994

Fr Peter Weineke OSA

During his time as Rector of Villanova, Fr Peter Weineke OSA encouraged all students to take pride in their school when wearing the uniform, whether during class, on the sporting field or outside of school hours. By doing so he kept alive Villanova’s community spirit, a treasured characteristic of the College since its foundation. Fr Weineke OSA’s leadership saw the greening and general improvement of school grounds, along with flourishing co-curricular activities.

1995 – 2009

Fr Michael Morahan OSA

In January 1995, Fr Michael Morahan OSA became the third past pupil to be appointed Rector of Villanova. Fr Morahan OSA excelled in that role for fifteen years, making him Villanova’s longest-serving principal and the last Augustinian Rector of the College. During his leadership, the College reached its highest enrolment figures, a number of successive strategic plans were developed and adopted, and the role of the College Council was enhanced. At the conclusion of Fr Morahan OSA’s rectorship, a system of restorative justice had been introduced in school discipline, a collaborative executive leadership developed and a path had been prepared for lay leadership in the College’s future.

2010 – 2014

Mr Dennis Harvey

Prior to his appointment as Villanova’s first lay principal in 2010, Dennis was both a past student (Senior Class ’71) and former staff member of the College (1984-1994). As Principal of Villanova, Dennis built on the school’s strong foundation established during Fr Michael Morahan’s rectorship: academic excellence, student behaviour management based on restorative justice practices and collaborative executive leadership. As well as the pursuit of strong classroom academic achievement for all students, Dennis was an advocate of the performing and fine arts, and a supporter of sport. Enhanced student performance and achievement in all three areas were evident during Dennis’ leadership.

2015 – present

Mr Mark Stower

As current Principal of Villanova College, Mark brings a wealth of teaching and leadership experience to all aspects of school life. His charismatic personality and level-headed determination have influenced vast improvements to the College in a short amount of time.

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