Building the Future Together

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

MISSION STATEMENT

Villanova College is an independent, Catholic, Augustinian school committed to excellence and dedicated to the education of young people, engaging them in their spiritual, intellectual, physical and social development.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Villanova College is an independent, Catholic school committed to the Augustinian values of unitas, veritas and caritas, meaning unity, truth and love. Since 1999, the School has prepared young men and women for university, for leadership and for life. Villanova educates its students in a caring environment focused on academics while maintaining a balance between spirituality, arts, athletics and community involvement.

Villanova is a tightly knit family that supports and challenges students in grades 4 through 12, as they become independent critical thinkers so that they may lead with integrity. Challenge, community, care and respect are the key characteristics of our school. Our high academic standards are supported by a caring and involved faculty that serves to help each student reach his/her potential. Villanova College is a special place that recognizes and takes great pride in our students’ academic achievements, aptitude in the performing arts, athletic excellence, extensive Christian Service and proud community spirit.

Paul Paradiso PRESIDENT VILLANOVA COLLEGE

A STRONG FOUNDATION

Our community embraces Villanova College as our committed faculty lives out the school’s mission statement, genuinely caring for our students’ well being and preparing them for their future. Throughout their time in these halls, students form long lasting friendships which carry on beyond graduation. The School’s continuing desire to improve and willingness to change ensures an environment which empowers each student, providing the tools they require to fulfill their potential academically, socially and spiritually.

The strong foundation Villanova College students acquire proves invaluable as they navigate future endeavours. Ultimately, a Villanova College education provides our students with a greater understanding of themselves and their responsibilities to the community at large. It instills an intellectual curiosity and lifelong passion for learning as well as an analytical agility and adaptability essential in today’s complex world.

While being extremely proud of the school’s numerous accomplishments, the Villanova College leadership team understands and appreciates the importance of progress. This is achieved by responding to the needs, interests and strengths of our students at all grade levels by being mindful of a rapidly changing global society and the expectations it places on today’s schools.

OUR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE STARTED OVER 20 YEARS AGO

Since its inception, Villanova College has made substantial capital improvements to its physical plant and has sought the best use for existing facilities. For 20 years, we have been working from a master plan that has guided our growth and focused on the experience of our students while on campus.

As we approach our 20th anniversary in the 2019-2020 school year, it is an opportune time for our community to reflect on the past, embrace the present and look to the future.

Now is the time to continue fulfilling our promise to students and their families. As Villanova constantly strives towards excellence and providing creative and evOlving teaching practices for our growing community, we must move forward. By enhancing our physical space, we will be able to provide the ultimate experience for our students and one that meets the expectations of our community.

ORIGINAL PORTAPACK, 1999

PHASE ONE - CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN BUILDING, 2002

PHASE TWO - THE START OF THE FOUNDATION, 2003 PHASE THREE - EXTERIOR OF THE ATHLETIC CENTRE, 2009

A DRIVE TOWARDS EXCELLENCE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Driven by our original vision at Villanova’s inception, we must look to future plans and growth that will continue to enrich the lives of our students. In order to provide the best opportunities for our current students and to continue to attract new students, a series of important capital projects have been identified as integral to our progress and development. We must offer facilities that will provide an improved environment and experience for years to come.

Villanova College is moving forward with a historic campaign to address the following needs:

• New Centre for the Performing Arts and a new, modern Dining Hall and Kitchen.

• Estimated Total Cost: $20 million

These projects will create spaces where students are motivated to fully explore their artistic talents. Villanova College will be in the competitive forefront with our neighbouring peer schools, creating an everlasting legacy for future generations, enhancing the school’s impressive reputation and deepening our sense of pride.

With the support of our past and current parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty and friends, we will ensure a solid foundation and a bright future for generations to come.

NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTINUE FULFILLING OUR PROMISE TO STUDENTS AND OUR VC FAMILY.

Villanova College Milestones 1999

- 2019

Membership to the Conference of Independent Schools Ontario

GRADE 10

SEPTEMBER 7th

School opens its doors to 26 students in grades 7,8,9 in Sacred Heart Parish in King City. First independent Catholic school to open in Ontario since 1965. Only Catholic independent school in York Region

Villanova’s First Concert Band

GRADE 12

SEPTEMBER 5th 10th Grade added

JANUARY 7th

Construction of Phase 2 begins

SEPTEMBER 4th

GRADES 7,8,9

JANUARY 24th School moves into 12,000 sq. ft portapack with 8 classrooms; change rooms and lunch room

SEPTEMBER 4th 11th Grade added

12th grade added Completion of the Secondary School. Construction of Phase 1 completed, featuring 10 academic classrooms, two science labs, two computer labs, cafeteria and kitchen

Membership in the Augustinian Secondary Education Association (ASEA)

Only Canadian School in the Association

First Social Outreach Program established Villanova Outreach In Communities Everywhere (VOICE)

SEPTEMBER 4th

Construction of Phase 2 completed adding 14 academic classrooms, reception, main office

VC’s First Musical Theatre Production Once On This Island

FIRST 12 GRADUATES

JUNE 26th

First Immersion Trip to St. Donat

Band Trip to Italy

VC Hosts First Muki Baum Bowl-a-Thon

AVONA

Jr. Band “B” Class 1st Gold Kiwanis Music Festival

JANUARY 8th

Excavation for the construction of Phase 1 begins

First Sandwich Patrol

First Commencement Exercises “First of Many”

First Senior Christ in Others Retreat (COR)

First International Student Exchange with School in Cuernavaca, Mexico

Sr. Band “C” Class 1st Gold Kiwanis Music Festival

Augustinian Visit

Sr. Band “B” Class 1st Gold Kiwanis Music Festival

First Annual Talent Show

First Overnight Fast for Sharelife

Villanova’s First Football Team

“First of Many” “Second to None” “The World is Ours”

“Unitas, Now and Forever”

“We Are the Future” “Leave Your Mark” “Be the Change”

“Live the Dream” “Live the Fourth”

“This is Our Time”

“One Step Closer”

“Aspire to Inspire”

“It’stheOnly Beginning”

“In a Class of Our Own”

“Masters of Our Fate”

“Together, We Have it All”

“Together We Will” “It’s About That Time”

NEW CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The performing arts, visual arts and music all play an essential role in the holistic development of a child’s education. Over the past ten years, our programs have grown in significance and have seen a greater portion of the student population become involved. At present, 80% of our entire student body participates in at least one arts program, double the participation rate of ten years ago. Arts can improve academic performance, literacy skills and social development. At Villanova, we know first-hand the transformative effect experience in arts has on our students and we have planned for a dedicated facility for this very purpose as a cornerstone of enhancing our campus.

At the heart of these plans is a modern, state of the art, acoustically tuned theatre able to accommodate 330 people for a variety of performances. Accompanying the theatre will be specially built classrooms for music and drama, dedicated rehearsal space and additional offices. Our students will immediately benefit from dedicated, soundproof classrooms and a modern, spacious stage where they will showcase their many creative talents.

These new, innovative facilities will make Villanova College a premier destination for any family considering a Catholic education that provides an opportunity for students to fully explore their artistic aspirations.

“Music, that is the science or the sense of proper modulation, is likewise given by God’s generosity to mortals having rational souls in order to lead them to higher things.”

~ St. Augustine

Artists renderings

Experiences in the arts - dance, drama, media arts, music, and the visual arts - play a valuable role in the education of all students. Through participation in the arts, students can develop their creativity, learn about their own identity, and develop self-awareness, self-confidence, and a sense of wellbeing.

Since artistic activities involve intense engagement, students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning through the arts, which can motivate them to participate more fully in cultural life and in other educational opportunities.

A NEW CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS WILL…

allow for additional performances throughout the school year;

provide a dedicated facility for performances and shows of all types, including orchestras, drama and school assemblies;

end the need to rent space at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts; welcome community performances, guest speakers, alumni and parent gatherings;

provide purpose-built rehearsal space;

allow for classroom space currently used for music in the present building to be repurposed.;

create the potential for future programming opportunities which may include introducing a drama and dance program;

provide additional, soundproof classrooms for music and drama lessons.

- The Ontario Curriculum (The Arts), Ministry of Education

Artists renderings

NEW FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

a modern, acoustically tuned theatre with a fully provisioned projection room; new classrooms and rehearsal space; six additional offices for volunteer and student associations.

I will be forever grateful for my experiences with the arts programs at VC. To all the teachers and students who I was able to work with, thank you for fostering my passion for the arts. I’m looking forward to seeing how the arts at Villanova can evolve and inspire future students for years to come.

“The VC Music and Performing Arts Program has been the center of my cocurricular life, and I can’t be more grateful for that. The wide variety of bands, musicals, and opportunities to perform coupled with the fantastic music teachers there to support me and help me grow, have made me love music even more than I thought I could. The anxious anticipation I feel at the beginning of each year waiting for band to start or the musical to be announced proves to me how much of an impact the VC arts program has had on me.”

Laura Schachtler ‘16

Aidan Vissers ‘25

NEW, MODERN DINING HALL AND KITCHEN

The school dining hall serves as a respite during the course of a busy day. It is a place where our students gather, laugh, socialize and reenergize. A new dining hall and kitchen will allow us to help our students shape lifelong, healthy eating habits by offering an expanded variety of healthy, nutritious meals. This new, upgraded facility will provide students with opportunities to learn about and practice healthy eating through available foods and beverages, nutrition education and messages about food in the dining hall and throughout the school campus. A full service kitchen will allow the school to expand the current menu options as we strive to ensure a varied and balanced nutritional environment for students. There is a direct correlation between healthy eating habits and enhanced abilities to learn, which is ultimately our goal at Villanova College.

Additionally, our vision is to create a place where teachers and students use the space as a place to gather and hold student meetings in a productive environment. An expanded dining hall would deepen our student body’s sense of community - a crucial component to a positive learning experience.

Similarly, new and exciting opportunities will present themselves to renovate existing facilities. A portion of the current dining space will be repurposed as a dedicated common area for our senior students providing them a relaxing environment to gather, meet friends and study during their free time. The remainder of the facility will further our commitment to the arts and the creativity it develops. We envision creating a bright and spacious art studio allowing for the growth and development of our visual arts program.

Artist’s rendering

NEW, MODERN DINING HALL AND KITCHEN WILL...

provide significant menu expansion and upgrade due to expanded kitchen and serving area;

allow for the current dining area to be repurposed, creating a bright and spacious art studio on the north side and a lounge for senior students on the south side;

allow for greater opportunities to host social events by the theatre or athletic programs;

create an additional assembly space, allowing for programmatic opportunities;

NEW SPACES WILL INCLUDE:

relieve congestion and allow for impromptu meetings to occur and friendships to flourish;

free up faculty time as a result of fewer lunch periods, allowing that time to be directed towards other school and student priorities;

allow for greater flexibility in scheduling lunch periods to meet curriculum needs.

a new kitchen with modern appliances and cold storage; an expanded dining area to better accommodate students and schedules; a dedicated space for the visual arts; a lounge area for senior students.

Leslie Balsamo Chair, Villanova Parent Association

I am very proud to stand united with our VC Community in support of our school and share in the knowledge that as ‘one’, we are looking out for the well-being of our children now and for years to come.

FINANCING THE CAPI TAL PROJECT S

The total cost of the new Centre for the Performing Arts, together with a new modern Dining Hall and Kitchen is estimated to be approximately $20 million. Villanova College continually strives to be a good steward of our resources—consistently disciplined in our budgeting, careful of expenditures and mindful of the allocation of revenue. As a result, the school has a purposeful and prudent funding plan, as well as expected capital savings upon start of construction. A strong balance sheet and excellent credit rating will enable Villanova to pursue competitive financing to fund a portion of the capital projects.

A key component to funding these improvements will be the capital campaign. To achieve our vision, Villanova College has embarked on the most ambitious fundraising initiative in our history. Having raised $12 million in the silent phase of the cqmpaign, our goal is to raise a minimum of $8 million. Villanova College has committed to completing the Centre for the Performing Arts and will begin work in earnest once the necessary funding is secured. As such, only through the generosity of the Villanova community will the school have the financial flexibility to complete these projects and provide a thriving, expanded future for Villanova College.

“I still continue, I still make progress, I am still moving ahead, I am still on my way, I still reach forward, I have not yet arrived. Therefore, if you also keep moving, still reach forward and are attentive to what lies ahead, then forget what lies behind. Do not look back to these things, lest you remain fixed on what is already behind you. Always add something more, keep moving forward, always make progress.”

~ St. Augustine

BUILDING THE FUTURE TOGETHER

Previous generations endowed our school with a vision for the future. Now is the time for the Villanova College community to continue the legacy shaped for us years ago. We are committed to enhancing our physical space in order to provide greater opportunities to our students. Just as we expect our students to grow during their time at Villanova, we too must push forward in an ever-changing world.

Upon completion, Villanova College will be uniquely positioned as a leading force among independent schools in our area. Our success is dependent on all members of the Villanova community—current and past parents, alumni, grandparents, faculty and friends — who will need to work together to realize our vision.

We invite you to join us through your leadership, generosity and participation in this historic endeavour.