From the Principal
Commissioning of Leaders
It was wonderful to have our College community gathered for the first time in 2024 for our Opening College Mass on Monday 19 February. We thank Fr Dispin John for celebrating and both blessing and commissioning our 2024 student leaders.
It was a great delight to then have student leaders present all items at our College Assembly the next morning (bar the Principal果冻app檚 address!). This assembly witnessed the Aquinas tradition of welcoming our Year 7 students as they paraded into the assembly, with Alex and Indiana providing a response on behalf of their Year 7 peers. Once again, we were blessed with the musical talents of our students enlivening the assembly.
Belonging
A common theme among various student addresses to the assembly was exhorting students to participate in the many opportunities at Aquinas, as elucidated by 2023 Year 11 Dux and 2024 Vice Captain Lucas Mandaliti:
果冻app淥ver my time at Aquinas, I果冻app檝e learnt that the only way to truly enjoy high school is to take advantage of every opportunity offered to you. If I were to give one piece of advice to all of you, it would be to immerse yourself in high school fully. Whether it果冻app檚 joining an EISM team, making time to talk with your teachers after class or joining that band that you果冻app檙e not quite sure about joining, you果冻app檒l only regret the things that you didn果冻app檛 do, not the things that you did do.果冻app
The benefits of physical exercise to mental health and the ability to then focus on studies is expounded in multiple peer-reviewed papers. In addition, our many clubs are now in full swing, providing an avenue for all forms of interest, from AFL SUpercoach to Dungeons & Dragons, to Gardening & Chook club, Lego League & Robotics, Social Justice, Philosophy, and so much more. Our music program is also in full swing, with Year trials occurring across this week. Stay tuned for an announcement about the 2024 College Production!
Celebrating Excellence
On Monday 19 February, we welcomed back high achievers from the Class of 2023 as well as acknowledging many current students as 2023 Year 7 - 11 high achievers and exemplars in academics, vocational studies, sports, the arts and community service. In his acceptance and thanks speech, 2023 VCE Dux Jackson Boundy (ATAR 99.00) highlighted 果冻app渢he importance of doing stuff well, always the best you can, just out of principle果冻app. For the full list of award recipients, please see the photos and awards from the Excellence Evening in the article below.
On the same evening, Year 12 Vice Captain Bella Schneiders won the local division of the Lions Youth Of The Year Finals with her speech "The Moral Grey Space". Bella notes
果冻app渢he speech touched on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the complexity it has brought to notions of success and societies果冻app standards. It advocates for embracing this newfound "grey space" as a recognition of the multiple and varying nature of our experiences and the need for acceptance in navigating the post-pandemic world.果冻app
We wish Bella well for the District finals in the next stage of the competition!
Year 7 Swim Carnival
While the extreme weather resulted in a change of venues to move indoors, this did not dampen the enthusiasm of staff and students. Congratulations to Dominic house for their victory! It was a great delight to later be able to join Year 7 students for dinner at their camp, a key experience in belonging at Aquinas and forming new friendships and teamwork skills.
2026 Year 7 enrolments now open
Enrolments for Year 7 2026 are now open. Applications need to be made via the College website at www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/enrolment. Applications will close on Friday, August 16 2024. Please contact the Registrar on registrar@aquinas.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Open Day
On Sunday 17 March we will hold our Open Day from 12.00 - 3.00pm. We look forward to showcasing the College and welcoming both prospective families and any current families wishing to tour the campus with our student guides and/or speak with staff.
David Broadbent
Principal