Principal's Report
End of Term
This is the last edition of The Lighthouse for Term 2 and we finish the semester with a hive of activity at the College.
Middle Years
In a very full week, Year 9 students undertook their special education block, which includes a rotation by team through the City Project and the It Starts with Me program at Aquinas. Year 8 students have been working on Global Green Projects as they develop an understanding of the need for astute stewardship for our environment and natural resources. Year 7 students have been involved in our Connect Program and have enjoyed LOTE Day, Humanities and STEAM activities as part of a program to help students connect their learning to real world challenges. They have also participated in pilgrimages to learn more about the founders' stories and how they served God by caring for others.
Senior Years
Our Year 12 students have been on Retreat on Phillip Island and have taken this opportunity to catch their breath and reflect on the last few months at this mid-point of the year. The activities on retreat invite participants to learn more about their spirituality and personal qualities, as well as build community as they gather together for one of the last times as a cohort and share a common bond. Many of our Year 11 students are travelling through the Northern Territory and others are participating in our City Experience. Our Year 10 students are thinking about their directions during Futures Week by hearing about offerings at our tertiary institutions and through presentations from invited guests on their own career journeys. Other workshops on various aspects of life skills make for a very full and interesting program.
Thank you for your ongoing support this semester. I especially want to say thank you to our staff who have given so generously of their time, especially this week, so that these exciting co-curricular opportunities are available. I wish all members of our community a relaxing break at the end of the week.
Term 3 Commencement
Term 3 commences for students on Tuesday, July 11 and this is a Day 2. Monday, July 10 is a designated Staff Professional Learning Day and is therefore a student free day.
Vandalism
I am disappointed to have to inform you that we have recently experienced a spate of vandalism in our toilets and, as a result, some have needed to be closed for repairs. The damage has occurred in both female and male toilets. For those responsible to choose to vandalise a resource that their peers need to be comfortable at school suggests a very selfish act, as well as a complete waste of (your) money. While we endeavour to identify those responsible so that they can be held to account, you will be able to help by having a discussion at home about your expectations in regards to respecting others and their property. Other students surely witnessed this vandalism and we need them not to turn a blind eye, but to let us know, confident that they can do so safely and privately.
End of Semester Reports
Semester 1 reports will be made available on Friday evening July 14, the first week back after the Term break. To access your student’s report, you will require your username and password for the Parent Access Module (PAM): link here. If you cannot recall these login details, please contact the College Office on 9259 3000 and we will assist. Parents will continue to be able to see results and feedback task by task in PAM as soon as the teacher completes the assessment.
Time to Check and Update Details
I ask all Parents/Guardians to log on to the Community Portal on the College website and take the time to check that your own personal details are correct: for example, your residential address, your occupation information, your personal email and phone number. We require the most up to date information prior to the August Census and, most importantly, to ensure that we can contact you. Any changes can be made via this portal and you use your ICON login details. We ask that this information is checked and updated before the end of July.
Opening Hours during the Holidays
The College Office is closed during the second week of holidays, however students are welcome to work in the Aquinas Resource Centre (ARC) during the first week between the hours of 8.30am and 3.30pm. It should be noted that this is the only supervised area at the College during the holidays and that there will be no teacher supervision of the College grounds, nor will crossing supervisors be in place. Office Hours during the holidays will be 8.30am to 3.30pm.
Year 7 Enrolment Reminder
A reminder to our families that applications for enrolment in Year 7 for 2025 close on August 19 and that we will not presume you wish to enrol your Year 5 child just because you have an older child currently enrolled at the College. Please contact the College Registrar, Ms Madeleine Kalla on 9259 3008 should you have any questions.
Darren Atkinson
Principal