Fathers Day

On Sunday week, we celebrate Fathers Day. As an Aquinas community, we have the chance to celebrate and give thanks for the fathers and male role models in our lives and to remember those no longer with us at our Term 3 Community Mass this Tuesday 1 September. All are welcome to join us in the College chapel from 7.00pm and for supper afterwards.

As one of the ‘founding fathers’ of Christianity and our church, St Paul’s letters to early Christian communities frequently referred to God as Father - just as Jesus taught the disciples. St Paul emulated this in his role as spiritual father, writing “I became your father in Christ through the Gospel” (1 Cor 4:15), an honorific that remains with our priests to this day. Spreading the message of Jesus' love and redemption to Jews and gentiles alike throughout the Mediterranean, he urged fathers to raise their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4). And so we prayer in the words of St Paul this Fathers Day:

I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. (Eph 3:14-17)

In the coming weeks I have the blessing of participating in a pilgrimage focused on the missionary journeys of St Paul, tracing his journeys through modern Greece and Turkey. During my absence from 9 September to 12 October, our Deputy Principals Ms Jess Alger & Mr Michael Box will be Acting Co-Principals. I look forward to returning in time to join our Year 12 students for their final days at Aquinas and the Class of 2026 Graduation Evening.

MACSSIS

Next week, all families will be emailed their individual code to contribute to the annual MACSSIS survey. We encourage all parents to please have your say to provide feedback and help guide the future of our college. Students and staff will also be completing the survey, which will remain open until Friday 18 September. Should you misplace your MACSSIS login details, please contact surveys@aquinas.vic.edu.au
 

Focus on Excellence: Year 12 Exam Launch & Practice exams

Last week’s College Assembly focussed on excellence, with our student leaders providing their insights which you can read below in today’s newsletter.

On Wednesday next week, members of College Leadership will continue this theme when meeting with Unit 3-4 (Year 12) VCE students to launch the exam preparation weeks. While revision and exam preparation is an ongoing part of being a VCE student, many courses are close to finishing teaching content and moving to purely focus on exams, all of which have a significant effect on each student’s final result. In the second week of the Term 3 / 4 break, our VCE Unit 3-4 students will sit their compulsory trial examinations. These exams provide vital feedback to staff and each student about the areas they need to focus on most heavily in the lead up to the VCE Examinations in October/November. As the Excellence Assemblies over the past fortnight have highlighted, excellence is not a single action but a continuous practice: it’s about making small, consistent choices every day that align with our goals and values.

David Broadbent

Principal

Positive Early Results from Our New Bathroom Access Process

Thank you to students, families and staff for their support as we have introduced our new bathroom access process during class time.

The process was developed to help ensure that College bathrooms remain safe, clean and accessible spaces for students who genuinely need to use them. While any new procedure takes time to become familiar, we are pleased to report that the early results have been encouraging.

The College is reviewing data relating to bathroom use, vaping incidents, property damage and the amount of class time students spend away from their learning each day. Since the new process commenced, we have already seen a significant reduction across all of these areas.

The use of bathroom passes has also helped limit the number of students in the bathrooms at any one time. Previously, some students were arranging to meet in these spaces during lessons, using bathrooms as social areas and contributing to congestion, disruption and safety concerns. The new system has created calmer corridors and bathrooms, while supporting students to return to class more promptly.

Over recent weeks, students have also been regularly reminded to test their College ID cards and report any issues so that their access can be updated where required. Alternative arrangements remain available for students with particular health or wellbeing needs, and staff continue to use their professional judgement when a student’s need is urgent.

We appreciate the patience and cooperation shown by our community. We will continue to review the process closely and make adjustments where needed, with student safety, dignity and access remaining central to our approach.

Traffic Reminder - school pick up

If you are unable to enter the College driveway in order to access the Kiss n Drop area, we urge you to find an alternative place to collect your child/ren. Cars stopping and waiting to access the College are blocking traffic in both directions and causing a significant traffic hazard. There are a number of locations in surrounding streets that are suitable meeting points.

Parent seminar

Jess Alger

Deputy Principal

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal Mission

Up and coming Year 10 and Year 11 student assemblies will focus on the exciting opportunities available through student leadership. Applications for the 2027 Year 12 College Leadership positions and Year 11 House Representative positions will soon open, inviting students to consider how they can make a positive difference within our school community.

Leadership provides students with the opportunity to use their strengths, share their ideas, support others and contribute to the life of the College. It is an opportunity to grow in confidence, develop communication and teamwork skills, and lead through service. Our student leaders play an important role in bringing our Mission of belonging, perseverance and compassion to life through their actions, relationships and commitment to others.

At our final Term 4 school assembly, the College community will also have the opportunity to acknowledge and thank our current student leadership group for their contribution and service to the student body and broader community. Their efforts remind us that leadership is not simply about holding a position, but about being willing to step beyond self-doubt, contribute to improvement and as a result make a lasting difference through their initiative, time and support.

We encourage all students who are willing to serve others, embrace new challenges and contribute positively to College life to consider applying. Student leadership offers valuable opportunities for personal growth, new experiences and recognition of students' efforts and commitment.

College student leadership positions are open to all Year 11 students. Positions include:

• College Captains and Vice Captains
• College Ambassador
• College Board Representative
• Dance/Drama Leader
• Faith Captain
• House Captains – two per House
• Music Leader
• Performing Arts Captain
• Sports Captain and Sports Leader
• Social Justice Leader
• Sustainability Leader
• VCE VM Captains

Most leadership positions involve a written application followed by an interview. Students selected for an interview will meet with a panel consisting of two staff members and a current student leader.

Applicants for the College Captain and Vice Captain positions will also participate in a second interview with the Principal.

The House Captain selection process differs from the other leadership positions. Applications are reviewed by House Leaders, with shortlisted students preparing and presenting a speech to their House. Staff and student votes will then contribute to determining the successful candidates.

We look forward to seeing students step forward and consider how their strengths, passions and commitment can help shape our College community in 2027. 

We extend our congratulations to all the Year 10 and Year 11 students recognised at our recent Excellence Assemblies, for their achievement, effort and improvement throughout Semester One.

Rachel Crawley

Director of Senior Years

 Our recent Year Level Excellence Assemblies provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our students throughout Semester One.

Students who achieved an average of 90% or higher across their Semester One assessment tasks were recognised for their commitment, achievement and consistent effort. Congratulations to all students who received an Excellence Award.

Teachers spoke fondly of their students and the qualities that have contributed to their success. Across the year levels, several common themes emerged; strong work ethic, organisation and effective time management. These qualities are not only important for academic success but are valuable skills that will serve our students well beyond their school years.

Our Principal, Mr Broadbent, challenged all students to reflect on their own approach to learning by asking three important questions:

“Is this my best effort?”

“Is this my best work?”

“Is this my best self?”

These questions provide a reminder that excellence is not all about results but about striving to be the best version of ourselves.

As we look towards the remainder of the year, we challenge every student to put their best foot forward, embrace positive habits and strive for excellence in all that they do.

Sam Storey
Director of Middle Years

Year 12 Dress Up Day was another success! With a theme of “Fictional Characters”, we saw many extravagant outfits, including Teletubbies, knights, dragons, Spider-Man, and the like. Special thanks to all those who participated; we all looked amazing! We are also looking forward to the next dress-up for Year 12s in their Primary School uniforms, coming early next Term. Otherwise, Senior EISM has come to a close, with finals occurring in the last week — congratulations to those who won!

A main initiative for us captains this year (along with a team of other student leaders) has been working towards introducing free period products in all of our female and unisex bathrooms, as period care is a right, not a privilege. We decided on this after noticing the free period products in public spaces, and hearing that all public schools had access to free period healthcare. We wondered why we didn’t have the same resources, and decided to make it happen at Aquinas! After quite a few meetings and a bit of planning, we are so happy to say that by next term we will have free period products and product dispensers in all female and unisex bathrooms around the school! Our next step will be to communicate this to all students through year level assemblies. As part of this initiative we wanted to include more period education - especially for younger years, and attempt to reduce the stigma around discussing menstrual health.

Applications for leadership in 2027 will be opening shortly, when our new college and vice captains will be determined, as well as other Year 12 leaders. Because of this, we thought we would share some of our favourite moments as Vice Captains this year. As a captain, you get to represent the school at many school events, as well as organise leadership summits, and meet with staff leaders to represent the voice of your students. As College Vice Captains, we have represented Aquinas at various events and organised many school activities, some highlights being the Catholic Youth Day conference, and our leadership summits. We are also very excited to see the new round of student leadership come through into 2027 across year levels. Over the coming weeks, information will be sent out regarding the application process and interviews. Good luck to all those who apply!

Rose Ennis and Will Elliott

School Vice Captains 

The College Music Department has had a very busy few weeks of performances and events.

Music students performed for the College at the Term 3 Whole School Mass, Term 3 Whole School Assembly and numerous Excellence Assemblies. Students also represented the College at the Royal South Street Eisteddfod, with Intermediate Harmony, Senior Harmony, Ablaze, Illuminate and Intermediate Stage Band performing across various divisions. Our Intermediate Stage Band and Senior Harmony groups both achieved second place in their respective divisions.

The Senior and Intermediate Concert Bands also attended the Victorian Schools Music Festival, where they had the opportunity to perform and receive valuable feedback from experienced music educators.

Amongst all of these events, the program also had one of its biggest performance evenings of the year — the Senior Music Showcase. This concert is the pinnacle concert evening for the College's senior ensembles and culminates in a combined, department-wide performance.

This year, more than 140 musicians worked together, rehearsing since Music Camp, to come together and perform Bohemian Rhapsody. It was a wonderful showcase of the dedication, musicianship and teamwork of our students.

We would like to congratulate all of our musicians and staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the term to continue showcasing the Music Program through so many different performance opportunities.

The students are now preparing for visits to local aged-care facilities and feeder primary schools, as well as supporting the upcoming Colour Run, R U OK? Week and Fair Trade stalls throughout the remainder of the term.

Well done to all of our music students and staff for their continued commitment.

Alison Bellew

Music Programs Co-ordinator

On August 27th, the Year 12 Environmental Science students ventured into the City to connect their knowledge of environmental legislation and management to the real world.

The excursion started with a visit to Parliament House, including a tour through both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Chambers. We were lucky enough to visit on a day when both Houses were sitting and debating various issues, so experienced the ringing of the bell calling all members back into the Chambers followed by the voting on a Bill.

Following the tour, we met Georgie Purcell MP and Nick McGowan MP in the Legislative Council Committee Room for a personal Question and Answer session where students posed questions such as:

• Do you think the Environmental Effects Statement is effective enough on managing impacts?
• Would you say that the rules surrounding environmental legislation are effectively enforced?
• What factors restrict environmental legislation from being passed?
• How do you think environmental legislation enforcement could be improved?

Both Georgie and Nick really emphasised the importance of environmental legislation and its impact on the protection of our environment. Unfortunately, it was also evident that these pieces of legislation are not strong enough to protect the fragility of the Australian flora and fauna and really need to be updated and strengthened to protect our future.

After a lunch break, we travelled to Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium where students observed marine biodiversity, including threatened species such as the Weedy Sea Dragon (Victoria’s Marine Emblem), and learned about conservation programs and biosecurity initiatives. This gave students an opportunity to compare species management approaches at the aquarium with those encountered during our previous excursion to Werribee Zoo and Mt Rothwell.

The feedback from students, and parents, was overwhelmingly positive. It was evident that excursions like these bring the curriculum to life in a way that the classroom can't always replicate.

Ms Kate Chamberlain

VCE Environmental Science teacher

The annual Aquinas Science Tournament is a chance for Aquinas students to celebrate National Science Week. The theme of the nationwide event this year was “Seeds of Science - nurturing knowledge for all”. It focused on how scientific ideas grow, develop, and spread, much like seeds, emphasising curiosity, inquiry, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving across all scientific disciplines. The theme encouraged students to explore how knowledge takes root and flourishes when nurtured, shared, and applied.

During the Aquinas Science Tournament, all students in Science classes from Years 7–11, battled it out through various challenges to secure the top spot for their house. This helped further strengthen school spirit and gave everyone a chance to let their competitive side shine in the classroom. Throughout the eight days of the tournament, students were kept up to date on the house points tally helping to keep the competitive spirit burning. Individual students were also acknowledged with certificates, commendations and prizes for showing attributes such as teamwork, problem solving, courage to try new things, and a genuine enthusiasm for science.

Aquinas College students embraced this year’s national Science Week during the tournament through a variety of hands-on activities that not only explored the big ideas of the theme, but also highlighted how our science program continually nurtures curiosity and real-world thinking. Students took part in experiences that ranged from the simple but fun ice cube melting race in year 7, the hectic nervous system game in year 8, an intense mini escape room focussing on crystals, in year 9 to slightly more challenging activities in the senior years. These included the Kitchen Chemistry Relay Race, Light Maze Challenge, Newton’s Mini Golf Round Robin, and the Altered Reality Relay to name a few. Each activity was designed to bring classroom concepts to life and demonstrate how scientific knowledge can be applied in meaningful, practical ways.

At the recent whole school assembly, the student in each year level voted by teachers as giving an outstanding performance during the tournament was formally acknowledged with an award presented by the Principal, Mr. David Broadbent. These students were Lucy R for year 7, Kiara C for year 8, Jackson B for year 9, Samuel B for year 10 and Cleo H for year 11. The Aquinas Science Tournament trophy was presented to Holly McGill and Aiden Kruger, the senior student captains of the winning Dominic house.

Congratulations to all the students that participated in the tournament this year for their enthusiastic involvement. It is believed that nurturing the seeds of Science through events like this, will let a curiosity and thirst for knowledge about the world around us flourish in Aquinas students.

Dale Fredericks -  Laboratory Manager and Alex Bazzano - Science Learning Area Leader

On the 23rd of July, our Year 12 VM Literacy students visited Arcare Aged Care in Ringwood to meet and interact with residents as part of their Community Advocacy unit. After watching ‘Old People’s Home for Teenagers’ and recognising that teenagers and senior citizens have a great deal in common, students interviewed Arcare residents to learn about their lives and their connections to the community. Our students engaged in active listening and displayed interpersonal skills such as empathy, patience and genuine care.

Here are some reflections from our students:

Listening to the resident’s story helped me understand how much wisdom older people carry and how their experiences shape the way they see the world. I learned that many of the challenges they faced: uncertainty, change, hard work are still relevant today, just in different forms. What I’ll remember most is the sense of resilience and calm that comes from a lifetime of experiences. Hearing their story made me appreciate older people more deeply and reminded me that every person has a history worth listening to.

-Izzy

I honestly enjoyed my experience with Bill, he was kind hearted and strong willed. He explained ways of how I could open up and control my shyness. He taught me that a lot of people have so many hardships and are so different from us but it’s still worthwhile to try your best to excel and reach your goals and never give up.

-Chrissy

I learned that many older people enjoy having company and sharing their memories. The visit helped me understand the importance of kindness, respect, and staying connected with others. It also showed me that spending even a short amount of time with someone can make a positive difference to their day. Overall, the excursion was enjoyable and helped me appreciate the value of building connections between younger and older people.

-Jackson

Over the past two years, we have developed a meaningful connection between Aquinas and Arcare and we look forward to continuing this program in 2027.

Alicia Wilson, Brendan O’Regan, Daniel Mackinnon

VM Literacy Teachers

The First Year Hospitality and Cookery Restaurant Night was a fantastic success, transforming the room into a vibrant Mexican fiesta filled with energy, colour and excitement. From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was buzzing, with students creating a warm and welcoming dining experience.

Our students worked incredibly hard to deliver an evening that showcased their developing skills in hospitality and cookery. The dining room was filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation as guests enjoyed scrumptious Mexican-inspired meals, carefully prepared and presented by our talented students. Every dish demonstrated the creativity, teamwork and attention to detail that our students have developed throughout the year.

Adding to the festive atmosphere was an impressive selection of delicious themed drinks, including a frozen apple margarita and traditional Mexican punch which perfectly complemented the Mexican menu and gave guests another opportunity to experience the students' creativity and service skills.

Behind the scenes, students demonstrated excellent teamwork, communication and organisation to ensure the evening ran smoothly. Their professionalism and enthusiasm were evident throughout the night.

Congratulations to our Hospitality and Cookery students on an outstanding restaurant night. It was a wonderful celebration of their hard work, talent and commitment throughout the term—and a Mexican fiesta that will certainly be remembered!

Meaghan Sadler and Gloria Coverdale

VET Hospitality and Cookery Teachers

Father Cooney presided over our College Mass, and we were delighted to welcome him into our school community for the first time.

The Mass provided an opportunity for our students and staff to come together in prayer and reflection, and to celebrate our shared faith and community. 

The Mass celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, in his reflection, Fr Cooney spoke about the hope at the heart of the Assumption – that death is not the end, but that we are raised into eternal life with God.

“Look after the world that you’re part of. God will be looking after you.”-  Father Cooney

Whole School Assembly
Last week, we came together for our Whole School Assembly to celebrate the achievements, effort and improvement of our students. From academic success and sporting achievements to the arts, social justice and sustainability, it was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the many ways our students contribute to College life. Principal Mr Broadbent reminded students that excellence is not about being the best, but about giving your best, persevering and making positive choices.

Our School Captains Ria and Oliver shared their thoughts on Excellence in the assembly. Here's a little of what they had to say about what excellence means to them: 

Ria

"Excellence does not just appear on the final stage or in the spotlight. It’s not about that final exam or that performance in front of hundreds of people. True excellence occurs in the small, quiet moments - the ones that nobody else sees. It is choosing to keep going when something feels difficult. It is putting your hand up when you are unsure, rather than being afraid to make a mistake... It is helping someone who is struggling, even when you know you will receive no recognition for it. It is arriving prepared, putting in the extra effort and taking pride in something that may never receive an award. These moments may seem small, but over time, they become habits. And those habits shape who we are. The most important measure of excellence is not whether you are better than someone else. It is whether you are becoming better than the person you were yesterday... Celebrate your achievements, be proud of how far you have come, and use them as motivation for what comes next. And to everyone else - remember that your opportunity for excellence does not require a certificate, a medal or a standing ovation. It starts in your next lesson, your next training session, your next rehearsal, your next conversation and your next choice."

Oliver

"As we celebrate the achievements of our students and staff today, I encourage you to remember that excellence looks different for everyone. For some, it may be achieving an outstanding academic result. For others, it may be stepping onto a stage, representing our school on the sporting field, creating something new, or simply having the courage to try something that once seemed impossible. Every day, each of us has the opportunity to make a choice: to settle for what is easy, or to challenge ourselves to become a little better.
Excellence is not instantaneous, nor is it remotely fast. Excellence is patience, built one decision at a time, one day at a time. As you leave here today, we challenge you to think about a way that you may have achieved excellence this year. Perhaps it was putting your hand up in class more often than last year. Or maybe it was performing better than you ever had before after dedicating time and effort into your sport. Excellence is not defined by how far ahead you are, but rather by the effort that you put in to keep moving forward."

VCE VM Captains – Mikayla and Sage

We’re excited to share with you some of the amazing things our VM students have achieved and experienced throughout Terms 2 and 3.

The Year 11 students had a fantastic term, taking part in activities such as Survivor Challengers, Bounce and a visit to Melbourne Zoo. These activities gave everyone the chance to work together, have fun and build new friendships.

During Term 3, the Year 11 students also visited the Melbourne Museum, where they watched the Extreme Weather film. This connected directly to their Personal Development unit on climate change, giving students the opportunity to explore extreme weather events and understand their connection to climate change.

They also visited the MCG and finished their work-related skills project with a VCE VM Fair, where students were able to step outside their comfort zones and try something different.

Our Year 12 students have also been busy, participating in the Amazing Race, team-building activities at Chadstone and Hijinx Hotel. These experiences have helped build teamwork, communication and leadership skills as we get closer to finishing Year 12.

This term, the Year 12 students visited ARCARE, where they had the chance to connect with a resident and learn about their past experiences. Students asked questions about the resident’s life and completed an assessment based on their life story.

Overall, it has been a really exciting term for VCE VM, with plenty of opportunities to learn, connect and make memories together. We’re proud of everything our VM cohort has achieved this term, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the rest of the year brings!

Sustainability Leader -  Maria S.

As we end the first week into the new SWITCH competition it is exciting to see the high scores that are coming across all our houses. Congratulations to Rice who is currently leading in the competition!

In the forthcoming weeks there is still a chance for the other houses to catch up. Collaboratively if we all follow the SWITCH protocol below, we can all contribute to a more sustainable Aquinas College. Hopefully these points will be able to grow even higher (and hopefully not fall).

 

Screens off

Windows closed

Items packed

Turn off lights

Cooling off

Heating off

Of course these practices can extend outside the classroom space. You can all be following your own guidelines of SWITCH at home. Whether it's switching off lights when you're not using the room, switching off the power points on your chargers and minimising turning your heating and cooling on and off all the time.

In conjunction with the annual Fair Trade Fair on the 4th of September there will also be a sustainability stall set up. A call to all students and staff to come along and grab a great bargain on pots and plants for you to spend some of your tickets on!

September is also nearing, and with that not only brings the spring season for many of our beautiful flowers to bloom but also the start of Biodiversity month. It is critical to ensure that we all maintain a huge variety of lifeforms and their ecosystems on earth. There is more pressure for our continent as we have 600,000 endemic species which we must ensure none end up extinct. In order to maintain such a biodiverse Australia we must continue to protect our threatened wildlife from extinction. We can all take a step in our local communities to help protect our local wild species. There are many small actions that you can all do at home. Simple gardening chores such as pulling weeds out of your yards, composting, taking care of your cat's whereabouts in the local area, as well as reducing, reusing and recycling our wastes all help.

In accordance with the Australian Government - Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water the annual National Threatened Species Bake Off will be occurring. Aquinas will be celebrating this day by running our own bake off in J1.03 on the 7th of September at lunchtime. Students are invited to decorate a cookie with a threatened species including habitat features for free. There will be prizes for the best decorated cookie and best effort. So bring your friends and come along to join in the fun, and learn more about our threatened species.

Social Justice Leader - Elicia

We are excited to announce that our annual Fair Trade Fair is coming up on the 4th of September. Fair trade means supporting producers and workers by ensuring they receive fairer pay and are treated ethically, while also encouraging more sustainable production. It’s a chance to think about the impact of what we buy and support businesses that are making a positive difference.

At the Fair, we’ll have a range of stalls, including baked goods, plants, clothing, books, chocolate tosses and more. Tickets are available to purchase now via Trybooking.

Tickets are $1 each with a minimum of $5 to purchase.

This year the charity is the Opening The Doors Foundation, which is a First Nations led grassroots organisation which supports First Nations students across Victoria to attend the school of their choice with all necessary supplies.

Seeking Donations for the Fair Trade Fair

If you have any gently used clothing in need of a new home, or any unwanted books.

Please donate prior to the event on the 4th of September.

We also have our Tinnies for Vinnies campaign wrapping up for this year, and our final tally came to an impressive 1289 cans. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped support people experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community.

Performing Arts

Performing Arts classrooms have been busy this term, especially our senior classrooms! In term 3, year 12’s are getting ready for their external performance exams in term 4.

Drama and Theatre Studies 

Macsen - Performing Arts Captain

In the Drama department, Theatre Studies students are working on their monologue performances and their designs for monologue presentations.

This is the first year that Theatre Studies has run at Aquinas and students are working hard in rehearsals or trialing costumes, set and prop designs. Unit 4 students will present their monologue performance to an external panel in the middle of October. However, prior to this VCAA assessment day, everyone is welcome to attend the Monologue Performance Feedback Night on the 8th of October in the OD Room 6.30pm to preview these spectacular solos.

Music

Chris - Music Leader

The Aquinas Music Department has attended a number of events around the state. Last Thursday, four of our choirs attended The Royal South Street Eisteddfod at Federation University in Ballarat. Our Intermediate Stage Band is also drove up the freeway to Ballarat to perform as well. Additionally, the Victorian School Music Festival, or VSMF, ran in Hawthorn, with our concert bands and choirs attending throughout last week.

We had our annual Senior Showcase right here in the gym, where all of our senior bands, choirs, ensembles and groups performed for their family and friends. The night was the perfect finale for our year 12 students as it was a beautiful conclusion to their journey at Aquinas. The opening number Bohemium Rhapsody’ was a highlight of the performances as it allows all abilities to share the stage together.

Dance 

Taiya - Dance Leader

Dance has equally had a vibrant start in semester two with classes working towards their respective performance nights. For VCE Dancers our Performance Night will take place on the 14th of September at 7.00pm and feature the final solo pieces for both Year 11 and 12 students. This will be the last time our Year 12’s dance on the Mahon Stage prior to their VCAA performance exams in Term 4.

The Year 9 and 10 Dance Showcase for Semester 2 will take place next term on the 27th of October and will have over 75 students taking to the stage. One item titled ‘5 decades of dance’ will surely be a highlight for the audience as it will be a 7 minute evolution of dance featuring two year 9 dance classes, moving from 1950’s tap and rock and roll dancing to 90’s hip hop! Both events are Free and are a great opportunity to see what it means to study dance at Aquinas.

Finally, I wanted to reflect over the inaugural House Just Dance Competition that we ran in Term 3 last semester.We had a good turnout so thank you to everyone that came along and participated. I hope this legacy and dream of mine to run a House Dance Comp continues to grow over the coming years! Congratulations to Dominic House who won first place!

(Extra curricular) School Musical Production: Grease

Macsen Reynolds - Performing Arts Captain

The wonderful production of Grease took place in Weeks 2 and 3 of this Term.

What do you get when you combine 10 main characters, 15 featured actors, 12 backstage students, 24 featured dancers, 42 ensemble members, 12 student musicians, 9 staff musicians, 12 crew, 1 director, 1 assistant director and 1 choreographer? The answer is 6 sold out shows, life long memories and an overwhelming sense of pride!

The cast, crew and band of Grease totalled 139 people, who harmoniously worked together with the goal to make a sensational show. Grease is a timeless story about staying true to yourself, embracing change, and discovering that growing up often means taking chances! Our performers took that chance in auditioning for the show in 2025 then worked incredibly hard over the last year refining skills in singing, acting and dancing to ensure a high quality and entertaining Musical was delivered to our audiences. Thank you to the production team trio of Ms Goss, Ms Owen and Ms Harry who envisioned this show and brought it to life with their passion and dedication.

We now close the chapter on our time at Rydell High and thank all who supported this brilliant Production but we turn the next page to the possibility of what the 2027 show will be? …. …. …. Please stay tuned for an announcement in Term 4.

As we enter into the back half of the year, we would like to take the opportunity to share recent sports news here at Aquinas as well as look ahead for what's to come.

Firstly, well done to everyone’s efforts during the School Cross Country last term. Congratulations to Rice for taking home the win. Since then, our cross country team has been training for the EISM carnival, scheduled for September 9th. We have been so impressed with everyone’s effort and commitment to training and we look forward to hopefully taking home the trophy for a 3rd consecutive year.

Good job to the Aquinas netball teams for competing at the Victorian school championships recently. Further congratulations to the girls and boys intermediate and senior teams for finishing first in their respective pool. The teams will continue on to compete at the state finals later this week.

A small number of Aquinas students have been chosen to represent EISM at VSAC, the Victorian Schools Association Competition. We would like to congratulate these students for their hard work in their respective sports and wish them the best of luck for the day.

Our home and away season has come to an end for Senior EISM students. Well done to everyone who participated and a special congratulations to our year 12s who represented Aquinas for the last time. Congratulations to the Senior Boys Netball A team and Girls Volleyball B team on winning their grand finals.

Year 9’s will enter season 3 of EISM, they are currently in the middle of trials and will begin round 1 of their final season on the 10th September.

Finally, we’d like to thank everyone who has joined in with Physical Friday volleyball this term. We will be having a finals playoff for Seniors over the next few weeks, so look forward to that and make sure you get down to support your favourite team.

Kiah - Sports Captain 

Eleisha - Sports Leader

Each year, Secondary Schools Deaf Sports Day brings together Deaf and hard of hearing students from across Victoria for a day of sport, fun, friendship and connection. This year, students from St Mary’s College for the Deaf at Aquinas College joined students from St Mary’s other campuses at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne for a memorable day of activities and shared experiences.

There was something for everyone, with students taking part in a range of activities including Handball, AFL, Netball, Basketball, Fencing, Chess, Darts and board games. While the weather was a little wet, it certainly didn’t dampen the students’ enthusiasm! They embraced the opportunity to get involved, cheer each other on and enjoy some friendly competition.

One of the highlights of the day was seeing students from different schools and campuses getting to know one another and building connections. There were plenty of smiles, high-fives and words of encouragement throughout the day, creating a wonderful sense of belonging and community.

Events such as Deaf Sports Day provide an important opportunity for students at St Mary’s College for the Deaf to connect with other Deaf and hard of hearing young people who share similar experiences. We are proud of the partnership between Aquinas College and St Mary’s College for the Deaf and the opportunities it provides for our students to learn, participate and belong within our wider school community.

Andrew Mountford

St Mary's  - Educational Auslan Interpreter & Communications Officer

From August 10th to 14th, the Year 9 students in Chisholm, Dominic and Mackillop took part in an action-packed STRIVE Week, exploring regional Victoria, diving into Melbourne’s diverse suburbs, and engaging in personal growth workshops back on campus.

Designed to foster independence, team collaboration, and community investigation, the week provided students with hands-on learning experiences across multiple environments.

Exploring Regional Victoria and City Hubs

• Monday (Marysville): Students travelled by coach to Marysville on a dreary and rainy day but made the most of their experience and were in high spirits throughout the day. They saw Steavenson Falls in full flow, visited Gallipoli Park, spent time in town, and reflected on community resilience while visiting the local Bushfire Memorial. One of the main highlights was visiting the Bakery and Lolly Shop in town.
• Tuesday & Wednesday (Docklands & St Kilda): Navigating the city via public transport, students investigated suburban lifestyle factors, comparative livability, and public amenities. Highlights of the city days included Ice Skating at O'Brien Icehouse in Docklands and a bowling session at Strike QV. Both activities were challenging and the students showed great resilience and perseverance to do their best.

On-Campus Collaboration and Wellbeing

• Thursday (Presentation & Pitch Day): Synthesising their research from Marysville, Docklands, and St Kilda, student groups worked collaboratively to prepare and pitch a presentation titled "The Best Place to Live". The day wrapped up with a year-level trivia competition.
• Friday (Personal Growth & Workshops): Students focused on personal development and resilience through interactive sessions:
  • Resilience Activities: Group challenges designed to build problem-solving skills and mental fortitude.
  • African Drumming: A high-energy, hands-on workshop building rhythm, cultural awareness, and teamwork.

Year 9 Camp and Personal Growth Seminars (Mannix, McCormack & Rice)

While half of the cohort explored Melbourne and its surrounding regions, students in Mannix, McCormack, and Rice spent Monday to Wednesday away on Year 9 Camp, taking on outdoor challenges and connecting with peers in a natural setting. Upon returning to campus on Thursday, they participated in a dynamic series of team-building activities designed to strengthen communication and problem-solving skills. To cap off the week on Friday, students were split into targeted, gender-based wellbeing sessions: the boys engaged in 'The Man Cave' seminar focusing on healthy masculinity and mental health, while the girls participated in 'The Big Sister' program, exploring self-awareness, positive relationships, and empowerment.

Congratulations to all Year 9 students for their enthusiastic participation, leadership, and exemplary behaviour throughout a memorable week!

Travis Davidson

Middle Years Activity Coordinator

Year 9 Mannix, McCormack and Rice students enjoyed a fun-filled 3 days of Camp at YMCA Anglesea. They participated in a range of activities including High Ropes, Giant Swing, Vertical Challenge and Mountain Biking. Each student participated in an overnight Hiking Expedition where they pitched a tent and cooked their own dinner on a trangia. Congratulations to each student who stepped out of their comfort zone and demonstrated the College value of Perseverance multiple times throughout each day of Camp. Thank you to the attending staff and past students who supported students to grow and develop.  

Jeff Harrington

Camps Co-ordinator

Student Reflections from Finn, Felicity and Maddy:

Our Year 9 camp was at a new location in Anglesea and was a really exciting change because it gave us the opportunity to try activities that challenged us in different ways. One of the highlights was the hiking expo, where we had the experience of staying overnight in a tent. For many of us, this was outside our comfort zones and taught us how to be independent and resilient, especially in the cold weather.

We also took part in a range of activities around the campsite, including mountain biking, the vertical challenge, and many other outdoor activities. While these activities weren’t always easy, they encouraged us to keep trying, support our friends, and push ourselves further.

Compared to Coolamatong where we used to have our camp, the Anglesea camp offered a different experience, with more opportunities to explore the outdoors and challenge ourselves physically and mentally.

It was a great opportunity for us as Year 9 students and helped us build resilience, independence and confidence while creating memories with our friends.

Aquinas Career News can be found HERE 

Topics this week include:

• Dates to Diarise in Term 3
• Bachelor of Health and Medical Science at Charles Sturt University
• News from Monash University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Master’s Accelerated Pathway
  • Campus Tours and Events
• The Federation University Co-operative Model
• New Courses introduced in 2026 at Swinburne University
• Reminder: ACU Guarantee and Guided Tour dates
• RMIT Student for a Day
• Swinburne - Fashion Portfolio Workshop
• AFL SportsReady Traineeships for School Leavers
• Melbourne Zoo - Voice for Wildlife Program
• The Hotel School: Industry Insights Program - Melbourne
• William Angliss Tour and Patisserie Experience
• Nursing and/or Midwifery Degrees in Victoria in 2026
• Nursing – Division 2 (Enrolled) Diploma Courses in Victoria in 2026
• Snapshot of CQU – Melbourne Campus in 2026
• Upcoming Events, OPEN DAYS and Opportunities

Vanessa Ramsay

Careers Counsellor