From the Principal
We commemorated Ash Wednesday this week, the start of our 40-day Lenten season. In last weekend’s ‘Faith’ column in The Sunday Age, Anne Rennie reflected on the tradition of Lent as a time of fasting, one that has roots in the Jewish roots of Christianity as well as replicating Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Mark 1). Encapsulating the tradition of Lent as a time of ‘omission’, Rennie paired this with our Catholic faith as a Resurrection of people, writing of this as also a time of ‘commission’.
How do we use our time of reflection on the sacrifice of Christ and the lead-up to Easter as a chance to better the lives of those around us? Project Compassion certainly provides a tangible way to contribute materially to others. As a people 'commissioned’ by Christ, we are also called to live our values in the positive and compassionate ways we interact with each other every day.
Opening College Mass & Induction of Student Leaders
Monday 19 February we will celebrate our Opening College Mass for 2024. I look forward to the honour of being inducted as Aquinas Principal alongside our Year 8-12 student leaders during this Mass (Year 7 leaders will be chosen on their upcoming camps). In 2024, we welcome new Year 12 Leadership positions in Faith, Social Justice and Sustainability.
Year 12 leaders
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College Captains
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Isobel Mugamu
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Connor Haughie
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Vice Captains
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Bella Schneiders
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Lucas Mandaliti
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VCE-VM Captains
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Brock Elson
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Kahli-Ann Wynne
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College Ambassadors
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Olivia Westaway
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Jarred Lechner
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College Board Rep
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Catrin Webb
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Environmental Leader
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Emma Hewins
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Faith Leader
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Josh Tolcher
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Social Justice Leader
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Chloe Lopez
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Sport Captains
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Georgia Kavanagh
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Georgia Scheer
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Thomas Vardy
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Music Captains
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Guitar - Lachlan Bruni
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Band - Sarai Nunez
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Vocal - Cody Boland
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Year 11 leaders
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Year 11 Captains
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Evie Evans
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Joseph Campbell
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Student Engagement and Culture
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Lachie Buyck
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Academic Excellence
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Tyra Wu
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Social Justice & Sustainability
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Maeve Wilkinson
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Student Wellbeing and Diversity
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Gabby Linton
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Year 10 leaders
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Year 10 Captains
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Nicholas Schulties
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Holly McGill
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Year 10 Vice Captains
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Gracie Laffin
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Garcia Mckrell-Bonacci
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Social Justice and Sustainability
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Will Elliot
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Ria Jijose
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Student Engagement and Culture
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Lily Seadon
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Lucy Postill
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Student Diversity and Wellbeing
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Jessica Gilbert
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Music Captain
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Rose Ennis
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Academic Excellence
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Efrosyni Kyriakos
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Sport Captain
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Lachlan Ghosn
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Year 9 Leaders
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Year 9 Captains
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Dulcie White
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Deon Jito
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House Captains
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Dominic -
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MacKillop -
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Rice -
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Abbey Bruni
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Riley Kwong
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Charlotte Jones
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Pia Crozier
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Charli Lowe
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Zac Parker
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Year 8 Leaders
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Year 8 Captains
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Naomi Mugamu
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Oliver Simkin
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Partnership
Thank-you to the huge number of parents and guardians who attended the Year Level information evenings over the past fortnight. It is gratifying to have such a tangible measure of our partnership with families and, personally, I appreciated the welcomes and chats with so many parents and guardians.
Aquinas Choir
One of the great benefits of our community is the wide range of opportunities available. Last week, I attended the induction of the 26 new MACS Principals at the Catholic Leadership Centre. One of the highlights of the day was having our Aquinas Choir perform at the induction Mass, to the praise of all in attendance - including our celebrant.
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. Please see www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/enrolment/#college-tours for more details.