Expanding our spirituality: three additional House patrons

At the conclusion of our recent whole-school Patron’s Mass, we honoured our current House patrons - Saint Dominic de Guzman, Blessed Edmund Rice and Saint Mary MacKillop. There was a murmur of excitement immediately following this, as it was revealed that the three additional patrons for the 2026 Vertical House system would be announced in the College Assembly the following morning. College Captain Evie Evans and Vice Captain Lachie Buyck announced each new patron as a very audible buzz of excitement washed over the assembly while they outlined the admirable traits of our new Catholic patrons, chosen as a result of consultation with students, staff and families: 

• Caroline Chisholm, an English woman who migrated to Australia in 1838 and who you might recognise on the $5 note. She became concerned about the many single female immigrants who often found themselves in difficult economic and social situations. Caroline Chisholm significantly aided Australia's development by helping female immigrants and young families, providing them with housing, jobs, and support networks. She established the Female Immigrants' Home in Sydney and a free employment agency, and also worked to improve conditions for immigrants on ships and help families who wanted to come to Australia. Chisholm House will be blue.
• Archbishop Daniel Mannix was the longest serving Archbishop of Melbourne, from 1912-1962. This outstanding church leader immigrated from Ireland to Australia to become a popular and dynamic leader of Australian Catholics, most of whom were Irish in origin up to the 1950s. Mannix was a tireless fighter for the rights and the funding of Catholic schools like ours. When Mannix added the spires of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, the Irish Government presented him with a Celtic cross which can be seen at the top of the central spire of the cathedral. Mannix house will be purple.
• A more recent Australian, Sister Irene McCormack worked as a teacher in country schools for over 30 years. In 1987, she moved to Peru - the same country our new Pope has worked in for many years - where Sr McCormack worked to serve the poor. She strengthened communities by building libraries and identifying leaders from within those Peruvian communities who could encourage others. In 1991, Sister Irene McCormack was shot dead by terrorists who did not want her work of strengthening communities to continue. McCormack is predicted to be Australia’s second saint, in recognition of her wonderful work in education and in supporting the poor and needy. McCormack House will be orange.

Our Vertical pastoral system in 2026 will consist of these six houses: Chisholm, Dominic, MacKillop, Mannix, McCormack, Rice.

We look forward to developing the new crests, House prayers and other features for each House for the launch of the 2026 Vertical Pastoral system. For the latest details, please click on this link to the Vertical Pastoral FAQs (also in PAM>Knowledge Banks>Lighthouse).

National Sorry Day (26 May) & Reconciliation Week (27 May - 3 June)

Last week I was present at the smoking ceremony conducted by Wurundjeri elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr. for the opening of a new building at a nearby Catholic school. Amid the learnings Uncle Colin provided about the land on which both that school and Aquinas College reside, he urged those gathered to enhance our self-education by watching the SBS series The First Inventors. Having viewed the series, I highly endorse the recommendation as an entertaining way to learn from indigenous academics and elders about the incredible achievements of the world’s longest continuous cultures, as well as the encounters that show the importance of why we commemorate Reconciliation Week each year.

While a small group of our Journey Tracks students were privileged to take part in The Long Walk and the Dreamtime at the ‘G last Friday (see below), Aquinas College has a tradition of ensuring we connect with the whole of our local community through the Aquinas Long Walk. Next Monday 2 June, we will welcome local primary and secondary school representatives, as well as members of The Long Foundation, Fire Carriers and Essendon Football Club to walk together with our whole school community 'bridging now to next’ for Reconciliation Week, reflecting Jesus’ mission to walk, listen and talk in harmony with all our brothers and sisters.

David Broadbent 

Principal

The Aquinas College School Advisory Council (SAC) provides an important link between the college community and the leadership group, in particular, we provide direct advice to the Principal. As a former student (class of 1997) and with three children at the college (years 11, 9 and 7), I was pleased to take on the role of chairperson this year after a great contribution from Chris Leahy. It is often said that there is ‘something unique about Aquinas’ and this has continued to be the case over the years. From singing the school song to the connections and friendships made, there is a strong sense of belonging that we want to nurture and enhance. Towards the end of each school year, we begin working on the goals and plans for the SAC for the year to come. The SAC has been focussed on the following areas this year:

•  Aquinas College Spirit - Supporting initiatives of the alumni community and maintaining a direct presence at college activities including the Open Day.
•  Aligned our meetings to the Aquinas Values - At each meeting the SAC focuses on a key value of the College (High Expectations, Spirit, Inclusivity, Respect) and/or on the focus areas of “Academics, Connection and Compassion”. This provides an opportunity for the SAC to discuss and provide advice where appropriate. To date we have received comprehensive presentations on technology, master planning and student wellbeing and associated aggregated data.
•  Financial Sustainability - Our meetings also have an emphasis on financial sustainability and the modelling of master planning.

As always we are keen to engage with anyone wanting to know more about the work of the SAC as we all work together to support improvements, planning and innovations at Aquinas College.

Andrew Conway

Chairperson - School Advisory Council

Reconciliation is a sacrament of healing, forgiveness and love, an opportunity to seek forgiveness for errors and to make amends. There are always two parts to reconciliation, the repentance or seeking of forgiveness and the action to demonstrate a change in action or word. Without these two parts it is hard to truly forgive. In Luke’s gospel, there is a story of a woman who washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and dries them with her hair. He tells her that through her actions, her sins are forgiven. She demonstrated hospitality and respect which the owner of the home did not show Jesus. He says to the homeowner “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Reconciliation week began last Tuesday in Australia and continues until the 3 June. These are significant dates for our country. The 27 May marks the referendum of 1967 where the aboriginal people were recognised as human beings and not fauna. The 3 June represents the federal courts delivering the Mabo decision. This year’s theme is “Bridging Now to Next”, which is what we hope to achieve as a whole nation. Just like our belief in reconciliation as seeking forgiveness and changing our ways, so it is with the need to make changes here in Australia. Often, we tell children not to say sorry unless they mean it - that is, there is no point saying sorry if they are going to continue the action or behaviour. There must always be change to reconcile the differences. Next week as the college community walks the Aquinas Long Walk - may our actions of standing in solidarity with our first nation people continue to grow in hope, understanding and communion.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal Mission

Women in Leadership Dinner

Staff from Aquinas College accompanied Mr Broadbent and myself to the annual dinner last week at the Sofitel. Keynote speaker, Star of the Sea Alum Rita Arrigo, spoke about her involvement in the development of AI in Australia. Her mission is to elevate Australia's AI adoption and cultivate a responsible AI industry. Rita is a long time judge of the Women in AI Awards and she is committed to supporting women and building strong female networks. You can find more information about Rita’s work here: Rita Arrigo

Welcome to New staff

We welcome Rebecca Hayes who joins our ESS department as a Learning Support Officer.

 Australia’s Best Teacher awards 2025

Aquinas College was so proud to have two staff nominated by students/ families in 2024, and we encourage you to nominate our outstanding teachers for this year's Australia's Best Teacher awards. The Top 50 teachers will be announced on 21st June.

Please nominate here www.AustraliasBestTeacher.com.au

Gina Goss
Assistant Principal - Staff

Senior Years Report

As we enter into the second half of the semester, the final weeks of term are likely to pass quickly for students. For senior year students, June is commonly a time of assessments.

Year 10s will soon undertake their first formal exams as a cohort sitting exams in both English and Maths. Leading up to this time assessments in other subjects will continue. Year 11 VCE students will complete a six day exam timetable for all their subjects.

These exams differ significantly from regular classroom assessments, which usually focus on a single topic. Instead, exams evaluate learning across a broader range of content.

This shift in format requires new study strategies and a deeper level of preparation. Parents can support by encouraging students to follow their cycle plans, complete assigned homework that reinforces daily lessons. Alongside the assigned homework, students need to manage revision strategies as well as access the practice papers provided to test how well they are retaining and recalling the content.

Students who perform well in exams typically engage in consistent revision strategies such as using: flashcards, self-quizzes, writing summary resources, completing practice tasks under test conditions and persisting in seeking feedback to clarify areas of uncertainty into their regular study repertoire. These habits reflect a mindset that values actions through effort and persistence over innate ability.

One of the most effective study strategies is spaced practice revisiting content in repeated, focused sessions over time is better than single long study sessions. What this looks like at home is that students study for a short period, test their learning with practice questions and then take a break and the cycle continues, as opposed to long periods of free time followed by long periods of study. This technique helps strengthen memory and improve retrieval, which are critical for exam success.

While most students will see a shift in subjects or timetables after the semester break, Year 12 students will begin their next unit of study, Unit 4 before the break. This transition before the end of term ensures they are well-prepared for the demands of their final term and VCE assessments.

Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

Over the past few weeks, our Middle Years students have explored the use of Google Calendar during ‘Techno Tuesday’ homeroom time. This dedicated time has focused on developing digital literacy and organisational skills.

Students have been learning to navigate the platform effectively, entering their class timetables and extracurricular activities. The goal has been to support students in developing independence in time management, planning, and prioritising their commitments which key life skills that will support them both academically and personally.

It's been pleasing to see students take ownership of their schedules, with many commenting on how they prefer the digital calendar to the existing school planner.

We encourage families to ask students to share their calendars at home. It’s a great way to stay informed about what’s happening during the school week and to open up conversations about time management and balance.

Techno Tuesday will continue to explore new digital tools and topics designed to enhance our students’ confidence and capability in a digital world.

Sam Storey
Head Middle Years

Winter Appeal: Keep the Generosity Coming!

Our Winter Appeal is well underway, and the spirit of giving is alive in our school community. Through our annual "2 Can" Drive, we’re proudly supporting the St Vincent de Paul Society (St Vinnies) and helping bring relief to those doing it tough this season.

In just the first week, we’ve collected over 300 items – a great start! But we’ve still got a long way to go to reach our goal of 2,000 items, so please keep the donations coming.

We’re asking each student to bring in at least two items, such as non-perishable food (like canned goods, pasta, rice, or long-life milk) or basic toiletries (like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, or deodorant). Every single donation helps, and together we can make a meaningful impact.

Let’s show how strong our community spirit really is. Keep bringing in those items – and check out how your class is doing in the tally below!

Martha Mugamu
Social Justice & Outreach Coordinator

Not Just Jazz - In Winter!

Our jazz ensembles kept the gym sizzling with their Not Just Jazz - In Winter! performance on Tuesday, 20 May. Almost 200 family and friends enjoyed a picnic dinner entertained by our Stage Bands, Improv Combos, Choirs and staff bands.

Thank you to PACE, the Parents and Community Engagement Network, for supporting us with the ever-popular raffle, as well as selling choc tops and raising money through the bar.

Thank you also to the Year 11 hospitality staff for providing the decorations, helping with setup and breakdown, and for making the espresso martinis, mulled wine and other offerings from the bar. 

Music Camp

Our annual Music Camp will be held next week at Amberley, Lower Plenty. Music Camp allows an intensive rehearsal period for our Instrumental Ensembles, as well as providing a unique opportunity for all music students to rehearse together on a Combined Item. This Combined Item includes all year levels and all instruments, and always produces one of the highlights of the year. Last year produced the epic James Bond Theme medley, performed at Senior and Junior Showcase, as well as at Assembly. This year’s (still secret) Combined Item has just come back from the arranger, and we can’t wait to share it with the music students next week!

Alison Bellew and Emily McKenzie
Music Program Coordinators

Recycling and sport is a winning combination

Preloved footwear – deposit here at Aquinas College

Over 110 million shoes that make their way to Australian shores each year. Sadly only 1% are collected and recycled after use. Shoe components can take up to 1000 years to decompose in landfill. But instead of throwing unused shoes in the bin, you can drop them off at Aquinas College until the end of term two.

A program called TreadLightly, operated by the Australian Sporting Goods Association with support from the federal government through the National Product Stewardship Investment Fund (NPSIF) will give your old, used footwear a new life and save hundreds of tonnes from landfill. The footwear is collected and sent to a recycling plant for sorting and processing here in Australia. Reusable components are extracted, including rubber, leather and fibres at the recycling facility. Reclaimed materials are used to manufacture new products such as gym mats, floors and playgrounds. 

Aquinas College is accepting:

• Athletic Lifestyle Shoes

• Any Sports Branded Shoes

• Thongs And Slides

• Football Boots

• Sneakers

• Trainers

• Runners

• Golf Shoes

Simply tie the laces together and drop them off at the Catholic Life Office for recycling. Alternatively, you can find your closet drop off point by clicking here: https://treadlightly.asga.com.au/collection-locations/

Karyn Myers

Sustainability Coordinator

Last Wednesday the 21st of May the dance community of Aquinas College gathered in the Mahon Theatre to observe the Unit 1 and Unit 3 VCE Dance Performance Night- ‘Let’s Dance’.

The evening opened and closed with whole class dance works. The Unit 1 class began with their vibrant dance titled ‘Mercy’ which paid homage to iconic choreographer Bob Fosse. Fosse is known as the inventor of Jazz Dance with his signature body isolations, finger clicks, jazz hands, props and black costuming. Dressed in black flapper dresses and bowler hats the Year 11 class dazzled the audience with their traditional jazz piece. Closing the show was the Year 12 Unit 3 Dancers with their contemporary piece titled ‘Statues’. This dance work conveyed the intention of statues coming to life, interacting and then returning to their initial poses. The movement utilized moments of stillness, an impressive lift and exciting jumps and elevations.

The evening also showcased self-choreographed solos that intend to show off versatile technique and personal aesthetic. With students coming from so many different backgrounds in dance there was excellent variety on show with fusions of styles such as contemporary, modern, calisthenics, jazz, k pop, highland and hip hop dance.

The courage and confidence was exceptional from students with some students being life long performers while others performed their very first solo of their dance career.

Thank you to all who supported the event and our wonderful dance cohort.

Sarah Owen
Dance Teacher

Some quotes from our Year 12 students:

“This was our last time dancing together as a class- so it was bittersweet, but we enjoyed every moment”- Keeley

“It was great to be onstage for the first time since Year 11 Dance! With the lights, costume and sound booming in the Mahon, your solo comes to life!”- Hannah

“Thank you to the extra VCE Assessors who attended to provide feedback- it’s fantastic to get a variety of opinions on Year 12 work”- Lily

As we progress through 2025, Humanities teachers have been hard at work preparing for the introduction of the Victorian Curriculum Version 2, which will be implemented in 2026. This updated curriculum aims to ensure that all students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities needed to thrive in a fast-changing and interconnected world. Our staff are using this year to engage in deep professional learning and collaborative planning to deliver the best outcomes for our students.

Alongside this, our department is actively incorporating the MACS Vision for Instruction, which supports teachers in developing engaging, evidence-based lessons that enable every student to achieve their full potential. This shared vision promotes high expectations, deep thinking, and inclusive classroom environments where students can grow both academically and personally.

A vital part of Humanities learning is helping students connect their studies to real-world contexts and local communities. This semester, our Year 9 Geography students completed fieldwork in the Dandenong Ranges as part of their Tourism unit. This hands-on experience gave students the chance to examine the impact of tourism from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. Meanwhile, our Year 7 History students visited the Melbourne Museum during Connect Week, exploring Australia’s past from ancient Indigenous cultures through to modern history. These experiences make the curriculum tangible and meaningful for students, reinforcing the relevance of Humanities in everyday life.

Moments of Connection

Humanities classrooms are not just places for learning content—they’re spaces where students grapple with real-world issues, challenge ideas, and discover how their voices and questions matter. Whether it's a spontaneous discussion sparked by current events or a mock trial that pushes students out of their comfort zones, these moments remind us that learning is as much about exploration and participation as it is about outcomes.

The reflections below—from a classroom teacher and two students—offer insight into the kinds of meaningful, sometimes unexpected, learning that take place in Humanities.

Legal Studies Mock Trial at Swinburne University

“I participated in the mock trial at Swinburne by acting as a witness. I was super nervous but had fun with it anyway and enjoyed socialising with our opposing school afterwards. I really enjoyed seeing my classmates get very into the trial and hearing the advice from the acting judge, a teacher at Swinburne. It was also great learning from him what it's like to learn there as a student and work in various fields of law. A great experience and a valuable one for those who see a future in law.”

— Maggie K 

“On the 28th of April, both of the Legal Studies classes took a trip to Swinburne University to attend the mock trial we had prepared for. Overall, the experience was welcoming and positive. My class was the first trial of the day, and it went well for both sides. Everyone had great arguments and showed their public speaking skills, which was great. Although the final judgment wasn’t what we were hoping for, it was still great to be a part of the mock trial team.”

— Massimo P 

Teaching moments

“Recently, while teaching a Year 8 Humanities class about the planning challenges created by urbanisation, I found myself in the lively aftermath of the Federal Election. The room lit up with hands as students probed the links between political parties, policy, and the responsibilities adults shoulder. They wanted to know how taxation works, how parties differ, why governments draw up budgets, and what right the government has to regulate citizens.

In that moment, I faced a familiar teacher’s choice: honour their sudden burst of wonder, or steer doggedly back to the lesson objectives. The curriculum provides a map, yet authentic student inquiry is a treasure. To stifle it would have felt both joyless and bureaucratic, so I answered their questions while gently tethering each detour to our central theme.

Teaching is full of such trade-offs, and adults in every field confront comparable dilemmas. With that class, I was reminded that the Humanities give pupils the tools to navigate them. History, Geography, Civics, and Economics supply the vocabulary and concepts that underpin informed citizenship and responsible adulthood. Watching those Year 8 students draw lines between the topics in the classroom and the wider world reminded me that schools are not merely repositories of knowledge; they are rehearsal rooms for active participation in society.”

— David Campbell, Teacher of VCE History and Humanities

As we look ahead to Semester 2, we remain committed to providing rich, challenging, and relevant learning experiences in the Humanities. Thank you to the teachers, students, and parents for your continued support and partnership in nurturing the next generation of informed, thoughtful, and active citizens.

Steve O'Brien

Humanities Learning Area Leader

On May 27th, Year 11 VCE Environmental Science students took their learning into the field with visits to Ringwood Lake and Myuna Wetlands in Doveton. The purpose of the excursion was to collect first-hand data to compare ecological characteristics between the two sites.

While Ringwood Lake is a highly accessible and urbanised area, Myuna Wetlands offers a more natural setting with limited public access. Notably, the wetlands are home to a permanent colony of Grey-headed Flying Foxes—an endemic and ecologically significant species that plays a critical role in pollination and seed dispersal. This species is also listed as vulnerable, making its conservation particularly important.

Throughout the day, students investigated key environmental factors including water quality, soil type and condition, biodiversity, and the impact of urbanisation. They observed differences in how the two ecosystems are managed and maintained, further informing their understanding of human influence on natural environments.

The data collected during the excursion will be analysed back in the classroom as part of the students’ Student Designed Investigation (SDI), allowing them to apply scientific methods and deepen their understanding of ecosystem dynamics.

Ms Kate Chamberlain
VCE Environmental Science teacher

Students are currently studying 'SISXPLD002' Deliver Recreational Sessions.

Small groups are responsible for delivering 3 different recreational sessions as part of their practical assessment,

One of these is organising a Sporting Tournament for Grade 3s from Great Ryrie Primary School to participate in.

Aquinas College students choose the sport, modify the rules, create a fixture, organise equipment and assign other students in the class a role for the day (such as umpire or coach).

On Thursday 22nd May we enjoyed a successful Netball Tournament led by Aria, Emma, Sage, Hannah and Isabelle on the SAM Courts. It was great to see the way they really took charge of the day to organise the Grade 3s and communicate with their Teachers. They applied their problem solving skills throughout the games and managed the rest of our class really well. They have once again set the bar high for the other two groups for their session.

We look forward to upcoming Basketball and Soccer Tournaments with Great Ryrie Primary School in coming weeks.

Jeff Harrington  

Teacher

Helping run the Netball Tournament with GRPS was a great experience that showed how valuable sport and recreation can be. Leading up to the day, we all worked hard preparing fixtures, allocating roles, and organising equipment and I made sure to contribute wherever I could, even with the smaller details that helped everything run smoothly. On the day, my responsibilities included collecting scores from umpires at halftime and full time, tracking tournament results, handling draws, sharing outcomes with the marshall, managing the First Aid Station, doing walk-throughs, assisting teachers with first aid and helping with incident reporting. Sage played a vital role as our floater, making sure the event ran smoothly, reminding staff of their responsibilities, covering or replacing roles when needed and managing equipment throughout the day. Aria was in charge of announcements delivering the introduction and farewell, giving directions, starting and ending games, and umpiring. Hannah and Emma both did a great job umpiring, keeping the games fair and fun for all ages. We made sure the tournament was inclusive and adapted to suit different ages, skill levels, and medical needs. I learned how important communication, organisation, and flexibility are, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. Huge thanks to GRPS for being such enthusiastic participants and to the whole team for pulling off a successful and memorable day.

-Isabelle B 

PATRONS MASS

Last week we were honoured to have Fr. Dispin lead our Mass and share a powerful message inspired by the lives of our Patrons: Blessed Edmund Rice, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and St Dominic.

“Love yourself. Build yourself into someone strong, dependable, and courageous... Then have the courage to share that love with others... If someone is in need, someone is struggling, don't just walk past. Pick up those who are in need, immediately.”

A reminder that self-love is the foundation for loving and lifting those around us.

This week we came together for a whole school assembly, reflecting on the theme of 'Community'

In the words of our College Captain Evie "At Aquinas, community means more than a shared place... it's about the support, companionship and care that we offer to each other... every person in our Aquinas family belongs and that together, we are stronger"

It was great to hear about the busy term so far and to watch some amazing performances from the music students who toured NYC!

A special moment in the assembly was the exciting announcement from Evie and our Vice Captain Lachie about the names of three new houses uniting us in 2026, as part of our new vertical pastoral system!

Introducing our new houses: Mannix, McCormack and Chisholm!

 

Jarrah and I alongside students from year 10-12 were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to travel up to healesville to join Worawa in their 9th annual reconciliation sports carnival. The sports that they had on offer ranged from 100m sprints to Netball. The girls that competed in AFL were privileged to be in a team alongside the Worawa students and made their way to the grand final scoring the winning goal in the last 10 seconds against Mt. Lilydale Mercy College. It was an amazing day full of many laughs and gave a real insight into the reasons why reconciliation is so important. We received T-shirts to mark the day and will be proudly wearing them as we commence ‘The long walk’ on Monday.
Millie P and Jarrah H  - Year 12  

Aquinas College proudly sent a team to the Reconciliation Week Sports Carnival held at Worawa Aboriginal College in Healesville. It was a day filled with connection, competition, and community spirit, bringing together students from across Victoria to celebrate culture and unity through sport.

Our girls joined forces with the Worawa College football team, and together they delivered a thrilling performance—securing the win in the dying seconds of the game! It was an unforgettable moment of teamwork and determination.

As part of Reconciliation Week, this carnival is more than just a sporting event. It’s a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, respect, and partnership in building a more inclusive future. We’re incredibly proud of our students for representing Aquinas with such passion and sportsmanship.

🏐 Netball – Our girls showed incredible teamwork and spirit, finishing in third place.
🏉 Football – In a highlight of the day, our students joined forces with Worawa College clinched victory in the dying seconds of a great match.
🏃‍♀️ Athletics Highlights: Maeve W placed third in the Senior Cross-Country. In the 100m Sprint, Zoe came third and Gabby stormed into second place. 

A huge congratulations to all staff and students involved. 

On Friday night a group of students had a night to remember as they proudly took part in the pre-game ceremony for the Essendon vs Richmond Dreamtime at the G clash, joining Michael Long for the final leg of The Long Walk. Standing together in celebration of the start of Reconciliation Week - a powerful reminder of the importance of listening, learning and walking together toward a more inclusive future. A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful experience possible.

Several Indigenous students were granted the opportunity to attend the 'Dreamtime at the G' AFL match between Richmond and Essendon. We gathered at the school at 2:30 PM, where a catered meal was provided, including a muffin, a wrap, and a drink. We travelled on the earliest train and attended a festival that featured many incredible pre-game entertainment events. There were numerous performers including hip hop artist Briggs, spokespeople including founder Michael Long OAM and Minister for Indigenous Australians Hon. Malarndirri McCarthy, and activities, such as face painting, badge creating, and the opportunity to win prizes.

We participated in the Long Walk to the stadium with other Indigenous Mob. While walking around the field, we had the honour of meeting Eddie Betts, which I particularly enjoyed. After locating our seats, we watched the performances of several artists and dance groups. We observed the game and found the atmosphere to be intense and thrilling.

I especially enjoyed watching the game alongside my peers and seeing my favourite Indigenous artists perform. It was an amazing experience to witness the love and compassion shared within the Indigenous community and to observe the importance of our culture. We are grateful for the opportunity that the school granted us.

Chrissie C
Year 11

My favourite thing about the trip was walking along the ground and meeting all the players like Eddie Betts, Shaun Burgoyne and Michael Long.

Unfortunately Richmond couldn't get the win but I still enjoyed my time.

Jordan Z
Year 9

Spirit of Aquinas - Belonging

The Spirit of Aquinas section will focus on one core value from our mission statement and ways this value has been demonstrated at school.

“Belonging: We are mindful of our diverse local and global community; we are culturally inclusive and respect the dignity of each individual.”

As we approach our halfway benchmark in this school year it's important to look back and see the journey this semester has brought. The best way to see this is by chatting to the year 7s, especially in regards to their core value of belonging.

When speaking to the year 7s, they have glowing reviews towards their sense of belonging at Aquinas, even after just two terms. Many students cited the teachers, and the sense of community they foster in their classrooms. The close friendships they have with their classmates, and the care, kindness and respect shown by their teachers is what most reassures them that they belong. The community Aquinas has, with a variety of clubs students can join to find like minded friends, the connections intentionally fostered between year levels, and the comradery felt between their peers is the basis of what makes students feel that belonging.

Other times, it's the small, fleeting moments that make students feel they belong. Like a friend buying you lunch when you were too busy to eat breakfast, like Adah H's friend did with her. Or, like Sam C, inviting a classmate you haven’t spoken to before to play with you, and forming a new friendship.

As our year 7s continue throughout their first year in high school, we hope that sense of belonging only grows more and more.

The Great Debaters

The club started mid March this year after many years of hiatus at Aquinas. We currently have twenty signed up members who meet regularly during Thursday Recess in Room J1.05. New members are always welcome to find their ‘public persona’ and deliver their thoughts and ideas in a formal setting. 

Mr Green

D Grade Team (Year 7-9)

Last night (28 May) I had the opportunity to participate in D grade debating, it was a fantastic opportunity for me and my team. The team included 1st. Oliver S 2nd. Nate O and 3rd. Mikhael P. Even though we did not secure the win I do believe it is a wonderful opportunity and I recommend participating in this wonderful competition.

1st. Oliver S - 8 Rice

B Grade Team (Year 10-12)

The senior team had its first debate last night in many years. The team included 1st. Joel Tompkins 2nd. Grace Rider and 3rd. Tom King. Our topic was ‘School logos should be removed from all school uniforms’ and we were assigned as the negative team. After being given the topic, we had one hour to prepare our arguments as this was a mystery round. With some cracking arguments and refutations, we were unable to win our first debate, but were still able to step away with experiences and newly formed approaches on how to tackle our next round. Both the room and the corridors were abuzz throughout the evening with excited debaters sharing stories from the world of highs and lows of the debating hemisphere. 

Grace R 12 Mackillop

For anyone who is interested in joining Email Mr Green- greenb@aquinas.vic.edu.au

🏅 Year 9 EISM Grand Finals Success!

Congratulations to our five Year 9 EISM teams who reached the Grand Finals – an amazing achievement!

A special shout out to our winning teams:

🏆 Girls Touch Football

🏆 Boys Indoor Cricket

Both teams played outstandingly to take home the win!

To all our finalists, thank you for your hard work and dedication this season. You’ve done the school proud!

 Check out the coach match reports below for all the game-day highlights.

A huge thank you to the Aquinas Community for their generous donations toward the St Vincent de Paul - Tinnies for Vinnies appeal!  We're still collecting until Mon 9 June.

 
Year 7 Immunisations - consent form link

The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free National Immunisation Program schedule vaccines to all eligible Year 7 and Year 10 students. The Maroondah Council Immunisation Team will deliver immunisations to consented students onsite at Aquinas College.

Year 7 Students - Wednesday June 18

• Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

 Consent form link for Year 7 Students

Please follow this link to access the Maroondah Council immunisation details and instructions on how to complete the online consent form. 

Should you have any questions regarding the immunisations please follow contact information provided by the Maroondah Council on the information and consent form link.

 Health centre staff