Pentecost and Memoriam: Ping Li Drew

Last Sunday’s Pentecost readings signalled the end of the ‘hiding’ of the disciples. Despite the risen Lord appearing to them and urging them to spread the Good News, the fear of meeting our Lord’s fate robbed them of their courage to complete their mission. The blessing of the Holy Spirit - appearing as ‘divided tongues of fire’ (Acts 2:3) - awakened their gifts to preach the news to all nations. At Aquinas we are called to continue this mission, and recently lost a wonderful example of how to fulfil Jesus’ call “as the Father has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21).

On Saturday 31 May, Mrs Ping Li Drew passed away in her sleep. Mrs Drew has been a staff member at Aquinas for 14 years, teaching Chinese to many of our Middle Years students. Students would regularly call out to her in the yard, greeting her in both Chinese and English. As a valued member of our Languages department, Mrs Drew assisted in many of the LOTE day and Harmony Day activities each year, sharing her culture with an open heart.

While her impact on generations of students is immeasurable, a tiny indication was provided by the hundreds of students and staff who attended the memorial in the College chapel to light a candle in memoriam. Her loss was a shock, as Mrs Drew was at school on Friday 30 May, with a smile on her face and helping in a range of classes. We encourage students to speak to their homeroom/mentor teachers or the YFC should they continue to need or want help or any type of assistance surrounding this loss.

The College was represented by members of the Leadership Team and Mrs Drew’s colleagues at the funeral service last Wednesday 11 June. Her husband Gerry delivered a beautiful eulogy that centred on Mrs Drew’s great faith and the comfort of eternal life in Christ, quoting Jesus’ words: 

‘In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.’ (Jn 14:2-3).

Through her presence, through her faith, Mrs Drew truly embodied both the Pentecostal spirit of spreading the Good News and our Aquinas motto, the ‘light up and be on fire’ in brightening the lives of all she encountered.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

The Aquinas Long Walk

On Monday 2 June we were blessed with ideal weather to welcome students from 15 local schools to join us for The Aquinas Long Walk. Raising awareness for Reconciliation Week, we were also privileged to learn from Jack Peris from The Long Walk Foundation about Australia’s rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and our part in acknowledging historic wrongs in order to “Bridge Now to Next”. Please see below for more details of this important annual event that helps to unite all Australians.

David Broadbent 

Principal

Vale, Mrs. Ping Drew

Staff, students, and the wider community are deeply saddened at the sudden passing of Mrs. Drew on Saturday, 31 May. I accompanied many current and past staff to her funeral on Wednesday, 11 June, at her local parish in Donvale. The service was a beautiful tribute to a devoted mother, friend, teacher, and follower of Christ’s word, “Love one another as I have loved you.” 

Mrs. Drew was a friend to so many of our staff, and it has been lovely to see the many messages on Facebook paying tribute to her and the impact that she had on so many students and staff that she knew at Aquinas.

 I was speaking with Ping on her last day at Aquinas. As usual, she was full of joy and finished our conversation with a huge smile and “You have a great day.” I encourage us all to take some of Mrs. Drew’s positive, kind, and generous nature with us every day, always thinking of others before ourselves, and living with devoted faith in the footsteps of Jesus.

Gina Goss
Assistant Principal - Staff

On Tuesday afternoon this week, teaching staff participated in professional learning called ‘Mary’s Yes.’ As a member of MACS, all teaching staff need to work towards or maintain accreditation to teach in a Catholic school. Accreditation requires staff to complete, on average, 5 hours of professional learning each year. Here are some of the highlights from our session.

We initially started with prayer, reflecting on the gospel of Luke’s version of the annunciation. Staff explored the three stages of response Mary had during her encounter with Angel Gabriel: shock, confusion/questioning, and then choice—accept or deny. Each staff member was asked to think about their own reactions if it was them….would they say yes? Would you say yes?

From here, we examined Pope Francis’ messages about Mary in his Jubilee letter Spes non confundit—Hope doesn’t disappoint.

“Hope finds its supreme witness in the Mother of God. In the Blessed Virgin, we see that hope is not naive optimism but a gift of grace amid the realities of life.”

                                                                            Pope Francis—SPES NON CONFUNDIT

Within his letter, Francis discusses the strength and courage of Mary. From her saying yes to God to watching her son suffer through to his execution, Mary’s response can provide us with hope when we experience our sufferings. Pope Francis also reflects on the moment before Jesus’ death, where he gives his mother to the apostle to care for her. Francis said that this was not just entrusting his mother to the one disciple but introducing her as a mother for all Christians, a person “who never abandons her children and who… is a sign of certain hope and comfort.”

The final part of our session explored the various cultural practices Christians in different countries use to venerate Mary. Staff walked a pseudo pilgrimage around our building, finding QR codes that connected them to different sites and discussing the differences and similarities. It was an interesting opportunity to develop a greater understanding of the role of Mary as the mother of God and the mother to all Christians.

 Tania Grace
Assistant Principal Mission

Senior Years Report

Both Year 10 and 11 students are currently managing a busy assessment period while preparing for the upcoming exams. Assessment periods can induce stress responses that are being expressed at home, and knowing how to manage these times can be tricky for everyone else in the house.

Understanding study habits is key to providing effective support. Our students should be well versed in good study habits such as having a quiet place to focus, eliminating distractions, setting small regular time periods to address revision and recall tasks, ensuring quality over quantity, utilising both school and personal resources, and maintaining their physical health with adequate sleep, exercise, and downtime.

Even with knowing these routines and implementing them, teens often face self-doubt and stress, which can make it hard for parents to know how to manage and support their children. Teenagers may be expressing hopelessness, fear of failure, and overwhelm. Rather than micro-managing their situation, excusing them from taking action or suggesting failure, helping them reframe their unhelpful thoughts, you can empower them to overcome these hurdles. One strategy can be to help them reframe unhelpful thoughts by asking questions that challenge negative thoughts, encourage perspective, and help them to stay goal focussed. Some examples may be:

• What’s the evidence for and against this thought?
• Could there be another way to look at this?
• Can you think of a time when you felt that you were successful in your study? What did you do that time? Could that help you now?
• What’s the best that could happen?
• Is this way of thinking helping you reach your goals?
• What can you learn for next time?

Having a few of these questions on hand to open conversations, reflect on current situations, and begin to see more effective ways to manage stress could make a significant difference in their mindset, approach to their studies, and ability to handle stressful situations at any stage of life. If you are wanting further assistance with managing your child’s approach to study, please do not hesitate to contact subject teachers, year level leaders, or the Youth and Family Centre.

Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

"How you do anything is how you do everything."

This term, our Pastoral focus across the Middle Years has been focused on the below quote. It is a reminder that the habits and routines which we build, our attitude towards school and the seemingly ‘little things’ greatly contribute to our experiences and outcomes.

During THRIVE Pastoral periods and assemblies, we have been working closely with students to reinforce this message through three key areas: punctuality, routines and positive relationships. These are not just expectations, they are life skills that set our students up for success both inside and outside of the classroom.

As we enter the final weeks of Term 2, we know from previous experiences that this part of the term can sometimes feel like a grind. Motivation levels can fluctuate, and the winter chill certainly doesn’t help!

Whilst we do not need a competition to maintain our high expectations, to keep things positive and generate some team spirit, we are introducing a competition across the Middle Years.

Each homeroom will compete in two areas: 

• Commendations earned (positive behaviours, effort and contributions)

• Total number of late minutes (the fewer, the better!)
  

The homeroom with the best overall results will be awarded a prize (likely canteen related) in the final week of the term.

We look forward to finishing the first Semester well!

Sam Storey
Head Middle Years

Music Camp

On June 2 - 4, over 120 of our instrumental students joined us for Music Camp, held at Amberley Retreat Centre in Lower Plenty.

Over three days the students participated in intensive rehearsals in their core ensembles (Concert Bands, Choirs, String Ensembles, and Guitar Ensembles) and sectionals. They also started work on this year’s Massed Ensemble Piece: a Blues Brothers medley, which will be performed by all the students together at the Junior and Senior Showcases. Photos below.

Music Camp kick-starts our preparations for Term 3 events, including the Victorian Schools Music Festival (Inter and Senior Concert Bands), Royal South St Eisteddfod (Ablaze and Illuminate Choirs), Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival (Inter and Senior Stage Bands), and the Senior Showcase (all senior ensembles) on September 8th. Some of our students (and staff) will also make up the band for the College Musical, The Wedding Singer.

Add in over 200 individual instrumental lessons and 20 ensemble rehearsals per week, and it will be business as usual in the Music Department!

Welcome Alex Mathew
We are thrilled to welcome Alex Mathew to join our team as a vocal teacher. Alex has a sparkling career of vocal work, and we are lucky to add her skills to our department. Alex’s students were contacted directly last week, and met her yesterday for their first lesson.

Alison Bellew
Music Program Coordinator

As you know, our Term 2 project is the Vinnies Winter Appeal, focusing our charity efforts on supporting those in need within our local community. Through a variety of activities, we are putting our values into action and making a meaningful difference during the colder months.

Below are updates on four key aspects of our campaign that have been promoted throughout the term: the Winter Sleepout, Tinnies for Vinnies, Knitting for a Cause, and 10c Recycling.

Winter Sleepout Update

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough sign-ups to run the Winter Sleepout event at school this year, so it has been cancelled. However, if you’re still passionate about the cause, why not host your own Sleepout at home?

You could arrange to “sleep rough” in your backyard, garage, living room floor, or even in the car—either with family or a small group of friends. To make it even more meaningful, you might ask people to sponsor your sleepout and donate that money to Vinnies. Alternatively, they could donate non-perishable items for you to bring into school.

No matter how you choose to get involved, your support means the world to those struggling in our community. Let’s continue to find creative ways to show solidarity and raise awareness for those doing it tough this winter.

Tinnies for Vinnies

Our local Vinnies team provides essential support—everything from food and emergency relief to housing assistance and a listening ear. Each item donated helps offer comfort and practical care to someone doing it tough in our own community.

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). A full list of suggested items is available on SIMON notices.

A heartfelt thank you to those who have generously contributed to our collection tally so far. We know it takes time, effort, and thought to reach out and help others—especially during busy school terms—and we deeply appreciate every donation made. Your compassion and willingness to support those in need reflect the very heart of our community.

A big thank you also goes to the students from our Social Justice group and the Year 9 Life Skills class who have helped with collecting, counting, and packing items this week. Your efforts have made a huge difference!

So far, we’ve collected 1,419 non-perishable items, which is a fantastic effort. We are hoping to hit at least 2,000 items—though more than that would be wonderful, of course! We still have one more week to go with our campaign, so please keep bringing in your “2 cans” to school and pop them into your homeroom/mentor baskets to add to your class tally.

In the spirit of friendly competition, here are the homerooms at the top of the leaderboard so far:

• 9 Navy: 155 items
• 7 Yellow: 151 items
• 9 Gold: 56 items

Knitting for a Cause

Our knitting and crocheting project continues to be a wonderful way for students, staff, and members of our wider community to come together and support those in need. By crafting individual squares that will be sewn into warm blankets, we are offering comfort and care to people facing the cold winter months.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed—we look forward to stitching your kindness together!
Everyone is welcome to join this heartfelt effort.
Wool square guidelines:

• Use 8ply wool or yarn
• Size 5 knitting needles
• Approximate size: 21cm x 16cm (about 40 cast-on stitches and 60 rows for knitters)
• Feel free to experiment with plain, purl, or patterned designs

Completed squares can be dropped off at reception or handed in to the ARC. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Branson at bransonja@aquinas.vic.edu.au.

10c Recycling Collections
Another great way to support the Winter Appeal is by turning rubbish into treasure! Throughout the campaign, we have been collecting empty bottles and cans with a 10c refund label, with all proceeds going directly to Vinnies. Large yellow bins are located in the Middle Years Building, Senior Years Building, and the Forum for easy drop-off.

If you prefer, you can also take your recyclables to a deposit centre yourself, collect the refund, and drop it off at the Catholic Life Office.

A big thank you to the Year 9 Life Skills students, who have helped with sorting and counting the recyclables as part of their contribution to the campaign.

Rooted in our Catholic Social Teachings, the Winter Appeal is a powerful opportunity to put our faith into action. It reminds us that even small acts of kindness can bring warmth, dignity, and hope to those in our local community.

Martha Mugamu
Social Justice & Outreach Coordinator

Aquinas College celebrated World Environment Day on the 5th of June. This year the theme is ending plastic pollution, #BeatPlasticPollution. Plastic pollution permeates every corner of the planet—even in our bodies in the form of microplastics. While plastic pollution is a major concern, it is also one of the most fixable of today’s environmental challenges, with some obvious solutions at hand.

World Environment Day inspires individuals to become environmental stewards in their communities, encouraging us to think globally and act locally. By taking part in this day, we can understand the challenges our planet is facing and empower ourselves to make positive changes. Together, we can create a sustainable future and protect our planet for future generations.

You can do the following to continue to support ending unnecessary plastic pollution and become part of the solution:

• Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink plastics use.
• Bring your food in reusable containers.
• Put your rubbish in the bin and not on the ground/table/gardens. Not sure which bin to use? Easy, simply add your rubbish to the red landfill bins.
• Make sure your friends use the bins too, call them out if they drop rubbish or leave it behind. There are plenty of bins in the yard and buildings to use. Let's care for our beautiful school grounds and environment together as a community.
• Walk, ride, carpool or use public transport to get to and from school.
• Use both sides of your exercise books. Don’t waste paper.
• Bring in your old sneakers for recycling. Drop them off at the Catholic Life Office next to IT.
• Come along to the O-Byrne theatre on Thursday and Friday at lunchtime to watch our Environmental movie.

Students were invited to attend a special lunchtime screening of the environmental film Wall-E.This inspiring movie follows the journey of a small, waste-collecting robot who embarks on a space adventure that could determine the future of humanity. Through Wall-E's story, students are encouraged to reflect on the importance of caring for our planet and the impact of human activity on the environment.

Karyn Myers

Sustainability Coordinator

The past fortnight for Aquinas has been filled with growth, unity, and celebrations. Our school came together, hosting the Aquinas communities' 14th Annual Michael Long Walk, along with an inspiring number of other schools who joined us, standing in solidarity as we celebrated “Reconciliation Week.” To simulate Michael Long's powerful 650-kilometer walk from Melbourne to Canberra, we walked around our Aquinas block. The reconciliation theme this year was “Bridging Now to Next,” serving as an important reminder that the movement towards reconciliation is something we must practice every day and not a single act, but rather a commitment. Being surrounded and accompanied by so many other like-minded individuals as we completed the walk was truly uplifting, highlighting the power and strength of working together as a group.

Additionally, over the last few weeks and upcoming weeks, many of our Year 12 VCE subjects have completed a milestone of finishing up unit 3 content and transitioning into unit 4 studies. This big step means that for most subjects, students are halfway through their content. With finishing up unit 3 coursework came intense workloads, challenges, and opportunities for growth, as many of us were busy with SACs and assessments. However, our year 12 cohort showed high levels of determination and resilience while navigating through these challenges. We are very proud of everyone's consistent effort towards their studies, as well as thankful for our teachers' support as they assist us in managing our workloads and motivate us to push through the harder moments.

Our senior EISM teams have kicked off the second season of sports, and we have now completed 2 rounds. It's been fantastic to see stronger participation across the sports and awesome skills from our students. As well as this, people are getting out of their comfort zones by trying new sports, enjoying some physical activity, and representing Aquinas. We look forward to seeing how the rest of the season unfolds!

The end of term is slowly creeping up, which means our activities week is only a few weeks away. During activities week, the Year 12s will be going on a retreat where we can reflect on the year so far and have some relaxation time as well as enjoy a few days in Phillip Island!

A quote to leave you with:

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller

Thank you!

 Evie Evans & Joseph Campbell

Aquinas Captains

Year 7 Immunisations are next week—Wednesday, June 18

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.

The Secondary School Immunisation Program offers free National Immunisation Program schedule vaccines to all eligible Year 7 students. The Maroondah Council Immunisation Team will deliver immunisations to consented students onsite at Aquinas College next Wednesday, 18 June.

Year 7 Students—Wednesday, June 18

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

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

 Health centre staff

What’s Happening in the English Learning Area?

There’s been a buzz of activity in English classrooms this term, with students from Years 7 through 12 engaging in new ways to learn, create, and revise.

Years 7 and 8

In Years 7 and 8, we are trialling a range of new approaches to revision and homework. Over the next few weeks we have a few classes using Education Perfect, an online learning platform that makes English revision more interactive and adaptive. Others are experimenting with new textbooks and structured weekly tasks. This trial is all about finding what works best, and the most important voice in this process is the students'. We are actively seeking their feedback and encouraging them to reflect on what helps them stay engaged and build skills. Students are not just learners; they are partners in shaping how we teach.

Year 9

Our Year 9 Journalism students are stepping into the world of real media creators. After recently completing their Media Literacy Campaign, a unit designed to sharpen their critical thinking about media messages, they are now working on their very own podcasts. Topics range from true crime investigating to thoughtful discussions on environmental sustainability and social justice. They are learning how to research, script, record and edit, which builds confidence, creativity, and communication skills. We are looking forward to sharing some of their final productions soon.

Senior Years

Senior students are in the final stretch before exams, and English is a major focus. With text responses, argument analysis and creative writing all part of the assessment, it is vital that students prepare strategically.

How can students revise effectively for English?

• Re-read texts and annotate key quotes, characters and themes 

• Write practice essays and complete timed writing tasks

• Review past SACs and teacher feedback 

• Create summary charts or visual organisers 

• Join study groups to test understanding and share ideas

• Ask teachers questions to clarify anything unclear

How can parents support at home?

• Provide a quiet, focused study environment

• Encourage discussion about themes, issues and characters in texts

• Help plan a balanced revision schedule 

• Read or listen to practice pieces to offer feedback

• Celebrate small wins and remind them that consistent effort is the key

Thank you for supporting our learners. We are excited to see all they will achieve in the coming weeks.

Sam Warren

English Learning Area Leader

Yesterday, Aquinas proudly hosted the VCAA Plain English Speaking Awards, or PESA, a prestigious competition that gives students the chance to speak with clarity, conviction, and purpose. Open to students across Victoria, PESA challenges participants to deliver both prepared and impromptu speeches, relying only on the strength of their ideas and communication skills.

Our incredible representatives, Lachie Buyick and Evie Evans, competed against students from Luther and St Andrews. They spoke with confidence, insight, and passion, showing true leadership and representing our school with pride.

A huge thank you to our fantastic support crew, Ava, Grace, Dom, Josh, Charlotte, Abbey, and Cara, for helping the day run smoothly and cheering on our speakers.

If you are in Year 9 or above and have ever wanted to improve your confidence, express your ideas more clearly, or just give public speaking a go, come and see me next year. Whether you are already a confident speaker or someone ready to step outside your comfort zone, PESA is an amazing opportunity.

Sam Warren

English Learning Area Leader

A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to participate in the Plain English Speaking Awards. It was a great opportunity to once again develop our public speaking skills, as we had to deliver a prepared speech as well as an impromptu one, which forced us to be adaptive and develop ideas under pressure. There were a variety of students from different schools competing as well, which was great, as we got to interact and meet new people as well as listen to eight unique and high quality speakers. By putting ourselves out there, it gave us the chance to further improve ourselves as speakers, leaders, and individuals as a whole. Overall it was a great day, highly enjoyable, and we would like to express a big thank you to Ms. Warren, who provided us with great support and assistance on and leading into the day.

Lachie Buyck and Evie Evans

Mission to Mars excursion at the Victorian Space Science Education Centre 

The Victorian Space Science Education Centre is situated at Strathmore Secondary College. Before leaving for the Mission to Mars program, students complete a Mission Science Briefing, Mission Training, and Astronaut Training before they are assigned astronaut roles.

During the program, students complete Mission 1 as Astronauts on the surface of Mars and in mission control, where they instruct the astronauts and keep them safe as conditions on Mars change. After lunch students go to the Research Laboratory for a science briefing and to analyse samples and data collected.

Student thoughts:

Mission to Mars was a fun and ingenious day, where we worked as a group to coordinate and carry out a Mars landing. The jobs were nicely planned out, and we had a blast breathing through our apparatus and clunkily working towards our goals, collecting data and samples to later study in the lab. - Clare B. 9 Maroon 

I enjoyed going to Mission to Mars, especially being able to go on ‘Mars.’ Being in mission control was also fun; communicating with the team on the other side was like actually being a part of NASA. The entire day was engaging, and testing the data we collected on Mars at the end of the day really summed up the whole experience. Overall, an awesome day; I would totally go back in a heartbeat! - Summer O. 9 Blue

We all had a lot of fun on Mars, whether it was breaking rocks or doing complex math problems to get the ship to land. It was a really great bonding opportunity for our class, and it was really cool to talk to people that you might not have normally talked to. We would definitely agree that we would go back to mars if given the opportunity. Yulia K. 9 Maroon

I felt what it was like to be uncomfortable as an astronaut and how hard it was to communicate with a helmet on. Overall, it showed the struggles of an astronaut. Pretty successful. Tyler S. 9 Orange

Going to VESSEC was amazing because we got to be in the command center, walk on Mars, and study our findings. We split into two groups and switched between being in the command center and living life on Mars. I loved being commander on Mars and being able to set the site up, and afterwards I switched to commanding the engineers. Studying our findings in the lab was really interesting, and as one of the commanders, I had to gather all of the information. - Charlotte H. 9 Blue

Spending the day at VESSCE with my mates was one of the highlights of my year. We spent the day collecting samples from the replica Mars and then analysed them to create a final thesis. I would go again if I had the chance. - Aaron 9 Maroon 

VCE VM Guest speaker

On Thursday, June 5th, Aquinas VCE and Vocational Major students had the privilege of listening to an awe-inspiring presentation by Jono McCartney, an industry leader from ProLink Trade Group. Over the course of 40 minutes, Jono delivered a no-frills talk that drew from his many years of experience in the trades, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.

Key messages were practical, honest, and highly relevant to students preparing to enter the workforce. He emphasised the importance of making a strong first impression with a sharp, standout resume. He reminded students that employability starts with the basics: punctuality, taking pride in your appearance, and never underestimating the value of simple tools like a dustpan and broom. Jono stressed the importance of putting the phone away, avoiding 'vices' in life, and being present in the workplace.

Coachability was another central theme. Jono encouraged students to be curious, to see feedback as fuel for growth, and to embrace the mindset of “I suck at it!” as a starting point for learning. He spoke about the significance of knowing your worth, building confidence through hard work and integrity, and staying out of trouble. Students were challenged to reflect on how they will present themselves moving forward, urging them to believe in their self-worth and to develop a personal mantra or motto—displayed prominently and recited daily. Finally, he highlighted that people skills are everything: being interested in others, being interesting yourself, and going above and beyond in every role.

Students left the session feeling motivated and equipped with practical advice, ready to sell themselves confidently and pursue their future careers with purpose and pride.

In short, some students said:

Sienna: Be a self-starter.

Amelia: Communicate more with your boss!

Andy: Put in the extra effort!

Zac: Apply yourself and put yourself out there!

Clayton: You have to know what you want and show some dignity! 

Mason: Make a mantra and put it up at home.

Cooper: Don't just stand around! Do something! 

Tamsyn: Show and do things before you are told! Chrissy: Take accountability and show why you want to be there!

Jacqui Street

VCE VM Coordinator

As part of our VET Sport and Recreation class, we completed the 1000 Steps walk in Ferntree Gully, the Kokoda Trail. An activity that challenged us both physically and as developing leaders. The walk gave us a great opportunity to apply what we've learnt in class about teamwork, fitness, and leadership in a real-world environment. Our responsibilities included keeping the group motivated, ensuring everyone stayed together, and making sure each participant felt supported throughout the session. We communicated with one another to check on how people were feeling, especially those who may have had medical conditions or were less experienced with uphill walks. To make the experience inclusive, we adjusted the pace when needed, encouraged regular water breaks, and gave positive reinforcement to boost morale. At the top, we took part in a quiet reflection session where we acknowledged not just the physical achievement, but also how we supported each other as a team. It was a valuable moment to take in the surroundings and appreciate our effort and progress.

A big thank you to Ella and Mr Harrington for helping to guide the session and making sure it ran smoothly, and thanks to everyone in the class for creating a supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere. The 1000 Steps walk was a rewarding experience that helped bring us closer together and strengthened our skills in leadership and teamwork.

- Max B. Year 12

Students are currently studying SISXPLD002 Deliver Recreational Sessions. As part of their practical assessment, small groups are responsible for delivering 3 different recreational sessions. One of these is assisting in organising a hike/walk for the class to participate in. Students need to specifically consider participants' needs and show how they could adjust their session if needed. Additionally, they need to assign roles & responsibilities, implement team bonding or challenge activities, and show how they considered hazards and risks.

On Thursday, 29 May, we enjoyed a successful session led by Owen, Paddy, Max, and Ronan. It was great to see their communication skills on full display.

Jeff Harrington

Teacher

Last week our Geographers in Years 9 and 11 went out for their semester fieldwork projects.

Our Year Nine class spent Tuesday exploring the Dandenong Ranges. The day saw them meeting the team from Parks Victoria, who look after the region's environmental and management concerns, before catching a ride on Puffing Billy out to Emerald to help understand how the area's focus on tourism has influenced its development. The students had a great day and learned the value of enclosed train carriages during a chilly trip up into the hills.

On Thursday our Year 11 class ventured into local nature reserves to assess the damages caused by the bushfire, which burned through Dr Ken Leversha Reserve earlier this year. Our first stop was Quinn Nature Reserve in Mount Evelyn, a similar nature reserve that allowed us to learn what the area might've looked like prior to the bushfire. Here students collected information on factors including the vegetation and topography and observed steps local communities were taking to protect against potential bushfire threats. Our next stop was the location of the recent fire in Montrose. We were fortunate enough to have a member of the Yarra Ranges Council's Bushlands and Reserves team guide us through the area and explain the changes that have occurred since the fire and what management steps are being implemented to try and prevent a repeat of this event. 

We are currently collecting information from local residents who were impacted by the Montrose bushfire, so if you live in the area or know someone who does and would like to help out with our data collection, can you please complete the following survey: Survey Link.

John Watson

Geography teacher

On Thursday, the Year 9 students ventured out to Ninja Park in Bayswater as part of their PE unit. Students were great ambassadors of the College and showed a great growth mindset in everything they approached. Here are some of their thoughts on their experiences.

"The warped wall was very cool and reminded me of the Ninja Warrior TV show."

"The balancing beam was challenging, and I couldn’t quite master it!"

"I liked the fact that it was challenging and great to try new things.

"It was great to have the whole place to ourselves."

"It was nice to have some fun competition on the parkour run. Kade was just too good."

"I tried and tried but just couldn’t master the last leg of the balance course. I will have to give up on my ambitions of being a tightrope walker.’

On May 27, drama students from years 7 - 12 welcomed an audience to the Mahon Theatre, where the junior students performed excellent mimed and scripted work from Term 1, and the Drama 12 students presented their ensemble performances for assessment.

The evening was introduced by the Performing Arts Captain, Tilly Van Neuren, and Sophie Naismith, the Drama Captain. Students from 7 Red, Lucinda Wassenberg and Oriana Lopez, hosted the evening, introducing the different performances and interviewing the alumni guests.

Theo Leavey (peer year 2023), currently studying at ShowFit, performed a monologue from a Joanna Murray-Smith play, Honour. Olivia Westaway (peer year 2024) is currently studying at VCA in Theatre production. Both guests shared how they participated in the performing arts program whilst at Aquinas and described their current experiences since leaving school.

Paola Unger

Drama teacher

Acting at the show was so fun because we got a sense of what Drama could be like for the rest of our Aquinas journey. We all got a chance to show off our skills and talents for the first time since starting here. – Maisie S. Year 7

The best thing about the evening was being able to perform with my friends and show people our work that we have spent a long time creating. — Emma O. Year 12

Everyone was nice and fun to talk to. – Isla D. Year 7

The best thing about drama, acting or crewing a show are the things you learn and people you meet. – Travis P. Year 10

Year 1 students are currently studying SISSPAR009 - Participate in Conditioning for Sport.
At the beginning of the unit we completed fitness testing where each student administered a range of tests for a partner. We then completed three 30-minute training sessions in the Lifestyle Room.

This week both classes were fortunate enough to have METs Performance Consulting visit to run a fitness testing incursion. They brought industry standard equipment, including timing gates and force plates, along with an iPad or laptop, which recorded their results.

Congratulations to the following top scorers across both classes:

• 20m Sprint: Max Pinchbeck (3.1 seconds)
• Vertical Leap: Finlay McGrotty (53 cm)
• Box Agility: James Boland (1.68 second average)
• Basketball Coordination: Zoe Bastide (20 taps)
• Reaction Square: Finlay McGrotty (60 taps)
• Anaerobic Shuttle Run: Finlay McGrotty (24.27 seconds)
• Sit & Reach: Annie Rees (50cm)
• Grip Strength: Zac Treeby (50kg)
• Standing Broad Jump: Hamish Mannix (250cm)
• Illinois Agility Test: Summer Rees (16 seconds)

 Jeff Harrington and Emily Campiciano   

Teachers

On Wednesday the 4th of June, my Sport and Rec class got to be involved in a fitness testing incursion. This incursion included doing many different types of tests such as sit and reach, vertical jump, 20m sprint, Illinois agility, and many more. This fitness testing is valuable to our future because it provides valid insights for future health, performance, and our overall well-being. This incursion was a really great experience, and I'd like to thank the teachers for organising it.

- Cleo H. Year 10

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

Justice: We promote opportunity and equity through awareness and support of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Last week Aquinas hosted its annual Long Walk. Where we honour Michael Long’s historic walk from Melbourne to Canberra in 2004 to raise awareness for the systemic issues faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. We were joined by a number of primary and secondary schools and special guests from Essendon Football Club and the Long Walk Foundation to complete the journey.

The purpose of the Long Walk is to raise awareness for the injustices faced by Indigenous Australians, highlighting one of Aquinas’ core values, Justice. Those who walked with everyone got a firsthand hand experience with this, noting that the walk allowed them to appreciate the differences of everyone walking together and reflect on the importance of indigenous culture and the importance of the walk.

The students described their experience as our community coming together to reconcile and promote equity and equality for our country. Working together to close the gap and create a more just society.

Special thanks to Zia, Ruth, and Maeve for lending their thoughts and experiences to assist in this week's article.

As part of reconciliation week, Aquinas had a display on our YFC wall. Students, during their Religious Education classes, were asked to write what reconciliation means to them on a leaf. They then got to decorate the leaf and stick it on the tree display. The leaf design chosen was that of the manna gum, which has a strong connection to the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners on whose land our school is located.

The Aquinas College Long Walk was a meaningful day of connection, reflection, and unity, with around 15 schools joining us on campus, including Worawa Aboriginal College, whose students recently teamed up with ours at their Sports Carnival. We were honoured to be joined by members of the Essendon Football Club and Jack Peris from The Long Walk Foundation, who reminded us that “Reconciliation isn't something we do once a year, it's something we live every day.”

As Social Justice Captain, I felt proud to be part of such a powerful moment, walking side by side with students, staff, and guests as we committed to truth, respect, and a more hopeful future.

Grace Rider

Year 12 Social Justice Captain

This year eleven of our AGiLE students will be participating in Doco in a Day. This competition requires students to create a short film about a global issue—like gender equality, access to education, or sustainability—in just one day. Each year, the theme combines a Catholic Social Thought Principle and a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, uniting Catholic values with a global issue.

However, it’s not just a learning experience: students use their films to fundraise for life-changing educational opportunities in some of the world’s poorest communities. All money raised during the competition goes directly to the Edmund Rice Foundation, which provides access to education in communities that need it most. The Edmund Rice Foundation is currently 

• improving access to education in 6 countries, including Australia, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, the Philippines, and Timor Leste.

• involved in 43 education projects—spanning formal education and vocational training, community education and skills building, and advocacy and human rights training.

• specifically working to prioritise gender equality and disability inclusion through formal education, community education, and development education,
  
  

If you would like to support our students in their endeavours, please donate via the following link: https://docoinaday.au/aquinas-college                                                                                        

Kate Chamberlain

Learning Enhancement Coordinator (Agile)

Aquinas Career News can be found here. Topics this week include:

• Dates to Diarise in Term 3
• Career as Orthotists or Prosthetists
• Accounting and Business Information Technology (Professional) at Swinburne University
• The Difference between Financial Planning, Finance, and Accounting at Deakin University
• Experience a 'Day in the Life' at La Trobe University
• SW Accountants and Advisors: School Leaver and Undergraduate Program 2026
• William Angliss Discovery Day THIS Wednesday
• Global And International Studies Degrees in Victoria in 2025
• Snapshot of The University of Sydney in 2025

Vanessa Ramsay

Careers Counsellor