黄色十大软件

It鈥檚 been a big week in鈥�

鈥�community events at 黄色十大软件. We鈥檙e certainly finishing Term 3 with a bang, having had the following school-wide events all in just this week!

• Term 3 Mass: with the theme Season of Creation. Thanks to the Year 11 EDGE class who led the organisation of mass, with assistance from student leaders across the college. Fr Justin drew out key themes of Identity, Belonging, and Purpose, reinforcing the value each of us inherently has as we are made in the image and likeness of God.

• Senior Music Showcase evening: A joyous celebration of musical talent. Thanks to our Music Programs Coordinators Alison Bellew & Emily McKenzie and our dedicated music staff.

• Term 3 Assembly: We celebrated excellence across the college, with many academic, sporting and music achievements acknowledged, along with highlighting excellence across our Spirit of Aquinas values: Belonging, Stewardship, Perseverance, Justice, Compassion and Spirituality.

• Term 3 Family Mass: Thanks to the Year 10 Edge & Year 11 RE Music classes who prepared and led the mass celebrating Dads and the significant men in our lives, with Fr Peter presiding.
• CIS Review: Thanks to the many staff, student, parent representatives, and the School Advisory Council have all met with CIS Evaluators across 4 days this week (see below for further details).
• Fair Trade Fair: Congratulations to the Social Justice group running the Fair Trade fair across this week, highlighting issues with unfair work conditions overseas and how we can help these through considered purchasing choices.
• RUOK Day: Thursday marked RUOK Day, with this year鈥檚 theme of 鈥淎sk RUOK any day鈥� noting the importance of looking after our own and others鈥� mental health at all times.
• Year 8 Retreats: An important part of our Catholic faith development is the chance to step away and reflect, as each Year 8 House group di across the last 3 days this week

Finally, I am honoured to be ending the week by joining some of our Year 12 Indigenous students and the VCEA Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Dinner on Friday night.

Year 12 Practice exams

In the second week of the upcoming break, our Year 12 VCE students will sit their Practice 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 this week鈥檚 assembly highlighted, excellence is not a single action but a continuous practice: it鈥檚 about making small, consistent choices every day that align with our goals and values.

Review season

The final fortnight at Aquinas also plays host to three different types of cyclical review,

• MACSSIS survey: Thanks to the many parents who have already contributed to the annual MACSSISS survey. The survey remains open until Friday 20 September, so we encourage all parents to please have your say to improve the future of our college. If you have misplaced your MACSSIS login details, please contact surveys@aquinas.vic.edu.au
• CIS Preparatory Evaluation visit: across 4 days this week, we hosted two evaluators from the Council of International Schools (CIS) as we begin the process of renewing our strategic plan for 2025-2029. They expressed their admiration for our COllege, particularly alignment of staff, students and parents in expressing the vision and Aquinas values and the articulate contributions from students.
• VRQA quadrennial compliance: Next Monday, we complete the 4-year cyclical review of compliance as required by the VRQA (Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority).

Mid-semester break

We wish all staff, students and families a restful mid-semester break鈥�and good luck to you team for the finals (my Pies are having a 鈥榝inal bye鈥� year). Please note that the entire College will be closed from Monday 23 - Friday 27 September.

David Broadbent

Principal

The explanation is reasonably straightforward. To learn something students must pay attention to it and that attention takes the information out of the environment and into their working memory (1). This is the first effort that must be exerted by the learner. Once it is in the working memory, and there is not too much information overloading the working memory (2), the student then must process it into the long term memory (the second effort) (3),  finding strategies to make it stick, and for it to be genuine learning it must be able to be retrieved or recalled (4). So learning is embedding in the long term memory and being able to retrieve it.

Effort is at the heart of this process, so effort is needed for the quadratics, verbs or EVH. Indeed the cognitive scientists who wrote 鈥淢ake it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning鈥� argue that the more effort that is required the more successful the learning is likely to be, that effort is what provides the stickiness. This has implications for everything we want to learn whether at school or not. The time and effort we take to make something stick in our long term memory is a very important investment to our progress. There are many strategies that are recommended but for today the message is brief, effort is the key to learning, without it what we want to learn will not stick.

Why is safety so important for our students?

In the last two editions of the Lighthouse, I have shared the relevance of the SFK Mantra in the school life of your child. The first two articles have focused on the power of Kindness and the importance of Fairness when interacting with others. The last key term is Safety, which is crucial for teenagers to learn because of their personal developmental stage. High School students tend to explore their independence, make decisions which may have great impact, and learn to navigate the world through their personal lens. Ensuring their safety, both physically and emotionally, helps them grow into healthy, responsible adults. Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to various risks, such as peer pressure, online dangers, mental health challenges, and perceived failures. Protecting their safety helps safeguard their future wellbeing and supports their learning environments.

At Aquinas, we focus on the development of the person across their Spiritual, Social, Emotional, Cognitive and Physical facets of growth. It is important that for young people to achieve growth, they must be safe from physical, emotional and mental harm. It is widely accepted that teenagers engage in more activities without direct adult supervision during their high school years, which can expose them to risks like accidents, injuries, or unsafe behaviours. Ensuring physical safety in schools, public places, and online environments reduces these dangers. Adolescence is a sensitive time for mental health. Teens are more susceptible to bullying, stress, and emotional difficulties when resilience building is not positive. Aquinas provides a safe environment that promotes mental health support, anti-bullying policies, and open communication. It is critical that your child is aware of how to access support when needed. .

Teens in their secondary school years must have the opportunity to develop their decision-making skills, and understanding of consequences. Encouraging safety helps teach them about boundaries and the importance of making informed choices. Equally, in our digital age, teenagers are heavily exposed to the internet and social media, where dangers such as cyberbullying, privacy violations, and inappropriate content are prevalent. Safety measures, such as teaching responsible internet use, help protect them from harm. The is a great place to access resources to support you and your child.

In the last 18 months, the College has implemented the , a mandate from the Victorian state government which specifically addresses the importance of ensuring child safety in schools and similar institutions. The mandate focuses on key Child Safe Standards, Risk Management, the Empowerment of Young People and the Inclusion and Celebration of Diversity to enable Equity. The ministerial order requires schools to create safe environments for children and teenagers, particularly protecting them from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or harm. Schools are required to implement risk management strategies to identify and mitigate risks that could endanger students. This includes safety in physical spaces, online settings, and school-related activities. This is part of the reason why parents must sign in when visiting the College. MO 1359 highlights the importance of promoting a culture where students feel safe and are empowered to speak up if they face any danger or unsafe situations. This is especially important for teenagers, who are sometimes reluctant to report issues like bullying or harassment. Finally, the order also emphasises the need for schools to create safe and inclusive environments for all students, regardless of their background, ensuring that teenagers from marginalised, vulnerable or diverse groups are protected and embraced.

The relevance of Safety as a key component of the SFK Mantra is vital to the education of your child. Equally, in order to ensure safety, each person must promote responsibility when interacting and engaging with others. We aim to teach responsibility to our students through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), which is taught in the THRIVE program. This is essential because it helps them develop the skills needed to navigate life successfully and become responsible adults. SEL provides a framework for teenagers to learn how to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. It is for this reason that Safety is only possible when students act responsibly when interacting with others and while making their own decisions.

We believe that the safety of each person is a key to enable growth, success and happiness. Please ensure to discuss with your child their role in making the College a Safe, Fair and Kind school. Asking your child how they make the College SFK will give you an insight into how they contribute to the College as a place of learning and prosperity.

Nap Rodezno

Deputy Principal

Spiritually Speaking - Season of Creation

The month of September is the season of creation for the ecumenical church with this year's theme being 鈥渢o hope and act for creation鈥�. We take time to appreciate the wonders of God鈥檚 creation and also recognise the need for humankind to change practices in order to sustain what we have left. On Monday our whole school mass followed the theme of creation and also focused on our core value of stewardship.

Our Tuesday morning prayer reflected on both the goodness of creation but also on the 鈥渄ecreation鈥�, where we look at the various actions of people over the years and the impact it has had on our environment. While the latter part of the reflection could leave a person feeling depressed, the prayer session ended with hope. We looked at the last pages of the Lorax, by Dr Seuss, where the Lorax gives the person the last truffula tree seed. 

It emphasised that there is still hope while there are people who can try to 鈥渞ight the wrong鈥� to make changes, and to speak up for creation. This was then linked to what our students do to make a difference:

• Tree planting days
• Indigenous food trail
• Chickens and vege garden
• Rubbish audit
• Recycling
• Global green
• Sustainability group
• Attending forums
• Energy audit
• Battery recycling
• And more

There is hope, hope because we have people at Aquinas who care. Students who can see a need and want to act on it. A staff and community who are willing to guide students in their endeavours.

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal Mission

Staff @ Aquinas

As we come to the end of the term, I would like to reflect back on the rewarding and inspiring events that our staff have participated in (both in and out of the classroom) over the past 10 weeks:

Staff Professional Learning

We began the term with our Spirituality Day held at Amberley in Lower Plenty. Our staff had time to reflect and participate in discussions led by Fr Vnuk about our College charism.

Our staff are continually engaged in PL to improve their teaching and skills related to their role at the College. We share this knowledge with each other via staff meetings, Monday Prayer and Share and team meetings.

Events

Once again we have had an extremely busy term; High School Musical, Music Concerts, Sport competitions and finals, Dance showcases, Cafe 9, VCE-VM Fundraising events, Fair trade Fair, Camps, Excursions, Social Justice activities, Winter Sleepout, Careers Expo, Subject Selection Evening, Parent/Teacher/ Student Interviews, restaurant Nights, School Mass, School Assembly, Gala ball rehearsals, VEX robotics competitions, Book-in-a-Day, AGILE Academic Challenge, Year level Retreats鈥�.

Thanks once again to all of our staff who have led or supervised these activities to compliment the Teaching and Learning experience of our students.

Wishing you all the very best for the school holiday break. I also wish all students, particularly Yr 12鈥檚, all the best for their final assessments and activities in term 4.

Gina Goss
Assistant Principal - Staff

Senior Years Report

 The term 3 Whole School Assembly was held on Tuesday, themed 鈥淓xcellence鈥�, was a powerful showcase of student, talent, dedication, collaboration and community. The event opened with a captivating James Bond medley performed by 150 ensemble and choir students, initiating the inspiring celebration. Throughout the assembly, students presented a variety of speeches and visual displays that embodied the College's core values: belonging, stewardship, perseverance, justice, compassion, and spirituality.

Significant to this assembly was the presentation of the Possum Skin Cloak, created by students as part of the Journey Track Program. Journey Tracks is a cultural, health and wellbeing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Our group is led by Vanessa Murdoch, a proud Waka Waka and Kullilli woman from Queensland who is the Cultural Lead and an Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer from the Ngarrang Gulinj-al Boordup team at EACH. I would like to share the words prepared by the group and through the wishes of the students, presented by Sean Miller at the Assembly.

For tens of thousands of years, possum skin cloaks protected First Nations Peoples across South Eastern Australia from the cold and rain, mapped Country, told, and held, stories and even used in song and dance. They were traditionally given at birth, just a few pelts across to use as a comforting and cosy wrap for a newborn. As an individual grew, so too did their cloak as more skins were added and more knowledge and stories were learnt. The cloak traditionally stayed with the individual and was used as the burial garment as their spirit joined their Ancestors and Creator Spirits in the Dreaming.

Our Cloak is currently made up of 4 pelts which each tell an individual story.

In the top left is Bunjil, the wedge tailed eagle Creator Spirit who is extremely significant throughout all of the Kulin Nations across wider Naam or Melbourne and beyond including Wurrundjeri country on which we are gathered.

Clayton Walsh in year 10 was the lead designer for this piece and included Wominjeka (or welcome in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurrundjeri people) as a sign of unity and good will.

Chrissy Clifford in year 10 created the top right piece which represents 黄色十大软件 coming together on our journeys from our many different backgrounds to gather around our Wiinj or fire to learn, grow and develop as a learning community.

The bottom left panel was created by Caoillin Rhodes in year 8 which highlights the many different Aboriginal Nations from which our students and their families have come from. There are approximately 250 Indigenous Nations or Language Groups across Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. It鈥檚 important to acknowledge the vast difference in cultures and languages around our Biik or land. This panel is of course designed to be added to as we are joined by other First Nations students, families and staff.

The bottom right skin was designed by Ella Humphries from Year 10 and shares examples of activities and symbols that have been important to the students involved in Journey Tracks. From cooking and learning more about bush tucker and our Indigenous plants and animals to different art and painting activities, and sporting opportunities, the Long Walk and Journey Tracks itself. We鈥檙e also looking forward to adding many more stories to this panel

We hope that this Possum Skin Cloak helps to remind us all that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cultures are alive and well and should be celebrated. We are so fortunate to share the land with cultures that date back millennia, earlier than any other living culture in the world. It has been an honour to be a part of the Journey Tracks group and I hope that this cloak fills you with a little of that same pride as we walk together on our journey towards reconciliation.

Rachel Crawley 

Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

Yr 8 Pilgrimage

Further to the whole school mass, our Year Eight students embarked on a retreat to the Don Bosco Retreat in Lysterfield. The purpose of the retreats is to be further exposed to various areas of faith formation, allowing our students to explore and deepen their spiritual journey.

Students participated in a variety of activities designed to encourage personal reflection and community building. The highlight for many students was the chance to connect with peers and staff during the walk up the big hill at lunchtime which provided some excellent views.
It was pleasing to see our students value the retreat which was displayed by their respect and participation.

Communication

As we are nearing the end of Term three, it鈥檚 important to try and stay on top of our assessment tasks with clear communication and organisation. Here are some tips on how we can make life less stressful during assessment periods:

1. Keep in touch: If you have questions about your assignments or need extra help, don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out to your teachers via email or in person. This is not a weakness, it is actually a great strength!
2. Being proactive: Once you have asked for help and still think you might struggle to meet the deadline, communicate this with your teacher before the deadline has expired, not after.
3. Stay organised: Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of deadlines. Breaking your tasks into smaller steps can also make them seem less overwhelming.
4. Create a study space: Find a quiet spot where you can focus on your work without distractions. Working with your mobile phone out of sight and reach increases productivity!

Sam Storey

Acting Head Middle Years

The EISM Cross Country Carnival was held this week on Wednesday at Ruffey Lake Park. Aquinas competed in the Division 1 section (against 6 other schools) and we were looking to do well again. The Boys have won the previous 2 carnivals in their section. The weather held out and we managed to get the carnival completed in time before the afternoon storms arrived.

Congratulations to all the students who competed on the day. Ruffey Lake Park cross country course is 3kms of lots of hills and valleys making it a very tough course. Many students had been training regularly this term and helped them prepare for the course.


On the day, a number of students had to compete in different age groups to make sure we had sufficient runners in each age group as we had a number of students who were not able to compete for a variety of reasons - a huge thank you to them.

Even though we did not have many students finish top 3 in their races, we were consistent in most age groups with our top 5 runners finishing in the top 25. We are proud to say that Aquinas was the Division one winner!

Individual results of the race can be found via the online results link . Please note that due to technical difficulties encountered on the day, some names of runners may be incorrect on this list, but the school they represent is correct and it is in the correct finishing order. Finishing times may also not be reliable, but again, the finishing order is correct.

Congratulations to these students who finished top 3.

• Under 16 Girls - 1st Aleisha Harmer (Year 10)
• Under 16 Boys - 1st Callum Settle ( Year 10)
• Open Girls - 3rd Gabby Linton (Year 11)
• Open Boys - 3rd Isaac Ghosn (Year 12)

For our Year 12 Students, this was their last EISM carnival and they were very eager to do well. Congratulations to them for their involvement with sport at Aquinas over the past 6 years - Georgia Scheer ( Sports Capt), Georgia Kavanagh ( Sports Capt), Sophie Lorusso, Zoe Vozzo, Tom Vardy ( Sports Capt) Isaac Ghosn and Jamie Clarke.

Well done to all the other members of the team who competed on the day

Yr 7: Alaska Bromley, Will Butler, Giselle Galigiore, Lui Chalk, William Collins, Heidi Dawson, Abbigail Garbellini, Leah Gobetti, Mason Juchno, Flynn Logan, Milla McDonald, Tasma Motteram, Dominic Nedza, Isaac Noden, Ethan Sontag, Thomas Thorvardson, Ben Tornatora, Mabel Van Marle, Bailey Waddell

Yr 8: Jessica Beveridge, Zac Buyck, Isabelle Dubois, Casey Gray, Joseph Harvey, Caleb Hawkins, Seah Jo, Jasper Mijat, Albie Moran, Summer O鈥橩eefe, Sam Schulz, Mikayla Scott, Grace Seadon, Ben Weston

Yr 9: Chloe Anderson, Coby Baker, Beau Blackshaw, Zara Galigiore, Jett Clarke, Kingston Clarke, Hailey Coulson, Zoe Fabre, Nathaniel Galletly, Maeve Gilson, Aengus Hartley, Charlotte Jones, Riley Kwong, Max Lorkin, Charlie Lowe, Lenny Matthews, Xavier Micallef, Theresa Ngaihte, Aidan Penhale, Lilliana Poot, Jethro Steen, Oliver Stuart, Dominic Tolcher, Joe Vardy

Yr 10: Griffin Box, Randan Cerantola, Gabby Hooper, Owen Lamborn, Garcia McKrell-Bonacci, Gallagher Robertson, Kiah Singh, Judd Walhout,

Yr 11: Lachie Buyck, Evie Evans, Emma Fabre, Alovi Gomes, Maddie Payne, Cameron White

Bernie Brummell
Sports Coordinator

Science beyond the classroom鈥�

Making connections with the wider scientific community beyond the traditional classroom setting can contribute significantly to students鈥� personal and academic growth. As the world becomes more interconnected, participation in external programs and experiences is becoming increasingly important for students to succeed in scientific fields.

One of the key advantages of engaging in external scientific programs and experiences is the exposure to real-world applications of science. By participating in programs offered by organisations such as the Victorian Space and Science Education Centre (VSSEC) and Knox Innovation, Opportunity and Sustainability Centre/Swinburne University (KIOSC), students are given the chance to see how scientific principles are applied in various industries and disciplines, These fields can include pharmaceuticals, engineering, environmental science industries, and space exploration to name just a few. This exposure can also deepen students鈥� understanding of scientific concepts, providing context and relevance to the material they learn in their classes. It also allows students to see the real impact of science on society, inspiring them to pursue careers that make meaningful contributions to global challenges.

The Year 11 chemistry class recently travelled to VSSEC in Strathmore. They were tasked with investigating the concentrations of metal cations responsible for inhibition of iron uptake in astronauts. 鈥楽pace anaemia鈥� is a serious issue for astronauts as iron is considered an essential mineral that is necessary for normal bodily function. Blood serum iron concentrations were measured using Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy; and blood serum calcium and magnesium levels, other metal ions that play vital roles in the function of our bodies, were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. These highly sensitive spectroscopy tools were needed to detect the low concentrations of these metals.

Students were involved with producing a series of standards to create a calibration curve for each metal ion analysis using the dilution formula and precise volumetric scientific equipment. Astronaut serum samples were then analysed against the standard solution calibration curves to determine the target ion concentrations.

The opportunity to use the highly sensitive equipment at VSSEC and the students' own stoichiometric skills established in the classroom, in a hands-on scenario was invaluable to understanding more about the real life applications of chemistry.

In addition to the practical experience gained, these programs foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many external experiences such as this encourage students to work through challenges that require innovative thinking, collaboration, and the ability to address complex real world issues. These experiences go beyond traditional learning or following prescribed laboratory experiments, as students are often involved with all aspects of the task from designing and performing experiments, interpreting the data, and then presenting their findings. This process helps them develop a more independent mindset, essential for any aspiring scientist or researcher. As a result, students gain confidence in their abilities to tackle scientific problems and learn to think creatively, skills that are valuable not only in science but in many professional fields.

The Year 11 KIOSC excursion at Swinburne University involved, for example, an investigation into the environmental changes at Lake Argyle in Western Australia. Students deepened their understanding of the negative impacts associated with open cut mining, including drainage of highly acidic water rich from such mines as well as the precautions required to reduce the negative impacts from such contamination. Students completed a virtual experience, precipitation colour tests, flame tests, pH measurement and a colorimetry to test for levels of various contaminates including heavy metals. The KIOSC excursion provided students with key skills that supported their understanding and provided insight into future career options. Students were able to see the relevance of their schoolwork, were encouraged to continue their study of Science, and build on the skills addressed in their studies that are required to address and mitigate environmental damage for future generations.

Importantly, external scientific experiences and programs also often provide opportunities for mentorship and networking. Students who participate in these experiences can interact with professionals and experts in the field, including scientists, researchers, engineers, and educators. This exposure allows them to gain insights into various career paths and receive guidance from individuals with real-world experience. Networking with professionals and peers also opens doors to future internships, scholarships, and research opportunities, laying the groundwork for future academic and career success.

Recently, National Geographic photojournalist Doug Gimesy came to speak to our Environmental Science students (years 10-12). His honest and candid reflection of his professional and personal journey in Science and specifically Conservation was truly inspirational. He spoke about a wide range of topics from the positive and negative impact of his work with local penguin colonies in St.Kilda to receiving international recognition and meeting with Sir David Attenborough. Doug, together with passionate Environmental Science teacher Kate Chamberlain are great ambassadors for illicing important changes in our world as well as being excellent mentors for our students.

Another important aspect of being connected to the wider scientific community in this way is the development of the more transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership that the experiences outlined foster in students. These opportunities often require students to show initiative and collaborate with others, present their research, and discuss their findings in a professional setting. These experiences help students learn how to communicate complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner, a skill that is invaluable in any career. Additionally, working in teams on projects helps students develop interpersonal skills and teaches them how to work effectively with others. This skill is a critical component of success in the increasingly collaborative nature of scientific research and other industries.

In conclusion, participating in external experiences and programs outside of formal school education is an invaluable opportunity for students to expand their horizons. These experiences provide practical experience, foster critical thinking, offer mentorship and networking opportunities, and help students develop essential interpersonal skills. For any student with an interest in science, these programs can serve as a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in the rapidly evolving world of science and technology. As such, they represent a vital complement to traditional education, helping to nurture the next generation of scientists, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Mrs Marisa Tsoukatos

Science Learning Area Leader

VET Hospitality and Cookery students embarked on an exciting culinary journey this week at the Fine Food Australia Expo 2024, held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. This industry-only event, renowned for showcasing the best in food and beverage innovation, was a great opportunity for our students to explore the latest trends in the food industry and gain insights from industry experts.

The Fine Food Australia Expo 2024 featured an impressive lineup of over 1,000 exhibitors, representing a range of sectors from artisanal producers to global food brands. The Expo offered a range of interactive workshops and demonstrations. Kirsten Tibballs demonstrated a fabulous entremet filled with Pistachio and Agar Gel Raspberries. Our students sampled many of the unique products and explored a range of cutting edge industry technology and equipment. Self serve acai ice cream and barista free coffee machines were particularly popular with the students.

The Fine Food Australia Expo 2024 was not only a day of discovery but also a reminder of the endless possibilities within the hospitality industry. Our students returned not only with full bellies but also with a wealth of knowledge that they will be able to use in their end of year exams particularly focussing on the current trends in the industry.

Thank you to 黄色十大软件 and the teachers who made this dynamic and educational trip possible. We look forward to more opportunities for our students to explore the innovative hospitality industry in the future.

Owen Stott

Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre

For Music Notes this week, we are publishing the speech from the Assembly of our Senior Music Captains, Lachlan Bruni, Sarai Nunez and Cody Boland. 

I鈥檓 Lachlan Bruni, one of the senior music captains. Since the last time we spoke to the whole school, the school鈥檚 music scene has just hit its apex. We have recently welcomed Alison Bellew and Emily McKenzie as the Music Programs Coordinators at the College. We're all really lucky to have their expertise and experience leading the music program here at Aquinas.  Together, in this very gymnasium, they flawlessly led our annual Music Showcase. The evening was a meaningful occasion as the Showcase is one of the few events throughout the year where we can perform for our parents and other great supporters such as the Parents and Friends Network.  The event saw the school鈥檚 top bands, choirs, and ensembles proudly display their musical projects for which some groups have rehearsed for multiple months. It was an excellent opportunity to celebrate our achievements and perform for our families. 

The event also featured performances from our own Year 12 music class, the inaugural performance of the Cinque Terror small guitar group as well as a combined performance incorporating all of our music students together, bands, choirs and ensembles to perform a fantastic rendition of the classic James Bond theme and Adele hit Skyfall. The performances were a testament to the talent and dedication of our staff and students involved in the music program. It's safe to say we all enjoyed ourselves and were proud to put our talents on display, as my last showcase here at Aquinas was a real send-off for a great time here in the Aquinas Music program.

Sarai: Thank you Lachy, in the last few weeks the senior and junior concert bands and Illuminate choir recently attended the Victorian School Music Festival, also known as VSMF. The event was a great opportunity for the ensembles to acquire further experience in performing in front of an audience and receive feedback whilst on stage from the adjudicators present at the time.  

As a result of the student鈥檚 hard work,  all three ensembles were awarded bronze for their performances. Furthermore in terms of music, just earlier this term was the annual music core ensembles camp. This included the concert bands, choirs and guitar ensembles.  Music camp was a great opportunity to make friends with students from other ensembles and rehearse their group pieces whilst participating in camp activities such as flying fox, rock climbing and laser tag. We also had the opportunity to rehearse our end of year piece that includes all three ensembles to be played at showcase.

Cody: Thanks Sarai, it has been a very exciting couple of weeks for the music department! The choirs had the privilege of going to the Royal South Street Society, a prestigious and historic music competition in Ballarat that showcases the musical talent of vocalists from all around Victoria. I am so proud of our participation level in our vocal ensembles this year, which also contributed to exceptionally high placements in the competition. Senior Harmony, Illuminate and Jazz Choir all placed third in their divisions. The Ablaze junior choir also did amazing!

In two days we also have the senior and intermediate stage bands travelling to South Street to compete in their instrumental sections. So I want to wish them all the best of luck! 

While acknowledging recent performances, I want to congratulate all of the students who participated in the 鈥淗igh School Musical鈥� production. I have heard wonderful feedback from members of the audience! There was a range of students ranging from year 7 and through to year 12. There was also accompaniment from instrumentalists who captured the musical soundtrack鈥檚 essence. I also want to give a shout out to all of the teachers who helped out with the musical, and the tech crew as it could not have been done without you.

Many thanks to our Music Captains for their work in promoting our music program.

R U OK?
This week at Aquinas we have been promoting the R U OK? ANY DAY. The YFC has been amazing, organising activities and fun events at recess and lunch, including bracelet making, conversation corners, live music, a soccer game all with a focus on inclusion and diversity. To raise awareness of the importance of starting a conversation with those around you. All with the added bonus of Winnie the Therapy dog being around to help!
It's time to check in with your loved ones and colleagues. R U OK?

We gathered this week to celebrate our Term 3 Mass, which focused on 'The Season of Creation' We were fortunate to have Father Justin preside over the Mass. Asking the Students to remember 3 things from the Bible that can teach and help us in our lives:
Identity
The genesis story gives us our identity as creatures made in the image and likeness of God. And God made us good, to do good and not to be greedy or destructive.
Belonging
We are called to belong to our community and not just focus on ourselves. This includes participating in our community and being an active member.
Purpose
We as humans have a purpose to grow and develop and contribute to our community with our god given gifts, especially when we are caring for creation. We are here to do good.

Thanks to all those who participated in the  Staff vs Students game and for the Year 9 Team Leaders and students who organised the event. The game was played in great spirits and Bernie Brummell ensured the safety of all involved. Thanks for a great initiative and celebration of good culture.

Football showdown: Chalk vs Cheek

Community spirit was on full display last Wednesday afternoon as staff took on a selection of Year nine students in a game of football (soccer to some). The game had everything; goals, mistimed challenges, pulled hamstrings, dives, yellow cards, penalties and controversial referee decisions.

The game was drawn (2-2) which allows anticipation to build before the decider in Term 4. Please reach out if you would like to participate. The more the merrier given our fitness levels! Thank you to Lisa Walsh (Captain) and Jess Weltner for organising the match. The number of spectators (staff and students) watching in a respectful and supportive manner was fantastic.

Here is a wonderful opportunity for your family to host a French student in 2025.

In 2025 students will be visiting for over two weeks and we are looking for 黄色十大软件 families to host students from both our partner French culinary school and French high school.

Dates -

French culinary school - 19th of February to 6th of March 2025

French high school - 20th Feb to 5th March

We have had some interest from Aquinas families but we need many more families to host. There will be 10 students from Lycee Sainte Marie (French high school) and 18 students from Lycee Notre Dame du Roc (French culinary school) visiting.

Host families will need to be confirmed by the end of school, December 2024 so they can start corresponding with the French visitor.

This is a great opportunity to forge a relationship with a student from another country and previous families have said it was a fantastic experience and still correspond with their French student.

All of the visiting French students range in age from 16 to 18 years and all do English language classes as part of their studies. We ask the Aquinas host families to make our guests feel comfortable in their homes (each student must have their own room) and arrange travel for the French student to and from school each day. Aquinas host families would also need to provide a packed school lunch on the days outlined in the itinerary. On other days the French student will be buying their own lunch or have a special lunch provided.

We need to reiterate that you do not need to speak any French. The joy of the experience is to give cross-cultural communication a go! This will also build connections that will assist Aquinas students who plan to take up the opportunity to visit France on the French language and Hospitality tour at the end of the 2025 academic year.

If you would be interested in hosting a culinary student, please contact Owen Stott, Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre, stottom@aquinas.vic.edu.au.

If you would be interested in hosting a French student from the high school, please contact Nathalie Walshe, Languages - Learning Area Leader, walshenp@aquinas.vic.edu.au.

Owen Stott 

Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre

This weekend both Abigail & Amelia Watson competed at the Victorian Schools Slalom & Wildwater Championships for Aquinas, held at Fitzsimons Lane Bridge in Templestowe.
We are very proud of their results and thank them for representing Aquinas!

Abigail Watson:
U16 female - Wildwater Classic - 1st
U16 female - Slalom K1 - 1st
U16 female - Wildwater Sprint - 1st

and paddling up an age-group for the Canoe Slalom
U18 female - Slalom C1 - 2nd

Amelia Watson:
U14 female - Wildwater Classic - 1st
U14 female - Slalom K1 - 1st
U14 female - Wildwater Sprint 1st
Amelia's performance earning her the trophy for fastest Junior Female.

The girls were competing for the Small School Category (1-5 paddlers), their performances earning top spot for Aquinas.

Top 3 results as follows:
1st 黄色十大软件
2nd Koonung Secondary College
3rd Alphington Grammar

This week, our High School Musical company came together to celebrate our successful season earlier this term. Our 鈥渞eunion鈥� saw lots of laughs and reminiscing as we sat together to watch the closing night performance.

Some new traditions and acknowledgements were introduced at our celebration.

The 黄色十大软件 Legacy Cloak: The Legacy cloak will be awarded to member(s) of the ensemble that have shown outstanding initiative, team work, dedication and excellence throughout their participation in the rehearsal and performance process. Our inaugural recipients are: Alexander Hoffman (Yr 7 ) and Sienna Stevenson (Yr 9)

Director鈥檚 Award: was presented to Ewan Dawson (Yr 9) for growth and excellence in his performance and participation.

Certificate of participation: All students involved were presented with a certificate as a memento of their involvement..

We congratulate all staff and students on a wonderful season and look forward to sharing information about the 2025 College Musical Production soon.

Gina Goss, Sarah Owen, Alysia Silvagni 

Directors!

Please read from the principal's office explaining the process.