黄色十大软件

2025 Student Leadership

Last Sunday鈥檚 Gospel (Mk 10:35-45) was, very fittingly, focussed on Servant Leadership. Why fitting? Because on Tuesday this week our 2025 Year 12 student leadership team was announced at the College Assembly, receiving their handover from our wonderful 2024 leaders. I have the pleasure of conducting one-on-one interviews with each of the captains and was very impressed by their maturity and love for the College. I asked each of them what they thought was the most important quality of a leader and was very pleased to hear their emphasis on empathetic qualities, genuinely listening and serving their fellow students.

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the following students on their appointment as our 2025 黄色十大软件 Captains and Year 12 leaders:

College Captains: Evie Evans & Joseph Campbell

College Vice Captains: Lachie Buyck & Maeve Wilkinson

College Ambassadors: Emmy Landsberg & Orlando Tsui

College Board Representative: Tyra Wu

Faith Captain: Ruth Tawng

Dominic House Captain: Raphael McLean

Mackillop House Captain: Anneka Rasmussen

Rice House Captain: Jade Forder

VM Captain: Jessica Blackman

Performing Arts Captain: Tilly Van Neuren

Sport Captain: Gaby Linton

Dance Leader: Keeley Allison

Drama Leader: Sophie Naismith

Music Leaders: Anika Pamamull & Seb Farrell

Sport Leader: Alovi Gomes

Social Justice Leader: Grace Rider

Sustainability Leader: Milo McCurdy

VM Leaders: Mia Chen & Maddox Sturdy

I look forward to working with these fine young leaders to serve our Aquinas students, staff and community.

Year 10 Gala Ball

It was a delight to attend the first of the two Year 10 Gala Balls and witness our students in their black and white finery. The dance lessons certainly paid off for the vast majority and it was a great pleasure to witness the many proud parents, grandparents and family members in attendance to support our Year 10 students. Many thanks to the Parents & Friends Network for coordinating this unique opportunity and to the staff who assisted in the organisation and supervision.

French exchange student hosting

The wonderful opportunity for your family to host a French student in 2025 is still available!

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.

If you would be interested in hosting a culinary student from 19 February to 6 March 2025, 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 from 20 February to 5 March 2025, please contact Nathalie Walshe, Languages - Learning Area Leader, walshenp@aquinas.vic.edu.au


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. Host families do not need to speak any French. The joy of the experience is to give cross-cultural communication a go!

Please see below for further details.

School Advisory Council- call for nominations

Under the auspices of our governing body - the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) board - the 黄色十大软件 School Advisory Council (SAC) exists to support the principal, parish priest and leadership team of the school. At the end of 2024, we will be farewelling three of our long-serving SAC members, opening places for new voices to contribute.

While no particular expertise is required, the school seeks people with a range of diverse skill sets to best advise the principal, united by a desire to provide the best possible education for our students. A balanced membership with parent voice on the SAC is well-placed to advise the principal about important matters, particularly those related to the school鈥檚 mission and students鈥� success.

The needs of the council will be given priority in terms of ensuring a balance of gender, cultural diversity and skill sets.

Therefore, we are calling on you to express your interest in being part of the School Advisory Council. If you are a member of the parish, have children in the school or are an Aquinas alumnus and wish to be part of this important support to our College, we would welcome your application to or enquiry about the SAC to principal@aquinas.vic.edu.au by Friday 1 November.

David Broadbent
Principal

Dealing with setbacks

I was having a conversation with one of our students last week, who was somewhat frustrated and upset at missing out on a basketball team that he tried hard to make. It is an unfortunate common story at this point in the year for many basketball players, whose aspirations and goals to make the best representative teams can often lead to setbacks and frustrations when they are not selected to the team that they believe they could play.

Basketball selections for representative basketball can be daunting and frustrating for young people because in most cases, they try their best but their desired results may not be what they hope for. This is the same for all experiences in life when giving it your best does not bring what you wish to achieve. Helping young people deal with setbacks is crucial in building their resilience and emotional wellbeing. As parents, there are many things you can do to support your child when they don鈥檛 make a team, don鈥檛 achieve the result they aimed for in their studies or miss out on a job at the local grocery store.

Explaining that setbacks are a natural and a common part of life is a key. Everyone, including highly successful people, experience failures or obstacles as they travel through their journeys. Emphasising that it is okay to struggle helps young people to understand that setbacks are not a reflection of their worth but rather a learning opportunity.

Professor promotes the Growth Mindset Theory, suggesting that teaching people the power of a growth mindset, where abilities and intelligence are seen as things that can improve with effort, is essential to development and achievement in the life journey. When faced with a challenge, encouraging statements like 鈥淲hat can I learn from this?鈥� or 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 figured this out yet,鈥� instead of 鈥淚 can鈥檛 do this鈥� will always improve our outlook in life.

As adults, we learn that often, reflecting on what happened, is essential when improving. Yet, this is something that we don鈥檛 often explicitly teach young people. Teaching kids to ask open-ended questions like, "What went wrong?" and "What could be done differently next time?" can significantly help them reflect and identify areas to improve, whilst encouraging strong resilience building. Self-reflection helps them view the setback as a learning experience, promoting problem-solving skills.

It is extremely important to praise their effort, persistence, and problem-solving rather than just the results. This shifts the focus from success or failure to the process, encouraging perseverance even when things don鈥檛 go as planned. Making a team, or being considered in a competitive environment is a key achievement. It is therefore important to help young people manage the emotions that come with setbacks, such as frustration or disappointment because that in itself may be part of the reason for not making the cut. Breathing exercises, mindfulness, and positive self-talk are useful tools to calm down and approach challenges with a clearer mindset as the going gets tough.

As their role models, we also must demonstrate how to deal with setbacks in our own lives, even if this means not challenging the selectors or coaches. Share stories of how you鈥檝e handled obstacles, mistakes, or failures and what you鈥檝e learned from them. Seeing a role model respond constructively to challenges inspires young people to do the same. Setbacks can feel overwhelming, especially for young people. Breaking down the large problems into smaller, more manageable steps, can help the young person deal with the setback.

As a former basketball and footy coach, I have come across a lot of disappointed people who may have not made their desired team. At a club where my own kids played, there were often 130 kids aiming to make the number one team. Back in my day, 100 kids would simply miss out and 3 teams would be formed from the 30 top players. Nowadays, 30 kids will miss out and 100 will get to play across 10 teams. My advice has always been that if a person is good enough to make it, they will but a life of sport, or work or dance, or whatever the child is interested in, does not end with one perceived setback. Playing a game you love is the key, making friends and keeping healthy is a bonus.

A good friend of mine plays in the NBA, the world鈥檚 best basketball competition. As a junior, he never got a look into the Victorian teams. He is now, arguably, Australia鈥檚 best prospect. Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn't work hard. Help your child strive for excellence and support them through resilience building.

Nap Rodezno

Deputy Principal

Spiritually Speaking 

Next week, some of you may be hearing the ringing of doorbells and eating the Halloween sweets meant for those who come to your door. The concept of Halloween is often linked to the pagan rituals, but what about the Christian perspective? Like many Christian celebrations, both pagan and Jewish traditions have been incorporated into our practise. People inherit / adapt to suit the cultural environment of the time. Halloween is no exception.

The word Halloween is derived from 鈥淎ll Hallows Eve鈥�. The old English word 鈥渉allow鈥� translates to saint or holy person, therefore Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day.

All Saints Day is one of our days of Holy obligation; a time to remember our saints in heaven. It is also the start of a month of remembrance for our loved ones who have passed.

If only I knew this when I was younger - maybe I could have convinced my mother to let me go trick & treating because it was based on Christianity not 鈥淎merican commercialism鈥�.... On second thoughts, I don鈥檛 think it would have really worked.

As we head into this month of prayer for our loved ones, may your memories be joyful and full of laughter. We pray:

Father and Protector of all You have created,

we raise our hearts to You today for those

who have passed

For all the faithful who have died we pray,

but in particular for those dear to us,

parents, relatives and friends.

nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth,

who helped us by their prayers, sacrifice and example.

We pray also for any who may have done us harm,

and stand in special need of Your forgiveness.

May the light of your presence and the comfort of your arms welcome them in heaven.

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal Mission

Senior Years Report

This week, the 黄色十大软件 community came together to honour, celebrate and farewell the graduating class of 2024. Commencing on Monday with the Graduation Ceremony followed by morning Mass and a whole school assembly on Tuesday, concluding with a shared lunch and Year 12 activities. Weaved throughout all the celebrations was the beautiful music performed by the Year 12 ensembles, bands, harmony choirs and VCE music classes.

The Graduation Ceremony, held in the evening, with family and friends gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in each student's educational journey. The ceremony was filled with memorable moments as students expressed their gratitude for the opportunities for the education and opportunities they received at Aquinas, as well as the love and support of their families, friends and many teachers. Scott Buchanan and Natasha Vasilliou affirmed and acknowledged the cohort鈥檚 unique qualities wishing them success as they embark on new adventures. A proud evening for families watching their child receive their graduation certificate from Mr Broadbent, concluding the evening with a powerful rendition of the school song. An added bonus on the evening for families was the Graduation Art Display, where Yr12 student artwork was exhibited.

Mass at Our Lady鈥檚 of Perpetual Help welcomed in Celebration Day. This event held deep significance for the College, marking the moment when students leave behind the familiar school environment for new, uncharted experiences. The Mass emphasised the importance of faith and the ongoing support of the local parish, offering students a sense of belonging as they prepare to step into the future. The whole school assembly provides the students across years 7 -11 the opportunity to join in with the uplifting emotions of the day, joining in prayer to give thanks for the friendships and shared moments and bless as they prepare for new endeavours. Mr Broadbent thanked the students for their contributions to the school, wishing them well on their futures. Ms. Meredith Greenwood delivered an inspiring address, encouraging the graduates to face life鈥檚 challenges with courage, take meaningful risks, and pursue greatness beyond their own expectations.

Closing the assembly were the College Captains, Connor Haughie and Isobel Mugamu with their warm words:

鈥淚f the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.鈥� Thomas Aquinas would have had no idea how impactful his statement would be to us today, the graduating class of 2024. The process of us as students leaving the safe and familiar port of a school environment can certainly be both scary and intimidating. But, as Aquinas implied, a ship cannot stay in its port forever鈥︹�︹��..Through the last 13 years of schooling, we are ready to take this on due to the wonderful opportunities, experiences, and interactions we鈥檝e had that have shaped us into the people we are today鈥︹�︹��. we have been well equipped to set sail on our voyage into the world, with new places to explore, challenges to face, goals to accomplish, and memories to look forward to.

 
Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

When my kids were pre-schoolers, I remember being with just them and my wife in a seaside cafe and the music was playing loudly. Instinctively, they got up to dance. It looked liked fun so I got up and joined in. After several minutes of me cutting up the dance floor, some more patrons entered the establishment. I assumed they came in because the word had got around that Justin Timberlake was in the local cafe. Either way, again there was an instinctive response. My kids kept going and I very quickly sat down.

When do we start to care so much what others think? I asked some students at Aquinas when they began to strongly feel the fear of being judged, a fear that seems to be more and more apparent with our young people. None of them said an age that was past single figures.

I think it is important to be aware of others and how our behaviour can be impacting them negatively. We shouldn鈥檛 just say we don鈥檛 care what people think and just do as we please. We live in large communities where we want to work and live together thinking of others needs and feelings. But as basic as my dance moves were, I wasn鈥檛 offending anyone and was having a wholesome time with 3 little kids but couldn鈥檛 sit down quickly enough when some guests arrived.

Maybe my example says more about me than the growing fear of being judged but with the Year 12s having their final day and a new world of opportunities at their doorstep, I think we need to help our young people with this issue so they can flourish and be who they are designed to be.

At the final Year 12 Celebration assembly, Aquinas Teacher and experienced leader of students and teachers for many years Meredith Greenwood, gave inspiring words to our departing students about being brave and taking risks. They were words about being bold and courageous in their choices. These bold and courageous choices will come with preparing to face judgements from others and managing to cope with that.

In hearing Ms Greenwood鈥檚 succinct and motivating words, it made me think that as educators, parents, and mentors we need to help them with this quest. We need to also model being brave and bold with our choices amid judgement and support our young people who are living in a world where many feel this consistently.

Ways we can try to do this with them (and maybe ourselves) are:

Focus on Growth: Embrace a mindset that values learning and growth over perfection. Praising effort over results can be a way to do this.

Limit Social Media Exposure: Social media can amplify feelings of judgment. (When I watch those dance TikToks I feel very inadequate!) Talk about the impact of social media and unrealistic portrayals in media and help them to critically evaluate these influences.

Model Self-Worth: Demonstrate a healthy sense of self-worth in your own actions and words and keep working on healthy ones with them. A strong sense of self worth is like Teflon to judgement!

Talk About Judgement: Everyone faces it and deals with it in different ways.Challenge their negative thoughts. When they feel judged, ask yourself if there's any real evidence for those thoughts. Often, our fears are exaggerated.

Praise People We See in Our Community and in the Media Who are Bold and Brave With Their Choices: ie model positive judgement!

Encourage Them to Surround Themselves with Supportive People: Spending time with those who uplift us and encourage our authentic self.

Mark Twain said, 鈥�"Dance like nobody's watching" This is all about letting go and enjoying the moment. Sorry Mark but I wonder if we could reword that quote from 150 years ago.

鈥淚t鈥檚 inevitable that people are watching, you can handle it. Most people are too focused on their own lives to judge you as much as you might think. Dance even though they are watching.鈥�

Doesn鈥檛 roll off the tongue quite as smoothly as Twain鈥檚 words!

Phil Box
Head Middle Years

Aussie Bird Count

黄色十大软件 participated in the Aussie Bird Count last week. Students from a range of classes and year levels became citizen scientist鈥檚 as they conducted bird counts. This involved identification of birds and recording data. Across Australia over 4 million birds were counted. An impressive achievement. The Aussie bird count will return in October 2025.

Karyn Myers

Sustainability Coordinator

The last two weeks in the Music Department have been enormously busy. Music performances have enhanced the Year 12 Final Mass, Graduation Ceremony and Whole School Assembly. Thank you to all our students who work so hard, and contribute so much to the important occasions of the school. Enjoy some photos below.

Monday next week, 28 October, is our Junior Showcase, the culmination of the year's work for our Junior Ensembles. Starting with the incredible massed Combined Item, it will offer a varied program of performances from the Guitar Ensemble, Concert Bands, Stage Bands, Strings, Rock Band and Choirs. Some tickets are still available through Trybooking:

We are also performing at Our Lady's Fete this Saturday. Come along and support one of our local schools!

Our Instrumental Soiree season has begun, with Emily McKenzie holding her voice student soiree last night. We look forward to welcoming our music families to these more intimate performances. Keep an eye on the school calendar and PAM for more information.

Congratulations to all our Year 12 VCE Music students. The final two will sit their performance exams this weekend, and round out a successful exam season for our students. We're proud of the work you have put in to your musical practice.

Finally, congratulations to Rose Ennis, who received an A+ for her recent Grade 8 violin AMEB exam. What a legend!

Alison Bellew and Emily McKenzie
Music Program Coordinators

The Humanities continues to demonstrate its extraordinary value in preparing students for an interconnected world. Through the development of critical thinking, empathy, and analytical skills, our programs continue to equip students to engage meaningfully as global citizens. As technological advancements accelerate and global challenges evolve, the adaptability and relevance of our Humanities courses are evident in how they nurture the next generation of informed, empathetic individuals.

Throughout this academic year, students have participated in immersive experiences that bridge classroom theory with local, national, and global realities. Our Year 7 students, for instance, explored the issue of water scarcity, taking part in the '6km Water Challenge' to replicate the daily journey faced by mothers in sub-Saharan Africa to access clean water. This powerful experience transformed abstract statistics into concrete understanding, fostering genuine empathy and heightened global awareness.

Each year level has contributed to this broader journey of global citizenship. Year 8 students analysed global demographics, examining population trends and their implications for resource distribution and social equity. Meanwhile, students in Years 9 to 12 conducted extensive fieldwork as part of their Geography studies, investigating local environmental challenges while drawing parallels to global phenomena. In History, the study of World War I and World War II in Years 9 and 10, alongside the exploration of the Arab-Israeli Conflict in VCE History, proved particularly relevant as students examined how these pivotal events shaped the geopolitical tensions that persist today, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East.

In the senior years, Commerce students broadened their global perspective. Year 10 Commerce and VCE Economics and Business Management students analysed international money markets through real-world case studies, deepening their understanding of global economic interdependence. They examined how financial decisions in one country can create ripple effects across continents, highlighting the interconnected nature of today's economy. This learning was further enriched by senior students' participation in the ASX Share Market Game, where they applied their financial knowledge in a simulated trading environment, gaining practical insights into market fluctuations and economic decision-making. A notable example of these global dynamics was seen in the Year 12 Business Management case study on Telstra鈥檚 decision to reduce its workforce by 10%, driven by the rise of Artificial Intelligence鈥攊llustrating how global trends influence national contexts.

Across all subjects, students have honed the critical analytical tools and intellectual frameworks needed to engage with contemporary global challenges. In History and Politics, they explored the complex roots of modern conflicts, while in Geography and Commerce, they examined strategies to address urgent issues such as population growth, environmental sustainability, and economic inequality.

The Humanities remain crucial in equipping students to interpret, critique, and navigate our global society. As Albert Einstein wisely noted, "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding." It is precisely this deep, multifaceted understanding that our Humanities programs continue to foster, preparing students to become active, informed global citizens.

Finally, none of this would be possible without the tireless dedication of our Humanities teaching team. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire team, and in particular to our Year 12 teachers, whose unwavering commitment and expertise have been instrumental in guiding our senior students through their final year. Their passion for fostering globally minded individuals, combined with their pursuit of excellence, has created an enriching educational environment that will benefit our students well beyond the classroom. We also wish our students every success in their upcoming examinations and future endeavours.

Steve O'Brien

Humanities Learning Area Leader

The Year 9 student leadership team were lucky enough to be invited to MacKillop Family Services along with three other Catholic schools last Friday. MacKillop Family Services is a community that strives for the safety of young people and families in the hope that they can give all children and families the opportunities that they deserve. We learnt a lot about how empathy is so important and putting yourself in someone else's shoes can change your perspective completely, which for us it definitely did.

One of the things I would like to highlight is foster care and how MacKillop family services have been able to provide children without a safe space the opportunity to live in a secure environment. We heard a story about a lady who was only meant to take care of two boys for three weeks when they were very young, but their biological parents weren鈥檛 ready to take them back. This empathetic lady has been continuing fostering the boys for many years, providing them with stability and the empathy they needed. What really stood out for me in this story was the power of compassion and love, not just fostering. It allows vulnerable children to be able to be nourished and to have a brighter future. It also shows that not all heroes wear capes, such as foster carers, who make it possible for children to have a safe and loving home.

The day truly was insightful and made us all think ,it was filled with loads of activities that were very enjoyable but also so informative. We were all very grateful to have been there and spoken to by these very inspirational people.We plan to make gift bags with essentials for those children who have to move from foster home to foster home in the hopes of giving them some kind of comfort.

We appreciated the opportunity to present our experiences to Aquinas staff during their 鈥楶rayer and Share鈥� session on the following Monday.

By Dulcie White (Rice) & Deon Jito (MacKillop)

Year 9 Leaders who attended:
Dulcie White
Deon Jito
Jayden Thorvardson
Abbey Bruni
Samantha Crossman
Pia Crozier
Charlotte Jones
Zac Parker

The philosophy workshop started with the Maxi Taxi saga, in which no taxis turned up and we then had to take a minibus, only learning that we were the second school arriving at Tintern. We started off with ethics, learning about different views of different philosophers, and how we each view the world to be. After a quick break, we got back into it with a metaphysics section, in which we looked at the meaning of life as well as time travel, where we watched an episode of 鈥淒octor Who鈥�. After more discussion on the topic, we went into the theatre and watched an episode of 鈥淪tar Trek鈥� focusing on AI, and then elaborated on that after lunch. Overall, I found this to be a great experience for me and I hope my fellow AGiLErs felt the same. If possible, I would definitely do this workshop again, and I hope to do more of these fun activities in the future.

Jack Armarego
Year 7 AGiLE member

As a lead in to the Graduation Ceremony Tuesday night, we held our annual Grad Display celebrating our year 12 Art, VCD and Media students achievements. To say it was amazing is an understatement. Seeing our remarkable students journals and final presentations was inspiring!

Our VCD rooms were overflowing with diverse design ideas, concepts and solutions. With models, technical drawings, packages, surface graphics and everything in between, it was a Very Creative Display.

The Media room captivated everyone with films that drew in audiences through strong narratives, quality acting, directing and editing. Photography and print media was also on display, exploring a range of themes and messages, showing strong student voices and media skills.

Our senior art room was a feast for the eyes! The diverse visual language, styles and approaches, artforms and ideas was inspirational. With ceramic sculptures, portraits, abstract paintings and realistic drawings, it was clear that our students were confident in expressing their authentic voices through art. Journals gave an insight to the explorations and sources of inspiration leading to creative expression.
Congratulations to our graduating Visual Artists on a truly fabulous year, and to the creative Visual Art team who, from year 7-12, inspire, support, guide and perhaps most importantly give our young people the space and freedom to express themselves each year.

Sandi van der Niet
Arts Learning Area Leader

Today in our Food Studies class we made gyozas to understand allergies within different recipes. Students may be allergic to sesame seeds/ sesame oil and wheat wonton wrappers. Students may also be intolerant to spring onion, garlic and ginger. This recipe helped us to understand the importance of ingredient awareness, substitute options and avoiding cross contamination.

- Lily, Bella and Sienna Year 11 Food Studies

In today鈥檚 Food Studies class, we crafted gyoza, which were a delight to the senses. The strong aroma wafting from the pan was inviting, with notes of savoury meat and fragrant garlic mingling together. Once cooked, the gyoza boasted a perfectly crispy texture on one side, offering a satisfying contrast to the tender filling within. Each bite revealed a burst of flavours umami-rich pork, fresh vegetables, and a hint of ginger, harmoniously balanced.

- Eloise and Erin Year 11 Food Studies

Today in Food Studies Ciara and I made up some Gyoza, for our task we were asked to compare what it would be like if we had to scale up the recipe to make 100 gyoza. We learnt some of the benefits and negatives of scaling up. One benefit is that making a larger batch can save time, and you can buy ingredients in bulk, which is cheaper. However, it can be harder to make sure each gyoza tastes the same, as it鈥檚 tricky to keep the flavour and texture perfect when making so many at once. You also need to adjust cooking times and be careful with measurements to get everything right, which can be more challenging than when cooking a small batch at home.

- Joey and Ciara Year 11 Food Studies

Gyoza, which are Japanese dumplings, can contain various ingredients that may trigger food intolerances in some individuals. Common food intolerances related to gyoza include

Gluten: The wrappers are typically made from wheat flour, which contains gluten. Those with gluten intolerance should avoid gyoza made with traditional wrappers.

Garlic and Onions: These ingredients are often used in gyoza fillings and can trigger intolerances or sensitivities in some people.

If you have specific food intolerances, it's best to check the ingredients or prepare gyoza with safe alternatives.

- Antonio and Anthony Year 11 Food Studies

Caitlin Stewart
Teacher   

An excerpt from the Year Level Leaders Graduation speech:

"From your very first day of Year 12, it was clear that you were a special group. You bring energy, laughter and spirit to everything you do, creating a sense of community and belonging. Your ability to lift each other up, to support one another, and to find joy even in challenging times are strengths that will serve you well beyond the school walls."

"Class of 2024, you have learned so much more than what鈥檚 written in textbooks. You have learned the value of connection, the strength that comes from supporting each other, and the importance of resilience. These lessons will be your compass as you navigate the future. As you celebrate tonight, reflect on the friendships made, the memories created, and the journey you have been on. Know that this is just the beginning, and the best is yet to come. Trust in your abilities, believe in your capacity to adapt and grow, and most importantly, never lose the joy and laughter that have made you such an incredible group."

Natasha Vasiliou & Scott Buchanan
Year 12 Level Leaders

Isaac has consistently participated in the Aquinas sports program over his 6 years at Aquinas. Always eager to be involved in as many sports as possible, playing for many different teams. 

This year, Isaac played Netball and Basketball in the EISM weekly competition, captaining both basketball & netball teams, demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, and being independently awarded best player award for each team. Furthermore, the netball team won the EISM competition. Congratulations to the whole team. 

Also this year, Isaac has represented the school in EISM Carnivals in Athletics and Cross Country and finished in the top 3 in his events, while captaining the Athletics team. 

In semester 2, he was selected for Aquinas teams in 2 Victorian Schools championships in Netball and Ultimate Frisbee. If that was not enough, Issac also played overseas in a basketball tournament this year.

Gala Ball 2024 Student Reflection:

The Gala Ball was an exciting experience, it was not only a chance to show our family and friends the effort we had put into our dance rehearsals but also to have fun with our friends and make some amazing memories. Overall, the night was beautiful, everyone had a smile on their face and was thoroughly enjoying themselves. For those who are going into year 10 next year, I wholeheartedly recommend attending the event as it鈥檚 something that you鈥檒l never forget. Efrosyni (night 1) 

Gala was awesome! The night was filled with dancing, delicious food (especially the wedges and chicken nuggets!) and lots of pictures with the photo booth! Groups carpooled or arrived in limos and we took professional photos and had some afternoon tea. We did a run through of the dances and parents began arriving. After showing our family and friends the dances we had been practising the last few weeks, we had dinner and headed off to the dance floor! It was super fun to see parents and everyone dancing to the nutbush although my feet are still super sore from dancing in heels! Overall it was a super fun night and I definitely recommend those who have a gala coming up in the next couple years to attend. Holly McGill (night 2) 
 

Gala was amazing! We had so much fun and our parents had a great time! Our night was filled with photos, dancing and heaps of fun! The weeks of dance lessons were definitely worth it, and I would highly recommend the experience to anyone in the younger year levels considering it. Everyone had a great time, the memories we made were amazing and we will remember them for a long time! Jess Gilbet (night 2) 

Gala ball was an awesome night. It was great to see everyone dressed up and having fun on the dance floor. The night was a great opportunity to enjoy time with friends and family. The whole experience was full of excitement and laughter. I highly recommend gala and will cherish the memories for years to come. Lucy Postill (night 2) 

Congratulations to these students who won the best player and coach鈥檚 awards for Season 2 in Yr 9 EISM.

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.

The year 10s core value is the theme of Justice, and when speaking to a few of the student leaders they pointed out a few ways that they鈥檝e seen it throughout their year level! Will Elliott, the year 10 social justice and sustainability leader, and Nick Schulties, one of the year 10 captains, mentioned how awesome it is when they see their peers around the college treating each other fairly and justly. Whether it be in leadership meetings, where they are planning fundraisers, or just generally on in the school-yard. The idea of students planning a cleanup crew was brought up, an idea that is in its early stages, to bring a group together during Pastoral periods to pick up rubbish. This idea highlights the idea of looking after the earth, and treating it, as well as our school with justice. Holly McGill, the other year 10 captain, spoke about debates and discussions that go on in classes, and how everyone acts with justice with each other, listening to everyone, and respecting everyone's opinions, which is amazing to hear! It is so great to see how much justice is being portrayed throughout the college and the community, and we can鈥檛 wait to see the year 10s next year expand on this even more!

Congratulations to all 190 students who have received commendations in the last 2 weeks!