麻豆国产AV

Feast of the Assumption

Yesterday was the Feast of the Assumption, which marks the conclusion of Mary鈥檚 life of service on earth. As mother of Jesus - and mother of our church - Mary was present as witness at the key moments in Christ鈥檚 life, from his birth, to prompting his entry in public ministry at Cana, and at the foot of the cross. She did not - and could not - know the fullness of God鈥檚 mission in bearing and raising Jesus, responding to the call:

鈥淗ere am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.鈥� (Luke 1:38).

Just as Mary chose to play her part in God鈥檚 mission of love and service, Pope Francis praised educators in Evangelii Gaudium as people who have 鈥渃hosen deep down to be with others and for others鈥�. At Aquinas, we endeavour to emulate Mary in serving our students and community through enacting and embodying God鈥檚 mission.

Journey Tracks: Aquinas possum-skin cloak presentation

I was recently privileged to join a number of our Indigenous students to hear their experiences and stories as part of the Journey Tracks group. During this session they presented a possum-skin cloak to the College and explained its significance. As seen in the photo below, the top left quadrant represents the Wurundjeri land on which Aquinas is located, with the river, creator spirit Bunjil, and the branching out of culture. The top right shows the journey tracks of students from many places to their gathering at 麻豆国产AV. Below this are symbols of the learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture of the Journey Tracks group. Finally, the map of Australia is adorned with the country from which each of our indigenous students traces their ancestry. We look forward to honouring the possum cloak with a prominent display and its use in Acknowledgement of Country at key school events.

High School Musical: Congratulations & thanks

It was truly a joy to attend the Aquinas production of High School Musical: what an uplifting celebration of student talent! Congratulations to the many students involved onstage, backstage and in the live band, along with the generous dedication of all staff involved.

Capital works update: SAM is ready for play

Monday 5 August saw the culmination of many years of planning and building with students able to use the Sports and Multifunction centre (SAM), our latest capital works. It is wonderful to have such a great facility that enables students to be active throughout the year, protected from rain and heat for HPE classes, sports and recreation times, also offering the possibility of outdoor College gatherings. The adjoining building is in the final stages of conversion to a classroom / storage / restroom space.

David Broadbent

Principal

VCE Parent Teacher Interviews & Subject Selection Evening

Thank you to everyone who attended the Subject Selection Evening and Years 7 - 10 Parent Teacher Interviews. It was a positive night with many discussions to support our students in selecting their future subjects. A reminder that final subject selections are due by this coming Monday 19 August. 

The final stage of the Parent Teacher Interviews is our VCE interviews which will be held on Wednesday 21 August, starting at 2.00pm. In order for all staff teaching VCE to be available for interviews with families, all students will have a shortened day finishing at 12.15pm.

On Kindness

As part of our Social Emotional Learning curriculum, our students embark in explicit learning about Respectful Relationships. In a world that witnesses so much tension at all levels, it is important that our students learn to appreciate the power of Safety, of Fairness and of Kindness. Our motto, SFK, an acronym for Safe, Fair, Kind, explicitly states that all actions in our College must be underpinned by these actions and values of goodness.

Today, I would like to focus on the power of kindness, as an action that provides a profound ability to improve the world because actions of kindness foster empathy, connections, compassion, care and positivity. When our students act with kindness, they create a ripple effect that influences not only the direct recipient but also other peers and staff, because it promotes a collective sense of well-being for the community.

I encourage you to discuss with your child the power they have when they use kindness to underpin their actions. In doing so, they learn to step into others' shoes, fostering empathy and understanding for all people, particularly the disadvantaged and vulnerable. In our greater community and society, this can bridge cultural, social, and economic divides, creating a more inclusive and harmonious context for people to live in.

Psychologists and mental health experts suggest that giving and receiving kindness have been shown to boost mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression amongst young people, Cregg and Chievens (2022). Kindness releases oxytocin and endorphins hormones, contributing to a healthier, happier population because the hormones make us feel good. When people help each other, it creates a supportive network where everyone feels valued and connected. This sense of belonging can lead to stronger, more resilient communities. So being kind is not just about helping others but building strong communities where people are valued for what they bring to our school.

The aim of the SFK is to promote understanding and compassion in our actions, with kindness specifically aiming to reduce conflicts and help resolve disputes. Kindness encourages people to approach situations with a mindset of cooperation rather than confrontation, fostering peaceful interactions, not only accepting but also celebrating diversity by welcoming differences as unique gifts and celebrating them. We believe that a culture of kindness creates a positive environment where individuals feel safe, respected, and valued. This can enhance productivity and creativity in the classroom, improve learning outcomes, and promote overall well-being.

Kindness has the power to transform the world and to make it a better place. When we think about how we can make a global impact, the idea can be daunting and somewhat confronting, but when we consider that we can achieve prosperity and positivity by simply being kind, we are already doing something that has the potential to reach amazing outcomes. Please ask your child to list some of the actions of kindness that they have done over the last week. They may be surprised at how much they make a difference to others.

Nap Rodezno

Deputy Principal

* Reference

Cregg, D.R., Cheavens, J.S. 2022. The Journal of Positive Psychology.

Spiritually Speaking - St John XIII Pope

Today is the feast day of one of my favourite popes, now saint, John XXIII. In my previous school, I was a member of the John XXIII house and it is where I learnt so much about the person who I grew to admire. He was a modest and humble man, who saw a need and acted upon it. 鈥淚 want to open the windows of the Church so that we can see out and the people can see in.鈥�

Pope John XXIII was a surprising choice by the conclave to be pope in 1958. He was known to be not overly well in health and was seen by many to be a caretaker pope. However, he did so much more through the instigation of the second Vatican Council. Through this council, in which he invited leaders of other denominations to observe the process, he helped develop a more accessible church. Mass was now spoken in the vernacular of the people, lay people could participate more in the church are just two of the many, many changes made in the Church.

Aside from the Vatican Council, he was also known for saving many Jewish people from the Nazi by providing them transit papers to escape Europe and he played a pivotal role during the Cuban Missile Crisis in talking to both US and Russian leaders preventing war. John XXIII鈥檚 belief in human rights and peace was best expressed in his 1963 encyclical, Pacem in Terris - Peace on Earth. 

So today I finish with a prayer written by St John XXIII:

Lord Jesus Christ,
Who are called the Prince of

Peace,
Who are yourself our peace and reconciliation,
Who so often said, 鈥淧eace to you,鈥� grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth becomes as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.
Amen.

鈥� by St. John XXIII

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal Mission

Get Ready for the Fair Trade Fair!

Mark your calendars! From Monday, 9th September to Friday, 13th September, we will be hosting our annual Fair Trade Fair. This exciting event will take place every lunchtime throughout the week, offering a variety of stalls and activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you're looking for second-hand treasures, delicious treats, or just some fun, there's something for everyone at the Fair Trade Fair.

What to Expect:

• Second-Hand Clothes & Books: A great opportunity to refresh your wardrobe and bookshelf while supporting a good cause.
  
• Bake Sale: Treat yourself to some homemade goodies鈥攂aked with love and for a great cause!
• Handmade Arts & Crafts: Check out the unique, handcrafted items made by our very own talented students. These one-of-a-kind pieces make perfect gifts and souvenirs.
• Games of Luck and Chance: Test your luck at our fun-filled game stalls.
• Sausage Sizzle: Enjoy a classic BBQ with a tasty sausage sizzle.

A Week of Awareness

In preparation for Fair Week, students will be learning more about the importance of Fairtrade and ethical consumerism during their Pastoral or RE lessons. These sessions will help students gain a deeper understanding of fair working rights, a liveable wage, and the significance of making sustainable choices.

Special Interactive Display

During the week-long event, our Year 9 PACE student group will set up an interactive display in the chapel. This display will provide valuable information about refugees and asylum seekers, offering insights into their experiences and challenges. The display will be open every recess and lunch, giving students the opportunity to come in, learn, and engage with these important issues.

Donations Needed!

We're still collecting donations of books and clothes for our second-hand stall. If you have any items you'd like to contribute, please drop them off at the Catholic Life Office anytime this coming week. Your donations will not only help make the fair a success but also support a cause close to our hearts.

Support a Great Cause

All proceeds from the Fair Trade Fair will go to CAPSA (Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum), supporting their vital work in advocating for the rights and dignity of people seeking asylum.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our social justice initiatives. We can't wait to see everyone at the Fair Trade Fair for a week of fun, learning, and community spirit!

Martha Mugamu

Social Justice & Outreach Coordinator

鈥淲e are nearing the finish line and we are about to come out of the woods鈥�this is where you pull all your reserves, and this is where you leave it all on the course.鈥� - The Overcomer (2019). 

As Lucas and I were reflecting about some of the current and upcoming events happening in our school: subject selection, our annual musical and our year level excellence assemblies, we began to realise that there's something even bigger happening right now. For all of us, whether in year seven or year twelve, we are 鈥渋n that 30 yards from the finish line.鈥� This time now is essential for all of us. It is not only about maintaining a consistent work ethic and high levels of resilience through to the end of the year, but 鈥減ulling our reserves鈥� and pushing harder than we have ever pushed before. Right now, many of us are feeling the strain, this final 30 yards feeling as though time could not go any slower. For example, us year 12鈥檚 are just beginning our final areas of content with a looming end of year exam. However, we believe this is the perfect time to remind ourselves that our hard work will pay off, whether completing year 7 or our final year of high school.

We have all been looking at the athletes who have just competed in the 2024 Olympics and the amazing swimmers including Ariana Titmus, or Katie Ledecky in the 800 metre swim. For us, this past year, our hard work, successes and failures were the first 600 metres of our academic race. But from those swimmers, it is evident that us year 12s alongside all other Aquinas students have the last 200 metres ahead of us which can change everything. So, in highlighting this, we remind you that we are the swimmers, the runners or the athletes in our own academic or vocational journeys. Pulling your reserves now will not go unnoticed at that finish line. 

We wish you the best of luck for these next few efforts. 鈥淵ou can do this鈥�give it your everything, and finish strong.鈥�

Bella Schneiders and Lucas Mandaliti

We would like to introduce ourselves, Alison Bellew and Emily McKenzie as the new Music Programs Co-Coordinators at the College.

We have both been teaching for multiple years at Aquinas, teaching classroom Music as well as being heavily involved in the Instrumental Music department, bands and choirs. We are passionate and dedicated to the great culture of the school and are enthusiastic about the inclusion and promotion of music within the school and in the wider school community.

We are both very excited to be heading an already incredible department, and are looking forward to our upcoming Senior and Junior Showcases, performance excursions, Vocal and band competitions and soir茅es this year, as well as our exciting America trip next year.We look forward to working with your children to develop their musical skills and build relationships in their futures as musicians at Aquinas.

Alison Bellew & Emily McKenzie

Music Programs Coordinators

Spring is in the air

New blossoms are appearing on the fruit trees in the 麻豆国产AV veggie
garden. The warmer weather and increase to day length has encouraged Nugget and Popcorn to start laying eggs again. Students have been enjoying the garden space as well and we are busy getting the garden beds ready for spring planting.

Plant Profile: Native finger lime
Have you considered using native ingredients in your home cooking? The Finger Lime is an excellent choice for any garden. The native citrus prized for its unique caviar-like pulp and attractive colour, which can vary between yellow, green, pale pink and crimson. It a thorny shrub or small tree, it provides suitable protection for nesting birds. It can grow in a pot specimen for a courtyard or balcony.
While you might not know what to do with finger limes in your home, the native citrus can be simply added to a fresh, crunchy salad. There are plenty of delicious finger lime recipes, from savoury meals
to dessert.

Sustainability Coordinator

Students using Mobile Phones in an emergency

Each Term, Aquinas conducts an Emergency Exercise (drill) to practice and test our Emergency Management Plan.

When an emergency event is underway, whether an exercise or real event, students should not use mobile phones to contact family members or others.
This behaviour creates a safety risk, preventing students from listening to instructions or emergency announcements and causing disruptions as we move all to safety or shelter. In turn, parents contacting or arriving at the school during an emergency creates blockages that delay emergency services, communications and access which also increases the risk to those onsite.

As part of our Emergency Communication Plan, families will be contacted as soon as we've addressed the safety of students and others at the College.
If you are contacted by a student during an emergency, please ask them to hang up and follow instructions from their supervising teacher.

We thank you for your support in keeping all of our community safe.

The year 11 environmental science students attended KIOSC at Swinburne University Wantirna Campus to investigate the impacts of pollution from mining. They looked at Lake Argyle in WA as a case study to determine what and which industry was the cause of the lake pollution. They used VR to 'visit' the location and find out preliminary information, followed by analysis of water samples, and evaluation of data to formulate evidence-based recommendations. This activity required students to engage with several analytical scientific instruments and draw on their knowledge from classes in order to complete the task. They very quickly realised the pollution and damage caused by open-cut mining and the consequences of such large scale environmental damage.

Ms Kate Chamberlain
VCE Environmental Science teacher

This year's excursions have seen VET Hospitality and VET Cookery students travel by bus to experience a gourmet lunch at De Bortoli Yarra Valley showcasing fine dining food and service. Students also experienced behind-the-scenes tours at of Immerse in the Yarra Valley, a trip to Yarra Valley Dairy and a final stop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.

These excursions provide students with a great experience outside of the classroom. It is more than just lunch but a chance to build all the skills such as critical reflection and communication. These excursions also fostered a deeper appreciation for the dedication and passion that define the hospitality and cookery industries. They witnessed firsthand how teamwork, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence are integral to success in these fields. Students put what they learn into practice during the Restaurant Nights and events they run throughout the year.

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Our first destination was the renowned De Bortoli Yarra Valley, a name synonymous with fine wines and a rich heritage in winemaking. Nestled amidst rolling vineyards and panoramic views, students were treated to a delicious lunch of shared platter of Italian-inspired gourmet dishes.

Immerse in the Yarra Valley Next on our itinerary was Immerse in the Yarra Valley, an enchanting venue that seamlessly blends luxury accommodation with stunning vineyard views. Here, students delved into the operational side of hospitality, gaining insights into event management and guest services. They explored the beautiful grounds and facilities, learning how meticulous planning and attention to detail contribute to creating unforgettable guest experiences.

Yarra Valley Dairy Some students visited the Yarra Valley Dairy, a haven for cheese aficionados set in rich green fields. Students discovered the art of cheesemaking, from milk curdling to aging and flavouring. They engaged in tastings of artisan cheeses, learning to discern between different textures and flavours while appreciating the artisans behind each handcrafted wheel.

Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery Our final stop brought us to the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery, a paradise for chocolate enthusiasts and anyone with a sweet tooth. Students indulged in a sensory journey through the world of chocolate, witnessing the art of chocolate making from bean to bar. They marvelled at the artisans and creativity involved in producing fine chocolates.

鈥淚t was really good. The focaccia was the best I have ever had, I want more. It was my highlight!鈥� Dimi, year 12

鈥淭he steak was really good, it was yum鈥� Georgia, 12

鈥淭he food was very enjoyable, the best thing was the arancini balls鈥� Kayla, Year 12

鈥淚 eat enough cheese to be a mouse鈥� Amy, year 10

鈥淭he Arancini balls were light, fluffy, creamy and crunchy. It was great to try all the different bougie foods over an amazing view鈥� Bethany, year 10

鈥淚t was very enjoyable and relaxing as well as informative. We got to chat to a range of different people and see the various aspects of the hospitality industry.鈥� Jack, year 11

We are immensely proud of the enthusiasm and curiosity displayed by our students throughout these excursions. We hope these experiences have not only broadened the student's knowledge but also inspired them to pursue careers where their talents and passions can flourish.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff and establishments for their warm hospitality and invaluable contributions to our student's learning journey.

On behalf of the team, please join the VET Hospitality and VET Cookery students at one of our Restaurant Nights. Bookings are essential www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/events/restaurant-night-2024

Owen Stott

Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre

鈥淪pecies Survival: More than just sustainability鈥�

National Science Week 10 - 18 August 2024

This year鈥檚 theme is about 鈥榰nderstanding that we鈥檙e all part of the big, interconnected web of life. Every creature, from the bees that pollinate our fruit trees to the worms that enrich our soil, plays an essential part. Their survival doesn鈥檛 just protect nature鈥檚 beauty, it ensures the health of the ecosystems that provide our food, clean water and the air we breathe.鈥� (Scienceweek.net.au: Species survival resource book)

麻豆国产AV students celebrated the theme by participating in a range of activities which not only engaged with the big ideas but showcased how the beautiful College grounds support and sustain this idea too. Students participated in the Science week Amazing Race where they moved around the College solving clues which highlighted how the College supports biodiversity and sustainability including a visit to the chicken coop and the Indigenous garden.

In Science classes students have been undertaking activities such as an escape room challenge, whale snot analysis and species identification which aim to show students the abundant but small ways we can all help to protect biodiversity.

Our guest speaker, National Geographic photojournalist Doug Gimesy will be talking to our senior students about his work and how impactful images can have enormous power in educating and inspiring people to understand the importance of protecting and conserving all life forms. We look forward to welcoming Doug to the College later in the term.

As the song says, 鈥漟rom little things, big things grow鈥�, our hope for our students is to educate each one of them so they can collectively be proactive in caring for and protecting the future of our planet.

Rice Camp

Year 8 camp to The Summit was one of my favourite camps I鈥檝e been on so far. I loved all the activities but my favourite would have to be the Monster Course or the Flying Fox! As much as some people don鈥檛 like getting muddy I absolutely loved sliding into the mud pools and having to carry tyres around the course. My friends and I laughed at the fact that we all kept slipping over in the mud but that鈥檚 what made it so fun! The best part of camp was hanging out with my friends and bonding over the little things. I loved chatting in my cabin before bed and running around in activities with them all. Our groups were great because I had my friends but at the same time I had people I wouldn鈥檛 usually talk to in class. We got involved in a scavenger hunt which got us to run around in crazy costumes from tiger onesies, lifeguard uniforms to santa hats. We then had to sing disney songs to everyone and get in canoes and sing row row row your boat. We even hung on the monkey bars! This activity wasn't to physically get us outside of our comfort zones but to make us used to being embarrassed and not be scared of it. The activities I was challenged with were the Skybridge, Abseiling and the Flying Fox because I am terrified of heights. Although it took me a good 15-20 minutes to get up to the top of the abseiling tower, my group cheered for me throughout the whole thing. I am so glad I did everything or else I would have come home thinking 鈥淲hat If?鈥�. I found I came closer with my friends and I can鈥檛 wait for the next few years when we can look back on this camp and laugh about all the good times we had. Overall I loved this camp so much and I wish the year 8鈥檚 next year the best of luck! -Ella  

 

Dominic Camp

The summit camp was a fun filled 72 hours with a course of games, activities , food and much more. Students were split in half in there classes into two groups. These were our activity groups. Some of the activities that we did included 18m high abseiling. Bush challenge, scavenger hunt, flying fox, sky bridge and snakes and nails. My personal favourite was the abseiling even though i was nervous at the start. The mud run was one of my favourites two. A mud fulfilled course that we got to run twice.- Lily  

Going to The Summit for Year 8 camp was a fantastic experience and opportunity for me to express my 鈥榥on-academic鈥� self. Each and every one of the activities were fun-filled and exciting to participate in and the staff there were constantly kind and supportive of those who were unsure. Some of the funnest activities were the flying fox, skybridge, snake and nails, abseiling, and the monster course. The camp food wasn鈥檛 your stereotypical school camp food, it was genuinely delicious with seconds always ready. Overall, it was definitely a great camp with awesome activities, staff and food, and if I had the opportunity to go again, I would 100% revisit The Summit! - Summer  

Going to The Summit Camp for 3 days and 2 nights was a really great experience that was filled with opportunities, fun and excitement. There were so many memorable moments during this time especially on the flying fox, sky bridge and mud run, which were arguably the best activities. The mud run was so much fun running through the whole camp through muddy water and having to pull tires across mud pits, then trying to beat the time you got on the first round. If all of year 8 could go again, they would have.- Laura  

MacKillop Camp

Recently all year 8 Mackillop students and homeroom teachers were lucky enough to go to camp. The camp was so fun and there were so many activities to take part in, some of these examples are the sky bridge, snakes and nails, abseiling, inflatable obstacle course and much more. Although camp only went for 3 days we did so many activities and had so much fun in the three days. The camp staff there were also so supportive and helpful and helped with anything they could. My favourite part of camp was the movie night and the monster course which was a massive mud run! Overall I think that camp was super fun and a fun experience for us all! - Ruby 

This year the camp was awesome and I can鈥檛 wait to see how they match it next year.

At first, everyone was saying it was like an army camp which was kind of true. It was all outdoors and a very helpful camp to go on as we felt to push through our comfort zone and try to have a go and give it our all.

We all got many opportunities to push ourselves past our comfort zone in many different ways like the abseiling many people did not want to do - Zahra 

Camp this year was an incredible experience for me and my friends. Camp opened up many new experiences for me that got me out of my comfort zone and pushed my limits. It was scary at first but after the first day we were all confident with everything. It was a great opportunity to try new things and talk to new people that we don't normally talk to. Overall the activities were amazing and really challenged some of us like the snake and nails, skybridge, and especially the monster course. But in the end almost everyone gave it all they could and had no regrets at all - Max

Reimagining Physical Education

The Health and Physical Education department is thrilled to step foot on the new outdoor, undercover classroom, which is set to transform our Physical Education program. As a teaching team we are committed to ensuring SAM isn鈥檛 just a new venue for the same old activities鈥攊t鈥檚 a chance for us to rethink, reimagine and expand on what PE can be for both students and teachers, aligning with key propositions from the Health and Physical Education Victorian curriculum.

SAM provides an ideal environment to focus on the 鈥榚ducative purpose of PE鈥�, one of the curriculum's core propositions. With the consistent and predictable availability of this space, free from the constraints of weather, we can deepen our commitment to teaching students not just physical skills, but also the knowledge and understanding that will benefit their lifelong health and wellbeing. The facility allows us to plan lessons with greater clarity and purpose, ensuring that every activity contributes meaningfully to students' broader experience with movement.

Moreover, SAM enables us to truly 鈥榲alue movement鈥�, another key curriculum proposition. The facility will encourage us to explore a variety of movement experiences, from traditional sports and thematic game sense through to progressive physical activity and fitness trends. By prioritising the enjoyment and importance of movement, hopefully we can continue to inspire students to appreciate physical activity as a vital part of their lives and how they interact and contribute within their community.

It鈥檚 an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of traditional PE and offer students an experience that is engaging, inclusive, and consistently aligned with the educational goals of our curriculum. We can鈥檛 wait to see the space being used to its full potential as we await completion of the surrounding environment and multipurpose building.

Thanks to those involved for the enormous amount of work over the last couple of years to get it designed, planned and constructed. It will be an amazing asset. 

Steve McGrath
PE & Health Learning Area Leader

Last week a group of music loving, and very theatrical students from all year levels at Aquinas performed the Disney classic, 鈥楬igh School Musical: On Stage鈥�! Like every year this is an amazing experience to be part of at school, with many months of rehearsals and practice leading up to a fantastic production that brings the community together from far and wide. The musical is a great opportunity for students to get to know people from different parts of the school, and to create meaningful new connections and friendships. Students not only had the opportunity to experience performing onstage, but some took part in working backstage and with lighting, or being involved with the pit band, creating an even more inclusive theatre community. Everyone put in so much work and the show went incredibly well according to the feedback of family and friends - who spoke highly of the overall performance.

We ran a total of eight shows across the week right from Sunday at 10AM and performing the first matinee preview for the primary school students from Our Lady鈥檚 and Holy Spirit Community School just before opening night. This was an exciting show for the young audience, and for everyone on stage who got to show the very best efforts and talent that Aquinas has to offer. High School Musical is a really popular musical, and recreating it on stage was so much fun. We loved being involved in such an amazing production and are very proud of how it turned out. We created so many fun memories together, learning dances after school, singing in hallways, hanging out backstage improvising lines, and even some funny mishaps where basketballs rolled into the audience, all of which made the show quite a memorable experience.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without our brilliant teachers and staff involved who put our show together. A huge thank you goes out to our directors/choreographers Ms Goss and Ms Owen, Ms Silvagni, our brilliant costume and prop coordinator, Jenn Roussos, Maryanne Leavey and Ms Chamberlain with the backstage crew and tech, our musical directors Jermaine Wong (Band) and Emily McKenzie (Vocals), and the lovely company Impress (audio and lighting). We could not have done it without all of you.

Rose Ennis and Samantha Mugamu (Gabriella and Sharpay!)

Are you interested in hosting a French chef in your home? Are you interested in talking about the differences between France and Australia? If your answer is yes to either of these questions then hosting a French student will be a wonderful opportunity for your family.

Next year marks 20 years since the start of our student exchange program for our culinary partner school in France . We will also be visited by our partner high school Lyc茅e Sainte Marie de Chantonnay which was established in 1997.

In February 2025 students will be visiting for over two weeks and we are looking for 麻豆国产AV families to host students from both schools.

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 or have even visited the student from France. 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.

Aquinas families from previous visits were blown away by the experience and the lifelong change it made to their families and 麻豆国产AV students.

鈥淚 would like to thank you for the beautiful opportunity to host a French student. The whole experience was extremely well organised yet flexible, and you paired up the students to hosts exceptionally well (in my opinion we had the BEST student!) If you need any help in the future with exchange students, our family would love to help you out again. Congratulations on a job well done鈥� Aquinas Host family 2019

Hosting

Culinary students from France, who are a mix of hospitality management and culinary students, will be attending a variety of classes at Aquinas and attend a number of day trips. Also the students will be turning Aquinas into a fine-dining French Restaurant during the visit and are inviting their Aquinas host families to a complimentary gourmet dinner.

Students from our French high school will attend a variety of classes at Aquinas and go on a number of day trips. They will have their own timetable and the Aquinas host student will not have them accompanying them all day. The focus for this visiting group is to experience a regular school routine and take part in family life, especially on the weekends, whether it be attending sport matches, doing some sightseeing or walking the family pet.

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!

An updated article in the Lighthouse will be published in a few weeks with more exact dates and details of the two visiting groups. There will be 10 students from Lycee Sainte Marie (French high school) and 18 students from Lycee Notre Dame du Roc (French culinary school).

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

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

Over the past 2 weeks, Aquinas has competed in the Victorian Schools Netball Championships. We entered 6 teams in both Boys & Girls - Junior (Yrs 7&8), Intermediate (Yrs 9&10) and Seniors (Yrs 11 & 12)

The Girls competition was held at Pinks Reserve in Kilsyth on a beautiful day. The competition is a round robin tournament and the best team in each division qualifies for the Grand Final day in late August.

The Junior Girls played 6 games across the day and did really well in all their games finishing 2nd in their division. In the end they won 5 games (defeated Catholic College Sale, Luther College, Lilydale High, Avila College and Oxley Christian College) and in a really tight game against Rowville Secondary, they unfortunately lost by 3 (their smallest win all day).

Rowville winning all their games qualified  through to the Grand Final day

Congratulations to all the girls who participated in the Junior competition - Sienna Beck, Emily Bruton, Alana Califiore, Isabelle Dubois, Isabel Eslick, Olivia Koppens, Mikayla Scott, Grace Seadon, Charly Tahin and Tully Wilkinson. Also congratulations to the coach of the team Ms Lexie Quinn

The Intermediate Girls played 5 games across the day and did really well in all their games finishing first in their division. They won all their games defeating Luther College, Billanook College, Oxley Christian College, Academy of Mary Immaculate and Lilydale High. Winning their division, the Intermediate Girls have qualified for the Grand Final day.

Congratulations to all the girls who participated in the Intermediate competition - Aleisha Harmer, Gabby Hooper, Torah Hughes, Lily Seadon, Kiara Torney, Hannah Whiting, Chloe Anderson, Pia Crozier, Tayah McKay and Zoe Bastide

Well done to the coach of the team Ms Jess Lane, who is super keen to do really well on Grand Final day.

The Senior Girls played 7 games across the day and played really well in all their games. In the end they won 3 - ( defeated SEDA, Academy of Mary Immaculate and Lilydale High. and lost 4 games ( Luther College, Mt Lilydale, Rowville Secondary and Avila) but in all the 4 games they lost 2 goals or less in each game.

So close but unfortunately not close enough.

Well done to all the girls in the team and especially to our Yr 12 students, as this was their last opportunity to compete in this competition - Yr 12s Haylee Bastide, Lily Matthews, Georgia Scheer and to our Yr 11s Gabby Linton, Bella Finta, Liv Oracz, Evie Evans, Shonae Barker, Emma North-Coombes, Lucy Scutt and Gabby Dale .

Well done to the Senior Girls coach - Ms Erin Richards

The Boys competed this week on Tuesday at the State Netball Centre. This year, Netball Victoria changed the way the boys competition was being held and had the entire competition held on one day. The day was a bit eventful, with a fire alarm going off during the morning, causing all games to stop. This had a flow on effect that some of the games had to be abandoned till the issue was resolved.

The Junior Boys played well throughout the day winning 2 games      (Patterson River Secondary & Bentleigh Secondary), losing 2 ( St Pauls Anglican and St Ignatious by 1 point) and 2 draws ( Crusoe College and Salesian College).The team improved during the day and were as good as the top team by the end of the day.

The team was Paddy McCrohan, Nate King, Sam Schultz, Jasper Mijat, Oliver Simkin, Sam Benstead, Jude Porter, Ethan MacDonald, Lincoln Shea with Ms Karen Woods the coach.

Our Intermediate Boys team had an incredible day winning 5 games they played in the round robin section convincingly (defeating Salesian College, Chairo Christian School, South Oakleigh College, Crusoe College, Melbourne High). They had one scare during the round robin games and drew with Ballarat Grammar. At the end of the round robin competition, the team finished first in their pool and they played St Ignatius Geelong in the Semi final and won this game convincingly 12-3. In the Grand Final, we were up against our local rival - Luther. In an incredible game, we unfortunately lost 9-8. The lead changed regularly throughout the final.

Well done to all the boys who played in the Intermediate team and their coach Ms Danielle Lorkin - Ben Butterfield, Campbell Eastwood, Judd Wallhout, Chase Stone, Jordan Bruton, Griffin Box, Gallagher Robertson, Max Pinchbeck, Trent Orr, Jimmy Volembello and Oscar Hipfel.

The Senior Boys were looking to retain the title of the best team in Victoria after last year鈥檚 win. We played really well winning our first 6 games of the round robin competition with wins against Mt Lilydale, Crest College, St Mary鈥檚 College, Marist Sion, Western Heights College and Moama Anglican Grammar. Unfortunately against Parade College in our last game, tiredness and mistakes proved costly and we were not able to match them. Losing this game meant we did not make the finals. Also, 3 of the original squad were unable to play on the day which made things tougher for the team . A huge thank you to Lachie Coverdale who came into the squad on the morning of the competition.

The team was coached by Mr Scott Buchanan and the other squad members who played were Oscar Dubois, Sam Guerin, Lachie Warton, Paddy Burgess, Josh Steen, Seb Horwood, Drew Baker, Zac Disney.

Thank you to our Yr 12 students for their involvement with Aquinas netball - Sam Guerin, Lachie Warton and also to Isaac Ghosn and Riley White (who were injured on the day and could not play)

It is so pleasing to see our students taking the opportunity to be involved in these competitions and to represent Aquinas so well. A huge thank you to the staff, without their support and involvement, our teams would not be as successful as they have been.

Bernie Brummell
Sports Coordinator

Between 28th - 31st July, Grace Rider represented Victoria competing in the Gold Coast at the School Sports Australia Games. This event was a fantastic week of sport with 2,000 student athletes participating from all across Australia and the Pacific Islands.

At the closing ceremony Grace was honoured to have been awarded the School Sports Australia Sportsmanship Award.

Grace swam in 11 events with her best results being:
7th 50 Breast
7th 100 Breast
5th 200 Metre Medley Relay
6th 200 Metre Free Relay

Bernie Brummell
Sports Coordinator

The Melbourne Archdiocese Catholics Schools - MACS -

Please save the date Family "Fathers' Day" Mass September 10

麻豆国产AV warmly invites students and their families to celebrate mass together, with an emphasis on giving thanks to our Dads or those that are Father figures in our lives.

The Mass is student-led and will be celebrated by our Year 10 EDGE class & Year 11 Religion Music. 

Mark it in your calendars! We encourage you to come along to support these students and to enjoy some time for quiet reflection.

An RSVP form will be sent out closer to the date.