Principal's Report
![](https://media.digistormhosting.com.au/ac-au-vic-612-website/documents/The-Lighthouse/Staff-photos/Darren-2022.jpg?v=1643931310)
This last edition of The Lighthouse for 2022 marks the end of a rich, but demanding, year as we have tried to return to what we remember as normal. Of course, the year has provided us with a raft of challenges as we continue to live with COVID-19 and not everyone has found the return to schooling in person easy. My thanks to the efforts of all members of our community for maintaining great energy amidst higher than normal levels of absence due to illness. I am sure you will agree that we are blessed to have such generous staff who want to see your children flourish at school.
We recently gathered with our graduating class for the last time for their Valedictory Dinner at the Pullman on Albert Park. It was a joyful celebration. I took this last opportunity to talk to the students on a theme from an episode of The West Wing in which the President comments decisions are made by those that show up. He is talking about voters, but it can be extended to include almost any human activity that relies on some level of volunteerism. Volunteers are the foundation of our social support networks and at this time of year we are especially grateful for the work of our local St Vincent de Paul branches. Thank you to all who have contributed through our Wishing Tree, or other opportunities, in our efforts to share joy this Christmas. Once again, our request for gifts has resulted in a very generous response.
Thank you especially to our College Chaplain - Fr Dispin John - who gives so generously of his time to the students and staff of our College and has celebrated mass with us over the year. As we enter our Advent Season, we wait expectantly for the birth of our saviour and the joy this brings. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe holiday.
College Reception - change of location
Please be aware that College Reception is now located in the Middle Years Building adjacent to Great Ryrie Street. All visitors to the College should sign-in at this point. Visitors with a pre-arranged appointment in the Senior Years Building can proceed directly to the Senior Years Office to sign-in. Visitors attending the Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre (Cafe9) will be signed in at the door of the WTTC. As part of our child safety protocols, it is important that during school hours all visitors have signed in and are displaying the label that identifies them.
Celebrate Excellence @ Aquinas
Congratulations to all students who have achieved excellence this year. We look forward to acknowledging your achievements at our Celebrate Excellence Evening on Monday, February 20, 2023. More information will be provided when school resumes. ATARs will be available for VCE students on December 12 and we will share a summary of these results around this time. We also look forward to sharing results of the At East Awards for students undertaking School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.
Student Leadership Team
Congratulations to the following students on their selection in the Student Leadership Team for 2023:
College Captains: Chloe North-Coombes and Matthew Azzopardi
Vice Captains: Brooke Tudor and Thomas Scutt
College Ambassadors: Lucy Kinsman and Jay Tolentino
College Advisory Council: Rhys Cameron
Music Captains: Seth Thompson - Contemporary, Julia Peterson - Band, Nicholas Zito - Vocal
Sports Captains: Ava Campbell, Leila Hedderwick, James Dempsey
Year 9 SEB
Our Year 9 students were able to participate in the final Special Education Block, City Experience and Camp this week. These types of rich experiential learning opportunities are a great opportunity to test the Year 9 core value, perseverance, and it has been great to see the students participate with such enthusiasm.
50th Reunion
I had the pleasure of welcoming a group of past students celebrating their 50th reunion back for a brief tour of the College over the weekend. As memories came flooding back, there was much discussion about how the College has changed over the last five decades. It is important to remember that the wonderful learning environment that we enjoy today came from humble beginnings and to be grateful to those founding families, many of whom remain connected to the College.
Year 7 2023 Orientation Day
Next Thursday we will welcome the graduating class of 2028 to the College for the first time as they take the next step in their transition into Aquinas. We hope that each student is looking forward with great anticipation to commencing their secondary schooling and joining the Aquinas community.
Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program
Congratulations to Year 10 students, Ashley Enright and Ella Enright, who have been selected for the University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program, Class of 2024. Successful applicants of the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program will become part of a supportive university community and peer network through a tailored program of events and activities.
Farewell
There are a number of staff retiring at the end of this year and it is fitting to acknowledge them and say thank you for their service to 酴圖弝け: Ms Julia Buczkowsky, Ms Ping Drew, Ms Sharon Harte and Mr Rob Smith. There are also a number who have resigned to pursue professional opportunities elsewhere and we wish them well in their new endeavours.
Aquinas School Advisory Council Vacancy
We seek a suitably qualified candidate to join our School Advisory Council in the role as "parent member with financial expertise" to replace Mr James Burston, who finishes his term this year. This role would include membership of the Finance and Risk Sub-Committee. If you would like to be considered for this important role on our School Advisory Council please contact principal@aquinas.vic.edu.au or 9259 3008. More information about the School Advisory Council is available on our website: ...
Commencement Dates for 2023
Monday, January 23- Main Office opens
Friday, January 27- Senior and Middle Years Office opens, Teaching Staff commence
Tuesday, January 31- Year 7 New Families Information Evening
Wednesday, February 1- Year 7 and Year 12 commence
Thursday, February 2- All students return
Term Dates 2023 - Students
Term 1: Thursday, February 2 (Feb 1 Year 12 & 7) to Thursday, April 6
Term 2: Monday, April 24 (Parent/Teacher Interviews - no classes) to Friday, June 23
Term 3: Tuesday, July 11 to Friday, September 15
Term 4: Tuesday, October 3 to Tuesday, December 5
Darren Atkinson
Principal