Principal's Report
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CIS Accreditation
Its been a very busy week at the College. After many months of preparation we were finally able to host the visiting Accreditation Team from the Council of International Schools this week, albeit virtually. This team of distinguished educators from across the world included Mr Andy Curtis (Jakarta, Indonesia), Ms Carmel Platt (Auckland, NZ), Dr Darshini Jeremiah (Singapore), Ms Kim Davis (Kobe,Japan), Mr Richard Henry (Singapore), and led by Dr Tarek Razik (Jakarta). We have been able to showcase our work as a College across 10 focus domains including Purpose and Direction, Leadership, Teaching and Learning, Wellbeing, Staffing, Environment and Catholic Life. The Accreditation Team have also visited many of our classrooms this week to speak to the students about their learning. Thank you to all who have contributed to the Self Study and especially the School Advisory Council who made time on Sunday to meet the team. We look forward to receiving recommendations from the Accreditation Team to guide our continuing school improvement journey.
Catholic Education Week
This week is Catholic Education Week and while we would love to have gathered together to celebrate Catholic education at St Patricks Cathedral as in previous years, we are invited to participate in a COVIDSafe virtual celebration instead. Please follow to hear a message from Archbishop Comensoli as well as samples of student creativity from across MACS schools.
Open Day
A reminder that this Sunday, March 21, is Open Day from 12pm to 3pm. Tours will be conducted regularly with the last tour departing at 2.15pm. Bookings are not required. Parents with a child in Grade 5 are reminded that the enrolment period for the 2023 Year 7 class closes on Friday, August 20th, 2020. Please note that we do not presume that you are enrolling your child at the College and that an application is required. Current families are also welcome to attend, especially if you have not toured the facilities in some time. Should you have any questions please contact College Registrar, Ms Madeleine Kalla on 9259 3008.
Harmony Day - Friday, March 26
Next Friday is Harmony Day at Aquinas. Harmony Day is an opportunity to celebrate our cultural diversity with an emphasis on inclusiveness and mutual respect. It culminates a special week commencing on March 21 with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Thank you to those who are working on planning this day so that we can bring many different cultural experiences into our school. More information about the program for the day will be made available next week.
Middle Years Athletics Carnival
There was great spirit at the Middle Years Athletics Carnival last Friday in absolutely beautiful weather with some special efforts from our athletes and fine cheering support from their House teams on the day. Congratulations to Dominic House on their first win in many years. Dominic won by just 7 points 3345 to 3338 from MacKillop followed by Rice. Thanks to Sports Coordinator, Mr Brummell, and his team on staging a day of great fun and challenge.
EISM Swimming Championships
We wish our swimmers the best of luck at the swimming championships on Monday night at MSAC and congratulate them on their dedication to qualify to compete on the championship evening. Thanks to the staff members who are making our participation possible.
Advance Notice
The last day of Term 1 is Thursday, April 1 2021. School resumes for students on Tuesday, April 20 2021. Monday, April 19 is a Staff Professional Learning Day.
Darren Atkinson
Principal
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