Principal's Report
![](https://media.digistormhosting.com.au/ac-au-vic-612-website/documents/The-Lighthouse/Staff-photos/Darren-2022.jpg?v=1643931310)
Patrons Mass
We gathered as a school community this morning at Mass in celebration of our rich faith traditions. In doing so, we recognise that we are founded in the name of those who showed, through their example, a profound commitment to live Christ-like and, after whom, we today name our Houses - Dominic, MacKillop and Rice. We offer our thanks to the religious men and women who worked at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ, inspired by St Dominic, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and Blessed Edmund Rice. This year, we especially focus on St Thomas Aquinas after whom the College is named, given that we are celebrating his 700 year anniversary. By remembering these holy people we also learn more about Christian discipleship and their commitment to a preferential option for the poor and disadvantaged. Thank you to Fr Dispin John for presiding, Tania Grace and the Catholic Life Team for preparation of the Mass, our Year 10 EDGE class and our musicians for enriching our worship with song.
Generations in Jazz Championships
Aquinas students represented the College at the Generations in Jazz Championships last weekend in Mt Gambier and had great success. Our Senior Stage Band placed first in its division and two students, Isobel Mugamu (Alto Saxophone) and Sarai Nunez (Trumpet) were invited to join the Super Band. Congratulations to these students. Thanks to the music staff for their work in preparing the students to showcase their talents and for accompanying them to SA.
Note: You will have an opportunity to hear the students shortly at Not Just Jazz which is coming up on May 19 at 7.30pm. Bookings are currently open on the »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ website.
Farewell to our French Visitors
We farewell the visitors from our French sister school, Lycée Notre Dame du Roc, this week. It has been a very rich exchange which culminated in a demonstration of their culinary talents in our WTTC last Friday night. The College was presented a poster, which captured images from the last 25 years of our relationship, that will be mounted in the WTTC. Thank you to Aquinas families who agreed to host a visiting student - the exchange is not possible without such generosity. Thank you also to Mr Owen Stott, Director of the WTTC, who coordinated the program at our end.
EISM Division 1 Athletics Carnival
Last Wednesday, a large group of athletes represented »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ at Lakeside Stadium as part of the EISM Division 1 Athletics Carnival. The students performed really well and should be proud of their efforts. Thanks to Mr Bernie Brummel and all of the coaches for supporting our athletes in helping them to prepare for this event.
Family Mass
Thank you to those who were able to accept the invitation to join us for our Family Mass this week. The focus of the Mass was to give thanks for our mothers as we lead into Mother’s Day this weekend. Thank you to our Year 11 EDGE students for their preparation of our liturgy and to the P&F who prepared a supper. We look forward to offering another opportunity to gather as a community to worship later in the year.
School Tours
The first of our school tours for those considering enrolment at Aquinas occurred earlier this week, and despite rainy weather, we had a full complement on the tour. Many of this year’s student ambassadors are leading tours for the first time and the feedback from prospective parents was excellent. The power of hearing a young person speak warmly about their school is not lost on those seeking the right learning environment for their child and our student ambassadors do a wonderful job in sharing their positive learning experiences.
Winter Uniform
All students should now be in full winter uniform and I thank you for your support in making sure that your son/daughter is correctly attired. We encourage our students to wear their uniform with pride as it symbolises their membership in a valuable community.
Annual Report to the College Community
To comply with requirements of the Australian Government, each school must produce an Annual Report to the Community. Our report for 2022 can now be found . Thank you to those who contributed and to Maddy Kalla and Georgia Smith who compiled the report.
Happy Mother's Day
We wish all Aquinas mothers and those who care for our young a wonderful Mother's Day this weekend. As the first educators, we give thanks for your kindness and gentle nurturing.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Darren Atkinson
Principal