黑料社区

While we still have a couple of weeks before students formally end the academic year at Aquinas, this will serve as the last edition of The Lighthouse for 2023. There is a hive of activity at the College this week as reflected in a calendar rich with events that showcase student achievement. Like many in our graduating class, I am experiencing mixed emotions at the prospect of leaving the community that I have called home for the last 10 years. However, the process of transition to a new principal has commenced and over the last couple of weeks, we have welcomed Principal Elect, Mr David Broadbent, to the college and introduced him to our staff and student leadership team. Mr Broadbent was warmly received by both staff and students and he has shared with his audience insights into his own motivation for aspiring to lead our community and the exciting vision he holds for our ongoing improvement as a school.

College Mass
Our final College Mass, which was celebrated by Fr Dispin today, was a recognition of the year that has passed but also served as an opportunity for me to say thanks and farewell to the students. I will talk further about my gratitude for the privilege of leading 黑料社区 over the last decade in an upcoming edition of Illuminare. Thank you, especially to our Canonical Administrator - Fr Dispin John - who gives so generously of his time to the students and staff of our College and has celebrated mass with us this 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.

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, 19th February 2024. More information will come when school resumes.

Valedictory Dinner
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. Thanks to Liz Grierson, Natasha Vasilou and Scott Buchanan for their organisation of the night. I took this last opportunity to talk to the students on a theme of the unique nature of their individual qualities and that they are 鈥渉andmade鈥� and loved in a world of mass production and sameness. The members of the graduating class are pursuing a range of exciting and diverse pathways. ATARs will be available for VCE students on December 11 and we will share a summary of these results around this time. We also look forward to sharing the destination data of our students undertaking School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

Year 11 Transition Week
It鈥檚 been a big week for our Year 11 students as they have commenced the transition towards Year 12 by meeting their teachers and discussing how to prepare for next year. It is also a week of celebration and the Year 11 Formal at Leonda By The Yarra on Monday night was a showcase of friendship, fashion and frivolity. Thank you to the staff who were present to supervise on the evening and especially to coordinators Andy Harrison and Jacqui Street.

Wishing Tree
Thank you to all who have contributed through our Wishing Tree, or other opportunities, to our efforts to share joy this Christmas. Once again, our request for gifts has resulted in a very generous response. 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.

Year 9 SEB
Our Year 9 students will participate in the final Special Education Block, City Experience and Camp next week. These types of rich experiential learning opportunities are a great opportunity to test the Year 9 core value, perseverance. Thank you to the coordinators, Renee Johns, Dave Mulholland and Tom Wilson for their work to support the staff and students during this busy week especially.

Year 7 2024 Orientation Day
On Thursday, December 7 we will welcome the graduating class of 2029 to the College for the first time and 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.

Staff Farewells
There are a couple of staff retiring this year and it is fitting to acknowledge them and say thank you for their service to Peter Merritt and Malkith Kaur. There are also a number of staff who are pursuing professional opportunities elsewhere and we wish them well in their new endeavours. Thank you to Seth Baker, MJ Chard, Carol Goldsworthy, Janine Hulston, Jon Lau, Jess Jacobs, Alison Prince, Janie Readdie, Lynda Schultz and Rhiannon Ward.

40th Reunion
I have the pleasure of welcoming a group of past students celebrating their 40th reunion back for a brief tour of the College over the weekend. 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 teachers and families, many of whom remain connected to the College.

Commencement Dates for 2024

• Monday, 22 January - Main Office opens
• Monday, 29 January - Senior and Middle Years Office opens, Teaching Staff commence
• Tuesday, 30 January - Year 7 New Families Information Evening
• Wednesday, 31 January - Year 7 and Year 12 Commence
• Thursday, 1 February - All Students Return

Term Dates 2024 - Students

• Term 1: Thursday, 1 February (31 Jan Year 12 & 7) to Thursday, 28 March
• Term 2: Tuesday, 16 April (15 Apr Parent/Teacher Interviews - no classes) to Friday, 21 June
• Term 3: Tuesday, 16 July to Friday, 20 September
• Term 4: Monday, 7 October to Friday, 6 December

Darren Atkinson
Principal

Discussing War and Conflict 

I hope that you and your children are keeping well and safe. It has been a good start to the exam period for our Year 12 students (and other Unit 4 students) and the lead up to the transition for many year levels looks optimistic. Every year, Term 4 certainly brings the opportunity for students to make use of the many resources available at the College as the weather changes and the sun emerges more regularly. It is good to see many students actively playing in the yard.

Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed the unrest and setbacks caused by conflict and war overseas. This has been extensively portrayed in the news, with an eminent divide emerging amongst people worldwide, whose opinions and stance can lead to disagreements and personal discomfort (or hurt) for all of us.

Children and young people are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder when the images of the atrocities of war are constantly displayed. Students鈥� responses to trauma can vary, from being strong emotional reactions to being indifferent. It can leave an emotional imprint that can affect development, through irregular behaviour and a perception of danger that is unrealistic.

Young people need reassurance about their safety as they navigate uncertain times. I suggest that if your child is exposed to the news and the atrocities taking place overseas, that you tailor conversations about it in consideration of their emotional maturity. Younger children benefit from simplified explanations focusing on peace, empathy, and cooperation, while older students can delve into historical events, root causes of conflict, and the complexities of international relations.

Before discussing these topics with your child, it is also important to assess your own emotions and comfort level. By staying calm and providing physical comfort will help your child regulate their own emotions. In challenging times, compassionate adults play a crucial role in helping children cope with anxiety and providing hope and understanding in our complex world. You may also access the support available at the College through your child鈥檚 pastoral leaders.

There is a school TV Special Report that provides guidance on how to tackle this difficult topic and helps children understand there is still hope in our complex world. Please take a moment to reflect on the information offered. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please consider seeking medical or professional help or access the YFC here at the College.

May God bless all and may those making decisions that lead to war develop the wisdom to seek peace. Here is the link to your special report

Nap Rodezno

Deputy Principal

Staff PD Day

Our staff participated in a number of valuable Professional Learning sessions on the first day of term 4. Staff have been working collaboratively on their small CIS group projects, and these projects will continue into next year. There has been great progress since they began in term 1, and we will have milestone presentations to staff at the end of this year in our final Professional Learning week.

Staff were also lucky enough to participate in a workshop led by Dr Jodi Richardson about "Boosting Staff Wellbeing and Happiness". Dr Jodi gave some great tips on how to manage a work / life balance, ways to relax and manage stress, and of course, gave us the opportunity to laugh during her practical activities. Dr Jodi hosts a successful podcast "Well hello, Anxiety", has successfully published books "Anxious Mums" and "Anxious Kids" and can be found on her website here

Assistant Principal - Mission

Good people need to keep doing good things.......

The gospel we are using in our upcoming College Eucharist is where Jesus taught his followers about the final judgement in the 鈥楶arable of the King鈥�. It is more often referred to as the 鈥楶arable of the Sheep and Goats鈥�, but using the uncommon name for me guides us toward an authentic Christian leadership to do what Jesus was both teaching and doing throughout his ministry. He was doing 鈥榞ood things鈥� for others all the time. He suffered reputational damage when he cured the sick on a Sabbath, he fed others by the thousands outside the social rules, and he interacted with women when the societal rules forbade it. He called on his followers to feed the , to clothe the , to visit the and to care for the (regardless of the diagnosis). In the same way, we are called to do the same to bring about God鈥檚 Kingdom.

The Parable of the King continues today: calls us to , as well as the in our daily actions. Last week, my RE 8 Navy, RE 8 Orange and Ms Myer鈥檚 Science 8 Gold, 8 Aqua, 9 Maureen, and 9 Red classes participated in the . Mrs Mugamu鈥檚 Social Justice Team set up the Christmas giving trees. Mr Gould will be taking a group of students to to see the gospel in their daily work. The RE Leader Ms Mercer is investigating how and are able to volunteer to be . As a Catholic faith learning community, we will remember all the good people from past generations and our family members during All Saints and All Souls Day liturgies.

In each of these parables of 鈥榙oing good for others鈥�, we are fulfilling Jesus鈥� call to care for God鈥檚 People who are crying out for God鈥檚 Love to be real and present in their lives. We are called to do good actions in our sphere of influence. Regardless of the violence and injustices we read/see in the news, good people are invited to do for God鈥檚 love to exist in this world at this time. Soon our Year 12 Graduates will be called to do good things that reflect this faith-learning community鈥檚 tradition: Be a light to others, be fire in action for others.

Middle Years Report

Mother Teresa said 鈥淜ind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.鈥� These words coincide directly with what we are striving to achieve at Aquinas with our initiative that our communication with each other needs to be Safe, Fair and Kind. This can obviously be a challenge at times for everyone in our society and our school is just a microcosm of that. It can be challenging task in student to student conversations, staff to student communication and vice versa. Keeping it safe, fair and kind can be equally testing for parent to staff or staff to parent communication. It can be challenging in spoken words and those that are written.

However, we see so much evidence of kindness in our schools and that is celebrated this month with the 72 winners of Student of the Month for October with the theme of Kindness. Looking at the massive range of nominations from peers and teachers there is great evidence of students practicing kindness at Aquinas. Many are noted as kind by many of their peers and teachers. However there was so many that were acknowledged as someone 鈥榳ho was kind鈥� by just one person. The ripple of that kindness can be equally far reaching. The thought that the student鈥檚 at Aquinas鈥� kindness 鈥渆choes are truly endless鈥欌�� should give us great hope for a continued school culture improvement and is hopefully encouraging for all of us to continue the habit.

The Students of the Month for Kindness who were honoured on Wednesday in the College boardroom were:

Year 7:

Amelia Cossette, Jess Thomas, Lily Ryan, Kyla Cronin, Sarah Smith, Evie Moran, Isaac Troiani, Grace Seadon, Gabby Smith, Tyler Socan, Sam Petrolo, Lachlan Badlee, Max Drieberg, Lily Welch, Scarlet Carrazza, Ronan Delea, Lachlan Argenti, Grace Kelly, Alessio Petruzziello, Seah Jo, Max Presta, Isabel Eslick, Toby Sanga, Jessica Beveridge.

Year 8:

Mia George, Imogen Farrell, Angus Clark, Jay Kannigeiser, Pia Crozier, Heath De La Rue, Mia Cullen, Antonio Pezzano, Matilda Shine, Lyla van Marle, Leila Maartensz, Hunter Scott-Thomas, Abby Sette, Rebecca Fletcher, Charles Turner, Leah Anderson, Zac Parker, Isla Laffin, Layla O'Neill, Isobel Ellis, Max Lorkin, Ava Manassa, Henry Wassenberg, Claire Price.

Year 9:

Holly McGill, Darcy Peterson, Charlie Aston, Chris Wallis, Jordan Bruton, Nick Schulties, Santhush Pathirana, Daniel Rogers, Aiden Macdonald, Dhruv Valji, Asher Gavin, Pip Wilhelmsen, Garcia McKrell-Bonacci, Lachlan Ghosn, Trisha Tran, Ben Butterfield, Niamh Sawyer, Addison Miller, Fletcher Haughie, Lucas Nicolaou, Joel Tompkins, Rachel Stephen, Ava Breaden.

Phil Box

Head Middle Years

Environmental and Sustainability News

Become a citizen scientist 鈥� The Aussie Bird Count

What is the Aussie Bird Count?

The Aussie Bird Count is an activity for all-ages that involves observing and counting the birds that live near you.

You can participate in a 20-minute bird count at at home or in a local park this week 16 鈥� 22October 2023. There is a compiled heap of resources to help you get to know your localbirds and more about birding () including posters,helpful guides, podcasts and bird call recordings.

You will help BirdLife Australia develop an understanding of local birds whilst getting to know the wildlife on your doorstep and there are some fantastic prizes to win.

Simply download the Aussie Bird Count app. In the app are images and lists of Victoria birds to help you record them and a handy timer will let you know when your20 minutes is done.

Click the link about how to get started and how to participate.

 
Karyn Myers

Environment & Sustainability Coordinator

Can you complete a quick 3 question survey??

If you can, it will help us provide relevant wellbeing information to our families.

Parents, families, and carers are a child's first and most important teachers. When families and schools work together, young people鈥檚 learning is enhanced. Aquinas values this partnership and as such we seek to offer resources and information to support their health and wellbeing, as well as their academics.

Research has shown that when schools and families work together, young people:

- achieve better

- stay in school longer

- are more engaged with their schoolwork

- go to school more regularly

- behave better

- have better social skills

To establish the needs and interests of families and to direct our future planning, please complete this short . Thank you to those that tried the survey after viewing The Lighthouse last week. We hope that we have repaired the technical issues we had on the weekend. Beyond this survey, any suggestions or discussion is welcomed and families are invited to email daleysl@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Kind Regards,

Sharon Daley

Director Student Services

Aquinas Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday 8th November is the annual inter house swimming carnival at Aquanation (next to Aquinas at Corner Greenwood Avenue and, Reilly St, Ringwood)

The carnival is an all day event with many opportunities for students to be involved in events. Last year Rice won and they are eager to retain the mantle as the best swimming house at Aquinas. All students must wear a t-shirt or rashie when swimming.

Students are to bring their own food and drink on the day as the canteen is not available on the day for students.

Bernie Brummell
Sports Co-ordinator

Excursions Update

Our Year 11 VCE VM students have been busy finalising their Unit 2 subjects for the year. In Personal Development Skills, students have been developing their understanding of communities. We took the opportunity to visit Marysville to learn more about their small community and the impacts of the 2009 black saturday fires. We were greeted by a glorious spring day and students completed a challenging hike to Keppel鈥檚 lookout and onto Stephenson鈥檚 falls.

"On Thursday the 19th of October the VCE VM students went on a 11 km hike on the Marysville trail. It was a long drive to and from the trail, but we needed it to rest on the way, and recover on the way back. The start of the walk was a tough hike up the steep mountain. It was all worth it when we had our first break at the lookout, looking over the beautiful views down to Marysville. We then kept marching forwards on a more relaxing journey to the waterfalls. Sadly that was our last stop in the surprisingly fun hike. We headed back to the bus, then stopped in town and got a feed before heading off home."

Brock Elson

"The hike was a great way of exercising and getting the class out and about and it was the perfect weather to go for a walk with everyone. Good times!"

Heath Fleming

In stark contrast we also had the chance to tour Melbourne鈥檚 Pentridge prison on a suitably dark and gloomy day. Students got first hand knowledge of the role of prisons in early Melbourne, the life and living conditions of prisoners at Pentridge and some of the seemingly harsh sentences applied in these times. Students gained some perspective on their rights and responsibilities in modern times and how well they have it.

"The Pentridge Prison tour was great. It was eye opening to see the conditions the prisoners had to live through and hear about some stories of the jail, the prisoners and we got to see some cool artefacts. Overall it was definitely a solid day and I would go back."

Ollie Brown

"At Pentridge we began at the entrance and learnt about how prisoners got taken to A Division. We then walked through a hotel to get to B Division, where people who committed less major crimes would get taken to. While we were at B Division, we had the opportunity to go on a specially designed tour and learnt about the history of Pentridge and its culture from start to finish. Lastly, we went to the exercise area and got told about its significance to prisoners" at Pentridge.

Hayden Farmer

Meanwhile our year 12 VCE VM have recently finished up their studies. Many of our graduates are successfully moving into full time employment in their chosen careers. Others are going on to further study to better equip themselves for employment. We celebrated our last days together with a spirited round of splatball. Teachers and students took great joy in firing a few paint bullets at each other. We then moved over to Lazy Moe鈥檚 where serving proportions are no joke! The team enjoyed a relaxing meal together with our smallest member Max Pisa later regretting taking on the loaded parma option!

Michael O鈥橦alloran

VCE VM Coordinator

Wishing Tree And Christmas Appeal

鈥淟et us not grow weary in doing what is right...whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all..鈥� (Galatians 6:9-10)

It is hard to believe we are talking about Christmas already!

It has been a tradition at Aquinas that we have our own 鈥榃ishing Tree鈥� and support the local St Vincent de Paul Conferences by collecting donations or goods for Christmas gifts. It鈥檚 always heartwarming, and a wonderful end to the year to see the outpouring of generosity to ensure that those who are doing it tough are still able to have gifts under the tree for their families.

We hope you can join us in continuing this tradition, and each contribute something small and meaningful to help us end the year with a focus on service and generosity.

How can you get involved?

Buy A Gift

If you鈥檙e out shopping over the weekend, perhaps you could pick up a small gift to leave under the Wishing Tree in the ARC?

Gifts will be for young children and families and only need to be between $15-$20.

No need to wrap the gifts, as Vinnies will collect it all and wrap up small parcels to give to families.

Cash Donations or Gift Vouchers

Envelopes for cash donations can be found hanging on the Christmas Trees in the ARC foyer, the Senior Years building (upstairs) and the Middle Years building (downstairs).

Simply place your donation into the envelope and hand it into the Catholic Life Office (located in the Year 9 Quad, next door to IT Support).

Gift Vouchers are also a great option, especially for teenagers and adults. Please keep these to a maximum of $20 for easier distribution by Vinnies. These can also be handed into the Catholic Life Office.

Please ensure all gifts and donations are delivered to the school by Friday, November 24th (or your last day onsite).

HOYTS Movie Fundraiser

This year we鈥檝e launched an extra avenue for giving. Our is a great way for the Aquinas community to not only give generously but also receive something enjoyable in return.

For each movie pack sold, we will raise between $10-$15 for our Christmas Appeal (depending on which pack you purchase). This money will be added to our overall tally of donations, gifts and Christmas Hamper goodies for Vinnies.

So why not grab yourself a pack, or purchase some as gifts鈥�and let鈥檚 spread the joy of generous giving this Christmas.

Please note that movie pack orders will close on Sunday, 12 November to ensure that they are ready for collection before the end of the term. Students will be able to collect orders from either the Middle Years or Senior Years offices from Wednesday, 22 November until Tuesday, 5 December.

Thank you in advance for your participation in our 2023 Christmas Appeal. If you are after any further information, please contact me at mugamumn@aquinas.vic.edu.au


Martha Mugamu
Justice & Outreach Coordinator

Every year, the Drama 12鈥檚 undertake the Solo performance Exam in Unit 4. Over 10 weeks, they develop a 7 minute devised performance from a character structure they select in August. The prescribed character structure is dense and requires them to create a cohesive narrative, symbolic meaning, as well as transform into multiple characters and evoke multiple locations and time periods. They are responsible for all aspects of performance, including designing props, costume and set pieces if desired.

Not an easy task! It is an excellent challenge that tests each student鈥檚 performance, expressive and storytelling skills, and every year our Aquinas students approach it with equal parts excitement, curiosity and trepidation.

This year, students presented at a feedback evening in the first week of term to friends, family and staff. Over the next 2 weeks, they took on feedback and continued to rehearse 鈥� only interrupted by the End of Year Graduation celebrations. Two days after Celebration Day, on October 19, we drove across town to Preston and, on their own, each student presented to a panel of three solo exam assessors. Congratulations to them all for finishing their performance careers at Aquinas so successfully!

There was much excitement at Book Club last Thursday for the drawing of our winners in the Term 2 Rewarding Reading raffle. Winners have all scored a Dymock's voucher, so they can enjoy some quality time looking at new books over the coming term break

Year 7
Declan Laffin - Star Wars : The Mandelorian by Joe Schreiber
Anaya Franklin - Dead Zone by Robison Wells
Isla Laffin - Shauna's Great Expectations by Kathleen Loughnan
Sam Crossman - Radio Silence by Alice Oseman

Year 8
Emily Frohlich - The Declaration by Gemma Malley
Massimo Petruzziello - Bubble Boy by Stewart Foster
Jessie Ritchie - March Sisters

Year 9
Felicity Cunningham - The Selection by Keira Cass

Also a special commendation to the students of Year 7 Yellow, who overwhelmingly won the prize pool (Homeroom teacher Kelly Breazeale and English teacher Catherine Kearney.) 7 Yellow are also leading our 'Loans by Homeroom' tally, with 7 Red in second place. A highlight this term has been the growing number of Year 9 students who are entering the draw. We would encourage everyone to enter whenever they finish reading a novel. The next prize draw will be at the end of Term 3.

Thank you so much to our glamourous barrel "girls" Alyce Cudmore and Lindsey Knight for drawing the winners, and to every reader who participated. 

Anne Stebbing
ARC Librarian

Vive la difference - New Caledonia Study Tour 2023

During the last week of term, 19 keen students of French from Years 9, 10 and 11 embarked on a week long study tour in the capital city of New Caledonia - Noumea, the first international tour since Covid-19! Despite severe rain, food poisoning and lost mobile phones, the staff and students embraced the experiences and challenges of travelling and studying abroad and returned with a greater appreciation and understanding of a different culture and what it means to be a global citizen. I would like to thank organiser Madame Aluthge and accompanying teacher Dr Rodenzo.

Nathalie Walshe 

(LAL Languages)

Below are our reflections. 

Centre Culturel Tjibaou:

The Cultural Centre Tijibaou was amazing! It was such a good experience. We learned a lot about the native people of New Caledonia and how New Caledonia was formed. It was a beautiful place to see. 

Even with the rainy weather, visiting the Tjibaou Cultural Centre allowed us to see the huts of the chief and women as well as the enormous structures of the centre.

Ruth T, Alovi, Kiera

脦lot Am茅d茅e:

Visiting Amedee Island was an amazing experience to understand the Kanak culture. Whilst on the island we took a clear bottom boat to see the sea turtles and fish of the Barrier Reef, had a buffet lunch with a variety of food including the traditional dish of the Kanak culture called Bougna (made of root vegetables) as well as watching traditional dances of the Pacific Islands. We climbed Amedee lighthouse which was a lighthouse sent over from France by Napoleon, and spent the day swimming at the beach. Overall, Amedee island was an incredible way to discover more about the culture and history behind New Caledonia. 

Maddie, Charlotte, Paige, Emily

March茅 et centre ville de Noum茅a: During the Saturday we spent in Noum茅a, we visited a market. We were introduced to many unique products including fruits (like coconuts), vegetables (like yams) and many souvenirs. Being able to buy our own products and being able to interact with the people of Noum茅a was incredible! Being able to buy our own gifts for our families and friends was also a highlight of our trip! After the market we were able to visit the Cathedral of St Joseph and catch a bus like a local.

Macsen, Daniel, Randan, Ollie

Tchou Tchou Train: 

The Tchou Tchou Train tour was an amazing way to see the city and we got the chance to explore Noum茅a. We got the opportunity to see the French army base and high rise views of Noum茅a. Every person we passed smiled and waved at us as we rode along the coast with many palm trees, which helped to make the first full day in New Caledonia a wonderful experience.

Eliza, Emma, Layla, Ruby

CREIPAC Language School:

Studying at CREIPAC in New Caledonia has been an absolute adventure! It's been amazing to learn about a new culture, language, and schooling system. While it was challenging at times with the early mornings and days full of learning, it's also been incredibly rewarding. Not only have we learnt so much, but we also made new friends, and created unforgettable memories that'll last a lifetime. It's a unique experience that I'm sure we'll all cherish forever!

Miller, Lucy, Jorja, Ruth H

The VEX Robotics Competition was held last weekend at Oberon High. The VEX robotics competition is part of the College's Robotics program always participated in with great enthusiasm by all students involved!

Thank you for your continuous support toward the Cafe N9ne program and the Year 9 students. 

Our last week of cafe for the year is always a busy week but last week was a record sales week, with only 11 students working incredibly hard to provide high-quality breakfast items, coffee, customer service, initiative and creativity. 

Not only did we make a record-breaking $3503 we also sold an incredible amount of food, for the first time ever we sold:

• 104 caramel slices & 52 other sweet slices
• 22 vanilla slices
• 74 Cafe 9 brekkies
• 53 toasties
• 74 cafe n9ne breakfasts
• 25 croissants
• 27 BLT's
• 30 smashed avos
• 21 eggs benedict 
• Plus 188 coffees and 32 hot chocolates

Moulin Rouge - Dance excursion

Aquinas Dance students attended the Broadway musical "Moulin Rouge" at the Regent Theatre on 18/10/23, and for some of them the first time to a professional Musical Theatre Performance!
The show was fabulous and allowed the students to consolidate their dance theory, particularly in the areas of Physical Skills, Time, Space and Energy, Artistry, Production Areas and the Musical Theatre genre. The knowledge gained from this experience will be used in upcoming assessments and inspiration for their future performance work.
Students were treated to a surprise from Ms Goss at the end of the show, meeting lead performers Alinta Chidzey who plays "Satine" and Bert Labonte who plays "Toulouse-Lautrec". Alinta and Bert were very generous with their time answering questions from the students and taking photos. It was an amazing experience!!

Ms Gina Goss and Ms Sarah Owen - Dance Teachers

Year 9 EISM Season 3

Round 1 - Aquinas Bye

Music Fete - Year 10 Music Class Performance

The Aquinas Year 10 music class students had some amazing opportunities this year to perform songs we had been working on over the past year as part of the classroom program working with our teacher Mr Campbell. Recently we have had successful performances at Holy Spirit Primary and Our Lady's of Perpetual Help fetes. These performances were an amazing chance to perform in front of friends, families and complete strangers and gain confidence in ourselves and our musical abilities. We have also been asked to perform at the St. John鈥檚 fete on the 18th of November, as well as the Archdiocesan Principal Celebration on November 23rd, Thursday at the Grand Hyatt. At this function we will be the entertainment for the night, performing a mix of 80鈥檚 and Modern Popular Music in front of all the catholic school principals from across Victoria.

We have been able to perform many songs we have been working on, from the first songs we ever did as a Year 9 class to songs we have only recently learned. The set we have been working on is just over an hour long, despite some technical difficulties (school wide power outage) we made it through performing each song with our best effort and focus. It was a perfect way to represent the music program at Aquinas and show what we are able to achieve.

- Erin Barden and Jarrah Hammersly

STEM MAD Showcase | Global Green Winners

Year 8 Global Green Students; Beau, Izzy and Cooper completed their project in the MACS STEM MAD showcase on Thursday, October 12th. Our students did an excellent job communicating their project with judges, teachers, business owners, land stewards and other students. They were able to highlight the science behind their project, identify engineering challenges faced and show their impressive prototype. They emphasised the strong environmental impacts on the endangered Leadbeater鈥檚 Possum and connected their product to the CST principle of Stewardship. The students were one of two runners up for the 'Inspired by Nature' award presented by the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. We are very proud of their efforts!

Hear Directly From Our Year 8 Global Green Students

"The MACS STEM showcase was a great opportunity to present and show off our product to the other Catholic schools around Victoria, whilst also being able to gather inspiration and talk to people about their own ideas."

"It was a wonderful experience being able to contribute to the showcase and see all the people around Victoria using their products and ideas to help solve problems all around the world."

Karyn Myers
Environment & Sustainability Coordinator

*Acronyms for your reference

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

MAD - Make A Difference

CST - Catholic Social Teaching

Sammy's Experiences On Homelessness - Just Voices Guest Speaker

O'Byrne Theatre

The Year 9 Keeping PACE students are currently exploring the topic of homelessness and had a guest speaker named Sammy visit them on the 26th of October. Sammy graciously shared his past as a troubled youth and how he ended up in crisis housing. Sammy, who is a rapper under the name of Da Hypnotist, shared his message of staying in school, making the most of opportunities and finding people who will raise you up to be the best that you can be. He rapped some songs for us and after taking some keywords from students, "watermelon", "chicken", "washboard" and "黑料社区", freestyled a rap for the Year 9s that they found very entertaining. We are grateful to Sammy and Paulie from Just Voices for sharing their time and experience with us.

Alysia Silvagni
Global Green Coordinator