Edition #13 Friday 22, August, 2025

鈥楩aith without works is dead鈥�

One of my favourite biblical quotes is found in the Letter from James, exhorting the faithful to exercise their faith not just through prayer but through actions, stating that 鈥淔aith without works is dead鈥� (2:14-26). During the afternoon of the recent Staff Spirituality Day, our staff embodied this by engaging in practical activities to support our local 糖心视频. This ranged from cooking for the Holy Spirit Winter Shelter, to sewing for Life鈥檚 Little Treasures (supporting premature & ill newborns), to creating Handover HeArtwork Bags (for Palliative Care), building wildlife boxes, Fair Trade Fair activities & Toiletry packing, and many more. In doing so, our staff set a living model of discipleship, joining students who engage in the range of social justice and Catholic Life groups and activities at Aquinas College. While we often refer to this as 鈥渨alking the talk鈥�, Pope Francis used the biblical analogy to 鈥渢ake on the smell of the sheep鈥�:

An evangelizing 糖心视频 gets involved by word and deed in people鈥檚 daily lives; it bridges distances 鈥� and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others. Evangelizers thus take on the 鈥渟mell of the sheep鈥� and the sheep are willing to hear their voice. An evangelizing 糖心视频 is also supportive, standing by people at every step of the way, no matter how difficult or lengthy this may prove to be. (Evangelii Gaudium, N.24)

Community - upcoming College events

September will start with a packed week featuring four significant 糖心视频 events

Term 3 College Mass - Monday 8 September: Our student & staff 糖心视频 gathers only once per term to celebrate our Catholic identity in the liturgy. We look forward to celebrating with our Season of Creation theme.
Senior Music Showcase - Monday 8 September: Another great evening of showcasing the wonderful talents and dedication of our music students. Community members are invited to attend for a 7.00pm start in the O鈥橠riscoll room.
Term 3 College Assembly - Tuesday 9 September: the focus of this assembly will be celebrating excellence across the College in its many forms.
Family Mass (Father鈥檚 Day) - Wednesday 10 September: All members of our 糖心视频 are invited to join this liturgical celebration in our Chapel at 7.30pm, with supper provided afterwards.

David Broadbent

School Principal

Social Media Age Restrictions - What Parents Need to Know

From 10 December 2025, new Australian laws will prevent children under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on major social media platforms. This includes TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. Platforms will be required to introduce stronger age-verification measures, with penalties applying if they fail to comply.

The legislation has been introduced in response to growing concerns about the impact of social media on young people鈥檚 wellbeing. Research shows links between heavy use and issues such as anxiety, disrupted sleep, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful or age-inappropriate content. By raising the minimum age, the government aims to give children more time to develop resilience and safe digital habits before engaging with these platforms.

Educational, messaging, and child-friendly services such as WhatsApp, Google Classroom, and YouTube Kids are expected to remain available.

We encourage families to begin conversations now about what these changes may mean at home and to explore the many resources available to support healthy digital use.

Helpful Resources for Parents

Jess Alger

Deputy Principal

Spiritually Speaking - Signs of Hope on the Edge

This week we saw the release of the 2025/2026 Social Justice statement from the Australian Catholics Bishops Conference. The focus of the statement is on serving homeless people with mental ill-health. It is a beautiful, thought provoking statement with plenty of questions to make you truly reflect.

The statement includes stories of people, their hardships and loneliness. At times there is hope, which can be difficult to find when struggling. The statement also presents data, providing some facts about increasing rates of homelessness and mental ill-health.

At the official release of the statement, Bishops Commission for Social Justice, Mission and Service chair Tim Harris said, 鈥淭he key message of this statement is that people of faith and people of goodwill must try to notice what is happening in the lives of people living on the streets, to understand the hardship they face and find ways, big and small to make a difference in their lives.鈥�

Below is the prayer for Signs of Hope on the Edge, written in context of this year鈥檚 theme Pilgrims of Hope, as well as the link to the statement for those who would like to read it.

O God, Source of all Life,

you created earth as our home

and us in your image, out of love.

Set our hearts astir with that same love,

that we might build a culture of encounter

and systems that justly serve

those living in homelessness

and mental ill-health.

Jesus our Brother,

you noticed those living on the edge,

listened, healed and served them, out of love.

Move us from our embarrassment or discomfort

by those who show us your suffering face.

Instead, may we be taught by them,

offer our loving friendship

and share your good news together.

Holy Spirit, Source of all Hope,

you inspire our relationships

with transforming power, out of love.

Deepen our vision and enlarge our hearts

so that the fear and isolation

of homelessness and mental ill-health

may be countered by love鈥檚 warmth and certainty,

that we might walk together as pilgrims of hope.

Amen.

Please click for the link to the statement.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal Mission

This week, a number of our staff attended a professional learning session, 鈥淭ackling the Manosphere鈥�, offered by Monash University. You may be familiar with influencers such as Andrew Tate or the television series Adolescence, which have highlighted issues around the topic.

The manosphere is a collection of online blogs, forums, and social media spaces where men discuss gender, masculinity, and society. While some areas provide supportive conversations about men鈥檚 health, others promote harmful ideas such as sexism, misogyny, and anti-feminist views. These spaces can normalise disrespectful attitudes towards women and foster resentment, often targeting young men who may be feeling vulnerable or searching for belonging. One thing to know is that people within the manosphere may not recognise this term or even consider themselves to be one cohesive group.

Teenagers are particularly at risk because content from the manosphere is often disguised through humour, memes, or 鈥渟elf-improvement鈥� advice, making harmful messages harder to spot. The groups may make young people feel supported and connected. Once on platforms, social media algorithms can then pull young people deeper into these communities. Critical digital media literacy is therefore crucial to safeguard young people in distinguishing between harmful content and healthy attitudes and advice.

This information paints a bleak picture of young people navigating their digital world. The purpose of attending the professional learning session was to understand how our school 糖心视频 can address these attitudinal and behavioural concerns. Many young people, including both males and females, reject this type of content.

Positive masculinity is a necessary counterbalance. It celebrates strength expressed through kindness, responsibility, and respect. It encourages young men to value emotional openness, to stand up for fairness, and to support others. By showing that masculinity can be compassionate and inclusive, parents and schools can guide boys toward healthy, respectful identities.

Through respectful relationships programs, wellbeing lessons, and digital literacy education, students learn to recognise harmful content, challenge stereotypes, and build empathy. Schools provide safe spaces for discussion, empowering students to question online influences and form healthier, more balanced perspectives.

Parents can play a key role in safeguarding their children. Begin with open and ongoing conversations about what your child is watching online and who they follow; be curious rather than judgmental when asking questions. Learn the language associated with it so that you are conscious of discussions around you. Encourage critical thinking about stereotypes, sweeping generalisations, and manipulative messaging. Model respectful relationships at home and share positive examples of men who show empathy, resilience, and fairness.

Together, parents and schools can equip young people to navigate online spaces safely and develop attitudes that value respect, equality, and care.

Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

CONNECT8

Stemming from the CONNECT8 week at the end of Term 2, artwork has been installed on the staircase in the Yr 7+8 building. The handprints represent our Yr 8 student cohort and the indigenous art represents their connection to culture, spirituality and the land.

Nat Zuccon and Middle Years Student Leaders hand-delivered personalised flower pots (which were made by all Year 8 students) and letters to the Villa Maria Catholic Home in Wantirna. Most (a few got out the wrong side of bed) of the residents were extremely grateful. Other gifts such as Tote bags were delivered to Berwick, Bundoora and Ferntree Gully locations.

Year 7-9 Excellence Assembly

The recent Year 7鈥�9 Excellence Assemblies were a fantastic opportunity to celebrate student achievement and lead by the respective Year Level Leaders.

We recognised the Top 10 students in each year level, subject award winners and recipients of effort and improvement awards. Congratulations to all award winners!

Teachers proudly presented the awards and shared warm words about each student. A strong work ethic emerged as a common trait among all awardees. The assemblies were enriched by performances from our talented Middle Years Choir and the 鈥楪reat Dames鈥� band.

Year 7 & 8 Brainstorm productions

Year 7 and 8 students recently watched a production by 鈥楤rainstorm鈥� called 鈥楾he Flipside.鈥� The performance, delivered by two actresses, covered the following themes; personal responsibility, empathy, respect and resilience in the online world.

The performance helped facilitate conversations back in the classroom about what is humorous, toxic, safe and appropriate online. The THRIVE sessions which are occurring over the next few weeks will consolidate the content covered during the production.

Sam Storey
Head Middle Years

On Monday and Tuesday next week our Senior and Intermediate Concert Bands will perform at the Victorian School Music Festival (VSMF), held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. At this event, each ensemble plays three items in front of two adjudicators. This is followed by an on-stage workshop with the head adjudicator. Each band is then awarded a certificate (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Performance) depending on their level of advancement. The adjudication recordings are provided to schools for valuable feedback to Ensemble Directors. This is an extremely popular event with school ensembles, who enjoy playing in a beautiful environment and a very supportive atmosphere.

Parents are welcome to attend (it鈥檚 free), or watch via the live stream from their website; .

Our Senior and Intermediate Stage Bands performed at the Essentially Ellington Down Under Festival on Monday 11 August. Held at Blackburn High School, the Festival is a non-competitive performance festival for high school jazz bands that is focused on education.

The students performed well, and received adjudication from some of NY's finest jazz musicians.

Six of our ensemble directors were lucky to attend a Professional Development workshop the following day. This was an in-depth workshop discussing rehearsal techniques specific to jazz, as well as addressing pedagogy and developing healthy ensemble culture within school music programs.

Alison Bellew
Music Program Coordinator

Anxiety & Young People

Stress and Anxiety is a natural and expected part of growing up. In fact, it plays an important role in helping young people prepare for challenges, stay alert to potential dangers and adapt to new situations. It can motivate them to study for a test, practise before a performance, or tread carefully in unfamiliar settings. However, for many children and adolescents today, anxiety can shift from being a helpful response to becoming intense, persistent and disruptive.

The world young people are growing up in is fast-paced and often demanding. Academic pressures, social expectations, family changes and the constant presence of digital media, can all contribute to heightened stress and worry.

When anxiety is left unrecognised or unsupported, it can begin to affect a young person's wellbeing, learning, friendships and self-confidence. That's why it's so important for parents and carers to understand how anxiety may present in children and the difference between what is a 鈥榥ormal鈥� level of stress and what may be more debilitating and require intervention and exploration with professionals. Everyone experiences anxiety differently, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. It is important to know that there is help available.

For more information on this topic, there are two great resources on PAM:

SchoolTV raises awareness and provides families with practical strategies to help young people manage anxiety in healthy, constructive ways. Click for the link to watch.
鈥淯nderstanding鈥︹€nxiety鈥� a resource outlining the signs and symptoms, strategies and support for parents and a number of links to leading organisations for further reading. This can be found on , also in Links / Parent resources on PAM.

If you have any concerns or you feel your child needs support in this area, please contact their Homeroom/Mentor Teacher, Team/Year Level Leader or yfc@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Sharon Daley

Director- Student Services

Term 3 Fundraiser

This term, our focus is on raising funds for the Opening The Doors Foundation (OTDF), a First Nations led organisation that for 25 years has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to access quality education in Victorian non-government schools. OTDF is the only First Nations organisation that walks with a child and their family through the entirety of their 13-year school journey, ensuring choice, equality, and opportunity in education. By supporting OTDF, we help contribute to closing the gap and reducing systemic inequalities in education.

One of the key ways we will be fundraising this term is through our annual Fair Trade Fair, which will take place on Friday 12th September (Week 8).

Promoting ethical consumption and supporting fair trade practices are integral to our school鈥檚 commitment to social justice. The Fair highlights the importance of making consumer choices that respect workers鈥� rights, uphold fair wages, and encourage sustainable production. In the lead-up to the event, students will engage with learning resources in Homeroom and Mentor classes to deepen their understanding of Fairtrade and ethical consumerism.

We are currently also collecting second-hand books and clothes for one of our stalls. If you have items you would like to contribute, please drop them off at the Catholic Life Office by Monday 8th September.

A full list of stalls, activities, and details on how to purchase tickets for the Fair will be posted on SIMON notices in the coming week.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our social justice initiatives. We look forward to a fantastic afternoon together at the Fair!

Martha Mugamu
Social Justice & Outreach Coordinator

Caring for Our Common Home 鈥� Laudato Si鈥� and Laudate Deum

At Aquinas College, we are guided by the call of Pope Francis in Laudato Si鈥� (2015) and his recent letter Laudate Deum (2023), which remind us of our shared responsibility to care for our common home. These teachings highlight that environmental issues are not only scientific and political challenges but also moral and spiritual ones, calling us to reflect on how our choices affect the Earth and those most vulnerable.

Here in Ringwood, we see the impact of environmental change in our daily lives 鈥� from hotter summers and changing rainfall patterns, to the loss of biodiversity in our local ecosystems. Through small but significant actions such as reducing waste, saving energy, caring for biodiversity, and advocating for sustainable practices, our 糖心视频 can make a real difference.

Together, as a College, we are called to live out Gospel values by protecting creation and building a sustainable future for all.

News from the chooks

Some of our hens seem to know that spring is just around the corner. Nugget has started laying again, and a couple of the Australorps have joined in too 鈥� although we鈥檙e not sure if it鈥檚 Janet, Popcorn, or both taking turns. The mystery continues!

Meanwhile, Cluck Norris hasn鈥檛 been feeling her best. She鈥檚 still very chatty and keeping a watchful eye on the flock, but she spends much of her day resting under the trees. Her spirits are lifted, however, by her favourite treat 鈥� red grapes 鈥� which she still enjoys with great enthusiasm.

Karyn Myers

Sustainability Coordinator

WHAT IS IT? A Survey conducted through the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACSSIS) with the aim of improving our school!

WHEN IS IT HAPPENING? Monday 1 September 鈥� Friday 19 September 2025.

WHY WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY? Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning 糖心视频 is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices.

HOW DO YOU GET THE SURVEY? All families will receive an email with information on the survey. You will be provided with a link in the email with your own family PIN code.

All responses are completely anonymous and at no point are any of the responses from students, families or staff identifiable by the school.

Please read from the Principal's office further explaining the process.

The Religion Classroom

The Religion classroom is powering ahead with the new semester already 5 weeks done and dusted. In these very interesting times, our faith dimension is being continually challenged to respond to many events grabbing our time, emotions and thoughts of 鈥榟ow to respond鈥� to our world today. Fortunately, Jesus, the Gospel and Church teaching give us a high level of 鈥榟ope鈥�, especially in this Jubilee Year, that 鈥楪od is with us鈥� in all our travails and challenges: "I am with you always, to the end of the age鈥� (Matthew 28:20). Pope Francis encouraged us to listen to St Paul who said 鈥淗ope does not disappoint鈥� (Rom 5:5). It is our job to 鈥榩roclaim hope鈥� to this generation in all that concerns them. We are a People of Hope and it is our work to make God present here and now in our daily work and lives when we are with family, friends and 糖心视频 members. Following are some ways in which that is happening in the Religion Learning Area.

Year 7

Year 7 Green and Yellow have been investigating the origins of Christianity via research into the story of the Exodus. This has culminated mid term into research into students鈥� own family history. The second aspect of religious education this term will focus on the Ministry of Jesus Christ.

Year 8

Year 8 Green and Aqua have been investigating the political, social, linguistic and historical origins of Mary the Mother or Madonna of Jesus. Students have also critically explored many artworks that have depicted Mary from as early as the 8C to more recent contributions of Banksy, 2003.

8 Gold and Red are investigating the challenging life Mary lived as a young person. The demands on a young girl betrothed for marriage are hard for our 14 year olds to imagine being in her shoes. Getting into that time and culture is difficult, but they are doing a great job. The story is full of HOPE!

Year 9

9 Aqua used the opportunity of sharing the prophetic story of David, Uriah and Nathan (Samual 11-12) in an impromptu dramatic performance that had the class in stitches as they delivered their lines of Nathan and the accusation of injustice committed by the powerful against the powerless. Yes, it even happened in the past! The students were not keen on photographic memories for some reason! But it was funny to watch.

Year 10

10 RE Philosophy students have been suffering through the gaining of wisdom by learning 66 new philosophical terms. It is not an easy job learning a new vocabulary, but they are doing a mighty job and hopefully their work will be rewarded when they get their results back from the test on philosophical and logical terms in Week 7. It is a subject that can set up students well for structuring their questions, thoughts and arguments. We will move next into two big questions that bother philosophers (What is Real?; How can evil and God exist together?) and then finish the year with Thomas Aquinas鈥� five arguments for the existence of God. Look them up when you have a free few hours! Thomas was a busy boy when given a quill and parchment.

Year 11

EDGE: Students participated in a retreat workshop lead by YMT Melbourne on 2 August. Students shared their prepared ice breakers with YMT as they prepare to lead a Grade 6 retreat in Term 4. YMT then guided our students in preparing a testimonial of faith that will be shared with the Grade 6 participants.

11 VCE R&S: Sherene Hassan, who is the Director Education & Community Engagement at the Islamic Museum presents to the Year 11 students each year to give an informed view of Islamic Ethics. Sherene is an engaging speaker who is passionate about her faith life and conveys a positive message of Islam to the students who are required to investigate two religious traditions from an ethical perspective.

Year 12 Seminar

Our Year 12 cohort have participated in inspirational and hope-filled seminar sessions throughout the year. Some of the presenters include:

on Unity of all Christians
on child slavery and forced marriage
on First Nation discussions
on Acquired Brain Injuries and young people in aged care facilities

Bernard Green
Religious Education Learning Area Leader

On Friday 8th August a group of Year 8 student leaders and class captains delivered gifts to over 300 age-care residents of Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH). The gifts were made during Year 8 Connect Week at the end of Term 2 for 鈥楨qualisation Day鈥�, a day themed around the intercultural competency of being an equaliser; one who has empathy and humility and acts on social justice.

The gifts made by each Year 8 student included pot plants, photo frames and tote bags, each accompanied by a card and personalised to each resident with designs related to the resident鈥檚 interests. There were lots of football and reading related designs!

Thank you to all Year 8 students who put time and effort into making these gifts, and to this group of student leaders and class captains who represented their year level and the College so beautifully when they personally delivered the gifts to the Wantirna VMCH with such care.

Natalie Zuccon
Intercultural Learning Coordinator

Student Reflections:

It was amazing visiting the Wantirna Villa Maria Catholic Home. It was great to see them having fun and laughing with each other. Aston

Visiting the retirement home gave us all a great sense of 糖心视频, we all felt very together when we gave the residents the gifts, they all were so happy and some in disbelief. Lots of residents talked with us for a while and asked us questions. The whole place just had such a happy and fun vibe. Everyone was dancing or playing games, and chatting to each other. It was so nice to see them have so much fun and energy. I鈥檓 so happy I got to go to experience life for the residents and add a bit of joy into their lives. Ava

Visiting the Villa Maria Catholic Home was truly a heart-warming experience. Giving gifts to the residents who may not even receive visitors and seeing their faces light up was truly a gift to see. Witnessing the residents so carefree and happy, participating in activities like dancing and singing, truly brought me happiness. I walked away from this experience feeling fortunate to have been present there. I felt blessed to be able to witness and give these wonderful people so much light and joy. Felicity

Visiting the retirement home was great. It was great to see them having fun with each other and dancing around. I was a bit nervous about visiting them because I didn鈥檛 want to startle them or be a bit too rude towards them but after my visit I walked away feeling awesome and a warm, fuzzy feeling inside because everything went well and they were all super sweet. It was an amazing experience for me because now I can see that even though you can be sick and getting a bit old, you can still have fun. All the residents were so grateful and appreciative because some of them were not married and didn鈥檛 have grandkids so they were so grateful to get a little present and a little visit. Like Mrs Warren said to me last year, a small thing can make a big change. Unfortunately we could not give one of the residents one of the plants because he passed away Thursday night the 7th of August. Even though Mario is not with us I hope he knows that our school is thinking of him and may he rest in peace. It was really heart-warming to see how much they enjoyed each other's company and how close they had become, almost like one big family. Even though some of them needed help moving around or remembering things, they still had such a positive attitude and great sense of humour. The staff were also very friendly and caring, always checking in to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy. The whole place felt warm and welcoming, and I left feeling really happy that I got to be part of it, even just for a little while. Overall it was a great experience and I am glad I could make other residents' day by giving them a plant to remember every one that cares for them. Hayden (Year 8 Captain)

Students at Aquinas College recently participated in the Education Perfect Languages Victoria Competition, where they had the opportunity to test their skills against students from schools across Victoria. Our Aquinas students thrived in the competition, demonstrating not only their language ability but also their commitment, enthusiasm, and perseverance. Aquinas was placed second in the category we competed in - a fantastic result. Well done to all involved!

Sarah Aluthge

French teacher

Student reflections:

As Education Perfect launched another Languages competition it was a great opportunity to continue learning new French vocabulary. These competitions are a great way to learn French as you only have a limited time to get as many points as you can. This competition I worked extra hard to improve from my score last time by doubling my points. If there is another competition I will be sure to revise and learn more words to improve my French.

Tully W - Silver award recipient

Over the course of one week, we had the opportunity to participate in the Education Perfect Language Competition. It was a rewarding challenge that not only allowed me to learn new vocabulary but also brush up on my prior knowledge, all while adding a competitive edge. As this was my first time competing, it motivated me to work harder and strive for my best. This experience has inspired me to stay dedicated and continue growing my understanding of the French language.

Zia S - Bronze award recipient

I recently participated in the Education Perfect Languages Competition for French. I think it is a great way to learn better and more advanced vocabulary while still enjoying participating. I鈥檝e learnt so much and getting the opportunity to compete again motivated me to achieve a higher score and work hard to improve. This competition has also helped me to have a deeper understanding of the French language by providing that competitiveness that keeps me dedicated. Overall, I think it's a great platform to learn or improve a new language while still being engaged.

Elsa C - Bronze award recipient

During Chinese class, we got introduced to the program Education Perfect, and later, we were introduced to the competition. It was a challenge that allowed us to compete with each other while learning new vocabulary and revising what we already know. Competing in Education Perfect allowed us to both compete and learn, making it a fun and enjoyable opportunity for me. The Education Perfect competition motivated me to try harder and work to strive for the best while it challenged me as well. It was a good learning experience as well as a bit of a challenge. Overall I thought this was a fun and a little competitive activity. I would like to compete again if I get the opportunity.

Seah J - Credit award recipient

I was introduced to the Education Perfect Languages Competition through time in French class, and wanted to give it a go, as it would be my first time competing. I thought it would be a good opportunity to revise what I had learnt in year 8, allowing me to do my best in my current area of study. It was a really good opportunity to really challenge myself. I also found I really enjoyed the competition aspect of the challenges and activities I could complete, and found it helped boost my confidence in realising what I remembered. It allowed me to remember how much I enjoyed French and learning about the language. If I was given the opportunity, I would compete again.

Ruby M- Credit award recipient

As part of their studies this term, our VCE Art Making and Exhibiting classes visited the NGV鈥檚 Winter Masterpieces exhibition: French Impressionism, a major blockbuster exhibition with over 100 artworks drawn from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

With our focus on curatorial considerations, exhibition design and conservation, our students immersed themselves in the opulent and considered spaces, weaving through the ballrooms and conservatory, viewing artwork by renowned artists including Claude Monet and Mary Cassatt. The highlight being the enfilade with a 40 meter sightline to Dance at Bougival by Renoir.

These artists boldly rejected the artistic conventions of the time, were bold with colour, fascinated by light, explored innovative viewpoints and experimental brushwork - something our young artists are inspired by for their own practice.

The didactic information and wall panels gave insight into the artists鈥� thoughts, processes and gave links to the thematic sections throughout the exhibition.

As part of the VCE study, students will use their experiences to inspire presentation of their own artwork and others鈥� - from how artworks are cared for and presented, to the connections and relationships created.

Sandi van der Niet

Arts Learning Area Leader

The NGV's French Impressionism exhibition was easily the most well crafted and carefully thought out exhibitions I've attended. Impressionist artworks have always been very close to my heart; I have had a keen interest in van Gogh since when I was about 8 years old, and his pieces really inspired me to be experimental with my own.

Each room of the French Impressionism exhibition was inspired by the luxurious Boston homesteads of the 19th century, with its vintage furnishing, large patterned rugs, and warm lighting throughout. Paintings by Monet, Renoir, and even a debut from van Gogh were present, along with the works of many more renowned artists. Experiencing this in person was both very special and inspiring to me, and it was especially fun to be exploring it with my friends, as we could all take in the sights together.

Taking notes from NGV's French Impressionism, me and my classmates were to create plans for our own custom draft exhibition. This included sketching floor-plans, analysing art pieces, and visualising what it would look like to experience the exhibition in person, if it was to actually exist. Much like with the French Impressionism exhibition, we would also choose our own theme to comply with, and suit our exhibition to embody such.

I've had a lot of fun exploring this area of study, and I look forward to more!

Elisha H

Visiting the NGV was such an inspiring experience. I found the exhibition very visually engaging with so many artworks on display. Seeing the brushwork, colour palettes and light techniques demonstrated how much the artists valued feeling over detail.

Overall, the exhibition deepened my appreciation for how art can completely transform ordinary moments. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with real works of art, making it such a memorable experience!

Trisha T

The year 12 Art Making and Exhibiting class was given the amazing opportunity to head to the NGV and view the French Impressionism exhibition. Before heading to the gallery the class was shown a presentation discussing the various curatorial considerations and design processes a part of making the gallery spaces. The presentation was most insightful which offered lots of knowledge about the colour choices and thematic connections across the exhibition. Here we also learnt about how the paintings were sent from Boston and handled with so much care before finding themselves at the NGV.

The French Impressionism exhibition itself was beautiful with so many paintings from Claude Monet, Camille Pissaro, van Gogh and Pierre-Auguste Renoir! Being able to see these paintings in real life was surreal, viewing them up close and being able to see all the brush strokes and detail was truly inspiring. The exhibition also showed the evolution of Impressionism with some of my favourite pieces being by Camille Corot. The designs of the rooms were also well curated with comfortable seating and wall colours that perfectly match and elevate the rooms. Particularly the first room 'Impressionism in 1874' was beautifully put together with a delicate and almost wealthy feeling with the soft cream walls and comfortable seating that perfectly matched with the Monet and Renoir artworks.

The exhibition was so insightful and the various considerations gone in preserving artworks and creating gallery spaces that elevate the artwork rather than alienate it.

Overall the exhibition was an amazing opportunity and was both insightful and a privilege to see!

Tyra W

To get involved in National Science Week for 2025, align with subject selection week and encourage enthusiasm for Science at Aquinas, the Science department held the first ever Aquinas Science Tournament from 11 - 22 of August. Over 45 science classes took part across the nine days of the tournament!

Students from years 7 to 10 contributed points to their school house through participating in fun, practical, challenges in their science classes. The challenges related to the theme of this year鈥檚 National Science Week, which is 鈥淒ecoding the Universe鈥� as well as aligning with the curriculum topic currently being studied for each year level.

The activities for the year 7 to 9 core science classes included the 鈥淚ce cube melting race鈥�, the 鈥淣ervous system game鈥� and 鈥淒ecoding the periodic table with light鈥�. Students in year 10, and taking year 9 science electives, participated in the 鈥淜itchen Chemistry relay race鈥�, the 鈥淟ight maze challenge鈥�, 鈥淒ecoding DNA鈥�, the 鈥淔ingerprint challenge鈥�, the 鈥淏all crash energy transfer鈥� activity and the 鈥淧seudoscience challenge鈥�.

There was lots of healthy competition amongst the students and the house points tally was updated each day on Simon to encourage competition! Stay tuned early next week to find out the overall winning house that will be presented with the inaugural Aquinas Science Tournament trophy at the whole school assembly.

In addition to earning points for their houses, the winning teams for the activities in each class received a delicious prize! Importantly, individual students displaying particular attributes such as respect, effective communication, leadership skills and being inquisitive were nominated to be acknowledged with certificates. One student from each year level will also receive a special award in recognition of their outstanding participation in the tournament.

Judging by the noise, we think the students had lots of fun with the activities!

Dale Fredericks

Laboratory Manager

In Term 3 THRIVE, students completed various Career inquiry tasks, stepping them through the subject selection process. The Subject Selection and Careers Expo held on August 14 then provided students with information and an opportunity to see displays and speak with subject teachers and current students. Year 11 students also heard presentations from two Tertiary Institution representatives, explaining more about higher education options and pathways.

At the Careers Expo, representatives from universities, TAFEs, Vic. Police, ADF, Apprenticeship Support Services and private training providers supplied course guides (and lots of pens and lollies) to students and parents. Through the many conversations, students were able to gain a broader perspective from which to consider their decisions around 2026 subjects and future study options.

Career information and links can be easily accessed through the Aquinas College Careers website () and in particular in the weekly.

🏅 Year 9 EISM Grand Finals Success!

Congratulations to the six Year 9 EISM teams who reached the Grand Finals 鈥� an amazing achievement!

A special shout out to our winning teams:

🏆 Girls Hockey

🏆 Boys Football

To all our finalists, thank you for your hard work and dedication this season. You鈥檝e done the school proud!

Check out the coach match reports below for all the game-day highlights.

A special thanks to who through their Instagram page showcased the Aquinas vs Emmaus Football Final as their Match of the round. It gave us up to date score results and highlights throughout the match!

Sport	Score	Comments from coach
GIRLS
FOOTBALL	Aquinas - 16 vs Emmaus - 77	These girls have been the absolute best to coach over the past two months. To make it to a grand final is very admirable and regardless of the score, we are very proud of the effort the girls have put in to get here. An unfortunate way to end the season however, we have gelled as a group and enjoyed many laughs over the period. Well done girls!
Hockey	Aquinas - 2 vs Billanook - 1	As Billanook was our closest rival this season, where we previously won against them 3 - 2, we knew it was going to be a tight contest. Both sides looked strong from the start and by half time it was 1-1. The second half could have gone either way and with the threat of extra time on the horizon, Zahra broke free down the middle, whacking it into the shooting circle and with 5 seconds to go, Molly hit the ball into the goal to bring home the tropey for Aquinas. A nail-biting finish to a fabulous hockey season. Well done girls!!!
Netball A	Aquinas - 36 vs Mt Lilydale - 37	What a great season girls, you should be proud of the effort you鈥檝e put in throughout! We showed great encouragement, teamwork and enthusiasm on and off the court, however, with a quick couple of goals by MLMC we fell just short. Thank you for being such a pleasure to coach!!!!
BOYS
Football	Aquinas - 66 vs Emmaus - 59	The game that had it all! From loud spectators to dubious umpiring decisions. An incredibly mature performance from the Year 9 Boys. Everyone demonstrated composure and calm under pressure. After a disallowed mark on the final siren, the game finished level at the end of regulation time. 2 x 3 min halves followed with multiple swings in momentum and changes in the scoreline. An eventful final minute led to an Aquinas victory. Well done to each member of the team for buying into the gameplan, attending training and as a result, winning the premiership. I look forward to seeing this team develop into a Senior Aquinas team that is a force to be reckoned with.
Soccer	Aquinas - 0 vs Emmaus - 5	Wow what a season. It was sensational for an array of reasons. The most notable being that we did not have a full squad available for any round of the EISM season. This created added challenges but for those who did appear always accepted the moment with much engagement, positivity and refinement. Every week the team improved. Their on pitch spirit was wonderful, skills improved and this all reflected on their continual success despite falling short on Grand Final day. There were many matches where the team was behind but somehow the team vibe rose which allowed them to win many impressive matches. Thank you to all the boys for a wonderful season. Your spirit was infectious and inspiring and that made the job of coaching all the more enjoyable.
Netball B	Aquinas - 28 vs Luther- 36	A great grand final for both teams! Aquinas was just behind Luther the whole game, but Luther was just able to take the overall win. Great focus, sportsmanship and energy from Aquinas.

That鈥檚 a wrap ... ( well almost!)
As the musical season comes to a close we look back with absolute delight at what our talented cast and crew accomplished. 鈥楾he Wedding Singer鈥� showcased comedic acting, vibrant dancing and vocals so memorable that we continue to have the songs stuck in our heads weeks later. Throughout our year long preparation and during our shows there were remarkable examples of the Spirit of Aquinas values on display- stewardship - supporting and mentoring others, justice - supporting and encouraging equity and awareness of the individual, spirituality - allowing students to express their God-given talents, compassion and care for each other, perseverance to build and improve with each performance, and of course a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves as individuals, because together we made a musical masterpiece. We are looking forward to the reunion in a few weeks time, to celebrate our achievements together !

Gina Goss and Sarah Owen (On behalf of the Production team)

Directors

Here are some reflections from students who were involved in the cast and crew:

I really enjoyed the production of The Wedding Singer, not just being part of the lead cast, but being in the cast all together. It has been such a great environment for everybody, all the jokes and laughs shared together, all the songs sung and all the moments spent learning and having fun. I loved it this year and highly recommend the School Production for anyone and everyone who wants to be involved in 2026! Macsen R - Cast (Robbie Hart)

I signed up for the production for a mix of reasons; self-promises, passion and a desire to help create and be a part of a lovely and inclusive 糖心视频. Safe to say, that certainly happened! Everyone involved in the production has been so kind, helpful and absolutely amazing, and on top of that I could act for my peers and the audience. If anyone reading this intends on joining the musical, I highly suggest you do so! The 糖心视频 you become a part of, its members and the opportunities you receive are unimaginably priceless. So thank you cast, crew and audience of The Wedding Singer for giving so much to me, and may I have done the same for you. Nate - Cast

For the first few weeks of Term 3 I dedicated my time towards being the stage manager for The Wedding Singer. My job was to call each cue for the show from beginning to end including all lights and follow spotsI A highlight for me was during some songs when I didn鈥檛 have to call cues I was able to appreciate the musical from side stage and sing with my friends who were also working backstage. Overall the musical was a thrilling experience and I hope next year we are able to see more hands backstage as well as on stage. Alana W - Stage Manager

I auditioned and got the role of a featured dancer. I was only friends with a couple of people and therefore made it my goal to meet new people throughout the journey. Now looking back, I can confidently say that I have accomplished it. One of the aspects that makes this experience stand out from the rest is that it brings all year levels together. The majority of the people that I became really good friends with were from the lower year levels, hence I would never have met them had I never taken up this opportunity. I had such a great time getting involved in the production, and it is something that I recommend anyone and everyone to do. The sense of belonging is felt strongly throughout everyone, and I can guarantee that you will walk away with new friends. Taiya - Cast

My involvement with the Production was to operate the Follow Spots. In my experience with the Production, it's lots of fun and there is also a good sense of 糖心视频. Everyone has their part to play (pun not intended) in making the Production happen, and if you're confused or not sure about something staff and students will help you. Oliver C - FollowSpot Operator

Being part of the 2025 Production of The Wedding Singer was a valuable opportunity to engage in the performing arts 糖心视频 here at Aquinas. I was able to meet and form so many new friendships with people from across all age groups, friendships I'll have for years to come. Being a Year 12 it was bittersweet being my last musical here at Aquinas, but being a Year 12 I was able to step up and act as mentor to the younger students. As someone going on to Performing Arts based tertiary education, being cast as a lead was an amazing opportunity for me to build and develop my skills I'll continue to use in my career. It was such a great experience being around so many like minded people with a genuine love and passion for what they are doing. I had so much fun doing this production and I would highly encourage anyone who has a love for the arts to get involved in the many Performing arts opportunities we have here at Aquinas. Dana - Cast (Angie)/ Dance Captain

Being a part of The Wedding Singer has easily become one of the most unforgettable highlights from my time at Aquinas College. From learning the high energy choreography to the laughter shared backstage, every moment was filled with joy and sentiment, creating a space where everyone felt valued and supported. I am also incredibly thankful to Ms Goss, Ms Owen and Ms Silvangi for their endless encouragement, passion and dedication. Ruby B - Cast

As part of the Jubilee Year, the Melbourne Diocese is hosting the Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF) later this year. ACYF is a three-day festival bringing together thousands of young people from all across Australia. The Festival will include opportunities for engagement with other young people, school and youth groups, Bishops, musicians and speakers. Each day will include the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities including prayer, Mass, workshops, talks, live concerts, games, justice issues and an interactive expo.

Aquinas College is planning to send a group of students to join the many other schools across Australia as part of the festivities across the three days. Students will be in small groups and supervised by staff. Those in year 12 who have just graduated, are welcome to attend, normal school requirements apply.

Any families who would be interested in having their Year 9 - 11 students attend can register their interest .

Find out more about the Festival program .

You Can view the Promotional video or watch below.

Located within Melbourne鈥檚 vibrant city centre, MCEC is conveniently situated along the banks of the Yarra River, a short walk from two major city train stations as well as accessible by tram and bus (with designated drop off zones).The Festival will begin on Sunday 30 November (afternoon) and finish on Tuesday 2 December (evening). Find out more about the Festival program .

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal Mission

On Monday 8 September we are proud to present our Senior Music Showcase.

Please book your tickets

There is no charge to attend; however, for planning purposes, we request that family members reserve tickets.

The evening will begin at 7pm sharp.

The ensembles performing at the Senior Showcase are:

Pep Band
Illuminate Choir
Senior Strings
Senior Jazz Combo
VCE Music Class
Senior Rock Band
Senior Stage Band
Senior Harmony Choir
Flourishing (MACS) Choir
Senior Guitar Ensemble
Senior Concert Band

Junior music students who are performing in the Massed Ensemble at the end of the night will sit in the auditorium for the Showcase, so please reserve tickets for these students.

There is no need to reserve tickets for Senior Music students performing in the ensembles listed above.

Aquinas College is having a Family Mass on Tuesday 13 May at 7.30pm in the Mary MacKillop Chapel. Everyone is welcome.

Please stay after Mass for supper in our MY building. For catering purposes, please complete the form by clicking on the CLICK HERE button above.

Students will be asked to sign in upon arrival so that we can give them commendations.

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