麻豆视频AV

Improving our Communication

鈥淚f I had more time I would have written a shorter letter.鈥�

Often attributed to Mark Twain, but more likely originating from French mathematician and philosopher Blaise Pascal, this witticism captures the challenge of effective communication, apparently a problem for writers even in the 17th Century. Shift forward 350 years and the World Economic Forum estimates that by 2025, the amount of data generated each day will reach 463 exabytes. If, like me, you had not previously heard of an exabyte, it is 1000 petabytes. If that doesn鈥檛 help, it is enough space to store over 3 billion 4K movies. Clearly, we have far more information coming to us than we could ever hope to digest. How can we help to ensure that the important information does not get lost in the midst of the thousands of voices seeking our attention?

The Aquinas School Advisory Council is playing a lead role in reviewing communication with our community as part of our School Improvement Plan. Of course, the last two and a half years has been dominated by COVID-19 updates and, as reminded by someone keeping score this week, we recently produced our 100th email reporting positive daily cases in 2022. But there is a lot of other information that we need to share with you as well, so that you know how your young person is progressing and what is happening in our busy school.

We know from our analytics that approximately 1200 individuals will open The Lighthouse (congratulations, you鈥檙e obviously one of them) and you are likely to be on a small mobile device. But we want to know more. We want to re-evaluate all of the means by which you receive communication from the College to better understand what is working for you and what is not. Could you please complete this brief survey to help us identify some trends and to further our discussion on this important topic:

GAT - Student Free Day

The General Achievement Test (GAT) is conducted on Wednesday, September 7 and includes all students currently completing a Year 12 subject.  Given the complexity and the number of spaces required to conduct this exam it is a Student Free Day for all students not required for the exam.

Whole School Assembly

I am pleased to report that we will gather for a Whole School Assembly next Tuesday morning given that our COVID-19 numbers have dropped significantly over the last couple of weeks. It will be a great opportunity to share student achievement and celebrate our values as a community. We have sorely missed these whole school events over the last couple of years and look forward to the opportunity to gather as one again. In accordance with the guidelines, we will be encouraging the wearing of masks.

Music Showcase - Karralyka Centre

Aquinas music students have a wonderful opportunity to display their talents on Thursday September 8 at our music showcase at the Karralyka Centre.  The show provides another opportunity for our young musical talent to demonstrate their development as musicians.  Thanks to Mr Jared Campbell, Music Program Coordinator, and his dedicated team of instrumental teachers for the work they have put in to prepare the students for this performance.  Thanks to Ms Trish Thompson for her administrative support in helping to stage this evening. Thanks also to the families who continue to show their enthusiastic support for their young people at these events. I believe there are a few tickets still available: 

P&F Trivia Night

Please support the P&F Trivia Night on Saturday September 10 as proceeds will go to the support of those affected by the Lismore floods. Tickets are available here: ...

Aquinas School Advisory Council

The Advisory Council met for our Seminar on Tuesday evening and we were guided through a master planning review by Mr Matt Dwyer from Y2 Architecture. Our next steps are to review the priorities in our existing master plan and determine the highest priority to work towards as our next major capital development.  

Subject Selection Expo

Thank you to all families who were able to take up the opportunity to visit the Subject Selection Expo and Information Evening last night.  Teachers were on hand to offer advice about the subject offerings on hand for students at Years 9 to 11 and also talk about the varied pathways that students can pursue at the College.  I trust that you found the evening valuable in helping to chart a course forward through the wide range of available pathways.

Father鈥檚 Day Mass

The next of our community masses is on Tuesday, 6 September in the College Chapel commencing at 7.30pm. The mass will acknowledge Father鈥檚 Day and all are welcome. Just to get an understanding of attendance, please if you think you will be joining us.

Darren Atkinson
Principal

After a successful Subject Selection Expo last night there is still time to submit or change subjects for 2023. The Select My Subjects Portal closes on Monday August 29th.

We have told all the students that choosing subjects requires an honest appraisal of interests, ability and future ambition.

There are three key questions for students:

• What do I like doing?
• What am I good at?
• What do I need?

Subjects should give you a chance to progress and they should challenge you. The Expo was designed to see the possibilities but information is still available on the Subject Selection Web that students can see on SIMON and Parents can see on the front page of PAM.

There is no priority based on first come first served, so there is no rush to make choices. Classes are allocated by demand and then your order of preference. If you really want to study a subject, list it early in your preferences. If a subject is offered and does not have enough students, students will be allocated their reserve. If a subject is oversubscribed and we cannot staff or room it, the order of preference will be the guide as to who is included.

2023 starts with making great choices.

Michael Box
Deputy Principal Learning

Why is it important to develop a sense of belonging at school?

Most adults can appreciate the role that relationships and a sense of belonging have on the development of identity for young people while attending school. While many schools have continually valued the role of social emotional learning as a key aspect in the development of the person, the success of holistic development extends to the experiences that take place outside of the classroom and the support of families in assisting students to find a sense of control in their journey of growth and development. Belonging is pivotal to success, and as social beings, humans need to belong in order to realise their full potential. Why is this important to all of us? Well, the responsibility of enabling belonging for students is shared in partnership between the child鈥檚 family and the school as a whole. 

A study conducted by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2019 identified some key findings which are of great relevance today. Australian students reported at the time to experience a lower sense of belonging when compared with other students around the world, or at least when compared with students from other nations that form part of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This finding was concerning at the time, because it showed that many of our young people struggled to make connections between their motivation, engagement, beliefs and sense of control about their future. The correlations in the findings pointed to a distinct lack of belonging to the school context for many of the students. What may be more alarming now is that following 2020 and 2021, it is clear that some students have continued to struggle to return to schools in ways that will fully enhance their opportunity to achieve their full potential as learners. 

Belonging needs to extend beyond the formation of relationships with peers and must account for the identity that each student must form as a learner. Belonging leads to higher levels of student emotional wellbeing, which undoubtedly provides better academic performance and achievement. Children are more and more placed under a microscope, and as such, we tend to know more about the perfections and imperfections that make the child unique. Over the course of a student鈥檚 journey through school, there is an accumulation of data which can be used to identify areas of need, areas of success and such information could also assist us to predict the possible achievements that the student may be able to reach in their time as students of the College. However, it is clear in the PISA study, that an absence of belonging during school, will most likely lead to an increase in mental health problems, a lack of resilience building and struggles when difficulties are experienced. It is essential that schools and families work in partnership to enhance belonging. 

A Meta-Analysis conducted by the University of Melbourne, in which the key findings of 51 studies exploring belonging in Australian Schools were analysed, involving responses and perspectives of just under 70,000 students, highlighted some important considerations for schools and families. In summary, the study identified that the most influential factors enhancing belonging in schools include:

• Teacher and student relationships, ones based on mutual respect, in which each person is valued and there are high expectations of each other.
• Family relationships, in which parents offer strong emotional support and value education. This also extends to the relationships held with peers, based on equal mutual respect and value. 
• Individual outlook and characteristics, where there is optimism, self-efficacy, a positive outlook and self esteem, where students have developed resilience to address adversity and possess good coping skills, adaptability and resistance.
• The school culture, in which diversity is celebrated and respect is expected.
• The environment outside of the school gates, where the context is underpinned by strong values and an understanding of the person鈥檚 responsibilities and rights as good citizens. 

So what can be done to enhance belonging?

School attendance. Way too often, it is a request from some students to just want to have a day off, and when granted, this may provide complications when having to catch up on work. School attendance correlates with success and I encourage you to assist your child in attending school regularly. The notion of taking a 鈥渕ental day off鈥� may provide some relief but this may also lead to distress at a later stage.  

Engage with your child about what they are up to at school. Often, we tend to focus on what may be missing or what the challenges may be but we must also be focused on the good things that happen at school. Getting the big picture, promoting the value of education and being in support of the school will assist your child in maintaining a positive attitude towards school and its value.

Promote a 鈥淕rowth Mindset鈥�. A quick search of what encompasses Dr Dweck鈥檚 theory of will take you to many explanations and resources of how children can learn with a positive mindset. Using this approach may assist their resilience and will certainly lead to a change in attitude when learning may be considered difficult or challenging. 

Engage with the school community and model to your child how everyone can belong to this wonderful school. On that, I cordially invite you to join the Parents and Friends Network. The group鈥檚 purpose is to offer parents, guardians and friends an inclusive and engaging environment to gather and be informed, whilst assisting the College in the education of all students. The group also supports and plans activities in line with strategic priorities, College values and student wellbeing. The group aims to have broad representation of the parents and guardians鈥� body. 

All parents and friends of students at the College are invited to the Parent and Friends Network meetings held at the College Board Room at 7.30pm on the first Monday of each month outside of school holidays. Topics of interest to the parent body are discussed, issues are invited from those present, a report on behalf of the College is given by members of the College Leadership Team and planning for future events occurs. Perhaps this could be a way for you to demonstrate to your child your belonging. 

Finally, I encourage you to keep your children busy. Part time jobs, house duties, keeping their rooms tidy and participating in extracurricular activities are very important. It is reported that there has been a decline in the number of young people participating in community sport and this is of concern. Encourage your children to play sport, to join theatre groups, play an instrument or attend youth focused groups. Finding a purpose outside of school will assist their belonging as students of a large community. Social Media or gaming are not positive replacements. 

Building Belonging Post Pandemic

Having a sense of belonging involves more than simply knowing other people. It is also focused on gaining acceptance, attention and support from others, as well as having the opportunity to provide the same to other people.

When the pandemic interrupted our lives and changed the way we live, this meant that suddenly many of our young people鈥檚 main sources of connection with peers and extended family members were removed overnight without warning. As human beings, we have a basic emotional and biological need for connection. It provides us with feelings of identity, security, support, acceptance and community.

Students who have a sense of belonging will experience these feelings which in turn supports their academic, psychological and social development. When young people come together again after a period of instability, there is a period of adjustment. Whilst the rules of the group may be established, acceptance remains paramount and can therefore mean some behaviours become far from rational, making it difficult for their brain to focus on things, such as learning. All these factors combined, leave young people open to being vulnerable. It can sometimes tempt them into making choices or becoming involved in situations they might not ordinarily consider.

As a result of the pandemic, there are still many young people struggling to connect and regain their sense of belonging. This Special Report provides guidance to families who find themselves in this situation. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report

If you have any questions or concerns or would like to know more, please contact your child鈥檚 pastoral leaders. Alternatively, you can contact the YFC for counselling support or you may provide some feedback by emailing me at rodeznone@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Enjoy the footy finals and may your team win!

Nap Rodezno
Deputy Principal

Allen, K., Kern, M.L., Vella-Brodrick, D. et al. What Schools Need to Know About Fostering School Belonging: a Meta-analysis. Educ Psychol Rev 30, 1鈥�34 (2018).

De Bortoli, L. (2018). PISA Australia in Focus Number 1: Sense of belonging at school. Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

Humility

This Sunday's readings are themed around humility. The first reading from Ecclesiasticus 鈥淏ehave humbly and you will find favour with the Lord鈥� and the Gospel of Luke; 鈥淓veryone who exalts himself shall be humbled鈥�. In both readings gentleness not over confidence, being sensible not boastful or proud and to recognise the value in others were discussed. 

When seeing this theme, the first thing that came into my mind was the song by Mac Davis, 鈥淥h Lord it's hard to be humble鈥� with the humorous lyrics that are definitely not humble. I am sure we all know someone in our lives that would suit this song. However, humility can be a defence mechanism, be it to protect ourselves from deserved attention or as a means to receive reassurance or rewards from others. 

When we delve deeper into the readings, humility is also about inclusivity. By being humble, we have the opportunity to recognise and welcome the talents of others. It is no longer about 鈥渜uid pro quo鈥� where I will seek to praise you so that you praise me or, as in the gospel reading, inviting people to an event so that you get invited to theirs in return.  Being truly humble means doing something good without the expectation of reward for yourself.

What is the purpose of your actions? One of humility without the expectation of praise or is it so you can be rewarded? I have included a Litany of Humility from Kansas Monks to share with you in prayer.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal Mission

Senior Years Report

After such a length of time conducting major school events online, it was really invigorating to have people onsite, interested and curious about what subjects are offered in later years and what learning looks like in each subject. From the attendance at last night's parent/mentor meetings and Subject Selection Expo, it was clear how invested families are in their child鈥檚 education. 

Making choices can be difficult. People feel pressured to 鈥榗hoose the right subject鈥�. The best advice you can be given is to do your research rather than make a last minute panic choice. Many people attended the Subject Expo with specific questions, weighing up what is studied in subjects, the types of assessment and a balanced spread of subjects. The Subject Selection website is still available for people to consult for final information. 

Subject choices are due Monday 29th August. Ensure that you have asked the experts any last questions. Experts would be speaking directly to teachers of the subject rather than hearsay in the yard. Keep in mind the three questions outlined in Mr Michael Box article and you will be able to reach final decisions.

Rachel Crawley
Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

As staff at Aquinas, we know we are always still learning to be better educators and leaders and from time to time are fortunate enough to go on Professional Development. Recently, Lauren Bourke one of our new(ish!) teachers and leaders took the opportunity to go on a course titled 鈥楽ecret to Superior Leadership.鈥� Understandably, much of the content crossed over to parenting. With that in mind, I asked Lauren how the day helped her as a teacher and how it could assist us in being 鈥楽uperior Leaders鈥� in our own homes!

Lauren, your PD was around Emotional Intelligence in regards to Leadership in Schools. How did the content in your course crossover to parenting?

"In particular, using our emotional intelligence (EI) to overcome feelings because, as we all know, teenagers face a number of heightened emotions and feelings as they develop socially and emotionally in secondary school. We can all become emotionally intelligent people by following some simple steps and by supporting others to do the same. If your child comes to you in a heightened state of emotion consider trying this five-step process:

1. Firstly, allow them to "return to calm", as thinking comes second in the brain to feeling, we need to ensure that the person is able to think clearly. This may require particular calming strategies such as breathing techniques, moving, journaling etc. 
2. Establish what they are feeling. Ask them to label their emotions, are they feeling agitated, anxious, cranky etc. 
3. Consider what need is not being met? Eg. Jill wants her mother to allow her to attend a party. 
4. Acknowledge the need (however acknowledgement is not agreement, you do not have to agree with your child) - this is a really important stage of the process. Eg. Jill, I understand that you would really like to attend the party on Saturday night and you feel like you would be missing out if you do not attend. 
5. Once the 鈥榥eed鈥� has been acknowledged, you can discuss the issue further however it is really important that you remain calm and relaxed during the conversation. Eg. Your father and I understand what you are saying Jill, however we are concerned about this party and do not feel comfortable with you attending. We are making this decision for your own safety, to protect you and because we love you. 

Why is there a need for naming your emotions?

Naming (or labelling) our emotions is a part of the process in understanding what needs are not being met in our children. Emotions provide us with the information we need to rapidly evaluate situations and make decisions about how to respond. Many children find difficulty in labelling their emotions when their feelings are not satisfied, which leads to further heightened emotions and emotional outbursts at home or school. Teaching our children to really think about what they are feeling is the first step in "taming" their emotions, controlling behaviour and most importantly ensuring that they don't act on it. 

We often hear from parents that their child holds on to it all day at school for us, but they then get the explosion at home. Is this a common occurrence and what strategies did they advise for this?

The explosion or heightened state of emotion is 100% a common occurrence at home and unfortunately as parents we are always left to deal with this after a potentially long stressful day at work! In this moment, we need to allow the child to "return to calm" so that they are able to think clearly and move forward. One of the strategies taught was Box Breathing (the breathing technique), whereby you ask your child to take in breath for four counts, then hold for four counts, exhale for four counts then hold for four counts. The number used can be increased as the child becomes better at holding their breath etc. This exercise teaches the lungs to breath rhythmically which in turn improves mental focus. 

One of the most important concepts I will take from the course is allowing your child to feel emotions, if they are crying, allow them to continue and get it all out of their system. I know as I child, I was sometimes taught to "pull it together" and "let it go", however scientifically it is really important that this is not the case. 

What parts do adults (parents/guardians/teachers) play in ensuring that our youth have a healthy emotional intelligence?

Adults play the part of the role model in these scenarios. If we are not Emotionally Intelligent ourselves, able to control our own emotions and self-manage then our students or children will not be able to either. Children not only learn from our own emotional reactions, however they also physiologically attune to us. If you are calm in your conversation, label your own emotions and realise the need that is not being met then your child will attune to this and will learn to do the same. The old saying of 'lead by example' is very important in the process of becoming Emotionally Intelligent and teaching EI to our students and children. What this may mean is considering your own behaviour and Emotional Intelligence and then choosing to create new patterns of behaviour for both yourself and your child. 

Thanks Lauren, I will certainly be implementing some 鈥楤ox鈥� Breathing in my home!

Phil Box
Head Middle Years

R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.鈥�

Asking isn鈥檛 always easy but it could change a life!! It is important that we all ask the question to our friends, peers, colleagues and loved-ones but we must be mindful that the help-giver or asker is supported too. They need to make sure they are ready, prepared and have picked a good time in order to support their own wellbeing. 

R U OK? and Aquinas encourages people to invest more time in their relationships and build and strengthen informal support networks such as friends, family, coaches, teachers and colleagues, to be alert to those around them. Have a conversation if you notice signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they're in crisis. It is so important that people know they don鈥檛 have to provide the answers or solve the issue but listen, encourage the person to take action and suggest trusted adults or professionals they should link with, and most importantly, check in later. 

In the week beginning 5th September, we will be running activities each day to raise awareness of this important cause. We hope to provide students and staff with the skills and confidence to ask and then respond to the important question RUOK??

It is so wonderful to feel the day length getting a little longer at the moment with the season changes not far away. The UV index is just starting to move from low to moderate for parts of the day in Melbourne.

There has been lots of fantastic work being undertaken by the VCAL students at the chicken coup and vegetable gardens. Some very innovative and creative design projects have been implemented to continue to develop the area. 

Karyn Myers
Environment & Sustainability Coordinator

As mentioned in the last edition of Music Notes, it's concert season. Our Music students travelled far and wide to perform at various festivals, and many were rewarded for their performances! Well done to all Music staff and students for their efforts and outstanding talents.

Congratulations to our Senior Concert Band and Senior Choir Acapella for their performances at the Victorian Schools Music Festival and Royal South Street Eisteddfod. The Senior Concert Band came home with a Silver from the Royal South Street Eisteddfod, and third place in the Senior Choir Acapella Award RSS

Following the Seniors success at Victorian Schools Music Festival, our Junior Concert Band received Silver at the Victorian Schools Music Festival.

Jared Campbell
Music Programs Coordinator

Thank you to all the families who came to the Subject Selection Expo last night. It was great to have such a buzz back in the College. We hope that everyone who attended found it worthwhile, and gained some insights and information for your child's learning pathway.

Just a reminder, the Select my Subjects Portal closes on Monday 29th August, and students need to have submitted their 2023 subject choices by then.

For anyone who missed them, here are the slides from the presentations:

Last week students from Years 7, 8 and 9 acknowledged and celebrated those students who were recognised as the Top 10 students for Academic Performance in Semester 1, 2022. 

Congratulations to the following students for all that they have achieved this year:

Year 9 Academic Excellence

• Ruth Tawng
• Lucy Jordan
• Caitlin Hartley
• Cameron White
• Juan Hernandez
• Jade Forder
• Alyssa Martin
• Nathalie Banocia
• Gabriella Linton
• Layla Beare

Year 8 Academic Excellence

• Ria Jijose
• Rose Ennis
• Maria Skaliotis
• Pip Wilhelmsen
• Holly McGill
• Will Elliott
• Emmanuel Varela Torres
• Noel Sebastian
• Zara Mijat
• Bella Ritchie

Year 7 Academic Excellence

• Priscilla Monewalu
• Janna Pham
• Kim Suante
• Beau Blackshaw
• Anaya Franklin
• Chelsea Payne
• Jessica North-Coombes
• Charlotte Jones
• Ryan Martin
• Brittany Maffia

Last week our Science Learning Area were excited to share the many opportunities of the subject as part of Science Week. 

Students across all year levels participated in a range of interesting and engaging experiments which showcased the breadth of the available areas of study (just in time for Subject Selection!). From creating bioplastic suncatchers; extracting strawberry DNA; making metal alloy and measuring lung capacity the students loved every minute. To round up the week, the Unit 3/4 students presented their experiment findings in an expo format, to the Middle Years students. 

It was an absolute pleasure to experience the recent Restaurant Night at the Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre, hosted and created by the Unit 3/4 Hospitality and Unit 3/4 Kitchen Operations students from the Mullum Cluster.

The degustation menu was expertly created to complement the spectacular wines from Levantine Hill Estate winery, with each course possibly more delicious than the last. The flavours and presentation of the dishes were restaurant class, and the service and attention to detail from the Hospitality students as they took us through the profile of each of the wines was exceptional.

It is such an honour to be apart of supporting these students as they hone their craft, and an absolute gastronomic pleasure! I highly recommend getting your seat to experience one of the few remaining Restaurant Nights for 2022, and plan out your calendar for 2023!

Ever dreamed about developing your own unique design style?

Both Year 9 Visual Communication classes would like to share their experiences with you.

Student Reflections:

鈥淐opic markers are really fun to use for blending and make it easy to shade. I love drawing with them. Shading also makes something look more realistic or detailed in drawings, and it showed me more advanced and simple shading techniques that can work.鈥� Logan Harley

鈥淢y experience in Vis Com has helped to enlighten my career path as I have learned new techniques that I can use whilst I draw at home. It has helped me develop my own way of drawing that I can use for other things in my life. My favourite example of design beyond Aquinas is architecture as it can display creativity whilst also factoring in how it will be used and whether it is able to be built. I also love book and album cover designs as they give the person a feeling of what it may be about.鈥� Jade Forder

鈥淚 learnt about colour theory and how we can use the colour wheel to create some cool colour combinations. This helped me to pair different colours to find a good colour theme for my design.鈥� Alyssa Martin

鈥淚 have enjoyed observational drawing. Having to look at an object and sketch it based off what I can see is really interesting and fun. I have also enjoyed rendering my drawing with fineliners to make it look the best it can be. I feel I can sketch-up and draw objects better, which will help me in my future career with whatever I choose…like sketching-up buildings, instruments, gardens, etc.鈥� Tyler Francis

鈥淢y favourite example of design is posters because a lot of movie and tv show posters are creative and use really cool concepts. I also like architecture and how creative people can be with their designs.鈥� Annabel Ireland

鈥淚 have recently learnt some new techniques that help me get a better result when using coloured pencil, as well as some different ways to measure proportions for observational drawings. Both of these have helped me improve my drawing skills and have made my final drawing something that I am very proud of.鈥� Ruby Melchiorre

A selection of our Year 9 students and the Foundation English students from Year 10 were lucky enough to get a taste of TAFE learning last week. 

Last Friday a proud and deadly group of seven Indigenous Aquinas students travelled together to Richmond Football Club to participate in Watta Watnanda Day, hosted by the Korin Gamadji Institute, and organised by the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education and Learning Diversity teams. 

The day began by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and all the clans that make up the Kulin Nation. We paid our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledged the importance of Aboriginal culture in everything we do and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, students and their families within the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

We listened to inspirational stories of resilience and successes. We learned about grasping opportunities and the importance of lifelong education and growth. A representative from ACU spoke about the Jim - Baa - Yer Indigenous Higher Education Unit. Jim - Baa - Yer offers a wide range of support services for Indigenous university students including free tutorial assistance, a study hub, cultural activities, scholarships, networking and professional development opportunities. Admissions are available to those with or without an ATAR including VCAL/VCE-VM. ACU is well worth a look for our Indigenous young people who want to move on to tertiary studies.

Highlights of the day included a tour of Yarra Park surrounding the MCG. The tour included a couple of scar trees which reminded us that these meeting grounds on the banks of the Yarra have long been extremely important for over tens of thousands of years before the MCG became what it is today. The students also had the opportunity to craft a possum skin wristband decorated with personal stories which became a beautiful keepsake for the day. We'd like to thank all involved with the organisation and running of the day and also to Vanessa Murdoch, Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer from the Ngarrang Gulinj鈥慳l Boordup team at EACH, who has been running the Journey Tracks program at the College which all of the participating students have also been a part of.

Sean Miller
Youth & Family Centre

Last Friday was cold and overcast, and I decided to walk to the school gym to check out the volleyball tournament featuring year 10, 11 and 12 students as well teachers. As I walked towards the gym I noticed to my right a band was playing on the stage in the Forum. It wasn鈥檛 quite the pyramid stage at Glastonbury but none the less it was still quite impressive to witness. The band played extremely well and it was quite refreshing to hear a band play with gusto in the forum. Students in the forum where laughing, and energized with happiness and the general positive vibe in the air, despite the weather. 

The gym was filled with teen spirit with over 100 students and staff cheering on the players. Everyone was supportive, happy and engaged. The energy was immediately infectious. The standard of play was not necessarily the key focus. Instead it was the willingness to have a go and share such experiences with one another. 

It was reminiscent of a small, far less muddy, school appropriate, Glastonbury. I have to say that the spirit of Aquinas was alive and well for everyone to enjoy. It was a wonderful moment in time. 

A special thanks to Sports Captains, Ella Grigg, Seb Barnes and all the  Year 12 students who organized the volleyball tournament. Thank for your passionate vision to bring happiness to everyone. Also thank you to those who set up the gym for the hundreds who attended as well as all those who set up the stage in the Forum. Being there was so inspiring with the pounding of loud music and the willing engagement of so many. Thank you to all who provided me with such an amazing energized experience. It was a wonderful time had by all. Wow, wow and a lot more wow. Have a groovy day. Long live Glastonbury.

Dennis Sartory
Teacher

In the early part of September, we have a number of events which the Aquinas Community are warmly invited to join: 

Family Mass

Tuesday 6th September
7.30pm
Mary MacKillop Chapel

A big congratulations to Year 11 student, Gemma O'Donnell on her Victorian team winning Silver at the basketball Nationals last week.

Earlier this week, the Senior EISM Grand Finals were held. Overall it was a very good afternoon for our teams (the weather was not the greatest).

Congratulations to the following teams and coaches who won:

• BOYS FOOTBALL (MR McGRATH) - won with 3 seconds left in extra time 30-29 against Donvale
• BOYS TOUCH FOOTBALL (MR MULHOLLAND) - won convincingly 9-2 against Mt Scopus
• BOYS NETBALL A  (MS WOODS)- won convincingly 32-12 against Emmaus
• BOYS NETBALL B (MAX SMILES ex student) - won a tight game 26-20 against Donvale (who were undefeated)
• BOYS VOLLEYBALL A (MR SARTORY) - won very well 3 -0 against Donvale  (who were undefeated)

Well done to the following teams who unfortunately lost the finals but played really well

• GIRLS BASKETBALL A (MS LEMIESZEK) -   30-32 against Emmaus
• GIRLS BASKETBALL B (OLIVIA SPADEA ) -   27-56 against Emmaus
• GIRLS FOOTBALL (MS JOHNS)  -    2-7 against Mt Lilydale
• BOYS SOCCER (MR BUCHANAN) -   2-3 against Emmaus

A huge thank you to all the players who have played and supported the senior teams this season and also the other coaches of senior EISM teams - Mr Donohue, Ms Weltner, Ms Breazeale, Ms Rose, Ms Crawley and Emily Box.

Bernie Brummell
Sports Coordinator

Family Mass Invitation

麻豆视频AV warmly invites students and their families to celebrate mass together. The focus, while primarily is on Fathers and the important males in our lives as we celebrate the joys and qualities of all family members.

When: Tuesday 6th September
Time: 7.30 pm
Location: Mary MacKillop Chapel.

For planning purposes, please .