From the Principal
We commemorated Ash Wednesday this week, the start of our 40-day Lenten season. In last weekend’s ‘Faith’ column in The Sunday Age, Anne Rennie reflected on the tradition of Lent as a time of fasting, one that has roots in the Jewish roots of Christianity as well as replicating Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Mark 1). Encapsulating the tradition of Lent as a time of ‘omission’, Rennie paired this with our Catholic faith as a Resurrection of people, writing of this as also a time of ‘commission’.
How do we use our time of reflection on the sacrifice of Christ and the lead-up to Easter as a chance to better the lives of those around us? Project Compassion certainly provides a tangible way to contribute materially to others. As a people 'commissioned’ by Christ, we are also called to live our values in the positive and compassionate ways we interact with each other every day.
Opening College Mass & Induction of Student Leaders
Monday 19 February we will celebrate our Opening College Mass for 2024. I look forward to the honour of being inducted as ˿Ƶ Principal alongside our Year 8-12 student leaders during this Mass (Year 7 leaders will be chosen on their upcoming camps). In 2024, we welcome new Year 12 Leadership positions in Faith, Social Justice and Sustainability.
Year 12 leaders
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College Captains
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Isobel Mugamu
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Connor Haughie
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Vice Captains
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Bella Schneiders
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Lucas Mandaliti
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VCE-VM Captains
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Brock Elson
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Kahli-Ann Wynne
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College Ambassadors
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Olivia Westaway
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Jarred Lechner
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College Board Rep
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Catrin Webb
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Environmental Leader
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Emma Hewins
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Faith Leader
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Josh Tolcher
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Social Justice Leader
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Chloe Lopez
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Sport Captains
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Georgia Kavanagh
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Georgia Scheer
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Thomas Vardy
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Music Captains
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Guitar - Lachlan Bruni
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Band - Sarai Nunez
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Vocal - Cody Boland
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Year 11 leaders
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Year 11 Captains
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Evie Evans
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Joseph Campbell
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Student Engagement and Culture
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Lachie Buyck
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Academic Excellence
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Tyra Wu
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Social Justice & Sustainability
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Maeve Wilkinson
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Student Wellbeing and Diversity
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Gabby Linton
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Year 10 leaders
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Year 10 Captains
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Nicholas Schulties
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Holly McGill
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Year 10 Vice Captains
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Gracie Laffin
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Garcia Mckrell-Bonacci
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Social Justice and Sustainability
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Will Elliot
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Ria Jijose
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Student Engagement and Culture
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Lily Seadon
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Lucy Postill
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Student Diversity and Wellbeing
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Jessica Gilbert
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Music Captain
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Rose Ennis
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Academic Excellence
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Efrosyni Kyriakos
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Sport Captain
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Lachlan Ghosn
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Year 9 Leaders
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Year 9 Captains
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Dulcie White
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Deon Jito
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House Captains
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Dominic -
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MacKillop -
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Rice -
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Abbey Bruni
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Riley Kwong
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Charlotte Jones
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Pia Crozier
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Charli Lowe
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Zac Parker
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Year 8 Leaders
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Year 8 Captains
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Naomi Mugamu
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Oliver Simkin
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Partnership
Thank-you to the huge number of parents and guardians who attended the Year Level information evenings over the past fortnight. It is gratifying to have such a tangible measure of our partnership with families and, personally, I appreciated the welcomes and chats with so many parents and guardians.
˿Ƶ Choir
One of the great benefits of our community is the wide range of opportunities available. Last week, I attended the induction of the 26 new MACS Principals at the Catholic Leadership Centre. One of the highlights of the day was having our ˿Ƶ Choir perform at the induction Mass, to the praise of all in attendance - including our celebrant.
2026 Year 7 enrolments now open
Enrolments for Year 7 2026 are now open. Applications need to be made via the College website at www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/enrolment. Applications will close on Friday, August 16 2024. Please contact the Registrar on registrar@aquinas.vic.edu.au if you have any questions.
Open Day
On Sunday 17 March we will hold our Open Day from 12.00 - 3.00pm. We look forward to showcasing the College and welcoming both prospective families and any current families wishing to tour the campus with our student guides and/or speak with staff. Please see www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/enrolment/#college-tours for more details.