Charter
MISSION STATEMENT
To educate students in the Catholic tradition of faith and love, recognising the uniqueness of the individual, and challenging them to realise their potential in a multicultural environment that constantly strives for excellence.
VISION STATEMENT
Educating Catholic Leaders through Faith and Action
General Goals:
To achieve our Mission, we endeavour to:
(a)Permeate the daily life of the school with the values of Jesus Christ as expressed in the Gospels and in the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church.
(b)Develop a community that uses and values personal and community prayer.
(c)Foster positive attitudes towards learning as part of the pursuit and discovery of truth and scholarship, and equip students with skills for life.
(d)Promote the understanding and appreciation of different cultures, recognising the bicultural heritage of New Zealand and the multi-cultural nature of the school community and of our society.
(e)Encourage each student to achieve his or her full potential, to develop self worth, and appreciate the individual gifts, efforts and achievements of self and others.
(f)Show concern for all, especially the under-privileged, through the promotion of the Christian virtues ideals of love, service, social justice and peace so that Gospel values will influence the staff and students in their view of life and their decision making.
(g)Build a Catholic community, based on the spirit of family, where respect for the individual as a unique creation of God is shown in the relationships of teachers, parents and students with one another.
(h)Develop a spirit of joy and optimism in the school community.
Key Values which the school promotes:
Joy A positive outlook to others, and to our environment
Family Enrolling and working in partnership with families
Scholarship A determination to seek and attain excellence in all we do
Service A commitment to use our talents for the good of others
Truth A continual search for truth and integrity in our lives and relationships
Prayer Valuing personal and communal prayer in its many forms
Type of School:
Aquinas College is an Integrated Co-Educational Roman Catholic Secondary School for students from Year Seven (7) to Year Thirteen (13) offering education with a special character. The Proprietor of the school (Catholic Bishop of Hamilton Diocese) and the Minister of Education have signed an Integration Agreement (The Integration Agreement) for the school in terms of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act 1975. This agreement limits the roll to 750 students with a non-preference roll of up to 5%.
Guiding Principles:
The Board of Trustees ensures that all students in the school under its control are given an education which enhances their learning, builds on their needs and respects their dignity. This education shall challenge them to achieve personal standards of excellence and to reach their full potential. All school activities are designed to advance these purposes. The BOT recognise 4 key Guiding Principles
(a)Special Character
The special character of a Catholic school is defined in the Integration Agreement:
The school is a Roman Catholic school in which the whole school community, through the general school programme and in its religious instructions and observances, exercises the right to live and teach the values of Jesus Christ. These values are as expressed in the Scriptures and in the practices, worship and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, as determined from time to time by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese
(b)Balanced Curriculum
The Board of Trustees accepts that every student in this school shall have the best possible learning opportunity. This involves the provision of a balanced curriculum, which enables all learners to acquire knowledge and skills. Basic skills are learnt. Physical and aesthetic abilities are enhanced. Realistic personal standards of achievement are set. Scholarship is valued and encouraged at every level. Religious, including moral education, is integral to the curriculum.
(c) Equity
The Board of Trustees accepts that equity objectives underpin all activities in this school. The Board ensures that this schools policies and practices seek to achieve equitable outcomes for students, for rural and urban students; for all students irrespective of their religious, ethnic, cultural, social, family and class backgrounds, and irrespective of their ability or disability.
(d)Cultural Diversity
The Aquinas College community recognises, values and promotes our dual cultural heritage. All members of the school community should work together to fulfil the intent of the Treaty of Waitangi, ensuring the curriculum reflects Maori perspectives. Equitable provisions in the curriculum are to cater for the instructional needs of Maori students especially in the provision of opportunities to learn Maori language and culture. Our school recognises Maori values in the provision of resources and facilities within the school and makes staffing and financial provision to enable the school to meet the requirements of the Treaty. We also recognise the historical significance of the area upon which the College is built, and the place Maori have in developing the Catholic community in the Western Bay of Plenty area. We would help parents wishing for instruction through tikanga and te reo Maori determine the nearest alternative. The College community also recognises the multi-cultural nature of the School community and of our society.
National Educational Guidelines:
The following goals for the education system are set by government and supported by the Aquinas College Board and staff:
(a)Attainment of the highest standards of achievement, through programmes which enable all students to realise their full potential as individuals, and to develop the values needed to become full members of New Zealand society
(b)Equality of educational opportunity for all New Zealanders, by identifying and removing barriers to achievement.
(c)Development of the knowledge, understanding and skills needed by New Zealanders to compete successfully in the modern, ever-changing world.
(d)A sound foundation in the early years for future learning and achievement through programmes which include support for parents in their vital role as their children's first teachers.
(e)A broad education through a balanced curriculum covering essential learning areas with high levels of competence in basic literacy and numeracy, science and technology.
(f)Excellence achieved through the establishment of clear learning objectives, monitoring student performance against those objectives, and planning programmes to meet individual needs.
(g)Success in their learning for those with special needs by ensuring that they are identified and receive appropriate support.
(h)Access for students to a nationally and internationally recognised qualifications system to encourage a high level of participation in post-school education.
(i)Increased participation and success by Maori through the advancement of Maori educational initiatives, including education in Te Reo Maori, consistent with the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
(j)Respect for the diverse ethnic and cultural heritage of New Zealand people, with acknowledgment of the unique place of Maori, and New Zealand's role in the Pacific and as a member of the international community of nations.
National Administration Guidelines:
The Board, through the principal and staff, is implementing the National Administration Guidelines. The Aquinas College Board of Trustees fosters student achievement by providing teaching and learning programmes which incorporate the New Zealand Curriculum (essential learning areas, essential skills and attitudes and values) as expressed in National Curriculum Statements.
NAG 1. Curriculum and Student Learning
NAG 2. Planning and Self Review
NAG 2A. Reporting
NAG 3.Personnel
NAG 4. Resources
NAG 5.Health and Safety
NAG 6.Legislation
For more information see: