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AC Spirit

Aquinas SchoolEducation, Special Character
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PRINCIPAL’S ADDRESS TO SCHOOL ASSEMBLY –  MARCH 13, 2018

I was reflecting last night on what I wanted to speak with you about today. I was tempted to discuss some of the feedback you have given me through the survey, but I want to do that in totality – your feedback, beside staff feedback and that of your families. I want to share the connections and examine the dissonance. Let me take this opportunity to thank all 164 of you that completed the survey. There is some very valuable feedback in there! I particularly enjoyed reading the advice you had for me…

The advice ranged from light, to whacky, to insightful. Thank you. On average, students spent 25 minutes in completing this survey. Thank you for investing this time. Know that I am reading every part of your feedback and will establish the patterns.

Can I now just briefly speak to you about what my initial impressions have been of Aquinas College? I’m going to share with you what I think is special about this College. I love the feeling of family and connectedness here. You might take it for granted as you’ve been here for longer, but take it from someone that’s new, there is a special feeling here. I’ve heard the term ‘AC Spirit’ thrown around quite a bit, but I didn’t know what that meant.

  • I’ve seen AC Spirit exemplified at Athletics day more widely speaking where House Spirit and Competition was to the fore,
  • I saw it last week at the conclusion of the Peer Support programme where Year 7’s were been wonderfully supported by their Y11 Peer Support leaders.
  • I’ve seen AC Spirit in my office where students have spoken to me about their passions and initiatives. A student led newspaper, the development of service projects are two such examples.
  • I’ve seen AC Spirit through engagement with our community in the Twilight Festival. What a great afternoon and statement, despite the weather!
  • I’ve seen AC Spirit in your response to the Appeal for Tonga.
  • I felt AC Spirit coming through in my survey. The passion students staff and family wrote with is indicative of this.
  • AC Spirit was central and present in our School Mass at St Mary Immaculate two Sunday’s ago.

This is a very special College. I am fortunate to be a part of it.

Joining this College community has been hard. Please don’t confuse hard with bad. Change is hard, but it offers extraordinary opportunities for growth and development. I have relied heavily in my faith in God throughout this period of change and he repays my faith through allowing me to witness your wonderful spirit. Every instance of AC Spirit I uncover the more happy I become here.

My challenge to each one of you is to embrace our Spirit, let’s find new and inventive ways to celebrate it.

Thank you for sharing your spirit with me.

Mr. Dalton
Principal.