This week, we will bid farewell to another 20-year veteran of the Aquinas community, Mikaere Smith.
Since joining AC, Mikaere has taught RE, Geography, Tourism, Social Studies, and Future Pathways and has held management roles as Director of Pastoral Care, Leader of Learning for Religious Education, Kaiarahi Māori and Pacific Students, and Head of Future Pathways.
Just as importantly has been his dedication through voluntary service such as Kura Kai, Young Vinnies, Loaves and Fishes, Full Stop and so many more worthy causes that have benefited those most in need within our communities.
Someone who lives and breathes manaakitanga, and embodies the age-old korero about students remembering how you made them feel more than what you taught them, Mikaere’s commitment to the Catholic values of our college serve as a prime example of the excellence of pastoral care to which we as educators can aspire. There are innumerable AC families who can testify to the impact that Mikaere’s care and guidance have had on their tamariki and their life paths since leaving Aquinas.
Mikaere leaves AC to take up a newly developed role with Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu (The Correspondence School) which will allow him to further develop his capacity to pastorally support students across the Bay of Plenty and Waikato. Their gain is our loss and he will be missed by staff, students and whānau alike… especially by his Future Pathways team members.
We will miss you, e hoa!