2023 ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS

Thank you for considering Aquinas College as your child’s preferred school for secondary education. A State Integrated Catholic College, Aquinas has a 95% Preference enrolment. If places are available, there is up to a 5% allocation for Non-Preference enrolment.

Aquinas College is a Catholic, co-educational, Year 7-13 secondary school. We are currently at our maximum roll of 750 students, exhibiting some pressure at certain year levels. We generally receive more applications than positions available for enrolment each year. We have a transparent process for enrolment selections as outlined in our Enrolment Scheme, in line with the College’s Enrolment Policy.

The 2023 enrolment process opens on Monday 27 June 2022.  This year’s enrolment process is entirely digital.  If this may be a problem for you, please contact the College.   The online forms will be available through a link from our Enrolments page on the College website from 27 June.

There are two digital forms that make up the enrolment package:  

1.   Aquinas College Enrolment Form
2.   Hamilton Diocese Office Enrolment Contract

Before beginning the online enrolment process, you will need saved on your computer ready to attach, the following supporting documents:

1. For Preference students, a completed and signed Preference Card
2. A copy of the student’s last school Report
3. A copy of the student’s Birth Certificate, NZ or Australian Passport or other legal document confirming citizenship, residency, date of birth, visa conditions.
4. Any other documents you may wish to submit in support of your Enrolment Application (not compulsory).

NB  It is important you have these documents stored in digital format before beginning the Aquinas College Enrolment Form.  You will not be able to submit an application without them.

We encourage you to view further details on enrolment priorities:

 Enrolment Scheme

Enrolment of Students Policy

The Non-Preference roll is very competitive.  How many students we can accept each year is dependent on the number of Preference applications we receive. 

Open Day this year is Thursday 28 July 2022 (COVID protection framework dependent).  Two sessions will operate: 8:45am-10:45am or 11:40am-1:40pm. Bookings are essential – a link will be available from this page after enrolments open.

This is a prime opportunity for your family to view the College facilities, interact with students and staff, and have your questions answered by senior staff.  The College Prospectus will be available for you to take home.

Also available is an Open Evening on Monday 8 August, starting at 6pm, for those families unable to attend the Open Day.  While this opportunity doesn’t enable prospective families to see the College in session, it is still a valuable opportunity to learn about our College if you are unable to attend our Open Day.  Bookings are essential – a link will be available from this page after enrolments open.

Closing Date for 2023 Enrolment Applications is Wednesday 22 August 2022. 

If you have any queries, contact Moira Ramsbottom by phone (07) 543 9032 or by email mramsbottom@aquinas.school.nz

2023 Enrolment Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a Preference Enrolment?

Preference enrolment is granted by the Parish Priest. Preference requires that the child meets one of the following criteria:

1. The child has been baptised or is being prepared for baptism in the Catholic Church.
2. The child’s parents/guardians have already allowed one or more of its siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith.
3. At least one parent/guardian is a Catholic, and although their child has not yet been baptised, the child’s participation in the life of the school could lead to the parents having the child baptised.
4. With the agreement of the child’s parent/guardian, a significant familial adult such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle, who is living in close proximity and who is actively involved in the child’s upbringing undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church.
5. One or both of a child’s non-Catholic parents/guardians is preparing to become a Catholic.

Parents/Caregivers of Preference learners must obtain a Preference of Enrolment Certificate signed by the Parish Priest.

What are Attendance Dues?

Attendance Dues are a charge for attendance at an integrated school and are one of the main sources of income for maintenance or upgrade of existing buildings, plus meet the costs of servicing loans incurred for this purpose. The Attendance Due is a compulsory charge invoiced from, and payable to, the Catholic Integrated Schools Office. It is administered and collected by the Hamilton Diocese Office. Dues are not tax deductible. The 2021 Attendance Dues for Year 7/8 students is $444 per student, and for secondary students $888 per student.

What is the Aquinas College voluntary contribution?

The Board of Trustees has responsibility for governance including Finance, and as such, has set the College Voluntary Contribution at $1200 per annum per student, with a maximum of $3000 per annum for three or more students from the same family. This is a voluntary contribution, but the great majority of families have accepted the Board’s vision to resource and staff the College generously to enable us to deliver the best outcomes for our students and community. These contributions support curricular and extra-curricular resources, as well as some of our necessary non-teaching staff. Any family who’s financial or family circumstances are such that the full school voluntary contribution is too difficult to meet, should not be deterred from applying for enrolment.

For further queries regarding payment of Attendance Dues or Aquinas Voluntary Contribution, contact the school’s Finance Administrator, Mrs Celeste Foreman, on cforeman@aquinas.school.nz

Ma te Atua tatou e manaaki – May God’s blessings be upon us all.

Matt Dalton
PRINCIPAL