2023 ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Closing Date is Monday 22 August 2022

Before you begin, you will need the supporting documents (listed below) stored electronically on your computer ready to attach to the Aquinas College Enrolment Form.

If you require support with any part of this process please contact Moira Ramsbottom by phone (07) 543 9032 or email admin@aquinas.school.nz. We are here to help you.

1          Aquinas College Enrolment Form

To begin the digital enrolment form, click here.  Questions marked with an * are mandatory and must be answered.  Once you have completed and submitted the electronic form a message will appear on screen confirming that your application has been received.

Supporting documents (listed below) are required to be attached electronically.

• Preference Applications: submit a completed Preference Card
• Non-Preference Applications: submit a letter explaining the reasons for applying for enrolment at Aquinas College
• A copy of the student’s last school report
• A copy of the student’s Birth Certificate, or Passport, Residency/Citizenship certificate, or Immigration Visa
• Any supplementary documents you may wish to submit (eg Cover Letter, Psych Report, Cognitive Assessment report, Reference.) THESE ARE OPTIONAL AND NOT PART OF THE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS

2          Hamilton Diocese Enrolment Contract

This form is also electronic and can be downloaded here.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT PROCEED UNTIL ALL DOCUMENTS ARE RECEIVED.

2023 Enrolment Process Timeline

Open Day

What happens at Open Day?

Open Day this year will be held on Thursday 28 July. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL

We host two, 2-hour sessions:

• Session One: 8:45am – 10:45am or   Session Two: 11:40am – 1:40pm.

Students are encouraged to attend with their parents.  Book here.

• We are also holding an Open Evening on Monday 8 August 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 the school if you are unable to attend our Open Day.  Bookings are essential. Book here.

Our Open Day format on 28 July is as follows:

• Welcome, prayer and a brief introduction to our College by our Principal and Head Students in the College foyer.
• Tour of the College and classroom learning environments, led by senior student leaders.
• A hands-on learning experience with our teachers and students. During this time, parents and whānau have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of staff members with responsibilities for curricular and extra-curricular areas of the College. For example, Special Character, sport, the arts, cultural activities, buses etc.
• A brief presentation about our unique holistic curriculum and assessment framework.
• Questions and farewell.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Aquinas College 2022 Prospectus

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 is Aquinas College’s Enrolment Policies?

• Enrolment Scheme
• Enrolment of Students Policy

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 2022 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 whose 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 at cforeman@aquinas.school.nz

2023 Enrolment Applications close Monday 22 August 2022.