It has been a busy term for the International Department.We have welcomed groups of students from China and Japan, joining our Yr 7, 8 and 9 classes. Our Aquinas College buddies proved wonderful ambassadors, helping these guests to make friends and find their way around. Thanks to these students and to the host families.
Yr. 7 Claire Ma is one of our long term students from China shared the following reflection on her time at Aquinas College. Thank you Claire for your positive contribution to our school!
“When people walked into the school, Aquinas’s six Touchstones: Joy, Family, Scholarship, Truth, Service and Prayer was shown at every corner of the whole school. Students will pick up rubbish silently and put it into the rubbish bin without another word. They had also treated each other equally and truthfully, helping classmates to work through hard problems was all seen in classes.
When people saw someone eating lunch alone, there will always be people coming up to him/her, and made him/her feels not alone anymore, even though they were from a totally different year group. In R.E, students spent a lot of private time with God, reflecting on their past, clearing up minds and stay truthful with others. Serving classmates with a self-sacrificial heart plays an important role in student’s future success. Everyone left school with clean corridors, chairs stacked up, and carpet cleaned.
Lots of students enjoy their academic/sport lessons too, they support others through hard times and their family gave more confidence to them. Parents have been acting a great role model both at school and at home. Teachers have a lot of patience and teaches students several skills that have great effect on their future daily life. The school had been creating a lot of opportunities for students to attend and had received great rewards. Aquinas College is truly applying their Touchstones strongly to students, it is a great pleasure to be in this community. “
Yr. 11 students Yuka Sawada and Tom Han represented the College at the Mayor’s Welcome held on August 13th. There were over 100 students from all around the world welcomed to the Bay of Plenty by Mayor Brownless. This month we farewell Teacher of ESOL Mrs. White. Thank you for your care of all our students and for your funny, inspiring and exciting classes which kept our students engaged and excited about learning English. Mrs Taylor will take over as the new ESOL teacher.
Donna Jarden
Director of International Students
