Kia ora whanau,
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha o te wāhi nei tēnā koutou katoa.
He kupu whakamihi ki a koutou te mana whenua o Tauranga Moana,
Ki a koutou hoki te whānau whānui o te Kareti o Akuina.
Kāti anō kia mihi atu ki te katoa e noho tahi nei i raro i te maru o te Atua.
Nō reira, tēnā anō hoki koutou katoa.
2018 has proven to be a very successful year once again for the College. We have celebrated the character, commitment, achievements and service of our students in Special Character, academia, sport, the arts and in cultural endeavours. I have included a LINK to my prizegiving address for a more comprehensive review of our most successful year.
As a Catholic College we are called to be a community that serves one another, both within our school and outside of it. This idea of sitting at the feet of another and serving, is a powerful challenge to us all, but one, nonetheless, that lies at the heart of what it means to be a Christian person and an authentic Catholic College. It has been such a privilege to work alongside so many students, staff and families who have embraced this idea of Christian service in our College with little fuss and fanfare but with genuine compassion, care and generosity. The work of the Holy Spirit was indeed prevalent throughout our College this year.
We must continue to reflect on the world and the space of change we are navigating in the way we all approach education. As a College, we must continue to embrace the requirement to change and adapt, to chart a new course built from the strengths of what we do best – Teaching and Learning. Change is a constant in this rapidly evolving word. We recognise the challenge to prepare our students for a world where innovation, collaboration, resilience and the ability to solve complex problems will be required; a world where key strengths a young person will need are the ability to learn to be adaptable, relational and culturally located. At Aquinas College, we are aspirational. We strive to deliver learning that is Christ centred, connected, culturally located, authentic and exciting, where all our students want to be engaged, where our community willingly shares its skills, strengths and values and where learning is at the core.
We get what we expect and our community must continue to expect great things from our College and our young people. Our collective challenge as College, parents and whanau in 2019 is to continue to grow not only strong young men and women who experience academic success, but young people who are compassionate, considerate and Christ minded. We thank all parents, caregivers and whanau members for your ongoing support of our College and look forward to continuing to build strong working relationships focused on student success next year.
I also give thanks to our entire staff team. Their drive, passion and determination – underpinned by skill, knowledge and empathy, has seen our students well supported in their learning journeys and holistic development again this year. Every member of this team, both teaching and non-teaching, has a critical function in the success of our College.
The College acknowledges and farewells the following staff members:
Mr Matt O’Neal – Assistant Caretaker
Mr Steve Finlayson – Student Wellness Coordinator
Mrs Adrienne Danby – Teacher Aide
Mrs Noelene Taylor – Teacher of ESOL
Miss Ashleen Fahy – Teacher of Music
Mrs Emma Talbot – Teacher of History and Social Studies
Dr Stephen Binns – Teacher of Mathematics
Mrs Robyn Parker – Science Technician
Mr Graeme Bridge – Head of Faculty Arts
Whaea Bernadette Egan – Teacher of Te Reo Maori
Mrs Chris Inder – Teacher of Year 7 & 8
We thank these staff members for their contribution to our school and wish them the very best for the future.
To the Board of Trustees, who governed the College, always with the best interests of students at heart. They have been great advocates and stewards of the College’s strategic direction and values. A particular thanks to Scott Kahle as Chair, who has provided invaluable support and guidance to me in the complex role of Principalship. I also extend my thanks to the PTA, led by Lee-Ann Taylor, for their continued generosity and dedication to our student body.
Further acknowledgement must go to our Parish Priests, Father Mark Field and Father Stuart Young, who are assisted by Father Rico P. Enriquez and Father Jaya Prakesh. We truly appreciate their wonderful spiritual leadership and support of our College in all aspects. I also acknowledge Father Darren and Father Danny who we farewelled this year. Their significant contributions over the years cannot be overstated.
I also give thanks and pay tribute to all of our volunteers who have continued to give our students wonderful opportunities at the College, whether it be in-class support or in extra-curricular activities, we thank you!
College Office Hours
Please be aware that the College office will be closed from December 20th and will re-open on January 14th, 2019.
In closing, may the prayers, dreams and hopes of this holy season enliven us so that we can better heed the message hailed to the shepherds. “Do not be afraid, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole world.” May the Lord bless each one of you as we partner together with Christ in the education of your children.
To Him be the glory.
Matt Dalton
PRINCIPAL
SPECIAL CATHOLIC CHARACTER
The Gospel according to John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us.
As the year draws to a close we wait for the coming of Jesus and begin our outward journey. The Advent journey will end with the final candle that represents the Light of Christ, Emmanuel, which means Christ-with-us being lit on Christmas Day. As we leave the Aquinas College to enjoy the season with family and friends let us all take the Light of Christ with us. His light will illuminate your path and be a lamp for your feet. When you carry the Light of Christ, be sure to let it illuminate the path for others as well. Let us make this our prayer, that we may leave this place filled with God’s hope, joy, peace and love, and that we may always share this joy with those we meet.
“May the peace of Christ be with you all this Christmas.”
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Christmas Challenge
As part of 8SWP’s Advent unit we put out a Christmas Challenge to collect items for St Vincent de Paul. We asked not only for non-perishable food but also personal hygiene items as these are something that are not often donated. We learnt that St Vincent de Paul work with a lot of transient people and that simple things like toothbrushes are in great need. When we delivered them in Week 8 they were overwhelmed not only with what we brought them but that we had thought of them. It really made us aware of how much people in our community are in need and how we can make a difference. Thank you to all those families that generously donated. To find out more about the Society of St Vincent de Paul and how you can help go to http://www.bopvinnies.co.nz/.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Matthew 25: 35-36.
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Christmas Mass Times
Celebrate the birth of Jesus by attending Mass at one of the following services held in our local parishes:
Christmas Eve
· 3.30 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church
· 4-5 pm Children’s Play and Carols followed by Mass at 5.30 pm St Thomas More Church
· 6 pm at St Therese, Bethlehem
· 6.30 pm Carols followed by Mass at 7.00 pm at St. Patrick’s Te Puke
· 7.30 pm at Holy Trinity Anglican Church
· 10 pm at St Mary Immaculate Church
Christmas Day
· 12 am Midnight at St Joseph’s, Te Puna
· 9 am at St Joseph’s, Te Puna
· 9 am at St Mary Immaculate
· 9.30 am at St Thomas More Church
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Chosen
“You did not choose me, but I chose you…” John 15:16
- Interested in learning more about the Catholic faith?
- Keen to go deeper in your relationship with God?
- Wanting to receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation or Eucharist?
Register for Chosen: This Is Your Catholic Faith – a weekly faith formation programme that will be run during Term 1, 2019. Chosen takes young people on a journey through the entire Catholic faith in all its richness and vitality. From the Creation story all the way through salvation history, we will come to see how the sacraments, prayer, and discipleship are the keys to a happy life. We’ll be starting as soon as Term One begins, so we are looking for expressions of interest NOW. Please email svanzyl@aquinas.school.nz with Name and Year Level of student.
In your email please state which of these best applies
- Just wanting to learn more about the faith
- Already baptised, but looking for Confirmation
- Seeking Baptism and Confirmation
Once a student is confirmed they can receive Communion at mass, so Confirmation will also mean “First Communion”. God bless and enjoy a Happy Christmas.
Mrs. Susan van Zyl, Director of Special Character.
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Yr. 7 Retreat
Yr. 7 Retreats were held out at St Joseph’s Church in Te Puna. The theme was the Treasures of the Eucharist. Students reflected on their own personal treasures before learning about the sacred objects of the Eucharist. We explored how these treasures, which are especially holy, help us to meet Jesus in the closest possible way during the action of the Eucharist. Students also participated in drama and singing activities. They were enthusiastic and their energy was impressive. We were also blessed to have the help and support of some outstanding Year 12 student leaders.
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Yr. 10 Retreat
This year’s Yr. 10 Retreat was an Encounter Day run by the Hamilton Diocese Youth Workers, Jil and Ciara. The students were able to encounter nature by walking the Otainewainuku Track. During the walk they stopped to pause, reflect on pieces of scripture, and to listen to the birds. It was a wonderful experience for our students and we were very blessed to be able to spend our day journeying through God’s creation.
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Regeneration
On Monday 12th November a group of Yr. 8 students went to the Regeneration Retreat in Hamilton. Reflection written by Yr. 8 students Finley Jones and Anna Tustin.
Some of us went into this thinking “oh cool, a day off school!” but when we went there, we learnt a lot about our faith, had a great laugh with our friends and met some new ones.
We kicked off the day with Mass celebrated by Bishop Steve. He included some jokes like “Why did the possum cross the road?” The answer was “To see his guts”. Bishop Steve’s point was that it takes guts to be Catholic and that we need not be afraid to show our faith.
Morning tea was followed by a good old-fashioned Catholic party where we danced to “YMCA”! Afterwards we listened to a guest speaker from New York. His name was Chris Padgett. After lunch we had a game of Family Feud against the other Catholic school in our diocese. Charlotte, Amy and Dawn participated in the category of sport. The first question we got was “Who got red carded in the Rugby World Cup in 2010?” Charlotte took out this question with the answer “Sonny Bill Williams”. Some of the other categories were food, memes, geography and of course JESUS. Chris spoke to us again before we returned to the Cathedral for Adoration.
We recommend that if you get the chance to go next year take it!
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Bishop’s Letter to the Diocese
Please read the attached letter to the Diocese from Bishop Steve –
E ng ā mana, E ng ā reo, E ng ā karangarangatanga maha,
Ko koutou na kei te whakapumautanga o te Ariki,
Tena tatou katoa!
By now you may well have heard that at the end of January 2019 we will be farewelling Pa David Rawiri Gledhill and Pa David Moore as they leave our Diocese to take up new appointments in Ōtaki and Wairoa. Needless to say, an enormous debt of gratitude is owed them for their dedicated priestly mission and ministry particularly among the Catholic Māori people and communities throughout the Diocese. We pray God’s blessings upon them and wish them well on the journey ahead.
Read more – Letter to the Diocese
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Bishop’s Letter to the Clergy
Please read the attached letter to the Clergy from Bishop Steve –
It was good to gather with many of you and pray with you for our deceased clergy of the Diocese of Hamilton at Te Awamutu and Ohaupo cemetery earlier in the week and to join together for a BBQ at Webster Road. As I noted at the Mass, we remember many great men. In these days when there is a certain negativity about Catholic clergy let us remember that like Mary, the Almighty has done great things in and through us. The unjust persecution we experience is
something the Lord experienced as noted in yesterday’s Gospel, where the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were seeking to put him to death. At present we can feel the burden of the criticism of association. However, like Jesus we remain focussed on the call to us, the call that is ultimately to the total gift of self.
Read more – Letter to Clergy
SPECIAL CHARACTER
Alpha Course
Got Questions About Life? Come and explore them as part of an Alpha Course. Join us at the launch party at St Thomas More Church, 17 Gloucester Rd, Mount Maunganui on Tuesday 12th February 2019.
For more information or to register your interest contact Heidi 5754807 Ext 6 or email: pastoral@allsaintsbythesea.nz or register at www.allsaintsbythesea.nz.
CURRICULUM
Winners of academic prizes, scholarships and Aquinas College trophies were recognised at our Final Prize Giving for 2018 on Wednesday 12 December. Follow this LINK for a list of the worthy recipients.
CURRICULUM
Digital Tech USA Tour
If your son or daughter intends to study Digital Technology next year or in the future, please come and find out more about this Educational Tour Opportunity to the United States of America planned for April 2020. Wednesday February 13, from 6.30 pm until 8:00 pm in the staff-room. For more information, e-mail jreddy@aquinas.school.nz
CURRICULUM
Calculators Please
We have a number of families under financial pressure so are asking our Aquinas College community for donations of scientific and graphics calculators . If you have a student who no longer needs their calculator please give to to Mrs. Knights or bring it into the school office. Thanks in advance from the Mathematics Department.
CURRICULUM
Powering Potential
Amy Bewsher (Yr. 12, 2018) joined 39 other talented senior secondary school students, tasked to find answers to challenging questions posed by scientists at Powering Potential, taking place in Wellington from 10 – 13 December 2018.
Organised by Royal Society Te Apārangi in partnership with Freemasons New Zealand, Powering Potential brings many of New Zealand’s most promising science students together from all over New Zealand to work alongside a scientist or PhD student, who acts as their mentor over three days. The students work in teams of five on a question submitted by their mentor. The students then research, investigate and collaborate to provide recommendations.
To be selected for Powering Potential, each student was required to submit an in-depth application and video, which focused on their own science strengths or how they have contributed to an area of science in their school or community. The students have been selected because they are serious about going on to study science at a tertiary level and have demonstrated a passion for science. “The calibre of the students who applied was excellent and some tough decisions had to be made by the selection panel to get the number down to 40”, said Dr Andrew Cleland, Chief Executive of Royal Society Te Apārangi.
CURRICULUM
2019 Student Executive
Congratulations to the following students who will form our Student Executive for 2019:
Head Students – Fergus Lellman and Lucy Maher
Deputy Head Students – Elizabeth Hodgson, Laura Smith, Ben Sokimi
Special Character Committee – Laura Smith
Academic Committee – Holly Brittain
Arts Committee – Michael Graham
Cultural Committee – Te Ani Solomon
Environment Committee – Peter Kesner
Health & Well-Being Committee – Noah van Oudenaaren
Sports Committee – Ella Phayer
Browne House Captains – Loui Schuler and Bella Taylor
Cluny House Captains – Darcy Hoskin and Roisin Boyle
Foy House Captains – Carson Wills and Lizzy Skelton
Heni Pore House Captains – Hunter Mortleman and Elizabeth Hodgson
CURRICULUM
2019 Deans
Please note the following Deans who will be over-seeing Pastoral Care and Curriculum issues for their respective Year Groups in 2019:
– Yr. 7 – Mrs. Shelley McKay – smckay@aquinas.school.nz
– Yr. 8 – Mr. Peter Braid – pbraid@aquinas.school.nz
– Yr. 9 – Ms Jacq Burrell – jburrell@aquinas.school.nz
– Yr. 10 – Mr. Leeon Roberson – lroberson@aquinas.school.nz
– Yr. 11 – Ms Marlise Greyling – mgreyling@aquinas.school.nz
– Yr. 12 Mrs. Paula Skelton – pskelton@aquinas.school.nz
– Yr. 13 – Mr. Myles Reid – mreid@aquinas.school.nz
– International Students – Ms. Donna Jarden – djarden@aquinas.school.nz
CURRICULUM
2019 Term Dates
Please follow this LINK for the 2019 Term Dates and holidays.
Plan for Week 1, 2019
Please note in your dairy the following information about Week 1 Activities in 2019: 2019 Week One Program.
SPORT
Congratulations on a successful year in sport at Aquinas College! Aquinas College has been represented in over 30 sporting codes this year, from Aerobics to Yachting, including many Bay of Plenty and National competitions like Summer and Winter Tournament Weeks, AIMS Games and the Blue Light Under 15 Games.
Congratulations to the following students on recent achievements:
- Parnell Davis (Yr. 7), Camaron Cruickshank (Yr. 10) and Jorja Smart (Yr. 7) who competed in the Senior Level 3 at the NZ Cheer Leading Nationals. Parnell placed 3rd in Solo Cheer (Level 3 Youth). This is a wonderful achievement and great pay off from her 7+ hours of training each week.
- Yr. 11 student Hannah McGregor who achieved phenomenal individual results at the NZSS Athletics Championships in Dunedin at the end of November. Hannah placed 3rd in the Shot Put and 5th in the Discus. These are great results to be so proud of.
- Yr. 12 student Fergus Lellman has been selected for the Northern Districts Cricket U19 Team.
SPORT
Summer Sports Registrations
Registrations are now open for summer codes commencing or continuing in Term 1, 2019.
SPORT
Silver Medalists
Congratulations to our silver medalists! It was a successful campaign for our Junior Water Polo team who had a clean sweep through pool play (11 – 1, 15 – 0 and 20 – 0) and continued their winning streak right through the quarter and the semi finals. It was a Bay of Plenty Final with Aquinas College vs Mount College. Unfortunately the team was unable to convert as many goals as they would have liked with the great work from the opposition goalie. The end score 1 – 4 to Mount.
SPORT
World Champ
Congratulations to Yr. 13 Sports Performer of the Year, Lochlainn O’Connor who broke two records at the recent World Life Saving World Championships held in Adelaide. He won 3 of the 5 gold medals that the Junior Black Fins won.
An impressive team effort saw the Junior Black Fins named Youth World Champions.
PTA WRAP UP
A big thank you to the Aquinas College community and to Matt Dalton for supporting the PTA in many ways. Without you we would not be able to support our school in the ways we do.
The Aquinas Twilight Festival was held in March and it was a great success. Together with our clubs and groups we were successful in fundraising around $12,000 and we are delighted with the feedback we have had regarding how enjoyable the evening was.
Our mid-year Aquinas Cup Race night was a huge success and a great night out for everyone involved. We raised around $30,000 for PTA, clubs and codes and had 400 attendees at the event.
The PTA supported the Fiji Service Trip, lunchtime Health and Well-being activities for Yr. 7 and 8’s, International Week, Aquinas Day, Jump Jam, hospitality for new families, secondary school teachers’ games, school leavers’ bibles and the Caritas Twilight Festival project.
| Key Dates for Term One 2019 – Welcome to New Families evening BBQ: Tuesday, February 5th |
Wishing you all a joyful and blessed Christmas season and we look forward to continuing our work with you in 2019.
Other News
From Our Kitchen
To raise funds for projects in 2019, the Aquinas College PTA are producing a high-quality Aquinas College Cookbook…The working title is “From Our Kitchen”. To make this happen we need your help…The Aquinas cookbook committee are now receiving recipes and we need lots! For the moment we would like you to think about some of those favourite family recipes that your grandmother swears by and that you wouldn’t mind sharing with our community. We will endeavour to get all the recipes we receive, into the cookbook but depending on numbers this may not be possible. If your recipe is chosen to feature in the cookbook, we will also be asking for anyone who would be keen to get their photo and story taken for the book as well.
It would be great if you were able to share your stories with us, however if you are uncomfortable with this its okay, just your recipe would be great!
If you’re keen…
Could you email us your recipe and let us know if you are happy to provide the following…
✓ Photo (We will organise a photographer)
✓ Story (brief)
Your recipe will need to have the following…
✓ List and quantities of ingredients
✓ Cooking temperatures (C)
✓ Method (How you make it)
Please email to aquinascookbook@gmail.com.
Bus Information for 2019
As you may be aware, there are some major changes to bus routes from 2019. Thanks to a very active community response from Aquinas College, particularly our PTA, we have been allocated a number of routes specifically for our students. Recently we have had confirmed that a bus will be available that travels along Cameron Road (Route 808, shared with Tauranga Boys and Tauranga Girls).
Full Routes can be found on our school website or the Baybus website. Note that students in Welcome Bay who catch the bus from Ballintoy Park Drive (Route 811) will need to use Bus 811 from Waikite Rd, and transfer to Bus 704 at Welcome Bay Hall. (Bus 811 will drop them off at around 7.30 am and Bus 704 will pick them up at around 7.45 am). In the afternoon they can use Bus 704 from Aquinas College then transfer to Bus 811 at the start of Welcome Bay Road (opposite Greenwood Park). Bus 704 will drop them off there at approximately 3.35 pm and Bus 811 will pick them up at 3.45 pm.
Ministry of Education Buses 2019
We have been advised that the two new routes from Papamoa will be operational for 2019 however, the routes and stops are still being reviewed. An email will be sent to parents, including new Yr. 7 families, about these routes as soon as they become available. Other Ministry of Education buses remain unchanged.
If you have any bus questions or concerns, please contact Kurt Kennedy, Deputy Principal – kkennedy@aquinas.school.nz
2019 Stationery Lists
Click this LINK to see the stationery lists for each Year Level for 2019.
Summer Uniform
Please note that all students must return to school wearing the correct summer uniform. Hats are essential in Term 1 and 4. Students are reminded to wear sunscreen and reapply this throughout the day. Sunscreen is available at the school office or at the Action Centre.
For more information about the correct uniform for Term 1 2019, please click HERE.
Attendance
If your plans change during the holidays and your child will not be returning to Aquinas College, please e-mail the Principal’s PA – mramsbottom@aquinas.school.nz
Music Lessons
At Aquinas College we are extremely fortunate to be able to offer the Music Lessons during school time. There is no cost for the actual lessons but there is a small charge to cover folders and music. We also have a number of instruments available to hire. To register your child please e-mail Mrs. Cooney – lcooney@aquinas.school.nz .
