The Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

The Feast Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was this past Saturday (August 15th). Unfortunately, our planned Mass at the College to celebrate this Feast Day last Wednesday had to be cancelled due to the escalated COVID-19 alert level. We instead recognised this Holy Day of Obligation through a Liturgy delivered in Tutor classes today (Tuesday, August 18th). 

In celebrating the Feast of the Assumption, the Church recalls how Mary’s life on earth ended. Because of her preeminent faith and goodness. Mary was taken up body and soul into heaven at the moment of her death. All Feast days are special, but this one carries extra significance as Catholics in New Zealand. It is a time when we recall the origins of the Catholic Church here in our country, when Bishop Pompallier, as he celebrated the first Mass on New Zealand soil, dedicated this mission to the Assumption of Mary. We recognise this as the Patronal Feast for New Zealand. 

Pope Francis reminds us that in celebrating this feast, we join together throughout the world is looking to Mary as our mother of the Church and as our Mother of Hope. Mary understood what it meant to do the will of God. We are particularly called to imitate Mary as we try to spread God’s message and carry His love to all. The feast of the Assumption reminds us of the importance of spiritual values, of the reality of life after death, and finally, it reminds us of the wonderful eternal future of happiness. May our Lady of the Assumption continue to lead us closer to her Son. 

COVID-19 Update 

Mary teaches us how to be disciples, to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to do whatever he tells us. As Jesus’ mother, Mary was very practical; she had to adjust to the situations that life laid before her. In the same way, this is what our College must do. Once again, our students, staff, parents and whānau have to adjust to the guidelines and restrictions placed upon us in Alert Level 2. The College’s Alert Level 2 Protocols are designed to keep us all safe. We must all remain agile and vigilant during this uncertain time. Thank you all for your support in this space. 

Staffing Update 

Last Friday, we said farewell to a passionate, committed and positive teacher – Mrs Shelley McKay. Mrs McKay has been a Year 7/8 teacher at Aquinas College for just under five years. We thank Mrs McKay for her outstanding professionalism and service to our Aquinas College students and whānau, along with her additional responsibilities as an Across Schools Kāhui Ako Teacher, TIC Netball and PTA Staff Representative. While we will dearly miss her, we are delighted to support Mrs McKay’s promotion to the position of Deputy Principal at Suzanne Aubert Catholic School in Papamoa.  

 In farewelling Mrs McKay to her new senior leadership role at Suzanne Aubert Catholic School, we welcome these new staff members to our community and look forward to working with them. 

 We have been very fortunate that Mr Terry Eggleton (Mr E) has agreed to return to Aquinas College to teach the Year 7 class previously taught by Mrs McKay for Terms 3 and 4 this year. Mr Eggleton was a founding teacher at Aquinas College, retiring in December 2016. His experience and knowledge will provide a seamless classroom culture for 7MKY.   

 Mrs Laura Grace was one of two Learning Support Coordinators (LSC) appointed in June. Mrs Grace previously taught Art at Aquinas College, returning to fulfil this permanent position to ensure our students with additional learning needs have access to the services they need. Learning Support Coordinator positions are new, fully funded and dedicated roles. Our Learning Support Coordinators will work across our Kahui Ako to build the capability of teachers working with students who have additional needs. They will work to identify and plan for the learning support needs of all children and young people our schools, including those with moderate needs. They will also be available to support learners and their parents and whānau. The intention is that they will simplify the system, so it’s easier for families to access services. 

  Mrs Lisa Budd is the second Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) appointed in June this year. Mrs Budd’s previous experience includes teaching at Te Akau ki Papamoa School and three years as a Resource Teacher Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) in the Western Bay of Plenty.   

 Mrs Tanya Mocke returned from England to Tauranga with her family in 2018. Mrs Mocke has recently been appointed as the Homestay Coordinator in the College’s International Department. Mrs Mocke has extensive experience working with international families in Sales and Marketing as well as a Homestay Manager. 

Graduate Profile Progressions 

In recent months, we have been working hard to develop Graduate Profile Progressions and a Vision for Learning. Our Staff Only Day held on August 10th centred on these two areas as we sought their educational expertise to provide feedback on them both. Once adopted, Graduate Profile Progressions and the Vision for Learning will become foundational frameworks in our College to deliver on our Graduate Profile aspirations. 

To ensure our Graduate Profile is meaningful, it has to be living. It can’t just be words on a bit of paper in a prospectus or on a wall. It is about connecting it to everything we do in our learning and the wider life of the College. The Graduate Profile Progressions bring clarity to the learning journey of the Graduate Profile, allowing learning experiences to be designed to focus on the development of the aspirational outcomes explicitly. The Vision for Learning will communicate a unified set of values, beliefs and expectations for classroom practice, based on the Graduate Profile, which will continue to enhance the existing high-performance learning culture across our College. 

Self-Determined Learning Days 

Our students in Years 11-13 have now successfully completed two Self-Determined Learning (SDL) Days. These opportunities are enabling our senior students the opportunity to have concentrated time working on their portfolios in practical subjects, be supported through enrichment and consolidation tutorials or spend time directing their learning. The early reviews of these days have been very positive by students and staff. Students have enjoyed the added agency in, and autonomy over, their learning. We see these days as offering tangible opportunities for students to further develop their independent learning skills and dispositions, which are critical beyond school. Seeking opportunities to facilitate greater agency, independence and resilience in learning was a key theme for senior students and their whānau emerging from our post lockdown survey. 

 Uniform 

Our uniform promotes a sense of pride, for students individually and in our College, it provides a sense of identity with the College. We have high standards in this regard, and unfortunately, some students are not meeting these expectations currently. We require your support to ensure your child(ren) leave home in the correct uniform, inclusive of jewellery. The College will unreservedly support any families in need should it be required to ensure your child(ren) has the proper uniform available to them.  

 Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki 

 May God’s Blessings be upon us all.  

 M R Dalton 

Principal