麻豆APP

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day was acknowledged at Aquinas last week with respectful student reflections conducted in each of our Homerooms given the restrictions around large gatherings. Thanks to the Faith and Liturgy Class for their work on these liturgies. We remember and give thanks to all those who had so bravely given their lives in the service of our country. 

麻豆APP Board

The College Board met for the last time this week. I would like to express my thanks to all of the members for their generosity in committing to this valuable advisory group: Fr. Anthony Doran, Mr Paul Ayton (Chair), Mr Brad McDonald (Deputy Chair), Mr James Burston, Mrs Nadine Callaghan, Dr Roland Faktor, Mrs Angela Jordan, Mr Dave Mutimer, Mrs Denise Raven, Mr Dean Scott, Miss Charlotte Dring. We farewell long-serving members, Brad McDonald and Roland Faktor, whose youngest children graduate this year. Both have been extremely generous in their service to the College. Brad has also been a key member of the Board Building Sub-committee. Roland has made a valuable contribution to the Finance Sub-committee and Learning Technologies Committee. We also farewell and thank Nadine Callaghan who will stand down as the Staff Representative and Charlotte Dring completes an excellent year as Student Representative. In 2021, a School Advisory Council will replace the College Board as part of our new governance structure and we will be seeking expressions of interest for parent representation in the new year.

Enrolment Offers for 2022

Offers of enrolment for Year 7 2022 were posted this week and we hope that those who have received an offer were pleased when advised. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate every applicant and this results in some disappointment. As the start of the 2022 year is still quite distant, we do offer an option to join our waiting list should circumstances change for families in the ensuing months and vacancies arise as a result. 

Year 11 Transition Program

Year 11 students complete their exam week on Monday and will celebrate in the evening with a picnic gathering. On Tuesday, their Transition to Year 12 Program commences as preparation for the year ahead. We wish our Year 11s well as they begin preparation for 2021.

Celebrate Excellence at Aquinas

Our Excellence Evening that would normally be conducted at the end of the year to recognise student achievement will be postponed until next year so that we can gather (hopefully) with parents/guardians. At this stage we are planning on conducting this event on Monday, 15th February.

Aquinas Wishing Tree

We are once again launching our annual Christmas Wishing Tree Appeal. Each year we collect gifts for those in need within our local communities. We work with St Vincent De Paul to distribute these gifts. This year, with the number of people affected by the impacts of Covid-19 there is an even greater need within our local community. Therefore, we are extending our appeal to include donations of food for Christmas Hampers as well as gifts. We are aware there are many families within our College community who are experiencing difficulties themselves as a result of Covid-19. Therefore, instead of having collections in Homerooms, we will be collecting as Year Levels. Baskets will be outside Coordinators offices in Years 9-10 and in House Areas in Years 7 and 8. At the end of the term, St Vinnies representatives will come to Aquinas and collect the donations to hand out to those who they are supporting.

Important Dates

A reminder of some key dates coming up:

November 2020
Tuesday, Nov 24 - Year 11 to 12 Transition commences

December 2020
Tuesday, Dec 2 - VCE Exams conclude
Friday, Dec 4 - Final Day Years 7 - 10
Monday, Dec 7 - Year 7 2021 Orientation Day
Friday, Dec 11 - Last day for Teaching Staff
Friday, Dec 18 - College Office closes
Thursday, Dec 30 - VCE/VCAL Results published

January 2021
Friday, Jan 22 - Middle Years and Senior Years Office opens
Wednesday, Jan 27 - Year 7 Parent Information Night
Friday, Jan 29 - Year 7 & 12 commence

February 2021
Monday, Feb 1 - Years 8 - 11 commence
Monday, Feb 1 - School photos

Darren Atkinson
Principal

Regular readers of this part of the Lighthouse will know that most of my writing is about what is happening in the wider educational world and how that affects us at Aquinas. I try whenever I can to make it about what is impacting on students, teachers and families in the education world. While today鈥檚 article is also about that, I want to start from a personal reflection. I am composing this on Thursday 19th November (past the deadline for submission, but the editor is resigned to that). Yesterday my Year 12 class had their final exam. I spoke to a nervous group before the exam and a very positive group afterwards, and it is this that I want to talk about.

There are many experts who have given advice about how to deal with isolation, lockdown or whatever other name you want to call the time when students still had to go to school, but could not physically attend. Like the students who were subjected to these most unusual circumstances, these experts are really responding on the fly, drawing on their experience and extrapolating for 2020. But the students were doing Year 12 for their only time. They had watched other students do it and knew about the College鈥檚 formal and informal traditions. For most of the year, as parents realise, these traditions were unable to be followed. Seven times every fortnight my class and I met on screens, giving slight glimpses of the lives we have outside of school and trying to cope with the strangeness of our interactions. In my class, as in many others, there was barely an absence. My students worked really hard on their background knowledge, read quite esoteric texts and criticisms of those texts and developed their language skills. While all the familiar and desirable rhythms of the year - retreats, concerts, assemblies, celebrations and farewells - were either cancelled or truncated, the one regular event that many students would have happily seen consigned to history, the exams, was only delayed.

Which brings us to yesterday and my students completing their exam. What I experienced was humour, some of it gallows humour, nervousness, questioning before the exam. Afterwards there was quiet happiness, even some euphoria. Some of that was because it was over. Some of it was because what they anticipated on the exam was nowhere near as bad as the actual paper. I am telling you about this, not to highlight my class or because I think the students I taught are exceptions, but because I think they are representative of the students at Aquinas and how they coped with 2020. They faced up to the fact that this year was different to what had happened in the past and, while they did not like it, they got on with the task of working hard and improving their learning. 

I hope they are able to understand their achievements and the way that they have responded to this situation and feel immense satisfaction. I feel very proud of them and what they have achieved this year.

Michael Box
Deputy Principal Learning

What can we learn about the role of spirituality in our identity and belonging?

As we pass the midpoint of the month of November, our students begin to look forward to their completion of courses and the transition to the next year level. The Year 12 students are in the process of completing their exams and like all other year levels, they surely look forward to the well deserved holidays and the blessing of the Christmas period. 

In reflecting on the year we have experienced as a local and extended community, I can see the value of our Catholic identity and what this has meant for the College in 2020. The pandemic has sought a response from each person to contribute to and have faith in the greater good for all. Eight years ago, I was exposed to the spirituality of St Francis of Assisi and St Clare of Assisi in a pilgrimage to Assisi and Rome, and this experience shaped my understanding of the power of faith, prayer and devotion as key qualities of servant leadership. It was at that point in my personal journey that I understood the power of justice, the obligation of the individual to lead within their community, and the challenge this presents when seeking purpose and a sense of future within our lives. 

I believe that the year 2020 has provided all the students with the scope to think about the power each has to make our world better for everyone. St Francis and St Clare devoted their lives to the giving to the poor, leaving behind wealth and materialistic influence in order to address the impact that leprosy was having in Assisi. Through prayer and care for the underprivileged, they made a significant difference for those less fortunate. As we move 900 years in time to the 21st Century, we can see that we are in great need for people like St Francis and St Clare, as clearly, the world is in need of servant and action leadership. Jacqueline Novogratz, the founder and CEO of Acumen, a non-profit global venture capital fund whose goal is to use entrepreneurial approaches to address global poverty, states that 鈥�moral imagination is the humility to see the world as it is, and the audacity to imagine the world as it could be鈥�. I argue that moral imagination is possible when the person embraces spirituality as the vehicle to drive this. 

In light of the need to reflect and imagine how we can help change the world for the better, it is important to identify how our spirituality can help us do so. The emphasis and relevance of a Catholic Education for a post-post-modernist society, influenced by the notion of the cyborgism era and its influence on human thinking and practice, has clearly impacted belief and action in the new millennium for young Catholics. It is clear that Catholic identity and religious formation are paramount in developing faith as the person seeks wholeness in a fast-changing post-industrial technological world. However, is this enough to enact action? The challenges of 2020 have allowed most of us to reflect on what it means to be faithful and purposeful, and I hope that our students have found motivation to be supportive of those less fortunate in this process. I hope that in seeking a sense of identity and belonging, Aquinas students will continue to identify the power of their faith in facilitating goodness through compassion in this process. 

Irrespective of time and place, being spiritually wholesome means to be faithful, committed, compassionate, loving and giving. Such approach enhances the positive practice of compassion from learning that is intertwined within the person鈥檚 wellbeing and their holistic development as people of strong faith and a love for Goodness. It is the responsibility of role models, you as parents, and staff, to illustrate this in action, through the way that we all treat each other, and the ways that the Gospel is lived through prayer, reflection, respect and our commitment to education. Yet, it also requires students to have a personal strong faith for what they believe in, and the intimacy of this faith to be based on an unconditional devotion to the power of love in giving and a genuine care and concern for others. This is what compassion means for the individual Aquinas student, and the experience that each student lives, under this model, enhances their identity.

Many variables continue to challenge the notion of what constitutes to be a faith-filled, and spiritually wholesome, Christian in the 21st Century. Renown theologian scholars such as Sandra Schneiders and Patrick Kelly argue that there is a dysfunctional relationship between religion and spirituality, yet it is clear that for our school context, the structure that the Aquinas identity offers provides the scope for the individual to find their sense of spirituality in an authentic way. The College provides the scope for faith development for our students in our rich Religious Education program, its Catholic tradition and the living of the Values of Aquinas statements in action. The College values the provision of opportunities for students to live their spirituality under the support of a common practice and the structure that our identity provides. This approach is supported by an Australian scholar who has been heavily involved in leading Catholic schools through the process of recontextualisation. Dr Paul Sharkey, Director of Catholic Leadership for Catholic Education Melbourne argues that the dimension of spirituality as experienced in the school context must be affirmed through the liturgical, doctrinal, ethical, theological and scriptural elements that emerge from our strong tradition. 

This clearly summarises the role of Catholic education in helping the person make sense of their spirituality in their personal journey, despite a Catholic identity or not. Yet, spiritual richness will be developed through faith in action and liberation, not just in prayer alone. Despite the current absence of opportunities for people to attend liturgical gatherings, the times call for our youth to attend to the call of compassion in action as a way to embrace their spiritual needs and responsibilities. I would argue that showing care for others in the immediate and extended communities is a significant way that we can refine our identity as creatures of good and demonstrate our belonging as good citizens to the local and global community. 

Faith, and its celebration, must be the distinct aspect of Catholic education, and I encourage you to support this as a key aspect to your child鈥檚 journey at Aquinas. Ensuring that this value is lived, not just in discourse, but also through the action of faith, love, compassion, commitment and goodness in practice as a way to liberate is the responsibility, and moral obligation, of the individual. Please ask your child to consider this, not just as Christian but also as a global citizen with the privilege to create impact by enacting positive change. 

The significant commitment to faith in action illustrated by many saints such as Romero, Mother Teresa, Thomas Aquinas, Mary Mackillop, Maximilian Kolbe, just to name a few, emulate and exemplify what it means to live the Gospel through faith and action in adverse times. I hope that each one of our students will do their bit for the future of our local and global communities by finding purpose through their spirituality in their actions. I hope that they embrace the opportunities that 2020 has given and that in the lead up to Christmas, they learn the value of giving rather than receiving. In doing so, they may just realise the impact of their spirituality in enhancing their identity and belonging to this wonderful community that is 麻豆APP. Furthermore, they may just realise that their belonging to the church extends past attending our places of worship but also calls for them to commit to a life of compassion. This will shape their identity as people of goodness. 

Dr Nap Rodezno
Deputy Principal

The Lord鈥檚 Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses.
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

There is a beautiful story of Jesus teaching the disciples how to pray. How often do we recite this prayer without truly thinking about what it is we are saying. The fact that Jesus encourages us to use the term Father creates a more personal relationship with God. 鈥淭hy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven鈥� is something we strive for through our actions and words. Forgiveness, not just for those who have wronged us but also for our own errors. 

The reading goes on to discuss hospitality and kindness to others which is a consistent theme across all of Sunday鈥檚 readings. It emphasises not only helping those who ask for it but also to ask God for help too. 鈥淜nock and the door will be opened鈥� is a reminder that even if we shut God out of our lives, He is always there waiting to open the door and become a part of our lives. We only have to knock.

Tania Grace
Assistant Principal - Mission

Students in music this year have been busy learning and playing under the expert guidance of our instrumental music staff.  I would like to congratulate all our music students on a challenging year in which they have demonstrated a mature attitude and shown how resilience is a strength they all possess. There have been a lot of changes within governments and school policies regarding restrictions in a Covid Safe workplace but recent advice has permitted the return of all music lessons indoors, including those in voice, woodwind and brass lessons, all of which have until now been restricted to outdoor and limited to 10 people.  This leads staff and students to an optimistic final few weeks to prepare for holidays and an exciting 2021.
 
The Music staff are in the process of planning for a calendar of performances and events in 2021 in addition to the selection process of the next year鈥檚 junior and senior music captains. 
 
We would traditionally acknowledge our departing Year 12 music students at our annual Music Showcase and present them with a memento of their time with us.  With Covid restrictions, Showcase was one of many events that did not occur this year.  Since returning to site we have been busy making sure that our departing Year 12鈥檚 still received their gift and sincere thanks from the Music Department for their six years of contributing to the success of the Music Department.  We wish them well in their remaining exams and look forward to hearing from them when they know what their future plans will be.

Below is a photo of Ms. Bellew, our brass teacher, rehearsing outside with junior students preparing for the 2021 Pep Band which will be performing and welcome our students returning early next year.

Jared Campbell
Music Programs Coordinator

The Year 8 term assignment for maths required students to apply their geometry skills as they took on the role of architect to design different buildings. Through this assessment students worked collaboratively to explore different building possibilities, record their responses and communicate their findings. 

To make the lesson a bit more fun and engaging, the students used square lollies to build and learn about isometric shapes.

Erin Cumming
Middle Years Mathematics Coordinator

"The assessment task this term was fun and creative. I liked how we got to use lollies to create the different buildings, usually in assessments we don鈥檛 get to do things like that so it was nice. I also like how we did half of the assessment with a group and then the other half by ourselves. Some people got confused with the cost of different floors but overall it was entertaining."
Aleyna Papadopoulos - 8 Orange

"Completing the Semester 2 assessment was a great opportunity to learn more about isometric drawings. Firstly my team worked together to create 14 different shapes that we can use for our assessment task. Next we chose three each and made sure everyone was happy with the 鈥榖uildings鈥� they got. When I drew my shapes I made sure that I was drawing the shape correctly and from the correct angles. For the individual part of the assessment I worked hard to ensure that a) my slideshow design was presentable and neat, b) that I had done all my working out correctly and c) that I was creative and used interesting 3D designs. I highly enjoyed completing this assessment task and learnt a lot more about isometric shapes and drawings."
Abbie McKernan - 8 Orange

Possibly the most important part about making a film is having it be enjoyed by an audience.  And so, due to the restrictions that we have had to face this year, it is integral that we still find a way to show our Annual Aquinas Film Fest, and share the work created by some of our amazing Media students.  Welcome to the 2020 Virtual Aquinas Film Fest.

As you might imagine, this year鈥檚 filmmakers have been faced with some challenging obstacles.  Most of our Year 12s managed to get production completed before the first lockdown hit.  However, some had to make some creative sacrifices such as recasting their actors for family members or changing their setting to the family home. Not being able to leave home also meant that reshoots were not an option and so any technical issues encountered during production had to be cleverly tweaked during the editing process.

The work included in the festival by our Year 10s and 11s were all developed and produced at home - shot on mobile phones, and lit using torches, desk lamps, or bare lightbulbs.  Stacks of books on stools served as tripods.  Who says that you need the best possible equipment?

Please enjoy this year鈥檚 Aquinas Film Fest from the comfort of your own couch, and please vote for your favourite in the People鈥檚 Choice Award by clicking the following link.

  Password: 麻豆APPFF20

Sam Higgs
Teacher

"In the past couple of weeks 麻豆APP has participated in the Christmas Wishing Tree. It is a fundraising event dedicated to giving Christmas gifts to those in need from our community.  It has been a very different year for everyone and especially in this Christmas season it is important to think of those less fortunate than us. The act of giving is important because it makes us grateful for what we have provides us with an opportunity to give back to our community, sharing kindness and Christmas spirit. 

As Year 10 Mentor 9, we chose to donate with an assortment of gifts. We all contributed $5 and used the money together to buy a handful of gifts for young boys and girls. We really enjoyed participating in the Wishing Tree this year and I encourage you to also donate if you can!"

Gaby Steen
Year 10 Mentor 09

Congratulations to Year 10 student, Abbey Walsh, on being award 2nd place in the 2020 Parliament Prize in the Year 10-12 category.

Abbey submitted a moving statement on mental health and male suicide, which State Labor Member, Dustin Halse MP called "heartfelt, persuasive and would make a worthy contribution in any parliament. Excellent work".

The winning video submissions have been published on the website. You can see Abbey's .

Well done Abbey, and to her family, friends and teachers who supported her.

The College is very proud to share that Year 10 students Isabelle Kuyken, Georga Carusi and David Mu have been offered a place in the Monash Scholars Class of 2020-2022.

This a very prestigious achievement helps high achieving secondary school students explore and pinpoint their passions, develop a broad suite of study skills, and gain the confidence to make great course and career choices. 

The program is offered by Monash University to give high potential students a unique head start into university life. It provides opportunities for personal and academic development, as well as, giving students the knowledge, skills and confidence to make the right study choices. It also enables them to expand their network of like-minded peers.

These students received a certificate of achievement and a Monash Scholars pin. 

Congratulations to our Year 9 students who have been awarded Best Player and Coach's Awards for 2020.

Each year at Aquinas we collect gifts for the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal. These gifts are distributed to those in need within our local communities. This year, there is an even greater number of people who need our help. For this reason we are extending the appeal this year to include not only gifts but also food donations to be put towards  Christmas hampers. This means that there are lots of ways that you can be involved and can help bring some Christmas cheer to the life of someone doing it tough this Christmas.

As members of the 麻豆APP Community we are called upon to embrace the core values of Compassion and Justice.  By making a contribution to the Wishing Tree Appeal you are not only showing kindness and generosity to those in need but are also helping to create a more just and fair society for all.

How you can help

Donate a gift - Buy a gift for a child, teenager or adult. There are baskets outside Year Level Leaders offices (Years 9-12) or in the breakout space (Years 7-8).

Donate money - Have a couple of spare dollars? You can give this to Homeroom/Mentor teachers. This money will go towards buying gifts for those in need.

Donate food - Donate non-perishable food or goods that can be used to create Christmas hampers for those in need. These can be placed in the baskets outside Year Level Leaders offices or in the breakout space.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this appeal.

Rebecca Crozier
Justice & Outreach Leader