If 2020 was the year of the pandemic, it was also the year of change at Aquinas College.

Term 4 saw the introduction of the new Senior School learning program – Aquinas myFUTURE

Why the change?

• To improve the quality of provision and learning for all
• Allow content delivery to be done in a flexible and self-paced learning model, which will facilitate more teacher/ student interaction throughout the
• Expose students to concepts through online learning to bring them to a common understanding allowing the in-class lessons to be at a higher order with more active
• To ensure students are equipped with the skills to cope in a world dependent on technology-based learning beyond school at university and the
• A move towards a learner first approach where each student can curate their own Senior School
• To provide ATAR students with a multitude of other possible education and training opportunities to develop skills that will benefit both their ATAR and transition to tertiary studies.

Aquinas myFUTURE is a complementary and flexible Senior School learning framework designed to empower students to gain further skills, qualifications, personal attributes and modern education in order to meet the growing needs of the workforce and tertiary educational institutions. We do this by offering a personalised, passion-driven and self-paced learning journey that encompasses micro-credentials, university courses, combined pathways, internships and workplace learning opportunities.

How it works

Students attend regular classes at the College Monday through Thursday, and, on Friday, students engage with a pathway of their choosing – ATAR or Industry & Enterprise.

ATAR Pathway

On Friday, ATAR classes are offered online – mirroring current university practices - with further opportunities to personalise the learning journey with one of three pathway options:

• ATAR+ – Adding short course opportunities to develop skills, dive into passions and help shape future university endeavours.
• uniPATH – The broader road to university allowing students to undertake Logos or Independent Research Topics at recognised universities and kickstart their goals.
• combinedPATH – Combining achievement of an ATAR with industry-specific qualifications at TAFE or in the workplace. This allows students to keep their university options open while also gaining workplace learning or a traineeship.

Industry & Enterprise Pathway

Students who do not wish to undertake any ATAR subjects can continue with the Industry & Enterprise pathway.

• uniREADY – Keeping the window to university options open through alternative entrance means while gaining certifications in an area of their choice.
• industryPATH – Learn the hands-on skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the industry area, job or occupation of your choice with a pre-apprenticeship, school-based traineeship or undergoing VET qualifications.
• workPATH – Experience hands-on learning in a range of jobs or occupations that interest students.

Want to help current students embarking on Aquinas myFUTURE?

We’re on the lookout for interning, workplace learning and apprentice opportunities for current and future Senior School students. If you would like to learn more or offer a place to a current student, please contact Graham Powell - Graham.Powell@aquinas.wa.edu.au

The Marine and Maritime excursion that I attended in Year 11 2020 was personally, an absolute highlight of the Marine course.

The excursion took us down to South Cottesloe beach, where we were allowed to go snorkelling off the beach. The early morning breeze crossed with a light ray of sunshine made for the perfect temperature - the water was still glistening from the rising sun.

While I waited for my groups turn to go out into the water, I took the opportunity to relax on the soft sand that cushioned the beach. Once it was time for my group to snorkel, I rushed to grab a pair of fitting fins and some clear goggles and rushed straight for the open water.

The first 20 metres were mostly a forest of seaweed. But once I was far enough offshore, I could see a beautiful sight of a vast ecosystem with a variety of fish, corals, sponges and crustaceans of all different species. It was a visual spectacle. On the surface, the swell was beginning to increase, and water was becoming choppy but beneath was a whole different world untouched by man, a peaceful, silent, glamorous ecosystem, teeming with life.

Have Sum Fun Maths is a competition in which teams of 6 face 4 rounds of mathematical problems and challenges.

With 20 minutes per round, it is a very exciting and fast-paced competition. In our heat, there were 32 teams. Aquinas had two teams in the Year 9-10 competition, both of which placed very high. One team, consisting of Jonathan Vinci, Matthew Vinci, Samuel Yeow, Nishok Nimalan, David Csontos and David Stopforth, placed 3^rd overall. The other team also had a strong performance in the Year 9-10 division, placing 16^th. Aquinas also put forward teams in the Year 7-8 and 11-12 competitions, who did very well.

Personally, I really enjoyed this competition, as it allowed me to bond with my friends and meet new people. It allowed me to expand my mathematical knowledge in a fun yet challenging way, through difficult questions with limited time. Overall, the Have Sum Fun Maths competition was an enjoyable and challenging experience, allowing us to learn new things in a fun environment.

Were your PE classes this cool? Because ours are. 😎

PE and Outdoor Ed classes are more than just playing a sport, they seek to improve performance and fitness while teaching students survival and life skills. Students learn about the skeletal, muscular, cardio-respiratory and energy systems, investigate the various methods of training, and are involved in fitness activities and skills for physical activity.

In Senior School, classes can add towards ATAR or be used to gain certifications.

A term that new Aquinas students become promptly familiar with is the CAT – abbreviation for Common Assessment Task.

Essentially, a CAT is the ‘test’ that students sit once they have completed a topic in class and have spent time revising and preparing. Each core learning area prepares and sets a CAT each term in Middle School in Weeks 7-8 (CATs are less routine in Senior School courses) as part of the Middle School term rhythm.

Why do we have CATs?

CATs are an important assessment tool that gives both student, parent and teacher information and feedback on how the learning of a particular topic or timeframe is tracking. They are an opportunity for students to put into practice what skills and content they have covered in class and demonstrate what they have learnt. Most importantly, the CATs are an opportunity for students to learn from their marked assessments, and to review what they accomplished well and not so well in the lessons.

How can we navigate exam stress?

Staff understand that the CAT weeks can be an anxious time for our students. To help reduce stress and concerns, students should prepare by using the course Success Criteria as a proforma to write quality revision notes. This will improve the recall and understanding of the material covered in lessons and alert the student if he needs clarification from his teacher for certain content. Parents can assist by asking to read their son’s notes at home and by testing them on the current Success Criteria (these documents can be found on SEQTA course pages).

Due to a shorter Term 1, the CAT weeks will be scheduled one week earlier. We wish your son success in the upcoming Middle School CATs.

The Harry Perkins Biology excursion was an incredibly insightful experience.

We got the opportunity to visit Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research and learn about Polymerase Chain Reactions and Gel Electrophoresis and the application of PCR and gel electrophoresis to understand and figure out real-life situations about topics like cancer cells (specifically skin cancer) and COVID-19.

We did some experiments and got experience in working in a real scientific laboratory. We were able to use very expensive technology and learn about the opportunities for doing medical research after school at various universities. Science is largely unexplored and it was interesting to see various people completing their PhD and researching incredibly interesting real-life issues that affect every single person such as cancer and blindness.

On Tuesday, 16^th February, Yr 10 HASS students headed off-campus for an exciting excursion into West Australian politics.

“We first went to The West Australian Electoral Commission and learnt about preferential voting through doing our own vote on our favourite fast food. We then went to Parliament House and got a tour from Michael and learnt about the structure and history of parliament and met John McGrath. This excursion helped me understand more about parliament by helping me visualise it.”

• William Farrell

“On Tuesday 16th February, my class went to the West Australian Electoral Commission at Parliament House. We learnt about preferential voting and why it important for us to vote. At Parliament House, we learnt about the structure and history of Western Australian Parliament. Two important people we met were Michael, who was an old Aquinian, and John McGrath who is the Member for South Perth.”

• Luc Dewar

“On Tuesday 16^th of February my class went to State Parliament to assist our learning of politics. The first location we visited was the Western Australian Electoral Commission where I learnt how preferential worked throughout Australia. After that great experience my class went to Parliament house and explored the upper and lower house. From this experience, it improved my learning of politics because seeing the Parliament in person gives you more of an understanding of the topic.”

• Nicholas Naso

“The first place we went to was the Western Australian Electoral Commission and we looked at how preferential voting works. The second place we went to for the day was the Parliament house. At the parliament house, we learnt a lot of interesting stuff. We learnt about the structure and history of parliament. Our tour guide, Michael, was an old Aquinian and very knowledgeable. We also met John McGrath who is a member of South Perth.”

• Joel Ukich

“The day was very hot, the sky was very blue, and the birds were chirping. We started the day by meeting Mr Brown and Mrs Swingler at the front of the castle. We headed to the Western Australia electoral commission where we had morning tea and a kick of the football. We continued our excursion to go inside the Western Australia electoral commission, there we were greeted by Jenny to learn about the voting system in Australia. Our day then continued with us going to King's Park for a quick lunch. Then we headed to the Parliament house where we were greeted by Michael who is an old Aquinian, we learnt about the structure and history of the parliament house and why the lower house had blue carpet instead of green. We also met John McGrath who is a member of South Perth.”

• Taj Lockyer

“On Tuesday, my class went to the Western Australian Electoral Commission and Parliament House. We learnt about the history of Western Australia's government and past leaders. We also got to look at the upper house which was pretty cool. My favourite part of the day was getting lunch at King's Park, because I got a really good sandwich there, and getting to look at an old painting of my hometown from the 1960s in Parliament House.”

• Shea Dall

“We started off meeting Mr Brown and Mrs Swingler at the front of the castle. We then went on the bus to West Perth and met a lady who showed us a video about how voting works. We then went to the Parliament House and an Old Aquinian told us a bit about the parliament. We went to the front of the parliament house and got some minties and juice. then we went back to the bus and went back to school and spent the last two periods at school.”

• Lachy Jonsen

“We got up early and waited at the front of the school with Mr Brown And Mrs Swingler who came and picked us up with the school bus, then we all hopped in the bus and started heading to the Parliament House in West Perth. We met an instructor named Michael who was an Old Aquinian. My favourite part was seeing all the Indigenous art on the walls in the parliament house and buying lunch at a cafe.”

• Iziahia Patrick

“First, we went to the Western Australian Electoral Commission Parliament and watched a video about voting and then we did an activity where we completed a preferential vote. We then had some morning tea. After morning tea, we went to Parliament House and met Michael, who is an Old Aquinian, and talked to us about Parliament. My favourite part of the day was when we had a look at the Indigenous Room and talked to John McGrath.”

• Matthew Gilkison

You may have heard the rumours circulating that Aquinas will soon have its very own coffee shop. As of January 27^th, this is very much a fact.

Holy Ground Coffee was established to provide the Aquinas community a place to meet and enjoy each other’s company over a great cup of coffee and a light snack. While it feeds the community, it will also serve to empower Senior School Students with employable and life skills, qualifications and experiences – teaching them customer service, accountability, mindfulness, perseverance and how to make a coffee that’s truly holy. Both ATAR and VET Senior School students will have the opportunity to gain work experience. Earn a wage and complete a Cert III in hospitality. Musically gifted students from across the school will also be given the opportunity to ‘busk’ at the Holy Ground Coffee’s pop-up location next to the hockey pavilion. The van is designed to travel around the school and to Aquinas events – meaning you’ll never be far from drinks, cakes and toasted bagels made from fresh local produce.

If that isn’t enough to sweeten the pot, proceeds from sales will be used to establish a bursary fund to assist less fortunate boys to receive an Aquinas education.

Holy Ground Coffee will have a soft opening on the 27^th of January through to the 29^th and will officially open to all staff, students and families on February 1^st – just in time for the new school term.

Opening Hours:

• Mon – Thurs, 6 am – 11 am
• Friday, 6 am – 2 pm
• Saturday, 8 am - midday

As part of the MS co-curricular program, students took part in creating their own news program. Students spent one session a week of the term writing, filming and editing a news piece of their choice. See the final product below.