2020 was a year like no other in prior LAX years. The pandemic forced a change in the way we host functions and raise funds for our students. LAX is the longest standing community group and is very much steeped in tradition. One thing I have learnt above all others is that it is possible to succeed in uncertain times if we have faith, hope and community.

The year commenced with a beautiful New Mothers Morning Tea and Mass, held in the newly refurbished College Chapel. This is a wonderful way to start a new year and serves great importance, welcoming new mothers to the school from Kindy through to Year 12. Aimed at all mothers from day students to boarding mums that live outside the metro area. This was a memorable and moving mass for all that attended, followed by morning tea in the Waterford Room overlooking the Canning River.

The Ladies Auxiliary was proud to support a campaign called “She’s Someone” initiated by the College Captain, Kynan Ganza, to raise awareness about respect to women. Twenty-six mums from LAX and the school community took part in an assembly, followed by a workshop to educate our boys about respect to women of all ages, in-person and online across social media platforms.

Shortly afterwards our planning and events came to a sudden halt as we all went into lockdown because of the COVID 19 pandemic. As fear and uncertainty gripped the nation The Ladies Auxiliary used this time to complete administration tasks. It allowed the time to reorganise, shuffle and plan for functions and events when the lockdown would eventually end. The committee endeavoured to stay connected via zoom video calls and smaller group meetings following restrictions and social distancing requirements. One meeting was held in the driveway of a coffee shop. Three committee members attended the meeting, standing in a triangle measuring 3m apart from each person. I believe that we will laugh at this scenario in years to come.

Throughout this strange and unpredictable time, our committee remained positive and committed to finding creative ways in which to continue the work that we do for our boys and for our school.

The first opportunity we could all get together as in the past was The Senior Old Boys Day. This was an enjoyable day out for the Old Boys of the College as they met for a sit-down lunch. The Hughes Dining Hall was filled with 120 guests that enjoyed a presentation and the opportunity to reconnect with each other.

Our post-COVID lockdown spring luncheon ‘Ladies@Lunch’ event replaced our annual July Morning Tea this year and was a sell-out. Guests were treated to a two-course lunch catered by Steven Lewis, dazzled with a fashion show by Zingara and an ensemble of musical performances by the talented students of our school.

This year the Year 12 students were treated to a graduation dinner off-site at the amazing Optus Stadium. Tricia Radotic and her working group spent days of preparation and endless hours of hard work to ensure that our students would have a night to remember for a lifetime, following what was a disruptive academic year. The families of the graduating students had an amazing evening and the boys were gifted with satin- boxed traditional College cuff links from The Ladies Auxiliary.

The year ended with a ‘Thank you’ event hosted by the Aquinas College Leadership Team. The volunteers were treated to an evening “off” and were spoilt with five-star service by the academic staff. Thank you to Peter Robertson, Nichole Rowsen and the Aquinas College staff for your recognition of service. We would not be able to do what we do without your continued support.

After two amazing years, it is time for me to hand over the reins of LAX President. It has been an absolute privilege to work with the amazing executive team, an experience that I will cherish for years to come and that I am very grateful to have been involved with. To the parting committee members of 2020, I thank you for your hours of service.

Finally, I would like to welcome the new incoming President, Shelley Stokes and the 2021 LAX committee; Lisa Kennedy (SS VP), Rachael Gardiner, Helen Nolan, Janelle Walford, Anette Bower and Tricia Radotic.

I wish this marvellous and talented team of women everything of the best as they lead our school community of volunteers to support our boys, as LAX has continued to do since 1938.

Early in 2020, I had the opportunity to travel to Adelaide and meet with all the other Edmund Rice schools’ Captains from across Australia. It was a real privilege to spend time with this group of young leaders and we’ve stayed in contact throughout the year to bounce ideas off each other and talk about how we can effect change. During this year of lockdowns and restrictions, one thing everyone in the group wondered was how to make the year about more -to talk about more than just coronavirus and get the attention away from that great big elephant in the room.

This wasn’t as much of a challenge to our Prefects. The elephant was and is still there, however, we as a school and as a community weren’t stopped by this. The subject of the pandemic throughout the year has been inescapable; in the news, quiet centres or toiletry shortages. Aquinas, however, always had something better to show. From the master chef competition to NAIDOC week basketball matches, Greenbatch recycles to the staggering number of supporters lining the stands of our 1st sports teams, and, finally, the presentation and graduation evenings. Throughout the whole year, the Aquinas community as a whole came together and got busy. There were no mistakes to be made; 2020 to us was never about the pandemic. In fact, I’ve only officially mentioned it less than a handful of times. 2020 was about coming together; that unity between junior, middle, senior schools, and the communities we are a part of. 2020 was about all the big and small things we accomplished - something that not I nor any one person can take credit for.

Our very accomplished year is a success which we endeavoured toward, and enjoyed, together. Something I think really embodies this has been the supporting crowds at some of this year’s 1st team fixtures. Coming from over East, trying to understand the nuances of 1st footy wasn’t quite my forte, but what’s great about the red and black is that it doesn’t matter. Those clouds of red shirts dominated the sidelines and there’s this spark of energy - maybe it's another record one of our players just smashed or the entire Brother’s House which comes down to watch - but it invites you in. It’s ironic, even, that the biggest crowds and tightest community I’ve felt a part of here at Aquinas has been during the year of lockdowns and social distancing, but that’s us. That’s how we responded to Covid.

We’ve been so well supported by each other, the staff, and the numerous organizations within the college and community who’ve given us the footing to not only complete the year but do it well. Conversely, to speak of our successes is not to forget the real hardships many of us faced throughout the year. On top of the pressures the year already dolloped onto us, it’s been tragic to see anticipated events such as the Head of the River regatta or Senior School Production being delayed or put off. In all of this, the boys’ resilience really came to show, and with the backing of our amazing support network, we’ve been able to recoup much of the year that was: productions, school ball, and with the new rowing shed, it’s hard to miss the swathes of boats back on the water, ready for the next season.

In finishing my own journey as a student I’m met with a sense of bittersweet proudness. When my Instagram feed is splashed with the familiar colours of the Aquinas page, showing off all the many new and exciting things our councils are up to, I feel excited and proud to have been a part of this student community and I know it’s something I’ll definitely miss. At the same time, I feel the support of the broader Aquinas community embracing around our year 12 group and have come to realize that while we have left the school as students, we’re always welcomed back as part of that community.

I’d like to challenge the senior school of 2021 to keep at it; keep my Instagram feed interesting like you have been and hold onto that red and black spark and spirit. Our legacy is in keeping that fire alive. You’re what makes Aquinas special to me. From myself and the year 12’s especially, it’s been an honour to come here all these years. I’ve had a blast, but now it's your turn. For that, I’m thoroughly excited.

Aquinas College was deeply honoured recently when word came through that Andrea Corr (of the Corr’s fame) wanted our Schola Choir to perform in her Christmas album. The boys jumped at the chance and spent a long evening at Crank Studios in Northbridge recording and rerecording their part of the song “Begin Again”. To make the evening even more challenging, Andrea and her team were in lockdown in Ireland and working with Hugh Lydon and the boys through Zoom!

Andrea Corr “Christmas Songs” is now live on all streaming platforms - https://lnk.to/andreacorrchris...

The College would like to formally thank Andrea and her team at Spoke Records for their faith in our boys and the opportunity granted to them.

Aquinas College Junior School Student Leaders discuss Lifelink Day at the school and one of the programs the fundraising supports.

Though Salter Point is mostly bushland, with plenty of trees, flora and fauna to gaze at, it is now home to a rather special tree. The Blue Tree stands as an important message to all that pass that it’s okay to not be okay.

The Blue TreeOriginally inspired by Jayden Whyte of outback WA hit close to home to students at Aquinas College and encouraged them to act. Instead of removing a dead tree situated outside the College’s boarding facilities, the school’s Wellbeing Council worked with the Grounds and Maintenance department to turn it into a symbol of hope and remembrance.

Brotherhood and community are of core focus in the school, particularly in boarding, so the team of students opted to add a secondary element to the famous project – the hands of those who participated. “Mental health issues are isolating and it’s hard to remember that there is support available,” Year 12 student Jarvis Pickering, the driving force for the project, stated, “the hands are to remind people that they’re not alone.”

While students like Jarvis may soon be graduating, their legacy lives on with the project sparking further trees to be scouted with the aim of painting, alongside discussions throughout the school on the topic of mental health.

Members of our Junior School have been working hard on their Ignite Award program. Here's Oskar from 5Red to tell you a little about his experience.

Congratulations to Leo Paoliello, Year 10, on his Driveway Project initiative, to support his local community during COVID-19 restrictions.

The initiative was started by Landi Bradshaw who is a photographer in the Kimberley, and other photographers around the state have taken up the initiative, including Leo.

Leo’s work has been recognised in the Melville Gazette and he has put together a video which he has shared with his neighbours. Click here to view the video on Leo’s website.