Aquinas College has been awarded the School of Character Quality Mark by the Association of Character Education (ACE) – a significant recognition that celebrates schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to developing character, virtues and moral purpose in young people.

The prestigious international award follows a detailed assessment process with ACE and formally acknowledges the College’s deep commitment to fostering an education that prioritises both personal integrity and academic excellence.

ACE commended Aquinas for its “significant dedication and commitment” in meeting the high standards the Quality Mark represents, recognising the efforts of students, staff and leaders in contributing to a culture where character formation is central to College life.

Special recognition was also given to Mr Mark Weston for his leadership in developing the College’s comprehensive approach to Character Education.

Character at the Heart of College Life

The ACE report praised Aquinas College for having Character Education that is “driven from the top” and “thoroughly embedded across the College.” Underpinned by the desire to equip students with a strong sense of moral purpose, Character Education reflects the College’s values and was identified as a defining feature of the Aquinas experience.

From the GEM program in the Junior School to the Veritas curriculum and Odyssey experience in the Senior School, ACE highlighted Aquinas College’s “clear character pathway” that supports students’ growth at every stage of their journey.

The report also celebrated Aquinas students’ high levels of virtue literacy. Pupils were able to confidently discuss attributes such as respect, perseverance and compassion, explaining how these values guide their daily lives both within and beyond the classroom.

“Good character is what you do when no one is watching,” one student quoted during the thorough assessment, reflecting the intrinsic motivation that lies at the heart of the College’s Character Education philosophy.

A Culture of Service, Respect and Reflection

The ACE assessors were particularly impressed by the way Aquinas integrates service learning into school life, noting how the College “cultivates a strong habit of service to others while contributing to the common good.”

They also highlighted the College’s innovative work with families, including initiatives such as father-and-son sessions on respect and relationships, which extend the language of character beyond the classroom and into the home.

The inclusion of a dedicated Character Section in student reports was commended as evidence of the College’s belief that virtue development stands alongside academic excellence.

Click here to read the latest issue of the ​​​​​​​Mt Henry Peninsula Conservation Group Newsletter.

Click here to read the latest issue of the ​​​​​​​Mt Henry Peninsula Conservation Group Newsletter.

Click here to read the latest issue of the ​​​​​​​Mt Henry Peninsula Conservation Group Newsletter.

Click here to read the latest issue of the ​​​​​​​Mt Henry Peninsula Conservation Group Newsletter.

On Friday April 28^th and Saturday April 29^th, the Schola Cantorum had the honour of performing with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra at the Perth Concert Hall. Whilst the Schola had done this twice last year, this 2023 performance was particularly special – the choir were involved in the world premiere of a piece of music called The Tides of Longing, written by Perth composer and rising star of the Classical Music world, Lachlan Skipworth.

The Tides of Longing tells the story of a refugee who travels to Australia by boat, and is performed by orchestra, adult chorus, boys chorus and a single actor. At about 35 minutes in length, the music takes the audience on both a physical and emotional journey, as the protagonist survives storms and relives the horrors that he has fled on his journey to Australia.

The Schola were featured prominently at four different sections of the piece – as well as beginning and ending the whole piece, they also sang two different solo sections. One of these, called Ayee Bird was so well received that it will now be recorded as a stand-alone piece to be heard on ABC Classic FM. The fact that these sections were composed specifically for the Schola makes them even more special.

These two performances, which were to a combined audience of about 3,000 people, prepared the boys in the Schola well for their upcoming tour to England and Ireland, where they will perform seven times inside two weeks.

Hugh Lydon
Director of College Schola Cantorum

Photo credit Linda Dunjey

The Journey of a Boarder

There's a space in time where we stop helping get the sheep in or climb down from the cattle yards, we get off a tractor or lean the fishing rod up, maybe we put a horse in the stable or a motorbike away and have a last kick of the footy with a sibling left behind, tidy our rooms? Nah... whatever, we always stop and have a good look around.

It's time to get back to school.

Bags are packed, plans are made and goodbyes are said.

The family pets get a squeezing hug or an absent minded pat on the head.

There's always a lecture or two.

Cars pull out and often stop to quickly swing back past the clothesline for a forgotten pair of socks or a dash inside for an 'it was on the bench'.

More often it doesn't and 'a halfway there' realisation is revealed.

Tree lined driveways, winding gravel roads, long bitumen straights, 'planes, trains and automobiles' take us back to our home away from home.

The day between is an anxious one. Stuck in the middle of leaving one home and returning to another.

We always feel better after a day or so with our brothers, comforted by our boarding family.

Learning, experiencing and cared for, this is our other place.

And then we go back.

Come with us on a journey to the places we call home...

Aquinas College Boarding Community

On Monday 5^th September 43 Middle School and 37 Senior School students shaved their head in support of the Leukaemia Foundation’s mission to shave the world from Blood Cancer. The idea to bring this event to the College was instigated by Year 11 Students Thomas Eade, Luke Porteous and Conor Nolan who need to be commended for their efforts and organisation. The current total money raised is $43,850 eclipsing the original goal of $20,000 set by the boys.

The event could not have happened without the generosity of the Aquinas Community in their donations as well as the commitment of a dozen Hairdressers who offered their time to shave the students head. A huge thank you goes to the following Hairdressers: Rebbeca Richardson, Jaimi Frase, Lea Hugget and Taaj Arden from Barbershop Express Booragoon, Zeleha McAdam and Tanesha Dougan from Hair at the Zoo in Leeming Forum, Samnatha Urquhart, Kelly Chinnery, Ros Borgomastro, Roby Eade, Carla Peca and Melissa Burych.

Well done to the following students who committed to the cause, without their efforts we would not have been able to run such a successful event.

Dear Aquinas College Community

I am pleased to announce that Mr Robert Henderson has been appointed to the position of Principal at Aquinas College, Perth, effective from January 2023. This appointment follows an extensive national recruitment search and a thorough discernment by a panel comprising educational leaders from Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) and representation from the Aquinas Advisory Council.

Robert is widely regarded as an outstanding leader in Catholic education and a very experienced Principal. Currently, he is Principal at John XXIII College, a role he has held since 2016. His previous leadership experience includes Headmaster at Ipswich Grammar School, Principal at Christian Brothers’ College Fremantle, Acting Principal and Vice Principal at Trinity College, Perth and Deputy Principal at St Norbert College.

Robert complements his leadership experience with a sound academic record that includes a Master of Religious Education from Notre Dame University, a Master of Education and a Diploma in Education from Murdoch University, a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Western Australia and a Professional Certificate in Instructional Leadership from Melbourne University.

An Old Aquinian, Robert describes his priorities in life as his family, his faith and his work. He and his wife Robyn have three daughters, Mia, Zoe and Abbey. Robert is committed to Pater Noster Parish, Myaree. In conjunction with his educational leadership, he has a strong background in sport and an interest in Music and the Arts. The following comment from Robert captures the significance of this appointment for him and his family:

“My parents built a house around the corner from Aquinas to enable their sons to attend the College and for our sister to attend Santa Maria College. It is an honour and a privilege to return to Aquinas and become part of a vibrant Catholic community in the tradition of Edmund Rice. I look forward to meeting students, staff and parents and becoming immersed in a school with a wonderful heritage and a very exciting future.”

I am also pleased to announce that Mr Brian Schumacher, the current EREA Director of Schools (WA, SA & NT), will be the Acting Principal in Term 4, 2022, once David McFadden concludes his term. Brian is a highly experienced educator and has been principal at three large Catholic schools in South Australia. In his current role he has worked closely with the College and knows the community well.

We look forward to welcoming Robert to the Aquinas community. On behalf of all members of Edmund Rice Education Australia, I warmly congratulate Robert on this significant appointment.

Yours sincerely
Dr Craig Wattam
Executive Director
Edmund Rice Education Australia

Click here for the official announcement letter from EREA