Incoming Captain of Inclusive Community, Archie Lynch, writes about the Year 11 Aquinas Ignite Summit at AIM that prepared the Class of 2026 as they approach their final year as seniors of the College.

On Friday 24 October, more than 50 Year 11 students headed to the Australian Institute of Management (AIM) for Aquinas Ignite. The summit combined keynote speakers and panel sessions and gave us an opportunity to grow as leaders as we prepare for our final year at Aquinas in 2026.

The first speaker, Warren Kofoed, was the long-serving High Performance Coach for the West Coast Eagles until the end of the 2023 season. He spoke about resilience and challenged us to see pressure as a privilege. He reminded us that we’re shaped by our environment and that it’s important to choose carefully who and what we surround ourselves with. Warren encouraged us to build a “barrier of confidence” in mind, body and spirit, and shared how getting enough sleep (especially before midnight) is key for focus, recovery and growth. Warren also shared a story from the 2018 AFL Grand Final, pointing out that three of the four players involved in that famous final passage of play weren’t even meant to be on the field at the time. He reflected whether his career would have been any less meaningful if the Eagles hadn’t won that game, a reminder that true success comes from effort and growth, not just the result.

The second speaker explored the world of AI, showing us how to use it effectively with the right commands, while warning us not to rely on it when we’re trying to deepen our own knowledge. Lastly, Julian Pace, founder, and CEO of Happiness Co. spoke about overcoming adversity through sharing a personal story about his father’s suicide and building a mindset focussed on positivity and purpose.

The Q&A panel sessions throughout the day featured parents and professionals who shared their experiences of leadership. The panel members, including Clive Bingwa (Managing Director of Nine Entertainment and Chair of the Aquinas School Advisory Council), talked about their own career journeys, and highlighted how being adaptable, open to change and ready to take opportunities can make all the difference. Their stories were a good reminder that we don’t need to have everything figured out yet and that success is a journey, not a destination.

We left the summit reflecting on who we are and who we want to become, inspired to step forward into 2026 with confidence and purpose in leadership at Aquinas and beyond the College gates.