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CO-CURRICULAR

Students at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ are encouraged to explore and develop their talents and appreciate the gifts of others through participation in activities such as musicals, plays, choirs, bands, cultural tours and a wide range of individual and team sporting activities.

SPORT

For the physical and sporting students, the College offers a varied range of co-curricular sports opportunities. As a founding member of the Eastern Independent Schools Melbourne (EISM) we provide inter school sporting competition in a diverse range of disciplines. Weekly sports for all year levels include cricket, hockey, basketball, football, soccer, softball and tennis. All students, whether seasoned athletes or first time participants are welcomed to share in the thrill of participation, learn the skills of good sportsmanship and share the graciousness that comes with both a win and a loss.

ART, MUSIC & PERFORMANCE

We have many artistic opportunities for both younger and older students to participate in with both a Senior and Junior Musical each year. Our music program is renowned and Concert, Rock and Jazz bands and Vocal ensembles create opportunities for students to perform both at Aquinas and in the wider community. Students interested in visual arts and other artistic mediums, are able showcase at events including the annual ArtsFest.

CULTURAL TOURS


Students are encouraged to see themselves as global citizens with the capability to see the world from multiple perspectives. Our sister schools offer students the opportunity to interact with peers from France and China, and experience an exchange of ideas, language and culture.

Tours of Borneo, New Caledonia and Central Australia help build resilience, offer new experiences and an appreciation of indigenous cultures, as well as provide a sense of adventure.

CAMPS

In Years 7 to 9, each year level will attend a camp with their House group. Camp is a key event on the calendar at each year level and is an opportunity for students to form new friendships, challenge themselves, and reflect on their time at the College. Each year level camp has a deliberate focus which is designed to support the challenges of the students at that year level. For example, the Year 7 camp is held early in the year and is an opportunity for students to form friendship groups and to introduce them to secondary school. 

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  • Year 7
  • Year 8
  • Year 9
  • Year 10
  • Year 11
  • Year 12

Year 7 is a transitioning year, guiding students in how to navigate the secondary school learning environment; grow their connections to school and develop their understanding of the attributes of an »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ student.

At Year 7 students enjoy their first camp with their House cohort; a Year 7 specific swimming carnival; and participate in CONNECT Week which includes activities designed around the Year 7 core value of Belonging.

The Year 8 core value is all about Stewardship and helping the students to understand the wider world. Students enjoy in a 3 day camp at The Summit, Trafalgar East with their House group. The focus of the camp is on teamwork with a range of activities available from abseiling, obstacle courses and to a summit challenge.

In Year 8 students learn more about their house patron saint with each student participating in a Retreat focusing on social justice and the work of their Patron Saint.

In Term 2, students are involved in Global Green. This is an opportunity for students to work collaboratively on projects that focus on sustainability, world knowledge and creative thinking for a better world.

The core value represented at Year 9 is Perseverance. This is a time when classes are mixed across the year level for the first time, and students further develop their personalities and behaviours, and strengthen friendships.

The City Experience Learning Program is an opportunity for students to develop practical research skills, gain an understanding of the workings of the city and skills such as independence, teamwork and collaboration. While the School Experiential Block encourages students to work on leadership and understanding the implications of risk taking in a program that is the culmination of independent learning in Year 9. This also includes driving skills and the survivor camp for every student.

Each Year 9 student spends a week working in Cafe N9ne at the College. The experience provides a range of specific literacy, numeracy and hospitality skills as well as soft skills such as collaboration and team work.

At Year 10, students move into the Senior Years. Pastoral care moves to a Mentor based system, with compulsory Mentor time on Monday and Thursday morning. This year also offers the opportunity for students to participate in Study and Cultural Tours, including experiences travelling to China, Borneo and France.

It is a time for students to start thinking about their study and career pathway with the help of our Careers Counsellor and Pathways Coordinator.

Students in Year 10 as also invited to participate in the long Aquinas tradition of the Year 10 Presentation Ball, which is an opportunity to get dressed up, and spend an evening with friends and family.

Year 11 is an exciting year as students focus on their final years at secondary school. The core value of Compassion is reflected in the activities and excursions available to the year level.

Students have the opportunity to participate in the outback experience to Kakadu - travelling either north from Alice Springs, or south from Darwin. The Kakadu is an experience which brings the students together in their final years, and is often remembered fondly by past students. City Camp is an alternative to the Kakadu trip and gives the students an opportunity to challenge themselves, and build friendships against the backdrop of Melbourne City.

The Year 11 Formal is a celebration of the year past, and an acknowledgement of the final year of secondary school ahead.

This is a significant year in every students life as they think of their future beyond secondary school. At this point in the school journey many are focusing on tertiary studies and this year starts with a University taster giving students an opportunity to try out a day at University.

Year 12 Retreat is a time for the cohort to come together one final time and reflect on their time together, their friendships, adventures, and the people they have become, and prepare for the exams ahead.

Graduation Mass and Graduation Ceremony is a chance for the College to celebrate and wish the graduating students all the best for their future. The Valedictory Ball is an opportunity to recognise achievements and say farewell.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

At »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ, we are boundless and borderless in our approach and contribute to significant social justice causes through organisations such as Caritas and St Vincent de Paul. We want our graduates to be "People of Hope", prepared to make a difference in our world. Students are encouraged to participate in Project Compassion, Tinnies for Vinnies and our annual giving Wishing Tree.