污污漫画

College Assembly

We gathered for a whole school assembly on Tuesday morning, which was centred around the theme 'community.' It was great to showcase so many of the musical, sporting, and social justice activities that students are currently undertaking. The music captains presented their first place award from Generations in Jazz to the College and also performed one of their set pieces. We also enjoyed an item from the cast of Seussical the Musical, who are preparing for their shows in August. Our social justice leaders spoke about the Tinnies for Vinnies Appeal that is underway this term and the Winter Sleepout, which will be held next week. Year 9 Leaders spoke of the co-curricular programs they have been participating in this semester and, especially, being challenged to go outside their comfort zone. It is wonderful to see the broad range of activities available to students at Aquinas to complement the classroom learning program. It was also pleasing to see each item received appropriately by a very attentive audience, and I mentioned in my address the importance of encouraging others by being a good listener in the classroom. 

The Long Walk at Aquinas

On Tuesday, we will continue our tradition of joining together on the Long Walk at Aquinas to raise awareness for the issues faced by indigenous communities. A powerful symbolic gesture, our long walk mimics the initial Long Walk by ex-AFL footballer, Mr Michael Long, who walked to Canberra in an effort to get indigenous issues 鈥渂ack on the national agenda鈥�.  The Aquinas Long Walk is a key event in our Reconciliation Week activities. Thank you to AP Mission, Tania Grace, and our student FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carriers for planning this event. 

EISM Athletics Carnival

Mr Brummell made a surprise announcement at our assembly this week and declared that 污污漫画 had indeed placed first and not third at the recent Division 1 Athletics Championships. Some errors in data entry on the day had been identified and corrected. It has been nearly 15 years since we last finished first and I had the pleasure of presenting the cup to our Sports Captains in my role as Acting President of EISM. Congratulations, also, to all of the athletes who represented our college at the Champions Carnival yesterday. Thanks to our athletics team and to the staff who assisted at the event.

Performing Arts at Aquinas

We are entering a season of performances and we know that showcasing our talented students is a highlight on our calendar.

• Those who had the privilege of experiencing our Not Just Jazz evening last Friday will agree that it was a wonderful showcase of both student and staff musical talent and creativity. To an appreciative audience of parents and friends, the students performed in ensembles and showed the growth in confidence and competence that comes with commitment and opportunity. Thank you to Jared Campbell, Music Program Coordinator, and the other music staff for preparing the students for this event.  A big thank you to FOAM (Friends of Aquinas Music) who provided the volunteer labour and enthusiasm to stage another successful night. 
• Let鈥檚 Dance is next Tuesday and provides opportunities for Dance students to showcase their creativity through movement. I want to thank Gina Goss and Lauren Bourke for preparing the students for this event.
• The next three weeks include a kaleidoscope of musical showcases. Please check our calendar for further details, as our instrumental students and ensembles get the opportunity to perform.
• Preparation for Seussical the Musical is well under way, with the performance in the first week of August. Tickets will go on sale soon.

Parent Forum Cancelled

Due to illness of the presenter, we had to cancel the Parent Forum that was scheduled for Tuesday evening. Thank you to those who had indicated their interest in attending. Our next Parent Forum is booked for Tuesday, August 22. More details will follow as we get closer to the date.

MACS Digital Ambition Consultation

The MACS Digital Ambition is a statement of how we will enable our MACS 2030 Strategy through a contemporary technology experience for all. Importantly, it will set out how we will provide students, staff, and whole school communities with safe, simple, intuitive, and innovative digital experiences.

To ensure our Digital Ambition is aligned with the needs of our school communities, MACS is inviting and encouraging you to participate in this consultation process by

• Reviewing the.
• Providing feedback to the targeted questions via a quick online survey. This link will remain open until Friday, May 26.

Darren Atkinson

Principal

Preparing for end of semester

The end of the semester has some important moments in the school year. At Aquinas, it means Assessment followed by Activities Week.

 Assessment time

The end of the semester is when a teacher tests what has been learnt in the preceding weeks. This could be a performance, a test, an assignment, making art, circuits, food, objects or a presentation. For students, these can come in a rush and it is helpful to try to pace the preparation for or completion of an assessment task. For all students, there will be a number of tasks to complete between now and June 16. The tasks and dates are on SIMON.

For students in Years 10 and 11 there will be exams at the end of the semester.

• Year 10 Exams are on June 15 and 16 for English and Mathematics.
• Year 11 Exams commence on June 9 and run until June 16, remembering that June 12 is the King鈥檚 Birthday holiday and many Year 11 students are required to complete the GAT in that week as well.

All students who undertake a Unit 3/4 sequence in VCE or VET, including VM, are required to complete the GAT on June 15. This date is set by VCAA for all schools in Victoria.

Activities Week: Rationale

The last week of term is designated as Activities Week, where every Year Level has activities relevant to their curriculum or co-curriculum. Historically, these events occurred at more scattered times during the school year. The design of Activities Week is to align these activities at one time to: 

• benefit students by being able to engage in an activity without concern they might be missing class or have to catch-up on work.
• to give the teachers a single focus for the week where they can concentrate on a particular activity and not be trying to run classes and activities at once. 

While it may seem like time lost, these activities, Retreat, Kakadu, Global Green, Pilgrimages, City Experience etc, all occurred during the school year. We have assigned them at one time to maximise the students鈥� experience and allow them to focus solely on that activity.

Activities Week is June 19-23.

Release of VCE Examination Timetable for 2023

Please be aware that these dates are externally set and there is no flexibility for the College to reschedule.

Michael Box

Deputy Principal Learning

Social Media and your child

The impact of social media on young people has been a topic of extensive research in recent years. It is important to note that social media platforms offer numerous benefits and opportunities for communication, self-expression, and connections, yet they also present potential risks and negative effects when misused. Here are some key findings from the on this topic:

• Mental Health Issues: Social media use is linked to increased rates of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, and poor self-esteem. Excessive use of social media platforms can contribute to negative social comparisons, cyberbullying, and the pressure to present a perfect image online.

• Body Image Concerns: Social media platforms often emphasise idealised and unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dissatisfaction and negative body image among young people. Research suggests that exposure to edited or filtered images on social media can contribute to unhealthy perceptions of one's appearance.

• Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: Social media platforms can provide a breeding ground for cyberbullying and online harassment, which can have severe emotional and psychological consequences for young people. The ability to remain anonymous online sometimes emboldens individuals to engage in harmful behaviour.

• Sleep Disturbances: The use of social media, particularly before bedtime, has been associated with sleep disturbances among young people. The blue light emitted by screens, the addictive nature of social media, and the constant exposure to stimulating content can disrupt sleep patterns and negatively impact overall wellbeing.

• Addiction and Time Management: Research has shown that excessive use of social media can lead to addictive behaviours, with young people spending significant amounts of time scrolling through feeds, posting, and seeking validation. This excessive use can interfere with schoolwork, face-to-face social interactions, and other important activities.

• Privacy and Online Safety: Young people may unknowingly share personal information online, making them vulnerable to privacy breaches, identity theft, and online predators. It is crucial for young people to understand the importance of privacy settings, responsible sharing, and safe online practices.

• Positive Effects: Despite the potential risks, social media can also have positive effects on young people. It can serve as a platform for self-expression, creativity, activism, and social support. It can facilitate connection with peers, provide educational resources, and enable engagement with diverse perspectives.

It is important to note that research in this area is ongoing, and individual experiences with social media can vary widely. Factors such as the type of platform, patterns of use, and individual resilience play a role in determining the impact of social media on young people. Promoting digital literacy, healthy online habits, and open conversations with young people about social media use can help mitigate the negative effects and maximise the benefits of its use.

In the last edition of this medium, I discussed literacies for the world, outlining the need to empower all our students to be ready to function within, critically analyse and culturally understand the world around them. Some of the students deal with misuse of the internet, and more specifically, social media, and this can impact them at school. It is important that parents understand that social media is a way of life for many, and that it can bring many benefits when used appropriately. However, it can also be a challenging experience for many of the students who are targeted, bullied or harassed through such means.

If social media management and information technology communication literacy is an area that your child needs further support with, please contact their homeroom teacher or learning mentor for more information and support. In partnership with you, the College aims to support the appropriate use and address the misuse of social media with informed approaches that promote a growth mindset and learning progression for your child.

I suggest that you monitor internet use, social media involvement and the social emotional state of your child. In order to promote healthy practices, students must have the ability to use technology, making use of its opportunities in informed and positive ways. Most of the issues that require our intervention that relate to cyberbullying happen not while the students are here, but late in the day when they are at home. Your support in addressing these issues is vital to your child鈥檚 development. Their safety and wellbeing is our collective responsibility.

If you wish to discuss this further, please contact me at rodeznone@aquinas.vic.edu.au

Nap Rodezno

Deputy Principal

Reconciliation Week

This Saturday marks the beginning of Reconciliation Week in Australia, and next Tuesday, we will stand in solidarity with Indigenous groups through our Aquinas Long Walk. It is an important time to listen, a time to reflect, and a time to speak up. This year鈥檚 theme is 'Be a Voice for the Generations - Act today for a reconciled tomorrow.'

At this time each year I write about reconciliation - examples from the scripture, such as the Prodigal Son and Jesus telling Peter to forgive 70 times 7. The example I try to remember when looking for strength to forgive is Jesus on the cross forgiving his persecutors, 鈥淔orgive them Father for they do not know what they do".

This year, I would like to talk about some of our Year 9 students who are currently studying their RE unit. Over this term we have been looking at reconciliation and healing from both a faith and a secular perspective. We have discovered that through true reconciliation, there can be healing for all involved. Students also looked at restorative practices and positive relationships, which are programs used at Aquinas, and the connections they have with sacramental reconciliation.

One activity students completed this week was to decorate a leaf identifying what reconciliation means to them. This project is part of the Maroondah Council Reconciliation Week project. Students across the region are completing the leaves, which will be attached to trees built by the Mullum Mullum group. You can see this display at Realm in the Ringwood Town Square. I have included just some of the many leaves our students have created to add to the display.

Tania Grace

Assistant Principal Mission

As we approach the middle of the term, staff continue to work on creating meaningful experiences for our students. We have many assessments coming up, social justice initiatives and then a wonderful activities week at the end of the term for all students and staff to become immersed in. Thanks to all of the staff who contribute to the enriching programs we offer our students - curricular and co-curricular.

VCSSDPA Women in Leadership dinner

On Thursday, May 18, several Aquinas staff and Advisory Council members accompanied Mr Atkinson and I to the annual Women In Leadership Dinner at the Sofitel in Melbourne. This event is organised by the Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals Association (VCSSDPA), promoting and highlighting leadership amongst women in Catholic schools. The keynote address this year was presented by Shelley Ware, a proud Yankunytjatjara and Wirangu woman, who has worked as a TV and radio presenter for the AFLM and AFLW football shows. Shelley spoke of her heritage and the influence of her father and other indigenous family members on her life and career. She also spoke of her passion for Indigenous history, the development of Indigenous curriculum, and her work as an educational consultant in Australian schools. It was an enjoyable evening that gave the Aquinas staff a chance to meet and network with staff from other Catholic secondary schools who are currently in leadership, or who aspire to leadership positions.

I welcome the new staff who commenced at Aquinas in Term 2, and introduce them to you:

Gina Goss

Assistant Principal - Staff

Senior Years Report

The overview and information relating to end of term focus and arrangements are outlined in Michael Box's article above. In addition, there are several practicalities for families and students to get ready for the weeks ahead. 

Assessments are known and are approaching. Support for students' learning is diverse and extensive. However, it does not remove the discomfort of effort students may be wrestling with. There are several ways students can manage their workload at this time. The priority is to attend (if well) all classes and actively engage in learning. Beyond the classroom, students are also really well-resourced. Departments work hard to develop thorough cycle plans which contain a list of their homework tasks and additional resources to assist students as they work independently. Examples of other resources students receive include scaffolded instruction sheets, videos to review learning or links to further information. Some VCE subjects utilise the Edrolo suite with worked examples, videos, and practice questions. For students who prefer to work with people, homework sessions are available for students supported by Education Support, and year level homework hub runs on Tuesday evenings.

Exam schedules have already been emailed to Year 11 students. During the Year 11 exam period, students are required to attend exam times only. Students should arrive half an hour before exams to ensure a settled arrival to the scheduled exam. Year 11 students studying a Unit 3/4 subject attend their timetabled class unless there is a clash with an exam. Students who experience a clash between Year 11 and 12 commitments must contact their subject teacher and Year Level Leader to revise their requirements. The information above will be communicated to students at their Monday year-level assembly.

Year 10 students studying Year 11 subjects will attend their Year 11 exam at the scheduled time and then follow up with their teacher to gather missed class work. As a result of Year 11 exams, Year 11 subjects will not be running classes from June 9-16. Instead, these students will have private study sessions to prepare for their assessment or catch up on the work missed due to an exam. Private study will take place in the ARC, unless an alternative is directed by their subject teacher.  

Finally, in preparation for Term 2 activities week, we ask that families with outstanding anaphylaxis, allergies, or asthma medical plans have these sent directly to the Health Centre. 

Rachel Crawley

Head Senior Years

Middle Years Report

Sometimes, when a student sees a teacher outside of school, there is a look of shock. I think that they are surprised that we actually have a life or even exist outside of the Aquinas buildings (they might be right about the first bit). Perhaps the same can be said the other way. As teachers, we see students everyday and get to know them really well in lots of ways, yet we often find out parts of their lives outside the classroom that surprise us. Over the coming weeks, I will be interviewing different students in the Middle Years that have forged passions outside of school. Passions that embody the values that we aim to promote at Aquinas. I hope you enjoy hearing about their stories as much as I did.

This week, meet... Curtis Dickson

What are your first memories of playing? 

I started playing when I was 11. Even at a young age, it鈥檚 a very fun sport to play. I can still remember my first training session when I got my first helmet and pads. It was very cool getting them, because I had watched a lot of NFL and I had always wanted some.

Describe some of the challenges or setbacks that you have had along the way.

Injuries are definitely a challenge. Gridiron is a very big contact sport, and when you first get hit in all the gear, it's pretty scary. You just have to learn to trust the protection.

What is something you are most proud of that you have achieved? 

Winning the title in the first-ever U13 tournament was super cool. The best part was that I got to do that with some mates on the way. One of my greatest memories was my first game of U16 gridiron (Curtis was only 13). I had to play in runners because I had no boots, but I ended up tackling the quarterback in my very first play and that was a great experience.

Do you have any higher ambitions in Gridiron? 

I have trained for Victoria, but sadly we couldn鈥檛 play against Queensland because they couldn鈥檛 get a team together. All of the state trainings were great fun. When you first start to play against bigger opponents, it鈥檚 very scary, but you get used to it. Something that I would like to achieve is going to America and seeing what it's like to play in the States, as some players from my club Croydon Rangers have done. I've met some former NFL players from Australia, which just shows me that it is possible to play overseas.

What characteristics have you learnt from Gridiron that help you in your life off the field? 

Some characteristics that I have learnt from others and also demonstrated myself are leadership, bravery, and perseverance. I鈥檝e realised that it takes time to make your way up there and that there is always going to be someone bigger than you.

Is it ever difficult to maintain motivation? 

No. Motivation is just playing with my mates.

Phil Box
Head Middle Years

Environmental and Sustainability news

Students and staff have been meeting regularly at lunchtimes this term to discuss ideas to improve our 污污漫画al impact and sustainability efforts at Aquinas. We have been investigating the new FOGO program available to residents in Maroondah Council for recycling food, organic and garden waste and how this could be applied to our school 污污漫画.

Drink bottles

Australians use billions of plastic bottles each year. Regrettably, 53 per cent of plastic bottles end up in landfill and 12 per cent end

up in our 污污漫画, where they contribute to the 130,000 tonnes of plastic leaked into Australia鈥檚 marine 污污漫画 each year (WWF, Plastic Revolution to Reality 2020).

Chicken news

The school chickens are braving the cold winter weather. Our Australorps; Janet, Cluck Norris and Popcorn have completed there moult. They all have their lovely warm winter plumage on. Poor Nugget is still completing her moult. Students have described Nugget鈥檚 current look as 鈥渟cruffy鈥� as she re-grows her new feathers. It is a natural process, and despite Nugget鈥檚 appearance, she is healthy.

Karyn Myers

Environment & Sustainability Coordinator

As we move towards the end of the term, we have had many events both within year levels and as a whole community. In the past few weeks, we have had our whole school Mass and assembly, which are great opportunities for us to come together as a College and celebrate our community. We have also recently had the opportunity to be a host school for exchange students from the west of France. Each of the exchange students were allocated to an Aquinas family and were invited to stay in their homes. This was an amazing experience for both the host families and the students who had the exchange students visit their classes, as they were able to teach these students what they were learning in their class. Both sets of students really enjoyed this opportunity and it will be cherished for the many years to come. As a College, we are also looking forward to all of the activities that come with the end of the semester, such as SEB block for Year 9s, the Year 11s going on their Kakadu trip, and the Year 12s retreat to Phillip Island, along with many more. 

Brooke Tudor and Thomas Scutt

College Vice Captains

鈥淚n imitation of our master, we Christians are called to confront the poverty of our brothers and sisters, to touch it, to make it our own and to take practical steps to alleviate it.鈥� (Pope Francis)

Last Thursday I was in the city with some work colleagues for an evening event. As we were leaving, we passed a homeless woman asking for money. If I鈥檇 had some cash with me, I would have given it to her. But I had nothing. Nothing on me, and nothing even close by that I could easily access to help make her night on the street a little more comfortable.

As I walked on, wearing my thick winter coat that protected me from the cold night air, I thought about her. As I drove home, back to my nice warm house, comfortable bed, and loving family, I thought about her.

The woman, out there alone in the cold with her meagre possessions in plastic bags, was still on my mind as I drifted off to sleep. She was again on my mind as I woke up the next morning and proceeded to turn on hot water for my shower, dress in fresh clean clothes, eat breakfast, and head off to a job that I love.

Seven days later, I still find myself thinking about her. It鈥檚 not the first time I鈥檝e encountered a homeless person. But it is the first time I鈥檝e encountered a homeless person while in the midst of taking part in an active campaign to raise assistance for people just like her. And somehow, that has hit home for me in a fresh way, the plight of the homeless in our city.

This term, our Justice and Outreach focus is on supporting the with their annual Winter Appeal. 鈥淰innies鈥� is well known around the world. Some of you may have even popped into one of their stores in your local area and walked out thrilled to have scored yourself a bargain purchase. But have you ever stopped to think about what it is they actually do all year round? They don鈥檛 exist simply to provide goods for those of us who enjoy thrift shopping.

What they do, day in, day out (and have done since 1833 when the organisation was first founded) is very cleverly displayed on their easily recognisable blue and white logo. 

Between the organisation name and the words 鈥淕ood Works鈥�, sit three hands. 

The hand at the top represents the hand of Christ, palm facing downwards to bless the cup being held by the middle hand. 

The middle hand is the hand of love, which offers the cup blessed by Christ. 

The bottom hand represents the one who is suffering and needs to receive the cup. 

What a beautiful visual representation! And what a privilege it is for us at Aquinas to be able to partner with St Vinnies for this short season and be that 鈥渕iddle hand of love鈥�... giving to others out of the abundance that Christ has blessed us with.

We don鈥檛 even need to head into the city centre to find the poor and the homeless to help. There are people right here in our own Ringwood community who are doing it tough this winter. These are the people our local St Vinnies is providing for. So if you can help us to help them, please do so.

We鈥檝e been promoting our Winter Appeal these past two weeks, and will continue to do so until the end of the term. Details on how you can help are , and on posters displayed around the school. 

For those of you who have already contributed items for our collection baskets, or have donated to in support of our Winter Sleepout participants, thank you!

And to all the staff and students who have been assisting me in various ways to get this project going - thank you! Your time and effort is much appreciated.

Martha Mugamu

Justice & Outreach Coordinator

We say goodbye to our visiting group of 16 students and two teachers from our French partner school, .

This was another great trip with a jam-packed itinerary, which helped forge relationships with students and teachers from another country. This visit also built connections that will assist Aquinas students who plan to take up the opportunity to visit France on the Hospitality and French language tour at the end of the 2024 academic year. If you are a VET Hospitality or VET Cookery/Kitchen Operations student interested in travelling to France, please contact Owen Stott, Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre stottom@aquinas.vic.edu.au.

Thank you again to the Aquinas host families. Without you, this type of International student visit is not possible.

Owen Stott 

Director, Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre

A message from our French visitors

Hello everyone,

It was with great pleasure and motivation that our group of students and teachers came to spend these 15 days in your school. We cannot thank all the host families enough, and Aquinas staff, especially Holly Blease, Rhonda Wheeler, and above all, Owen Stott, for their incredible investment and support for us all. The times we spent with all of you will no doubt remain forever memories for our young students. We took great pleasure in sharing our culinary art and service with you. Your country is, for many of us, a dream that you have made possible thanks to your incredible generosity and your indescribable kindness. The challenge is very high for us: to welcome you to France as you have welcomed us. Thank you so much.

The Frenchies

Carla: An unforgettable stay, an incredible dream (Sydney, MCG, the welcome…) it was just amazing, thank you for everything.

Maxence: Thank you to all Australians, especially my family, Rachel, Ben, and the young ones. Thank you to the school for welcoming me to Australia. The generosity, as well as kindness, has gone straight to my heart. Just thank you for everything.

尝茅辞: The stay in Melbourne and Sydney was incredible (Bondi Beach, Op茅ra House, Sydney Harbour Bridge). My host family is so nice... I don鈥檛 want to go back to France.

Liam: Many thanks to 污污漫画 for hosting us. A huge thank to Owen for practising cooking with us in Australia! Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to the families who helped me discover so many things! Goodbye to you all!!! 

Jeanne: Thank you to my host family for this amazing trip. It was a very good and fun experience to live.

Orane: I can say that I made my dream come true and it was really amazing! Thank you to Owen and my host family.

础濒颈茅苍辞谤: I loved the moments shared with my host family (training, theatre, songs in the car, meals)!

础诲茅濒补颈诲别: Thank you all for your welcome, kindness, and generosity. And especially a big thank you to Owen and my host family Suzanne and Desmond for welcoming me and for helping me discover Australian culture.

Charlotte: I thank Owen for allowing us to cook in the kitchens in Australia, and my family for their involvement in helping me discover Australia.

Mathis: Thank you all for welcoming us, I discovered a new landscape and a new culture.

Raphael: Thanks to Aquinas and the families for hosting me on this trip, it was amazing.

Aude: I thank the College and families for hosting us, and I鈥檓 happy to have met some really nice people and hope to see them again someday. Thank you!

Eryne: I thank the College teachers for taking the time to take care of us, and I thank my family for welcoming me and helping me discover Melbourne.

Tessa: Thank you to all of you for your generosity and your welcome… You made us discover and see extraordinary things. And thank you to Aquinas and the families for their involvement and their smiles.

Marine: It鈥檚 an incredible chance to have been able to discover the Australian culture, with a fabulous host family and a great group! All activities were very interesting (like Manly Beach, the visit to the MCG and the dinner at Aquinas) 

Gauthier: Unforgettable trip! Sydney was magic! Melbourne is like a dream: restaurants everywhere, good food, and incredible moments with my host family. A big thanks to Owen and all the staff for everything and for managing this trip.

As was reported in the last Lighthouse, Aquinas was believed to have finished third at the EISM Division 1 Athletics Carnival. After receiving all of the results and checking all events, it was found that some events that Aquinas students competed in were not recorded and therefore did not receive scores for.

The EISM were asked to do a recount of all events for the carnival to check scores for all schools.

Interestingly, this changed the scores, with Aquinas winning the girls section by 43 points after initially placing second by four points. The boys' results changed minimally and we remained in fourth place.

As a result of these changes, for the first time in 15 years, Aquinas won the carnival overall by 12 points from Donvale.

A wonderful and exciting result for all students and coaches who were involved.

The result was announced to the College at assembly on Tuesday and it was awesome to hear the great cheer by the school community when it was announced.

Well done to everyone.

Bernie Brummell

Sports Coordinator

The Aquinas music students have been quite busy over the last few weeks, with some exciting performance opportunities. Three of our extension ensembles went to the Generations in Jazz festival, held in Mount Gambier. This was the first time GIJ has taken place since 2019. It was an amazing event for our Intermediate and Senior stage bands, as well as the Senior Harmony group, to take part in. It was an opportunity to be inspired by professional musicians and also experience performing in front of larger audiences.

The Aquinas Not Just Jazz evening was an incredible experience for everyone involved. The performances showcased were from many of our talented performers from the College, as well as some former Aquinas students in the alumni band, and a staff band as well! The ensembles included the Senior and Intermediate stage band, Senior Harmony, and performances from our VCE Music students. As well as this, the Senior Hospitality students served drinks throughout the night at the bar in the foyer and in the O鈥橠riscoll room. I have never been to the Not Just Jazz night, so it was really fun to see it for the first time. Hosting it provided a great experience for public speaking, and for all of the performers, it was a really good experience to perform in a more casual setting. It was really great to see everything that the students and teachers had been working on so far this year. I encourage anyone who hasn鈥檛 attended Not Just Jazz to come along next year, it鈥檚 an amazing experience!

Samantha Mugamu and Rose Ennis

Junior Music Captains

Here are some of the costumes our Year 12 students showcased during the recent Fictional Characters Dress Up Day.

Aquinas takes part in a program called Journey Tracks, which helps Indigenous students develop cultural knowledge and leadership in caring for Country, as well as forming new friendships and connecting with Indigenous peers.  

Last week Vanessa Murdoch, our EACH Journey Tracks program leader, was here at Aquinas with Cassie Leatham, a proud Taungurung/Djadjawurrung woman, for the day. 

Cassie provided three main workshops, which included:

• A general presentation of her art, a cultural talk, bush tucker and survival skills
• A workshop focused on her journey in the fashion industry as an Indigenous designer 
• And finally, a session with our Journey Tracks group (and some guests) which included a discovery walk along the Indigenous Garden Trail, followed by some cooking in the Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre (WTTC).

Students involved included our Indigenous students, Fire Carriers, Year 11 Food Studies students, student leaders and our Year 11 and 12 VET Fashion classes.

Students taking part in the Journey Tracks program reported back how much they appreciated the opportunity to learn more about the natural resources of Country, and how they assist to improve everyday life.

Thanks to Sean Miller, Mr Stott and the WTTC team, Ms Daley, Ms Stewart, Ms Robertson, Ms Grace, Mr Box, Mrs Crawley and Year Level Leaders for supporting the day and helping to organise student participation.

Jess Beattie and Catrin Webb

Year 11 Leaders

On Monday, May 15 we were lucky enough to host Indigenous artist and educator, Cassie Leatham. Cassie is from the Taungurung and Djadjawurrung people of the Kulin Nation. Designer, master weaver, traditional dancer, bush tucker woman and author are just some of the many hats that Cassie wears with ease. 

Everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed the three workshops during the day.

鈥淐assie is a great role model and is very inspiring. She helped us connect more with our country and we learnt a lot about the land on which we live.鈥�  

鈥淚t was very immersive and hands on!鈥�

鈥淭he Wattle Seed chocolate was my favourite!鈥�

鈥凄别补诲濒测!鈥�

Special thanks to Vanessa Murdoch, an Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer from the Ngarrang Gulinj鈥慳l Boordup team at EACH, who provided us with the opportunity to host Cassie for the day. Vanessa also runs our Journey Tracks Program here at school for our Indigenous students. 

Thanks also to Owen Stott and the WTTC team, Sharon Daley, Caitlin Stewart, Kristel Robertson, Tania Grace, Phil Box, Rachel Crawley and the Year Level Leaders for supporting and helping with the organisation of the day. 

Sean Miller

Youth & Family Centre

In this emerging age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), education faces an immense challenge. A key component of learning is a student鈥檚 engagement with the material. Teachers have long utilised a range of activities and approaches to harness a student鈥檚 attention. Crafting an essay, undertaking a project, or delivering a speech are concrete demonstrations of the depth and clarity of a student's focus. These activities are at risk of becoming obsolete in a world where AI can produce artefacts without requiring any genuine engagement from a student. If you want a history of the Eureka Stockade as written by Dr Seuss, for example, it can be instantly created in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, the situation is exacerbated in our 鈥渁ttention economy鈥� where education now competes against the distractions of social media.

Herein lies the importance of Humanities in this information rich landscape. This discipline fosters the skills to classify sources, curate appropriate viewpoints, and apply critical thinking, thereby encouraging students not just to consume information, but to probe and assess it. These invaluable capabilities transform learners from passive recipients into active curators, a necessity in a world driven by AI and social media that blurs the line between true engagement and artificial mimicry.

With the correct classroom structures and instructional approaches in place, the Humanities enables us to reimagine education not as a competition for attention, but as a collaborative effort in fostering discerning, reflective, and informed custodians of knowledge. AI is a useful tool when used correctly, but one tool among many. The essay thus still has an important role to play. It permits us to reflect on our relationship with technology and its implications on learning and engagement so that we fulfil our human obligation to scrutinise, examine, and celebrate the world.

David Campbell

Graduate Teacher - Humanities