Character Education

The magnitude of the need for schools to have a Character Education curriculum was highlighted by the impact of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Daily, the media reported situations where people’s character was called into play. Perseverance and courage were seen in the many people that became unemployed, demonstrations of generosity and kindness in supporting people who were suffering most, such as the elderly, were frequent, scientists exhibited problem-solving skills to develop a vaccine and people became creative to ensure life continued as close to normal as possible with the restrictions in place.

Fortunately, our students were in a good position to deal with the world turmoil last year because Aquinas College has had a specific Character Education program in place since 2018, with it advancing across the school over the last three years. 2020 was the third year of implementation and saw each Veritas class in Year 7 and 8 gain a second lesson a week which allowed students to delve deeper into understanding what character is, how it is built, how it is tarnished and why it is important people have good character. The Junior school also introduced specific character education lessons for all year groups.

In 2021 the College will continue the promotion of Character Education by introducing a second lesson to each Year 9 Veritas class, thus providing greater opportunity for boys to engage in more Rites of Passage activities for the Odyssey Program. Visually stimulating signage that articulates the importance of people having good character has been arranged to be placed throughout the school and will provide students and visitors with a daily reminder that Aquinas is a school for building character in boys. Mark Weston Head of Character Education & Student Leadership