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Foundation

AQUINAS COLLEGE 2026

Commemorate your Aquinas Journey

Whether you wish to leave a lasting legacy by supporting Aquinas College’s existing scholarship and bursary fund, building fund, or by contributing to our community appeal for the arts Bravo!, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can bring your vision to life.

OUR FOUNDATION TEAM CAN BE CONTACTED VIA: (08) 9450 0799 | foundation@aquinas.wa.edu.au www.aquinas.wa.edu.au/community/aquinas-college-foundation

CRICOS 00428E

58 Mount Henry Road, Salter Point Locked Bag 11, Bentley Delivery Centre, Bentley, Western Australia 6983

A Thank You from our Chair

On behalf of the Aquinas College Foundation, I would like to sincerely thank you for your generosity and the spirit in which you give.

Established in 1997, the Foundation continues the College’s proud tradition of giving, supporting bursaries for families who may not otherwise access an Aquinas education, and contributing to essential projects that enrich the experience of all students.

“What is particularly special is the way your giving reflects the values at the heart of Aquinas, and the true spirit of the Edmund Rice tradition.”

What is particularly special is the way giving reflects the values at the heart of Aquinas, and the true spirit of the Edmund Rice tradition - connection, compassion, and a commitment to others - helping to shape the future of our College community.

As we look ahead, we are filled with optimism for the year to come and hope to continue building on this momentum - expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and supporting even more students on their Aquinas journey.

We are truly grateful for your belief in our vision, and for the meaningful impact you are making, both now and for generations to come.

Michael Prandi Chair, Aquinas College Foundation

Spirit of Aquinas

Aquinas College has provided exceptional education to generations of Western Australians, and I am proud to be part of its community of graduates.

At Aquinas, we believe success is measured not by what a young man becomes, but by who he becomes. We are committed to nurturing each boy’s character, resilience, compassion, and sense of belonging, while inspiring him to discover his passions and strive for excellence.

Guided by dedicated staff and supported by a strong and caring community, our students are empowered to lead lives of purpose, service, and integrity, making a positive impact on the world around them.

Graduation is not the end of the Aquinas journey.

Our Old Aquinians remain an important part of the Aquinas family, connected by shared values, lifelong friendships, and a deep pride in the legacy of one of Australia’s leading Catholic boys’ schools.

Today, we invite our community to continue that heritage through the gift of giving. In the spirit of Edmund Rice, your support can help provide Aquinas students with the opportunities, experiences and education that will shape their lives now and into the future.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference and continue to strengthen the enduring legacy of Aquinas College.

Robert Henderson Principal, Aquinas College Class of 1979

“At Aquinas, we believe success is measured not by what a young man becomes, but by who he becomes.”

Aquinas College Foundation

Scholarship and Bursary Fund

At Aquinas College, we believe that every boy deserves the opportunity to receive a holistic education, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

“Every boy deserves the opportunity to receive a holistic education, regardless of their family’s financial situation.”

Gift in Will

A gift in your Will to Aquinas College is a unique and personal way to help shape the education of future generations of Aquinas students. Gifts can be delegated to an area of your choosing or left to the College for general purposes. All donations are gratefully received, contributing to the ongoing prosperity and success of our College.

Building Fund

The Aquinas College Foundation Inc Building Fund is the primary source of support for the ongoing development of the outstanding educational facilities our students enjoy at Aquinas College today.

“Our life spreads light when it is given in service. The secret of joy is living to serve.”

Pope Francis

Travis Shearer (Class of 2023) received the Terry Bourke Family Bursary

Spotlight on Donors

We are delighted to share the stories behind some of the remarkable contributions made by our generous donors.

These gifts are transforming the lives of our students and celebrating the powerful impact philanthropy has in opening doors, inspiring opportunity, and strengthening the Aquinas College community.

Reilly Family Bursary

In 2024, the Aquinas Foundation received a generous bequest from John Reilly (Class of 1968), enabling the establishment of the Reilly Family Bursary.

In 2026, two students were selected to receive this support, including Abel White from the Wheatbelt town of York.

Before receiving the bursary, Abel travelled to and from Aquinas each day with his father. Boarding at the College has transformed his experience, providing greater opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities and build lasting friendships with his peers.

Abel particularly enjoys AFL football, woodwork and drama, and loves spending time fishing on the river with his fellow boarders. The Reilly Family Bursary has allowed Abel to fully embrace all that Aquinas has to offer, enriching both his educational journey and his personal development.

For Abel, the bursary has opened the door to opportunities that will help shape his future while allowing him to make the most of some of the most rewarding years of his life.

Left: Abel White fishing on the Canning River near the Boarding Houses. Above: Old Aquinian Bill Boekeman (Class of 1954) and his wife Pam are helping change lives such as Sachjein through the Boekeman Family Bursary, providing Indigenous students with the opportunity to experience an Aquinas education.

Boekeman Family Indigenous Bursary

Sachjein’s journey is a powerful example of the impact made possible through the generosity of our donors. Sachjein is a current recipient of an Aquinas Foundation Bursary, whose life has been profoundly shaped by the generosity of our donors.

Hailing from Broome, Sachjein arrived at Aquinas with big dreams of one day becoming a movie star. Today, he is thriving - embracing the opportunities of an Aquinas education, actively engaging in College life, and building the confidence and skills to pursue his aspirations.

Sachjein’s story is a powerful reflection of the impact of your support, and the difference it makes in shaping bright and promising futures.

“... a powerful reflection of the impact of your support, and the difference it makes in shaping bright and promising futures.”

Building a Legacy for the Arts

We’re creating a space where more of these moments can happen, a purposebuilt facility for arts, performance and excellence – the Aquinas Centre.

The Aquinas Centre is a place where music, drama, storytelling, lectures and creative thinking will thrive; where every boy can explore his identity, rise to his potential and perform with confidence.

How You Can Help

Your support is the difference between a good building and a remarkable one. There are many ways to get involved, from symbolic gestures like buying a brick or naming a seat, to family tributes and larger transformational gifts.

• TAKE YOUR SEAT Recognise your family with a brass plaque on a seat in the McMillan Recital Hall.

• PAVE THE WAY Buy a brick with your family name, graduating class or in honour of a loved one.

• BUY A KEY An extraordinary opportunity to support the purchase of a premium grand piano for the Aquinas Centre. With 88 keys, we invite 88 donors to give $2500, one for every key.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”

Matthew 25:35

Peer Bursary

The Peer Bursary Gift continues the legacy of our founder, Edmund Rice, whose mission was to educate boys who could not otherwise afford schooling.

Traditionally, each leaving class has presented the College with a parting memento. Many of these gifts remain visible throughout the campus today, including the stained-glass window in the Veritas Centre and the wooden display cabinet in the Edmund Rice Administration Building.

These contributions serve as lasting reminders of each class’s connection to the College.

In 2017, the Leaving Class chose a different path – one that truly reflected the spirit of Edmund Rice. Rather than raising funds for a physical gift, the boys chose to provide something far more meaningful, the opportunity for another student to receive a life-changing education at Aquinas College.

Since then, each Leaving Class has funded a 50 percent bursary, enabling a student to complete Years 11 and 12 at Aquinas College.

Philanthropy in Action

The annual Foundation Philanthropy Awards celebrate individuals who embody the Edmund Rice Education Australia touchstones of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, and Justice and Solidarity.

The 2025 recipients, Mr Stephen Spiteri and Year 10 student Louis Masarei-Boulton, were honoured for their commitment to service and community leadership. Mr Spiteri has supported many charitable causes, including Movember, Dry July, and youth wellbeing initiatives, while also volunteering to bring joy to seriously ill children.

Louis was recognised for volunteering with children who are blind or vision-impaired, as well as contributing to community meal programs and environmental projects.

“Together, both recipients demonstrate that philanthropy is defined by compassion, humility, and service to others.”

“As

adults we must not rob children of their capacity to dream. Let us seek to promote an environment of hope, where their dreams may grow and be shared: A shared dream opens the path towards a new way of life.”

Pope Francis

Veritas Society

The Veritas Society recognises the special commitment made by members of our community who have chosen to leave a bequest to Aquinas College.

Bequests, both large and small, have played a vital role at Aquinas since our foundation in 1938, providing for buildings, scholarships and bursaries. We continue to be inspired by the members of our community who have left gifts in their Will.

If you would like to join the Veritas Society or find out more about making a bequest, please contact the Foundation team on (08) 9450 0799 or email foundation@aquinas.wa.edu.au.