Smart Phones and Smart Watches for Year 7 Students
Sport 25
Code of Behaviour in Sport
Parents and Other Spectators
The Arts 27
Boarding 28
Health Centre 29
Contact Details 30
School Song and Prayer 31
Classroom Map 33
College Map 34
Our College Values
Our College Values
We continue to read the signs of the time to provide service through Catholic education for boys, and we endeavour to live an authentic Christian life based on our core values and beliefs.
We continue to read the signs of the time to provide service through Catholic education for boys, and we endeavour to live an authentic Christian life based on our core values and beliefs.
FAITH IN ACTION
We journey in our faith and express it by living the Gospel Values through life and prayer
CHARACTER
We strive to challenge our College community by focussing on holistic success and the facilitation of opportunities for boys to achieve.
EXCELLENCE EVERY DAY
We enable our students to understand, care about and act on core ethical values such as respect, justice, civic virtue and citizenship, and responsibility for self and others
The
School Day
Classes commence at 830am and conclude at 315pm (300pm on Fridays) Students are to arrive at school with enough time to complete the following:
Store equipment in their locker
Ensure books are ready for the first two periods of the day
Store any oversized sport equipment in the Br Paull Centre storage area (cricket bags, hockey keeper gear, etc)
LATE ARRIVALS / ABSENTEES
All students arriving late or leaving early are required to report to the Attendance counter, located in the School office
If students will not be attending school because of illness or injury, for example, parents are requested to contact the Attendance Officer via attendance@aquinaswaeduau prior to 830am
APPROVED LEAVE
All requests for extended leave (more than two days and not as a result of illness) must be directed to the Head of Middle School. While most leave will be approved, some leave will be recorded as unapproved leave It is important to note the link between nonattendance and lower academic outcomes. There is also a negative impact on the workload of staff when students choose to take unapproved leave Australian students receive plenty of holiday breaks Extended holiday breaks except for extraordinary situations will be recorded as unapproved leave
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
For the safety of students, parents are requested to drop off and pick up students from the designated areas in the Main Car Park (first left before the roundabout on the main driveway) Please do not use the bus teardrop area on Mt Henry Road to drop off students
BUS TRAVEL
Students can elect to use public transport (Transperth) or the Aquinas College private bus service (BusWest) to travel to and from school Aquinas College issues a Transperth Smartrider to all new students, which can be used on both services. BusWest bus routes can be viewed on the College Portal – College Information – Transport Information
CANTEEN
Parents are able to order and pay for morning tea or lunch for students from the College Canteen using QuickCliq – College Portal – College Information –Canteen
LOCKERS AND PADLOCKS
Every student will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year Students are expected to have their own lock on their locker at all times
BICYCLES
All bicycles must be stored with a lock in the appropriate storage area (near the tennis courts). Students must not ride their bikes through the College grounds, on walkways or thoroughfares at any time. Helmets are to be worn at all times.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
All personal property must be clearly and permanently marked with your son’s full surname and first name or initials If any item is lost or mislaid, it must be reported to the boy’s Tutor teacher
No weapons or other dangerous items are allowed at school at any time All valuables should be placed into lockers Lost property can be collected from the Uniform Shop
MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones are to be kept in student lockers between 8.00am and 3.15pm. This extends to 5.00pm on the days boys have after school commitments
If a student needs to communicate with home, they must do so at the Middle School Office. Students seen using phones inside of these hours will have them confiscated for up to a day, or longer for repeated breaches
ACCEPTABLE HAIR
UNACCEPTABLE HAIR
Middle School Structure
Middle School is made up of three year groups
(Years 7 to 9) with approximately 540 students (180 per year group)
Students are divided into four Houses with a dedicated Head of House who is responsible for every student in the House
The House is divided into two Tutor groups per year. The Head of House works closely with Tutors to ensure the academic and pastoral needs of each boy are met
school to purpose-built buildings for specialist subjects such as Music, the Arts, Physical Education & Design & Technology and will often be with different classmates
This allows a strong connection to develop within the Tutor group but also provides an opportunity for boys to develop other friendships
The Middle School timetable runs simultaneously with the Senior School’s Social interactions occur during breaks alongside a variety of other opportunities to encourage friendship and
Senior School Sport Saturday Training: Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 – 5:00pm
“Our deepest freedom rests not in our freedom to do what we want to do, but rather in our freedom to become who God wills us to be.”
James Finley
Dr Wayne Tinsey
Character Education
Aquinas has been steeped in Edmund Rice
Values from its inception and Character
Education driven by our Gospel values is well known to anybody who has been part of an Aquinas Education
Explicitly teaching Character Education enables our boys to have a strong understanding of these key virtues that support them to make informed ethical decisions and demonstrate practical wisdom.
Herb Elliott (Class of 1955 and Olympic Gold Medalist Rome 1960) said the following when interviewed recently: “I’d been brought up a Catholic at Aquinas College in Perth and you’re constantly confronted by this idea of being a better person That appealed to me My motivation was very pure. I wanted to be a better human being That was my number one thing”
WHAT IS CHARACTER?
Character is a set of personal traits that produce specific emotions, inform motivation and guide conduct Character Education is an umbrella term for all explicit and implicit educational activities that help young people develop positive, personal strengths, called virtues
Virtue: The Oxford dictionary defines a Virtue as a quality considered morally good or desirable in a person
WHY IS CHARACTER EDUCATION IMPORTANT?
Character Education is integral to Aquinas College’s aim and purpose, as it seeks to promote desirable traits among students and their development as wellrounded individuals to become the best they can be Specifically, Character Education supports our Faith Formation programs by:
Encouraging students to understand, value and demonstrate the positive behaviour traits that make well-rounded, grounded citizens
Supporting the development of the skills required to function in and contribute to society
Supporting social and emotional development, in order for students to better understand themselves and work on their weaknesses
Instilling students with a moral compass and skills in understanding and interacting with other people.
HOW DO WE BUILD CHARACTER IN BOYS?
Whilst taught through the Veritas program, Character Education also occurs across the College’s curriculum and co-curriculum programs Assemblies, Tutor time and extra-curricular activities are opportunities to share the messages to students and encourage them to reflect upon, develop and demonstrate character traits Staff-student relationships are also key, with staff modelling desired traits and being approachable and engaging to encourage students to feel safe, secure and confident
VERITAS PROGRAM
The Veritas Program is an integral part of the Middle School curriculum It allows for two periods a week in Year 7 to 9 of dedicated time to examine the areas of 21st century skills, ethical leadership, advocacy and character education
Students will have a strong Character Education literacy and understanding coupled with numerous opportunities to explore and develop these skills in authentic settings. The Advocacy Presentation in Year 8 is an example where students can apply their understanding of character and share their viewpoints with the wider community – building an array of skills on the way.
Students complete a character journal in Years 7 and 8, encouraging them to explore their understanding of their personal character, the impact it can have on their wider community and to make a positive difference in the world. We believe it isn’t what he becomes, it is who he becomes
The Middle School leadership program works closely with character development and is open to every student, enabling them to build their leadership capacity and character strengths through everyday interactions The Middle School motto of ‘Work Hard, Be Kind’ challenges boys to not only strive for their best in the classroom and display small acts of kindness every day
YEAR 7 AND 8 VERITAS PROGRAM
This program focusses on providing learning opportunities for boys to:
Develop personal character strengths Advocate in the formation of justice in the world. Enhance study skills and critical thinking Nurture their leadership qualities to be effective leaders and team members.
Develop important 21st century “soft” skills required for now and future employment, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity to name a few
Year 9 Veritas – The Odyssey Program
Boys undertake the Odyssey Program, a rite of
From performing a choreographed dance on stage in front of the College community to sailing on the Leeuwin, walking a marathon, camping solo overnight, learning to cook, working with Conservation Australia and engaging in environmental service activities, along with participation in College retreats, students are offered a diverse range of challenging activities to complete the program
DUKE OF EDINBURGH PROGRAM
All students are expected to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award as part of the Odyssey Program This is an internationally-recognised program that invites students to create opportunities to learn new skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure
The Duke of Edinburgh Award can play a critical role in the development of a young person’s character because the responsibility to meet the requirements of the award is on the student
Participants need to develop initiative, communication skills, and time management as well as have self-
BRYAN Royal Blue Strive for Better Things
EDMUND Maroon Better After Adversity
GLOWREY Teal Green Endure with Strength
TREACY Emerald Dignity Courage
CLUNE Gold The Will to Do, the Soul to Dare
EGAN Pale Blue Aim High
QUINLAN White
Veritas in Te Ipso
(The Truth Is In Us All)
REDMOND Red Faith and Justice
Senior School Houses
Junior School houses
and other initiatives designed to help our young men undertake deep and honest self- reflection. Along the way, they are encouraged to examine many of the stereotypical notions of manhood, recognise and adopt character traits associated with good men, and reflect on their purpose in their community.
Core Components of the Program
COMPONENT
1. APPLICATION Student:
▢
KEY INDICATOR
▢ Attends induction workshop for the Leadership Program Completes online application form.
2 PARTICIPATION Student:
Engages with and meets all requirements of the Christian Service-Learning Program Participates to the best of their ability in all House events Is actively involved in the PSA Sport and Co-Curricula Programs of the College Actively participates in the work of a Student Council Demonstrates active involvement in the Masses and Retreats of the College Undertakes self-paced learning by completing the Skills of Leadership workbook
3. CONDUCT Student: ▢
Always demonstrates respectful behaviour towards staff and others Volunteers to help with events held within the College. Is an exemplary member of the Aquinas Community by upholding the College values through their behaviour
4. ACROSS COLLEGE EXCELLENCE
5. REVIEW OF APPLICATION
Student:
Has ‘Performance Indicators’ on their report with an average of 85% or higher. Attendance at school is 95% or higher Always meets the grooming standards of the College Strives for excellence in all that he does. Maintains ‘Good Standing’ in the College
Head of School, Head of House and Director of Character Education and Leadership meet to discuss applications and give final approval of leaders
“Young men striving to be the best they can be … for others”
CONSENT2GO
It is vital the College has correct contact and emergency details for students and parents/guardians To assist in the gathering of this information, the College uses the Consent2Go platform Any changes automatically update other school platforms such as SEQTA so it is extremely important that this information is up to date and correct To check and update your student details, please visit wwwmcbschoolscom/aquinas/StudentUpdate and enter your email address You will be emailed a unique link that you can use to update:
Parent/guardian and emergency contact details such as email, home address and phone numbers
Student’s healthcare details
If you experience any technical difficulties using this facility, please contact the ICT Helpdesk on 9450 0320
COLLEGE APP
The Aquinas App has the ability to send notifications directly to your phone so you never miss important College information It is available for download on Apple and Android devices
Please contact ICT Helpdesk for assistance: helpdesk@aquinaswaedu au
PARENT INTERVIEWS AND REPORTS
The boys undertake a variety of assessments in each learning area every term These assessments include Common Assessment Tasks (CAT), assessed Homework Tasks, assignments, individual projects, collaborative projects, performances and oral presentations
The assessments gathered throughout the term will be formally communicated to parents:
In an interim report at the end of Term 1 and Term 3
In a Semester report at the end of Term 2 and Term 4
Formal Parent-Teacher Interviews:
Year 7 Head of House and Year 7 Tutors informal catch up Term 1.
Middle School Boarding interviews Term 1
Beginning of Term 2
Beginning of Term 3
The use of mobile phones is not permitted to be used between 8.00am - 3.15pm or during school events occurring after regular school hours. Mobile telephones must remain in the students' lockers throughout the College day (8.00am - 3.15pm) or in the case of boarders remain in their Boarding house. Mobile use while at school (from 8.00am3.15pm or school events) is strictly not permitted, unless in very exceptional circumstances permitted by and under the supervision of a staff member. Purchase of food at the Canteen must be made by cash, bank or credit card, or Smartrider and not with a mobile phone.
In emergencies, students may refer to their Head of House and School Office to make outgoing calls or use a mobile phone under the supervision of a staff member Unless in an emergency, the Student Office is unable to forward messages Students should be aware they bring personal mobile devices to the College at their own risk and must be responsible for their care and security The College does not take responsibility for stolen items and the College’s Insurance does not cover student’s personal items
READ THE BOARDING HANDBOOK
School Song The Song of Aquinas
Words: Mr J. Stokes
Music: Br Gerald Crooks, C.F.C
We ask you Lord to make us strong
To seek the right and spurn the wrong
To raise the flame of Learning’s spark
That lights the mind, dispels the dark, And shows the road Aquinas trod: Truth conquers all for sons of God!
You are the sun, we are the seed
You are the life, we are the breed: Australia’s sons who brave the day And know that Christ will light the way, Aquinas’ sons, who serve the Lord and sing the praise of God adored!
Our prayer of hope to God ascends
And some there are have gone before Aquinas’ sons who died in war.
For right they fought, like men they died
And men recall their names with pride. Our hymn of praise for them we sing They live in light with Christ our King.
By Canning waters still serene
In playing fields of mellow green
Where Chapel stone enshrines the hours Aquinas dreams from sunlit towers
And prayer enkindles faith again
That God will make us worthy men
For priests and brothers, teachers, friends
That in the darker hours of youth
Their words will show the way to truth
And lead us from the doubts of night
To faith renewed in morning’s light.
The sweetest sound of bat on ball, The soaring leap, the urgent call, The rhythmic pace, the easy skill, And flexing muscle, steel the will:
The red and black will strive once more And hope becomes a surging roar!
We ask you Lord to make us strong
To seek the right and spurn the wrong
To raise the flame of Learning’s spark
That lights the mind, dispels the dark, And shows the road great Edmund trod: Truth conquers all for sons of God!
