ILLUMINARE
BELONGING & CONNECTION
Celebrating our future alumni and honouring our past.
FOOTY SEASON
The Old Bloods invite you to come and support the game!
GREASE – IS THE WORD
Aquinas students bring Rydell High to life in 2026
Edition #1, 2026
From the Principal Value #1: Belonging
The first value in our Spirit of Aquinas College is Belonging. Fittingly, this is the value that we introduce as the theme for Year 7 students as the foundation of their entry into our Aquinas community where our school song urges us to sing out that ‘united our hearts will remain’.
We are mindful of our diverse local and global community; we are culturally inclusive and respect the dignity of each individual. – The Spirit of Aquinas College
In 2026, we have had a particular focus on Belonging through the introduction of the vertical house system and our three new House patrons (Chisholm, Mannix and McCormack), building community with our three legacy Houses (Dominic, MacKillop and Rice). Our students now belong to the same Mentor Group made up of students from Year 7–Year 12, with the same Mentor teacher and House Leader for their six year journey at Aquinas, providing a consistent Aquinas 'family’ to enhance their belonging. We have already enjoyed the benefits of this cross-year level connection on House Welcome BBQs, House Athletics Day and House Celebration days this year.
This same sense of belonging is why you are reading this article and staying connected with Aquinas. This sense of belonging is multigenerational: we have over 100 students who are the children of Aquinas alumni, some of them third-generation! We are also blessed with close
to 30 staff who are alumni. As celebrated in this edition, we were privileged to host the Leading Lights induction evening earlier this year, acknowledging the significant contributions of six alumni from 1991–2021 across a range of fields. Current students and staff were fortunate to hear from most of our inductees addressing students throughout their day, each Leading Light educating us with their career and life journeys, and universally acknowledging the belonging they felt and continue the feel thanks to their Aquinas peers and support of staff and families.
This edition also highlights the excellence that belonging fosters at Aquinas, including the achievements of our Class of 2025. As Caitlin Hartley notes in her 2025 Dux speech featured in this edition, “the guidance and support of both teachers and peers have been integral to my learning, never once has the journey been solitary. … I encourage current students to embrace the challenge of working with your peers to achieve more than you may think possible”.
Illuminare Et Ardere indeed!
In the traditions of our school song and College motto, “Aquinas has joined us as one” so may you continue to spread the joy of belonging and to light up and be on fire.
David Broadbent Principal
One body in Christ
Once an Aquinas member – always an Aquinas member.
The Aquinas theme this year is ‘One Body in Christ’ where we recognise the many different gifts and talents that make us unique but through our faith we are united with the same purpose. This has been a wonderful theme as we introduced three new houses to our school. Joining Dominic, MacKillop and Rice are: Mannix, McCormack and Chisholm. While we are all in different houses we are still one in Aquinas, one in Christ.
One aspect of our faith calls us to follow Christ's footsteps in welcoming others. Through our core values, we try to put our faith into action. Belonging is the first core value recognised and acknowledged by students. I am sure you all have many examples of the ways you felt like you belonged as a member of the Aquinas Community. Whether through the multitudes of opportunities or the life long friendships made during the years, Aquinas has continued to welcome people into our community.
So what happen once you have moved on to bigger and better thing?
How can you feel like you still belong in the community?
NEW to Aquinas College is Alumnly, a new way to communicate with fellow alumni and staff. To see upcoming events and reminisce about past events, this site will have it all. We hope that this new platform is a step towards building stronger connections with our alumni and help you to stay connected with the college and with each other.
In this edition we are providing the information for all alumni to be able to join this platform.
Tania Grace Assistant Principal – Mission
Alumni community hub
Aquinas is joining Alumnly
Let's connect!
This new platform will allow our Alumni to reconnect with former classmates, rediscover old friendships, expand professional networks and stay up to date with school news, reunions and events.
Whether you recently graduated or finished your schooling many years ago, Alumnly offers a simple way to stay connected with each other and the wider Aquinas community.
Creating a profile is easy!
Click here, scan the QR code or download the Alumnly app and search for Aquinas College. Then select the JOIN button and enter your details.
You’ll be scrolling through old photos, giggling at hairstyle choices, and chatting with long-lost classmates in no time!
We can’t wait to welcome you back!
Reconnect
Access decades of photos, yearbooks (coming soon), and campus history.
Belong
Stay informed on reunions and events —you'll always be the first to know.
Reconnect | Network | Belong
One word that binds us
Charism connections – weaving the threads of past, present and future.
There is a word at the heart of our College community that I find myself often returning to. It surfaces when you see a Year 7 student, nervous, yet somehow already at home, walk confidently through the front gate. It surfaces when a past student returns as a parent, their face softening with recognition, as they remember that this place once held them.
That word, of course, i ‘belonging’.
At Aquinas, belonging is not merely a sentiment. It is one of our six core values and, I would argue, the foundation upon which everything else rests. You cannot ‘light up and be on fire’ without first ensuring that every person within our community knows, unambiguously, that they are meant to be here.
Our House system, Mentor groups, and co-curricular life are not incidental features of an Aquinas education. They are the architecture of belonging – the structures through which young people discover they are known by name, valued for who they are, and invited to contribute to Aquinas.
Our Catholic tradition deepens this further. Pope Francis reminds us that ‘the existence of each individual is deeply tied to that of others’. To belong to one another is to reflect the very essence of our faith.
And then there is our school song which is itself an act of belonging. When we sing it together, something remarkable happens: individual voices dissolve into something larger than any one of us. The lyrics say it perfectly: United our hearts will remain. I encourage every student, every family, every alumnus — sing it loudly, sing it proudly. Not because it is tradition, but because in the singing,
we remind each other and the world that we are one community, and that we belong to one another.
Belonging is not a passive state. It is created in the small, daily choices — the greeting offered to a newcomer, the seat left open at the table, the voice raised in song. When we do this for one another, we don’t merely uphold a College value. We bear witness to the belief that every person has an irreplaceable place in the Aquinas community.
You are here. You belong.
Prof Andrew Conway Chair, School Advisory Council
Belonging
The sense of community that connects generations of Aquinas students.
Our 2026 School Captains, reflect on the theme of belonging and the opportunities a new year brings. Their reflections are also a reminder that today's students are tomorrow's alumni, continuing the legacy of those who have helped shape our College. We hope our current students recognise that they are part of something much bigger than their own time at Aquinas – a community built by those who came before them and strengthened by those who will follow. In time, they too will carry forward the spirit, traditions and sense of belonging that continue to connect generations of the Aquinas community.
Oliver Mees
School Captain 2026
It is an honour to serve as one of the 2026 School Captains. Becoming a leader has always been a goal of mine; spreading positivity within the College and introducing new ideas to promote inter-college connectivity.
The start of this school year has brought some changes, particularly with the new vertical pastoral system. This system brings students from different year levels together, giving us the chance to learn from one another, form new connections and build relationships that go beyond our year group. If you are just starting out or have been here for years, this structure allows everyone to feel seen, supported, and included. We hope this new set-up creates stronger ties both within homerooms and within houses, leading to more connections, friendships and a stronger sense of belonging across the entire Aquinas community. We encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone – introduce themselves to someone new, support the younger students in their homeroom and be open to learning from those that are older.
A new year can bring new challenges, classes and social situations, and it is natural to feel nervous or unsure about the future. One of the most important things to remember is that nobody is approaching this year by themselves. Each and every one of us are confronting new situations. Our greatest strength lies in collaborating with other people and adapting to new situations together. That’s why offering our kindness, support and guidance to those around you is so important. When we lend a helping hand, we strengthen our community and build more genuine connections.
Ria Jijose
School Captain 2026
This year will be filled with opportunities – in the classroom, on the sporting field, on the stage, in leadership, and in everyday moments. We encourage everyone to make the most of them and say yes to trying something new. Join that club, put your hand up in class, acknowledge another person's effort and achievement, and volunteer for a leadership role. Opportunities may feel intimidating at first, but they are often where we grow the most. Even if things don’t go perfectly, the courage to try is what truly matters. Aquinas has given me so many opportunities to try new things and meet new people, and I believe that it is now my turn to give back to the community. Over the years, I have seen the positive impact that good leadership can make, and I want to contribute to making Aquinas a better place.
For our year 12s who are finishing their journey, our year 7s who are beginning theirs, and everyone in between, be sure that every day you walk through these gates, you give it your all to whatever the day may hold. Let’s grow and develop as individuals and lift each other up as a team. It’s often the small actions each day that have the biggest impact. Let’s enjoy the moments and the laughs and give our best when work needs to be done.
Aquinas is more than just a place of learning; it is a lifelong community. Whether you're walking these corridors each day or looking back on your own time at the College, the friendships, opportunities and values formed here continue to shape who we are.
Q&A with our vice captains
Will Elliott Vice
Captain 2026
Why did you want to be a College Captain?
I believe that the position of College Vice Captain is an amazing opportunity to challenge myself and learn leadership skills. I also want to help people along their unique walks of life, through education, and generally speaking.
How does it feel to be taking up the role?
It is a surreal feeling to be a college captain, and no doubt an experience that I will cherish forever. I am forever grateful for the overall opportunity for student leadership and am honoured to have been elected.
What do you want to do after you graduate from high school?
I am planning on going to university after secondary school, specifically in the fields of engineering and science. I believe that life is an ever-ending journey of learning and experiencing.
Rose
Ennis
Vice Captain 2026
Why did you want to be a College Captain?
I have always loved being involved within the school community through music, social justice and leadership. Applying for school captain was something I’d always wanted to try, regardless of the outcome, as the captains in previous years were some of the best role models and people I had met. I wanted to give back to the community and try to create positive change for the people around me.
How does it feel to be taking up the role?
I’m very excited, I hope that I can help create an impact on the school in my last year. There are lots of new changes for our school in 2026, such as a new house and pastoral system.
What do you want to do after you graduate from high school?
I want to study a Bachelor of Music Performance in Classical Voice at the Melbourne Conservatorium, study overseas, and hopefully have a career in opera and musical theatre! I also want to continue to be an advocate for climate action and social justice.
Jasmine Grierson Owen Foxwell
AQUINASAlumni
Celebrating outstanding alumni
Reflections on the inspiring journeys of Aquinas alumni at the Leading Lights induction evening.
In March, I had the privilege of attending the Leading Lights induction evening alongside fellow staff, past and present students, and the inductees' families and friends. It was an evening filled with interesting biographies and a strong sense of community.
What stayed with me most from the evening were the stories. Each inductee had their career journey since leaving the college shared with the audience; pathways that were varied and, at times, unexpected. As teachers, we often spend such meaningful and intense periods of time with our students, yet we don’t always get to see where life takes them once they move on. The evening offered a special glimpse into those journeys.
What stood out was that there was not a single, consistent path to success. The inductees had pursued different subjects at school and experienced varying levels of academic achievement. Some had excelled academically, while others had simply worked hard to get through. And yet, despite these differences, there was a clear thread connecting them all.
There was a strong sense of community shown in their involvement in opportunities and in their service to others... and a genuine appreciation for the people who had supported them along the way.
Each story spoke of perseverance, the determination to keep striving to improve themselves, and moving towards a goal, even when the path wasn’t straightforward. There was a strong sense of community shown in their involvement in opportunities and in their service to others, which was evident in one way or another, and a genuine appreciation for the people who had supported them along the way. These qualities, more than any particular achievement, were highlighted in their success.
It was a powerful reminder that while academic outcomes matter, it is these enduring qualities that truly shaped our inductees’ futures. They are also the very qualities we strive to nurture in every young person at our college.
Congratulations to all our inductees: Terase Lancefield, Jo Stafford, Bronwyn Dean, Jasmine Grierson, Owen Foxwell and Nathan Linton-Owies.
Rachel Crawley Head of Senior Years
Aquinas Alumni
Owen Foxwell
Peer Year 2021 Sport
Driven by determination, talent and a strong work ethic, Owen Foxwell has already achieved remarkable success as a professional basketball player.
Signing his first professional contract with the South East Melbourne Phoenix at 17 and beginning his NBL playing career at 18, Owen has now played more than 100 NBL games and received the inaugural Clubman Award.
In 2025, he debuted for the Australian Boomers at the FIBA Asia Cup, where they won a gold medal. In 2026, Owen has signed with Louisiana State University to compete in the NCAA, continuing his promising basketball journey.
Bronwyn Dean
Peer Year 2006
Education
An inspiring educator, Bronwyn Dean is recognised for her dedication to music, ministry, and service. Bronwyn combines her skills and faith through a love of music, liturgy, and social justice, to engage students and communities both locally and globally. An extremely talented musician, Bronwyn has performed with the Victorian Opera and Victorian Youth Opera, and has conducted at iconic venues including St Patrick’s Cathedral and Hamer Hall.
Bronwyn is committed to mentorship, inclusion, and service. She has successfully led international initiatives in the Solomon Islands, Samoa, and Europe, fostering creativity, compassion, and meaningful connection wherever she works.
Jasmine Grierson
Peer Year 2016
Sport
A professional AFLW player celebrated for her determination, versatility, and football intelligence, Jasmine Grierson was drafted at just 17 in the inaugural AFLW season and has spent over a decade competing at the elite level, representing Melbourne, North Melbourne, GWS, and Sydney.
Renowned for her strong defensive game, precise kicking, and high football IQ, she is a respected leader both on and off the field. Passionate about mentoring the next generation, she aims to leave every club, teammate, and community stronger than she found it.
Johanna Stafford
Peer Year 1993 Service
A Commander with Victoria Police, Johanna Stafford is celebrated for her courage, integrity, and leadership. Her distinguished career includes nursing, frontline policing, and numerous positions of leadership, including a period of Acting Assistant Commissioner. Leading high-risk divisions including family violence response and community safety initiatives.
Johanna has overseen Victoria Police’s response to the Middle East crisis and drives inclusion and leadership programs. Committed to mentoring others, Johanna continues to educate herself while guiding and inspiring those around her. Resilience, compassion, and dedication help to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives and communities.
Nathan Linton-Owies
Peer Year 2013
Service
Known for his generosity, creativity, and passion for helping others, Nathan Linton-Owies has dedicated his life and career to empowering young people and communities both locally and across the Asia-Pacific. From volunteering in Laos and Bangladesh to leading youth-led initiatives with Oaktree, he has actively supported and advanced the importance of education, leadership, environmental restoration, and gender equality for all young people.
Nathan currently serves as Deputy Chair at Concern Australia and is Vice President of Ashburton Baptist Community Services. Nathan works to inspire communities, mentor young people, and create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.
Terase Lancefield
Peer Year 1995
Health
With her compassion, integrity, and dedication, Dr Terase Lancefield brings kindness and mentorship to every aspect of her work. As Deputy Director of Cardiology at the Austin Hospital, Terase has built a career in advanced cardiology, heart failure, and cardio-obstetrics, including a PhD on cardiovascular biomarkers.
Beyond her hospital role, she is a highly sought after contributor and collaborator for clinical trials and supports and mentors medical students and trainees. Terase balances professional achievement with family life, inspiring colleagues and the next generation of medical professionals through her empathy, leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of others.
Celebrate excellence
We proudly welcomed back our Year 12 Class of 2025 and, together with our current students, celebrated a year of outstanding achievement across all areas of College life.
At the beginning of the year the Aquinas College community came together to celebrate our students excellence. We acknowledged academic, community, performance, and sporting achievements across all year levels.
The evening featured inspiring student speeches and beautiful musical performances from a combined group of students from both this year and last year.
It was a warm and memorable night to come together as a community and recognise the incredible young people who make our College so proud.
Thank you to our special guests who presented awards, the families who joined us, and our dedicated staff for helping make the evening so meaningful.
VCE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE FOR ATARS > 90 (Back row) Alexander Niemann, Lucas Brasher, Ethan Goktepe, Raphael McLean, Cameron White, Juan Hernandez (Front row) Lucy Jordan, Jade Forder, Evie Evans, Caitlin Hartley, Shikha Shah, Felicity Cunningham, Tyra Wu
Aquinas Alumni
AWARD
Patrick Ryan Award
Deakin Shield
(From left) Principal David Broadbent with Deakin Shield award winner, Year 11 Dux, Ria Jijose. Shiela Mallia presenting the Dave Mallia Humanities award to Raphael McLean. VCE VM co-ordinator Jacqui Street presenting the Year 11 VCE VM Dux award to Lucy Maxwell.
RECIPIENT
Caitlin Hartley for achieving College Dux
Ria Jijose for the highest achieving student in Year 11 VCE
VCE VM Industry Excellence Award Jesse Walsh
VCE VM Academic and Community Leadership Award Maddox Sturdy
Dave Malia Award
Year 11 VCE VM Dux award
VET Industry Awards
PACE Network Award
Edmund Rice Award
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award
Raphael McLean for academic excellencein Humanities
Lucy Maxwell
Jess Blackman: Certificate II Cookery
Alana Williams: Certificate II in Cookery
Ethan Raven: Certificate II in Engineering Studies
Year 7: Kohen Bell
Year 8: Jack Armarego
Year 9: Sienna Stevenson
Year 10: Abbey Bruni
in recognition of outstanding involvement in the life and leadership of the College community
Year 11: Addison Miller for Community services
Year 10: Ted Wardle
in recognition of a & Teamwork Award student who demonstrates leadership and teamwork within both the school and broader local community, displaying strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and ‘mateship’
ADF Future Innovators Award
Music Awards
Year 10: Hugh Mercuri
Ensemble Award: Andre Borges Pereira Fernandes
Choir Award: Lucy Jordan
Instrumental Award: Sebastian Farrell
SPIRIT OF AQUINAS
in recognition of their contribution within and beyond the Aquinas community and embodying the core values of the College
Year 7: Luke Gaceta
Year 8: Abigail Turner
Year 9: Lily Welch
Year 10: Isabelle Zahra (not pictured)
Year 11: Samantha Mugamu
Year 12: Sebastian Farrell (right)
Aquinas Alumni
ADF Future Innovators Award Year 10
Hugh Mercuri
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award Ted Wardle
Excellence in a selected subject (From back left) Lucy Bjarnelind, Bennet Jijose, Edward Taufer, Eva Ng
(Front) Oriana Lopez, Kimberly Milicevich, Zoe Cochrane
Excellence in a selected subject (From back left) Felicity Coker, Gabriel Barton, Ryan Dempsey, Michael Politis, Olivia Smile.
(Front) Ariana Yuzon, Maeve McCure, Ashleigh Tee
SPORT AWARDS
Athletes of the Year
JUNIOR SWIMMING: Gabriel Hew and Madison Brown
SENIOR SWIMMING: Ryan Martin and Zoe Fabre
JUNIOR ATHLETE: Ben Tornatora and Naomi Mugamu
SENIOR ATHLETE: Tom King and Zoe Fabre
JUNIOR CROSS COUNTRY: Bailey Waddell and Hannah Hawkins
SENIOR CROSS COUNTRY: Callum Settle and Hailey Coulson
(Above) VCE VM HIGHEST ACHIEVERS Jess Blackman, Jesse Walsh, Maddox Sturdy
TOP ACHIEVERS IN MIDDLE YEARS
Year 7: Kohen Bell, Audrey Carlill, Luke Dixon, Olivia Gibson, Hannah Hawkins, Liam Kwong, Fiona McKenna, Sophie Smith, Sasan Tonsing, Lucy Wilkinson.
Year 8: Jack Armarego, Annika Banocia, Justina Bhatoa, Lui Chalk, Madison Gimena, Georgina North-Coombes, Bree Sadler, Sakhi Shah, Ethan Sharpe, Bailey Waddell
Year 9: Clare Britton, Andie Davies, Mireille Ernacio, Amelia Frau, Seah Jo, Ruby McRitchie, Evie Moran, Nathaniel Olavides, Oliver Simkin, Zia Smith.
TOP ACHIEVERS IN SENIOR YEARS
Year 10: Liana Aloi, Ruby Bracegirdle, Abbey Bruni, Anaya Franklin, Charlotte Jones, Ryan Martin, Nicholas Mazzarella, Janna Pham, Joel Troiani, Lyla van Marle.
Year 11: Talar Atamian, Monet Brooks, Will Elliott, Lachlan Ghosn, Ria Jijose, Addison Miller, Lachlan Motteram, Emma Oakley, Blake Richards, Maria Skaliotis, Emmanuel Varela Torres.
Athletes of the Year: Gabriel Hew, Bailey Waddell, Callum Settle, Ben Tornatora, Zoe Fab, Hailey Coulson, Madison Brown
Aquinas Alumni
Success through connection
At the Celebrate Excellence Evening, our 2025 College Dux, Caitlin Hartley, reflected on the importance of collaboration, support and community in achieving success. Her acknowledgement of the role played by peers, teachers and family strongly echoed our Aquinas 2026 liturgical theme, “One Body in Christ,” reminding us that individual achievement is strengthened through connection with and support from others.
Caitlin Hartley received the Patrick Ryan award in honour of being named the 2025 DUX of Aquinas College. The following is her Speech given by Caitlin at the Celebrate Excellence evening for the Aquinas Community.
“I would like to thank the Ryan family for their contributions to the Aquinas community, including the award I have received. It’s an honour to receive such a prestigious award and the Aquinas community is forever grateful for your family’s continued support for school.
It is also an honour to be recognised for this achievement. My result, and the results of my peers have been a culmination of study and stress but also celebration and anticipation. While the task of completing your final year of secondary school is daunting, it feels a little less so when surrounded and supported by a community like Aquinas.
From my very first day of primary school to my final years at the College, the guidance and support of both teachers and peers have been integral to my learning. Never once has the journey been solitary.
For me, collaboration with my peers was the main driving factor in my success. Discussing difficult topics, probing each other's minds, and working
together to finally figure out that one hard question: these were common strategies that my classmates and I employed to enrich our learning, and they most definitely paid off.
Everyone receiving an award tonight, while having applied themselves rigorously to their individual studies, was uplifted by the peers around them. Although our achievements are individual and something to be immensely proud of, we should be comforted by the fact that our learning is a team effort and will continue to be in any further studies we choose to partake in.
Thank you to the parents and teachers who had a guiding hand in our learning, ensuring that our tasks were manageable and burnout avoided at all costs. You should never hesitate to lean on these supports when stress builds up, no matter if you are starting your first years at Aquinas or beginning your final one. For me, all of my high school years would’ve been too overwhelming without my parents and friends providing an outlet to relax and recuperate.
I am incredibly grateful for the support of the Aquinas community and want to congratulate in particular my Year 12 cohort, who all achieved amazing results and could’ve easily been receiving this award instead. Our results reflect our personal strive for success but also demonstrate the success of our collaboration as a year level. I wish us all the best for the next chapters of our lives and encourage current students to embrace the challenge of working with your peers to achieve more than you may think possible.
2025 College Dux Caitlin Hartley celebrates the power of community
Caitlin Hartley Awarded 2025 Aquinas College Dux
Second generation families
Each year, as new Year 7 students and their families arrive for the beginning of their Aquinas journey, many familiar faces return through the College gates – this time as parents.
For generations, Aquinas has remained a valued part of family life within the local community, with many students proudly following in the footsteps of parents and grandparents who once walked the same corridors.
KERRIE TAYLOR
Peer Year 2004
I attended Aquinas back in 1999-2004. My favourite memories include school events such as our Year 10 Debutante Ball, the Year 11 Kakadu camp, and ‘Crazy Mondays’ as a member of the senior SRC, where we organised regular fun lunchtime events for our year level. These were times when the whole cohort came together and created lasting memories.
I was also fortunate to have many great teachers throughout my years at the College, some of whom are still at Aquinas today, including Michael Box, Mini Saundry, Vanessa Oorlof, Meredith Greenwood and Brett Donohue.
I chose to send my daughter to Aquinas in the hope that she will get to enjoy the same positive experiences and lasting friendships that I did. They are friendships I still have and value 22 years later.
After graduating from Deakin University as a secondary school teacher in 2008, I went on to teach high school English, EAL and Auslan. I later stepped out of the classroom to run an education consultancy business and become an author of children’s English–Auslan books.
My daughter, Addi, has really valued the friendliness of her Year 7 cohort, the opportunity to meet new people, and the understanding and support shown by her teachers. I hope she continues to feel positively connected to the school as she grows through the years just as I did.
Aquinas Alumni
SARAH HICKS
Peer Year 2002
I attended Aquinas from 1998 through to my graduation in 2002. Some of my fondest memories are of the close friendships I formed. I still remember my debutante ball, where my mum lovingly handmade my dress, and the school camp to Kakadu, where I experienced my first love. I recall my favourite classes, the faces of inspiring teachers, and the dreams I had about who I would become – though life took me in a different direction.
When I returned for an Open Day, I was struck by how much the school had grown and the wide range of opportunities now available for my daughter.
After finishing high school, I went on to TAFE to study Applied Design, then to university where I completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Arts and later added a major in Photography.
BERNARD MORAN
Peer Year 1997 & MELISSA MORAN
(née Gioia) Peer Year 1999
We both loved our time at Aquinas and still have a close group of friends from our time there, so we wanted to give our girls the opportunity to do the same. It is so good to still see some of our former teachers at the school along with exstudents as new teachers of our children.
Since leaving Aquinas we both completed Bachelor degrees at university and are enjoying juggling work life with spending quality time with our three girls. We have currently have two daughters at Aquinas and a third will start in 2027.
From 2008, I worked as a freelance professional photographer, collaborating with companies as well as running my own business.
Last year, I opened my own studio. There, I run sessions called ‘Art for Soul,’ creating a space where people can slow down, relax, and create. I also host paint-and-sip events, designing each setup myself to ensure a memorable experience for everyone who attends.
My daughter Lucy, now in Year 7, often helps me at these events. She enjoys assisting guests with their art supplies and helping with the clean-up. She has also formed strong social connections at school this year. Lucy is taking piano lessons at the school and is really enjoying them. I’m also hoping she becomes involved in the theatre program, as the school does an excellent job with its musicals.
A NEW GENERATION
Year 7 students continuing a proud Aquinas tradition by following in the footsteps of their alumni family members. Welcome to our second-generation students!
ALUMNI
1991
Elizabeth Ferrall
1992
Doug Harris
Sean Kennealy
Danielle Dillon
1993
Claire McCartan (née Anderson)
1994
Katrina Cuskelly
STUDENT
Ben Ferrall
Abbey Harris
Alexandria Kennealy
Spencer Erickson
Isabelle McCartan
Bridie McCrohan
Michelle Barclay (née Bray) Mia Barclay
Joanne Crowe (née Davies) Eve Crowe
Anna Pezzano
1995
Nat Collard
Tasha Hunt
Madalena Pezzano
Maya Sontag
Isacc Kisumbi
Chris Nedza Oscar Nedza
1996
Sonia Kay (née Sukkar) Jessica Kay
1997
Ben Carrazza
Ari Carrazza
Lauren Dykes (née Mills) Patrick Dycks
Simon Frank Brody Frank
Ramon Garay
John Jess
Mia Garay
Jack Jess
Kate Leach (née Rafferty) Mylah Leach
Danielle Lorkin
Bernard Moran
Jack Lorkin
Isla Moran
Kirsty Veliades (née Woodham) Hunter Veliades
1998
Laura Ferry (née Stewart) Harrison Ferry
Connie Lambe (née Sorace) Xavier Lambe
Travis Lambe "
Gemma Morris (née Roche) Tayla Morris
Trent Morris
Zoe Morris
Paul Peluso Zach Peluso
Kim Raditsis "
1999
Andrew Breen
Zachary Breen
Simone Den Elzen "
Ben Coleman Summer Coleman
Melissa Moran (née Gioia) Isla Moran
Tracy Tibballs (née Davis) Zachariah Tibballs
ALUMNI
2000
Haidar Hammoud
STUDENT
Sami Hammoud
Maree Hodgson (née Upton) Blake Hodgson
Annette Munro (née Day) Elle Munro
2001
Sarah Gilhooly
Soukena Hammoud
Allira Spittle
Sara Al Bakiry
Catherine Loonstra (née Reilly) Hannah Loonstra
Steven Loonstra "
Cassandra Toomey Patrick Toomey
Leigh Toomey "
2002 Callum Barclay
Sarah Hicks (née Bates) Lucy Hicks
Daniel Janssen Jade Janssen
Josh Whitby Lila Whitby
2003
Annabelle Bufalino
Philip Meehan Genevieve Meehan
Renee Van Beelen Nate Van Beelen
2004
Beck Bell (née Paynter) Jobe Bell
Melanie Jones (née Pote) Eleanor Jones
Kerrie Taylor (née Miller) Addison Taylor
2010
Karley Riley Jaxon Keithley
NAT COLLARD
Peer Year 1995
I attended Aquinas from Year 7 through to Year 12, graduating in 1995.
One of the things I valued most about my time at Aquinas was the friendships I formed. Many of those connections have stood the test of time, and I’m still close with several friends today. I even attended my 30-year reunion last year, which was a great opportunity to reconnect and reflect.
I later chose to send my two children to Aquinas as well. I really value the co-educational environment and hope they have the same positive and rewarding experience that I did.
During my school years, I especially enjoyed being involved in the Athletics and Cross Country squads, which were a big part of my time there.
After finishing school, I worked in retail before applying to join Victoria Police. I entered the Police Academy in 2007 and graduated later that same year.
ANNETTE MUNRO (née Day)
Peer Year 2000
I graduated from Aquinas in the year 2000. I remember there being nine classes of Year 7, and it being the year that the new green dress was introduced!
Highlights from my time include running in the cardboard car race in Year 12, the formal, completing a Certificate III in IT through the school, cross country running, and the friends I made along the way.
Some of the funniest moments included the way the food looked after Home Economics, going home early on 40-degree days (with no air conditioning), and teachers saying “too close” as they walked past.
I am impressed with the new upgrades to the school. I feel today’s students will benefit from the opportunities and possibilities the school offered me.
Today, I am a Kindergarten Teacher and a CRT in primary schools on my days off. Aquinas inspired me to continue studying, and I hope this love of learning continues for generations to come.
It is special to me that my daughter, Elle, attends the school that I attended; she also has a cousin currently attending Aquinas in Year 8 (Isla D).
Jane Monk, Captain 1976 – a keen debator with the rest of the team.
My fondest memories at Aquinas was the involvement in the musicals under the leadership of Sr Marg O’Toole. The experience of working together as a team to create these events and then celebrating the fun of performing, have stayed with me as a model for working with groups throughout my life. In my first year at Aquinas in 1971, my home room teacher, Ms DeSilva provided an opportunity for some of us to sing at nursing homes. I have never forgotten the joy on the faces of the elderly people we sang to. In the year I was
School Captain we implemented a program in which senior students spent time in junior classes listening to their concerns', creating channels of communication for younger students to be heard. The positive feedback received from this program confirmed my belief in the value of providing forums for everyone’s voice to be heard.
Jane Monk College Captain 1976
Aquinas Alumni
Where are they now?
1976 Aquinas College School Captains
Fifty years on, former school captains Jane Monk and Michael Valastro reflect on the experiences, values and opportunities that shaped their lives beyond the college gates. While their journeys have taken very different paths, both speak of the enduring influence of an Aquinas education.
JANE MONK
In this reflective piece, Jane Monk shares how the values of kindness, compassion and service nurtured during her years at Aquinas College have continued to guide her throughout a life dedicated to family, community and pastoral care.
It's been 50 years this year since I completed Year 12 at Aquinas! As I reflect back on what Aquinas offered me, what comes to mind is the experience of being trusted … the opportunities to contribute and be involved … and the values of kindness, compassion and service. This grounding has served me well over the last 50 years, being further developed in my young adult years through 15 years of Catholic youth ministry with the Stranger Movement, working as a physiotherapist for eight years, and serving as a pastoral care worker at St Mary's East St Kilda for two years.
I am married and have two sons, who both went to Aquinas and who also picked up the values of kindness, compassion and service. My youngest son is now a dad of twins, and I am so enjoying grandparenting these two delightful human beings!
My first marriage lasted 14 years and, although it was one of the most difficult periods of my life, taught me so much about myself and what is important to me. During that time I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Facing my own mortality at age 33 with two young sons was scary. I was lucky, and
now I can say the cancer diagnosis was a blessing, as it woke me up to my capacity for choice without guarantees.
Through the support of friends and family and some personal development courses, I extracted myself from my first marriage, maintaining dignity and respect for myself and my ex-husband, as we both focused on the needs of our two sons.
This year I celebrated 21 years of marriage to Neil. Together we have been creating a vision of living sustainably in an urban environment and fostering a healthy and resilient local community, both in our neighbourhood through street gatherings and in the broader local community of Mooroolbark through involvement in the Township Group and supporting a couple of social and food networks.
My career has had multiple phases – starting with physiotherapy, transitioning to workers' compensation with six years working for the WorkCover Authority, and then thirteen years working for a national workplace rehabilitation company. In 2011 my sons were 'launched', we had paid off our house, and I realised I had absolutely no excuse not to be doing exactly what my heart needed. So I left a well paying corporate role and ventured into the next phase of my career, which has led me to train as a Pastoral Care Practitioner, and most recently to become accredited as a clinical pastoral educator, running Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) courses at the St Vincent's CPE Centre.
"I feel deeply grateful for my life and the opportunitie that have come my way to continue to develop and grow and serve."
Jane Monk, Maree Barker, Helen Nolan
Ladies Leadership Team 1976
Hiking in France with Neil, 2025
Jane with her mum, 2024
MICHAEL VALASTRO
Michael Valastro reflects on a life shaped by adventure, business, faith and resilience since graduating from Aquinas College in 1976. From flying in remote Indigenous communities to raising a family and navigating the highs and lows of business, Michael shares the lessons and perspectives gained along the way.
I reflect on the past and I think, "Wow! I got through all that!”
In the early 1970s my teachers at Aquinas were predominantly Christian Brothers. Those men alongside other teachers provided me with a privileged education. Under their care, guidance and discipline, I gained an advantage for myself in learning some basics around ‘decision analysis’ and of course, maths, English and science were cornerstones. Aquinas instilled values, faith and mental resilience in me, which became the foundations to support me physically and emotionally through the joy, tragedy, success and failure which every single person experiences during their life.
My transition from secondary school to a career was certainly not orthodox. After year 12, I started as an apprentice electrician, which just didn’t work
for me, so the following year I enrolled in electrical engineering at Swinburne, which I deferred from during my second year. Then I was accepted into a training course in NSW as a commercial pilot, now that was a lot more me!
After completion and a short stint in Perth, I moved to Darwin and flew light aircraft, predominantly into remote northern and northwestern Indigenous communities. For the most part I was based in Darwin, but I did live briefly in an Indigenous island community called Milingimbi. Absolutely fascinating, I experienced traditions, culture and ceremonies, which was a gift and a huge awakening in discerning between the differences of a life lived on country and one lived in an urban setting. It still gives me great pleasure today on the very rare occasions when I hear an old man or woman yell to me, Hey, Wa-wa! (brother), not as a cultural adoption but as an endearment carried forward from days gone by.
It was during those early years in my 20’s that I was constantly in the company of many savvy and successful Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, also politicians and business executives. Influenced by this array of men and women,
"Aquina instilled value, faith and mental resilience in me, which became the foundation of support … through the joy, tragedy, success and failure of life."
it became the catalyst to stop pursuing a career with a major airline and instead apply my learnings across several business ventures. That decision immersed me in the highs and lows of becoming a fully-fledged businessman.
Leaping 25 years ahead, at 50 I sold my main company, which removed the 8am-5pm commitment, and I invested the new availability of time into companionship with my wife, Natalie, and ‘being there’ for my seven children.
At 67 I still have passive business interests but spend most of my time with family or with my wife travelling the parts of the world where we feel safe and which offer more than a t-shirt as a memory.
Young people often ask me for tips on life and business success. I can mentor them on the practices and principles that will result in good business outcomes, but I can’t share my secret on how to survive and succeed in life. I know what worked for me; however, disturbingly, these days many young people are continuously targeted with an ideology via a plethora of unbalanced social media one-click opinions in which social issues and world events are wrongly conflated and often editorialised under the guise of news reporting to evoke an emotional response and, of course, the desire to click more. Sadly, in my opinion, the resultant activism to force what they consider to be a just world only causes the pendulum of just outcomes to swing violently in Australia, causing the pain and suffering to shift to and fro. In this environment many young people’s hearts, hardened by world events and the media, are impenetrable to my truth-telling.
Anthony Lee, Michael Valastro (PY1976)
Regardless of that, on this occasion, in sharing that which I hold most pure, I start by telling you this, I never felt pride, love or joy in the achievement of financial goals, but I did feel those emotions in how I conducted myself on the journey to such achievements. Importantly though, I recall that these successes came alongside times when business and home-life were sometimes spinning out of control, like a bad dream, dark, desperate days which I identify from research as my time in the ashes. I believe most people suffer similar occurrences during their lives. So, what saved me? As simplistic as it may sound, it was a belief in God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).
Throughout my life there have been times that I have felt completely out of options and emotionally paralysed. In desperation but also in faith I simply prayed, briefly and daily, a slow and meaningful ‘Our Father’ and an admission that “I can’t see a way through; it’s in Your Hands.” With no deadline and an acceptance that my life was likely to change for the worse, I continued my daily prayer. Invariably my situation changed, and it changed inexplicably. The outcomes from such times were mixed, but I survived, emotionally and financially, and I don’t consider myself just lucky.
So, I feel enduring tough times, often from a young age, is a tuition, unwanted but necessary; however, I have never endured these times on my own. A belief and faith that God carried me is my truth.
I simply and sincerely believe in God, and that is my tip to succeed in life. I have been less scared on the journey and less scarred from the journey. I do still say my short prayer of gratitude most days.
My final perspective is that the importance of where you go to school, particularly in these formative years from 12 to 18 years old, cannot be overstated. Every student of Aquinas should be grateful because your educators are elite and Aquinas College has great resources. This, combined with a Catholicbased ethos and an inclusive culture, gives you the opportunity to broaden your capabilities, strengthen your mental health and achieve your academic goals. Never slide into indifference but rather engage in school life fully.
“These are preciou year, so get educated! Love life! Respect all those around you! and cherish every friendship you have.”
A life well lived
JOHN HOWARD
Peer Year 1976 (Dux)
John Howard, Dux of the College in 1976, went on to build an impressive career in education and information technology.
After graduating from Monash University, John worked as a mathematics teacher and tutor in Australia and co-authored mathematics textbooks. He later moved to the United States, where he met and married his wife, Donna.
John worked for the United States Federal Bankruptcy Court, overseeing computer systems and video conferencing technology for judges, as well as developing software and computer programs. He was a Microsoft Systems Engineer, a member of Mensa, and earned a Master's Degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.
Outside of work, John was a passionate supporter of the Richmond Tigers, a devoted Beatles fan, and enjoyed travelling throughout the United States and around the world.
John passed away in 2012, one week after his 53rd birthday.
Where are they now?
MARK KENNEDY
Peer Year 1994
For a few years after leaving Aquinas, I worked in a range of jobs, including one that took me to Bahrain and Dubai constructing shade cloth structures, before securing a position as a firefighter with the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
After three months of live-in training at Fiskville, I worked as a firefighter in Geelong, Boronia, Morwell and Eltham, attending many emergencies, including major bushfires, structure fires and serious car accidents. After being promoted to Station Officer, I spent a period managing statewide recruit and promotional training before spending some time based at Dandenong. In 2009, I was heavily involved in the Black Saturday fires, both on the ground on the day and in various control centres in the days and weeks that followed.
In 2010, I was promoted to Commander and took on a role 24 staff and around 50 volunteers, before moving into a different role where I had oversight of 13 fully volunteer brigades from Warrandyte through the Yarra Valley to Healesville.
Returning to Dandenong in 2015, I led a CFA district encompassing 75 brigades, 450 staff and more than 4,500 volunteers before moving to CFA Headquarters to work on strategic workforce projects, increasing the CFA career firefighter workforce across the state.
Following the busy 2019–20 Black Summer fires, I worked across a number of government agencies to enact major reform of Victoria’s fire services and ultimately transferred to Fire Rescue Victoria as an Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Chief of Staff to the Commissioner. Over the past six years, I have continued in that role, working directly with government while also undertaking periods as Acting Deputy Commissioner for FRV.
Along the way, I managed to get married, set up home in Lilydale and have three lovely daughters, who are all still at school.
TOP DESIGN AWARDS
Congratulations to our 2025 graduate Cameron O’Keefe on his selection for Top Designs for VCE Product Design and Technologies.
Top Designs at Melbourne Museum is an exhibition that showcases some of the best student work in Victoria. Cameron's project is a desktop greenhouse made using 3D wood filament, and it focuses on the theme of ethical design.
With nearly 1000 applications from across Victoria, 81 students were selected across nine design studies by a panel of expert educators. Exploring technology, materiality, sustainability, and community practice, these works demonstrate the research and experimentation involved in the development of responsive design.
Throughout the project, Cameron demonstrated strong skills in research, design development, and problem-solving. He carefully explored different materials and production methods before selecting a biodegradable wood filament, showing thoughtful and informed decision-making. His use of 3D printing highlights his confidence with emerging technologies and precise manufacturing techniques.
The project highlights a strong understanding of how design can influence behaviour, encouraging more mindful consumption and interaction with natural systems. Selection for Top Designs recognises not only Cameron's technical skill and creativity but also his ability to critically engage with ethical considerations in contemporary product design.
The greenhouse allows people to grow small plants at home, encouraging sustainable habits and a closer connection to nature. Overall, the project reflects his creativity, technical ability, and clear understanding of ethical design.
Congratulations on this outstanding achievement and for being selected for Top Designs. This is a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and talent.
Top Design runs from Saturday, April 11th, until Sunday, the 26th of July.
MELBOURNE MUSEUM
11 Nicholson Street, Carlton Visit the Melbourne Museum website.
Aquinas Alumni
FROM STUDENT TO TEACHER
KEVIN TIAN
Peer Year 2016
KEVIN'S FULL-CIRCLE JOURNEY AT AQUINAS
Originally joining Aquinas as an international student in Year 10 in 2014, Kevin completed his secondary education in 2016. His journey since then reflects a deepening passion for creativity and education. After graduating, Kevin pursued a design degree at RMIT, followed by a Master’s in Design at Monash University. Now, as he advances through a Master of Education at the University of Melbourne, Kevin returned to Aquinas for a teaching placement. During this time, he was supported and mentored by Aquinas teachers Josh Wakefield and Emily Jackson, carrying forward the values and experiences that first shaped him as a student.
What has it been like returning to Aquinas College, this time as a student teacher?
Returning to Aquinas as a student teacher was something I genuinely did not see coming. I had joked with friends about how wild it would be if the university placed me back at the school I graduated from, and then it actually happened. Walking through those doors again felt strange in the best possible way, because part of me still felt like a student. Underneath all of that there was a very strong sense of coming home, because Aquinas is where I spent three years that I will never forget, years where I was transitioning from a teenager into a young adult, and coming back felt like returning to the place where that journey began.
What are some of your strongest memories from your years at Aquinas?
So many memories come to mind, but a big part of my time here was spent in the EAL building, where international students would gather, and for me it was my after school spot where I would stay behind to work on homework and assignments. It was also something of a quiet refuge for international
students who found it hard to fit in with the locals at first, so it holds a really special place in my memory.
By Year 12 I practically lived in the N building (Arts) and walking back into that Studio Art classroom during my placement and seeing some of my own work still hanging on the wall was such a funny moment.
As an international student joining in Year 10, what helped you feel welcomed and connected to the community?
More than anything it was the genuine care that came from the staff, and I want to especially mention Suzanne Fernandez and Rose Stewart, who both made an enormous difference to my early days here. One focused on my wellbeing outside of school and the other on my wellbeing within it, and between them I always felt like someone was looking out for me. When you are a long way from home and still finding your feet, knowing that someone genuinely cares makes all the difference. I think that spirit of care and looking out for one another is something deeply connected to the values of this community, and it is something I have never forgotten.
Were there any teachers, subjects or experiences at Aquinas that influenced your pathway after school?
Choosing my subjects was one of the hardest things I had to do when I first arrived, because coming from my background I had only ever studied Chinese, mathematics, physics and chemistry. I ended up gravitating toward the art and design subjects, and that decision changed the entire direction of my life. My family had always expected me to become an engineer, and I think part of me had assumed that too, but those art and design classrooms at Aquinas opened up a world I had never considered before.
You studied design before moving into education – what inspired that journey?
Honestly, the move into teaching was not something I had planned or even seriously considered for most of my life. What surprised me was that when I actually stood in front of a class, something just clicked. I found myself genuinely enjoying it in a way I had not expected, and reflecting on my placement I realised I was smiling constantly throughout my lessons. I honestly had not experienced that kind of joy from work before, and it caught me completely off guard. I think a lot of that comes back to my time at Aquinas too, because the teachers here showed me what it looks like when an educator truly invests in their students, and somewhere along the way that left a deeper impression on me than I realised. So while I cannot point to one single moment of inspiration, I think Aquinas planted something in me years ago that eventually grew into wanting to do this myself.
How did Josh Wakefield, Emily Jackson and other teachers support and mentor you during your placement?
I feel genuinely lucky to have had both Josh Wakefield and Emily Jackson as my mentors, because experiencing two completely different teaching styles side by side taught me so much more than I could have learned from one alone.
Emily is extraordinarily organised, and I think that shows in her students. Her Year 11 class was one of my favourite teaching experiences of the entire placement, and what struck me was how easy the students were to connect with, every single one of them had such a distinct and memorable personality. I truly believe that reflects the kind of classroom culture Emily has built.
Josh on the other hand gave me a window into the full reality of what being a teacher means day to day. His classroom is relaxed and genuinely welcoming, a space where students feel safe to work and explore, and beyond the classroom he walked me through so much of what happens behind the scenes, from logging incidents and emailing parents to booking rooms and knowing what to do when something unexpected comes up. I learned an enormous amount from his willingness to explain not just what he was doing but why, and I am so grateful to them both.
What values or lessons from Aquinas have stayed with you over the years?
More than any specific lesson or subject, what I took away from Aquinas is a sense of kindness and a spirit of genuine care for the people around you. This place has a culture that is hard to put into words but very easy to feel, and I felt it from the moment I arrived as a frightened international student with barely any English, and I still feel it walking the halls now as a student teacher.
What Aquinas gave me was not just an education in the academic sense but a shaping of who I am as a person. The way this community treats people, the way it looks out for those who are finding things hard and the way it encourages you to grow into yourself – all of that stayed with me long after I graduated. I think the best schools do not just teach you things, they shape the kind of human being you become, and Aquinas has done that for me in ways I am still discovering.
Aquinas Alumni
Welcome to the Aquinas Community for yet another season for the Old Collegians
OUR COACHING STAFF
Our 46th season is underway, and we are excited to welcome Ryan Webster to the role of Director of Coaching.
Ryan (“Webby”) joins us with extensive experience across both football and cricket. He played WAFL football with East Perth Football Club before moving to Melbourne, where he held coaching roles as Assistant Coach under Guy McKenna at Beaumaris Football Club in the VAFA, Head Coach at Mulgrave Football Club in the EFNL, and most recently Head Coach at Healesville Football Netball Club in the OEFNL.
During his three years at Healesville, Ryan led the club to a Division 1 Preliminary Final in his first season, a premiership in his second year, and an elimination final in Premier Division in his third season. Alongside his football experience, he also brings an impressive range of playing and coaching credentials in cricket.
We are thrilled to have lured him out of retirement to lead our Men’s and Women’s football programs in 2026.
We are also pleased to announce that Josh Quinlan, another former student to become an Aquinas Senior coach, Josh was last year’s Reserves Coach, has been appointed Men’s Senior Coach for 2026. Phil Box will continue in the role of Senior Women’s Coach for the 2026 season.
ONE-CLUB MENTALITY
Pre-season officially kicked off in November last year and resumed in early January, with a strong turnout across all sides. From the outset, the focus has been clear: raise standards, build connection, and hone in on the “One Club” mentality across all of our Men’s and Women’s teams. With a mix of experienced senior players and emerging young talent coming through both programs and with the adding of new recruits, the track has been competitive, energetic, and full of intent.
In loving memory
Tim Jess
It would be remiss of me not to make mention of the sad loss we suffered recently in a favourite son of a favourite family within the Old Collegians and Aquinas College community.
Our thoughts and best wishes are still with his wife Bec, children Michaela, Eddie and Maurice, parents Barry and Rosey and all of the Jess family.
Tim was a valued member of the Aquinas Old Collegians community, playing 74 games in the early 90s with a return in 2002, proudly pulling on the jumper along with his brothers John and Michael and cousin Paul. Added to this involvement are his father Barry, our longest serving President and mother Rosey all part of the institution that is ‘the Jess Family’ at the Bloods. A very important part of the fabric of our club for many years, Tim will always be remembered as part of that proud connection.
TRAINING AND PRACTICE MATCHES
Training sessions have been sharp and purposeful, with a strong emphasis on fitness, ball movement, and team defence. The coaching group has worked hard to implement a game style that reflects both discipline and creativity, while reinforcing the values that underpin the club – commitment, mateship, and pride in the tri-panel both on and off the field.
Practice matches throughout March have provided a valuable opportunity to fine-tune structures and build cohesion across all teams. While results in pre-season are secondary, the signs have been encouraging, with strong effort, improved fitness levels, and a clear buy-in to the teamfirst approach.
In round one the Aquinas Men’s teams faced long-time rivals Whitefriars in what is always one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season. These matchups are known for their intensity, passion, and strong supporter presence. We play for the Mark Wilkenson/Simon Strike cup, remembering the two greats taken from us way too soon. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win this year, but we put up a great fight!
There is a quiet confidence within the group heading into this season; the players put in the work over the summer, the preparation has been thorough, and there’s a genuine belief in what this group can achieve together. The same quiet confidence with our women’s team heading into the 2026 season with a mix of new
recruits, some experienced and some emerging talent coming through.
The club looks forward to welcoming the Aquinas community down to support the teams as they begin their 2026 campaign. The start of another chapter in the proud history of the Aquinas Old Collegians Football Club.
up-to-date with where each of our teams are playing.
Aquinas Alumni
MUMS ROUND
Round 4 was a huge week for our club filled with community spirit, celebration and plenty of memorable moments. Our triple header at home created an incredible atmosphere with players, families and volunteers all coming together to celebrate Mother's Day.
The clubrooms were buzzing as we recognised and thanked the amazing mums, grandmothers and mother figures who play such an important role in our club and community.
The celebrations didn't stop there. Our club members proudly represented Aquinas at the annual Mother's Day Classic in Lilydale, showing up in force to support an important cause. In an outstanding effort, Aquinas was awarded both the largest team and highest fundraising honours, raising an incredible $3,785 for breast and ovarian cancer research.
It was inspiring to see so many of us walking together for a cause that touches the lives of so many Australians.
Ian Shaw President 0CFC
The weekend wa a fantastic reflection of what our club i all about community, connection and making a positive impact both on and off the field.
AQUINASLife
Snapshots
of life at Aquinas
There is a buzz of excitement in the Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre (WTTC) as our Year 11 VCE Vocational Major (VM) students proudly launched "VM Beans Café" – a student-led café that is serving much more than coffee and delicious treats.
As part of their Work Related Skills (WRS) program, students brought their vision to life, building the café from the ground up. From creating the brand identity, a business name and designing the logo, to developing the menu and organising weekly staffing roles, every aspect of the café has been planned and managed by the students themselves.
VM Beans Café is a shining example of applied learning in action. Students are not simply learning about workplace skills in the classroom, they are experiencing them in an authentic
Aquinas Life
setting where teamwork, responsibility and initiative are essential to success.
Throughout the process, students have developed valuable transferable skills that will prepare them for future employment and further study. They have strengthened their leadership and communication skills, learnt to manage their time effectively, collaborated with their peers, and developed the confidence to work autonomously while supporting one another as a team.
The fast-paced environment of the café has also challenged students to think on their feet. Whether adapting recipes, managing customer demand, or solving unexpected problems in the kitchen, students have demonstrated excellent initiative, resilience and creativity with a sense of fun and pride. Their ability to communicate clearly, remain calm under pressure
and work collaboratively has been impressive to witness.
Importantly, the café has given students ownership of their learning. They have embraced the challenges of running a business, taken pride in their achievements, and discovered the rewards that come from turning ideas into reality.
The enthusiasm and energy they have invested into creating this experience is evident in every detail, from the welcoming atmosphere to the thoughtfully crafted menu.
We are incredibly proud of our VM students and look forward to watching VM Beans Café continue to flourish throughout the year.
Jacqui Street VCE VM Coordinator
Aquinas
A PROUD ACHIEVEMENT FOR AQUINAS
Recognising the College's ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.
Aquinas College has once again been successfully re-accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), reaffirming its commitment to providing a high-quality, globally recognised education.
Following a comprehensive evaluation in May, the CIS team recognised many strengths across the College, including the positive impact of the six-house vertical pastoral structure, a strong culture of collaboration, and the continued growth of sustainability initiatives across the campus.
The evaluation also acknowledged Aquinas as a school that fosters a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment, where Catholic traditions and values remain at the heart of College life.
This achievement reflects the dedication of our staff, students and wider College community, and demonstrates Aquinas' ongoing commitment to providing an outstanding educational experience for current and future generations of students.
We thank all the students, teachers and staff who played a part in this achievement and are proud of this recognition for our College.
and
STAY CONNECTED
We are incredibly proud of our former students and love celebrating the inspiring journeys of our Aquinas Alumni.
Staying connected with you is important to us, and we’re always looking to grow and strengthen our alumni network.
WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
At Aquinas, you're always part of the family.
Illuminaré magazine celebrates our alumni community - students and staff, past and present. As our College song reminds us, "United our hearts will remain."
We'd love to hear what you've been up to. Whether you're celebrating a milestone, embarking on a new adventure, or simply keeping in touch, share your story with us.
Know an Aquinas alumnus who doesn't receive Illuminare? Please share the magazine and help us reconnect.
HAVE NEWS ABOUT A PAST STUDENT?
Email us at with the details and your contact information. PLANNING A REUNION?
Whether big or small, let us know about any reunions. We’re happy to help spread the word!
We can’t wait to hear from you and share in your journey.
Be sure to receive future editions of Illuminaré directly in your inbox by registering or updating your details: communication@aquinas.vic.edu.au
On Campus Cafe NOW OPEN!
Indulge with a coffee and a freshly baked cake, muffin or slice, or enjoy a delicious cooked breakfast.
Year 9 students spend a week working in Cafe N9ne. The experience provides a range of specific literacy, numeracy and hospitality skills which can assist when looking for casual work, as well as soft skills such as collaboration, team work, respect, punctuality and confidence building.
The Cafe is open to the public and parents are encouraged to visit.
Opening times are Tuesday to Friday 8.30am to 11.30am most school weeks.
We look forward to seeing you here!
WURUNDJERI TRADE TRAINING CENTRE, AQUINAS COLLEGE View menu Opening dates How to get here
Nominations
We are looking for our next ‘Leading Lights’ inductees!
If you know of an Aquinas alumnus who you believe is an outstanding candidate and fits the criteria please email and nominate.
The Aquinas College Leading Lights program seeks to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of former students in their specific vocation. Candidates can be of all ages and at all stages in the pursuit of excellence in their chosen career. These Alumni will be invited to present to current students and will be acknowledged by family and the wider Aquinas Community. A number of awards will be offered and the selection panel will consider candidates in the following categories: Academia, Arts and Entertainment, Business, Civics, Science and Technology, Service, Education, Sport, Religious Life, Health.
Head to our website for more information and to find the nomination form.
