Auld Aquinians Association

Aquinas is proudly cheering on another one of our alumni! 2023 graduate Kate Dekker recently won the Western Bay Community Awards’ Youth Spirit category for her leadership of AC’s Kura Kai programme and volunteer work. Home on break from Canterbury University, Kate stopped by last week to tell us about the win…

“When I saw my face pop up, I was ecstatic,” said Kate who was in Christchurch during last month’s award ceremony. “I ran from my room all the way to the common room in my socks to celebrate with my friends because I couldn't call my parents as the awards evening hadn't ended yet. I still can't get over it.”

She is encouraging more Aquinas students to volunteer for a cause. “You get 100 per cent more out of volunteering than you give. It was super simple for us at Kura Kai - 30 to 60 minutes in the kitchen, having fun, listening to music. While for the people receiving the food, it meant the world.”

A fantastic example of servant leadership Kate! Congratulations from your AC whānau.

Read the full story at: https://www.aquinas.school.nz/bop-award-recognises.../

We've put teaching veterans Isabel Jeftha, Peter Braid, and Marty Lee under the microscope... Read our Q&A Profile to learn about their favourite Aquinas moments, advice for students and alumni, and proudest achievements!!

Staff Profile: Isabel Jeftha, Peter Braid & Marty Lee — Term 1 Newsletter - March 2024 In each newsletter, we put one of our staff under the microscope so you get to know the people helping to mould your child. This time, however, it’s teaching veterans Isabel Jeftha, Peter Braid, and Marty Lee - who have each achieved 20 years of teaching at Aquinas College.

We’re enormously proud to celebrate the 20-year milestone of three Aquinas teaching legends. Isabel Jeftha, Senior School Assistant Principal, Year 8 Dean and teacher Peter Braid, and PE teacher Marty Lee have each given two decades of service to our college and Catholic education.

It’s an extraordinary feat and we are truly grateful for their commitment and dedication. Without question, each has had a significant impact on our community and the hundreds of Aquinas students they have taught.

Read the full article at:
https://hail.to/app/aquinas-college/article/view/k5R4mnF

Aquinas has another alumni finalist in the 2024 Western Bay Community Awards!! Mason Bollee has been selected for his services to surf life saving, so jump online whānau and vote for him in the People’s Choice Award. Voting closes Friday, March 1.

Like fellow AC alumni Kate Dekker, Mason is a contender for the Youth Spirit Award. He is a senior lifeguard, patrol captain, IRB driver/crew member and Lifeguard Committee representative for the Papamoa Surf Life Saving Club.

He was named Papamoa’s U19 Male Lifeguard of the Year in 2023 and nominated for the Eastern Region U19 Emerging Volunteer Lifeguard of the Year. To bolster his skills, Mason has gained qualifications in advanced first aid, rock training and rescue, board rescue, VHF radio operation and as a lifeguard instructor. The winners are announced next month. AC Pride!

We’re thrilled to announce that 2023 AC alumni, Kate Dekker, is a finalist in the 2024 Western Bay Community Awards in recognition of her volunteer work and leadership. She needs our support to win the People’s Choice Award, so jump online and vote for Kate!! Voting closes Friday, March 1.

Kate is one of five finalists in the Youth Spirit category and was selected for her leadership and organisation of the 2023 Aquinas Kura Kai programme. As head of the Health & Wellbeing Committee, she was also involved in an array of fundraising initiatives including the 40-Hour Famine, Daffodil Day, Shave for a Cure and Loud Shirt Day. On top of all this, she volunteered twice a week to help a young girl with cerebral palsy as part of a neurodevelopmental therapy programme. AC Pride!!

Vote for Kate today at
https://www.tect.org.nz/community-awards-2024/

Some fantastic results from our newest Auld Aquinians!

We're elated to announce that New Zealand Scholarship results are in, and Aquinas students have soared to incredible heights! 🌟 A staggering 20 New Zealand Scholarships have been awarded to our learners, with one being an 'Outstanding' scholarship! 🏆 This is our best-ever result!

Attaining New Zealand Scholarship places students among the top three per cent of learners nationwide. On a roll-based analysis, Aquinas College students have attained this honour at a rate eight times higher than the national average! 💥 This extraordinary achievement speaks volumes about the relentless commitment and exceptional dedication of both our students and their teachers. Here's to our students and teachers, who continue to set the bar higher! 📈

Aquinas family, past and present, gathered on Saturday (October 7) to celebrate the school’s 20-year milestone and consecrate the refurbished Administration Block. It was a proud day in our school’s history that we were thrilled to share with our Aquinas whānau.

Deputy Principal Kurt Kennedy welcomed guests before Assistant Parish Priest, Fr Adam, blessed the rebuild and led a procession through the building with Aquinas Kaumatua Turi Ngatai and John Coulam of the Hamilton Diocese.

Senior students provided tours of the new space which now houses a stunning Reception area, Accounts staff, SLT and Learning Centre staff as well as a new Student Hub for Attendance, First Aid and the Wellness Centre.

Guests then attended a reception to celebrate all that Aquinas has achieved in its 20-year history. Among the familiar faces were Ray Scott, Aquinas’ second principal, several foundation students and members of the Board of Trustees.

A sincere thank you to all those who attended the Saturday festivities and Sunday’s commemorative Mass celebrated by Fr Mark Field, who travelled from Morrinsville to be with us on this special occasion. We are truly blessed to have such a supportive Aquinas family.

Aquinas College 20th Gala At Aquinas College, our Catholic community of learners, live by our motto ‘Kia mau ki te Pono’ (Hold fast to Truth). We aim to develop young men and women who strive to be “the best that they can be” in academic, sporting and cultural pursuits.

AQUINAS 20TH GALA DINNER: We plan to finalise ticket sales by the end of August, so don’t delay — buy your ticket now. For more info and to register go to: https://tinyurl.com/musvd8sn.

Have you got your ticket yet? 🙌🏻🎉

Calling all past and present Aquinas students, families, staff, and community members… Tickets are now on sale for our 20th Celebration Gala Dinner!

Tickets are limited so book yours now at https://tinyurl.com/musvd8sn

The Saturday, October 7 Gala Dinner at the Tauranga Racecourse includes dinner and dessert, music, a fantastic Silent Auction, complimentary welcome drink, a 20th momento, and more. Funds raised will go toward strengthening the Auld Aquinians’ Association.

The Dinner directly follows our 4.00 p.m. celebration Mass at St Mary Immaculate and the 2.00 p.m. tours of the new Aquinas Administration Block.

It’s going to be an event to remember — one we’d love to celebrate with all those who have helped make Aquinas exceptional. Hurry and book your tickets now!

Calling all past and present Aquinas students, families, staff, and community members… Tickets are now on sale for our 20th Celebration Gala Dinner!

Tickets are limited so book yours now at https://tinyurl.com/musvd8sn

The Saturday, October 7 Gala Dinner at the Tauranga Racecourse includes dinner and dessert, music, a fantastic Silent Auction, complimentary welcome drink, a 20th momento, and more. Funds raised will go toward strengthening the Auld Aquinians’ Association.

The Dinner directly follows our 4.00 p.m. celebration Mass at St Mary Immaculate and the 2.00 p.m. tours of the new Aquinas Administration Block.

It’s going to be an event to remember — one we’d love to celebrate with all those who have helped make Aquinas exceptional. Hurry and book your tickets now!

Get ready to celebrate!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Tickets for Aquinas’ 20th Celebration Gala Dinner go on sale Monday, June 19. We encourage past and present Aquinas families to join us to mark this major milestone in our school’s history! Tickets are $95 per person.

The 20th Celebration is on Saturday, October 7 (the last weekend of the Term 3 school holidays). Festivities include tours of the completed Administration Block, a celebration Mass at St Mary’s Immaculate, and the Gala Dinner. More details to come…