From the Principal
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Community of Hope
Across Tuesday and Wednesday this week we celebrated 3 key community gatherings: Term 1 College Assembly, Celebrate Excellence Evening and the opening College Mass. Each event highlighted the many positive impacts, programs, contributions and achievements of our students, particularly those who look to put in their best effort to achieve their 鈥榩ersonal best鈥 in all endeavours, whether academic, sporting, musical, faith & social justice based or our wide-ranging co-curricular opportunities. At each event, we referenced the College鈥檚 liturgical theme for 2025, 鈥楶ilgrims of Hope鈥 (see below for more), a hope exemplified in the students who led and whose achievements were recognised.
At the Celebrate Excellence evening, our 2024 College Dux, Lucas Mandaliti, delivered an inspirational acceptance speech, including the following:
鈥our Year 12 cohort] had record numbers of students in both the senior concert and stage bands, in EISM for interschool sports, and a leadership team who reintroduced leadership summits for all year levels to create a Year 12 leadership tradition. These once in a lifetime experiences are exactly why it鈥檚 so important to immerse yourself in the opportunities you鈥檙e offered at both high school and beyond.
Whether your goal is to achieve a 99 ATAR, a study score of 40 in your favourite subject or to win your footy grand final, the most important piece to the puzzle is always balance. If I had not taken care of my mental health by hanging out with friends, joining my tennis team or had trombone as an outlet I certainly would not have been able to achieve what I did and reach my dream of a 99 ATAR. Your goals may not look exactly like mine but regardless the principle stands 鈥 with motivation, determination and balance, almost anything is possible.
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Opening College Mass & Induction of Student Leaders
Fr Dispin led a wonderful Opening College Mass for 2025 on Wednesday, and it was great to have 95% of our community present. We launched the 2025 theme 鈥楶ilgrims of Hope鈥, in line with the Catholic Church Jubilee Year, including our choir providing a beautiful rendition of the theme song (along with the usual rousing 快播 School Song). Our scriptural inspiration for the year is from St Paul鈥檚 Letter to the Romans:
鈥楲et your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.鈥 (Rom. 12:12)
During the mass we also inducted our Year 8-12 student leaders during this Mass. Year 7 leaders will be chosen during their upcoming camps.
Congratulations and blessings to all our 2025 student leaders:
Year 12 Leaders | |||
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College Captains
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Evie Evans
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Joseph Campbell
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Faith Captain: Ruth Twang
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College SAC Rep: Tyra Wu
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VCE-VM Captain: Jess Blackman
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Sport Captain: Gaby Linton
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College Ambassadors:
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Emmy Landsberg
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Orlando Tsui
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Performing Arts Captain: Tilly Van Neuren
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College House Captains:
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Dominic - Raphael McLean
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MacKillop - Anneka Rasmussen
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Rice - Jade Forder
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Music Leaders:
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Anika Pamamull Seb Farrel
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Dance Leader: Keeley Allison
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Drama Leader: Sophie Naismith
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Social Justice Leader:
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Grace Rider
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Sustainability Leader:
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Milo McCurdy
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VCE VM Leaders:
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Mia Chen
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Sport Leader:
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Alovi Gomes
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Maddox Sturdy
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Year 11 Leaders
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Year 11 Captains:
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Nicholas Schulties
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Lucy Postill
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Student Engagement and Culture:
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Holly McGill
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Academic Excellence:
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Ria Jijose
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Social Justice & Sustainability:
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Rose Ennis
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Student Wellbeing and Diversity:
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Elicia Bracher
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Year 10 Leaders
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Year 10 Captains:
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Dulcie White
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Zac Parker
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Academic Excellence:
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Samantha Crossman
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Social Justice and Sustainability:
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Riley Kwong
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Student Engagement and Culture:
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Ted Wardle
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Student Diversity and Wellbeing:
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Laurenne Dashwood
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Performing Arts:
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Ella Kennedy
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Sport:
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Aidan Penhale
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Year 9 Leaders
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Year 9 Captains:
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Lukasz Ochnia
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Zia Smith
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House Captains:
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Dominic -
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MacKillop -
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Rice -
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Sienna Stevenson
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Chloe Vicary
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Charlie Volombello
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Grace Seadon
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Mikayla Scott
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Amelia McPhedran
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Music leaders:
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Elsa Castellino
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Ruby McRitchie
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Ella Sadler
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Faith and Social Justice:
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Amelia Frau
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Sport:
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Performing Arts:
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Amelia Watson
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Isabel Eslick
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Amelia Cossette
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Year 8 Leaders
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Year 8 Captains:
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Hayden Ennor
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Georgina North-Combes
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Performing Arts:
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Abigail Turner
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Faith & Social Justice:
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Sports:
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Aston Tkatchenko
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Felicity Coker
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Heidi Dawson
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Bienvenue aux 茅tudiants et professeurs de France!
A very warm welcome to our visitors from our French sister schools, Lyc茅e Sainte Marie and Notre Dame du Roc who arrived this week! 快播 students have recounted many positive stories and experiences from being hosted by families from our French sister schools late in 2024 and we are grateful to the many 快播 families who are likewise hosting our French staff and students guests, truly providing them the full hospitality of the 快播 community. Please see their first day photos below and stay tuned to our social media for more photos and details from this wonderful cultural exchange.
Open Day
On Sunday 16 March we will hold our Open Day from 11.30am - 2.30pm. We look forward to showcasing the College and welcoming both prospective families and any current families wishing to tour the campus with our student guides and/or speak with staff. Please see www.aquinas.vic.edu.au/enrolment/#college-tours for more details.
Year 7, 2027 Enrolments now open
Applications for enrolment in Year 7 2027 open on January 31.Applications need to be made via the College website at and will close on Friday 15 August 2025. Should you have any enquiries, please email the College Registrar at registrar@aquinas.vic.edu.au .
David Broadbent
Principal