Tēnā koutou kātoa ngā whānau o te kura

I hope you are enjoying our new format for our newsletters. Much of the content I have traditionally included is now across the newsletter. Please take time to read about our students' wonderful achievements and highlights over this busy third term. 

New Aquinas College Board 

Congratulations to Rod Way, Kelly Jury, James McNamee, Katie Ryall and Karen Guise for being elected to the Aquinas College Board. I am grateful to them all for their willingness to be of service to our community in this vital governance role. 

As there were only four nominations for the parent-elected representatives to the board, one vacant seat remains. The Board will communicate how the process of filling this seat will be undertaken in the coming weeks. Please pray for the board members as they begin their mission as a new board in service to our students, staff, and community. 

• Rod Way – Chair/Presiding Member (parent elected representative) 
• Clare Sokimi – Deputy Chair (Proprietor’s representative) 
• Ruth Dunne (Proprietor’s representative) 
• Therese Ford-Cartwright (Proprietor’s representative) 
• Amy Rogers (Proprietor’s representative) 
• Kelly Jury (parent elected representative) 
• James McNamee (parent elected representative) 
• Katie Ryall (parent elected representative) 
• Matt Dalton (Principal) 
• Karen Guise (staff elected representative) 
• Khushman Khakh (student elected representative)
• * *Student Trustee election is in process currently. 

Catholic Character Review 

Several weeks ago, our College had our Catholic Special Character evaluation process undertaken by the Hamilton Diocese. The College was last reviewed in 2018. The evaluation process produces a focused picture of the impact of Catholic schooling and the effectiveness of its goals on the lives of all young people in our College. The process also evaluates how the school community engages in authentic Catholic Christian witness and evangelisation. The review was extremely positive, celebrating our vibrant Special Character. I encourage you to read the review document here. 

Winter Sports 

As our winter sports codes are drawing to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers who have coached and managed our 40+ teams across five main sporting codes. This level of participation is outstanding, and we are blessed to have such support for our students on this scale. As a coach in the College, I know the commitment (and joy) that comes from such roles. Without your passion and devotion, our students wouldn’t enjoy the opportunities and successes they currently enjoy. Thank you!

I also wish to acknowledge our students for representing our College in an exemplary fashion. I have been filled with pride as I have spent time watching our various teams throughout the season, whether it be a junior, senior, social, or premier side. Our College’s values are always evident. I also acknowledge our parents' role in transporting and supporting their children in these endeavours. 

Good luck to our senior premier teams representing us at the Winter Tournament Week this week and then to our intermediate-aged teams representing us in the AIMS Games next week. It’s great to see these tournaments back in earnest after two disrupted years! We will track your progress with interest and know that you will put your best effort forward. 

Term 4 Accord Days 

As I have previously communicated, there are four Accord Teacher-Only Days are allocated this year to support the implementation of changes to NCEA. Schools needed to choose the dates when they will hold their last two days. However, the selected dates must fall from November 21 to December 2. Factoring in our camps and activities week while trying to minimise disruption for the community, we have elected to hold the two Accord Days on successive days - Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22. The College will be closed for instruction on these two days. 

Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki – May God's blessings be upon us all. 

Matt Dalton

Principal