Tēnā koutou kātoa e ngā whānau o te kura

Welcome to another edition of our college’s newsletter. It’s been a busy second term, full of highlights and remarkable achievements. I encourage each of you to take a moment to read through the myriad of accomplishments of our students and staff. It is truly a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire community. In this section, I will update you on recent staffing changes and offer some reminders on how you can further support our mission.

Staffing Updates

Teaching Staff

I regret to inform the community that two excellent teachers and dedicated members of our community leave at the end of this term. Mrs Lynda Cooney has resigned from her position as a Teacher of Music. Mrs Cooney’s passion for music has benefited many students over her 12 years at the college, both in her learning programmes and through the extracurricular activities of the college. She had significant involvement in school productions such as The Sound of Music, Oliver, Bugsy, and Fiddler on the Roof, along with numerous local, regional, and national music performances with our students. Mrs Cooney’s commitment to her students has been immense, and we acknowledge her lasting impact on students and staff.

Mr Tim Rout has resigned from his position as a Mathematics Teacher. Mr Rout has been at the college for five years, arriving in July 2019. During this time, he has made a significant contribution to the leadership of the Mathematics Faculty and the school at large through various leadership roles. Most importantly, Mr Rout has been an excellent teacher, forging positive and supportive relationships with his students. He will be sorely missed. We congratulate Mr Rout on his appointment as Head of Faculty of Mathematics at Mount Maunganui College, starting at the beginning of Term 3.

These departures will necessitate some changes within our timetable. Several classes will have a new teacher from the start of Term 3.

While we sadly farewell Mrs Cooney and Mr Rout, we are pleased to welcome Mr Nigel Williams and welcome back Mrs Penny Harrison and Mr Terry Eggleton.

Mrs Harrison, a mother within our community, is rejoining our teaching staff on a fixed-term contract until the end of the year. She will be teaching junior Mathematics, Numeracy, and Physical Education. Mrs Harrison is an excellent teacher with experience in Catholic schools, and we are very fortunate to have her in this position.

Mr Eggleton has been appointed to the fixed-term part-time position of Teacher of Junior Music to assist with coverage in the Arts Department while we recruit for a permanent position. Mr Eggleton is well-known at Aquinas and needs little introduction. We are very grateful that he has agreed to assist, and we are sure the students will benefit from his knowledge.

Mr Williams has been appointed to a fixed-term part-time position of Teacher of Senior Music. He has vast experience in the Arts, and we are confident that he will offer our students the highest opportunities in this subject.

Support Staff

I am pleased to announce that Mrs Michelle Muller has been appointed to the permanent position of Reception Administrator. Mrs Muller has been employed at Aquinas for the past nine months as the Arts Coordinator. As a long-time parent within our community and with her experience and expertise in administrative roles, we are delighted to have her in this role.

Mrs Leanne Dragovich was recently appointed as the Director of International Students. You may have met her over the last two years when she was the college’s Reception Administrator. Mrs Dragovich also provided administrative support to the International Faculty, and following the resignation of Mrs Bentley, was appointed to oversee the international student program within the college.

Assisting Mrs Dragovich in the International Faculty is our new Homestay Manager, Mrs Erin Nicholson. She was recently appointed following the departure of Mrs Aslan, who has relocated back to England. We are privileged to have Mrs Nicholson, the wife of Technology Faculty Head Peter Nicholson, join our team.

National Catholic Convention

The National Catholic Education Convention was held at the TSB Arena in Wellington from Wednesday, June 19 through Friday, June 21. Due to the pandemic, this was our first convention in six years, and the response reflected a sector eager to come together in fellowship after such a long period of separation. Approximately 700 attendees from across the Catholic education sector in Aotearoa were present, including all of our bishops, many priests and religious figures, principals, Directors of Religious Studies, and staff representing the 235 Catholic schools in New Zealand. Diocesan staff, parishioners, international and national keynote speakers, and local 'experts' who presented 23 different seminars across the three days also attended.

We were fortunate to be represented by six staff members. Ms van Zyl and I were invited to present our college’s Intentional Discipleship Pathway at one of the convention workshops. Our workshop, titled Belong, Believe, Become: A Journey of Intentional Discipleship at Aquinas College, shared how we established ourselves as New Zealand's pilot school for Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International (CSYMI), delivering a sustainable model of intentional formation through peer-to-peer ministry. Our purpose is to form young missionary disciples who can witness their relationship with Christ to other young people and grow deeper in love with the Catholic faith. Five years into our Intentional Discipleship Pathway, it has not only deepened our students' personal relationship with Christ but also empowered them as servant leaders. It was a privilege to deliver this workshop and have our college recognised for this good work.

Battle of Te Ranga Commemorations and Matariki

On Friday, June 21, staff, students and their whānau attended the 160th Battle of Te Ranga commemorations. The commemorations on this significant anniversary began at the site (corner of Pyes Pa Road and Joyce Road) at 7:15 am followed by Parakuihi (breakfast) in our gymnasium, attended by more than 200 people. A pōhiri followed at the site at 10:30 am. 

Given where our college sits - mere metres from this historical battleground -  it is appropriate that we reflect on our local history. Fought on June 21st, the shortest day of 1864, the battle of Te Ranga was the sequel to the battle of Pukehinahina (Gate Pā) eight weeks earlier.

Stay Connected: Your Guide to Aquinas Communication Channels

Don't forget to connect with us and be kept up-to-date with our two social media platforms (Facebook and Instagram), our newsletters (published twice per term), the Aquinas website, the parent portal (including for attendance) and checking your emails. If you have any queries, do not hesitate to email us. Email addresses for all staff can be found on our website. Please do not expect to see a teacher without making a prior appointment. Appointments can be made directly with that staff member or by calling the office.

Email Etiquette: Respecting Work-Life Balance of our Staff

Aquinas College prioritises staff well-being and work-life balance, emphasising the importance of distinguishing between professional and personal time. The Principal and the Board are dedicated to preventing burnout by upholding these boundaries.

In keeping with this commitment, we understand that while emails may be sent or received outside of our standard working hours (8:20 am to 4:20 pm), as per the Teachers’ Union (PPTA) and Ministry of Education guidelines, teachers are not expected to respond during their personal time. Staff should generally reply to emails within 48 hours during their working hours, ensuring we maintain a supportive work environment while respecting personal time.

Supporting a Phone-Free Environment at Aquinas College

As part of our commitment to fostering a focused and engaging learning environment, we kindly remind you of our collective responsibility to adhere to the government's legislation on phone use during school hours. This legislation requires that students must not use or access their phones at any time while at school, including lunchtime, breaks, and even during school courses or visits outside school grounds.

We understand the importance of staying in touch with your child. In line with this policy, we ask that you please direct any messages to your child through the school office, rather than contacting them directly. Thank you for your understanding and support in reinforcing this change.

Attendance Matters

We would like to remind you of the significant role regular school attendance plays in your child's education, as highlighted by New Zealand's Education and Training Act 2020. Ensuring your child is present at school every day it is open is crucial for their continuous learning and development. Unjustified absences, including those for holidays during term time, mean students miss valuable learning opportunities, and it can be difficult to catch up on work missed. It's also important to remember that it falls outside our teachers' responsibilities to support your child's learning during these absences.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can offer our young people the best opportunities for success.

Ma te Atua tātou e manaaki

May God’s Blessings be upon us all

Matt Dalton

Principal | Tumuaki