Just days before students returned to school, Aquinas College staff gathered at Mt Maunganui for a retreat to underscore the school’s spiritual focus for the year.

The day began in the Aquinas Chapel with Mass celebrated by Fr Adam. Staff then assembled on the spectacular Pilot Bay for a warm day of activities led by Leon Roberson, Assistant Principal of Middle School and Director of Religious Studies, and Senior School Assistant Principal Isabel Jeftha.

Staff were first tasked with crafting a model waka hourua (double-hulled canoe used by Māori ancestors) to reinforce two key Aquinas tenets. One hull represents the college’s Catholic faith and the second signifies its deep commitment to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti O Waitangi through Mātauranga Māori.

Staff then explored their understanding of the Touchstone of Truth which is the focus for 2024. When talking about Truth, it was explained that we mean God’s Truth — his son Jesus Christ and his message of love. He is our Truth, and we need to turn to him in prayer with everything we plan to do.

Time was also spent enjoying the taonga in our backyard by either walking around or up Mauao and reading the new information boards signifying sites of historic interest.