Aquinas College, Tauranga

School

37°45′07″S 176°07′21″E / 37.7519°S 176.1226°E / -37.7519; 176.1226InformationTypeCatholic co-educational collegiate and intermediate (year 7–13)MottoKia mau ki te pono
"Hold Fast to Truth"^[1]Religious affiliation(s)CatholicEstablished2003; 21 years agoMinistry of Education Institution no.482PrincipalMatthew Dalton (2018– )Grades7–13GenderCoedSchool roll807^[2] (February 2024)Campus typeRuralHousesCluny

Foy

Browne

Heni-PoreColor(s) Sherwood Green
Navy BlueAthletics conferenceWestern BOPNicknameAquiniansSocio-economic decile8P^[3]NewspaperAquinas College Term NewsletterYearbookAquinas College YearbookAlumni nameAuld Boys, Auld GirlsWebsiteaquinas.school.nz

Aquinas College is a Roman Catholic co-educational school that combines intermediate and college (years 7–13). It was founded in 2003 with St. Thomas Aquinas as its patron saint. The proprietor of the school, which is a State-integrated school, is the Bishop of Hamilton. The school's founding principal was Brendon Schollum (2003–2010).

Principals

Brendon Schollum: 2003–2010
Ray Scott: 2010–2017
Matthew Dalton: 2018–present

House system

The school has four houses.^[4] They are:

Browne (purple)
Cluny (blue)
Foy (gold)
Heni Pore (red)

Each house is represented by a different colour (as seen above). Each represents a well known Catholic figure/s. These are prominent individuals in the Catholic church who have demonstrated the school's touchstones throughout their lives. Browne House is named after Bishop Denis Browne, Heni Pore House is named after Heni Pore Karamu, Cluny House is named after The Cluny Sisters, and Foy House is named after Father Pat Foy. Each house is split into seven tutor classes (one for each year level).

A house championship is fiercely contested for throughout the school year, with several annual events for students to gain points for their house. These events consist of schoolwide athletics day, swimming sports, cross country, sing/dance competition and haka/waiata competition. Students compete to earn points for their house by (participation/placing) in these events. A house championship winner is announced at the end of the school year, house leaders are awarded the coveted 'Interhouse cup' for earning the most points.

Sport

Aquinas fields numerous teams across a wide range of sports,^[5] with many teams and individuals representing the College regionally and nationally, including: basketball, rugby, hockey, rock climbing, sailing, surf lifesaving, touch rugby, windsurfing, badminton, cross country, water polo, netball, football, gymnastics, squash, rippa, cricket, golf, multi-sports, swimming, snow sports, track running, volleyball, tennis, rowing and air-pistol shooting.

Curriculum

NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 are offered for years ten to thirteen. An accelerate year 10 class in the subjects of science and math undergo NCEA level 1 work similar to year 11 students. Religious Education is compulsory as a subject for all students.

Touchstones

Aquinas College has six touchstones, which are values shown by students, staff and the wider college community: Family, Scholarship, Service, Truth, Prayer, and Joy.^[6]

The school's 'Touchstone Award' is awarded to a Year 13 student who displays the school's touchstones at the end of the school year.

Notable alumni

Adam Ling (born 1991) – rower; won a gold medal at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in the lightweight single sculls.
Justin Sangster – professional rugby union player.

References

^ "Our School". Aquinas College. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
^ "New Zealand Schools Directory". New Zealand Ministry of Education. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
^ "Decile Change 2014 to 2015 for State & State Integrated Schools". Ministry of Education. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
^ "Houses". www.aquinas.school.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
^ "Sports". www.aquinas.school.nz. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
^ "Our School". www.aquinas.school.nz. Retrieved 18 June 2021.