In Applied Science and Engineering this term we have been focusing on the design process and creation of a device involving an ultrasonic sensor. We first learnt about the main steps of design: defining a problem, gathering information, generating alternatives, analysing and selecting the best alternative, designing and building the prototype, and testing and evaluating. With this knowledge, we were able to plan and begin designing our prototypes. A large majority chose to create sensors that would help people park their cars, but others chose more creative designs such as sensors that helped blind people complete certain tasks.

Throughout the term, we had to make a written report which outlined in more detail the design process and how it related to the problem we decided to solve. Then came building the prototype. We were able to use any material we wanted, but most chose cardboard or plastic as they were easy materials to find. We then had to code our MicroBit with the ultrasonic sensor code and build the circuit wiring that was necessary for the sensor to function. Some students added LED’s or speakers to help users when the sensor detected a certain distance. Finally, students tested and evaluated how their sensor worked to fix their problem. In total, this project offered students an insight into the process of design, allowed us to learn more about ultrasonic sensors and their potential uses throughout society.

Congratulations to Durack House! Back-to-Back Senior School Athletics Champions. And Congratulations to Glowery House, the Middle School House Athletics Champions for 2021

Durack and Glowery Houses took out the 2021 House Athletics Carnivals on a perfect day at Memorial Oval. Coming off the back of an inspirational Australian Olympic campaign in Tokyo where former Aquinas students, such as Zac Incerti and Aran Zalewski, showed the Australian Olympic spirit, our Senior and Middle school students turned up in large numbers, proudly wearing their House colours in a terrific display of Aquinas College House spirit.

The competition was hard fought all day with excellent participation rates from all Years in all Houses. There were many standout performers on the day which gave Acting Head of Sport Kristian Leeson some optimism going into the PSA Athletics season.

What makes this day so great for me is seeing the enormous number of boys across the Year groups all out on Memorial Oval enjoying being a part of a spirit and culture that is centred around participation and giving it your best effort. So many boys step up into events to have a go and to compete in a friendly manner against mates, all while being supported and encouraged by peers and staff. It’s more than a day of activities for me, it’s a day where boys get to showcase their talent, skill, determination, and commitment.

These events don’t just happen, they take great work in the lead-up and during the carnival, I would firstly like to thank the students for getting involved in the day and behaving in a way that is respectful and highly competitive. I’d also like to thank all the staff for their determined help during the day, each event has at least 8 staff helping so thanks to those who raked sandpits, measured throws or timed races, your support is invaluable. Lastly thank you to the Heads of House and tutors for organising the students into their races and for fostering a House Spirit that encourages boys to participate and engage in the day.

Our sincere thanks are also extended to Trin Suckling for coordinating Farmers’ Food Festival along with the extended boarding communities support, this event was held on the same day as the House Athletics Carnival. In total $9,000 was raised on the day with some great food options for the students available along with some great raffles and prizes to be won. It proved to be an extremely successful occasion, it’s great to have the extra engagement of the Aquinas community to enhance the spectacle of the day.

While young men and boys can and do excel in many types of educational institutions, schools for boys focus with intention on learning that addresses not only how to excel in academics but also how to grow into a young man of integrity and empathy.

In engaging and supportive single-sex environments, students explore their values and establish a foundation for making responsible decisions; they explore their own definitions of self, who they are and who they want to become; they learn to forge healthy relationships; they step out of their comfort zone to explore their full potential.

They are preparing for their roles in a globally connected world.

Here’s how that happens.

When I started at Aquinas College, I didn't know many people, only two people that were my cousins. I felt like the school was very big and scary at first but I got friends easily and everybody was very nice. I have to give a special thanks to the staff of Aquinas College for accepting me into the school.

Until Week 2 in Term 1, 2021, I had only done Finnish schooling in Finland. When I switched, the whole school and school system was totally different. I’ll mention some differences:

• We don’t have all-boy schools in Finland at all.
• The length of the school days vary every day.
• In Finland, I go to a small school building with no boarders. The Aquinas College is a big campus with boarders and day boys, I didn’t even know such exists. Schools don’t offer boarding in Finland.
• In Finland, 500 students is a lot for one school.
• The strictness is much higher in Australian schools in general.
• In Finland, we do not get break A detentions or after school detentions.
• Our curriculum is totally different in Finland.
• We do not have school uniforms, so we can use any clothes that we want. Also, we don't have a specific hairstyle or length requirement.
• Our schools don't have as much sport in Finland compared to Australia. We do not verse other schools in sports or academics.
• The schools are free in Finland in all grades, including university. We get all our exercise books and school books from the school itself for free. We also get a free lunch and it is served to everyone, you cannot bring your own food, but you can have a snack for recess.
• We practically get no homework in Finland. We do work in class and if you don’t get it done you have to do the rest at home, but it isn't a lot at all.
• We also have more recesses: two breaks of 15 minutes, one of 30 minutes and one of 50 minutes.
• At Aquinas, there are service hours, but in Finland, we don’t have such.

The school in Finland might sound easier but it is somehow harder. Students need to be a lot more independent with the studies: I can be given the main topic to study and need to come up with which specific topic I want to research, where to find information, how to present my findings. I have to be so independent and take initiative and it is sometimes very difficult.

My experience at Aquinas College has been amazing. Everything I have learned has been learned in a way that I will remember for a long time. The staff of the school have been very helpful and kind, thank you for that. I hope to come back one day.

After a 6-week summer holiday in Finland, the academic year starts and I’m starting Year 8. I must be the only Year 8 student who has already studied two terms in Year 8. Enjoy the rest of the school year!

After a long term, ASP has come to an end – a lot has been accomplished and much has been learnt and experienced by all involved in the units. A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to all the teachers and external presenters this term, without you, ASP could not happen and would not have the depth nor the richness that it does.

We were once again graced by Dr David Keatley from Murdoch University and Leigh and Sean from Huntstock Games. And many thanks to Ms Ramsay, especially for taking a group to Curtin Uni to show them Content Creation in action, and to Miss Smith for stepping in when Ms Xouris had to leave us. Also farewell to Mr Deakin who leaves us after only one Term, the boys have learnt much from you, we hope to see you in Term 3 for relief and then we wish you well in your new adventures in Term 4 and beyond.

Before I delve into the term that was a short review on a few of the competitions that we entered this term:

AMAZINGLY Aquinas took out 1st and 2nd in the state-wide Maths Have Sum Fun Online Competition. WELL DONE to Johnathan Vinci and Nishok Nimalan for their respective achievements. 12 Year 9 students competed in the international Ethics Olympiad (they were actually entered into the Senior School competition) and finished 6th out of 18 teams. Teams were from various schools around the state and international locations such as Hong Kong. Aquinas was the top-performing PSA school.

Around mid-term we had approximately 30 ASP students take part in a Model United Nations Workshop in preparation for the EVATT competition later this term, the workshop was an AWESOME experience with the UN Youth who presented it commenting on the excellent participation of all the boys! For EVATT, pairs/delegates are assigned a country and one resolution a week prior to the competition. They will then develop their stance on the prepared resolution from the perspective of their assigned country. On the day of their round, they will debate, amend and finally vote on the prepared resolution, and one impromptu resolution. The boys need to act as if they are the country, their own personal views and values do not matter – it is a test of not only their preparation but also their negotiating skills and interpersonal skills. This year we took 8 students (Year 9, 10 and 12) out to John Paul College in Kalgoorlie to compete in a regional round. This was an AMAZING opportunity. We do not find out if teams progress until all qualifying results are completed in August but our team representing Kenya were very strong having nearly all their amendments read out and passed on the day.

Two units which I ran had boys working with their hands to build a variety of things - Creative and Critical Thinking (Mousetrap Racers) and Bridge Building. Both units challenged the boys in multiple ways as the boys had to design, build, trial, test and then redesign things - they often did not go according to plan. It was interesting as the term progressed as the individuals and teams who started strong lost motivation while others who started slowly gained momentum.

Below are a few short reflections of term 3 from some of the boys:

Recently, Aquinians from Years 7 to 9 competed in the Have Sum Fun Maths Online challenge. This competition followed on from last term’s Have Sum Fun Maths Face to Face, where groups of six students worked collaboratively to find solutions to various critical thinking problems. However, the online version of the competition had students solve similar questions, under similar time pressure, as an individual.

This competition was run online, and schools from around the state participated. There were a total of 30 questions, split into three groups, where each question had its own difficulties; whether it was complex diagrams, strenuously long decimals, unnecessary wording or a trick question to muddle with our brains.

Overall the competition was a lot of fun and helped test our own thinking skills without the help of others. The satisfaction of finishing a group of questions or that eureka moment when a tough problem finally makes sense made the challenge so enjoyable.

In our Year 9 individual stage, Aquinas placed highly with the three students in our competition; Jonathan Vinci, David Csontos and myself, Nishok Nimalan finishing in three of the top four places with Jonathan winning first prize in the state. Much of the reason why we placed so well was due to the opportunities we receive here at Aquinas College, through initiatives such as our Academic Scholars Program, we are able to broaden our minds in a creative environment with the chance to apply this knowledge to competitions such as the Have Sum Fun Maths Online challenge.

Read a brief overview of the past few weeks as written by the Heads of School.