A culture where teachers and students work together and where student voice, agency and leadership are understood as interrelated factors contributes to the notion of empowerment and a sense of school pride.

During the past year, Aquinas saw the inauguration of the new Student Council System – designed to allow students more voice and opportunity to engage.

The new system sees the College Captain and Vice-Captain oversee a collective of sub-councils serving houses, learning areas and passion projects such as Sustainability and Student Wellbeing. It is the responsibility of these councils to host events, encourage student participation and promote a positive environment.

It has been wonderful to see a greater presence of student voice in making decisions around the College. When first ‘pitching’ the distributed leadership model to cross-College directors back in 2018, Dr Andrew Kania, Director of Spirituality, summed up that “Student leadership of the students, by the students and for the students to ensure the Mission of the College for the present and future.”

This has been very evident in 2020 and I have been impressed by how the Captains have returned from remote learning with a clear intention of forming a positive culture within their councils.

Some examples of initiatives that have run or are in progress are;

• Student Wellbeing council hosting a Christmas door decorating contest to boost morale and engage staff and students as well as painting a blue tree on the College grounds to encourage discussion about mental health
• Durack Council running Year 10 Course Information Sessions allowing their students to connect and ask questions to Senior School students about the life of an ATAR or General student.
• Academic Council organising a STEM challenge for Middle School and Amazing Race for Senior School.
• Justice, Peace & Advocacy Council connecting to study leaders across the Edmund Rice Education Network and acting locally by planning a “For She’s Someone” event where boys made a statement/pledge/promise to speak out against disrespect about/towards women when they hear or see it.
• A new Environmental/Sustainability Council has been developed due to student voice and the passionate backing of Mr Ben West.

I would once again like to extend my thank you to all of the staff who are co-leading councils with the Year 12 Captains and Prefects.