T2022 House Wrap - Aquinas College

Edmund

Bryan

Treacy

Edmund

Every year, the response from Edmund House students and families to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal is spirit-lifting. During the final weeks of the year, I visited each Tutor Group encouraging boys to donate generously to those who might otherwise go without this Christmas. It’s a pet project of mine and I love the goodwill it generates. Even the boarding students were eagerly planning their trip to Carousel to purchase items for the appeal. In an acknowledgement of the power of modern marketing, one enterprising Year 7 student referred excitedly to Black Friday and the belief that this might bring the prices down even further. I extend a sincere thank you to all of our students and their families for their generous contributions. The photos don’t do justice, but I hope you enjoy them anyway.

Since our last newsletter late in Term Three, there have been some student achievements that need to be acknowledged. In our Middle School Triathlon, we had outstanding performances by brothers Kale Arena who won the Year 9 event and Jake Arena who won the Year 7 event. Congratulations, boys. Edmund House also had outstanding Middle School athletes in the PSA competition; Tre Healey, Year 9; Vincent McCormack, Year 8 and Zachary Ainsworth, Year 7. We have been blessed to have such talented boys represent us in House events and the College in inter-school competitions.

Finally, it’s not every year that one can say that the Telethon Kid was an Edmund House boy! I don’t expect we’ll ever be able to say that again, so forgive me for making the most of it. We can’t express how proud we are of Oliver Lim who has been such an inspiration to us all through what have been some very tough times. Ollie always has a smile on his face and is kind to everyone. We are very grateful for the generosity of the College community who bought every Fat Cat doll they could and went out of their way to support Ollie and the Lim family. As the year's pass, I trust the boys will remember Ollie’s courage and resilient cheerfulness in the face of challenges and be inspired to ‘dig deep’ when they face tough times of their own.

I wish all Edmund House staff, students and families, a very Merry Christmas and a relaxing summer holiday break from the school routine. See you in 2022.

Maree Brennan, Head of Edmund House

Bryan

As 2021 draws to a close, I sit back and reflect on the great times I have had with Bryan House. Over the past weeks, we celebrated our last Mass and farewelled our Year 9 students. We had some wonderful Chapel Services where we looked back at past Aquinians and discussed the great things they have achieved or done for others. We reflected that when it comes time for us to go, what would be said about ourselves? Year 8 students had their retreat, at the start of Term, and seemed to love sharing their stories and having a pizza lunch together.

Year 7 settled in so well, adapting to different teaching styles, forming new friendships, lockers and moving all over the College throughout every day. Our Year 8 students have been preparing to be Middle School Leaders. Many have been involved in various carnivals with the Junior School students. The Year 9 students have been extremely busy participating in the Odyssey Program.

In Week 8, we had the Middle School Summer Sports Carnival. Our Year Seven students showed talent in the Rowing and Timothy Kania (9BRW) and Gerard Hadianto (7BRE) were outstanding in Tennis

In 2021 we will farewell Craig Dowsett who is venturing into the business of a Doggy Daycare. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours. We welcome back, to Year 7, Mr John Speechley and Mr Greg De Luca

Finally, I want to say thank you to all our Bryan House Family. Without everyone’s support and contributions, we could not be the wonderful House that we are today. I cannot wait to keep working with you all in the new year.

Have a terrific Christmas and see you in 2022.

Fiona McAlister, Head of Bryan House

Treacy

Term Four was an action-packed term for all Middle School Treacy students. The Year 9’s were kept particularly busy with the following events: Relay 4 Life, two weeks of Exams & a Year 9 Social with Perth College and not to mention the two weeks Odyssey Adventure!!

Orientation Day

On Saturday 30 October, forty bright-eyed and somewhat nervous 2022 prospective Year 7 Treacy boys attended the Orientation Day. They were given a brief tour of the College, this included a try-an-instrument session, “Castle” Tour, Chapel visit and an introduction to the amazing Design & Technology facilities. Their morning concluded with a game of dodgeball and an icy pole. A big thank you to the following Year 9 students for their time, assistance and guidance on the day: Charlie Backhouse, Noah Linaker, Cooper Hopkins, Barton Mincham, Riley Nel, Nishok Nimalan, Ben Rae, Matthew Chang.

Junior School Sports Carnival

Thank you to the many Year 8 & 9 students that volunteered and assisted with the Junior School Sports Carnival throughout the year. Without your umpiring, coaching and coordinating of students, the carnival would not be able to run as successfully as it does.

Treacy Tuatha Triumph!!

The scene is set. One event to go before the 2021 Tuatha Cup winner is crowned. Treacy House leads the competition by 70 points over second-place rivals Glowrey.

The equation is simple. Do not finish last!!

The day could not have started better for the “green machine”. The Chariots of Firesque inspired “Quad Dash” proved to be the perfect starter, with solid performances from “dashers” Oscar Richardson, Harvey Bow, Liam Blackadder, Kai Gale & Cooper Hopkins. Next was the Ergo team challenge, with the powerful Jacques Syed being a standout performer. For the rest of the day, the students participated in Volleyball, Cricket, Tennis & Water Polo competitions.

Congratulations to Glowrey House for winning the Summer Sports Carnival. Treacy House finished a hard-fought and consistent 2^nd place on the day. The lead had now been reduced to only 45 points, however, this proved to be enough and ensured that Treacy House would be crowned Tuatha Cup winners for 2021!! Thank you to all the Treacy students and Tutors that participated and supported the Tuatha Cup seventeen event format throughout the year!!

Tutors – Thank you!!

A huge thank you to the Treacy House Tutor teachers: Mr. Hitie, Mr. Powell, Miss Smith, Mr Bolitho, Mrs. Reilly, Mrs. Leopardi. Their dedicated care and support for the students and for their generous giving of their time is greatly appreciated!!

Holiday Wishes

On behalf of Mr. Herbert (returning in 2022 from Long Service Leave) and myself, we would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Have a joyful, safe and restful holiday!!

Roberto Romeo, Acting Head of Treacy House