Pastoral care is a distinctive and cultural characteristic of Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice tradition.
It’s a defining feature of Aquinas College and is informed by the four touchstones of Justice and Solidarity, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community and Liberating Education.
The individual is at the heart of any pastoral program. Your son’s personal welfare is catered for by a well-structured system where teachers are involved in all facets of his life through a House and Tutor group system, which generates mutual respect and a sense of community and pride.
In Junior School, your son's classroom teacher is committed to building firm but fair supportive relationships. Boys thrive when they know their teacher understands them and knows who they truly are. Each Junior School student belongs to a House; Redmond, Quinlan, Egan or Clune. They remain in one of these houses for their entire time in Junior School.
In secondary school, each House is split into two year-level Tutor Groups – East and West – with approximately 23 students in each.
Students remain in the same Tutor Group until they move to the next level of schooling. The groups meet with their House Tutor every morning, which provides an integral link between the College and home. The House system is designed so that your son will hopefully have the same Tutor throughout each sub-school, allowing a strong relationship to develop over time.
A Head of House leads each Secondary School House and works closely alongside tutors to ensure the pastoral and academic needs of each student is met.
Each Tutor works closely with their Head of House, who works closely alongside the College Psychologist, Learning Support, Health Centre and Head of (sub)School to cater for the diverse pastoral and academic needs of each student. These key stakeholders actively work closely together to ensure each student obtains the most from their educational journey.
Houses are represented at sporting events, service-learning opportunities and various other house events held throughout the year.
Archbishop Clune was the Catholic Archbishop of Perth from 1911 to 1933. He was a very strong supporter of CBC Perth and contributed financially to the development of the College.
Brother Boyd Eymard Egan OAM taught at Aquinas from 1945 to 1966. He was involved in all aspects of College life both inside and outside the classroom. He is fondly remembered for his contribution over 21 years at the College.
Timothy Quinlan was a dedicated layman who was instrumental with Bishop Gibney in bringing the Christian Brothers to Perth. He helped in establishing CBC Perth in 1894. He was also the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Brother Michael Frances Redmond OBE taught at CBC Perth from 1916 to 1919, 1926 to 1927 and at Aquinas from 1940 to 1979. He was Sportsmaster at the College and has been described as “Aquinas”. His dedicated commitment to young men spanned 45 years. A true College legend.
William Bryan was the first student enrolled at CBC Perth in 1894. He was Dux of the College in 1897 and 1898. He served as President of the Old Boys from 1907 to 1914. He went to the First World War as Captain of the 1st AIF and was killed in action in France in 1917.
Blessed Edmund Rice was the founder of the Christian Brothers in Ireland. He opened his first school in 1802. Rice was a wealthy businessman who used his fortune to assist the poor boys of his time. His Congregation of Brothers spread to every continent on the globe. He died in 1844 at the age of 82.
Lindsay Glowrey was a student at CBC Perth from 1906 to 1913. He was a Prefect and President of the Elocution and Debating Societies. He went to the First World War as a 2nd Lieutenant and was killed in 1917 in France.
Brother Patrick Ambrose Treacy brought the Christian Brothers to Australia in 1868 and was the Province Leader for the whole of Australia from 1869 to 1901. He oversaw the foundation of CBC Perth and was said to have told the architect: “Build it well Mr Cavanagh, it has to last 100 years”.
Sir Frederick Chaney (’33) excelled at sport at CBC Perth. He became a schoolteacher and then joined the Air Force in WWII and was State President of the RSL after the war. He was elected to Federal Parliament as Member for Perth and was appointed Minister for the Navy. He served as Administrator for the Northern Territory and later as Lord Mayor of Perth.
Frederick’s four sons also attended Aquinas College. Fred, AO (’57) served as a Federal Senator and Member of the House of Representatives; Richard, PhD (’65) had a career in Humanities prior to practising medicine; Michael, AO (’67) became a leading businessman and Chancellor of UWA; and John, SC (’70) became a Justice of the Supreme Court. Their three sisters pursued teaching careers with a focus on community development.
Michael John Cullity migrated from Ireland and sent his four sons to a Christian Brothers College. He viewed education as vital to the future success of his family – a family value that has continued throughout the generations. Michael John’s sons studied at UWA (the eldest two among the university’s first student cohort) and studied law, engineering and agricultural science.
Generations of Cullity's have been educated at CBC Perth and Aquinas College. Maurice Jr (’53) was Aquinas’ sixth Rhodes Scholar, which led to his career as a Superior Court Justice of Ontario. He is one of two Cullity family members to be awarded the scholarship.
The generations of Cullity men educated at Aquinas have since made significant contributions to law, medicine, viticulture and forest industry manufacturing in Australia. Seizing opportunities offered by their education, the family has continued to practice the core values inherited from its Irish/Australian forebear.
Irish farmer Michael Durack sailed to Australia with his family in 1853. He died soon after and his eldest son Patrick took up the paternal reigns. Patrick and his brothers spent more than two years droving stock and family to the State’s outback in the 1880s. The family played a significant role in the development of East Kimberley.
More than 35 Duracks, from various branches of the family, have attended CBC Perth and Aquinas College. John Peter (1907) and his brother Neal were the first Durack CBC graduates. John later studied law and along with his brother Neal served in WWI. Peter (‘43) studied law at UWA, became a Rhodes Scholar in 1949 and later Attorney General. Patrick B Durack was a great supporter of Aquinas College, donating the Dux prize for 34 years. His nephew Kim (’29) was also a graduate and went on to inspire the Ord River Scheme. Neal Edward (‘41) was Head Prefect and became a pilot in WWII, one of eight Durack family members who fought in WWII.
Garrett Prendiville and his family migrated from Ireland. Garrett’s sons flourished in WA and became respected community members. Redmond Prendiville became the Catholic Archbishop of Perth and maintained a close interest in Aquinas College. He was nicknamed “the builder” by the wider Aquinas community for his role in blessing the original College building in 1938 and, despite failing health, the Junior School building in 1963.
Challenges and faith grew a resilient Prendiville family which has always strived for excellence in the community.
Garrett’s grandsons (Peter’s four sons) were educated at CBC. The youngest of the boys became boarders at very young ages when their mother died. Pat (’40) recalls watching barges transport the whole College upriver to the Mt Henry site. Pat’s older brother Edward (’37) was Dux of the College in 1936. Garry (’39) was a College Prefect. Redmond (’41) was College Captain and Head Prefect.
The underlying principle of the Aquinas College House system is for students to value each other as peers and to promote a strong sense of togetherness in our community. In support of this, the College has a dedicated award system that encompasses the spirit of competition through teamwork and pride that comes from membership to a House.
The word “Tuatha” derives from the Gaelic language meaning family, community and a sense of belonging.
Tuatha competitions comprise diverse sporting, cultural, academic and service activities. Each year, Houses compete for points that go towards winning the Tuatha Cup (Senior School) or Shield (Middle School).
All activities are inclusive of every student and include Inter-House Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country carnivals, academic points, House Eisteddfod, debating, creative writing, chess competitions and other Inter-House contests.
Inter-house competitions are a highlight of each school year and help the boys support and bond with their peers. Students take great pride in their Houses, the competitive spirit always comes to the fore.
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of Australia as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land of our schools. We are inspired and nurtured by their wisdom, spirituality and experience. We commit ourselves to actively work alongside them for reconciliation and justice. We pay our respects to the Elders; past, present and future. As we take our next step we remember the first footsteps taken on this sacred land.
CRICOS Code: 00428E
