​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community members,

Welcome to Aquinas College, the oldest co-educational Catholic College on the Gold Coast. Founded in 1964 by the Christian Brothers as a boy's school, it later became co-educational with girls attending with the closing of the Mercy convent – Star of the Sea. 2021 marks 30 years since that amalgamation. Over the years, Aquinas has grown to become a dynamic and contemporary community of learners. We continue to undertake a variety of strategies that not only build on strong foundations in Teaching and Learning, but also launch Aquinas into a new and vibrant future.  

In 2021, we will continue to focus on our academic, pastoral and religious dimensions. These 'pillars' form the basis of our Strategic Plan 2019-2021 and our 2021 Action Plan.

2021 sees the completion of Stage One of our Master Plan. This involved the construction of a new administration area, staff workspace, Student Administration, College finance, classrooms, Uniform Shop and a more welcoming entry to the College. We are excited to finally access and utilise these contemporary new work areas.

Over the past few years, we have developed particular themes as a focus for the year. Following the extraordinary and catastrophic events of 2020 – prolonged drought and global warming, bushfires and COVID-19, the challenge for us is to respond to these issues with understanding, compassion and have a positive outlook. This year's theme is 'Embracing Life'. This theme, represented by a schematic depiction of the 'Tree of Life', reminds us that we look to the future with optimism, a care for creation and explore the invitation in John's Gospel that “I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full".  I hope and pray that 2021 provides opportunities to enthusiastically and responsibly embrace life.​

In addition, the College is continuing our involvement with the BCE initiative for Excellent Teaching and Learning and our College Leadership will endeavour to drive pedagogical change and enact our Vision for Learning.

The theme may provide an emphasis for a particular year, but our College Vision provides the 'goalposts' for each member of our college community. We each strive to enhance these values in our lives and bear witness to these in our college and wider community.

In living our Vision, we are inspired by:

• The academic excellence exemplified by Thomas Aquinas

• The mercy and justice witnessed by Catherine McAuley

• The faith and courage of Edmund Rice

• The proactive service embodied in the life of Caroline Chisholm

• The compassion of Oscar Romero

We journey forward together, not only celebrating our significant history, but seeking opportunities to embrace life and provide the best possible outcomes for all members of our college community.

Blessings and best wishes,​

Marcus Richardson

Principal ​

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