Principal’s Message
Welcome to Aquinas Catholic College Menai, a Year 7–12 co-educational Catholic school of approximately 1100 students.
We take pride in being an inclusive, faith community that welcomes and values students, families, and staff to our college. With Jesus as our role model, we embrace our core values of Wholeness, Hope, Justice, and Revelation as constant reminders of the journey we travel on, and the people we are striving to be.
Our dedicated educators and support staff have high expectations of all students as they participate in a broad range of subjects and programs, designed to cater to the diverse needs and unique pathways of 21st-century learners. Our ‘ASPIRE’ touchstone encourages all students to do their best in everything they undertake. The development of self-discipline and self-respect based on Gospel values is reinforced by consistently maintained standards and expectations.
Our modern classrooms and break-out spaces, designed for collaborative and flexible teaching and learning, are complemented by our spacious and well-maintained grounds.
We hope that each of our students feels a strong sense of belonging to the college and that they are challenged to discover and pursue their individual learning passions and journey on a pathway towards success and fulfilment. The college has the highest hopes and expectations of our students in terms of the attitude, effort, and formation of habits necessary for life-long learning and achievement.
Aquinas Catholic College is a great school community of which to be a part.
Mr James Clancy
Principal
History
Following the establishment of Holy Family Parish and Holy Family Primary School in 1986, Aquinas College opened in 1993 with 50 boys and girls in Year 7, seven teachers, and two ancillary staff. The first Year 12 class completed their HSC in 1998. The first stage of a five-stage building program included an administration building, TAS workshops, and classrooms.
Stages Two and Three of the building program were completed in 1996 and facilities included a library, science laboratories, classrooms, and staff facilities.
Stage 4 of the building program was completed in 2006 and consisted of a multi-purpose hall and a further four classrooms.
The final stage of the building program was completed in 2017 with the construction of the Mackillop Learning Common and an administration/reception block. A refurbishment of the library is due for completion in early 2021.
The college has continued to grow with the first Year 12 class completing their HSC in 1998. In 2020 the college had 1080 students and 112 staff.
Charism
St Thomas Aquinas, one of the Church’s most influential philosophers, was chosen as the Patron of the college because of his scholarship, his faith, and his commitment to the church. Thomas Aquinas is considered to be a pre-eminent theologian of the church, particularly due to his publications in explaining the role of Christ in Catholic beliefs. Given his work, his commitment, and his attitude to education, Thomas Aquinas is an ideal role model for young people.
Mission
Aquinas Catholic College is a faith-based educational community centred on Jesus Christ, enlivened by the Gospels and with the model of St Thomas Aquinas as a faithful learner.
Vision
At Aquinas, we believe that all members of our Catholic community are learners and at our college, we aim to be:
- Learner Centred in the Catholic and Aquinas tradition of Wholeness
- Practising Contemporary Pedagogy in the Catholic and Aquinas tradition of Hope
- Growing Community Capacity in the Catholic and Aquinas tradition of Justice
- A Learning Community in the Catholic and Aquinas tradition of God’s ongoing Revelation
Motto
Our college is led by our motto – Enlivened by the Spirit – where we seek to equip, challenge, and inspire our community to see themselves as lifelong learners.
Holy Family Catholic Church Menai
A: 1D Anzac Road, Menai, NSW 2234
P: (02) 9543 2677
W: holyfamilymenai.org.au
Parish Priest: Fr. Mani Malana
Assistant Parish Priest: Fr. Daniele Russo
Mass Times
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9.15am |
| Wednesday | 9.15am |
| Thursday | 9.15am |
| Friday | 9.15am |
| Saturday | 9.15am and 5.30pm |
| Sunday | 8.30am and 10.00am |