Introduction
We seek to be people of Faith, Character and Excellence, inspired by Gospel values and in the spirit of Edmund Rice.
At Aquinas College, this aspirational vision lies at the heart of our Strategic Plan and shapes our direction as a Catholic College for boys from Pre-Primary to Year 12.
Strategic planning at Aquinas is a dynamic and ongoing process. The plan is reviewed and updated annually to ensure it remains current, responsive and relevant to the needs of our College community.
This Strategic Plan outlines the College’s 2026 objectives as we work towards ambitious targets for the end of the decade. It reflects extensive consultation with students, staff and families following the appointment of Aquinas’ first Old Aquinian Principal in 2023.
The concept of ‘One Aquinas’ represents a coordinated approach that brings together the College, the Aquinas College Foundation, the Old Aquinians’ Association and our wider community. Together, we are committed to providing the very best learning opportunities for our students.
It is an exciting time to be part of Aquinas.
Learning at Aquinas
One of the attractions of Aquinas is its innovative approach evidenced by the extended day in Junior School, our Character Education and myFuture programs.
The College won an excellence award in the prestigious Australian Education Awards 2025 due to its creative Year 11 and 12 learning model. We were one of eight schools nationally recognised in the ‘Innovation in Curriculum Design’ category.
There is a beautiful Māori saying –‘walking backwards into the future.’
It suggests that the present, the past and the future are all entwined. Being an Old Aquinian and coming back to Aquinas after a long absence, the saying appeals to me.
Occasionally, when I visit classrooms, memories come back from my student days. Most of them are golden recollections, but I experienced the full range of successes and challenges of all students. I was a typical Aquinas boy.
These days when I am in classrooms, it is with a purpose. The College has made an intentional decision to focus on the processes of teaching and learning to ensure the best possible learning environment for our students.
Aquinas has many competent teachers, and our processes include coaching to enhance our skills and the learning environment.
When we observe teachers in action, we are looking at entrance and exit routines and a ‘cue to start’ the lesson or bring attention back to the teacher.
We look for the use of either the silent voice, partner voice, group voice or classroom voice. We ensure the full participation of students through non-volunteer questioning. It is about enhancing the learning experience and ensuring the engagement of all students.
Our staff will also model these practices at assemblies and other large group gatherings.
The talented musician tunes their instrument before performing and the sporting coach ensures that players are ready to listen to directions before playing. In the same way, the Aquinas teacher is consolidating good practices and continually striving to improve the learning experience for our boys.
It is walking backwards into the future and with a modern lens that focusses on continual improvement.
Robert Henderson PRINCIPAL
Mission, Vision and Values
VISION STATEMENT
Inspired by Gospel values, and in the spirit of Edmund Rice, we seek to be people of Faith, Character and Excellence.
MISSION STATEMENT
Aquinas College, as a Catholic school in the tradition of Edmund Rice, offers a Liberating Education, based upon a Gospel Spirituality, within an Inclusive Community committed to Justice and Solidarity.
We enable our students to be the best they can be in all that they do and inspire them to become men who serve and lead others with courage, compassion and integrity.
OUR VALUES
One God, One Founder - Three Values
Faith in Action We journey in our faith and express it by living the Gospel values through life and prayer.
Character in Life We enable our students to understand, value and embody virtues such as integrity, respect, kindness, resilience and responsibility for self and others.
Excellence Every Day We strive to challenge our College community by focussing on holistic success and providing opportunities for boys to achieve their best.
Strategic Pillars
1. Mission and Identity
We are a vibrant community of faith where the Gospel is brought to life through our Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones: Gospel Spirituality, Liberating Education, Justice and Solidarity and Inclusive Community. These Touchstones help us nuture faith, compassion and action – fostering a genuine relationship with God in each member of our community and encouraging us all to become our best selves in service to others.
2026 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Fath formation plan is implemented.
• Engage more fully with EREA Charter and CEWA Quality Catholic Education Identity Pillar.
• Prepare for EREA school renewal process in 2027.
2029 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Faith Formation Plan (2026-2028) fully realised and embedded into life of the College.
• All staff are aligned with, engaged in, and confidence in living out our mission and identity.
“We are a vibrant community of faith where the Gospel is brought to life through our Edmund Rice Education Australia Touchstones...”
2. Teaching and Learning Excellence
Within the context of a single-gender environment for boys, our unique educational offering is based on:
• Our Catholic ethos
• Focus on character development
• 130-year heritage
• High quality academic and pastoral Pre Kindergarten to Year 12 program with innovative pathways in Years 11 and 12
• PSA sport and boarding.
We must excel in all these areas, and provide consistency of quality of classroom instruction, co-curricular offerings and student psychosocial wellbeing. We use best practice and data to measure and benchmark our performance and trust the experience of our College Leadership Team to implement changes and improvements.
2026 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Improve student satisfaction.
• Wellbeing framework is being implemented.
• Continue to implement Classroom Mastery.
• Secondary teacher explicit and direct instruction program pilot is completed.
• Explicit and direct instruction program is introduced to the Boarding House.
• Review devices and their usage.
• Prepare for CEWA School Compliance Process.
2029 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Metrics for academic performance and student outcomes/engagement are achieving its targets.
• Assessment of classroom mastery is undertaken (2027).
• Wellbeing program is achieving objectives.
3. Staff Excellence
Every member of the Aquinas College staff has an important role to play in delivering our Vision and Mission, and exceeding the expectations of the families in our community. We must employ, develop, manage and retain the best people who share our Values, seek excellence in all they do and take responsibility for their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues and students.
2026 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Employee satisfaction targets are met.
• Employee Performance Management Process has been implemented throughout the College.
• Staff leadership development program is achieving its objectives.
• Implement changes to co-curricular staffing model.
2029 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Aquinas College is the employer of choice.
• Staff satisfaction scores targets are being achieved.
• All staff are highly competent in their role and performance management systems are effectively being used.
“Every member of the Aquinas College staff has an important role to play in delivering our Vision and Mission, and exceeding the expectations of the families in our community.”
4. Enrolments and Community Engagement
Our educational offering is highly attractive to our target groups of families who may not be aware of what Aquinas College could offer their sons. Through improved communication, marketing, community engagement and further improving our education offering, bursaries and shcolarships, we will grow our enrolments and achieve a full school with a waiting list, which will enable us to fulfill our Vision and Mission.
2026 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Drive enrolment growth and plan for a balanced, diverse and sustainable 1,500 student cohort and 1,420 in 2027.
• High conversion rate of applicants to enrolments.
• Parent satisfaction targets are achieved.
• External communications are to be updated to reflect a refresh of the College brand.
• Create a plan for the effective utilisation of facilities.
2029 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Enrolments of 1,500 for 2029 with a waiting list and well-balanced cohort.
• >70% of students are Catholic.
• High conversion rate of applicants to enrolments.
• Parent satisfaction measured and goals achieved.
5. Modern Facilities and Systems
After the quality of our staff, students and parents look to the campus and facilities, and how easily they can interact with the College to receive and share information. For time-poor staff, students and parents, we must provide the services and tools to enable them to achieve their objectives and jobs. A beautiful, well-maintained and harmonious built-envrionment creates respect and pride in the College and a more conducive learning enviornment. The echnology platform should be an enable to create more time for all users to do what is most important to them.
2026 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Internal and parental communications to be audited and new systems implemented to improve effectiveness.
• Facilities utilisation plan developed.
• Develop a 5-year plan to renew, reburbish and optimise learning spaces, offices and facilities.
2029 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Technology used for communication by staff, students and parents has been refined and improved by 2027 with improved user satisfaction scores.
• 5-year facilities plan is being implemented on target.
6. Financial Stewardship
We are custodians of Aquinas College and responsible for passing it on to the next generation of students and teachers in a a stronger position than we inherited it. Guided by EREA’s objectives and with prudent financial management, investment, maintenance and expansion of our facilities, we will cater for the needs of our community in this and future generations.
2026 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Financial targets are achieved.
• Captial Development Program is on track and on budget.
• Review Boarding House model to ensure it is operating efficiently.
• One Aquinas fundraising plan has achieved its goals.
2029 OBJECTIVES SUMMARY
• Financial targets are achieved.
“We are custodians of Aquinas College and responsible for passing it on to the next generation of students and teachers in a a stronger position than we inherited it.”
Mission and Identity
Teaching and Learning Excellence
Staff of Excellence
Enrolments and CommunityEngagement
Modern Facilities and Systems
Financial Stewardship
Inspired by Gospel values, and in the spirit of Edmund Rice, we seek to be people of Faith, Character and Excellence.
1A Enact Faith Formation plan for 2026
1B Renew Faith Formation Team
1C Engage more fully with the EREA Charter and the CEWA Quality Catholic Identity Pillar
1D Prepare for EREA school renewal process in 2027
2A Targets for student satisfaction are achieved
2B Whole College wellbeing framework is being implemented in full
2C Continue implementation of Classroom Mastery to improve engagement norms in classes
2D Secondary teacher explicit and direct instruction program pilot is completed with a plan for 2027
2E Explicit and direct instruction program is introduced to the Boarding House
2F Review devices and their usage
2G Pepare for CEWA School Compliance Process (Education Pillar)
3A Employee satisfaction targets are met and feedback has been provided to staff
3B Employee Performance Management Process has been implemented throughout the College
3C Staff leadership development program is achieving its objectives
3D Implement changes to co-curricular staffing model
4A Drive enrolment growth and plan for a balanced, diverse and sustainable 1,500-student cohort and 1,420 in 2027
4B High conversion rate of applicants to enrolments (set target in 2026)
4C Parent satisfaction targets are achieved
4D External communications are to be updated to reflect a refresh of the College brand and key messaging
4E Create a plan for the effective utilisation of facilities including the Recital Hall and sport facilities as part of the One Aquinas Plan
5A Internal and parental communications to be audited and new systems implemented to improve effectiveness
5B Facilities utilisation plan developed over the short and long term horizons by 30 September 2026
5C Develop a 5-year plan to renew, refurbish and optimise learning space, offices and facilities to bring the College to a contemporary standard
5D New maintenance software has been implemented and 30 September 2026
6B Capital Development Program is on track and on budget
6C Review Boarding House model to ensure it is operating efficiently (by June 2026)
6D One Aquinas fundraising plan has achieved its goals
