Aquinas College
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Tour Details
Tour overview
We attended Aquinas College’s recent Open Day, which was very well attended and gave a strong sense of the school’s popularity within the local community. Despite the large number of families on site, the tours themselves were kept to a manageable size. Our group included three families, which allowed for a more personal experience and opportunities to ask questions.
The student-led format provided an authentic insight into school life, and it was particularly valuable hearing directly from students about their experiences.
First impressions & vibe of Aquinas College
Aquinas College is located in the eastern suburb of Ringwood, set within a leafy residential area, and caters for approximately 1,700 students. The campus feels spacious and calm and is conveniently accessible via public transport, with a short walk from both Ringwood and Heathmont train stations.
The overall vibe of the school is nurturing, inclusive and community oriented. Students appeared comfortable, engaged and respectful, and there was a noticeable sense of connection between students and staff.
The campus itself is a mix of modern and older buildings, with many of the older facilities included in an ongoing master plan of refurbishment. The school feels well suited to students seeking a balanced and supportive environment, rather than one that is solely academically driven.
Student experience at Aquinas College
A key theme that came through strongly was the school’s focus on pastoral care. This year, Aquinas has introduced a vertical pastoral system, where students are placed into one of six houses and remain with the same Homeroom mentor teacher and House Leaders throughout their six-year journey at the school. This provides consistent points of care and connection.
Our Year 12 guide shared that the new vertical structure is working well. While it initially took time for students to adjust, she noted that students have become more comfortable and are now building stronger connections across year levels.
Students across the school came across as friendly, confident and engaged. As we were leaving, we asked a couple of additional student guides for directions to the car park. They kindly offered to walk us there and, in conversation, shared that they genuinely enjoy attending Aquinas. Interestingly, neither had come from a Catholic primary school, and they noted that many of their friends also came from a range of different schooling and religious backgrounds.
Facilities & programs at Aquinas College
We visited a range of facilities during the tour, with a standout being Café N9ne, a café run by Year 9 students within the Wurundjeri Trade Training Centre. During our visit, students were actively working in the café, serving drinks and offering cakes they had prepared. As part of this program, students work towards a Certificate II in Hospitality and Kitchen Operations, providing practical skills that support pathways into part-time employment. This provided a great example of hands-on, practical learning.
The school offers a broad range of facilities offers a broad range of facilities to support both academic and co-curricular activities. These include a large oval, sheltered basketball courts (currently being refurbished) and a gym, which is also due for refurbishment.
The school also advised that several areas are scheduled for refurbishment this year as part of its broader master plan, including the Technology Centre (including Systems Engineering and Food Technology), as well as the Year 9 and 10 building.
Sports at Aquinas College
Aquinas College offers a strong and diverse sports program and is a member of the Eastern Independent Schools Melbourne (EISM). Students have the opportunity to participate in weekly inter-school competitions across a wide range of sports including cricket, basketball, football, soccer, tennis and netball.
The school supports both competitive and inclusive participation, with inter-house swimming, athletics and cross-country carnivals forming a regular part of school life. The college has also achieved competitive success, including being named EISM Division 1 Cross Country Champions in 2025.
Students have access to many on-campus sports facilities, including a large all-weather covered area with multiple courts and a running track (currently being refurbished). In addition to traditional sports, students can also participate in activities such as touch football, ultimate frisbee and e-sports.
Music & performing arts at Aquinas College
The performing arts program was a highlight of the tour. We visited the music and drama areas where students were rehearsing for the upcoming school musical, Grease.
Aquinas holds a major school musical production annually, typically staged in late July or early August in the on-campus Mahon Theatre. These productions involve students across all year levels, including performers, crew and members of the live band.
At the conclusion of the tour, we gathered in an outdoor seating area where the school band was performing. In a memorable moment, our Year 12 guide joined the group and sang, showcasing both talent and confidence and bringing the school’s creative culture to life.
Diversity, inclusion & wellbeing at Aquinas College
Aquinas appears to place a strong emphasis on inclusion and supporting diverse learning needs. After the tour, I visited the library where staff were available to provide more information about support services, including for hearing-impaired students.
I also spoke with the Education Support Services (ESS) team, who explained that support for neurodiverse students is tailored to the individual rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. This can include additional support staff within the classroom where required.
School counsellors are available for students, although support is provided on an ad hoc basis rather than as ongoing counselling, which is consistent with many schools.
Academics at Aquinas College
In summary, I think this is a great school offering something different in a period when they are contemplating what they will stand for in the future. It’s a remarkable achievement that they have been in operation for 90 years. The principal and the staff seem committed, smart and innovative and I look forward to observing what they do next.
Aquinas College offers a diverse academic program designed to support both university-bound students and those pursuing vocational pathways.
Senior students can choose from the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), with approximately 74 Level 3/4 subjects on offer, or the VCE Vocational Major (VM), a two-year applied learning program that prepares students for apprenticeships, TAFE or direct employment.
The college also offers an extensive Vocational Education and Training (VET) program, with 37 programs available. These include in-house courses such as building and construction, hospitality and music industry, allowing students to gain nationally recognised qualifications alongside their secondary studies.
The curriculum is structured to support a smooth progression from the Middle Years (Years 7–9), where there is a strong focus on core subjects, into the Senior Years (Years 10–12). Year 10 acts as an important transition year, helping students prepare for and select their senior pathways.
In Year 9, students participate in a range of experiences beyond the classroom, including the Victoria Explored program, the Starts with Me program (which includes life skills workshops and career-focused discussions), and an outdoor experience camp.
In Year 11, students begin to specialise further, choosing either a VCE or VETiS pathway. The school supports this with strong on-site facilities, including a Hospitality Trade Training Centre and Building and Construction teaching spaces.
By Year 12, the school aims to provide a supportive and well-rounded environment that focuses not only on academic success, but also on personal growth, relationships and life experiences, supporting students to develop spiritually, emotionally and academically.
Religion at Aquinas College
As a Catholic school, Religious Education (RE) is a mandatory subject for all students from Year 7 through to Year 12 and is integrated into the regular timetable.
In the Middle Years (Years 7–9), RE is taught as a core subject alongside English and Mathematics. In the Senior Years, the program transitions into VCE-based units, including compulsory Units 1 and 2 in Years 10 and 11, with elective options such as Religion and Society or Texts and Traditions available in Year 12.
Religious education is complemented by broader spiritual experiences, including weekly Tuesday morning prayer, termly College Masses, and annual retreats or reflection days for each year level.
The school also embeds its values across each year level, with a specific “Spirit of Aquinas” focus: Year 7 (Belonging), Year 8 (Stewardship), Year 9 (Perseverance), Year 10 (Justice), Year 11 (Compassion) and Year 12 (Spirituality). This structured approach reinforces the school’s emphasis on personal development and values-based education.
Despite its Catholic identity, the school presents as inclusive, with students from a range of religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Student comments (paraphrased)
“I genuinely enjoy coming to school and feel that Aquinas is a great place to be.”
“The new vertical pastoral structure has strengthened connections across year levels this year. Students were initially a little quiet, but we have now become more open and connected.”
“I enjoy the day-to-day aspects of school life. If you get a chance to try the canteen – I highly recommend the choc chip cookies!”
“Students in our year level have come from a range of primary school backgrounds, some of us came from catholic primary school, but we have lots of friends who didn’t.”
Conclusion
Overall, Aquinas College left a very positive impression. The school presents as nurturing, inclusive and strongly community-focused, with a clear emphasis on pastoral care and supporting students as individuals.
Standout features included the genuine warmth and confidence of the student guides, the strong vertical pastoral care model, hands-on learning opportunities such as Café N9ne, and the breadth of pathways available through both academic and vocational programs.
Aquinas would likely suit a well-rounded student seeking a balanced secondary school experience, with opportunities across academics, sport and the arts, within a supportive and welcoming environment.
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