Aquinas College, Tauranga

Aquinas College
Address
183 Pyes Pa Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga
Coordinates	37°45′07″S 176°07′21″E / 37.7519°S 176.1226°E / -37.7519; 176.1226
Information
Type	Catholic co-educational collegiate and intermediate (year 7–13)
Motto	Kia mau ki te pono "Hold Fast to Truth"[1]
Religious affiliation(s)	Catholic
Established	2003; 21 years ago
Ministry of Education Institution no.	482
Principal	Matthew Dalton (2018– )
Grades	7–13
Gender	Coed
School roll	806[2] (August 2024)
Campus type	Rural
Color(s)	Sherwood Green   Navy Blue
Athletics conference	Western BOP
Nickname	Aquinians
Socio-economic decile	8P[3]
Newspaper	Aquinas College Term Newsletter
Yearbook	Aquinas College Yearbook
Alumni name	Auld Boys, Auld Girls
Website	aquinas.school.nz

Aquinas College is a Roman Catholic co-educational school that combines intermediate and college (years 7–13). It was founded in 2003 with St. Thomas Aquinas as its patron saint. The proprietor of the school, which is a State-integrated school, is the Bishop of Hamilton. The school's founding principal was Brendon Schollum (2003–2010).

• Brendon Schollum: 2003–2010
• Ray Scott: 2010–2017
• Matthew Dalton: 2018–present

The school has four houses.^[4] They are:

• Browne (purple)
• Cluny (blue)
• Foy (gold)
• Heni Pore (red)

Each house is represented by a different colour (as seen above). Each represents a well known Catholic figure/s. These are prominent individuals in the Catholic church who have demonstrated the school's touchstones throughout their lives. Browne House is named after Bishop Denis Browne, Heni Pore House is named after Heni Pore Karamu, Cluny House is named after The Cluny Sisters, and Foy House is named after Father Pat Foy. Each house is split into seven tutor classes (one for each year level).

A house championship is fiercely contested for throughout the school year, with several annual events for students to gain points for their house. These events consist of schoolwide athletics day, swimming sports, cross country, sing/dance competition and haka/waiata competition. Students compete to earn points for their house by (participation/placing) in these events. A house championship winner is announced at the end of the school year, house leaders are awarded the coveted 'Interhouse cup' for earning the most points.

Aquinas fields numerous teams across a wide range of sports,^[5] with many teams and individuals representing the College regionally and nationally, including: basketball, rugby, hockey, rock climbing, sailing, surf lifesaving, touch rugby, windsurfing, badminton, cross country, water polo, netball, football, gymnastics, squash, rippa, cricket, golf, multi-sports, swimming, snow sports, track running, volleyball, tennis, rowing and air-pistol shooting.

NCEA levels 1, 2 and 3 are offered for years ten to thirteen. An accelerate year 10 class in the subjects of science and math undergo NCEA level 1 work similar to year 11 students. Religious Education is compulsory as a subject for all students.

Aquinas College has six touchstones, which are values shown by students, staff and the wider college community: Family, Scholarship, Service, Truth, Prayer, and Joy.^[6]

The school's 'Touchstone Award' is awarded to a Year 13 student who displays the school's touchstones at the end of the school year.

• Eliana Hulsebosch (born 2007) - downhill mountain biker
• Adam Ling (born 1991) – rower; won a gold medal at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in the lightweight single sculls.
• Justin Sangster (born 1996) – professional rugby union player.

• Aquinas College Website
• List of schools in New Zealand
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton in New Zealand

• Aquinas College Website
• Diocese of Hamilton in New Zealand Catholic-Hierarchy