New direction at Aquinas
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The integral place of Aquinas College within the life and mission of Catholic education in South Australia will be strengthened through new arrangements to be introduced in 2022.
While the North Adelaide college is experiencing unparalleled demand for places and has a long waiting list, the college rector, Brother Michael Green, said there was room for closer structural links with Catholic regional secondary schools and Adelaide’s Catholic boarding schools.
“Since we are serving the same families, and pursuing essentially the same purposes, it makes sense that the city’s only Catholic university residential college works hand-in-hand with each of these school communities,” he said.
Over recent months, discussions have been taking place between the Aquinas College Council, Catholic Education South Australia (CESA), Archbishop Patrick O’Regan and the Marist Brothers as to how this can be enhanced.
Br Michael said from next year the Archbishop would delegate to the director of CESA his responsibility for oversight of the college. In turn, CESA will be able to provide support for the college, including its council and staff, in a range of ways.
“It is the natural home for Aquinas to be embedded within CESA’s purview,” explained Br Michael.
“This will also assist in assuring the sharpness of the Catholic identity and mission of the college in the long term.”
Br Michael will be concluding his term as rector in mid-2022. He said he had mixed feelings about moving on.
“While I will be quite sad to leave Aquinas, I take heart from the strong position in which the college finds itself and the confidence we currently enjoy in the South Australian community,” he said.
Br Michael attributed this to the academic and pastoral care programs offered by the college’s staff, and the calibre of the students.
“The collegiate experience they create together is just the right balance of purpose, support, guidance and fun,” he said.
Archbishop O’Regan expressed his gratitude for the “outstanding leadership” that Br Michael has given Aquinas since he began as rector in January 2018.
“The college has benefited in huge measure from his wisdom, his creativity, and his long experience as an educator and administrator,” he said.
“The academic results of its students, the quality of the holistic care and guidance they receive, and the overall culture and direction of Aquinas have never been more highly valued.
“The level of demand for places at the college speaks for itself of the confidence the college enjoys.
“Br Michael has also contributed more broadly to the Catholic educational community, especially as a member of the SA Catholic Schools Commission and as one of the four canonical stewards of Catholic schools in the State.”
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