Aquinas College

Aquinas College Overview

Aquinas College is an Integrated State Catholic College located on the Western Bay of Plenty, about two and a half hours south east of Auckland. It caters for Years 7 –13 and aims to encourage excellence, integrity, innovation and self-reliance within its students, along with other qualities such as community spirit, environmental awareness and critical thinking.

The College has places for around twenty international students each year and aims to integrate them into the life of the school within a supportive and caring environment. International students are required to live with their parents or guardian or someone designated by their parents. Otherwise homestay needs to be organised with approved families.

Aquinas College is a modern, coeducational school which aims to bring out the best in its students.

Location

The College is situated on 10.7 hectares at Tauranga, a rapidly-growing city on the Western Bay of Plenty, two and a half hours drive south east of Auckland. It’s warm summers make the beaches at Mount Manganui popular as a surfing attraction, while the campus location is spacious and green with walkways, trees and sports fields.
Campus

The College facilities are landscaped with walkways, shade trees and several building blocks housing the teaching and learning, administration, gymnasium, computer labs and netball/tennis courts.

The teaching and learning facilities include library and lecture rooms, Science block, Technology block and Chapel/sacred space. There are plans to build an auditorium for use as an assembly hall, performance space and centre for Mass.

Courses

All students are taught in accordance with the national curriculum for New Zealand, which consists of compulsory subjects for years 7-9, after which there are increasing options for years 10-13.

Years 7-9 are required to study:

• Religious Education
• English and Language
• Health and Physical Education
• Mathematics
• The Performing Arts including: Art, Music, Drama,
• Science
• Social Studies
• Technology

Extra Curricular Activities

• Sports
• Basketball
• Cricket
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rugby
• Skiing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tennis
• Touch Rugby
• Triathlon
• Volleyball
• Water Polo
• Indoor & Outdoor Rowing
• Cultural
• Music
• Oratory
• Dance & Drama
• Kapahaka

For information about the curriculum for years 10-13, contact AA Education Network and one of our counsellors will give you all the information you need.
English Courses

International students are individually supported through ESOL and expected to participate in the mainstream activities and life of the College. Training towards the NZ Speech Board and IELTS examinations is offered.

Entry Requirements

All applicants are expected to have well developed conversational English skills in order to be accepted as students.

Enrolment dates

Applications for enrolment close each year on April 30 for the following year and applicants are notified in September.
An Education at Aquinas College will give you:

1. A spiritually nurturing experience of academic excellence, community values, family focus and growth in self-respect and self-reliance.
2. Individual care and support in settling into life in the community.
3. Opportunity to participate in cultural activities and develop skill and confidence in performance, public speaking, dance and drama.
4. The chance to experience the New Zealand way of life in a safe family setting in one of the country’s fastest growing cities.
5. The possibility of making lifelong friendships with other students in the College community.

Application

AA Education Network will help you apply for a place at Aquinas College, apply for a student visa, plan your trip and accommodation and make all the arrangements necessary for you to be able to travel to New Zealand and enjoy life as a student of the College.