In 1993, the District Superior of the Society of St Pius X in Australia, Rev. Fr. François Laisney, purchased 16 acres of land in Tynong for the development of a Traditional Catholic School. Originally the intention was to have a primary school. A school in rural Victoria was in fact a central location to the majority of families who attended the Hampton Church, Melbourne, and had school age children. The land was quickly paid off and the dream of a school was not too far in the distant future. March 7th, 1996 saw the acquisition of ex-Government school buildings and these were moved from Greythorn to Tynong. Eight classrooms, a library and an administration block were moved and some of these remain on an adjacent paddock to the school in skeleton form.

By January 28th, 1997 we had our beginning. Some of the buildings from Greythorn were in place, bricked in and looking brilliant. The asphalt was laid the morning of the opening. The opening ceremony was a memorable occasion with 40 students, 7 teachers on staff, parents and many parishioners present; the then District Superior, Rev. Fr. Jean Violette, opened the school and blessed all the rooms. Father Angele, and American priest, was our first Principal. It is thanks to his hard work that the project of the building of the school reached perfect completion

This college is now co-institutional (Boys and Girls from Preparatory to Year 12) and offers a wonderful learning environment for the students. Located in a semi-rural area 76 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, it caters for a student population drawn from a wide geographical area. Situated on Tynong Rd, the college is well serviced by public transport.

St Thomas Aquinas College seeks the very best for its students by striving to develop within them a strong character, based upon the timeless teachings of the Catholic Church whose supreme law is the salvation of souls.

The school develops this character by fostering a profound knowledge of our culture and a deep taste for studies in an atmosphere of discipline motivated by fraternal charity. A spirit of academic excellence will equip the students to become valuable members of the Church and the society in which they live. Their joy will be to serve the community, following the example of the Divine Master: "The Son of Man is not come to be ministered unto, but to minister" Mt. 20, 28.

By these means the school is committed to assisting the parents in their work of education which is nothing else than preparing their children to be serious and responsible adults.

Explanation of the St. Thomas Aquinas College Crest

The gold sun in splendour refers to God the Father through Whose divine inspiration Saint Thomas Aquinas accomplished his great theological work, "The Summa Theologica", and other works. Hence, the gold sun in splendour on a black field is the symbol of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

The lion rampant on a gold field is taken from the Coat of Arms of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the Society of Saint Pius X.

The Holy Ghost, giver of Wisdom, is depicted on a green field - green being the colour of Hope.

On a field of royal blue is the monogram of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The letters of the name Maria are evident in this ancient symbol.

Honor Excellentice Debetur (Honour is owed to excellence) is the College motto. This phrase is taken from Saint Thomas Aquinas' luminous work, "The Summa Theologica" (IIa Ilae, Q 142, A4, c).