Presentation of the 10th Anniversary year book by the Principal

“It was at that age (he was nine) that I had a dream. All my life this remained deeply impressed on my mind. In this dream I seemed to be near my home in a fairly large yard. A crowd of children were playing there. Some were laughing, some were playing games, and quite a few were swearing. When I heard these evil words, I jumped immediately amongst them and tried to stop them by using my words and my fists. At that moment a dignified man appeared, a nobly dressed adult. He wore a white cloak, and his face shone so that I could not look directly at him. He called me by name, told me to take charge of these children, and added these words: "You will have to win these friends of yours not by blows but by gentleness and love. Start right away to teach them the ugliness of sin and the value of virtue.”

This dream of Saint John Bosco decided of his vocation. His whole life was directed by it and led him to undertake the great work of educating his young “rascals”. Men with a dream or an inspiration are people who make a difference. They change the world. In the case of a saint it is even truer, for his inspiration comes from God.

Fr Angele and helpers John Smit, Kees Van Strijp, and Greg Phillips and John McAuliffe at VCAT “permission granted for new school” meeting

People who were at the origin of Saint Thomas Aquinas College had a dream too. They dreamt they could provide children with a real Catholic education in an institution where Our Lord Jesus Christ would be the centre of everything. Their dream came true on 28 January 1997 when the first teachers and students were gathered together in the courtyard for the first general assembly in the history of the College.

Construction works of the new boys’ school, 1996		school buildings waiting to be moved into position, c. 1996

Then the College started its humble life with limited resources. But the dedication of its staff and parent body as well as its students led to remarkable achievement. Was it not a wonderful surprise in 2005 to see our little institution ranking in the top 20% of the schools in Victoria for the VCE results (Herald Sun 23/01/2005) and one year later ranking No. 9 among all the provincial schools of the State (Herald Sun 14/12/2006)?

The first boys school assembly, January 1997		the opening of the boys school

This year book is our token of gratitude to all those who helped develop the College and make it what it is now. Our success would not have been possible without your hard work, your unceasing support and generosity. May God and His Holy Mother bless you all and grant the College many more years in the service of the Church and of Her youth.

Father Fabrice Loschi

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