Semester 2 begins in celebration
Aquinas has marked the start of the second semester with its customary gala event – a full Collegiate Dinner and Academic Awards Ceremony.
Special guest for the evening was Professor Jennie Shaw, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Vice-President of the University of Adelaide, who was joined by the Chair of the Aquinas Council, Professor Christopher Symes.
There was much to celebrate, given the outstanding results for the first semester. Academic Director, Sarah Moller, said that the College was once again delighted with how students fared.
‘A huge proportion of Aquinas students achieved GPAs greater than 5,’ said Dr Moller. ‘This means that they attained High Distinction or Distinction averages.’
Dr Moller highlighted the results of the first-year students, in particular, 17% of whom had a High Distinction average.
‘The transition from school to university is always a challenge,’ said Sarah, ‘so it was very pleasing to see how well that Aquinas has been able to assist these students begin their tertiary studies so successfully.’
The major awards on the night were taken out by Grace Bubner, from Ceduna, who won the Father James McInerney Prize for highest achieving first-year student, and shared with Tori McIntyre (from Mount Gambier) the Father Michael Scott prize for best results overall.
Individual faculty prizes went to: Michael Duffett (Hobart) for Engineering; Georgia Cash (Port Lincoln), and Amelia Smart (Crystal Brook) for Arts; Claire Day (Mount Gambier) for Business; Ruby Orchard (Port Lincoln) for Education; while Grace Bubner and Tori McIntyre also won faculty awards in Science and in Allied Health/Medical respectively.
Notable Achievement Awards were presented to Airlie Walters (Adelaide), Louis Merritt (Penola), Rachel McKay (Nairne), Shyla Lange (Loxton) and Liam McEvoy (Mount Gambier).
As we sat at dinner enjoying the ambience of the David Hogarth Dining Room, Br Michael, in his Rector’s Address, shared with guests the inspirational life of the Honourable David Hogarth QC, an Aquinas founding father. A copy of the Rectors Address can be read here.
After the recent lockdown and last semester’s online lectures and exams, students are looking forward to getting back to face-to-face lectures, tutorials and workshops this week.