Our Vision – A Community that Leads Hearts and Minds

Our Mission – Educated Hearts and Educated Minds

Our aim is to inspire students to be responsible, socially conscious, resilient, and personally successful in the rapidly changing 21st century, and to be a student-centered model for educational innovation. 

Our educational programs encourage students to learn through collaboration with family (home), our college and community. Students develop the resilience necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Their education at St Thomas’ prepares them for lifelong learning, productive citizenship or service, and personal growth. 

Students learn in an innovative and professional environment fostered by the use of advanced learning methods and technology. Both staff and students understand the commitment necessary to implement a rigorous and relevant curriculum, one in which technology, standards, and skills development are embedded. 

Integrating education and technology has put St Thomas’ in a privileged position. In order to ensure justice, equity, and success for both students and staff, funding and access to technology are critical. PD in developing the skill levels of teachers for the purpose of using technology for teaching and learning is critical in our endeavors. 

Our Principles

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition:

We believe that all students, regardless of social or economic condition, must be provided the capacity to take charge of their lives. Through new models of teaching and learning, they will be enabled and empowered to make critical decisions for their futures. We believe that we must treat others in our school and community with respect, tolerance, compassion, and genuine concern for their well-being. 

We believe our flexible business/education environment teaches and encourages student responsibility, independence, and resilience while building life skills in collaboration, project management and leadership. We believe that we must continue to develop and preserve the Community of Trust, Diversity and critical self-reflection that defines the St Thomas learning environment. We believe in sharing our knowledge and experience with other educators and institutions in order to foster and enhance educational change and development in the ever-changing landscape of Christchurch. 

We believe that technology provides the opportunity to make significant positive changes in our society. We believe that the model created at St Thomas’ is the future of secondary education and must be nurtured in order to continue implementation of its innovative and creative approaches to teaching and learning.