It was truly wonderful to welcome back our Preschool, Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 6 students yesterday and we can’t wait to welcome Years 3-5 back next week. Remote Learning this time around was even longer than the last time, so it is to be expected that children will be a little nervous about returning to school. This time there is also the added layer of their teachers and support assistants having to wear masks. I was able to pop into each class yesterday morning and welcome the students back. We talked about how everyone was a little nervous, even me, but that it wouldn't take too long before we were all feeling comfortable about being back at school. If your child is feeling a little nervous or unsettled by this return to school, this article may help you to support them at home https://www.relationshipsnsw.org.au/getting-back-to-the-new-normal-school/

Caring Schools Network
As with all things, COVID has stalled some of our plans for school renewal. I had mentioned earlier that we were working with Harvard University and their Caring School’s Network. Part of this work includes a survey. It would be wonderful if you could take some time to complete the survey so we have a baseline for this work and know how we can support students moving forward. Students will also complete a survey so we have their thoughts on how they feel about school and ways we might be able to support them. Please follow this link to complete the survey CSN FAMILY Survey 2018 (qualtrics.com).

Class Allocations for 2022 - LAST WEEK
During this term, we will be finalising our staffing arrangements for 2022. Below is a copy of the ‘Class Allocation Policy’ which aims to ensure there is a fair and just process in allocating students to classes for the upcoming school year.

My firm belief is that teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know all the children in their classes and have a view of the ‘big picture’. However, I invite parents to inform me of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development.

When forming the class lists the following factors are taken into consideration:

• Gender
• Diverse Learners
• Work habits
• Cognitive ability
• Friendships
• Behaviour
• Health considerations
• Religion (to assist in achieving balance between classes, especially in Sacramental years) and
• Common names

Ideally we aim for an equal spread of both positive and challenging characteristics. Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns may be considered.  At St Thomas Aquinas, we follow these principles and guidelines when considering placement of students each year:

Every care will be taken to ensure that each child is placed in the best situation to enhance learning and social development.

• Parents who wish to raise particular concerns regarding the placement of their children in particular classes for the following year, should put the concern in writing and email it to me Leah.Taylor@cg.catholic.edu.au by Friday of Week 4 (Term 4 - Friday 29 October). Parents cannot assume that requests from previous years will be taken into account. A new request will need to be made every year.
• Parent concerns will be considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given regarding parental concerns.
• Where appropriate, advice will be sought from the Classroom Support Teacher School Counsellor, Chaplain and current class teacher during this process.
• Considering all the factors listed above, the current class teachers compile class lists from mid-term, Term 4. These are then handed to me to confirm.
• Children will be informed of their class placement for the following school year in December (usually the last week of school) and the opportunity will be provided for them to spend some time with their new class teacher. New students to the school for the following year are invited to attend.
• Throughout this process, after appropriate consultation, I reserve the right to make final professional decisions regarding the placement of children.

Take care and God Bless