Dear Families,

It was wonderful to see so many parents back at the Year 3 assembly last Friday. Students appreciated the audience too. Many of the families would have had an opportunity to see how students were able to enter into the assembly silently and listen respectfully. Students demonstrate how they care for each other by listening respectfully during assemblies. Thank you to the families who were present for following the students example. The Year 3 students who were already very nervous appreciated the support provided by everyone attending the assembly.

Mission Fete
Thank you to all the families who supported the Mission Fete. We were able to raise over $1600 for Catholic Missions to support those affected by the famine in Bangladesh.

Leaving in 2023
We understand that people move and students relocate to new schools. If you have a child in kindergarten to Year 5 and know that they will not be returning in 2023 could you please let the front office know as soon as possible. We currently have a waiting list for some year levels and would like to be able to offer positions to families as they become available.

Class Allocations for 2022
Thank you to those families who have already emailed me regarding 2023 class requests.

During this term, we will be finalising our staffing arrangements for 2023. 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 4 November). 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

We keep the Sanz family in our prayers. Jake, a past student, passed away in a car accident over the weekend. 

Take care and God bless

Yours in Faith