Dear St Thomas Aquinas community,

Matthew Garton

Principal

Any requests for conisderation received after Friday 7 November 2025 will not be considered

During this term, we will be finalising our staffing arrangements for 2026. Below is a list of the Class Allocation Principles we apply to ensure there is a fair and just process in allocating students to classes for the next school year.

First and foremost, teachers are in the best position to decide a child’s placement because they know the learning needs, supports and engagement patterns of the students they teach all day, every day. They know individuals as well as the whole year level.

Parents are invited to inform Mr Garton of anything that you feel needs to be considered, for your own child’s well-being or development.

Class Allocation Principles

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

• Gender
• Complex or unique needs
• Work habits
• 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 characteristics within classes. Where practical, parental requests based on educational concerns may be considered. Requests for specific teachers will not be considered.

At St Thomas Aquinas, we follow these principles 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 their learning and social development.
  
  
• Parents who wish to raise issues for consideration regarding the placement of their children in particular classes for the following year, should put the issue in writing and email it to our Principal by Friday 7 November. These will be treated confidentially. Parents cannot assume that requests from previous years will be taken into account. A new request will need to be made every year.
  
  
• Parent requests will be considered during the process. It must be clearly understood, however, that no definite guarantees can be given.
  
  
• Where appropriate, advice will be sought from the Classroom Support Assistant and School Counsellor during this process.
  
  
• Considering all the factors listed above, the current Class Teachers compile class lists from mid Term 4. These are then handed to Mr Garton 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, the Principal reserves the right to make final decisions regarding the placement of children.

Are you leaving us?

If your child is leaving St Thomas Aquinas at the end of 2025 please advise the school in writing.  Please note that this does not apply to Year 6 students who will remain at STA until moving onto High School for 2026.

Please complete the the Student Movement Advice, attached here as soon as possible but no later than 1 December 2025.

Thank you

October

Henry B, Lincoln S, Sophie K, Ayla T, Harrison R, Matthias S, Mia W, Marine T, Evie P, Ruhani P, Benjamin G, Jedidah N, Lara K, Kuir K, Hudson S, Mateo CC, Amelia W,
Lilah W, Christina R, Ivy M, Manyuon C, Matilda A, Tyler H, Jayden P, Muke M,
Jamyang L, Harrison B-S, Ayla M, Arleth MT, Daniel N