St Mary’s has had a wonderful start to the school year with the staged classes.

Our students are enjoying working with other children that they haven’t worked with in the past, our teachers are collaborating and sharing successful experiences on a new scale and the school has a harmonious feel to it.

During our parent teacher interviews it became apparent that some parents were reassured to hear that the NSW curriculum is in actual fact presented in the exact stages we are implementing in 2019.

I thought it would be good timing to remind our parent community of the structure below, which was presented last year in the form of a letter from the Principal.

'Educationally, the combined classes will be just as effective as stand alone classes as the NSW syllabus is organised in Stages: Early Stage 1 is Kinder; Years 1 and 2 are Stage One; Years 3 and 4 are Stage Two and Years 5 and 6 are Stage 3.

The transition to this new arrangement will be very smooth for English as the inquiry learning model is student centred and students are working at the stage level that best suits their ability.  The new approach we are implementing in mathermatics is similar to the English teaching and learning model.  In Religious Education the units are readily adaptable to stage classes.  All other KLA's are stage units.'

As with all issues concerning your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school if you require further information or consultation. My door is always open and I welcome feedback on how to improve our wonderful school to meet the needs of your child.

Mr Nielsen