Class Structure 2023
Dear Parents
As we approach the end of the 2022 school year, it is time to focus on plans for continuing to provide quality education and a happy and nurturing learning environment for 2023. I am very pleased to announce that our staffing allocation for 2023 will allow us to continue to operate seven class groups. St Mary’s will also maintain the level of learning support our school provides.
As you can see below our student enrolment numbers are not consistent across stage 3 (Year 5 and Year 6) and I believe there are still advantages of having staged classes in the older years.
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| 18 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 24 |
| Kinder | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5/6 | Year 5/6 |
| 18 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 17 |
Educationally, the combined classes will be just as effective as stand alone classes as the NSW syllabus is organised in Stages: Years 3 and 4 are Stage Two and Years 5 and 6 are Stage Three.
In organising the Year 5 and 6 class groups the focus will be centred on creating a positive learning environment for all students. The classes will be of mixed academic ability and attention will also be given to placing students with peers that they work and cooperate best with. If families have two siblings in the same stage group they will be placed in separate classes, however if parents would like siblings together that can be arranged.
In years 5 to 6 the school will continue the process implemented last year. This Wednesday 30 November, students will be given the opportunity to nominate, through secret ballot, 4 students who they consider would be positive class mates for 2023. The peers the student nominates can come from their year group or the year group they will be partnered with. The school will ensure that at least one of these students will be in the same class. I encourage all parents to discuss this process with their children and to emphasise the importance of a class peer who will be a positive influence on your child’s learning.
I invite any parent who has concerns about the placement of their child in a particular class to contact myself by this Friday 1 December. All requested will be considered and provisions made where possible. Please ensure all requests are communicate by this Friday, as once classes are published in week 10, it will be extremely unlikely that students will be moved between classes.
Mr Nielsen
