SGC CAMPUS

UPDATE # 10

Dear Parents / Guardians & Carers,

We write to you in our tenth parent bulletin to provide further information regarding the St Stephen / Gaudete Campus and your child in 2025. In recent weeks we have received several queries about the processes involved with putting together class lists for 2025 and we take this opportunity to outline this process for you all.
There are many factors relating to the timetable that must be considered when placing your child in a homeroom for the following year, including (in no particular order):

These timetable requirements provide the foundations for class lists and must be adhered to. In later years, elective subjects add an additional layer to the process as students choose their preferred subjects.

It is imperative that each child’s learning is at the fore of all decisions made relating to class placement at St Monica’s College, Epping. Over the course of the year, Year Level Leaders develop a very good understanding of each homeroom and the dynamics that exist in the learning environment. This rich understanding is developed through conversations with students, regular check-ins with classroom teachers and support staff, classroom observations and feedback gathered from parents.

Working within the parameters of the timetable outlined above, Year Level Leaders seek to create classroom combinations for the following year that are conducive to student learning and engagement. Each student is considered individually to identify the environment and student combinations that would best support their learning.

Year Level Leaders take friendship groups and social dynamics into account as much as possible.

We understand that for some of our students, being away from their friends during the school day might be of concern when looking ahead to 2025. Whilst we hope that this is not the case, considerable time will be spent at the beginning of the school year, both on Dalton Road Campus and at St Stephen / Gaudete Campus to forge a sense of connection between students in each homeroom.

At Reservoir, students will participate in a transition program that aims to settle them into life at St Stephen / Gaudete Campus and become familiar with their new campus and teachers. In addition to this, members of the Wellbeing Team will always be around to care for and support our students during the year – both at Dalton Road Campus and St Stephen / Gaudete Campus. This group includes College Counsellors, Year Level Leaders, Campus Leader and Campus Director.

Class lists for Year 8 students will be released prior to the conclusion of the school year. Families will also be informed of which semester their child will be at St Stephen / Gaudete Campus. For students who are a part of the HORIZONS program, they will remain on Dalton Road throughout the academic year.

As the Steering Committee, we appreciate your understanding of the enormity of this task and invite you to trust us in this process. We encourage parents with questions to continue to contact the Steering Committee via admin@stmonicas-epping.com.

Yours faithfully,

Questions

Some questions which have been asked recently:

Yes. Wellbeing is integral to all we do at St Monica’s College and there will be a counsellor and a counselling office available in Reservoir.

Significant time and effort is put into assisting each and every student with their transition at the commencement of Year 7. When your child commences their semester in Reservoir, the same will occur. As a College, we know how important it is for your child to feel comfortable in their learning environment and this will be a focus for all staff in Reservoir.

We know this is the biggest question in the minds of our students. We always say to our students, ‘we cannot make guarantees’ but always strive to do our best for the students and their learning. Discussions have commenced in regard to how this will occur for Year 8 in 2025, and families will be updated in due course.

We would like families to know that considerable time is spent each year carefully putting together class lists. This process involves input from classroom teachers, Year Level Leaders and Campus Directors. Specific learning needs, subject selection and social dynamics are taken into account.

 

Yes. Being in Reservoir does not exclude any student from participating in Premier League. Students will be able to attend the training sessions which are held before and after school at Dalton Road Campus.