STAHS Spotlight
March 2026
Dear Families,
My name is Mark Richards, and as Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, I am excited to share with you the March edition of The STAHS Spotlight.
For those of you that missed the last one, the STAHS Spotlight is designed to strengthen the home-school connection. Through these updates, I’ll share "broad stroke" insights into the exciting things happening in our building and keep you informed on our shared goals.
Faith Connection: Lent in Action
In our foyer, students from various classes have been brainstorming ways that members of the school community can put Lent into action. One beautiful initiative involves spreading "confetti" of kindness and service around the school. This aligns with our Catholic values of selflessness and preparation. By performing small, intentional acts of good, our students are living out the spirit of the season and strengthening our school community through faith.
Planning for Academic Success during Critical Times
In the past, some families have been surprised by the importance of certain times of the year for secondary students. Each semester includes two vital periods where 30% of the final grade is determined.
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Culminating Activities: These typically occur during the last three weeks of a semester. It fluctuates depending on the course but this semester, approximately June 1-18. Course teachers can give more precise dates if needed.
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Final Exams: These take place during the final week of the semester. This semester, it will be June 19-25.
According to Ministry of Education requirements, these two assessments combined must account for 30% of the final mark. Depending on the course, one may carry more weight than the other. It is essential to note that both activities must be completed in person. Furthermore, the week prior to exams often includes exam preparation periods which provide valuable in-class time for review and teacher support. We kindly ask that families avoid planning absences during these windows to ensure students can achieve their best possible results. The calendar can always be found on the board website or by searching “KCDSB school year calendar” in your favourite search engine.
Grade 7 and 8 students do not have these same critical periods built into their classes, but checking in with the teacher well in advance of an absence is highly recommended.
How to Contact Your Child’s Teacher
Open communication is a priority at STAHS. If you wish to contact a teacher, the most direct way is to call our main office. If you are unsure of a teacher's name, our office staff can look up your child’s schedule and forward your call to the appropriate teacher. If you leave a message, you can expect a response within two school days but often times it is the same day. Please note that if you have already established a different communication preference with a specific teacher, please continue to use that method.
I look forward to sharing updates in this forum monthly, so if you appreciated this information, stay tuned for the next update. If you have any questions regarding these updates or would like to suggest a topic for the next edition, please reach out to the school for more information at 548-8282 or me directly at
[email protected]. Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's education.
Sincerely,
Mark Richards, Principal
St. Thomas Aquinas High School