Welcome to the STAHS Spotlight
February 9, 2026
Dear Families,
My name is Mark Richards, and as Principal of St. Thomas Aquinas High School, I am excited to launch a new series of regular updates called The STAHS Spotlight.
STAHS Spotlight
The STAHS Spotlight is designed to strengthen our home to 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.
Our School Achievement Plan: Key Priorities
Currently, we are moving forward with our School Achievement Plan, which focuses on four essential pillars:
· Refining Learning Skills: Focusing on the "E, G, S, N" habits on report cards.
· Literacy Excellence: Enhancing Grade 7 and 8 skills through Lexia software.
· Student Life: Increasing engagement in extra-curricular activities.
· Community: Fostering a stronger, more transparent home-school connection.
Staying Organized for Success
A focus for the 2025-2026 school year is helping students develop strong organization and work habits. To support this, every class from grades 7 to 12 is now using a "Learning Log."
This log is a physical document, usually printed on bright yellow paper. Its purpose is to reduce wasted cognitive load. By having a consistent format in every classroom, students can spend less energy wondering where to find information and more energy actually learning. The log organizes the week into clear sections for daily topics and assigned work.
How Families Can Support Learning at Home
I encourage you to ask your child to see their yellow Learning Log. Discussing these logs at home is a wonderful way to stay connected with their daily progress and help them manage their time effectively.
Looking Ahead: Semester Two Highlights
February is a busy month at the school. While our winter sports season is drawing to a close, our students remain active in many other ways.
·
Black History Month: We are proud to celebrate Black History Month throughout February. Students will participate in various activities designed to honour the legacy and contributions of Black Canadians.
·
Course Planning and Scheduling Summit: Our Guidance department is working closely with students to prepare for 2026-2027 course selections. We will host our Scheduling Summit on February 24th. During this event, students will tour the school to learn about different programs. We will also host parent presentations aimed at clarifying important points regarding grade transitions.
Staying in Touch
If you have any questions regarding these updates or any other school matters, please reach out to the school for more information at 548-8282 or email us at
[email protected]. Thank you for your continued partnership in your student's education.
Sincerely,
Mark Richards
Principal, St. Thomas Aquinas High School