I’m not even sure how to explain the stuff that goes on here. There is no admin support to the staff, it’s like they don’t exist. They are only worried about how it appears/their image and really don’t give the staff the support they need. There is a definite divide here. The behaviours are out of control and there is never any follow through to deal with it. Kids rule the school. They do what they want when they want without any real fear of consequences. It’s sad I’m told it never used to be this way. The staff all talk about how times have changed and they used to feel so supported before. I understand there has been admin change but this shouldn’t be happening. Staff should feel safe when they go to work. The EAs are great for the most part and I feel support each other as best they can. However I have seen admin not treat them with the respect they deserve and if I’m being honest some have been treated extremely poorly. This school is very large and needs an Admin who knows how to support the team and deal with extreme behaviours. Sadly this team isn’t it.

Chronic lice problems with students. Very little done about it!!!

Not happy since the new principal started last year (***) extremely dismissive, doesn’t listen or care to follow through, and the worst part is with regards to special education she doesn’t do much other than give it to *** who now has taken reins and IEPS are not fully abided by; the Educational Assistanrs are all over the place, don’t know what they are doing , all new faces - kids missing the EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS who were exceptional lost a few of them with no knowledge of where they went ….. why? What happened? Horrible.

Great Staff, many whom give it their all each day. Lot of teachers that honestly want the best for their students. Amazing support staff (EAs, ECEs, Secretaries, and Custodians). They are the most important and vital part of the success of the students. Definitely not enough support staff (Secretaries, EAs and Custodians). Those staff members are constantly running around trying to facilitate 25 tasks at once. Worried about what will happen as this school grows to over 1000 students. With the right funding levels, this school could provide the best support, but with reductions in funding, not sure what the future will hold.

St. Thomas Aquinas is a berg busy and challenging school, but having worked there a few years and most recently I am very satisfied with the wonderful staff and the support from administration (Plommer and Kay) this year.
Like any school there will always be challenges however, the staff truly cares about the students that they work with and work hard to make sure that the students needs are met every day.
This school may not be for everyone, but it is a welcoming community and worth spending time working here to see what a great school it is.

I have to say I’ve never experienced such a staff low as in the past two years working in this school environment. It doesn’t seem anybody walking the halls is happy (with management). Although staff is very supportive to each other, I see EAs working hard every day to support their students with shortage of staff and high level of students that need support. Support is taken away from some students and given to others & students are clustered in areas because of shortages. Overall, staff morale is very very low. Us teachers, and EAS are struggling, not getting support that is needed in the classrooms resulting in burnout! We can all pretend to a certain point , but this is actually ridiculous!