Year Three
Dear Year Three Parents and Guardians,
What a wonderful start we have had to Year Three. The cohort has settled in smoothly to the Year Three routines and expectations. Seeing all the smiles on our children's faces has been a delight. The students have returned with a newfound drive and desire and achieve their highest potential this year. We can't wait to see what our wonderful 2024 Year Three cohort will achieve this year.
Introducing the 2024 Year Three Team
Every year as our school continues to grow we have the opportunity to expand the teaching staff at Saltwater P-9 College. We are pleased to introduce our new staff for 2024 joining us in the Year Three team this year- Saranya Vijay (3C) and Isperee Singh (3I). These two teachers have settled smoothly within our team and have quickly built positive relationships with their classes. If you see these teachers around the school, we encourage you to stop and say a quick ‘hello’ and show them the true Saltwater spirit. We are also very pleased to welcome Loretta Nivan (3B), who previously was a Year Four teacher, Lynette Taylor (3E) who was previously a Prep teacher, Ravleen Singh (3F) who was previously a Year Six teacher and Kate Seinfeld (3G) who was previously a Year Two teacher. They are joined by Michael Failla (3A), Shilpi Puri (3D), Jessica Stretton (3H) and Belinda Adams (3J). In addition to this, we welcome Denae Vines as our Year Three Leading Teacher and David Vivoda as our Year Three Assistant Principal making up our Year Three team for 2024.
The First 20 Days
Over the coming weeks, all Year Three students will participate in our start-up program, ‘The First 20 Days’. The program is designed to set the environment up to assist students with settling into their new class by focusing on developing good work habits, positive attitudes and behaviours towards school, independence as well as establishing routines and structures. Over the past two weeks, students have been going through this start-up program, preparing all Year Three students for success in all areas of their learning academically, socially and emotionally. Throughout the next two weeks of this program, we will have a positive outlook on lessons and activities that encourage your child to bond with both their new teacher and peers in a productive and supported manner, to help foster a love of learning..
Reading
In Reading, students have unpacked what a reading lesson looks like, sounds like to develop a deeper understanding of the expectations in Year Three. The cohort has been exploring a range of texts. We have also been focusing on the concept of ‘Genre’ and distinguishing between fiction and non-fiction texts. Students have been identifying different components of these texts including an index and glossary for non-fiction texts, and problem and solution for fiction texts. In Year Three, our strong focus on reading is around comprehension. Over the next few weeks in the lead-up to NAPLAN, students will be unpacking and exploring the ‘QAR’ strategy- Question Answer Relationship. Within these sessions, students will get the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of literal and inferential questioning. The teachers strongly encourage all students to be reading every single night!
Writing
In Year Three, we place a large focus on developing students writing craft, exploring all elements of writing throughout a range of genres. Students have begun this year by exploring the expectations and requirements for writing lessons in Year Three. Classes have begun to engage students in their writing lessons by launching our Writer's Notebook, where Students use their creativity to design detailed and engaging passages of writing. This has been accomplished by creating ‘seeds’ based on the things we hold ‘near and dear’ as well as ideas for creative writing that are written or drawn in our Writer's Notebook. Students will continue to plan their writing in their Writer's Notebook, and use the writing process to draft, revise, edit and publish work over the coming weeks as we dive into Narrative writing and Persuasive writing.
Maths
In Mathematics, students have been using the Launch, Explore, Discuss model as well as the ‘workshop’ model in maths classes to engage in math-based activities. We have been looking into whole number tasks such as odds and evens, ordering numbers, skip counting and using the acronym 'RUCSAC' as a tool to help solve worded problems. All of these skills will set students up as we move into looking at additive and multiplicative thinking over the next two weeks.
As we start to get into the school year, if you have any concerns or queries, we encourage families to first seek assistance from their child's classroom teacher, as they are usually your first point of contact. If required, your child's classroom teacher can forward any further queries to a member of the leadership team. As a mindset, there is always a solution to every problem, focusing on a positive solution-based mindset establishes the foundation to ensure the best for all our community.
Here's to everyone having a fantastic and prosperous 2024 in Year Three! Anticipating an exhilarating journey ahead, we eagerly look forward to collaborating with you all throughout the year as well as getting to know the Year Three community for 2024.
Year Three Parent Information Evening
Important Dates
• In Term One, it is required that all students wear their hats during recess and lunch.
• We kindly remind students to remember their wide brim hats must be worn every recess and lunch and ensure they have a full water bottle every day.
• Please ensure iPads are sent to school fully charged.