Year 3

Classroom Mastery

This term, we have worked hard on developing and improving our organisational skills. We have learnt to listen carefully and respond to cues for learning, which has helped us stay focused and ready to learn. We are now more organised with our equipment and take responsibility for being prepared for each lesson. We have also improved the way we transition between activities, moving in an orderly and calm way that helps keep our classroom a positive and productive place to learn.

We have also learnt about the science behind how we learn. We discovered that strong learning happens when we activate our senses, which helps our brains take in and remember information more effectively. We now understand that repetition is important if we want our learning to be stored in our long-term memory. We also learnt that when we take in new information, neurons in our brain fire and create synapses—connections that help link ideas together and build a deeper understanding. Knowing how our brain works has helped us become more aware of how we learn best. The class have been fascinated and engaged. 

Did you know....

• 🧠 The brain is like a powerful computer—it controls everything we think, feel, and do.
• 🧠 The human brain has about 86 billion neurons that send messages to each other.
• 🧠 Learning something new creates new connections (called synapses) in the brain.
• 🧠 The more we practise and repeat something, the stronger those brain connections become.
• 🧠 Using our senses (like seeing, hearing, touching) helps the brain remember better.
• 🧠 The brain is always changing and growing—this is called neuroplasticity.
• 🧠 Sleep, exercise, and healthy food help the brain work at its best.
• 🧠 Our brain works better when we believe we can learn—this is called having a growth mindset.

Literacy

This term began with a new text to enjoy through the OCHRE program. Yirra and her deadly dog Demon is proving to be entertaining, funny and also helping us to explore aspects of Indigenous culture from Northern Australia. The students have learnt so many new words to add to our vocabulary dictionaries such as 'concerned' and 'rummage' and it has been lovely to see them starting to spot these words when reading other texts. 

We have settled into a new routine of quiet reading when the students first enter the classroom, with students selecting a wide variety of texts from the library. This week we have seen several students following up areas of interest by seeking out information texts about places around the world. 

Handwriting

This term, we have been focusing on improving our handwriting by learning to link letters, which is the first step in our journey towards cursive writing. We have been practising how to join letters smoothly and consistently, helping our writing become neater and more fluent. By developing these skills, we are building the foundation needed for cursive writing, which will help us write more quickly and efficiently in the future. 

Maths

We have explored a range of topics. We recently completed our unit on fractions, where we learnt how to draw, identify, and write fractions with confidence. We practised recognising equal parts, naming fractions such as halves, quarters, and eighths, and understanding how they fit into a whole. We are now focusing on measuring length, learning about the different units of measurement and when to use them appropriately. We have discussed the importance of using standard units so that measurements are clear and consistent. The students were especially curious about when the metric system was introduced and why some people still use imperial measurements. They were surprised to learn that decimal currency is as old as Miss Ally, and while the metric system is older, it became more formally taught in the mid-1960s. The class is often more engaged when we explore the history and purpose behind what we’re learning, which helps bring meaning to the concepts we study.

Maths at Home

How about you set some measuring challenges. One of the best gifts you could give your child is a measuring tape. I recently bought my grandaughter a tool set with a measuring tape included. She loved it . Her parents weren't too happy with the other tools, so I came back to Victoria and left them with that problem. 

Last week, we came together to celebrate our class Mass, and we are so proud of how well everyone participated. The students showed great respect, confidence, and reverence throughout the celebration. It was a special time for us to reflect, pray, and come together as a class community. After the Mass, Father Tony took a moment to talk to us about the Paschal candle and explained the special meaning behind the pins placed in it. He shared how the candle represents the light of Christ and how each pin symbolises important moments in Jesus’ life, especially His resurrection. It was a beautiful and meaningful way to end our celebration and helped deepen our understanding of the symbols used in the Church.

In the classroom we have been learning about the Spirit in the mission of the Church. 

Key understandings that the students are work towards are:

●Pentecost is a special feast day in the Church.

●The Holy Spirit is present in the Church today.

●The Spirit of God is in each person.

●The Church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit on the feast of Pentecost.

●The Holy Spirit helps us to live as Jesus did.

Drawing a storyboard of the events of the Pentecost.

Happy Mother's Day

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the mums, grandmothers, and special visitors who joined us and allowed us to pamper them—it was such a joy to celebrate with you. From a grandmother’s perspective, these moments are truly precious. It feels like only yesterday our little ones were just learning to walk, and now here they are, growing so quickly and full of love and energy. In the blink of an eye, they will be all grown up, so don’t forget to pause, take a deep breath, and soak in the beauty of the present. These are the memories that will be treasured forever.

This term in Inquiry, we have been exploring the Aboriginal connection to the land and gaining a deeper understanding of First Nations perspectives. We learnt about Granny’s Law, which teaches that land is not owned but trusted to each generation to care for and protect. We also explored the concept of Kanyini, which means unconditional love and responsibility for the land, people, and all living things. Another important idea we discussed was bush living, which is about taking only what is needed from the land and making sure it is respected and cared for so future generations can continue to live in harmony with nature. These teachings have helped us appreciate the deep respect Aboriginal people have for the land and the importance of living sustainably. Emmett depicted this beautifully during mindful meditation when he reflected on the Aboriginal , Torres Strait Islander and Australian flag and drew each of them.

The Resilience Project 

As part of The Resilience Project, we have been taking part in regular GEM chats, focusing on Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness. These sessions have given us the opportunity to talk about what brings us joy, what makes us smile, and how we can bring happiness to others. We’ve shared the little things that make our days brighter and have learnt that showing kindness—whether through words, actions, or simply being there for someone—can make a big difference. These conversations have helped us build stronger connections with one another and reminded us of the importance of being grateful and thoughtful in our everyday lives.

At the whole school assembly in week 7 students will be introduced to the new KINDNESS CARRIERS. These students will be given the role of identifying acts of kindness so that we can acknowledge these acts and share how the act of kindness can spread through St John's.

The Monarchs birthday long weekend: Mon, 9 June 2025

End of term holidays  5 July 2025 to 20 July 2025

Beginning of Term 3:  Monday 21st July

Reports: week 11

Monday: 

STEM specialist

PE specialist

Wednesday: 

ART  specialist

JAPANESE specialist

Lunch orders WEDNESDAY

Mrs Swan Monday/Tuesday

Miss Ally Wednesday/Thursday/Friday

DON'T FORGET

Just a reminder to please remove nail polish during the school week. We also ask that students do not wear makeup to school.

New Arrivals!!

Paisley has welcomed her new fur baby. A beautiful surprise that she didn't know was coming. Ms. Ally would like to introduce DUSTY ROY. He arrived 12 hours after Ms Ally arrived in Queensland, two weeks early on the 5th April. He has joined the chaos with his big sister Pia and big brother Van.

Ally and Paula

Classroom Teachers