Middle School News
Year 3 and Year 4
Celebrations in Middle School
This term, we are incredibly proud of our Middle School unit. It has been a highly successful and rewarding period, with students engaging in a wide range of rich and meaningful learning experiences. We commend both classes for their consistent focus, effort, and dedication across all areas of learning.
Although the term has passed quickly, we celebrate the many achievements and memorable experiences along the way, including the Swimming Carnival, Run Club, NAPLAN, and Athletics Day. All of this has taken place while students have confidently settled into the routines and expectations of a new school year.
Well done, Year 3 and 4, we are extremely proud of you!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Please keep an eye on nForma for further details as the events draw closer.
- Year 3, Reconciliation May 1st 2026
- Year 4, Eucharist August 6th 2026
- Year 4, Summit Camp October 21st to 23rd 2026
- Year 3, Zoo Snooze December 2nd to 3rd 2026
Middle School Religion
In Religion, our Year 3/4 students have been learning about the Stations of the Cross in preparation for Holy Week. Exploring this special time in the Catholic calendar has provided students with a deeper understanding of the significance of Easter. This learning has been beautifully enriched by the wonderful work of our Year 6 students, who brought the Stations of the Cross to life in a meaningful and engaging way.
Year 3
English
Students are completeing their persuasive writing! They are using the GST (General, Specific, Thesis) structure to help organise their ideas and make their paragraphs super clear. This time, they’re exploring the exciting topic: “Books are more important than screens.” While writing, students are also sharpening their sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation skills—and having fun learning about strong language to make their writing more interesting and persausive!
Maths
Students have been consolidating the maths skills they learned in Term 1, revisiting counting and place value, addition and subtraction, and telling the time. They have been focusing on all the wonderful things they’ve learned this term, showcasing their knowledge and demonstrating what they remember.
Topic
We have continued exploring solids and liquids. Students have learned that materials can exist in different states and that heat can cause changes, such as melting, freezing, and evaporation. Students have investigated everyday examples of solids and liquids and discussed how these changes affect the world around them. Through these activities, they have developed a deeper understanding of the properties of materials and the processes that cause them to change.
3C Shines Through Community Spirit
3C continues to shine when it comes to helping others! Well done to a group of Year 3 students who went above and beyond this week by assisting Mrs Ferrari in the garden. Showing excellent responsibility for our environment and care for our school grounds, they didn’t hesitate to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand.
We are so proud of these students for demonstrating what it means to be positive and active members of our school community.
Term 2 Novel Studies
In Term 2, Year 3 students will be exploring the novel Yirra and her Deadly Dog Demon as part of their novel studies. To support a smooth transition into the text, your child may like to read the novel over the holidays and begin to familiarise themselves with the story.
Congratulations Emily
Emily was formally presented with the peak joey award for Scouts Victoria on Monday night known as the 'Joey Scout Challenge Award’ and is very excited and proud. Emily joined the Joey section at 5th Sandringham Scouts in grade 1.
To receive the award, Emily completed Milestone Level 3 in Scouting Essentials (participating, assisting, leading activities, and reflecting on her learning), and Stage 1 in bushcraft, bushwalking, and camping. A highlight was the Kangaree Camp—a 3-night tent camp at Mt Martha with over 1,000 Joeys from across Victoria.
She also completed six Special Interest Area (SIA) projects across Adventure & Sport, Art & Literature, Creating a Better World, Environment, Growth & Development, and STEM & Innovation. Her favourite was an environmental project planting trees through Landcare at her cousin’s farm.
For her final step, Emily planned and led an ‘Adventurous Journey’—a nature walk and bird spotting activity at Braeside Park. She organised maps, a pack list, and activities for her group of 4 younger Joey Scouts. Along the way, they spotted birds, bunnies, and even an echidna.
We are extremely pround of our emily and wish her continued scouting success.
Year 4
English
In English, our Year 4 students have been exploring the wonders of the Coorong through Storm Boy and the special connection between Storm Boy and Mr Percival. This rich text has inspired students to create engaging information reports about the Coorong, focusing on its unique flora and fauna, as well as its cultural significance to the Ngarrindjeri people. Throughout the unit, students have been developing their skills in structuring clear paragraphs, using rich, topic-specific vocabulary, and confidently writing informative texts in the present tense.
As we bring our novel study of Storm Boy to a close, it has been wonderful to see students’ deep connections and thoughtful exploration of the story. We look forward to extending this experience by watching the film early in Term 2.
Maths
Throughout Maths, Year 4 students have been working hard to develop a range of addition and subtraction strategies to solve five-digit equations. They have also been exploring how to apply the UPAC strategy (Understand, Plan, Answer and Check) to effectively solve problems. Students have practised a variety of question types and approaches, building a strong toolbox of strategies to support their mathematical thinking.
Topic
As the term comes to a close, we are bringing our topic on Healthy Habitats to an end. It has been a special time in Year 4 as students have explored the connections between the Coorong and a range of different ecosystems. Students are encouraged to continue discussing their understanding of living and non-living things, different ecosystems, and the needs of flora and fauna.
Term 2 Novel Studies
A gentle reminder that in Term 2, Year 4 students will begin exploring the novel Uncle Xbox by Jared Thomas as part of their novel studies. To help students feel confident and prepared, they are encouraged to read the book over the holidays and start becoming familiar with the storyline and characters.
A Special Visit in 4B
This week, 4B enjoyed a very special visitor. Earlier this term, we were delighted to welcome Mrs Rafferty, Mr Collis, and Mrs McGrath, but Tuesday morning brought a visit of a very different kind. Thank you to Ollie, who kindly brought in Spike to meet the class!
Tying in beautifully with our topic on habitats, students had the opportunity to learn about how Spike is cared for, his feeding routine, and the responsibilities involved in looking after a pet. Thank you, Ollie, for sharing Spike with us, it was a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone in 4B!
4B Lends a Helping Hand
4B has been hard at work reorganising the books in Years 4 and 5. After a wet-day timetable challenge, it was wonderful to see how many hands truly made light work!
Thank you, 4B, for demonstrating care and responsibility as we look after our fantastic collection of books. A special thanks also to Della and Sharon for their extra effort and attention, it made a real difference!
Buddy time
Year 4 is always full of excitement during Buddy Time! From checking in on each other in the yard to offering a helping hand when needed, our students are consistently demonstrating outstanding role-modelling and leadership skills.
To close out the term, we enjoyed quality time with our buddies in the new playground and got creative with some Easter crafts. Well done, Year 4, for being such positive role models for Year 2, we are extremely proud of you!
Middle School Reminders
Sports Uniform for Term 2
Year 3: Wednesday (PE) and Thursday (Class Sport)
Year 4: Wednesday (Class Sport) and Thursday (PE)
Please note that these dates are subject to change. Any updates affecting your child’s sports uniform days will be communicated in Term 2, Week 1.
Term 2 Overviews
Please keep an eye out for the Term 2 Overviews, which will be shared early next term to help you familiarise yourself with the key curriculum focuses.
Happy Easter
We wish all our families a happy and safe Easter! Thank you for making Term 1 such a wonderful start to the year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 2 to continue building on the fantastic learning and achievements.
Joanne Collins: jcollins@shsandringham.catholic.edu.au
Mak Bulte: