From the Year 4 Classroom

We have had a very busy and exciting few weeks as we prepared for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist. Over the weekend, the children made their Sacraments — with Fr JunJun on Saturday evening and Bishop Shane on Sunday morning. It was a truly wonderful experience for the children and their families as they continue their faith journey by becoming fully initiated into the Catholic faith. We are incredibly proud of them all.

The children were wonderful throughout both Masses. They showed great reverence and maturity, participating with confidence and respect. A particular highlight was their performance of the Spirit of the Lord reflection, which they delivered beautifully and prayerfully. Their voices and actions carried a deep sense of meaning and sincerity, creating a moving moment for everyone present. 

We would like to thank the children who did not receive the Sacraments for their outstanding support of their peers. Their involvement has been truly appreciated. They participated fully in RE lessons, contributed thoughtfully to class discussions and activities, and showed great commitment to their learning. Most importantly, their encouragement and support for those receiving the Sacraments has been a joy to witness.

In Reading, we have continued exploring the novel Uncle Xbox, which delves into themes of modern Indigenous life. This has been complemented by non-fiction texts about Captain Cook and the arrival of the First Fleet, providing valuable context and sparking rich discussions about the impact on First Nations Australians and our shared history. The children have also continued to read ‘good fit’ books to further build on their comprehension and fluency skills. 

In Writing, the focus has been on the structure of a historical recount which includes – an introduction, three body paragraphs and a conclusion. Each body paragraph includes: a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. The children have been taking notes from readings and videos to draft their own recounts, using chronological order, time connectives, and past tense verbs to effectively convey historical events. This week, we will write the conclusion and publish their recounts - ‘British Settlement and the Effects on First Nations Australians’.

At the sentence level, we have continued learning how to write complex and compound

sentences to enhance writing. The children have also practised rewriting sentences by using more interesting verbs and adverbs to add detail and variety. In spelling, they have explored the suffix ‘-able’, learning the rules for adding it to base words. They have also studied words with the prefix ‘in-’, which can mean in, on, or not, and enjoyed unpacking the meanings of different word parts. It’s been fantastic to see their growing understanding of how words work. 

In Handwriting, the children continue to produce some amazing cursive writing. Ask them for a demonstration – it's good for them to practise this skill at home to help build speed and accuracy.

On Friday, students will complete an assessment task based on our current text. This will allowus to evaluate their understanding of the content and observe the development of their skills inwriting a factual recount. Next week, we will begin our second text for the term, The Arrival by Shaun Tan, which looks at a narrative structure using visual storytelling.

In Mathematics, the children have been exploring the topic of Measurement. They can nowclassify both formal and informal units and choose appropriate measurements for differentobjects. They have measured items in their environment, demonstrating an understanding ofboth the correct units and the importance of accuracy.We have also been learning about area and perimeter, with a focus this week on calculating thearea of both regular and irregular shapes. Additionally, the children continued their Daily TimesTable Challenge. It has been wonderful to see progress in their recall and speed of multiplication equations. It is obvious that children are practicing at home!

In Inquiry, we have been deepening our understanding of Australian history, both before and after the arrival of the First Fleet. The children have explored the reasons behind British settlement and its lasting impact on Indigenous Australians by reading and listening to first hand accounts. It has been great to see them reflect thoughtfully and ask meaningful questions about the past and how it continues to shape the way we live together today. 

This learning has been especially relevant, as last Monday we marked National Sorry Day, followed by Reconciliation Week. As part of our learning, we watched Kevin Rudd’s Apology to the Stolen Generations and had the privilege of listening to Aunty Molly Carter, who shared her first hand experiences of life as an Indigenous person over recent decades. The children also created Indigenous-themed artwork, enhancing their understanding of our shared history and the importance of reconciliation.

Best of Luck – to the children participating in the Divisional Cross Country this Wednesday. What a terrific achievement in making it to this stage. We look forward to hearing how you all go

Student of the Week Awards: We congratulate the following award winners:

Upcoming Dates: 

Divisional Cross Country – Wangaratta 4th June

Tabloid Sports Afternoon – Friday 6th June