Grade 3 Community News

Dear Year 3 Families,

As we move into Week 4 of Term 1, it has been wonderful to see how well the students have settled into Grade 3. They have worked hard to learn and follow our school and classroom routines, and are becoming increasingly confident in the protocols that support a positive learning environment they learnt through the Learn-to-Learn program in Week 1. With these strong foundations now in place, we are excited to dive further into our learning and make the most of the term ahead. We look forward to seeing the students continue to grow in independence and confidence as the year progresses.

English

This term, students have been exploring Charlotte’s Web, focusing on key events such as Wilbur meeting Charlotte, the growth of their friendship, and Charlotte’s promise to save Wilbur when he learns about his fate. Through the text, students are developing their understanding of how authors use conjunctions like because, but, and so to explain events, show contrasts, and describe outcomes.

Text-Level Reading

Students are building their comprehension skills by discussing important moments in the story, including the arrival of the goslings, Fern’s observations in the barn, and Wilbur’s attempts to spin a web. These discussions support students in making predictions, understanding character perspectives, and identifying themes such as friendship and loyalty.

Sentence-Level Writing

Students have been revising the four sentence types — statements, commands, questions, and exclamations — and learning how punctuation supports meaning. Using examples from the text, they are practising writing clear and purposeful sentences.

Text-Level Writing

Inspired by Charlotte’s Web, students are planning and writing their own narratives. They are creating engaging beginnings that introduce characters and settings, followed by a middle that presents a problem and action. To encourage creativity, students are experimenting with replacing Wilbur and Charlotte with other unlikely character combinations.

Maths

Students have been developing their number knowledge by learning to read and write large numbers. A key focus has been correctly placing the comma where we would say “thousand” and ensuring there are three digits after the comma.

We have also been extending our addition skills by working with larger numbers. Students are practising starting from the smallest place value and recognising when a column totals more than nine — our cue for “regrouping time!”

Humanities

Students have been exploring the concept of community by building on their understanding of personal identity, special places, and connections to Country. They have identified features of communities at both local and national levels, including learning about the Australian, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander flags and the symbolism they represent.

Students have also discussed why communities create rules and the responsibilities of their members, while developing an awareness of the values, beliefs, and storytelling traditions that are important within First Nations cultures.

REMINDERS:

• In Term 1 all students are required to wear a Tarneit Rise Primary School hat at both recess and lunch. If you need to purchase a hat, please visit the front office. 
• Each term we will be studying a new novel. If you haven’t already, could you please purchase a copy of Charlotte’s Webb by E.B. White to ensure your child can follow the novel as we read as a class.
• Students need to have their own pencil cases this year; we recommend leaving them at school to save them from being left at home. Please only bring to school the items required on the book list. Any gel pens and markers will need to stay home. 
• Students are encouraged to be reading at home each night. 
• Please sign the BYOD user agreement so students can be using the iPads in the classroom ASAP: https://forms.gle/U6b7tSj6C8aRdvFG8

Harmony Day

On March 20th, 2026, Tarneit Rise will celebrate Harmony Day. A special day that recognises the many cultures, backgrounds, and traditions that make our school community so vibrant. Harmony Day teaches students that everyone belongs and deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected. It is a wonderful opportunity for students to dress up in their cultural attire and celebrate what makes each of us unique!

Important dates to remember this term:

• Our Meet and Greet afternoon will be held on the 19th of February. Further details will be shared on Compass. 
• School photos on the 26th and 27th of February. If you would like a sibling photo form, you can get this at the office.
• Public holidays this term: Labour Day 9th March

Warm Regards,

The Year 3 Team