Grade 3/4 News

Welcome

The first few weeks of school have been a busy and exciting time in our Grade 3/4 classrooms! 

A big focus at the start of this year has been to support students to feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn. We’ve spent time establishing classroom routines and expectations so that everyone understands how our learning environment works. 

Getting to know one another has also been an important part of these first weeks. Building strong relationships helps create a safe and supportive classroom where everyone feels valued and included. Together, we have begun developing our classroom and schoolwide agreements to support a positive culture of learning.

Please feel free to email your classroom teacher to discuss any matter, or to make a time to meet in person. The Grade 3-4 team can be contacted via the following emails:

• Rohan Daenke: rohan.daenke@education.vic.gov.au
• Daniel Lidgett: daniel.lidgett@education.vic.gov.au 
• Jade Patrao-Hurley: jade.patrao-hurley@education.vic.gov.au 
• Jenna Brewer: jenna.brewer@education.vic.gov.au 
• Caitlin Harris: caitlin.harris3@education.vic.gov.au 
• Sam McCloud: sam.mccloud@education.vic.gov.au 

Reminders and Upcoming Events:

These are some of the events coming up this term. Stay tuned to Compass for any permissions or payments required, as well as changes or additions to our event calendar. 

• Thu 19th Feb: “Start-Up” Performances in the Hub
• Wed 11th Mar – Fri 13th Mar: Grade 3 NAPLAN
• Wed 18th Mar – School Photos Day
• Mon 30th Mar – Whole School Cross Country Event
• Thur 2nd Apr - Last day of term (Easter Hat Parade)

Homework

The Grade 3–4 teaching team encourages students to read at home whenever they can. We love celebrating students’ reading efforts, so we invite families to send Home Reading Journals (the small green books) to school each Friday.

We ask that families do their best to read most nights each week and fill in the green reading diary on those days. Students may bring the same books for a number of days and this is to support them to develop their fluency and expression. 'Just right' books should allow students to decode most of the words in the text and comprehend the text accurately. 

We understand that busy family schedules and after-school activities can sometimes make home reading tricky. Please know that any reading your child does is valuable, and developing regular reading habits at home can make a big difference to students’ confidence and success at school, and in the future.

Our Learning

Over the next two weeks, we will continue building our literacy and numeracy routines, alongside our School Wide Positive Behaviours and Respectful Relationships goals. Students have also received their new netbooks and we have been busy setting up programs and logins, as well as learning important cyber safety skills, before the devices are sent home. We are still waiting for the netbook cases to arrive and will let you know when the devices are ready to go home. 

Weeks 3 & 4

In Literacy, we will be exploring narrative texts and the features authors use to engage readers and create mood and atmosphere through character traits, setting, and plot development. Our Big Write topic, The Tunnel, will provide students with a wonderful opportunity to showcase their understanding of this genre.

In Mathematics, we will be focusing on whole numbers. Students will work in flexible groups and independently to explore key concepts through hands-on practice and problem-solving activities, helping to strengthen their confidence and understanding when working with numbers.

Thanks, and have a great fortnight ahead!

From the Grade 3-4 Team