YEAR THREE

 Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School provides a range of holistic learning experiences to enable students to:

• Participate in the life and mission of the school.
• Deepen their knowledge and engagement with the Catholic faith and tradition.
• Build capacity to continuously reason, reflectively, logically and critically.
• Embrace interdependence of human existence as global citizens, who are responsible to and for themselves and others.
• Engage in learning in a multitude of ways, through personalised and self-paced learning.

Religious Education

Unit 1: God, Religion and Life - Christian Goodness

Year Three will begin the year exploring the 'God, Religion and Life- Christian Goodness' unit. In this unit, students will learn that they are created and loved by God. The unit introduces the second story of creation, which speaks of the creative act of God, an outpouring of divine love and goodness, in which we are all called to share. The students are encouraged to explore their giftedness and identify how they can use their gifts for the good of all. The students will identify ways they can give glory, praise, and thanks to God through prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist. The unit finally focuses on sharing God’s love, through the ways we live in the right relationship with God and other people, using Jesus as our example. 

Unit 2: The Liturgical Year 

Throughout Term One, Year Three students will also take part in the 'Liturgical Year' unit. This unit enables students to explore the traditions, beliefs, Scripture and events celebrated by the Catholic community throughout the Liturgical Year especially during the time of Lent to Holy Week.

English

This term the students will gain a greater understanding of the textual concepts of narrative and characterisation. Through the study of the text Fantastic Mr Fox, students will explore how narratives set up expectations for the reader using predictable structure and familiar characters and situations. Students will analyse excerpts of the text and use these as the basis for their innovation. Students will also plan, draft and revise a narrative sequel to Fantastic Mr Fox using an orientation, complication, and resolution structure.

Mathematics

The students are explicitly taught concepts from the NSW Mathematics K-10 Syllabus. Students will engage in differentiated activities according to their learning needs. The topics taught in Term 1 include Data, Representing Number & Additive Relations, Multiplicative Relations & Two-dimensional Spatial Structure (2D shapes) and Additive Relations & Geometric Measure (Length). The students will also take part in daily review activities & mentals to help consolidate their skills.

Geography

The Geography unit for this semester is ‘Places are Similar and Different’. Students examine the natural and human features of Australia and the diverse characteristics of neighbouring countries. They will explore different climates, settlement patterns and demographic characteristics and use this information to imagine what it would be like to live in different places. Students consider how people’s perceptions of places are the basis for action to protect places and environments. 

Science and Technology

This semester students will engage in the Science and Technology unit ‘Living World’. They will focus on the classification, life cycle and survival of living things. Students will have the opportunity to plan, create and communicate information and ideas through design and production, using digital solutions and programming software. Students examine and consider the agricultural processes used to grow plants and raise animals. They are given the opportunity to design and support the growth of a plant and/or animal.

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

In sport lessons, students will focus on refining fundamental movement skills through fun games and challenges that enhance coordination, decision-making, and tactical strategies. Emphasis will be placed on teamwork, communication, and active listening. The unit also incorporates cultural games, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activities, promoting inclusivity and respect. Students will develop sportsmanship and fair play in a supportive environment, with a focus on soccer skills such as, dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork, to prepare for the Interschools Sports Soccer Gala Day in Term 2. Students will also be participating in games and activities to prepare them for the OLF Cross Country which is on Friday the 14th of March in week 6. 

Open Parachute will continue to be implemented K-6. Open Parachute aims to provide practical support on mental health to students. The program aims to reduce stigma and generate authentic dialogue in classrooms about the real issues students face. The psychological skills-building exercises aim to increase empathy, self-compassion, self-awareness, mental health literacy, and self-efficacy in students. 

Amadeus Music Program

Students will begin the Amadeus Music Education Program on a Thursday. Please make sure your child brings in their instrument each Thursday. They will also participate in activities in listening, performing and organising sound within their regular Classroom Music lessons on a Wednesday. 

• It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they:

  • Arrive on time for each lesson

  • Bring their instrument and required accessories to every lesson

  • Bring their Essential Elements* music book

  • Bring a lead pencil and eraser

Creative Arts

This term we will be exploring 'Colour' in our Visual Arts program. The students will have opportunities to recognise that making art involves consideration of subject matter and concept, techniques and issues to do with representation. They will also explore the advanced colour theory and how colours affect emotions and influence moods.

In Music with Mr Parlato, students will be introduced to and build upon their knowledge of music notation, covering rhythmic values, pitch notation, time signatures, composition, and performance. Students will engage in practical activities such as clapping rhythms, composing short melodies, performing from notation, and analyzing different musical styles. The unit will culminate in students creating and performing their own notated compositions.

Homework 

It is recommended that Year 3 students spend up to 30 minutes on homework per day. This includes 20 minutes of reading every night. Students are required to record what was read in their School Diary each day. Parents are to sign their child’s diary. The homework grid will be shared with the students in Week 2. A Homework book will be used to record set tasks throughout the year. 

Both diaries and homework will be due each Monday. Please make sure your child has filled in their daily reading in their diary and you have signed it and their homework books are brought in to school every Monday.

A 'Maths Plus' mentals workbook and lined homework book will be provided to all students. 'Maths Plus' follows a graded and spiralling approach, allowing for the revision of concepts throughout the year. It will provide students with opportunities to sequentially develop, practise and master their skills and knowledge in Mathematics.

3 Blue- Mrs Tayla Waters (Tues-Fri) & Mrs Jolene Cullen (Mon) 

3 Gold- Mrs Nicole Pyne (Mon, Tues, odd Wed) & Mrs Marnie Stuart (even Wed, Thurs, Fri)

3 White- Mr Thomas Gair 

Important Dates for Year Three

NAPLAN

NAPLAN will take place in Term 1 from March 12th-24th. More information will be provided at a later date. Year 3 students will complete a Writing, Reading, Language Conventions and Numeracy test. Your child will need a working pair of headphones for the assessments.

Music & Library

Music class lessons and Library Day for Year 3 are on Wednesdays. Students do not need their instruments for their music class lessons (only for the Amadeus Program on a Thursday). Students will have the opportunity to borrow books from our school library. Please ensure your child brings their Library Bag to school on a Wednesday.

Sport 

Sports day will be on Wednesdays.

Students are to wear their sports uniform on this day.

2025 - School Term 1

 Parent calendar available at this link