Year 3/4

Level Newsletter

Teacher Email Address Contacts

Upcoming Important Dates

• Wednesday 21st February                                                                                               - 'Teeth on Wheels' School Dentist visit, Day 1 (students with booked appointments)
•  Friday 23rd February                                                                                                       - District Swimming Carnival (selected Year 3-6 students) 
• Friday 23rd February                                                                                                                - SPS Dads Group Games Afternoon, 4.00-5.30pm in 5/6 Learning Space (all welcome - please register online)

From The Team

Welcome back to 2024. We have had a very settled start to the year and we are extremely proud of all of our students for working so well in a new space, getting to know new classmates and teachers, and adjusting to the new school timetable.

Mrs Larissa Holdsworth has joined our SPS community and we welcome her to our level. We look forward to working with Larissa this year. Our team consists of Mrs Caz Sheaf, Mrs Larissa Holdsworth, Mrs Caroline Foenander, Mrs Sue Hartley and Mrs Jenny Clarke.

Mrs Caz Sheaf - 3/4S Teacher and Level Coordinator: I have been teaching at SPS for 18 years now and I absolutely love the close knit community that we have here. I spent part of my holidays in Queensland with my first grandson, who is now nearly 6 months old. We had a lovely Christmas together.

Mrs Caroline Foenander - 3/4F Teacher (Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri): I love teaching at SPS as it has such a wonderful community of students, families and staff, and I am excited to be teaching here again this year. Over the break, I enjoyed spending quality time at home with family and friends. I also slotted in a trip with my daughters to Ballarat where we spent time at Sovereign Hill and the Ballarat Wildlife Park, which was great fun.

Mrs Larissa Holdsworth - 3/4H Teacher: I am excited to be teaching Year 3/4 this year and have loved being at SPS so far! I graduated in 2018 with a Masters in Primary Education.  I live with my husband, two girls and our dog.  I love teaching because I love making learning fun for kids.  I am very much looking forward to teaching this year at SPS!

Mrs Sue Hartley - 3/4F Teacher (Wed) and Principal: I am excited to be returning to the classroom this year for 1 day a week (Wednesdays) and working with Mrs Foenander, 3/4F and the 3/4 team.

I love teaching and working with children; it has been my lifelong passion. This is my 35th year with the Department of Education, and Scoresby PS has been - by far - the best place I have worked over the years. Such wonderful students and amazing staff! I feel very lucky to have landed here.

We had a lovely Christmas and hosted my extended family for a big Christmas lunch. Over summer I spent a bit of time at Phillip Island with my own family, and then in early January my 27-year-old daughter left Australia to take up a research project in Germany. That was a bit sad but it gives me a place to visit overseas!

Mrs Jenny Clarke - 3/4F Aide (Mon-Thur): I have been working at SPS for 15 years as an Integration Aide.  I love working with the students, supporting them to learn. During the holidays I went to Phillip Island with my family. I love going to the football to cheer for the Western Bulldogs and going for daily walks. 

What We Are Learning

Reminders

Brain Food Break

Our Brain Food Break is at 9.40-9.50am each day, and children are required to have raw food for this (fruit and vegetables - no packet food). Please pack some brain food in your child’s lunchbox each day.

Pencil Cases

All students in Level 3/4 need to have a pencil case. We move and work in different workspaces around the school and this is an easy way for students to look after their own resources.

Hats

It is a requirement that all students wear a school hat in Term 1 and Term 4. Students who don’t have their hat will play in the undercover area near the stage to protect them from the sun.

Art Smocks

All students must have an art smock at school. Please send one with your child as soon as possible.

Library Bags

We encourage all students to borrow regularly from the library and they will need to have a library bag for these books.

Compass

Compass is the main communication platform. All parents need to have access to this. If you require assistance with this, please contact the office.

Request For Parent Helpers

We encourage parents to be part of the learning journey of our students. If you are willing to help in the classroom, please speak with your child’s teacher. All volunteers must have a Working With Children Check. Please see the office for more information about this.

Forms

Annual Consent form, Digitech Agreement - please sign and return these to school asap.

Try This...

Activities to practise numeracy skills using a pack of playing cards (with the picture cards removed):

Add 10

- Flip the cards over one at a time. 

- Look at the number and then add 10.

Eg: flip 3 (add 10) - answer is 13.

Build to 10

- Flip the cards over one at a time.

- Look at the number and then work out how many more are needed to build to 10.

Eg: flip a 3, therefore a 7 is needed to make it up to 10.

Doubles

- Flip the cards over one at a time.

- Look at the number and add the same number to it - double it.

Eg: flip a 3 and double it (3+3) to get your answer, 6.

What We Are Learning In Specialist Classes             In Term 1

Visual Arts

This term students will explore colour and painting. They will practise making gradients and tints by gradually blending colours. Students will experiment with brush techniques and investigate different brush sizes. They will paint silhouettes and create art using the rainbow colours in the correct order.

Students must bring an art smock to school to protect their school uniform. Smocks can be bought or made from an old, oversized top. The smocks must be clearly named and will be kept in a classroom tub for the children to wear when using messy art materials. 

Mandarin

Welcome back to the new term at SPS! It's exciting that students will have the opportunity to learn another language every week throughout the year.

In Term 1, spanning from Year 1 to 6, during the first three weeks, we will introduce essential facts about China such as geography, population, inventions, national animals, flowers, and the structure of the language. This approach is designed to ensure that students have a clearer overview of China and recognise the importance of learning Chinese. Additionally, as Chinese New Year approaches, the following two weeks will be dedicated to exploring this cultural celebration with engaging and enjoyable activities planned for the students. It's worth noting that the content and activities will be tailored to different grade levels, providing each level with its own unique area to explore. This approach acknowledges the diverse learning needs and capabilities of students across various grades. For the following weeks, the planning is as following: 

For Year 3/4, the focus will be on learning names of different places in Chinese such as the zoo, amusement park, etc., and how to use these words to express preferences for desired locations in sentences.

Science

During Term One, students in Year 3/4 will be exploring animal biology and how it fits into our wider ecosystem. We will be investigating the differences between living, non-living and never living things, as well as the internal and external features animals have to aid in their survival. We will look at how animals adapt to different environments and situations in order to survive, and be introduced to a variety of human body systems that allow humans to function and thrive. 

Performing Arts

To be advised when Mr Boyd returns from Long Service Leave.

Physical Education

Year 3/4 classes have their PE lesson on Tuesdays, so it is imperative that runners are worn every Tuesday. 

The focus this term is Athletics, in preparation for District Athletics Carnival which will be early in Term 2. Students will practise the different events before final selection is made for our team. 

The District Swimming Competition is on Friday 23rd February. Students who can confidently swim 50m in under one minute will have the opportunity to attend this event. We are hoping to send a team of swimmers this year.

Later this year, students will also have the opportunity to attend District Cross Country and Hoop Time.

Maths

The students were presented with a Maths investigation, The Length of Summer. They demonstrated great teamwork, collaborating and helping each other to solve the problems. We look forward to many more activities like this.