Year 3/4 Team News

Hello Year  3/4 families,   

Welcome back to Term One of Year 3/4 for 2026. The Year 3/4 teachers this year are:

• Katherine Buenaventura (3/4B)
• Katja Morris (3/4M)
• Grace Pante & Kayleen Dumic (3/4P)
• Alison Standish (3/4S)
• Hayley Thibou (3/4T)

We are so pleased with how the Grade 3/4s have quickly settled back into school routines. Over the past couple of weeks, we have begun setting up our classroom expectations and our students are leading by example, showing responsibility and respect in their new classrooms. 

Curriculum Focus: Weeks 3 - 4

Literacy: In Reading, we are learning to make and adjust predictions by using clues from the text and illustrations to make a prediction, explain our reasoning using evidence from the text and adjust our predictions as we gather more information. In Writing, we are using 6+1 traits and mentor texts to work through the writing process to write a narrative.

Numeracy:  Place Value: Recognise and identify numbers beyond 10,000.

• Model numbers beyond 10,000 using a range of manipulatives (eg. MAB) 
• Order numbers beyond 10,000. 
• Placing numbers in order on a number line with correct scaling. 
• Understand that numbers can be partitioned.

Inquiry: Our inquiry question is ‘How do things move?’ We will begin exploring our understanding of force, friction and gravity. 

Willy Kids: This term's topic is ‘Willy Kids are Learners’. Willy Kids are always ready to learn and love learning new things! We are exploring how we can show that we are ready to learn.

Homework

Homework is a valuable tool in reinforcing what is being learnt at school. We want our students to think of homework as being an important activity that assists in preparation for life-long learning. All students will receive their homework at school on a Monday and it is due back at school on Friday of the same week. 

Homework tasks include:

• Reading – four nights per week for a minimum of 15 minutes. Students are to record the book titles for the week on the homework sheet.
• Maths – playing the number games learnt in class at home to continue building number sense and revising learnt skills. 
• Spelling – suggested activities to help practise the words that your child has chosen.
• Writing – a short writing task to be completed in your child’s Homework Book.

All students have a Homework Book in which they are encouraged to complete their tasks. Please contact your child’s teacher if there are any concerns or questions about the homework tasks.

Important Dates Coming Up: 

• Meet the Teacher Wednesday 11th of February (students to be dismissed at 12.30pm)
• School Photos: Tuesday 17th of February 

Cold Water Swimming

It's fantastic that we have the opportunity to go to the Williamstown Life Saving Club for the beach program again this year! As part of the curriculum, students in grades 3-6 will participate in a single day water safety and awareness program at the Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club. The program aims to enhance students' understanding of different open water environments.

The program will run from 10:00am - 2:30pm. Students are to arrive at school at the normal time and will walk to the Life Saving Club with their teacher. At the conclusion of the program, students will walk back to school with their teacher and will be dismissed from school at normal time. *(See below for the actual date that your student’s class will be attending).

Due to required adult to student ratios, we require an additional adult to walk with each class both to and from the Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club. If you can assist with walking either to or from the Club, please let your class teacher know. If you can help with both, you are also more than welcome to stay and watch the program, however, you are not required to stay. 

It is recommended that students wear their swimming clothes underneath their school uniforms and to bring a plastic bag to place all wet clothes in at the conclusion of their session. Rash vests must be worn at all times. If they do not have one, they can borrow one from the Life Saving Club. Students must bring a hat, sunscreen, a towel, lunch and their water bottle.

Dates for each class:

Week 3, Tuesday 10th Feb – 3/4P & 3/4T

Week 3, Thursday 12th Feb – 3/4B & 3/4S

Week 5, Wednesday 25th Feb – 3/4M

iPads

The school’s 2026 Acceptable Use Agreement is available on Compass now for families to read and sign. It outlines the expectations, responsibilities and safe-use guidelines for students when using digital devices at school. 

We ask that families read this document with their child prior to providing approval. Students will not be able to use devices at school until families have read the agreement and provided approval via Compass. 

Your child’s classroom teacher will contact you once we are ready for students to begin bringing iPads to school. 

Sun Safety

It has been excellent to see our Grade 3/4’s bringing their hats to school and wearing them during break times. Students are required to wear their hats during all outside play in Term One. Please ensure that your child’s hat is clearly labelled with their name so that it can be easily returned to them if it is misplaced. They will also require a drink bottle each day.

Warm regards, 

The Year 3/4 team –  Katja Morris (3/4M), Grace Pante & Kayleen Dumic (3/4P), Alison Standish (3/4S) ,Hayley Thibou (3/4T) & Katherine Buenaventura (3/4B)