Kii 3/4S families!

Firstly, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Ali and Marisa for volunteering to be our class carers this year!

This past fortnight our Grade 3 students have been participating in NAPLAN. We are very proud of the calm focus and perseverance they showed, and the thoughtful way they applied themselves throughout the assessments. In the days leading up to the tests, the Grade 4 students shared some truly beautiful words of encouragement and advice with the 3s, helping to reassure them and reminding them to simply do their best.

During the NAPLAN sessions, the Grade 4s joined with Lucy’s Grade 2 class in Chelsea’s room, where they spent time exploring the world of poetry. Together they experimented with a variety of forms including haiku, found poetry, and acrostic poetry. The room was full of creativity as students played with words, rhythm and imagery, discovering how language can paint pictures and capture small moments in a few carefully chosen lines.

Many students have continued to create poetry in various forms beyond our poetry lessons, which has been wonderful to see.

Students have also been completing their own research on the Vikings using books and online sources. They have been presenting their findings in a variety of creative ways, including PowerPoint presentations, posters, stories and illustrations inspired by their learning.

Mathematics

This fortnight in Mathematics, our class has begun exploring how to measure the area and perimeter of two-dimensional shapes using standard units. Students have been building on their understanding of rows, columns and arrays to help calculate the area of different spaces.

To apply these skills in a creative way, students were challenged to design their own school. The goal was to include as many essential buildings as possible (such as classrooms and other school facilities) while ensuring their designs were comfortable and practical for the students who would attend. Each building in the challenge was given a minimum area and perimeter requirement, encouraging students to carefully plan the size and layout of their school. They also needed to ensure that all of their buildings fit within the perimeter of the school grounds.

This activity invited students to combine mathematical thinking with creativity and problem-solving, and it was wonderful to see the thoughtful designs and planning that emerged.

Additionally, we have begun learning about fractions by exploring parts of a whole. Students observed apples being cut into halves, quarters and eighths, and recorded these examples in their workbooks.

Upcoming Dates and Reminders

Monday 23rd March: School Photos

Monday 30th March: 3/4 Camp (Monday - Wednesday)

Thursday 2nd April: Final day of Term 1 (early dismissal 2.30pm)

Scheduling a meeting

If you would like to meet throughout the year (outside of parent teacher conferences etc) please email me with a suggested time and brief overview of what you'd like to discuss.

I am available Tues - Fri before school and Monday & Thursday after school.

My best contact is via Compass or by email directly at chelsea.ripper@education.vic.gov.au

Dhumbadjirri "Talk Together"

Issue #90 - Term 1 - Week 8 · 20 Mar 2026

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