Middle School News

Year 3

Literacy
This is our last week of exploring the novel Matilda. Next week we will continue our literacy structure of Reading to Learn, morphology, fluency, TWR, irregular words, handwriting, daily review and Spelling Mastery. Students will continue building on their Victorian Cursive Handwriting and we encourage each student to practice this at home.

Maths
Our year 3 students have been diving into the world of mathematics by learning the vertical algorithm for addition and subtraction. This method has helped them understand the importance of aligning numbers by their place values, making it easier to add and subtract with accuracy. By using vertical algorithms, students are becoming more proficient in regrouping. Hand-ons practice with this technique has not only improved their computational skills but also boosted their confidence in tackling more complex problems.
Religion
Our Year 3 students have been exploring the story of the baptism of Jesus, delving into its significance within the Catholic faith. They have learned about the events at the River Jordan, where John the Baptist baptised Jesus, and the profound moment when the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended.
Topic
Our Year 3 students have been exploring the concept of matter, bringing it to life with exciting experiments. One experiment involved using vinegar and bicarb soda to inflate a balloon. The students observed the chemical reaction that produced carbon dioxide, causing the balloon to expand. This hands-on activity helped them understand the properties and interactions of different substances in a fun and engaging way.

Potato Olympics 🥇
Our Year 3 students are currently competing for their countries in the Potato Olympics, an event filled with a variety of unique and engaging activities. They have participated in activities such as the Potato Roll, where students raced their decorated potato athletes down a track, with the physio on hand to ensure every potato stayed safe and in one piece. In addition to the physical challenges, students have also exercised their minds with activities like Code Breaker and Word Breaker, where they solved puzzles and cracked codes to earn points for their teams.

Year 4

Literacy
In our recent exploration of persuasive writing, Year 4 students focused on crafting compelling arguments about deforestation. They learned how to construct strong topic sentences to introduce their points, such as "Deforestation has devastating effects on wildlife habitats." They then developed three key points to support their argument: the loss of animal homes, the impact on climate change, and the reduction of oxygen production. To conclude, they wrote a powerful closing sentence like, "To protect our planet and its diverse species, it is crucial that we take immediate action to prevent deforestation." Students are focussing on using high modality words, and rich vocabulary.

Maths
During maths students are split into two different groups based on their abilities. They are focussing on multiplication and division for the next 4 weeks. During our multiplication we are focusing on- Times Tables, vertical multiplication, multiplication worded problems, factors and multiples. During division we are focusing on grouping with arrays, understanding the connection between multiplication and division, division using images and short division.
Topic
In Year 4, we have started exploring the fundamental questions: What is matter? What are atoms? What is material? Alongside these topics, we also delved into the fascinating world of exoplanet 55, learning about its classification as a super-Earth, the presence of sulphur dioxide in its atmosphere, the effects of stellar irradiation, and the concept of habitability within a binary system.

Jewish Museum
The Year 4 students recently visited the Jewish Museum to deepen their understanding of Passover. During the visit, they walked through the museum and learned about the various foods Jewish people eat during this significant holiday. They explored the importance of Passover and its customs, including Shabbat, and discussed how these traditions connect to the Catholic story of the Last Supper. This educational experience provided the students with a richer understanding of both Jewish and Catholic traditions.