Year 4 News

Welcome to Year 4

Welcome to the 2026 school year! We hope you all enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing summer holiday. It has been wonderful to return to the classroom and see the children settle back in with such enthusiasm, reconnecting with their friends and teachers. We look forward to working closely with you and building strong, positive relationships throughout the year.

Religion

Students will develop their understanding of the historical and cultural setting in which Jesus lived. They will learn about the mission and ministry of Jesus, how this was handed on through his disciples, and how it continues through the Church today. Students will also explore Mary as a woman of faith who allowed God to work through her life. Throughout the term, students will learn about Saint Agatha and her feast day, and towards the end of the term they will prepare for the season of Lent and Easter.

English

Reading

In Reading, students will focus on developing close reading strategies to strengthen their understanding of texts. They will explore literal, inferential and evaluative questions through whole-class discussions and written responses, learning to read beyond the lines and deepen their comprehension. Students will also be encouraged to read aloud during whole-class sessions to build confidence and fluency. During Term One, we will explore the works of author Sally Murphy, using a range of poetry styles to engage students and broaden their exposure to different text types. This unit will support students in expanding their vocabulary and developing a deeper appreciation of poetry. 

Writing

In Writing, students will continue to develop their ideas and writing skills acrossa range of tasks throughout the term. A strong focus will also be placed on handwriting, supporting students to consistently join their letters and develop neat, fluent writing. As students build confidence and consistency, they will be guided towards working towards earning their pen licence in Semester Two.

Mathematics

This term in Mathematics, Year Four students are focusing on Number and Place Value. They are developing their understanding of large numbers, including reading, writing and representing numbers up to at least 10,000. Students are learning to compare, order and round numbers, and are exploring patterns in numbers. They are also practising addition, subtraction, multiplication and division strategies, both mentally and with written methods, to solve a variety of problems. 

These skills help students apply their understanding of numbers in real-life situations and build a strong foundation for more complex mathematical concepts later in the year.

Humanities

Students are learning about how communities work and how people participate as active citizens. They are exploring the features of government and laws, why rules and laws are important, and how decisions are made democratically in communities. Students are also learning about the role of local government and the services it provides to support the community. 

Through this unit, students investigate how people participate in communities and examine the diverse cultural, religious and social groups that make up our society, helping them develop an understanding of fairness, responsibility and respect for others.

Personal and Social Capabilities

Students will develop their Personal and Social Capability by building self-awareness and social awareness. They will learn to recognise and manage their emotions, understand how their actions affect others, and develop positive relationships. Students will practise working collaboratively, making responsible decisions, and showing empathy and respect within the classroom and wider school community.

Homework

Please practise timetables for 5-10 minutes and read for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, at least 3 times a week. 

We encourage parents/carers to regularly listen to their children read, so that you can ask questions to assist with comprehension skills.

Communication

We value open and clear communication with families to support your child’s learning journey. To stay connected, we encourage you to: regularly check your emails, the school PAM app, and SeeSaw for important updates, event details, and messages from teachers.

For specific inquiries: To report an absence or for general inquiries, please contact the schooloffice on 03 5996 2724. To reach your child’s teacher directly, you can use the email addresses listed below.

We’re here to help - please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Valerie Quessy (4V)

vquessy@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au

Gabby Corrone (4C) 

gcorrone@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au

Brendan Browne (4B)

bbrowne@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au

Please note: SeeSaw is an informal communication platform intended forsharing learning activities and updates. For all inquiries, please use email toensure they are received and addressed efficiently.

Reminders

Please make sure you have downloaded PAM using your internet browser to access school information.

Please ensure your child has a labelled hat for Term One and Four.