Ephesus Community

Dear Grade 3 Families,

Grade 3 students explored the different parts of the Mass in Religious Education, reflecting on the importance of gathering in prayer and listening to God’s Word. In English, they developed their vocabulary, grammar, sentence-writing and cursive handwriting skills while reading Chapters 10–13 of Charlotte’s Web and following Charlotte’s plan to save Wilbur. In Mathematics, students learned to measure, estimate and order distances using a scaled map and practiced converting kilometers to meters. In Integrated Studies, they continued developing their finger puppets and explored storytelling, scripted drama, tension and performance techniques. In Auslan, students reviewed Unit 6 vocabulary, practiced describing pictures and developed their understanding of Auslan sentence structure. During Social and Emotional Learning, students explored their right to feel safe, be heard and seek help from trusted adults as they prepared for Child Protection Week.

                  Learning for Term 3, Week 9

Religious Education:

In Religious Education, students will learn about the Introductory Rites and the Liturgy of the Word, exploring how the beginning of Mass helps us gather as God’s people and how we listen and respond to God’s Word. They will identify the key parts of the Mass, reflect on why we gather and listen to Scripture, and practice respectful ways to participate and respond during prayer. Through Psalm 122 and Romans 10:17, students will deepen their understanding of gathering in prayer and listening to God’s Word.

English:

In English, students will develop their vocabulary and language skills by exploring the meanings of new words and investigating base words, prefixes and suffixes, including un-, under-, -ion, -ic, -ate, in-, -ise, -al, uni-, re-, -ly and de-. They will practice elaborating in paragraphs and expanding sentences with greater detail, develop their paragraph and narrative writing skills by exploring narrative structure and the writing process, and continue to refine their cursive handwriting. Students will also read and discuss Chapters 14–17 of Charlotte’s Web, following Wilbur’s preparations for the fair, Charlotte’s continued support and the growing excitement surrounding Wilbur’s story.

Mathematics:

In Mathematics, students will learn to describe and compare the positions of landmarks on a map using precise positional language. They will use terms such as above, below, left, right, near, far, next to, and across from to describe locations, compare the positions of landmarks, and combine positional clues. Students will also develop their ability to create clear clues with one possible answer and prove that their clues accurately identify a single location.

Integrated Curriculum:

In Integrated Studies, students will continue to explore puppetry using their created finger puppets. They will learn what a backstory is and create one for their puppet to develop its character and story. Students will also explore how to shape dramatic action and create tension through puppetry, with a deeper focus on using voice, movement and expression to bring their characters to life.

Auslan:

In Auslan, students will review the skills and vocabulary they have learnt throughout the term. They will use their imagination to create and perform a signed story and participate in a signed game using simple statements such as “I know” and “I remember”. Students will also complete their end-of-term assessment tasks, demonstrating their developing Auslan communication and signing skills.

Social & Emotional Learning:

In Social and Emotional Learning, students will continue to focus on Child Protection Week 2026: “Every Conversation Matters – Shifting Conversations to Action” and the UNICEF Convention on the Rights of the Child. They will explore their right to feel safe, heard and cared for and learn about the trusted adults and supports available at St Thomas when they need help, feel unwell or want to talk to someone. Students will discuss why speaking up, asking for help and starting conversations are positive and courageous actions. As part of their learning, students will create posters reflecting the Child Protection Week theme, encouraging others to recognize the importance of every conversation and taking action to support children’s safety and wellbeing.

What you can do at home:

• 📖 Read together: Encourage your child to read for at least 15–20 minutes each evening. Read a Bible passage, Psalm 122 or Romans 10:17 together and talk about what the Scripture means and how we can listen and respond to God’s Word.
• 💬 Talk and listen: Take time to have a conversation about your child’s day. Ask open-ended questions, listen with care and encourage your child to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas.
• 🗺️ Practise positional language: Use a map, a room at home or everyday objects to practise words such as above, below, left, right, near, far, next to and across from. Challenge your child to give clues that identify one specific location.
• 🎭 Get creative with puppetry: Encourage your child to use their finger puppet to create a character and short backstory. Practise using their voice, movement, expression and pauses to bring their character to life and create tension in their story.
• 💛 Practise faith, safety and kindness: Talk about why we gather as God’s people and the importance of feeling safe, heard and cared for. Discuss trusted adults your child can talk to if they need help, and encourage them to show kindness, respect and care for others.

Important Classroom Reminders:

• Fidget Toys

  We kindly ask that students do not bring fidget toys to school unless their use is a planned adjustment in consultation with Allied Health Professionals. Students who bring fidget toys without an approved adjustment will be asked to place them in their school bag for the remainder of the day to take home. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to leave fidget toys at home.

• Plastic bottle caps needed for this Term's Integrated unit! 

  Please send washed plastic bottle caps (soft drink, milk etc) to school with your child whenever possible. Your support is greatly appreciated!

   

• Spare clothes/change of clothes

  Please pack spare clothes with a pair of socks and underwear to be placed in the front zip pocket of your child's school bag if they get muddy during recess and play time. 

• Please ensure that you are labelling all your child's belongings.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Thursday, 10 September - RU OK? Day
• Friday, 11th September - Deadline of submissions for Christmas Card Competition 2026
• Thursday 17th September - Coffee and Connect - Meet our Primary School Nurse, Erica McWIlliams at the Staff Room
• Thursday, 17th September - Last Day of Term 3
• Monday 5th October - First Day of Term 4

Enjoy your weekend, 

The Ephesus Team

Contact us @Ephesus

ephesus@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au (all teachers) or