SPOTLIGHT

Year 3

Looking back to the end of Term 3, Year 3 enjoyed a wonderful excursion to Marsupial Park! Students explored the walking trails to spot animals, made their way up to the lookout, enjoyed the playground equipment and saw some of the park's amazing wildlife, including birds and kangaroos. Unfortunately, the emus in their new enclosure were hiding from us that day! It was a fantastic way to finish the term, spending time with friends, building connections and having fun together. The excursion also provided a great opportunity to bring our Geography unit to life. Students identified real-life examples of natural and human-made features around our town, connecting their classroom learning with the world around them. 

A big thank you to the parents who joined us for our Year 3 Diorama Display at the end of last term. The children loved showing off their creativity and sharing the knowledge they had gained through their research. They were very proud of their finished projects and enjoyed explaining the features of their chosen Australian natural or human-made landmark. Thank you for helping us celebrate their hard work and learning! 

Last Friday, Year 3 took part in Water Smart and Friends: Using Water Responsibly. Students explored the importance of using water wisely and learnt how small changes in our everyday lives can help conserve this precious resource. It was a great opportunity to think about how we can all play a part in caring for our environment and being responsible stewards of God’s creation. 

This term, our school has introduced the tradition of stopping at 12 pm each day to pray the Angelus Prayer. Year 3 has been learning about the meaning behind the prayer and how it reminds us of Mary’s important role in God’s plan. We asked some of our students what they thought about this new tradition. One student shared, “It’s nice that everyone stops what they’re doing to pray,” while another said, “I like having a little break in the day to talk to God.” These daily moments of prayer connect beautifully with our recent Year 3 Liturgy, where students came together as a grade to pray, reflect and celebrate our Catholic faith. The liturgy gave students the opportunity to actively participate in the faith life of our school, develop a deeper understanding of prayer and worship, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Through both the Angelus and our grade liturgy, students are learning that faith is not just something we learn about in the classroom, but something we share, celebrate and live out together each day.

Year 4

It's been a wonderful start to Term 4 in Year 4, with our students demonstrating their enthusiasm, adaptability and commitment to learning!

This week, our students have been completing their PAT Mathematics and Reading assessments. These assessments provide valuable insights into student growth and achievement, helping our teachers celebrate progress and plan for future learning. We have been particularly impressed by the care and persistence our Year 4 students have shown, taking their time, double-checking their answers and putting their best mathematical thinking to work!

Excitement is also building as rehearsals for the St Nicholas End of Year Presentation Night are officially underway! While we don't want to spoil any surprises, we can assure you that our Year 4 students have wasted no time getting into the spirit of things. There has already been plenty of boogying, jiving and enthusiasm as preparations begin. We can't wait to share what they've been working on!

We've also introduced an exciting change to our weekly learning structure! Our afternoon subjects, including Science, Geography and PDH, are now being taught in dedicated blocks each afternoon, giving students greater opportunities to immerse themselves in their learning, explore concepts in depth and make meaningful connections. Our Year 4 students have embraced this change with fantastic flexibility and enthusiasm!

In Science, we're currently exploring the fascinating relationship between the Earth and the Sun, investigating how the Sun influences life on our planet. We encourage you to put your child's scientific knowledge to the test! Ask them: Does the Sun orbit the Earth, or does the Earth orbit the Sun? You might be surprised by just how much they can tell you about the Sun and its importance as Earth's primary source of energy!

Finally, Year 4 was fortunate to participate in a wonderful water conservation incursion hosted by Tamworth Regional Council. Students explored practical ways to conserve water in their everyday lives, including taking shorter showers and turning off taps while brushing their teeth. It was a fantastic opportunity to develop their understanding of sustainability and the importance of caring for our precious natural resources. We were incredibly proud of the respectful behaviour, thoughtful contributions and enthusiasm our students demonstrated throughout the experience. They represented St Nicholas beautifully!

What a wonderful time to be in Year 4! We are so proud of the way our students continue to embrace new challenges, demonstrate curiosity and make the most of every learning opportunity.