Year 3 - Middle Unit

This week in Year 3, students learned about the incredible megafauna that roamed Australia thousands of years ago. They also explored when and how the First Australians arrived more than 65,000 years ago. This learning forms part of our broader Inquiry unit on ‘Change’, which focuses on the evolving Australian landscape over time. As part of this unit, students will complete a school-based project exploring change over time, including perspectives of First Australians and country.

In Literacy, students have continued to explore the persuasive techniques authors use to convince readers of a particular viewpoint. They have been identifying how authors use emotive language, strong arguments supported by reasons and evidence, rhetorical questions, and clear structure to influence their audience. Students have also discussed how persuasive texts are organised, including the importance of a strong opening statement, well-developed supporting paragraphs, and a concluding statement that reinforces the writer’s position. This learning will culminate in students planning and writing their own persuasive piece about a change they would like to see at home, at school, or within the Woodend community. They will be encouraged to choose a topic they feel passionate about, develop clear reasons for their opinion, and use persuasive language techniques to strengthen their argument. Through this process, students will build their confidence as writers while learning how their voice can be used to advocate for positive change.

In Numeracy, Year 3 students have focused on developing their understanding of place value, an essential foundation for all areas of mathematics. They have explored how the position of a digit determines its value (for example, recognising the difference between 35 and 305), which supports skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and problem-solving. Through hands-on activities, games, and real-world examples, students have practised reading, writing, representing, and partitioning numbers in different ways, with the emphasis on building strong number sense and flexible thinking with numbers.

Thank you to all the parents who have expressed interest in volunteering for Year 3 Camp. As we only require three parent helpers, the Year 3 teachers will select volunteers at random and notify families via Compass once selections have been made.

Information about what to bring to camp will be sent home as a paper copy in the coming days. Having a printed list will allow your child to check items off as they pack their bags. If your child will be bringing a sleeping bag, it may also be helpful for them to practise rolling it up so it fits back into its cover, as this can be a challenging task for students when packing up on the final day. Please contact your classroom teacher at

woodend.ps@education.vic.gov.au if you have any questions.

Year 3 Teachers

Mark Condon (3MC), Nathan Spilsted (3NS), Louise Safstrom/Emma Beaumont (3SB)