Classroom Gallery 

What has been happening in the Year 3-4 classroom?

Life in 3/4

This week started with PAT M, PAT R and Cold Write assessments.The Cold Write is an assessment where students tackle a writing task without prior preparation or specific instruction on the topic. It gives us a genuine "snapshot" of where each student stands in their writing journey.

The chosen topic was"What is the ultimate way to travel to school?" Students were tasked with crafting a persuasive text to convince their audience of their chosen method. We aren’t just writing for the sake of it; we are using this Cold Write as a springboard for significant improvement. Over the coming weeks, we will follow a structured plan to level up our literacy skills:

1. Benchmarking against NAPLAN: Students will take their initial assessments and mark them against the official NAPLAN Persuasive Text Criteria. This includes looking at audience engagement, ideas, persuasive devices, and vocabulary.
2. Identifying the "Gap": By analysing their own work, students will decide exactly what is needed to improve. Do they need stronger "high-modality" words? Better paragraph structure? Or perhaps more emotive language?
3. The "Hot Write" Evolution: After several weeks of targeted lessons and practice, students will complete a final, polished piece of writing.
4. Measuring Progress: We will mark the final piece against the same criteria to see the clear growth from their starting point to their finished masterpiece.

Introducing the 3/4 "All Rounder Award" (ARA)

We are thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new initiative in Year 3/4: The All Rounder Award (ARA). This prestigious recognition wasn't just pulled out of thin air—it was carefully crafted to reflect our class, school, and Diocesan rules, ensuring that our students are living out our core values in every aspect of school life.

What Makes an "All Rounder"?

The ARA isn’t just about academics or being the fastest on the field; it’s about character. To be eligible, students must display a consistent commitment to being a positive influence on those around them. The criteria include:

• Playing fairly and following all rules.
• Cheering for others and using positive words.
• Encouraging classmates and displaying great teamwork.
•  Being humble in victory and gracious in effort.
•  Genuinely congratulating others on their successes.

What makes the ARA truly special is that it is driven by peers. Each week, students submit nominations for a classmate they believe has gone above and beyond.

To ensure the integrity of the award, nominators must sign their names and be ready to provide Mr Hyatt with a specific example of the occasion they witnessed the nominee fulfilling these acts. Mr Hyatt then reviews the nominations, and the student with the most votes is crowned the winner!

We are incredibly proud to announce that our very first recipient of the All Rounder Award is Fergus Davey and presenting him the award was Principal Fletcher.

Fergus was nominated by his peers for his consistent ability to play fairly, follow every rule, and remain humble while constantly encouraging those around him. His leadership sets a fantastic example for the rest of the cohort. Congratulations, Ferg!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Mr Hyatt for supporting us and agreeing to implement this award. It has already inspired us to take our classroom rules and "All Rounder" spirit out into the playground and beyond.

"It’s not just about being the best; it's about bringing out the best in everyone else."

A Heartfelt Tribute to Our Mums

The classroom was buzzing with a little extra secret energy last week, and we were so excited to finally share the beautiful results! This Mother’s Day, our students poured their hearts into creating unique "Family Canvas" portraits to celebrate the incredible women in their lives.

Moving beyond the traditional card, the children explored a variety of textures and materials to represent their families. Using a vibrant mix of buttons of all shapes and sizes, fabric scraps and colorful paper.  Each student designed a one-of-a-kind family portrait. These masterpieces aren't just art projects; they are reflections of the unique bond each child shares with their mum.

There is a lovely saying that guided our creativity this year: "Mothers are like buttons... they hold everything together!" Whether it’s organised chaos, school runs, or providing a shoulder to lean on, we see the incredible strength and grace our school mums bring to our community every day.

To all our mums, grandmothers, and maternal figures: we hope you had a truly beautiful Mother’s Day. Please know how much you are loved and how deeply grateful we are for everything you do.

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for being the "buttons" that keep our families and our school community so beautifully joined!

Faith through the lens of art

This term, our artists have been exploring deep themes of connection and devotion. Many students are currently finalizing their submissions for the prestigious Let’s Hang It! competition, showcasing a diverse range of styles and mediums.

Running alongside these entries is our heart-centered Mary - Our Mother series. Students have been invited to reflect on Mary’s strength and grace, translating their spiritual reflections into visual art. It has been a joy to watch them explore her story through color and texture. 

Mary, our Mother - Art competition

Let's Hang it - Art Competition

Getting Games-Ready: Athletics Training Begins!

The countdown to our school carnival has officially started! Over the past week, our students have traded their pens for sports gear as we kicked off our intensive athletics training sessions. There’s been a fantastic energy on the field as everyone works to sharpen their skills and reach their personal best.

Field events require a unique blend of strength and technique, and our students got a masterclass in the Discus thanks to Mrs King and Mrs Rizzi.

The sessions focused on the two most critical elements of a successful throw:

• The Grip: Learning the correct way to hold the discus to ensure a smooth release.
• The Power Source: Understanding that a great throw doesn't just come from the arms—it’s all in the movement of the waist and the rotation of the body.

Over at the high jump mats, Mr Hyatt has been putting everyone through their paces. We spent time revising our approach, with students identifying their preferred side of the mat to ensure a confident run-up.

The "secret ingredient" this week? Hip drive. Mr Hyatt coached the students on how to lift their bottoms by pushing through the hips, providing that extra bit of height needed to clear the bar cleanly.

Healthy Harold visit Year 2