Grade 3

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of Term 3. It has been a busy and exciting few weeks for our students, full of big changes and new adventures, all of which they have embraced with confidence, and they should be very proud of themselves. The highlight has been our YMCA camp in Anglesea, where the weather was perfect, with plenty of sunshine. Staff and students enjoyed many activities, with clear favourites being the Giant Swing, Radio Rogaine, and the night walk to the beach. It was great to see the students demonstrate resilience, teamwork and a sense of adventure. Memories from the camp will certainly stay with us for a long time, and it was exciting to watch the students challenge themselves while having a great time. We celebrated Book Week with our annual parade, where students showcased a wonderful range of creative costumes. It was fantastic to see everyone getting involved and celebrating the joy and magic of books. Our Giant Book Swap was also a big success, with many students updating their home libraries and taking home ‘new’ books to dive into.

In Literacy, we have continued revising sounds through Sounds-Write and have been identifying and recording five-syllable words. Using Etymology Online, students have been uncovering the histories of words to deepen their understanding of word origins and meanings. We are nearing the end of our text-based unit on Charlotte's Web. Students have enjoyed discovering how the story unfolds, exploring how the author uses language, character development, and plot structure to build tension, create suspense and engage the reader throughout the narrative. This has supported them in developing their own narrative pieces based on unlikely friendships. We have also been extending our vocabulary by identifying and discussing powerful words from the text.

In Numeracy, we have completed our work on multiplication and division and moved on to measurement. Students have been learning about the metric system, practising how to convert between units of measure and applying estimation skills to check for accuracy. Through hands-on activities and the use of a range of measuring tools, they have been able to explore measurement in practical and meaningful ways. Students have continued to strengthen their multiplication fluency by using Times Tables Rockstars on their laptops, building both speed and confidence with their number facts.

Our ‘It’s Electrifying’ Inquiry unit has been an electrifying experience. Students have investigated where electricity comes from, how it powers a light bulb, explored the history of batteries and experimented with the function of electrical circuits by lighting up bulbs using battery power. They have been building their scientific vocabulary, asking thoughtful questions, and making real-world connections to how electricity is part of our everyday lives. To showcase their new knowledge, they are designing information posters on Canva, combining creativity and science to share what they have learned about the world of electricity.

In Respectful Relationships, we have been focusing on stress management skills and calming strategies, practising a range of techniques to recognise emotions and respond in positive, healthy ways. Next, we will begin exploring help-seeking and problem-solving strategies to support students in managing challenges, building resilience, and knowing when and how to ask for support.

There are still a few exciting events to look forward to in the final weeks of term, including the JSC Disco, which is always a fabulous night, Footy Colours Day on the last day of term, and the drawing of the AFL raffle.

A big thanks to Miss Riseley for her wonderful work in ensuring a smooth transition, making sure Mrs Ritchie, the students, and I felt very supported. We can’t wait to hear her exciting news!

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing school holiday, with plenty of sunshine and spring weather to enjoy. We are very much looking forward to continuing the fantastic learning journey in Term 4.

- Mrs Welsh