Welcome!
Mr. Alex Gear, Mr. Mitchell Stoop, Mrs Dunn, Mrs Romano and Mrs Lunardelli welcome the Year 3/4 students and their families to the 2022 school year.
The 3/4 Team
The 3-4 team works closely together, providing a comprehensive and stimulating curriculum within a warm and caring learning environment. We recognise that all learners are different, with a range of experiences, interests and needs.
Working Together
Working with families, we aim to create a culture of learning that caters for all students’ learning needs. In 3/4 we are further developing the foundation skills, knowledge and understandings established in the first years of school, in preparation for the demands and expectations of future learning.
Student Learning
The students engage in high quality learning tasks that support their individual points of need. Lessons commence with a LIFT (Learning Intention for Today) which provides students with a clearly understood purpose for their learning. The class is supported to understand what ‘success’ for the lesson looks like, sounds like and /or feels like. An integral part of the 3/4 program is frequent and timely feedback about how students are progressing with their learning. Teachers support children to reflect on their learning and to set further learning goals that focus on improved learning. Working with their teacher, students are able to discuss their learning progress, set improvement goals and identify things that they can do to achieve these goals.
Your Involvement
We welcome parental and community support with the children’s learning journey. Families are encouraged to set time aside in their daily routine for reading with (and to) children and to have discussions about what is being explored and talked about at school.
Also, throughout the school year, children have an opportunity to share their learning with their parents and families and to demonstrate their new skills and understandings. Many community events are open to families and friends and from time to time parent assistance is requested for sports days and class assistance (please note a current Working With Children’s Check is required). We promote family involvement in learning by encouraging parents and special adults to attend our Family Fun Nights, Important Person Nights and Grandparents Days; as well as the Whole School Assembly which is generally held at 2.40pm each Friday in the gym. Some of these events may be impacted by restrictions this year.
Specialists
Each week children in each grade have expert tuition from a team of specialist teachers. The Arts, Japanese (L.O.T.E) and P.E.
Digital Technologies
Each student will have access to an iPad. Mathletics, Sunshine Online and Reading Eggs/Reading Eggspress are some examples of the highly engaging electronic learning resources that provide a personalised approach to learning for our year 3-4 students.
Additional Support
Additional support is provided to children on a need’s basis. If you have any concerns about the progress your child is making with their learning, please contact the school and/or class teacher to make an appointment to discuss the way the school is supporting/can support the learning of your child.
Celebrating Diversity
Children with special needs and those with English as an Additional Language are catered for by a range of professionals. Cultural backgrounds are acknowledged and celebrated. We are fortunate to have the English as an Additional Language Centre located in our main building and staff work collaboratively with teachers to maximise student learning.
Incursions/Excursions
Educational programs such as Robotics and Life Education enhance the learning opportunities within the school setting. Similarly, excursions outside of school further develop understandings and knowledge of key concepts and ideas. Excursions are planned to complement the learning that occurs within the class programs.
Camps
The Grade 3/4 students attend a 3-day camp each year, alternating between Sovereign Hill and Wombat Corner.
3/4 Sport
In addition to weekly Physical Education sessions, the Grade 3/4 students participate in sporting activities, which help to improve hand-eye coordination, balance, fine motor and gross motor skills. Research shows that this helps to improve learning, co-operation and teamwork.
Children should wear footwear and school uniform that is comfortable for sport and PE.
Integrated Inquiry Units
• What Makes Me Healthy? – Investigating how we contribute to our health.
• The World Around Us – Investigating what makes Australia unique.
• Spinning in Space – Investigating planet Earth and it’s place in space.
• Save Our Planet – Investigating how we can contribute to a sustainable future.
Swimming Program
Each year children across all stages in the school will participate in an intensive swimming program. For two weeks’ children swim each day, travelling by bus to a local pool. The aim of the program is for the children to experience tuition and build their skills and confidence in the water. This program is free to all students at our school. Our program will take place during Term 1 at the Geelong Aquatic Centre.
Additional Programs
The following programs are offered to students:
• Choir
• Lunchtime Program/Activities
• Bike Education
• Jump Rope for Heart
• Robotics
• Student Representative Council
• SEAL (Social Emotional Awareness Learning)
• Peer Support Program
• Healthy Heroes
We look forward to a wonderful year with our year 3-4 students and families. Thanks!
Mr. Alex Gear, Mr. Mitchell Stoop, Mrs Dunn, Mrs Romano and Mrs Lunardelli