Welcome back to the new school year. This newsletter is to help keep you informed about the curriculum for the grade and the day-to-day activities of the grade.

This newsletter highlights all the necessary Term 1 information for your child. Due to COVID restrictions parent information sessions will take a different format. Conferences for parent teacher interviews via phonecall will be available on compass by Friday 11 February.

A “meet and greet” conversation is a ten minute phone conversation to discuss your child’s start to the year and for your child’s class teacher to clarify any questions you may have about your child’s school year. It is not a report on your child’s progress at this stage of the year.

Year Three Parent Engagement Form

This term the following teachers will be supporting learning in Year 3:

*Teachers work under the structure of an Enterprise Agreement that includes a number of entitlements. One of these is the engagement in Profession Planning Time (PPT) where they are released from class to carry out other professional responsibilities. Each full time teacher is entitled to the equivalent of 2 hours PPT each week, or a pro-rata thereof for part time teachers. Therefore, all students operate across the school week with at least two teachers engaging in the classroom program of learning.

This Curriculum Outline is designed to communicate what your child is learning so you can support them at home this term. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the partnership between you as parents and our teachers are the most important influences on your son’s or daughter’s education.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for setting and monitoring quality teaching, learning, assessment and school standards across NSW public, Catholic and independent schools. NESA also develops Kindergarten to Year 12 syllabuses for NSW schools. Syllabuses identify: the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes students are expected to develop at each stage; what students are expected to know and do; Learning across the curriculum areas: cross-curriculum priorities, general capabilities and other important learning for all students.

At Good Samaritan we have a K-6 Scope & Sequence of learning which supports the implementation of the NESA Syllabuses. Below, is an outline of the Key Learning Area content & skills being taught this term.

All students take part in Religious Education Programs. The school also provides other opportunities for students to express and deepen their Faith through school Masses, liturgies, prayer and in Christian service and witness within their school environment and the wider community. 

Religious Education follows a curriculum set and approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in conjunction with the Catholic Education Office.

This term in Religious Education, Year 3  will be engaging in the following units:

• The Good Samaritan 
• Created by God: A Gift To Share  
• LENT: A Time For Reaching Out in Love  
• Preparation for the Sacraments

English is the Key Learning Area where students develop knowledge, skills and understandings about English language and literature. The students will be actively engaged in the development of skills through:

This term in English, Year 3 will be engaging in the following:

• Reading & Writing: Author’s Craft - Writing for a Purpose. Bringing Words To Life. 
• Spelling & Phonemic Awareness: Letters and Sounds

• Reading: Modelled, Guided and Independent 

• Naplan preparation - exposing children to format of questioning

Students should be encouraged to read at home. 

Here are some tips:

1. Read funny things
2. Read anything anywhere
3. Talk to your children about what they have read
4. Follow their interests
5. Read regularly 
6. Read for pleasure
7. Make time to listen to your child read out loud. ASK them about the book they are reading.
8. Variety is the spice of life!
9. Make a dedicated reading space in the home

Talk with your child’s teacher if you have concerns over their learning or social emotional well being. There are many things that can stand in the way of children learning to their full potential and often we find the pieces of the puzzle come together when we do.

An essential component of Mathematics is the development of students’ ability to Work Mathematically. This includes the skills of Communicating, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Understanding and Fluency. 

Students’ ability to work mathematically is developed through the achievement of outcomes and working with content of the Mathematics K-6 Syllabus. Content is organised within the following content strands: 

This term in Mathematics, Year 3  will be engaging with the following substrands: 

• Working Mathematically - Communicating,Problem Solving, Reasoning, Understanding, Fluency

• Number and Algebra - Whole Number, Addition and Subtraction 

• Chance and Data 
• Utilise Challenging Maths Tasks throughout

It is important that students are competent in their knowledge of times tables. Here are some tips:

1. Hang up a times table sheet (in the toilet)
2. Teach your kids some tricks
3. Listen to some fun songs
4. Quiz them regularly, but not incessantly
5. Reward their efforts

The objectives and outcomes of the Geography Syllabus are based on courses of study across Kindergarten to Year 6. The organisation of content for the stages in primary school is as follows:

Geography is taught in Terms Three and Four.

The outcomes, concepts and skills of the History Syllabus are based on courses of study across Kindergarten to Year 10. The organisation of content for the stages in primary school is as follows:

Year 3 will be focusing on History outcomes in Term 2. Parents will be informed of the units in Term 2 that  we  will be engaging in.

The outcomes and content in the Science and Technology Syllabus are organised in the following strands and substrands:

This term in Science & Technology, Year 3  will be engaging in the syllabus unit Living Things: Students will learn to describe how living things depend on each other and the environment to survive. In particular how bees play a crucial role in our food chain. Additionally, students will investigate and compare advancing technologies used in food and fibre production in Australian agriculture and those used in traditional agriculture.

The Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus is organised within the following strands: 

This term in Creative Arts, Year 3  will be engaging in: Music with Mrs Clarese McCabe.

Year 3 students will be participating in structured music lessons that encourage them to sing, play and move to a variety of music. They will also be exploring the use of musical concepts such as pitch, tempo and duration. They will complete a unit Programme and Film Music.

Students will be assessed on their ability to work collaboratively, explain relevant terms learnt throughout the unit and show learnt techniques and skills through performance and theoretical understanding.

Students at Good Samaritan engage in Physical Education/Sport each week. All students participate in the School Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals. Eligible students participate in the Swimming Carnival. After these carnivals squads are chosen to represent the School at Regional and Diocesan Carnivals. Students can then be selected to compete at MacKillop and State levels. Good Samaritan has a clear policy regarding student participation in sporting gala days and representation at competitive sports. Parents are asked to become familiar with this policy. 

This term in  PE, (Physical Education) Year 3  will be engaging in: 

Adapting Physical Activity (Mrs Carla Olima)

Students will adapt movement skills to improve accuracy and control in a variety of contexts. Students will participate and use equipment in a variety of games and modified sports including skills needed for participating in AFL and Volleyball. Students will focus on throwing and catching skills and cross country running skills in preparation for the school Cross Country Carnival.

Personal Development / Health: PB4L & Personal Identity and Social and Emotional Learning - self awareness

Homework:

Students are encouraged to participate in home learning each day.

We ask your child to:

• read daily (15 - 20 minutes) 
• chat to you about what they are reading - ask your child some comprehension questions, their favourite character, what they predict might happen in the story etc. 
• Optional: phonics/spelling work if you would like. Integrate maths/number into everyday situations, going to shops, money, receiving change etc. 

Topic Talks - Year 3 will be assessed on a 2-3 minute speech in approx week 7. 

The topic will be communicated to parents in advance. There is no weekly talk time in Year 3 - speaking and listening is integrated throughout all KLA’s.

Library:

All students in Year 3 are required to have a library bag for borrowing.  This is to protect the books being borrowed and also to assist in the safe movement around the school, particularly the stairwell. 

Library Borrowing will commence when it is deemed safe under covid restrictions.

Please support your child to be Ready to Learn each day by ensuring he/she has the following:

stationary supplies, iPad (charged) , water bottle, hat and notes returned promptly.

• Scissors, glue, writing pencils, whiteboard markers
• Headphones
• SeeSaw app - new classes to be set up shortly

Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School operates the Positive Behaviour 4 Learning framework to  assist in improving student behaviour and enhancing learning within the classroom. The PB4L  framework recognises individual student needs on both our playground and in learning spaces.  

PB4L enables the school to identify areas of need where work is able to be done with students who  are unclear of expectations and appropriate behaviour whilst developing empathy within their  relationships. This process may include the key principles of Restorative Practice. In this way Good  Samaritan is making our school and playground a friendly and enjoyable place for all our students.  

At Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School, we are proud of the positive behaviours displayed by  our students. Recognition and celebration of these behaviours occur both within the classroom and  at school assemblies.

All students are expected to be neatly dressed in their school uniform or sports uniform each day. Classroom teachers will monitor the wearing of the uniform on a day-to-day basis and inappropriate dress will be brought to the attention of the student and, where necessary, parents. 

This term students are to wear the correct Summer/Winter uniform.

GOOD SAMARITAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL UNIFORM

Students are also expected to wear the correct Sports Uniform on sports days:

ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME

Ongoing communication between school and home is essential. The school aims to work in partnership with the home and recognises that parents wish to be informed of any problems. Likewise, there is a need for parents to keep the school informed of any events that may impact on the life of their child at school.

Through this mutual communication we aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child.

1. If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. 
2. Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are welcome to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.

Middle Leaders 2022

3. If the issue remains unresolved beyond the Middle Leader then please address your concern/s to the Assistant Principal or the Principal.

4.Parents may contact teachers by email via the school office (info@gsfmdow.catholic.edu.au) but are asked to understand that a response may not be immediate and certainly cannot be expected beyond the regular hours of the school day or week. 

At Good Samaritan, we believe it is important to speak with parents either in a face-to-face meeting or over the phone when responding to emails that may be of a sensitive nature or that may require a lengthy response. Therefore, the email response you receive may be of a generic nature. 

5.Parents are asked to understand that the teacher’s primary responsibility throughout the school day is towards the students. Therefore, teachers are unable to engage in discussion when they are in direct supervision of students.

For any absence the school must receive notification of the reason for the absence within 7 days of the return to school. This applies for partial absences as well as whole day absences. Please supply the reason via Compass. In the event that a notification is not supplied the absence will be recorded as Unjustified/Unexplained.

7th February- Internet Safety Week

8th February- Tennis and Basketball trials

14th-18th February- Teacher/Parent Introduction Week

18th February- Year 6 School Leadership Liturgy

28th February- Catholic Schools Week

2nd March- Ash Wednesday Mass

4th March- Primary Football Rugby League and Netball Trials

4th March- Clean up Australia Day

21st March- Harmony Week

8th April- Holy Week Liturgy and Easter Hat Parade/Last day of Term One

10-20 May - Naplan Online Testing Window

• Please ensure all your child’s belongings are marked clearly with their name and class. 
• The school day starts at 8.50am. It is important that all students are here and ready to learn by this time. Students are able to arrive from 8.20am.
• Munch and Crunch is held every morning, sometime during the first teaching session. Please pack a fruit or vegetable only snack which can be eaten in no more than 5 minutes.
• Please be aware that we are an “Anaphylaxis Aware” school and have children who have high nut allergies in our school community. This is a life threatening condition. Please do not send any nut products to school.
• Change of circumstances - Please notify the school office of any change of address, phone number or circumstances that may affect your child’s safety and well-being at school.
• Good Samaritan promotes responsible waste management. Please limit the amount of packaging you put in your child’s lunchbox. Remember we have Waste Free Wednesdays and Mess free Mondays.

We are looking forward to the year ahead.

Ashley Rae

Tracey Sutton