Welcome back to Term 2. This newsletter is to help keep you informed about the curriculum for the grade and the day-to-day activities of the grade.

At the end of the term, formal reports that cover the Semester One outcomes will be sent home.

This term the following teachers will be supporting learning in Year 4

*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 Four  will be engaging in the following units:

Unit: Easter: A Time to Live The Good News

Students will learn:

•   explain how the disciples’ responded to the Resurrection and the appearances of Jesus.
•   demonstrate an awareness of how they experience the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives.
•   describe ways that they and parish communities respond to the Gospel.
•   demonstrate an understanding of how the Church celebrates the Liturgy of the Word.

Unit: Pentecost: The Holy Spirit Gives Is Courage

•   describe times when the Holy Spirit gave courage  to the followers of Jesus
•   articulate how the saints needed courage to spread the Good News
•   identify situations when they need to speak and act with courage

Unit: Living The Law of Love

Students will learn:

• recall the ten commandments and identify their guiding principles
• relate Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ to the ten commandments
• identify how the ten commandments and Jesus’ ‘new commandment’ influence their living
• identify how individuals and organisations in the Church “show they are Christians by their love”

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 4  will be engaging in the following: examining various fairy tales that have a twist and understanding that the author influences the perspective of the story. Students will be using success criterias to provide feedback so that we can use various techniques within our writing such as in the form of imaginative, recount writing and persuasive texts. We will be revisiting various spelling rules to support our understanding and knowledge of words. Furthermore, we will be working with a variety of words to expand our vocabulary. 

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. Variety is the spice of life!
8. Make a dedicated reading space in the home

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  4  will be engaging with the following substrands:

Fractions and Decimals 

Time 

Multiplication and Division

Length 

Space 2D

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:

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:

This term in Geography, Year 4 will be engaging with the following topic - Earth’s Environment. Students will examine features and characteristics of places and environments and describe the way people, places and environments interact.

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

 This term in Science & Technology, Year 4 will be engaging in the syllabus unit Package It Better. The Package It Better unit links Science and Technology with Literacy in the classroom. It provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of the design of packages and the choice of appropriate materials to use. They design and test a package that will safely deliver a fragile gift. Through investigations students observe and gather information about what makes a successful package.

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

A David and Goliath musical, Giant Slayer contains 10 terrific songs that tell the story of how a young lad took on the impossible and came out on top.

Giant Slayer is a message of hope in this challenging age, presented through great melodies, contemporary rhythms and a simple, amusing script. 

Throughout the term, students will focus on ONE scene and song with their class. Students will perfect their section by focussing on one element per lesson at the beginning of the term. Towards the end of the term all aspects of the musical will join together into whole scene rehearsals, school rehearsals, dress rehearsals and performances for the GSFM community.

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. 

his term in PDHPE, Year 4 will be engaging in: Grammar of Games: Students will learn decision making, strategy, tactics, communication and concentration skills while executing movement skills and actions. They will apply basic rules and scoring systems, and demonstrate fair play when participating in physical activities. The students will practice track and field events in an Athletics unit as well participate in games skills for Netball.

It is recommended that students read, revise times tables and complete any unfinished daily tasks. Homework tasks will increase term by term in preparation for high school.

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

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

PB4L in Year 4

• Respectful, Responsible and Safe
• Our Term focus is “Love of Learning”
• Mission Behaviours

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.

5 May 

Mother’s Day Morning Tea @ 11am

Open Classrooms 11.45am - 1pm

6 May

Mother’s Day Stall

10 May

Begin wearing Winter uniform

20 May    - 

GSFM Athletics Carnival