Week 8 and 9 Term 4

Hello all
Well we are nearly there.
To say that this term has flown past is an understatement. It simply has vanished!

The boys have worked well to complete to assignments - Adaptations and Solar System.

We did our presentation on Friday for the Solar System task. On the whole the boys presented confidently and really knew their facts. Some boys did posters whilst others created models. The models were exceptional, however, it's important to note that the quality of the information in the boys inquiry books is even more important. It was also interesting to note that some models did not relate to any questions that the boys had developed. None the less they make lovely displays in our class.

Week 8:
Christmas Activities:

• We are beginning our Christmas activities in class. This means we will be doing Christmas based work in each area of the curriculum as well as making Christmas cards, decorations etc.
• One boy even had the idea of making wanted posters for the portfolio's which has been eagerly accepted by the other boys in the class
• For the wanted poster I have asked boys to bring in Christmas items eg. hats, reindeer ears, elf ears etc. The boys will use the props and a photo will be taken which will then become their photo for the wanted poster

Finishing Portfolios:

• We will be using some of our time this week to get the portfolios up to speed and ready to go home
• There are still some pieces of work that needs to be completed for the portfolio

End of year Celebration:

• The boys all have a note in their communication folder regarding the end of year party day
• We are going to Norwood bowling
• The boys are very excited
• When we return from our bowling adventure we will have a shared lunch and in the afternoon we will watch a movie
• Each boy has been allocated a food item (savour/ sweet) or a drink to bring
• Please refer to the back of the consent form for this information
• Please remember also not to make too much food as this often gets wasted and also not to supply to much sweets as this tends to cause a few stomach upsets by the end of the day
• Also please supply plate or bowl for the food item and a knife if it needs to be cut up
• I will have plates and cups and paper towels
• Also please be aware of the allergies in our class - nuts, gluten,egg and dairy ( I have already spoken with the boys this effects and they will make sure they do not eat anything that may upset them)
• The movie the boys have voted on to watch is Scooby Do Camp Scare - please advise if your son is not allowed to watch this movie it is rated PG

Secret Santa:

• Please refer to the notice in your son's communication folder
• If you have any questions please email or come in and see me
• This begins in week 9 with the boys finding out who they will be giving a gift of kindness too this Friday

End of Term:

• Term 4 finishes on the 7th of December at 1pm
• Boys will receive their reports on the day along with their portfolios
• Speech night commences at 6:30 in the Anzac Hall and concludes at approx. 8:30 - refer to notice that was sent home in week 7

Thanks and regards
 Nesha

Week 5,6 Term 4

Hello everyone,

What a great day we all had at Swimming Sports Day.
All the year 3 boys that I saw had a wonderful time and participated in the true spirit of the day.
Congratulations to Waterhouse for winning the day and Taylor for taking home spirit cup.
We are all a little tired today!

The boys did a good job on the Adaptation task. We had our presentation on Monday of this week. Each of the boys was assessed by a peer in the class. The talks were interesting and highlighted those boys that use their time well and those boys that leave things for the last minute.

We have a few weeks left of the term and in that time there is still lots of things we need to do:

Independent Homework:

• The boys have been showing me their homework sheets and from I have seen most, if not all,  have been doing some wonderful things at home. I hope they keep it up.
• If your son has not been as committed to the program please encourage them to complete a few Independent Tasks

Inquiry - Solar System:

• As the theme for this term has been independence the boys in 3S have been working on their inquiry into the Solar System, independently
• All you as parents should know is:
• that it is due in Week 7 on Friday
• 5 questions need to be done
• of the 5 questions only 1 needs to be answered in detail the other 4 can be answered in brief ( if your son wants to, if they want to go all out they can do that too)
• all draft work must be done in your son's inquiry book
• All boys are to work INDEPENDENTLY ( by themselves ) on the task
• At this stage all your son should have done is worked out his 5 questions and found websites / books / information that will help him answer the questions
• I have given the boys at least two hours a week in the computer room to work on gathering information and this will increase over the next two weeks
• I have asked all the boys to bring in all the work they have done so far at home - they will need to do this on Monday
• I have asked them to do this so that I can conference with them and find out what they know and what they have done on their own
• It is important that you let your son do this assignment on his own, otherwise it is not a true reflection of what he can achieve in year 3.
• It will give your son a wonderful sense of achievement and pride in their work if they know that what they hand up is entirely their own work.
• If your son is creating a model and would like help with dangerous things eg cutting wood, hot glue guns etc, then by all means help him. If he needs help to locate information, write out work, presentation, then politely decline to help him.
• This task is a culmination of their learning and it will help me determine the progress they have made this year.
• If you have any concerns please email or come in and see me.

Party Day:

• This will occur in the last week of the term
• The boys are taken out of the school to celebrate the end of the year
• A note will come home shortly with all the details about the day

Regards,
Nesha

Term 4 Week 1 and 2

Hello all,

Well it's term 4 and there are a lot of things to get through. So brace yourselves for the next few weeks.

Week 2:
Student Led Conferences:

• Wednesday 17th October at 3:30 to 8pm
• if you have not already booked your time on line, please do so
• both year 3 classes will be open and activities which the boys will lead you through will be available for you to do with your son
• the format this year is a little different to previous years - more emphasis is on the boys directing the activities and sharing their knowledge and understanding with you
• please remember to assist your son by asking open ended questions which will allow your son to demonstrate his learning

Year 3S Assembly:

• Wednesday 17th October at 2:10 pm in the Anzac Hall
• The boys have been given free rein in designing, producing and directing this assembly
• What I have seen so far is hilarious and really shows off the sense of humour and creativity that these boys have
• Not only are the boys comfortable with what they have produced they are extremely happy and can't wait to show off their talents!
• If you are free and would like to come along and watch please do so - you certainly wont be disappointed, if anything you will leave with a very big smile on your face!

Independent Homework:

• I hope the boys have explained this task to you and that all is under control at home
• I will be speaking with each of the boys on Monday (week 2) to find out what they did and what they will be doing for week 2.
• The homework is designed to encourage the boys to become more independent and to start thinking about doing things for themselves, what they learn now will always be of help later on

Week 5:
Swimming Sports Day:

• Your son has a notice regarding this event in his communication folder, please read
• I strongly urge you to pick your son up from the Norwood Pool after the event, as traffic back to school afterwards via the school bus may mean a late home time

Thanks and regards,
Nesha

Term 3 Week 10

Hello everyone,

Just a few notes about next week before it all gets too crazy.

Field Events Day:

• Only some boys are involved during this day
• It is a not a day for parents to come along to as it is not structured for spectators (some boys will be in the class and some boys will be on the oval)
• Those boys participating in a Field Event will need to wear their sports clothes for the day
• If your son is not participating in an event they will be required to wear their normal school clothes
• The day will progress as normal except that some boys will go out for certain events

Sports Day:

• Friday 21st September
• All boys to wear sports clothes - house top
• Boys can bring coloured hair spray - if they want to
• All year 3 boys have been given an opportunity to work out when their event is and they have been asked to write the event into their diaries
• The list of events on Sports day is displayed outside the Year 3 classrooms
• Boys are not to leave after their event but are encouraged to stay for the duration of the Day to encourage and support their house team
• Please remember that your son will need a hat, sunscreen and suitable food for the day. Yes lollies are lovely but the boys will require something substantial to keep their energy levels up for the races and novelty events
• If you are able, come along and watch your son compete
• Sports Day is a fun filled day with lots going on. The novelty events are the ones that really get everyone in the mood!

Regards
Nesha

Term 3 Week 9 ArtsPaces Photos

Term 3 Week 9

Hello there

Just a quick note re ArtsPaces

• all boys to wear jeans and a black shirt or Tshirt
• this will follow the Andy Warhol theme
• the boys will be 'creating' in the year 3 classrooms
• there will also be an 'Art Gallery' for you to view of the boys work
• Feel free to dress to suit the theme on the night - we are going for the New York art look

Requests:

• if you have a lava lamp that you could lend us for the night that would be great - once again it will add to the ambience on the night
• also if you have 'painter's overalls' that either Mike or I (or if you have two that would be even better) could use, may we borrow them for the night?
• Please email me if you can help in either way

When the program is released I will update you with the times.

Thanks and regards
Nesha

Term 3 Week 8

Hello everyone,

Just a few things to note:

No homework this week or next:

• Due to internal testing, Grandies Day and ArtsPaces there will not be any homework for the next two weeks
• Boys will still be required to complete spelling and mental but the work will be done in class
• Unless class time has not been used appropriately then some boys may be required to take their work home

Grandies Day:

• Each family should have received an invitation to Grandies Day
• The outline of the day is as follows:
• 10:45 -11:15 Morning Tea in Piper Pavillion
• 11:15 - 12:15 Classroom - short presentation in 3S classroom followed by looking at boys art work, a tour of the school, library etc

Show Day Friday 7th September:

• There will be no school this Friday
• Have a lovely long weekend

ArtsPaces:

• Wednesday 12th September Week 9
• More information regarding the night will be sent home as soon as a program is finalised
• Please let me know if your son will not be here on the night - as this is a compulsory event

Eye Testing:

• As you may be aware one of the boys in 3S has been diagnosed with having colour blindness
• This in itself is not a disadvantage but I just thought I would encourage you to have your son's eyes tested to determine if he requires support
• Signs of eye fatigue could include headaches, squinting, blurred vision
• Even if glasses are not required it may be a good exercise to have your child's eyes tested
• A behavioural optometrist would be an excellent person to get in contact with
• If you require names please let me know or simply go and to your local optometrist.

Thanks and regards
Nesha