The start of a new year for students can be both exciting and challenging. Meeting their teacher, making new friends, and adjusting to the routines and expectations of the classroom all require students to learn and demonstrate their social and interpersonal skills. It also requires them to cope with change and embrace the unknown as they navigate new learning opportunities and co-curricular activities.    

In Year 4, establishing clear expectations and creating a friendly and welcoming classroom environment are essential to supporting students with this transition. Providing the students with agency in this process has given them the opportunity to share what they expect from their peers and their teacher and create a class agreement. Ensuring every student makes the best start to a new school year is a major focus for us as teachers. It is also the shared and collective responsibility of students, teachers, and parents.    

Reflecting on the first month of school, it has been a wonderful start to the year for the Year 4 students. They began their first few weeks with excitement and eager anticipation for the many new opportunities and experiences waiting to be enjoyed.    

Here are some of our students’ reflections on the first few weeks of the school year. 

These first few weeks of Year 4 have been amazing, I’ve enjoyed using the laptops and learning new things. I’ve also enjoyed meeting new people in my classroom as well as in 4AT.
Annabelle Lo  

This year I really enjoy Maths, English, HASS, and P.E. I am very proud of myself as I improved my maths which I wasn’t very good at before. I had to push myself through challenging obstacles such as breaststroke and I had to try my hardest to succeed. 
Mia Chen    

I have enjoyed making new friends and having spectacular teachers, as well as getting better at English and more. I especially like the laptop and District Swimming. I just love Year 4!
Chenxian (Alina) Zhu   

I have really enjoyed learning new things, having new experiences, taking on challenges, and having new learning opportunities. I have really liked getting a laptop and using it in class.
Camilla Koidl    

Since joining Year 4, making new friends and meeting new teachers has been really fun. It’s really nice to learn about each other.
Madelyn Cong   

I am happy in Year 4 because the subjects are really fun, and people are really kind.
Annabelle (Annie) Venter