St Catherine’s School strives to provide a rich and comprehensive educational experience for our students, and Year 4 is no exception. A typical day in the life of a Year 4 student at St Catherine’s is both challenging and rewarding. 

Before the bell rings, the girls could be socialising with their friends, preparing for their lessons, learning their times tables, or attending an instrumental Music lesson to develop their musical talents. During these early morning activities, students have time to interact with each other and share their personal stories before they head to their classes. 

In class, students receive lessons from their Homeroom teacher on specific topics in reading, writing, and Mathematics. In addition, students attend classes in these subject areas grouped according to their stage of learning. This is to ensure they receive the appropriate level of instruction to match their learning goals.  

The ‘I do,’ ‘We do,’ and ‘You do’ Model of lesson design and delivery is applied, allowing students to receive the necessary scaffolding and support to learn effectively. An integral part of this Model is the use of High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS) throughout each lesson.  

For example, in a Mathematics lesson in geometric reasoning, Year 4 students will study the topic of angles and lines of symmetry. When applying HIT Strategies, we would begin the lesson with clearly stated learning objectives and success criteria, in this case to identify, name, and measure different types of angles and lines of symmetry.  

As part of the ‘We Do’ step, a worked example of each angle or line of symmetry would be shown. Specific characteristics of each would then be explicitly noted by the teacher with students then given opportunities to work either independently or with a partner (collaborative learning) to practise identifying the concepts.  

Throughout the lesson questions by the teacher, such as ‘What makes you think that?’ or ‘How can you explain this?’ and thinking routines ‘I used to think, now I think’ are applied to challenge students to think critically and deepen their understanding of content. Simultaneous to this instruction the teacher is also providing formative assessment feedback to their students. By applying these strategies to each lesson, students are provided with every opportunity to understand the material being taught at their own entry point and apply it effectively. 

In addition to outside games, lunchtime offers a range of activities for students to choose from, including Chess, STEM, and Art Clubs, as well as the opportunity to read in the Barbreck Library. During this time, students can be faced with decisions about who they play with and what game they will play. This may involve sharing ideas, deciding on the rules of a game, inviting others to join in or making compromises when there are disagreements. 

After-school activities are also available for Year 4 students. Mondays offer optional sports activities, while Tuesdays offer Drama Club, allowing students to explore their interests outside of the classroom. 

Throughout the day, in each of the homeroom and various specialist classes, students are provided with opportunities to contribute to class discussions, celebrate their achievements and mini successes. This helps to build confidence and encourages students to take ownership of their learning. 

A typical day in the life of a Year 4 student at St Catherine’s is busy, engaging, social, and rewarding. With a combination of evidence-based teaching strategies, co-curricular activities, and opportunities for personal growth, our Year 4 students are encouraged to challenge themselves and build upon their skills for life.