Year 4
St John's Grammar
St John’s Grammar School’s Year 4s learn to soar through an enormous range of creative, physical and academic opportunities that connect and challenge them and allow them to learn to soar.
Your child will develop a genuine love of learning in this Literacy and Numeracy rich year of schooling and will be challenged through explicit teaching of core concepts across the board on a daily basis. These fundamentals are continually revisited to ensure each student is ready for the myriad of learning opportunities that await them in their future schooling. Partnered with a growing awareness of growth mindsets, meditation and the Friendology wellbeing program, Year 4s are equipped with robust capabilities to enable them to soar.
Following the themes of connect, create and challenge, Middle Primary students participate in agency programs that further foster their creative and innovative ideas, while developing an acute awareness of the world around them to become environmentally aware citizens.
Our two-night camp at Narnu Farm is a highlight for students and we are fortunate to have a connection with Belair National Park where our Year 4 students study the management of invasive species and participate in orchid observations. Additionally, being the older buddies to Reception students and cross-class interactions for activities provides engaging connections to peers.
Technology rich classrooms and the introduction of the 1:1 Laptop program in Year 4 enable children to utilise the latest technology such as animation, 3D design and modelling, and coding to further enhance their learning.
Middle Primary has a focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths), which give students a broad spectrum of experiences, and they are introduced to Surface Pro Laptops and we guide them through ergonomics training, cybersafety, coding, and typing.
Structured natural inquiry with Belair National Park
As the campus is adjacent to Belair National Park, a structured natural inquiry program sees our Year 4s study the management of invasive species and participate in orchid observations. In addition, as part of their literacy learning, students develop a poem about their observations of the wattle that graces Belair National Park.
This opportunity to learn in the Park adds a richness to our learning by providing unparalleled opportunities for children to learn; not only from an Environmental Science perspective but also opportunities for calculated risk taking and resilience as they traverse and play amongst the natural environment.
Developing robust learning strategies
A focus on student agency sees the Year 4s explore the question ‘Is there a place for plastic in the future’. Using multi-disciplinary skills, students are tasked with seeking data and creating solutions for tackling plastic waste on a local scale. The sky is the limit as students use creative design, innovation and problem seeking to create solutions.
Extending their agency learning is a cornerstone of Year 4, with students given the opportunity to pursue topics of interest or passion. Designing learning intentions and success criteria allows students to view their learning through a new lens as they create interesting and informative presentations to share their ideas.
Students are challenged with expanded new learning opportunities
For two lessons each week, a Science specialist teacher takes students through the various realms of scientific knowledge, including biological, physical, chemical and earth and space sciences in the Junior School Science lab. A love of discovery and questioning is nurtured as students learn more about the world around them.
The increased focus on Technology and Design provides greater exposure to a range of devices, programs, software, hardware and with a focus on cyber safety. Furthermore, challenges to design, construct, test and modify a variety of creations each Term further expand creativity, problem solving and technological capacity.
With a dedicated lesson for Wellbeing with a specialist teacher, Year 4s are taught how to be mindful, build resilience and gratitude and confidence to empower their journey through School. This is complemented by an active and engaging Physical Education program led by a specialist teacher. Music and Art are two areas that also feature specialist teaching to expand students’ creative and expressive abilities and language learning is fostered through specialist teaching in Indonesian.
Getting a taste for farm life
The camp experience on Narnu Farm is a highlight for many students as they explore the challenges and triumphs of farm life. This overnight camp at Hindmarsh Island sees students try their hand at pioneer style activities such as blacksmithing and butter making as well as participate in animal experiences.
