- The Grade 3 Team

This is the final year of your child’s Foundation Phase schooling. The grade three children will experience a big learning curve as they prepare for the next phase of their education –the intermediate phase. Grade three is the year in which your young child will learn a great deal of responsibility, co-operation and independence. At the end of the year, they will strive to earn their “pen licences” as they graduate onto pen. The children will also be writing a series of National assessment papers and completing their first big project.

DISCIPLINE
Discipline starts in the home. Your children are at a critical age where they are need boundaries and consistency. They are still learning how to cope with conflict situations and are learning that they cannot always get their own way. It is important to have a reward/punishment system at home as well as at school. Montrose has an excellent Code of conduct which teaches the children this valuable life skill. Make sure that you have a routine in the home to create structure and guidance.
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
The Grade three teachers are dedicated to meeting the needs of your children. If you do experience a problem, please maintain open communication with your child’s teacher. Approach Miss Bolus (the grade head) if things are not resolved, followed by Mrs Cory and then Mrs Buschberger. Please phone the school office to make an appointment.
HOMEWORK
The homework in grade three takes a substantial step up from grade two. It might take slightly longer to complete in the beginning of the year, as they settle into a new routine.
The children write out their homework tasks daily. This homework is also available for viewing on this website. Homework must be completed daily from Monday to Thursday. Homework involves:
• Spelling
• Reading
• Maths (bonds, times and divide tables, and an activity)
• Afrikaans
• Zulu
Please check and sign all homework.
LOST READERS
Lost readers will cost R120 to replace.
STATIONERY
The stationery list provided at the beginning of the year was very sparse, due to budget constraints. Please replace stationery when necessary. All items must be labelled. School stationery is not allowed to go home or to aftercare. Please arrange for your child to have a separate pencil case for homework.
PUNCTUALITY
School starts at 7:20 and ends at 13:30. Please be punctual when dropping off and fetching your little ones. Latecomers must be signed in at the office and wait in the foyer until the second period (8:20) so as not to disturb the rest of the children. If you are unable to fetch your child on time, please enrol him/her in our aftercare. Mrs Carbarns runs the aftercare and you can contact her on 082 888 0397 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 082 888 0397 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. It is unfair to expect a child to wait for hours at the school gate, as well as being extremely dangerous.
ABSENTEEISM
If your child is sick, please let the school know by phoning or writing a note. If the absenteeism period is longer than three days, a doctor’s note is required.
UNIFORM
Encourage your child to wear the uniform with pride, by wearing the correct clothing in the correct size. This includes their sports uniform. Please label every possession so that it is quick and easy to return a missing item.
HYGIENE
Please make sure that your child is bathed every day and that clean clothes are worn. Let them pack a little deodorant in their bags for after break time.
LUNCH
Only pack healthy lunches please. Encourage your child to help pack his/her own lunch. Bring a bottle of water to school to leave on the desk. Ensure that your child has a sufficient amount of food to last throughout the day, particularly if there is sport or matches being played that day.
TV
Please limit the amount of TV being watched and TV games played in your home. These are very tempting distractions and children need clear boundaries and consistency.
BIRTHDAYS
Children love to share their birthdays with everyone. If you bring a cake to school, please could you bring a pre-cut cake or preferably cupcakes, ensuring that there is enough for each child in the class.
EXTRA-MURALS
Montrose offers a wonderful extra-mural programme. Encourage your little ones to attend a sport. It is important for children to be active and developing their gross-motor skills. The children also develop their social skills through participation in sports.
BED TIME
It is important for your child to get a good night’s rest. They should be in bed by no later than 20:00 for optimum learning to take place at school.
NEWSLETTERS
Newsletters are sent out every Tuesday.
PERSONAL DETAILS
Please make sure that your child knows their residential address and phone numbers.

Thank you in advance for your support! We hope that these tips have been helpful. Enjoy your year in Grade Three!

Kind regards
The Grade Three Teachers

“You have brains in your head,
your feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
in any direction you choose.”
Dr Seuss