Years 3 and 4 for Girls at MLC Perth

Years 3 & 4

GROWING CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY AND CHARACTER

Years 3 and 4 are formative and exciting stages in your daughter’s learning journey at MLC. As our girls move through the Primary Years, they become increasingly independent, inquisitive and engaged with the world around them. These years build on strong academic foundations while introducing powerful opportunities for discovery, leadership, creativity and personal growth.

At MLC, every girl is known, valued and supported. Our small class sizes, dedicated specialist teachers and research based wellbeing program ensure every child can learn with confidence, explore her passions and develop a genuine sense of belonging.

Located on our Claremont campus in Perth, MLC’s Years 3 and 4 curriculum supports girls through a balanced middle primary experience that develops academic confidence, wellbeing, independence and connection.

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Years 3 and 4 at a Glance

MLC’s Years 3 and 4 curriculum combines strong academic foundations with specialist learning, outdoor education and wellbeing support. Girls develop the skills, confidence and curiosity to become increasingly independent learners as they move through the middle primary years.

Key Learning Outcomes in Years 3 and 4

• Stronger literacy, numeracy and inquiry learning skills
• Growing confidence in collaboration, communication and problem-solving
• Increasing independence in organising learning tasks and routines
• Specialist experiences in Music, Arts, Languages, Physical Education and STEM
• Wellbeing learning that supports friendships, resilience and emotional awareness
• Outdoor learning that connects girls with their local environment and community

A CURRICULUM THAT SPARKS CURIOSITY AND ACADEMIC CONFIDENCE

A rich, rigorous curriculum sits at the heart of Years 3 and 4. Our teachers personalise learning to suit each girl’s strengths, interests and needs, fostering deep engagement and a love of learning.

• Strong literacy and numeracy foundations
• Inquiry based learning across the disciplines
• Opportunities to showcase learning through presentations, poetry and STEM experiences
• Regular feedback and tailored support to nurture growth and confidence

In these years, girls are encouraged to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and discover that effort, resilience and curiosity bring success.

Years 3 and 4 build essential middle primary learning habits. Girls strengthen reading, writing and mathematical understanding while learning to research, ask questions, share ideas and work collaboratively.

Inquiry learning means students explore real-world questions through guided research, discussion, investigation and reflection. This helps girls make meaningful connections across subjects while developing increasing student agency in their learning.

How Learning is Structured in Years 3 and 4

Learning is supported through a robust cycle:

1. Goal setting and clear learning intentions
2. Guided inquiry, classroom discussion and practical exploration
3. Regular feedback from teachers
4. Reflection, revision and growing independence

Teachers provide personalised learning support and regular feedback to help every girl progress at an appropriate pace.

SPECIALIST PROGRAMS THAT INSPIRE HER PASSIONS

Our specialist offerings unlock creativity, build skills and cultivate joy in learning.

Music: Every Year 3 student receives a string instrument and learns under the guidance of specialist teachers, joining the Archetti String Ensemble and building teamwork and discipline.
Visual and Performing Arts: Creative expression flourishes through drama, art and performance opportunities.
Health and Physical Education: Girls build strength, sportsmanship and confidence through regular Physical Education and interschool sporting opportunities in Year 4.
Languages: Exposure to other cultures and languages broadens perspectives and expands global understanding.

Specialist learning gives girls opportunities to discover interests, practise skills and build confidence beyond the core curriculum. These experiences also support teamwork, creative thinking, presentation skills and participation in the wider school community.

OUTDOOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Connection to the natural world is central to learning in Years 3 and 4.

Year 3: Learning extends beyond the classroom with local excursions, neighbourhood history walks and a day of exploration guided by our Outdoor & Environmental Education staff.
Year 4: Girls enjoy day trips that build resilience, independence and confidence.

These experiences spark curiosity, embed environmental awareness and nurture a sense of wonder.

Outdoor Education helps girls connect classroom learning with real places, people and environments. During excursions and local learning experiences, students observe, question, investigate and share their findings — building research skills, collaborative learning habits and confidence in communicating ideas.

WELLBEING AT THE CORE

Wellbeing underpins everything we do. Our research informed Junior Years program, Highway Heroes, is woven into daily learning, ensuring every girl feels seen, supported and empowered.

• Authentic communication and emotional expression
• Positive friendships and relationship building
• Growth mindset strategies
• Body positivity and self-esteem development

We work in partnership with families to ensure each girl thrives socially, emotionally and academically. This includes our NurtureHER Parenting Workshop Series, designed to support Junior Years families in raising confident, resilient and emotional healthy girls. A four-part series, session three, Friendships, is specifically designed for Years 3 and 4 parents, supporting them to guide their children through friendship dynamics, inclusion and exclusion, conflict and communication.

Wellbeing learning supports students as they engage in academic, social and outdoor experiences. Through daily conversations, structured activities and teacher guidance, girls develop emotional awareness, positive friendship skills, resilience and confidence in seeking support when they need it.

BECOMING CONFIDENT, CONNECTED YOUNG LEARNERS

As girls progress through Years 3 and 4, they develop:

• A stronger sense of identity
• Greater independence in learning and decision-making
• The confidence to try new things — without fear of failure
• Skills in collaboration, leadership and empathy
• A deeper understanding of themselves, their peers and the world around them

These middle Primary School years lay the foundations for future success, setting each girl on a path of curiosity, courage and lifelong learning.

By the end of Year 4, girls have strengthened the learning habits and social confidence needed for the next stage of Junior School. They are increasingly able to organise tasks, contribute to group learning, reflect on feedback and approach new challenges with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

FIND OUT ABOUT THE MLC JUNIOR YEARS

Learn more about the Years 3 and 4 curriculum for girls at MLC Perth. Complete the form below and our Admissions team will be in touch to answer your questions, discuss the Junior Years curriculum and help you arrange a campus tour.