Celebrating Community and Identity in Year 3

Here at Alice Smith School, learning is not just about deepening our knowledge, skills and understanding but also about discovering who we are and where we belong. For our Year 3 students, their very first unit of the year focused on the concepts of Community and Identity, a theme that encouraged them to explore the different groups they are part of and the unique ways these communities shape their lives.

This unit gave our students the opportunity to reflect on the people, places, and activities that are important to them and to share them with their classmates. It was a vibrant celebration of diversity, belonging and personal identity, brought to life through stories, photos and treasured memories.

Exploring Communities Beyond the Classroom

As part of this unit, the children were invited to bring in photographs that represented the communities they belong to outside of school. The results were as varied and inspiring as our Year 3 students themselves.

Children brought in photos of themselves participating in their favourite activities - rugby teams, football squads, gymnastics groups, dance troupes and swimming clubs all featured proudly! These lovely images truly showcase the wonderful hobbies and talents of our students. They also beautifully highlight how teamwork, friendship, and shared passion are so vital in creating a warm and supportive community.

Some students brought in their family photos, sharing stories of the strong bonds and love that truly make their family a special part of who they are. Many also happily talked about how their families support, encourage, and create meaningful traditions that help shape their lives.

We also saw photographs that represented students’ cultural backgrounds and home countries, reminding us of the rich international identity within our school. From flags to iconic landmarks, these symbols sparked wonderful conversations about heritage, pride and the unique qualities that each child brings to our community.

Some students chose to share images of their neighbourhoods or places of significance. These places are not only geographical locations but also hold emotional meaning - they represent belonging, belief and shared experiences.

Building Understanding and Empathy

Through this activity, Year 3 students learned that while each of them belongs to different communities, there are also many similarities that connect them. They discovered that belonging to a community is about more than just being part of a group; it’s about shared values, traditions, goals and support.

The classroom was filled with excitement as students presented their photos, mounted onto personalised, decorated display boards. They listened carefully to one another, asked thoughtful questions and celebrated the diversity of experiences around them. This exchange helped them understand that identity is multi-layered and that we are all shaped by the many communities we belong to.

The children also reflected on the idea that school itself is a community, one where everyone is welcome and has an important role to play. They recognised that by respecting and valuing each other’s backgrounds, they help to create a kind, inclusive and supportive environment at Alice Smith.

A Foundation for Lifelong Learning

The Community and Identity unit was more than a simple introduction to the academic year; it laid the foundation for lifelong skills. By reflecting on their communities and identities, Year 3 students developed greater self-awareness, confidence and appreciation of others.

These are skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom. Whether it is learning to collaborate with peers, embracing differences in a multicultural world or understanding their own strengths and values, this unit has given them a strong starting point.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all Year 3 parents for your support in making our Year 3 students’ learning such a success. Your help in providing photos, sharing stories and encouraging your children to talk about their communities made all the difference.

By working in partnership, we were able to create a learning experience that was not only educational but also deeply personal and meaningful. The pride and excitement the children showed when talking about their families, cultural traditions and activities was a testament to the encouragement and love they receive at home.

As our Year 3s continue their learning journey this year, the lessons from this unit will remain with them. They will carry forward the understanding that communities are built through connection, respect and shared identity - and that each of them plays a valuable role in shaping the communities they belong to.

We are proud to nurture not only curious learners at Alice Smith, but also empathetic, thoughtful young people who appreciate the richness of the world around them. This celebration of community and identity has been a wonderful beginning to the school year, and we look forward to seeing how our Year 3s continue to grow, explore and connect in the months ahead.