Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 4 – Week 1

Writing in Grade 2-6: Writing to persuade

This term, our learners in Grades 2-6 will be exploring writing to persuade. 

Persuasive writing is a form of writing where the writer attempts to convince or persuade the audience to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action through the development of logical arguments and a cohesive summary. It is an important and necessary skill for children to use, and one we use in our every day, more so when orally persuading others. 

What is persuasive writing?

Persuasive writing is a form of writing where the writer attempts to convince or persuade the audience to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action by presenting logical reasoning, supporting evidence, and compelling arguments. 

This type of writing encourages students to formulate a clear viewpoint on a particular topic, provide reasons to support their opinion, and convince their audience to adopt their perspective. Persuasive writing is an essential skill that helps students develop critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to express themselves persuasively.

What is persuasive writing?

Persuasive writing is a form of writing where the writer attempts to convince or persuade the audience to adopt a particular point of view or take a specific action by presenting logical reasoning, supporting evidence, and compelling arguments. 

This type of writing encourages students to formulate a clear viewpoint on a particular topic, provide reasons to support their opinion, and convince their audience to adopt their perspective. Persuasive writing is an essential skill that helps students develop critical thinking, effective communication, and the ability to express themselves persuasively.

Why teach persuasive writing?

As children mature as writers, it’s important to give them the opportunity to write using a variety of formats. Persuasive writing helps students formulate specific reasons for their opinions, and provides an opportunity to research facts related to their opinions. As students develop an understanding of how writing can influence or change another’s thoughts or actions, they can begin to understand the persuasive nature of the marketing they are exposed to through television, the Internet, and other media.

How you can support at home

• Collect your junk mail and discuss the purpose of each item with your children.

What are they trying to persuade you to do? 

What do they all have in common? 

Do they have a Sizzling Start / headline to catch your interest?

• Pick a newspaper article you have read this week. Read the first

paragraph aloud to your children. 

What is the author’s point of view? 

How do we know? The author won’t necessarily have

stated their point of view overtly (e.g. I think…), advanced writers know how to let readers infer meaning.

• Listen to ads on the radio 

What language are they using to try to persuade you to buy their product / service?

Do you think it is effective? Why? Why not?

• Look at billboards / advertising on bus stops

What words / colours  / images are they using to try to persuade you to buy their product / service?

Multiplication: Learning Times Tables

Times tables are one of those “milestone” math skills — once students know them, so many other maths topics become easier. Here are some simple and effective ways parents and teachers can help:

• Start with the easier ones. Begin with 2×, then build up. The patterns in early tables help students recognise the structure as they progress.
• Make them visible. Hang a times-table chart in a frequently seen spot (e.g. bathroom, study area) so the facts get regular exposure
  Use tricks and patterns. For example, finger techniques for 9s can help children visualise the relationships.
• Sing and play. Catchy songs or multiplication-based games make learning fun and memorable.
• Hands-on tools. Making a “multiplication wheel,” using cards, or grouping objects helps connect multiplication to real life. 
• Relate to addition. Reinforce that multiplication is repeated addition (e.g. 4 × 3 = 4 + 4 + 4). This helps students understand why the rules work. 

Small, consistent efforts — just a few minutes each day — help build fluency through repetition. Over time, students develop speed, confidence, and a stronger foundation to support future mathematical learning.

 October is the Month of the Rosary, a special time in our Church when we are invited to reflect on the life of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. Throughout this month, students will learn about the Rosary and be encouraged to spend time in quiet prayer. 

Praying the Rosary at Home – The Rosary Project
We invite families to take a few moments each week to pray the Rosary or even a single decade together. This can be a beautiful way to pause, reflect, and bring gratitude and peace into your home. Children may like to lead a prayer or offer intentions for people in need.

Annual Parish Raffle
This week students have come home with raffle tickets for our Annual Parish Draw. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our local parish community and help raise funds for ongoing parish initiatives. The raffle will be drawn at the Parish Christmas Market on Sunday 23rd November at 1.30pm. Please return sold tickets to your classroom educator or the front office.  We thank families for their generosity and support.

Remembrance Day

On Monday 11th November, our school will pause to remember and pray for all those who have served and sacrificed for peace. Students will be able to purchase Remembrance Day badges and poppies in the lead-up to the day, with funds supporting the RSL. Our community will honour the courage and hope of those who served, reminding us to be peacemakers in our own lives.

Term 4 Class Masses
As we begin Term 4, each class will gather for Mass with our parish community. These celebrations give students an opportunity to come together in prayer and reflection, sharing in the Eucharist and deepening their connection to our parish family. All families and friends are welcome.

Term 4, 2025

Friday 17th October – Grade 2 Mass

Friday 24th October – Grade 1 Mass

Friday 21st November – Grade 3-6 Mass

Friday 5th December – Prep Mass

Thursday 11th December – End of Year Mass

Designing with Land: Our Next Inquiry Journey

“Every invention begins with a question. Every innovation begins with a spark.”

This term, our learners are embarking on a new inquiry called Designing with Land—a project that invites children to explore how design connects people, place, and purpose.

Through the design thinking process, children will investigate the big ideas of design, innovation, and sustainability. They’ll ask:

• How do designs shape the way we live?
• How can we design with care for the environment and community?
• What can we learn from those who have designed in harmony with the land for thousands of years?

Grounded in our local context of the Reservoir at Greenvale, children will explore how human-made and natural systems intertwine. They’ll learn that design isn’t just about buildings or objects—it’s about choices, ethics, and impact.

Drawing inspiration from the Wurundjeri people, who have long been engineers of Country, children will discover how design can reflect respect, balance, and renewal. Fire, water, shelter, and tools will become entry points into understanding how to create with, rather than take from, the land.

Throughout the project, children will move through the stages of Design Thinking—Empathise, Define, Plan and ideate, Create a prototype, and test—as they become problem solvers, makers, and caretakers of the world around them.

Ultimately, Designing with Land is a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and care. It encourages children to see that every choice we make tells a story and that the most powerful designs are those that honour both people and place.

R U OK? Day

This week we recognised R U OK Day? by wearing a splash of yellow. R U OK Day? Is a national day of action that reminds us all of the importance of checking in on the wellbeing of those around us.This was celebrated on Thursday, September 11, 2025. At school, students learned that asking, “Are you OK?” can open the door to meaningful conversations and show care and support for friends, family, and peers.

As part of our Wellbeing Lessons, students explored how small conversations can make a big difference in someone’s life and why listening with empathy matters. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, reinforcing that it’s always okay to ask for help and to look out for one another.

For further information you may like to explore this website- https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

ADHD Awareness Month

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, self-control, and executive functioning. It typically begins in childhood and can continue into adulthood.

ADHD affects children and adults.

Around 5-10% of children and 2.5-5% of adults worldwide are estimated to have it.

MQH provides a combination of classroom strategies, special accommodations, and Personalised Learning Plans and although many children with ADHD can face challenges, with support they can thrive.

ADHD Month is about sharing reliable, evidenced based information about ADHD and dispel myths associated with ADHD.

More information on ADHD can be found at https://adhdfoundation.org.au/

https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/

This week in Italian, our Prep to Year 2 students had fun revising their numbers to 10 through interactive number games. We also explored stories in Italian that introduced the seasons and weather related vocabulary. Students listened carefully for familiar words to help them understand the stories, then demonstrated their comprehension by drawing pictures that captured the events and key details.

In Years 3 to 6, students listened to the classic fable Il Sole e il Vento (The Sun and the Wind). They learned how to ask and answer the question “Che tempo fa oggi?” (What is the weather today?) and created colourful chatterboxes to quiz each other on vocabulary related to the seasons and weather. It was a fun and engaging way to practise speaking and listening in Italian. 

Exciting AFL Opportunity for MQH Students!  

Attached is the registration for a 4-week AFL program, delivered on-site at our school by AFL Victoria. This program is open to all students from Prep to Grade 6, and is a fantastic chance to:

• Learn and develop AFL skills in a fun, supportive environment
• Train with official AFL Victoria coaches
• Potentially connect with local AFL clubs for ongoing participation
• Receive an Auskick pack (includes pump + footy!)
• Be part of a program that could bring an Essendon AFL Player to our school in 2026!

Key Details:
Who: Prep – Grade 6 students (all skill levels welcome)
When: Wednesdays starting 29th October 2025 from 3:30-4:30pm, for 4 weeks

Where: Mary Queen of Heaven school grounds
Cost: $55 per student for the full 4-week program (1 day a week)
Includes: Official Auskick pack (footy + pump), expert coaching, and loads of fun!
Registration: All done through Play HQ and managed by AFL Victoria. Please register using the QR code in the attached flyer.

We cannot wait for our students to partake in this after school AFL program!

Any questions please email Felicity Valetini, PE Teacher on fvaletini@mqhgreenvale.catholic.edu.au.