Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 4 – Week 7

Term 4 Literacy assessments

Over the past few weeks, children have been engaging in a range of literacy assessments to support both accurate reporting and thoughtful planning. These include PAT-Reading, DIBELS screeners, and our ongoing InitiaLit screening and cumulative assessments. Together, these tools give teachers a clear picture of each child’s progress and achievement and help us make informed decisions about next steps in learning.

Teachers have also spent time meeting to review and moderate students’ writing pieces. During this process, they compare samples against the Victorian English Curriculum to ensure progression points are allocated consistently and accurately. This collaborative approach helps us maintain fairness across the school and ensures families receive clear, reliable information about their child’s learning.

 

 

These assessments form an important part of our end-of-year summative assessment process. They give us a comprehensive snapshot of each child’s learning and growth across the year and feed directly into their end-of-year reports. This helps ensure families receive an accurate, genuine reflection of each child’s achievement as we celebrate their progress and look ahead to their next steps in learning.

Boosting comprehension through retelling

One of the most powerful ways to build comprehension is through retelling. Retelling helps children recall key details, organise their thinking, and strengthen their overall understanding of a story. It’s also something that can be easily supported at home.

Tips for retelling at home

Read together: Take turns reading or read aloud to your child.

Pause and discuss: Stop at key points to talk about what’s happening in the story.

Use your own words: Encourage your child to explain the story without looking at the book.

Focus on key elements: Characters, setting, problem, events, and solution.

Questions to ask

Who are the main characters?
Where does the story take place?
What problem or challenge do the characters face?
What happened first, next, and last?
How do the characters solve the problem?
What part of the story did you like best and why? Can you make a connection to something in your own life?

Fun idea: Have your child draw a story map or create a comic strip to show the main events.

Retelling at home strengthens comprehension and helps your child become a confident, thoughtful reader.

Creative Corner – Persuasive writing 

This week’s optional Creative Corner task invites students to explore persuasive writing. A persuasive text tries to convince the reader to agree with a point of view.

Persuasive texts usually follow this structure:

Introduction – say what you think

Start by clearly telling the reader your opinion. For example, “I think families should have a screen-free evening once a week.” Make it clear from the beginning what your side is.

Reasons in paragraphs – explain why

Give 2  to 3 strong reasons to support your opinion. Each reason should go in its own paragraph. Try to elaborate by adding examples or details so the reader understands why you think it’s a good idea. For example, ‘Screen-free evenings help families spend time together playing games or reading, which makes everyone happy.’

Conclusion – say it again

Finish by repeating your opinion and reminding the reader of your main reasons. This helps your argument feel strong and complete. For example, ‘Because screen-free evenings help families have fun and spend quality time together, I think every family should try it.’

Students can use persuasive language such as strong statements I believe…, We should…, emotive words, and questions that make the reader think.

Suggestions for writing prompts

Should children get to pick the weekend activity once a month?

Should dessert be allowed before dinner sometimes?

Should pets sleep in children’s bedrooms?

Should families have a screen-free evening once a week?

How parents can help

Chat about ideas for and against each topic.

Help children organise their reasons into paragraphs.

Encourage them to give examples and explain their ideas.

Parents can support by helping children brainstorm reasons for and against the chosen topic.

Once both sides have been explored, encourage your child to choose one side and begin writing their persuasive piece using the structure above. Parents can assist by discussing ideas, helping organise reasons into paragraphs, and supporting students to elaborate on each idea with examples or explanations.

Once your child picks a point of view, they can start writing. I’m sure children will have some very creative, thoughtful, and persuasive arguments for any of these topics. 

Happy writing!

Dani De Luca

 

 

Maths isn’t just something we do at school — it’s all around us every day! From counting steps and measuring ingredients to spotting shapes in nature or working out time before dinner, maths helps us make sense of the world. Encourage your child to notice and talk about the maths they see at home, in the garden, or out in the community. When children see that maths is everywhere, they develop curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning!

Prep – Year 2: Number Nature Hunt

Focus: Counting, sorting, comparing, and representing numbers

Take maths outdoors! Go on a Number Nature Hunt with your child.

• Collect natural objects such as leaves, sticks, pebbles, or flowers.
• Sort and group them in different ways — by size, colour, shape, or number.
• Create simple patterns (leaf, stick, stick, leaf…) or count to see how many items you have in each group.
• Challenge: Can you make groups of 5s or 10s? Can you create a picture or design using exactly 20 items?

Learning Links: Counting, grouping, patterning, early addition, sorting data

Extension idea: Use the objects to make a number picture and label it with numbers and words.

 

Years 3 – 6: Maths in the Kitchen

Focus: Measurement, fractions, and multiplication

Cooking is one of the best ways to explore real-life maths!

• Choose a simple recipe together and read through the measurements.
• Ask your child to double, halve, or triple the recipe — how do the measurements change?
• Talk about fractions (½ cup, ¼ teaspoon), time (how long to bake), and temperature.
• Challenge: If the recipe makes 12 muffins and there are 4 people in the family, how many will each person get?

Learning Links: Fractions, measurement, multiplication, division, problem-solving

Extension idea: Encourage your child to create their own “family recipe” using precise measurements and write it out like a cookbook entry.

 

 

 

Living Faith in our Spaces –  Spotlight on Grade 2

In connecting to their faith  the Grade 2’s have been exploring the story of Pentecost and the ways in which the Holy Spirit is represented in our faith. Students have learnt about key symbols of the Holy Spirit—such as the dove, fire, wind, and water—and matched each symbol to its meaning, including peace, strength, new life, and God’s breath. They discussed why these symbols are important and created their own pictures or symbols to show how they understand the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.

 

Parish Celebrations 

“Through Baptism, we are welcomed into God’s family with love.”

On Sunday 16th November our Year 1 student Josie Muratore received her first Sacrament of Baptism surrounded by her Godparents, family and friends. Congratulations Josie, may this special moment guide you through a life filled with God’s light, love, and grace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the 9th of November at our Parish of the Good Shepherd, Stella Jacobs in Grade 4/5/6 celebrated a special milestone, receiving the three Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. 

Thank you to her family and Fr. Dishan who supported and prepared Stella through this very special day. We pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen her as she grows in her faith journey. 

“May the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to inspire her as she learns, grows, and contributes to our school community”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Season of Advent – An Invitation 

 

Reflection and Renewal – Living Hope in the Year of Jubilee

In Weeks 8 to 11 of Term 4, our school community will come together in reflection and renewal of our faith. Inspired by the Year of Jubilee –  ‘Anchored in Hope’, our students will be invited to explore and wonder about waiting through the perspective of Mary, our first disciple, who said “Yes” to God and brought hope to the world.

Beginning in Week 8, each year level will take turns leading our Morning Advent Prayer Services from 8:50 – 9:00am. Following the service, families of that year’s level are warmly invited to join their child’s classroom to share in their faith learning from this term. These sessions will conclude at 9:30am.

Please find the dates below: 

Advent Service Lead by Preps – Waiting Anchored in Mary’s Hope

Week 8, Monday 24th November: 8.50 – 9.00am 

Followed by Prep classroom visit concluding at 9.30am.

Advent Service Lead by Gr 2 – Waiting Anchored in Mary’s Peace

Week 9, Monday 1st December: 8.50 – 9.00am 

Followed by Grade 2 classroom visit concluding at 9.30am.

Advent Service Lead by Gr 1 – Waiting Anchored in Mary’s Joy

Week 10, Tuesday 9th December: 8.50 – 9.00am 

Followed by Grade 1 classroom  visit concluding at 9.30am.

Advent Service Lead by Gr 3-6:  Waiting Anchored in Mary’s Love

Week 11, Monday 15th December: 8.50 – 9.00am 

Followed by Grade 3-6 classroom visit concluding at 9.30am.

Look out in coming weeks for an invitation from your classroom teacher.

 

Advent In Action – Helping Hands Christmas Appeal

 

Christmas is a time for giving and what better way than to partner with one of the most generous organisations in our Community – Helping Hands Mission.  

Helping Hands Mission our local not-for-profit charity organisation, with five Op Shops across Melbourne’s north west suburbs. They rely on the sales in their stores to fund our Emergency and Material Programs. Helping Hands Mission accepts financial, material and food pantry donations.

This Christmas, our school’s ‘Taking Action’ linked to our RE Units is to gather Christmas treats to give to the needy this Christmas.  Beginning this week we invite families, extended family, friends – the whole community to drop items into our school office or bring in with your child. Each classroom will have a basket or two to fill.  On Friday the 12th December our school leaders will deliver our goods to Helping Hands to be distributed out into the community.  Items we are seeking for donation:

Chocolates          

Lollies

Candy Canes      

Biscuits

Gingerbread

Shortbread

Christmas Bon-Bons

Christmas Puddings

Custard

Pantry staples over the festive season

Lets all get behind this initiative and model to our children the real meaning of Christmas.

Class Masses

Term 4, 2025

Friday 21st November – Grade 3-6 Mass at 12.00pm

Friday 5th December – Prep Mass at 12.00pm

Thursday 11th December – End of Year Graduation Mass at 1.00pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seven weeks into our ‘Designing with Land’ inquiry project, our learners have evolved from curious questioners to thoughtful designers who see the world through new eyes.

 

They’ve explored how design connects people, place, and purpose. Our Year 3 to 6 children interviewed Renae last week to find out what it takes to design a school and the considerations needed to cater to a diverse community of learners.  They are using this information to design solutions to current problems that might exist in the school or to innovate on future possibilities.  Across the rest of the school, children have been learning about sustainable practices in design.  Through the design thinking process, children have questioned, planned, tested, and refined ideas that respond to real needs. 

 

Our learning spaces have transformed into studios of creativity: recycled materials have become prototypes, natural elements have inspired new inventions, and discussions have turned toward how good design can restore, not just build.

 

Students are now preparing to share their final designs, showcasing how innovation can live in harmony with sustainability. Each creation tells a story — of listening to the land, learning from the past, and imagining a better future.

 

Our environments are teeming with Inquiry, student voice, research, and wonderings.  If you are attending our Stage 2 open afternoon, please check out our growing learning!

 

Understanding Bullying: What Families Need to Know

At our school, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where every child feels valued and respected. It’s important for our community to understand what bullying is — and what it is not — so we can work together to prevent it and respond effectively.

What is Bullying?
Bullying is ongoing and deliberate behaviours that involve a power imbalance. It can be physical, verbal, social, or online. Bullying is more than a single disagreement or unkind moment — it is repeated actions that cause harm, fear, or distress.

Types of Bullying

• Physical: Hitting, pushing, damaging or taking belongings.

• Verbal: Name-calling, insults, threats, or hurtful comments.

• Social/Relational: Excluding others, spreading rumours, or encouraging others to reject someone.

• Cyberbullying: Posting, sending, or sharing harmful content online or through digital devices.

What Bullying Is Not

• Disagreements, arguments, or friendship issues
  • • A once-off unkind comment or accidental action
  • When students are learning to navigate social interactions

  These situations still deserve attention and support, but they are different to bullying and are managed differently at school.

  Our School’s Approach
  We take all reports of bullying seriously. When concerns arise, we focus on:

  • Listening carefully to all students involved
  • Restoring relationships and repairing harm
  • Teaching and modelling respectful behaviours
  • Working in partnership with families

  Here is a link to our Anti Bullying Policy- Link

  How Families Can Help

  • • Encourage children to talk openly about their day
    • Help them recognise what respectful behaviour looks like
    • Remind them to seek help early if something feels wrong
  • Model problem-solving and calm communication at home

  Together, we can continue building a school community where kindness and respect are part of everyday life.

  New Friends Are Like Flowers

  

 

 

 Making friends isn’t about finding one perfect person—it’s about growing a beautiful garden of connections. In this insightful piece, URSTRONG invites us to see friendship in a fresh light: each new friend is like a flower that adds colour, variety and joy to our lives. Rather than putting all our hopes on a single “best” friend, the article encourages us to —

• embrace the idea that friendships come in many shapes and sizes,
• understand that every new connection enriches our life and helps us grow,
• and realise that by nurturing multiple friendships we build a stronger, more resilient “social garden”.

This metaphor helps kids (and grown­ups!) recognise the value of extending and tending to our circles—because just like flowers, friendships bloom when we give them attention, variety and care.

 

Watch the video via the parent portal: https://urstrong.com/resource/new-friends-are-like-flowers-2/ 

 

 

Hayfever season

As we go through the changing season many children start to develop hayfever symptoms which can make playing and learning very challenging. Please note that the school cannot administer hayfever medication without a current Allergic Rhinitis/Hayfever plan.

This must be completed by the doctor and medication must be supplied by the family. Please see Kate at the office if you would like a copy of a plan to take to your doctor. Please do not ask the school to administer medications without a plan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 3rd

This year the UN has declared the theme to be 

“Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress”

What does this mean?

We are being called to foster disability-inclusive societies where everyone can contribute fully to social progress and shared prosperity. At MQH we foster the dignity and unique perspective of all students. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSsC5ViHGEI&t=25s

Where can I find more information?

https://www.idpwd.com.au/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out ‘n’About Day Fun!

In Week 5, all students engaged in our Out and About Days. These days form a part of our Physical Education curriculum and provide students with opportunities to learn and connect in such a fun way.   A big thank you to Felicity who co-ordinated and supported teams. The joy on student’s faces said it all!

Prep Pajama Day!

Our Prep students began their morning with a teddy bear picnic breakfast, bringing their favourite cuddly friends along to share in the fun. Throughout the day, students participated in a range of Literacy activities, including reading stories and writing all about their special teddy bears. In Writing, they connected with their current Inquiry unit as students let their imaginations shine by designing their dream pyjamas. To wrap up the day, students enjoyed outdoor team building games, followed by a movie. It was a perfect ending to a wonderful day of learning and fun.

 

Grade 1 – Let’s Ride!!

Our Year 1 students had an action-packed Out and About Day, filled with excitement, learning and plenty of smiles! The children began by exploring the importance of bike and scooter safety before taking off on a series of fun rides around the school grounds. 

In the afternoon, we enjoyed a delicious treat of fresh fruit and homemade smiley-face biscuits—carefully crafted (and proudly decorated!) by the students themselves. To make the day even more special, the children created their own road signs, helping to set the scene and take ownership of their fun-filled adventure. 

We now hope this experience will allow the children to be more mindful and aware of their road safety skills. 

It was a joyful day of learning, creativity and active play!   

 

Grade 2’s – Healthy Us!

The Grade Two Out ‘n’ About day was a great opportunity for students to share in a cooking experience to promote a healthy lifestyle. Students prepared baked potatoes in our brand new kitchens for us to eat together to begin our Out’n’About activities. Students even linked to their maths learning by surveying the class about what toppings they would like on their baked potatoes. Grade Two’s showcased their collaboration and teamwork as they worked together to gather materials, wrap potatoes, and help each other. After our dinner, we went down stairs and danced the afternoon away in our Silent Disco. 

 

Grade 3/4 – Navigating Our Way Through an Afternoon of Fun

The Grade 3/4 students had an awesome time during their Out ’n’ About afternoon! The adventure began with a hands-on navigation activity where students learned how to use a compass, read directions, and identify key landmarks around our school environment. In small groups, they put their new skills to the test by following clues and finding checkpoints. They showed great teamwork and problem-solving along the way. We finished the day by sharing a dinner of home-made burgers and ice cream! 

 

 

Grade ⅚ – Surf’s Up!

Our Grade 5/6 students enjoyed a fantastic day at Torquay for their Out and About Summer Camp. Students took part in engaging surfing lessons and important water-safety activities, building confidence and resilience in the ocean environment. A well-earned treat of hot chips added extra smiles, followed by a visit to the famous Chocolaterie, where everyone savoured some sweet delights. It was a wonderful day of learning, teamwork and summer fun for all.