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Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 3 – Week 6

27th August 2025

Dear Families,

Last week I spent an amazing week in Cairns immersed in the FNQ commitment to land and country.  The Indigenous perspective and indigenous respect in all aspects of life is authentic and remarkable – it’s effortless.  The Australian Catholic Education Conference was insightful and inspiring.

 

One of the key takeaways I was reminded about from one of the presenters at the conference was around the benefits of family engagement. It is the number one indicator of student achievement. He aptly explained that this can be invisible engagement (not dependent on families physically being at school – those days have gone with so many of our families working.) I was excited by this prospect and his reassurance that family engagement is not ‘more’ work but ‘different’ work.  Fittingly, our Family Learning walks for Literacy began this week – these are a really great invitation for families to be engaged with learning.  As a leadership team, we are constantly looking at ways we can improve our family engagement so you all feel very much part of your children’s journey at school. I dedicate our prayer this week to family engagement.

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the gift of this school community and for the unique talents of every child, parent, and staff member.

Unite us in love, truth, and courage, creating a strong bond between home and school, so we may support the children’s learning and well-being together.

Bless families with wisdom to prioritise their children’s education, and help them find joy and fulfilment in participating in school life.

Inspire us all to be a “light” to one another, and guide us to create a welcoming and supportive environment for every family.

May our combined efforts foster a spirit of cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect, ensuring that every child thrives and reaches their full potential.

Lord, empower us all strive for true and authentic family engagement.

Amen. 

We are so excited to be offering many events in the coming weeks to really capitalise on our Family Engagement, while offering the ‘invisible engagement’ through our Seesaw Platform, Social Media platforms and curriculum newsletters.

 

We are super excited about our upcoming Carnevale.  A great deal of work is happening in the backgrounds from both our staff and children in preparation for this amazing event.  Please add this to your calendar and invite family members and friends to come along.

 

District Athletics

Last week a group of our senior students represented our school in the District Athletics.   Our team was prepared and supported by Felicity and she accompanied them on the day.  The feedback from our staff and from a neighbouring school staff member was that our students really loved our school values, showing respect to fellow competitors, resilience and real kindness.  Congratulations to Felicity on the team, not only for competing with courage and determination but for being humble in winning and gracious in defeat.  So proud of you all!

 

 

Cyber Safety Reminder
As we guide our children to grow in wisdom and faith, it’s also important to help them stay safe online. Please take time this week to:

  • Remind your child never to share personal information (name, address, school, passwords) online.
  • Encourage open conversations about what they see and do on devices.
  • Set healthy screen time limits and ensure devices are used in shared family spaces.
  • Remind children to treat others with kindness online, just as they would face-to-face.

Did you know that most social media platforms—including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook—have a minimum age requirement of 13 years old? This rule is in place to help protect children from risks such as:

  • Inappropriate or harmful content
  • Online bullying or peer pressure
  • Sharing personal information too early
  • Contact with strangers

We encourage families to be aware of these age limits and to talk with their children about safe and positive ways to use technology. Children under 13 are best supported by using age-appropriate apps, educational tools, and supervised communication platforms.

Together, as family and school, we can nurture safe and respectful digital citizens.  Please be reminded that upon enrolment all families (children) signed an ‘Acceptable User Agreement.’  Any breaches of this agreement will see your child’s access to IT at school denied for a period of time.

 

Arriving to school on time

Please be reminded that our school day begins at 8:45am.  It is an excellent life skill to teach children to be on time from an early age.  Being on time or arriving before the bell gives the children time to socialise with their friends, time to be calm and ready to learn and time to engage in the morning routine of the day with their peers.  Arriving late can increase anxiety as the children walk into a learning space that has already begun the morning routine of the day. Arriving late is also quite disruptive to the rest of the class, who are settled and engaged in ready to learn practices.  Please make a concerted effort to get the children to school on time.  If this is an ongoing issue for your family, please reach out to Sarah, our Wellbeing Leader, and we can share some strategies with your family.

 

Homework

At Mary Queen of Heaven we don’t offer traditional homework.  This decision is based on world wide research.  There is no research to indicate that homework for 5-12 year olds has any impact on learning.  What we do encourage is for families to have conversations with their children around what they are learning at school, capitalise on the Curriculum Newsletters we share each term and the Seesaw posts we make regularly reflecting what the children are working on.  We encourage children to read each night and at times to work on number knowledge and word/sound work. Sometimes home practice of a skill will be encouraged, especially for those children attending enhancement programs.  Please don’t ask our staff for worksheets to be sent home as this goes against our school policy.

 

Traffic Safety 

It has been fantastic to see our families using our newly installed crossing of Hillview Rd.  This is by far the safest way to cross Hillview Rd and you‘ll always be reminded to use this safe route by our staff.

A quick reminder to all parents: please drive slowly and carefully in our school zone during drop-off and pick-up. Taking a little extra time to park and move off safely helps protect all the children in our school community and prevents accidents.

 

Bringing Personal Items to school

Please be reminded that we discourage bringing personal items such as balls and toys to school.  They often get lost, swapped or stolen and can cause real issues on the playground which then eats into learning time.  We have ample equipment for the children to play with, there is no need for them to bring items from home.

School Bag keyrings are becoming more and more of a collectors item.  This too is causing issues with items going missing, unhealthy competition and a heavy burden for your children when carrying their bags.  If your child has a keyring on their school bag we ask that it is limited to one.  All others need to be removed and left at home please.  We will remind the children of this as they come in and out each school day.

 

MQH PROMO 1

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 3 – Week 3

7th August 2025

Dear families,

 

We are now into our third week of term 3.  We hope that the term 2 school holiday break was a restful and relaxing one for you all.  It has been so lovely to see all of the children return to school with such enthusiasm and love for learning.

 

We are now very much settled into the hum of term 3.  The children are very much enjoying the challenge and diversity of the explicit instruction embedded into our key learning areas of Literacy, Numeracy and Inquiry.   

 

This week we celebrate and call to mind Australia’s First Saint, Mary of The Cross Mackillop.  

 

Mary MacKillop was Australia’s first saint and a truly inspiring woman. She was born in 1842 and spent her life helping others, especially poor and disadvantaged children. Mary believed that every child deserved an education, no matter where they lived or how much money their family had.

With her strong faith and determination, she started the Sisters of Saint Joseph and opened many schools across Australia. Mary faced many challenges, but she never gave up. She trusted in God and always worked with kindness, love, and courage.

Mary MacKillop’s famous words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” remind us to be people of action—helping others and living out our faith every day.

We celebrate Saint Mary MacKillop as a role model of compassion, resilience, and hope.

 

God of compassion, God of all people, we praise you for your servant, Mary MacKillop, who gave her life to serve you in the poor and oppressed.

As she is honoured in our world, may we continue to learn to share her vision.

Help us to recognise, as she did, that the poor of our time will hear the gospel in the way we serve them. Be with us as we strive to follow her and carry out our mission of service and care. 

Amen

 

 

MACSISS

In the coming weeks you will be invited to complete a MACSISS survey.  This survey provides us with important feedback from our families and helps us set goals for future improvement. Our year 4,5 and 6 students will complete the survey as will our staff.  We strongly encourage all families to complete the survey.  Once you have completed the survey, bring evidence into the office and we will enter you into a draw to win a $200 Coles gift voucher.

A morning tea session will be offered to all families where we can support you with a device and how to navigate the survey.

 

 

 

SWIMMING

  1. The Big Picture

Australia loves water—with 34,000 km of coastline, swimming is the top physical activity for kids aged 0–14 – but a concerning gap

remains in safety and skills.

  • Despite being our most decorated Olympic sport, participation alone doesn’t guarantee safety – proficiency does.

 

  1. Drop-off & Drop-out
  • Alarm bells ring when Royal Life Saving reported a drop-off in participation among 8 – 10 year-olds in swim programs.
  • Shockingly, up to 40% of students enter secondary schools without meeting basic national swim benchmarks.

 

  1. Schools: Policies vs Practice
  • Victoria’s updated Health & PE curriculum sets clear standards – but implementation varies widely.
  • Many states require school swim hours, but no national tracking system exists to monitor reach or effectiveness.

 

  1. Real-World Barriers

The Swimming in Schools initiative allocates $92 million over 4 years to government and Catholic primary schools – but geography,

staffing, transport, and teacher replacements can limit uptake.

  • “Dry” lessons and beach-based theory are cheaper, but practical water time is essential – both are critical for competency.

 

  1. Equity Matters

While 85% of families enroll when lessons are available, children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and

financially constrained household face disproportionate barriers.

  • Barriers include cost, pool access, transport, and cultural awareness of swimming’s value.

 

  1. Diverse Delivery Models

Schools implement swimming in different formats: one-day intensive, weekly lessons, beach trips, or two-week daily blocks –

context-driven, but this diversity leads to inconsistent outcomes.

Victoria’s Water Safety Certificate stipulates that students leaving Year 6 should be able to swim 50 m continuously, yet lack of

consistent monitoring obscures real progress.

 

  1. What We Need Moving Forward
  • Consistent data collection across all schools to track student progress.
  • Standardised implementation of curriculum expectations.
  • Continued investment to overcome logistical and staffing barriers.
  • Focused intervention for underserved communities.
  • Blended models combining practical water time and dry theoretical learning.

 

At Mary Queen of Heaven we STRONGLY encourage all families to enrol their children in swimming lessons, an absolute gift you can give your children, especially living in a country like Australia.

Each year, to meet our Water Safety obligations and to ensure our learners are educated in the area of water safety,  we offer our children 2-3 sessions (Dry) onsite lessons with Life Saving Victoria.  These sessions are planned in term one and have all been conducted this year.

 

This year we are also offering water based education for Prep- Year 6.

Prep Altona Beach excursion run by Life Saving Victoria to build confidence around water, understand beach safety, and learn what to do in an emergency.

Year 1/2 Water safety activities run by Life Saving Victoria at Altona Beach incorporating safety near water, what to do in an emergency, and enjoy games on the beach. 

Year 3/4Splash Water Park to enjoy inflatable aqua park, waterslides, and take part in dedicated water safety activities, including rescue scenarios and discussions about staying safe in different aquatic environments. 

Year 5/6 Water safety built into Summer Camp Experience (Surfing/Paddle Boarding)

These water components are fully funded with no cost to parents.

 

Uniform

Last week we shared with families reminders about our school uniform.  Below are some examples of our uniform being worn well.  Please ensure your children are wearing the correct school uniform at all times. Reminder slips will be issued to children who are not in the correct school uniform as a means of communicating to you so that you can have the conversations with your child.

 

 

 

 

 

Last Tuesday evening we welcomed our Prep 2026 families for their first Prep information session.  It was so refreshing to see the new, eager and beautiful faces that will soon form part of our vibrant school community.  It was an absolute pleasure to tell the story of MQH so far and speak of our close knit, supportive and kind community.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for using the two school crossing safely and with care.

With the new crossing now installed along Hillview Rd, it has been so wonderful to see our families using the crossing each morning and night.  PLEASE only cross Hillview Rd at the crossing, it is safer for pedestrians and drivers.  I am still working with HUME council to establish when flags will be installed and when the crossing will be manned.  I will keep you updated with any further developments.

 

 

 

 

 

Last term we held ‘Silly Hair Day’ as a fundraiser for ‘Make a Wish Foundation.’  Please see below the letter of appreciation:

On behalf of everyone at the Hungry Jack’s and Make-A-Wish Foundation, I want to extend our heartfelt

gratitude for your generous donation and the incredible support Mary Queen of Heaven School have shown once again this year.

Raising $260 for Make-A-Wish is no small feat—and doing it for the second year in a row speaks volumes about your dedication and compassion. Your ongoing efforts are helping bring hope, joy, and strength to children facing critical illnesses by making their heartfelt wishes come true.

It’s inspiring to see the strong connection you’ve helped build between Mary Queen of Heaven School and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Your commitment is not only making a real difference in the lives of sick kids but also setting an amazing example of community spirit and kindness.

Thank you for being such a valuable part of this mission. We truly appreciate your continued support and look forward to working together again to create even more smiles and unforgettable memories.

 

 

 

In this Issue:

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 2 – Week 10

26th June 2025

Dear families,

 

This week we dedicate our prayer to Peace.  With so much unrest in the world, we are reminded of the small ways we can all work towards peace.  May we all take a moment this week to consider how we can bring kindness and peace to those around us, we implore our world leaders to do the same.

 

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.” 

 

100 Days of Prep

Last week our Preps celebrated 100 Days of Prep.  It was a day filled with fun, laughter, dress ups, reflection and celebration of just how far our little learners have come in their 100 days of Prep!  Thanks to all the parents who went to a significant effort for the dress up, it was great to see everyone get so involved. Huge thanks to our Prep team for organising the day and for your continued dedication to ensuring our preps get the best out of themselves each and every day.  

 

 

Winter Camp Experience

Last Friday our year ⅚ students attended their winter camp experience.  Our students and staff took the early morning and chilly bus ride to Lysterfield Park, Lysterfield, where they engaged in fun team based activities that ensured their camp experience was a memorable one.

 

 

Winter Uniform

With the cold weather now upon us, it is so delightful to see our children in full Winter uniform.  The mornings are cold, so seeing MQH beanies and scarves is fabulous and the outer spray jackets are a great addition to keeping the children nice and cosy.  Please be reminded that items NOT purchased at the uniform shop cannot be worn.  In recent weeks we have noticed some of the older students deviating from our uniform, we will be attending to this to ensure it is fair for all.

 

Lost Property

Our lost property box is overflowing with beautiful uniform items that are unmarked.  Please ensure all pieces of your children’s clothing is marked with their first and surnames.  Please come into lost property to collect any lost items.

 

Traffic

Thank you for the efforts you are all making to ensure that the areas immediately at the French Rd and Hillview Rd gates are now used as drop and go zones.  We want to try and help the flow of traffic by ensuring these areas are quick stop, drop and go zones.  If you use these areas, your children need to be independent in getting in and out of the car.  They are NOT extended parking areas for families.  If your children need support getting in or out of the car, we encourage you to park elsewhere and walk the children in to school.  

Over the coming weeks, staff will be monitoring this and encouraging quick drop offs.  Please don’t be offended if our staff ask you to move along.

Finally, our school is situated in a residential area.  Please be very mindful of private driveways.  At NO TIME should anyone park across a private drive way or in a private driveway.  Our residential neighbours have the right to access their own driveways at anytime.  

Let’s all work together to ensure our streets are safe and traffic movement is a positive experience for all.

 

New school crossing

You will all have noticed that a new school crossing is being installed at the Hillview entrance of our school.  At its completion this will be a manned crossing.  This addition will add a level of safety to the crossing of Hillview Rd for all in our community. Please start the conversation with your children now about the need to use the school crossing when crossing Hillview Rd.  We will be monitoring this and ensuring that everyone only crosses at the crossing.

 

Late arrivals

With the traffic along Mickleham Rd still a little unpredictable, we often have children coming into school late.  Can we please ask, if your children are later than 9am, they must be walked into the school office by an adult and signed in.

 

Junior Rockers Private Music Lessons

Each Friday, private music lessons are offered for children in years 1-6.  If this is of interest to your family, please contact Junior Rockers directly for more information.  

 

https://juniorrockers.com/

  • PH: 1300 467 625
  • info@juniorrockers.com

 

For those families with children in the music program, please be sure to check the parent portal on a regular basis where our music teacher will upload weekly class notes.  At the end of term 2 a more comprehensive report will come home to each family.

 

In this Issue:

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 2 – Week 7

5th June 2025

A word from the Principal

Dear Families,

 

It has been a busy couple of weeks at Mary Queen of Heaven.  We have loved having families join us for Family Engagement initiatives such as Learning Walks, Reconciliation Week acknowledgement, Assemblies, First Eucharist etc.  It has been a great couple of weeks on connections and engagement.

 

We understand that families engage in schools differently these days, with many of our families working for part or all of the week. We are trying as a community to create ways families can engage with us, without necessarily coming on site.  

 

We have an active presence on social media and we are using Seesaw more consistently to ensure families know, understand and feel connected to the learning that is happening at MQH.  We appreciate your interactions with us on social media and encourage you to get your family and friends to follow us and to like or comment on our online posts.

 

In recent weeks, the ‘Review’ function on Facebook has been removed for all schools.  This is a shame for us as we had some really lovely reviews, highlighting what we offer here at MQH.  If you feel inclined to do so, we would very much appreciate you writing a review for us on True Local

 

Last week our year 1 and 2 children were lucky enough to have an excursion through the new build.  In linking to their learning on Design and Construction, they looked at plans, the footprint of the new build, the materials being used and the timeline the builders are working to.  They met the builders, the site managers and the two owners of Jardon Group, who kindly and generously offered their time for our school community.  The children absolutely loved this experience and we are so grateful to Jardon Group for their generosity.  You never know, we may have some budding architects, builders or engineers among our year 1 and 2 year levels.

 

I recently came across this poem, one that I have reflected upon many times over the years.  I share it with you today as a reminder that the little people in our care are vulnerable and are learning from us adults at every step of their childhood.

Children Learn What They Live

by Dorothy Law Nolte

If children live with criticism,

They learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility,

They learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule,

They learn to be shy.

If children live with shame,

They learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement,

They learn confidence.

If children live with tolerance,

They learn to be patient.

If children live with praise,

They learn to appreciate.

If children live with acceptance,

They learn to love.

If children live with approval,

They learn to like themselves.

If children live with honesty,

They learn truthfulness.

If children live with security,

They learn to have faith in themselves and others.

If children live with friendliness,

They learn the world is a nice place in which to live

 

 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is once again a major supporter of the Australia’s Best Teachers campaign.

Building on its success in 2023, the campaign invites students, parents and community members to nominate teachers for the special contribution they make to the lives of students in our schools.

To nominate a teacher, visit the Herald Sun website.  We have so many wonderful educators at MQH, we hope to see some be nominated.

 

Drop off zone along Hillview Rd

As our school continues to grow and in readiness for next year when we welcome another 80 students to MQH, we ask that families try and use the drop off area along Hillview Rd just for children who are capable of getting out of the car on their own.  For any families who need to park and help their children out, please use other parking areas (French Rd, Hillview Rd along the North side or Hillview Rd down past the round about.)  In the coming weeks staff will be out the front in the mornings and afternoon, encouraging this drop and go zone to ensure the safety and smooth traffic movement for all.

Collecting Children after school

Please be reminded that you can only collect your child after school.  If another child has not been collected by their parents, our staff have systems and processes in place to ensure they are well supervised until their parents arrive to collect them.  Please don’t assume supervision of other children as this can cause confusion and worry for us and for families.

Please ensure that your car is parked in the allocated bays before calling your child to get into the car. Please do not call children to enter cars while sitting in traffic in the middle of the road.

Thank you to the families who ride to and from school.  We have seen a great improvement in the safe use of bikes and scooters, with children disembarking when they arrive at school and not riding their bikes at all on school grounds.  Your support with this is much appreciated.

Donations Required!

Each year we hold a Father’s Day Raffle in contrast to the stall we hold for Mothers Day.

If you or a business you know is in a position to donate something for our raffle we would be most grateful.  Items such as:

Vouchers for car services, wheel alignments, tyres

Vouchers for restaurants 

Vouchers for  massages or hair cuts

Or anything else you can think of.

Our school will also make significant contributions to the raffle prizes.

 

School Lunches

As the Winter months take hold, our little ones can get increasingly hungry.  Please ensure that your child has enough food packed for their lunch, fruit/veg snack and recess snack.

 

Crazy Hair Day

Every year we work with the Make a Wish foundation, a foundation who brings wishes to life for very sick children. This is supported by our friends at Hungry Jacks, who provide encouragement awards for our children- Felicity hands these out in her PE classes.  This year as a fundraiser for the Make a Wish Foundation we will be holding a CRAZY HAIR DAY.  Friday 27th June, please come to school with your most creative, most crazy hair and donate a gold coin to the Make a Wish.

 

Book Week

This year’s book week theme is ‘Book an Adventure.’  We will be hosting a Book Week Parade on Friday 29th August.  We are giving you plenty of time to plan your creative outfits for our Book Week dress up and parade!  Costumes can be related to the theme or to any book or character.  

 

 

CARNEVALE 

Thursday 11th September we will be hosting a Grand Italian Carnevale.  This extravaganza will showcase all of the learning our students have been doing during their LOTE (Italian)  lessons.  The children are invited to dress inspired by all things ‘ITALY.’ This will be an after school event for the whole family and other members of our community, we hope to see extended family and friends attend.  More information to come

 

 

In this Issue:

MQH PROMO 3

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 2 – Week 4

15th May 2025

Dear families,

Traditionally May is the month of Mary.  A month of devotion to the Mother of Jesus.  You will have noticed we are posting devotions on our social media platforms and praying the Hail Mary each day with the children to honor the name sake of our school – Mary Queen of Heaven.  All families are welcomed into our sacred space to pray for mother Mary each day during May.

 

In recent weeks we have mourned the death of Pope Francis, giving thanks for his great life of service to our universal church.  We have practiced gratitude for his loving ways and the gentle and contemporary way in which he led.   We have also welcomed our new Pope, Pope Leo X1V.  May God Bless Pope Leo in his new role and lead him in the same way Jesus leads us, his flock.  May Pope Leo always know the love and strength of Jesus the Good Shepherd.

 

 

This week the leadership team has been engaged in Prep 2026 enrolment interviews. We have had over 125 applications for the 75 positions we can offer for 2026.  It is so exciting that our community holds Mary Queen of Heaven in such high regard, we have had wonderful feedback from our new families so far.  We would like to sincerely thank our current families for your positivity, word of mouth and for championing our school within the wider community.

 

Our stage 2 build is coming along at quite a pace.  Many of you have commented at the gate at how progressive the build is.   The builders aim to have the building at lock up stage by the end of  May, with handover on schedule for November.  This will be such a beautiful and exciting addition to our growing school.

It has been so pleasing to see many of our students wearing  the newly introduced quarter zip as an alternative for the school jumper.  This is an excellent option as the winter months take hold.  We have recently introduced an option of a white skivvy to wear under the jumper or under the tunic in winter.  This is an alternative to wearing the shirt under these items. We are always trying to ensure that we have multiple options to ensure the children are comfortable and there is a variety of choices.  Noone have the white skivvy in stock now.

Thank you to all of the families who have been using our roads and parking around the school in a safe and law abiding manner.  The traffic flow in the morning and evenings has been much much better – it’s been so wonderful to see so many children walking or riding bikes and scooters to school also.  What a healthy  and invigorating way for them to start the day!  Please be reminded that the area directly in front of Hillview Rd gate is a 2 minute drop of zone.  Ideally, this should only be used by families who drop quickly and do not exit the car.  Hume Council have been patrolling and issuing fines for those parking for an extended periods in these bays.

 We recently inquired with our Lunch Mums lunch order service if they could increase their service to two days per week.  It has been confirmed that we can move to two days, we will advise of the days and when this will begin in the coming weeks.  At this stage it looks like the second day will be introduced in term 3.

 

Thank you to all of our families who are using the Audiri App to log your children’s absences if they are sick or have an appointment.  This is very helpful for our admin team who need to ensure all absences are logged prior to 10am each day.

If your family is planning an extended or long holiday, please ensure you let the classroom teacher know and the office know  We need to plan for such absences from school.  While the school cannot provide work for the children to complete while on holidays, we will support you with strategies to keep them engaged in learning while they are away.   It is important for families to know and understand that we cannot guarantee we can ‘catch the children up’ on what they might have missed for lengthy absences.

Parent Code Of Conduct

Upon enrolment all families signed a MACS Parent Code of Conduct.  The signing of this document  is your pledge to work in the spirit of our school with our staff, other parents, children and community.  I draw your attention to the expected behaviors of all parents/carers and remind you that these behaviours are also expected in communication via email, text messaging and Whats App groups.

Expected Conduct and Bearing of all Parents/Guardians/Carers:

It is expected that every parent/guardian/carer will:

  • uphold the school’s core beliefs and values
  • behave in a manner that does not endanger the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves or

others

  • abide by all health and safety rules and procedures operating within the school and other locations

at which they may visit while representing the school

  • ensure that their actions do not bring the school into disrepute
  • respect school staff and accept their authority and direction within the exercise of their duties at

the school

  • observe all school rules as required
  • strictly adhere to the school’s policies and procedures as required
  • behave with respect, courtesy and consideration for others
  • refrain from all forms of bullying and harassment
  • refrain from any form of verbal insult or abuse and from any form of physical abuse or intimidation
  • refrain from activities, conduct or communication that would reasonably be seen to undermine the

reputation of the school, employees or students of the school, including activities on social media

  • respect school property and the property of staff, contractors, volunteers and other students
  • not be intoxicated by alcohol or under the influence of illicit drugs or other substances harmful to

health while visiting the school site, attending school functions or engaging in school-based

activities

  • respect school staff and accept their authority and direction within the exercise of their duties at

the school

  • use the school’s Complaints Handling Policy to seek resolution for any problems

In this Issue:

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 2 – Week 1

24th April 2025

Dear Families,

 

As we return from the school holidays and the Easter break we are filled with the joy and elation of our Risen Christ.  The rising of Jesus Christ is considered the cornerstone of Christian faith, signifying victory over death and offering hope for eternal life.  It seems almost poetic that Pope Francis passed on the very day after Easter.

 

 

 

 

Pope Francis was an amazing, revolutionary person for the Catholic Church, and the whole world.  His commitment to humility, compassion, and justice helped us all understand what it means to lead with love.  He called on each of us to care for the marginalized, protect the environment, and engage in meaningful dialogue rooted in dignity and respect.  The fact that Pope Francis returned to his Fathers arms on Easter Monday seems just right.

Let us honor His Holiness by walking with courage, creating a more just, more inclusive, and loving world.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

This afternoon each family will receive a prayer booklet and a prayer card for you home in readiness for the funeral of Pope Francis.

In this Issue:

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 1 – Week 10

3rd April 2025

Dear families,

 

As we come to the end of the term, it is a great time to stop and reflect on all that we have achieved as a school and community in one short term.  Our new preps, all 71 of them have settled well and our year 1-6 children are settled and engaged in the explicit teaching happening in classrooms across the school.

This week saw the culmination of our Lent and Easter learning come together in our whole school Passion Play.  Our passion play reflected the learning our children have engaged in during  Religious Education throughout term 1.  The reverent manner in which they all engaged and the storytelling that came from the experience was quite special.  Thank You to our families who were able to attend.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you, our wonderful families, for your ongoing support and commitment to Mary Queen of Heaven. Your involvement, encouragement, and partnership make such a positive impact on our students and their learning. We are truly grateful for the strong community we are building together, and we look forward to all that we will achieve in the months ahead.

A huge thank you to our incredible children for a fantastic term. Your hard work, enthusiasm, and kindness bring our school to life every day. We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds!

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing break.

 

Dani De Luca

Acting Principal

In this Issue:

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 1 – Week 7

13th March 2025

Dear families,

 

The last couple of weeks have seen us settle into the school year with learning and teaching taking top priority.   Our classes are all following the MACS ‘Vision for Instruction’ in ensuring we are being explicit in our instruction and ensuring our students receive the very best.  We remain committed to making the learning visible for our learners.  Linked is the MACS ‘Vision for Instruction’ for parents so you can align the vision with our practices here at MQH.

 

Last week we gathered as a school for Ash Wednesday Mass.  It was so  lovely to see our students gather in faith, it was equally beautiful to welcome many of our families to the Mass.  We thank Father Dishan for always making these special Masses meaningful and relatable to our children. 

 

In this Issue:

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 1 – Week 4

20th February 2025

Dear families,

 

The start to our school year has been a really smooth and beautiful one.  The children are settled into the routines of the day and our learning and teaching programs are a buzz with questions, curiosity and challenge. 

In the coming weeks we will enter the season of Lent, a time when we  remember the love of God that is poured out through His son Christ Jesus.  It is a time for self reflection and to seek forgiveness for the wrongs we have done.

“Heavenly Father, I’m truly sorry for the moments today where I missed the mark. I ask for your forgiveness and the strength to better follow Your call tomorrow. Amen.”

 

 

 

 

 

The past weeks have seen us gather together at our Welcoming Mass.  This was a beautiful celebration of our growing community.  It was a special time to gather in prayer and acknowledge that it takes many parts to make a school successful and we are all contributors to that success.  The children’s reverence and prayerful approach to Mass was beautiful to witness.

Today’s newsletter has a section on the importance of Cyber safety.  Please ensure, as parents, you are monitoring your children’s online behavior including what  they are watching. Viewing anything over PG is not recommended or primary aged children.  We are currently actively stopping games on the yard related to Squid Games and the like – this is inappropriate for 5-12 year olds.

In this Issue:

MQH PROMO 2

Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 1 – Week 2

3rd February 2025

Dear families,

 

Last week we welcomed many of the year 1-6 children for their initial testing for 2025.  It was so wonderful to make those connections before school starts today.  

The Preps had a wonderful start on Friday, lots of laughs, smiles and very few tears.  

This year the Church celebrates the Jubilee year.  This takes place every 25 years in our Catholic Church.  This year Pope Francis has called us to be Pilgrims of Hope.  We are all on a journey, as such we are all pilgrims. We journey towards Jesus with hope and love in our hearts.  This Jubilee Prayer will be taught to the children throughout the school year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled

in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,

reawaken in us the blessed hope

for the coming of your Kingdom.

 

 

May your grace transform us

into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos

in the sure expectation

of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

 

May the grace of the Jubilee

reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the treasures of heaven.

May that same grace spread

the joy and peace of our Redeemer

throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed,

be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

 

In this Issue:

Reminders

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Today’s newsletter comes with a great deal of reminders to ensure we are all informed and ready for a smooth start to 2025.

  • Children are dropped off at the school gate each morning (Hillview or French Road).  There will be a number of staff there to welcome them, we will assist you with any reluctant children and take them to their lines where their teachers will be waiting.  
  • It is so important that you are on time for drop off. Gates open from 8:30am.  Children who are late can get very anxious.
  • School jumpers are not compulsory. In the hot weather it’s a good idea to keep them at home.
  • School hats are compulsory in Terms 1 and 4.  Please label them and ensure the children know where they are in their bag.
  • Please label EVERYTHING!
  • Monday and Friday we sell Zooper Doopers for $1.  Please pack the coins into the zip section of their bags and show the children where the money is.
  • Please encourage your child to be independent.  They carry their bag to school, they unpack and pack their bag, unpack their water bottle etc.  They are such capable little learners.
  • On your child’s birthday they can wear casual clothes so we can identify them and celebrate them.  You can also bring in goodie bags and muffins or cupcakes.  Please no large cakes as these are hard to serve.  Store bought items are preferred as they have the ingredients clearly marked.  Children with allergies will be given an alternate treat.

Children with allergies – please ensure you have provided alternate treats to the classroom teacher to keep in their rooms so that your child never feels like they miss out.

  • In the hot or wet weather we revert to a different timetable. The children remain inside and have passive play items to entertain them.
  • At all times during the school day, children are thoroughly supervised by staff.
  • At the end of each school day the children will be brought to the area where they line up.  You can meet them there.  If you are running late please don’t worry, a staff member will be with them the whole time.
  • Children not collected by 15 minutes after the bell will be taken to BIG Childcare at the cost of the parents.
  • In the interests of safety for all, NO EQUIPMENT is to be used for play after school.  The ovals, balls, piano, adventure playground and sandpit are all out of bounds.  Please collect your children and make your way to the gates.
  • Please be reminded that our school is a smoke and vape free zone.
  • Our staff are available to communicate with you in many ways.  A chat at pick up, an email etc and we use Audiri for longer or more urgent announcements.  Seesaw is used only for learning and teaching and to report your child’s progress in an ongoing manner. 
  • Parking for families is along Hillview Rd and French Rd as well as in the side streets off Hillview Rd.  Please note the parking on Hillview Rd closest to our school is a 5 minute drop off zone and this monitored by the council.
  • Lunch orders take place on a Thursday.  Orders need to be in by 8am on the day.  They are delivered fresh to our children just before the lunch break each Thursday.  
  • Our school community calendar can be accessed on the school website, please scroll to the bottom so that you are aware of our school events.
  • Class Mass is held in the sacred space each fortnight.
  • Assemblies are hosted by classes on a roster, they are every third Friday afternoon

 

As always, please reach out to any staff member if we can assist you with anything at all.  

Religious Education

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Our Catholicity over arches and underpins all we do and all we are as a Catholic School.  Each day your children will gather in morning and afternoon prayer and they will be involved in formal RE lessons throughout the school week.  

We are blessed to be a diverse community with a multitude of religious denominations we can learn about, celebrate, acknowledge and respect.  Regardless of your family’s religious denomination, all children are expected (as part of our enrolment policy) to be involved with RE lessons, prayer and Mass.  

Class Masses are held fortnightly at school.  All of these are on the school calendar that can be accessed on the school website.  Families are invited to join us for all class masses.  We are very blessed to have Father Dishan and Father Samuel lead us in faith, they are wonderful with the children and a great asset to our school community.

Our sacramental program begins this term with Reconciliation (Year 3).  Children in year 4 will celebrate Eucharist and those in year 6 Confirmation.  More information will follow.

Staff Faith Formation Day

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In preparing for our students’ return, our staff came together with our two other parish schools for a powerful day of faith formation, led by Father Rob Galea. Father Rob shared in own faith journey with such vulnerability and authenticity, inspiring our team to reflect deeply on our own faith, particularly in times of challenge. Through his words, we were reminded that faith is something we experience and live, that true joy flows “like rivers of running water”, and that trusting in God allows him to step in and catch us when we fall. By nurturing our relationship with Jesus we open our hearts to serve others with love and purpose. 

Volunteer/s needed

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Are you handy with a sewing machine, or know someone who is?  Our liturgical cloths used for our class prayer tables need to be edge stitched. If you are able to volunteer your services please email Pauline at pboylemqhgreenvale.catholic.edu.au

Learning & Teaching

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NAPLAN: Understanding Your Child’s Progress

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. It provides insights into your child’s literacy and numeracy development, helping parents, teachers, and schools understand their progress. 

At Mary Queen of Heaven, we have a comprehensive assessment schedule informed by research. These assessments help us track student progress, guide our teaching, and identify key focus areas for staff professional learning. While NAPLAN is one important assessment, we do not teach specifically to it. Instead, we use it alongside other assessments to identify school-wide trends in literacy and numeracy, ensuring a well-rounded approach to student learning.

Grade 3 and Grade 5 children will sit the NAPLAN tests from 12–24 March.  More information will be provided to families in the lead up to this. 

Literacy approach

Our Literacy Approach in Prep–Year 2

At Mary Queen of Heaven, our literacy approach is grounded in the Science of Reading, ensuring all children develop strong foundational skills. In Prep–Year 2, we explicitly teach the five essential components of reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

This year, we are implementing the InitiaLit program to support literacy development. Educators will use assessments endorsed by the program to monitor student progress and tailor learning to each child’s needs.

For more information, please see below.

 

Whole-class instruction in literacy 

What is InitiaLit–2? 

InitiaLit–2 is a literacy program for all children in their third  year of school (Year 2). It has been developed by MultiLit, a  research-based initiative of Macquarie University. 

What does InitiaLit–2 do? 

InitiaLit–2 teaches children how to read and spell through  daily lessons, using research-based teaching methods. It also  uses a range of engaging storybooks to develop children’s  vocabulary, oral language and writing. InitiaLit–2 will be used  daily during the time set aside for literacy. InitiaLit–2 meets the  requirements of the Australian National Curriculum. 

How does InitiaLit–2 work? 

By the time children are in Year 2, they have learnt that words  are made up of sounds represented by letters. They should be  able to work out most words they encounter for reading and  spelling without guessing. The focus now moves to reading  comprehension and spelling. 

There are four main teaching components in InitiaLit–2 spread  across the week. 

  • Comprehension and fluency 
  • Spelling 
  • Grammar 
  • Vocabulary (using children’s literature) 

During the first 25-40 minutes of a lesson, the teacher will  introduce a new concept to the children in a very clear,  explicit way. A number of areas will be covered during the  course of the program. Children will learn to use different  comprehension strategies to help them understand what they  are reading and they will practise reading with expression.  They will learn the various ways to spell the sounds of English,  as well as some spelling rules to help them make the correct  choice. They will also be introduced to some simple and useful  grammatical concepts to help with their writing. 

After the new concept has been taught, the teacher will  work with different groups of children in turn, helping them  to develop their reading fluency and comprehension using a  variety of reading material. The rest of the class will be engaged  in different activities to consolidate what they have learnt. 

How does InitiaLit–2 develop oral language and  vocabulary? 

Throughout the year, children will enjoy listening to a number  of quality storybooks. There are four teaching sessions  dedicated to each book. They will learn three new vocabulary  words per book and do fun activities to help them understand  

when and how to use those words. They will also discuss the  themes surrounding the book and think about how the story  relates to their own world. There is also a writing task used  alongside the book. 

How will my child be assessed in InitiaLit–2? 

Your child’s developing reading comprehension and spelling  skills will be assessed regularly. Spelling is formally assessed  twice a term and comprehension is assessed once a term. 

Will my child only be doing InitiaLit–2 during literacy? 

In addition to InitiaLit–2, your child will be spending time  during the week on different writing tasks. Sometimes the  writing tasks will be based on the storybook used in InitiaLIt–2  or on the grammar lesson taught in InitiaLit–2. 

How can I help with my child’s reading and spelling at home? 

Take the time to listen to your child read regularly. They may  like to choose their own book, or they may have brought a  book home from school. Even if your child can read well, it is  still appropriate and pleasurable to read to your child. This is a  way of exposing your child to books that they may find difficult  to read themselves. Provide a mix of non-fiction and fiction  books to enjoy together. Discuss the story, pointing out any  new words that may enrich their vocabulary. 

It is also useful to help your child learn to read and spell the  tricky words taught in class. A list of these words is found at  the back of the Home Reading Diary. Your child may also bring  home spelling words to practise. 

In addition to supporting your child’s reading and spelling,  there are many ways to build your child’s vocabulary and  oral language. Talk about words in the environment: the way  they are spelled, what they mean, what they convey. Make up  stories together, do a crossword, play I Spy, sing songs, answer  riddles, visit the local library, limit screen time. 

What if my child is struggling to learn to read? 

Some children do struggle to learn how to read. Talk to your  child’s teacher if you are worried about their reading or  spelling. It is important to address any difficulties as early as  possible so that extra support can be put in place to help them  catch up.

Novel Studies in Years 3–6

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At Mary Queen of Heaven, students in Years 3–6 engage in novel studies as part of our literacy program. Novel studies provide rich opportunities for students to develop their comprehension skills, expand their vocabulary, and explore themes, characters, and ideas in greater depth.

Through guided reading, discussion, and written responses, students learn to think critically about texts while deepening their understanding of story structure and language. These studies also help foster a love of reading and an appreciation for literature.

Teachers carefully select novels that are age-appropriate, engaging, and aligned with the curriculum to support students’ reading growth.

This term, children in Grade 3-4 will be exploring ‘Matilda’ by Roadl Dahl.  Children in Grade 4-5-6 will be exploring ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ by Michael Morpurgo

Numeracy approach

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At Mary Queen of Heaven, our approach to Numeracy focuses on hands on experiences, Target teaching groups and following the learners curiosity. All target groups are created and guided by ongoing weekly data, with instruction tailored to meet each child at their current level of learning. 

 

Through participation in daily reviews, students have an opportunity to consolidate learning and automatise essential skills that they can apply in future Mathematics learning.

Numeracy sessions include explicit instruction and students are provided with clear step by step guidance when introducing new mathematical content and given opportunities to practice independently while providing feedback. Educators address the curriculum, ensuring that they teach the content as well as the capabilities that support children to build life-long skills, such as metacognition, reasoning and problem-solving. 

The following evidence based practices are embedded into Numeracy sessions: 

  • Developing Number Sense: Helping students understand the meaning of quantities and numbers, and how to represent them using objects and numerals. For instance, use number lines, encourage students to count fluently, and teach them to compare quantities.
  • Building Fluency: Ensuring students become fluent in fundamental operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
  • Teaching Mathematical Concepts: Focusing on helping students grasp the core concepts of mathematics. Emphasis not just the ‘how’, but also the ‘why’ behind mathematical procedures and rules.
  • Incorporating Concrete Materials: Encouraging students to use hands-on materials and visual aids to represent and understand mathematical concepts and procedures.
  • Using Problem-Solving Strategies: Teaching students specific strategies for solving problems and reasoning. Helping students to learn how to read problems carefully and organise their work based on the structure of each problem.
  • Promoting Precise Mathematical Language: Encouraging students to use accurate mathematical terminology when explaining their thought process and steps for solving problems.

Discovery Learning in Prep-2

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At Mary Queen of Heaven, our Discovery approach in Prep-2 is a play-based, evidence-backed, and developmentally appropriate way for young learners to explore and grow. Carefully designed learning spaces encourage children to discover, create, and engage in meaningful play, while educators guide and influence their experiences, making connections to other learning areas.

This approach fosters oral language development and builds important lifelong skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, resilience, and persistence.

Our Project Learning in 3-6

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In Our Project, children explore Humanities, Science, Health, Wellbeing, and life skills through hands-on inquiry. They develop critical thinking by asking questions, solving problems, and reflecting on their world. Using our local context, we connect learning to real-life experiences in meaningful ways.

For Years 3-6, Rapid Cycles of Inquiry provide tailored inquiry processes that nurture curiosity and problem-solving. Children express their discoveries creatively through clay, wire, light and shadow, collage, and construction, deepening their understanding through multiple forms of expression.

 

We look forward to welcoming families to Learning Walks in the future, where you can learn more about both approaches and see it in action. Stay tuned for more details!

ICT

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Our school is well resourced with devices for children to access.  These devices compliment and support their learning.  Children in years 3-6 have a 1:1 Chromebook.  Children in year 1/2 have shared Chromebooks and our Preps utilise ipads.  In the coming weeks we will be sending home an ICT user agreement.  Please go through this with your children and ensure you all understand the importance of looking after our technology for the safety of all.

Child Safe Standards

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This is Part 4 in the series of explanations of the standards

 

Child Safe Standards are guidelines designed to protect children from harm and ensure their well-being in various environments, particularly in organisations and institutions that engage with children. In Victoria, there are 11 Child Safe Standards. 

 

Standard 4:

Schools must ensure that families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing

 

At MQH we:

  • Use various platforms to communicate with families, Audiri, Newsletters, Seesaw, school website
  • Have members of the parent community consult on the School Advisory Board and the Reconciliation Action Plan
  • Ensure a point of contact for families at dismissal time
  • Open the school doors for Learning Walks, Wander and Wonder, Parent Teacher Chats, Program Support Groups, assemblies and special events
  • Plan and engage families in family learning events
  • Have a pastoral culture that cares for the community

 

An overview of all standards can be found at: https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/

Wellbeing

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Our school rules and continuum of response are very clear.  These are taught to the children from day 1 and reiterated throughout the school day with positive modelling and reminders. The children quickly learn the rules and know the consequences when rules are broken. We teach them the importance of rules and how they keep us safe. 

 

Alongside these expectations we set consequences. These are designed to complement positive behaviour and offer reflection on behaviour that needs to be modified. At times, children forget the rules and need reminding of expectations. All of our interactions in addressing this are positive and learning focussed.  Parental support is crucial in ensuring that together we are teaching the children how to be wonderful citizens.  This positive partnership is crucial in ensuring we present as a united team for the betterment of the children. 

 

At Mary Queen of Heaven, explicit Wellbeing Lessons are planned and embedded throughout the week that focus on specific personal and social skills driven by the curriculum, such as turn-taking or resolving conflict. Some examples of learning and teaching opportunities might include a Ready to Learn focus, Social and Emotional Learning target groups, social stories, exploration through literature, role play, sentence starters, Zones of Regulation and a range of provocations.

 

 

Getting Back into the School Routine

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As summer comes to an end and the school year begins, here are some tips to help make the transition a little smoother:

Acknowledging Feelings: It’s important to let your child know that feeling nervous or uncertain about going back to school is completely normal. Everyone, both kids and adults, can struggle with adjusting to the school routine after a long break. Reassuring your child that he or she isn’t alone in feeling this way will help them feel heard and supported.

Establishing Morning Routines: One of the biggest changes when school starts is the shift to a new morning routine. To set your child up for success, have a conversation about what their mornings will look like during the school year. This helps your child understand what’s expected of them and gives them a sense of control during the often rushed time of getting ready. Break down the steps into simple, clear actions that are easy for him or her to follow. Using a visual schedule with pictures can also be helpful for young kids, giving them a reference point throughout the process. 

Making Bedtime Easier: Adjusting to an earlier bedtime can be one of the toughest parts of the back to school transition. Like with the morning routine, establishing a consistent nighttime routine can help create structure. Provide clear expectations and simple, easy-to-follow steps for your child to follow before bed.

Kolbe Catholic College Term 1 After School Program

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Please see the attached flyer for Kolbe’s ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ program.

This popular after-school program is designed for students in Grades 4, 5, and 6, offering them a fun and engaging way to build confidence in the kitchen while also becoming more familiar with a secondary school setting as part of their transition to high school.

After School Program Kids in the Kitchen Term 1 2025

Smile Patrol School Dental

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Say goodbye to the hassle of making dental appointments, taking time off work, and disrupting your schedule just to ensure your child receives dental care.

Smile Patrol is coming to Mary Queen of Heaven Primary School so your child will benefit from dental care during school hours, so easy!
Smile Patrol provides free dental health education to all students. If your child is eligible under the Childcare Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) treatments can be done for free depending on the remaining benefits. If your child is not eligible we will send you an email with an option for a private checkup. But to do this we need your consent.

To sign up you can visit : https://smilepatrol.com.au/consent-form/
It’s very easy and takes less than 5 mins to complete.

For more information please feel free to contact us.
Email: info@smilepatrol.com.au
Thank you for prioritising your child’s dental health. We want to make sure every Victorian child has access to quality dental care.

 

Parent info Smart Forms

Smile Patrol Schools Information Booklet 2024

 

Hall’s Taekwondo

MQH PROMO 4
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Please see the attached flyer from Hall’s Taekwondo which entitles students to receive a free Taekwondo uniform valued at over $90 and allows them to have a free Taekwondo trial. Open nights are an excellent opportunity to learn more about Taekwondo and the range of programs on offer

 

Open Nights Feb 2025

Greenvale Football Club

MQH PROMO 3
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Please see the attached flyer for the Greenvale Jets Football Team

 

rego flyer updated

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