A word from the Principal

Dear Families,

It’s hard to believe the term has come to an end, with only a week left together before the Easter School Holiday break.  It has been a wonderful term with so much achieved. Here are just a few things to ‘shine the light’ on this term:

• Our preps settled into school life and routine with ease
• All staff engaged and fully trained in First Aid 
• Over 140 families toured our school for Prep 2027 
• Our take home reading program is up and running in our junior grades
• Comprehensive data was collected across numeracy, literacy and inquiry to ensure we are data informed in our teaching and learning
• All children across P-6 engaged in our on site Water Safety program
• 5-6 Excursion attended the Melbourne Museum
• Student leaders engaged in leadership building opportunities
• Grade 6 students attended St Patrick’s Day mass at the Cathedral
• Grade 2s ran 3 amazing assemblies
• Children engaged in Harmony Day celebrations 
• Children engaged in St Patrick’s Day celebrations 

As we approach this Sunday, 29th March, we are reminded that it is Palm Sunday—an important and sacred moment in our Church calendar as we begin Holy Week.

Palm Sunday recalls Jesus’ joyful entry into Jerusalem, where He was welcomed with great excitement and hope. Crowds gathered, waving palm branches and praising Him, recognising something special in His presence. Yet, we also know that this moment marks the beginning of a journey toward the cross—a powerful reminder of both joy and sacrifice.

For our community, this is a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect on what it means to truly follow Jesus. We are invited to consider how we bring peace, hope, and kindness into our everyday lives—through our words, our actions, and the way we care for one another.

As a school grounded in faith, we continue to encourage our students to walk in the footsteps of Jesus—showing compassion, seeking understanding, and building strong, respectful relationships with those around them.

Prayer

Loving God,
As we enter this holy time,
help us to walk closely with Jesus.

Open our hearts to recognise Him in our daily lives,
in moments of joy, in acts of kindness,

and in the quiet opportunities to do good.

Guide us to be people of peace and hope,
who welcome others with love and understanding.

May we continue to grow as a community of faith,
walking together in Your light.

Amen.

Reconciliation 

Congratulations to the children in Grade 3 who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. This is a special step in their faith journey, and we are very proud of the reverence and understanding they showed. May God continue to guide and strengthen them along their Faith journey. 

Week 10 events

Next week begins a super exciting and busy time at MQH.  From Monday we have our Stations of the Cross exhibition open to families after school and all through the Parent Teacher Interview times.  Please ensure you visit these beautiful installations that our staff and students have worked so hard to prepare. 

Scholastic Book Fair

Our Book Fair also remains open next week in the mornings, afternoons and all through Parent teacher Interviews. Parents are welcome to visit and purchase a wide range of books. Cash and card options available.

Caritas walk and House colours 

On Tuesday, children are invited to come to school in sports uniform or in the colour of their sports house. Please see the RE Section of this newsletter for further information. 

Easter Bonnet Parade

On Wednesday morning we will host our exciting Easter Bonnet Parade at 9:15am.  All families are welcome to attend. Children are invited to wear a bonnet – it need not be anything super fancy! Please see your child’s Seesaw for bonnet ideas.

School Advisory Council

This term we welcomed a new member to the School Advisory Council Emily Ward Pahl.  Emily comes to us with a great deal of experience, we look forward to her contributions to our school. 

E scooters

In recent days I was contacted by a representative from VicPol with this reminder in relation to E scooters and safe play in school holidays 

This is just a friendly reminder that you must be 16 years of age to ride an e-scooter, and that e-bikes must be pedal assisted and follow the same rules as a non-powered bicycle.  Children of primary school age and the adult accompanying them can ride their bikes or regular unpowered scooters on the footpath.  Anyone over the age of 12 (not including an adult accompanying a child) must ride on the side of the road or on a bike path.  Helmets must be worn at all times while riding a bike or scooter.

Communication | Keep Up To Date with School News

To ensure you are kept up to date with school happenings, School Notices are shared via nForma. 

Download nforma app for parents for all communication

A reminder that Term 1 ends on Wednesday at 1pm. Please ensure your child is picked up promptly by this time. The school will be closed for Learning Conversations on Thursday. Learning Conversations will take place from 1-6pm on Wednesday and 9-1pm on Thursday. Please see nForma for details on how to book an appointment with your child(ren)’s Educator for a Learning Conversation. Term 2 commences on Monday 20 April.

We thank you for all your support throughout the term. Wishing you all a blessed Easter and a lovely holiday break.

Renae

A word from the Principal;

Dear families,

The season of Lent is well and truly upon us. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, we gathered as a school community to celebrate Mass, marking the start of this sacred time in the Church’s year. Together, we received ashes as a sign of reflection, renewal and our commitment to grow closer to God.

Lent is a season that calls us to pause, to pray and to prepare our hearts for Easter. It invites us to turn our attention more intentionally toward living as Christ calls us to live — with compassion, humility and love.

Throughout these forty days, we focus on three key pillars:

• Prayer – Deepening our relationship with God through conversation and quiet reflection.
• Fasting – Making small sacrifices that help us grow in self-discipline and gratitude.
• Almsgiving – Thinking beyond ourselves and supporting those in need through generosity and service.

At school, students will participate in prayer experiences, classroom reflections and opportunities for outreach that help them understand Lent in age-appropriate and meaningful ways. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home — whether through simple family prayers, acts of kindness, or discussing ways to give to others.

As a Catholic community, Lent reminds us of our core purpose: to keep Christ at the centre of all we do. May this season be one of renewal, peace and growth for each of our families as we journey together towards the joy of Easter.

Lord Jesus,

As we journey through Lent, help us to grow closer to You.

Teach us to be kind in our words, generous in our actions,
and loving in our hearts.

Help us to pray each day, to make good choices,
and to care for those in need.

May this Lenten season  bring us closer to You
and prepare our hearts for Easter.

✝️ A Pilgrimage of Faith and Leadership

In the coming weeks, I have been blessed with the opportunity to participate in a pilgrimage alongside fellow Catholic Primary School Principals from the north-west of Melbourne. Together, we will be travelling to Greece and Turkey, following in the footsteps of Saint Paul.

This pilgrimage will take us to significant early Christian sites such as Philippi, Ephesus and other places where Saint Paul preached, taught and formed some of the earliest Christian communities. Walking where he walked and reflecting on his courage, faith and missionary zeal will be a powerful experience.

Why a Pilgrimage?

This enrichment leave is not simply travel — it is an opportunity for deep spiritual renewal and formation as Catholic leaders. As principals, our core business is always the flourishing of our children — academically, socially and spiritually. To lead a Catholic school authentically, we too must continue to grow in faith and understanding.

Time spent in prayer, reflection and learning alongside other Catholic leaders strengthens our capacity to:

• Remain grounded in our Catholic identity
• Lead with Gospel values at the centre
• Nurture faith within our school community
• Keep Christ at the heart of all decision-making

Pilgrimage invites us to pause, reflect and reconnect with the foundations of our faith. In retracing the missionary journeys of Saint Paul, we are reminded of the importance of courage, hope and unwavering commitment to Christ — qualities that continue to guide our work in Catholic education today.

I look forward to returning enriched, renewed and inspired, ready to continue leading our community with clarity of purpose and deepened faith.

I thank you for your prayers during this special time and for your continued partnership in ensuring our school remains proudly and authentically Catholic.

Dani will lead our school in my absence as Acting Principal and Loretta as acting Deputy Principal, thank you for supporting them in these roles. 

It has been so lovely to see our students settling into the school year. We have worked really hard to prepare our children for the new start and fresh classes and spaces. 

Our Wellbeing programme for the first week so term 1 is all around relationships, building friendships and connection.  Our Prep children are a real highlight during this time.  We spend time role playing friendship scenarios, our staff buddy them up in pairs or small groups so they go out onto the year together and we have more staff out on yard duty during these first weeks to ensure children feel safe and secure. Lunchtime clubs also began this week to ensure our children have an alternative each day to outside play.   

With all of this in place however, some children do find settling into the yard challenging.  Please continue to speak to our staff about this and we can work with you on ways we can further support.  A ‘Friendship Garden’ has been suggested by our student leadership group, this is an idea we are working towards at present… watch this space!

Helping Children Grow Through Challenge

As parents and educators, it is completely natural to want to step in and rescue our children when they face challenges. We never like to see them upset, worried, or struggling. Our instinct is to protect.

However, it is important to pause and reflect on what our children truly need in those moments.

When we consistently step in and solve problems for children, we can unintentionally send the message that the situation is something to fear — or that they are not capable of handling it themselves. Over time, this can reduce their confidence and resilience.

Challenges, disagreements, friendship hiccups, tricky learning tasks, and even small disappointments are all part of growing up. These experiences help children develop problem-solving skills, perseverance, and courage. Each time a child works through something difficult, they build a stronger belief in themselves.

This does not mean we step away or ignore their needs. Rather, we stand beside them instead of in front of them. We guide with questions like:

• What do you think you could try?
• Who could help you?
• What worked last time?

By doing this, we empower our children to develop independence and confidence, knowing they are supported but also capable.

At school, we are committed to nurturing resilient learners who are brave enough to try, to make mistakes, and to grow. Together, as a partnership between home

and school, we can help our children see challenges not as something to fear, but as opportunities to become stronger.

Boundaries will sometimes make children uncomfortable and that is OK.

How we can offer safe supported discomfort:

• Guide decision making rather than taking over
• Encourage self regulation and reflection of choices
• Support prioritising social and learning demands
• Refrain from emphasising your own perspective of discomfort on the child

When things go wrong:

• Pause and stay calm
• Maintain boundaries and expectations
• Allow natural consequences to occur
• Encourage your child to initiate problem solving of the situation in their own way
• It is OK for the resolution process to be uncomfortable 

🚗 Keeping Our Children Safe in Cars

In recent weeks we sent home some information in relation to safety in the car.  

The safety of our children is always our highest priority — and that responsibility extends beyond the school gates.

We kindly remind all families of the importance of ensuring that every child travels safely and legally in a vehicle.

Important Car Safety Reminders:

• All children must be correctly secured in an approved child restraint or booster seat appropriate for their age and size.
• Children under 7 years old must use an approved child restraint or booster seat.
• Children under 4 years old must not sit in the front seat.
• Seatbelts must be worn correctly — across the shoulder and lap, not under the arm or behind the back.
• Children should remain seated at all times while the vehicle is moving.
• No child should lean out of windows or move around the vehicle.

Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of serious injury in children. Correct use of car restraints dramatically reduces the risk of injury or death.

As a community, we share a collective responsibility to model and uphold safe behaviours for our children. Even short trips require proper restraints. There are no exceptions when it comes to safety.

If you are unsure whether your child’s restraint is appropriate or correctly fitted, professional fitting services are available across Victoria.

Thank you for working with us to ensure every child arrives at school — and returns home — safely each day.

Together, we can protect what matters most.

📱 Supporting Safe and Healthy Online Habits at Home

At school, we work hard to teach our students how to be safe, respectful and responsible digital citizens. However, the most important learning and supervision happens at home.

With increasing access to devices, online games, social media and chat platforms, we are asking families to remain vigilant in supporting safe technology use.

Key Reminders for Families

1. No devices in bedrooms overnight
   Phones, tablets, laptops and gaming devices should be charged overnight in a shared family space — not in bedrooms.
   Keeping devices out of bedrooms:

• Protects children from late-night messaging and exposure to inappropriate content
• Supports healthy sleep habits
• Allows parents to supervise online activity
• Reduces the risk of cyberbullying occurring unnoticed

2. Carefully monitor chat rooms, games and apps
   Many games and apps include chat features that allow children to communicate with strangers. Even platforms designed for children can expose them to inappropriate language, requests for personal information or harmful content.

We strongly recommend:

• Disabling chat functions where possible
• Regularly checking privacy settings
• Knowing which apps your child is using
• Setting age-appropriate restrictions
• Saying “no” to platforms that are not designed for primary-aged children

3. Delay access to social media
   Most social media platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13 years. Primary school children are not developmentally ready to navigate the complexities of social media safely and independently.
4. Keep communication open
   Encourage your child to speak with you if:

• Someone online makes them uncomfortable
• They are asked to share personal information or photos
• They see something that worries or confuses them

Children should know they will never be in trouble for telling a trusted adult.

🍫 Thank You for Supporting Our Chocolate Drive Fundraiser

What an incredible community we are!

A heartfelt thank you to all our families who embraced our recent Chocolate Drive Fundraiser with such generosity and enthusiasm. Your willingness to support this initiative speaks volumes about the strength of our school community and the shared commitment we have to the common good of our children.

Fundraising is never just about selling chocolates — it is about partnership. It is about families and school working side by side to create improved opportunities, better resources and enhanced facilities for every child in our care.

Your support truly means the world.

Because of you:

• We are able to invest in resources that enrich learning.
• We can continue improving our facilities for our growing school.
• We strengthen the sense of belonging and shared purpose that makes our community so special.

We understand that fundraising requires time, effort and generosity, and we never take that for granted. The way our families continually step up reflects a deep belief in what we are building together.

When we work in partnership, with a shared vision for our children’s future, amazing things happen.

Thank you for your commitment, your energy and your unwavering support. Together, we are creating something truly special for our children — and that is something worth celebrating.

🚗 Important Parking Reminder – Hillview Road & French Road

To ensure the safety of our students and the smooth flow of traffic at busy times, we would like to remind families of the parking restrictions directly outside the school on Hillview Road and French Road.

The spaces at the front of the school are strictly “Drop and Go” zones.

What this means:

• Parking is limited to 10 minutes maximum.
• Drivers must remain with their vehicle.
• These spaces are for quick drop-off or pick-up only.
• Vehicles parked for longer than 10 minutes may incur a fine.

Please note that this is a Council-enforced restriction, not a school-based rule. Council officers will be patrolling the area during school drop-off and pick-up times. Fines may be issued to vehicles that exceed the time limit or do not comply with signage.

These restrictions are in place to:

• Keep traffic moving safely
• Reduce congestion
• Protect children crossing near the school
• Ensure equitable access for all families

We ask all families to be mindful of signage, observe time limits carefully, and model respectful and lawful behaviour for our children.

If you require longer parking, please use surrounding streets where unrestricted parking is available (while always checking signage).

Thank you for your cooperation in helping keep our school community safe and respectful. When we all do our part, drop-off and pick-up can run smoothly for everyone.

A word from the Principal;

Dear Families, 

Welcome to the 2026 school year. We are so delighted to be back with you and ready for another year of connection, learning, and growth.

Last fortnight, we welcomed many of our Year 1–6 students for their 1:1 testing sessions. It was wonderful to make these early connections and gather key learning data before the formal school year begins.

Our Preps also had a fantastic start last Friday, filled with smiles, laughter, and very few tears. We are so proud of how confidently they began their school journey.

A Special Year of St Francis

Pope Leo XIV has declared 2026 a “Special Year of St Francis”, honouring the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. In his decree, the Pope asked that every Christian, “following the example of the Saint of Assisi, may himself become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace.” Pope Leo XIV noted that the example of St Francis is needed now more than ever.

St Francis of Assisi was born in 1181 and, after living a life of extravagance as a young man, chose a life of poverty. He founded the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. His spirituality has inspired many religious orders throughout history, and he remains one of the most influential saints in the life of the Church.

St Francis died on 3 October 1226 and was declared a saint just two years later. From 22 February to 26 March, his body will be on display at the Basilica of St Francis for the first time.

Fittingly, this year we have launched our four school house colours. Last year, our student leaders had the opportunity to vote on house names inspired by key Christian influences. We are very proud to announce that St Francis of Assisi features prominently in the students’ choices.

Important Start-of-Year Reminders

To ensure a smooth and successful start to 2026, please note the following:

• School begins at 8:45am. Parents must sign in students who arrive after this time.
• School gates open from 8:30am. Please ensure children arrive on time, as late arrivals can cause anxiety.
• Children are dropped off at the Hillview Road or French Road gates. Staff will be present to welcome students and assist any reluctant children to their class lines.
• School jumpers are not compulsory. In hot weather, it is best to leave them at home.
• School hats are compulsory in Terms 1 and 4. 
• Please label all belongings, including bags, lunch boxes, drink bottles, and jumpers.

Daily Routines & Expectations

• Zooper Doopers are sold on Mondays and Fridays for $1. Please place coins in the zip section of your child’s bag and show them where it is.  This is OPTIONAL.  In terms 2 and 3 we sell warm popcorn.
• We encourage students to develop independence by carrying, unpacking, and packing their own bags and water bottles.
• On your child’s birthday, they may wear casual clothes. Families may also provide goodie bags or muffins/cupcakes. Please avoid large cakes. Store-bought items are preferred to ensure ingredient lists are available.
• Families of children with allergies are asked to provide alternate treats to the classroom teacher to ensure no child misses out.
• In hot or wet weather, we move to an indoor timetable with passive play activities.
• Children are supervised at all times during the school day.

End-of-Day Procedures

• At dismissal, students will be brought to their collection area – except prep who are dismissed from their classrooms. If you are running late, please don’t worry — a staff member will remain with your child.
• Children not collected 15 minutes after the bell will be taken to BIG Childcare at the parents’ expense.
• For safety reasons, no play equipment may be used after school. This includes ovals, balls, the piano, playgrounds, and sandpits.
• Our school is a smoke- and vape-free zone AT ALL TIMES

Communication & Practical Information

• Staff are available for communication at pick-up, via email, or Audiri/nForma for important announcements.
• Seesaw is used for teaching, learning, and ongoing reporting only.
• Parking is available on Hillview Road, French Road, and surrounding side streets. Please note the 5-minute drop-off zone on Hillview Road is council-monitored.
• Lunch orders are available on Mondays Thursdays. Orders must be submitted by 8:00am the day before
• The school community calendar is available on the school website — please scroll to the bottom to view upcoming events.
• Class Mass is held fortnightly in the Sacred Space.  Each class hosts these throughout the school year
• Assemblies are hosted by classes on a roster every third Friday afternoon.

Student Collection Safety

To ensure student safety, please email the office  if your child is being collected by anyone other than parents or guardians. This applies to one-off and ongoing arrangements. We cannot rely on messages passed on by children. These names will be added to our system, if they do not appear on our system, they cannot go home with another family. Thank you for your support in helping us keep all students safe.

Today our Acceptable User Agreement was sent home for families to read over and be familiar with.  Included in this policy is for all  mobile phones and smart watches to be handed into the office in the mornings and collected in the afternoons.  They will be stored safely in the school safe.  There is no need for a child to have a phone or smart watch at school – this includes smart watches with settings turned off.  They are a distraction and communication can still be made with settings disabled.  Please support us with this.

School Fees

Thank you to those families who have begun making arrangements to either pay their school fees or set up a direct debit arrangement.  Your attendance to this is very much appreciated.

Yesterday we shared with you our first fundraiser for the school year. We thank all of the families in advance for getting behind this and showing your support to our school.  

At our school, we are deeply committed to supporting not only your children, but your entire family. Please know that our staff are always here to help in any way we can. We encourage you to reach out whenever needed — no concern is too small.

A strong and positive partnership between home and school is essential, and by working closely together, we can ensure the very best outcomes for every child.

Renae

A word from the Principal

Dear families,

As we reach the close of this school year, we pause in gratitude for all we have shared and all we have learned.
 

Loving God, we ask Your blessing upon our children—may they find rest, joy, and renewal in the weeks ahead. Keep their hearts curious, their spirits peaceful, and their paths safe as they grow in wisdom and love.

We lift up our educators, whose dedication and care have guided our students each day. Grant them the deep rest they deserve, refresh their minds and spirits, and fill them with renewed strength for the year to come.

We pray for our families, who support, nurture, and encourage our children in countless ways. May their homes be places of harmony, laughter, and connection throughout the break.

God, be with us all as we step into a season of rest. Rejuvenate our hearts and prepare us for a wonderful, meaningful, and productive 2026.
May we return renewed, hopeful, and ready for the blessings ahead.

Mary Queen of Heaven, Pray for us.

As our school year draws to a close, we look back with pride and gratitude on the wonderful learning we have shared as a community. What began as something of a construction zone has now come full circle. We are fortunate to stand in a magnificent new building, filled with beautiful spaces that nurture creativity, curiosity, and growth. These learning environments have inspired our students to explore, inquire, and discover in ways that truly reflect the spirit of our school.

Throughout the year, we have welcomed many new families and staff members, embracing the richness that each person brings to our community. Together, we have celebrated the uniqueness, achievements, and ongoing growth of every learner.

It has been a year full of memorable experiences. We celebrated Carnevale with colour, joy, and a strong sense of togetherness. Our amazing Inquiry spaces have been alive with projects, provocations, and encounters that encouraged students to think deeply, ask meaningful questions, and collaborate with enthusiasm. From hands-on investigations to creative explorations, these projects have highlighted the wonder and curiosity that drives our learning.

Beyond the classroom, we have ventured into the world through excursions and camps that provided invaluable opportunities to connect, challenge ourselves, and build confidence. Whether it was experiencing the snow or exploring the beauty of the Surf Coast, our students embraced each adventure with excitement and resilience, creating memories that will stay with them for years to come.

As we close this chapter, we celebrate not only what we have accomplished but also who we have become together. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for your energy, commitment, and partnership. We look forward to another year of learning, laughing, and growing as a strong and vibrant school community.

Personally, I thank you for all of the support offered to me throughout the school year.  I feel truly blessed to work in a community with such positive and supportive families. I wish you every happiness for a blessed and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

Renae

Christmas Carols thanks

Thank you to all of the families who came along last night to celebrate our annual Christmas Carols. The children always do an exceptional job bringing joy to us all in their performance of Christmas carols. To our staff who worked so hard to prepare and support the event, we extend our heartfelt thanks.  What a fabulous night it was.

Classes and staffing for 2026

Sadly each year we need to say goodbye to some of our much loved and dedicated staff.  This year we are saying goodbye to Tameka, Gabbi, Amy and Kate.

Tameka left last week to begin her maternity leave,  Tameka is expecting her third baby due early in January.  We wish Tameka every success with the birth of her little treasure and thank her for the positive impact she had on our school especially the area of STEM.

Gabbi is returning to her family home of Blairgowrie after some years of living away. We wish Gabbi every success for her future and thank her for all that she has brought to MQH 

Amy is stepping away from teaching for the year to explore some travel and settle into her newly built home.  We hope to see Amy around MQH throughout the year as an active CRT.  Amy, a foundation member of MQH, has brought so much to our school, building quality relationships with all she has come across.

Kate is leaving us to return to her family in Western Australia.  Kate brought so much to MQH in her short time with us, of particular note was the exceptional job she did in leading our very first Carnevale.

Kate, Amy, Gabbi and Tameka are much loved and will be missed.

Below is our staff structure for 2026

Helping your child to cope with change in readiness for finding out their new class and teacher for 2026 is crucial.  Disappointment is an emotion we all feel at regular times in our lives, children need to learn to feel the emotion and to learn how to deal with the emotion.  All children have been allocated at least ONE friend from the list they provided us with.  Please begin the conversation at home about the possibilities of teachers the children might have and explore in a really positive way all of the opportunities that a new teacher can offer.  The children will find out their new class and teachers on Monday next week.  Please don’t contact the school about the classlists, they have been completed and will not be changed.

Dear families,

In the Roman Catholic tradition, the feast of All Saints is celebrated on 1st of November followed by the feast of All Souls on 2nd of November. The celebrations of All Saints and All Souls recalls those who now share in the gift of eternal life those who now see God face to face. Saints are those formally recognised by the Catholic Church as living lives faithful to the gospel. 

The Feast of All Souls remembers all the departed recognising their gift of new life. Within the Catholic tradition, life after death is changed but not ended. During the month of November, we recall those who have died. 

“Let us pray for all of those who have gone before us.” 

Welcome Foundation Students and Families-2026

In recent weeks  we welcomed our new Prep students and families for their first transition session to Mary Queen of Heaven. During this month, the new Prep students will come to school for three transition sessions to spend time in the learning spaces  and to experience different aspects of school life.  During these sessions the parents will meet with members of the leadership team to hear about Literacy, Numeracy, Wellbeing and other aspects of life at Mary Queen of Heaven. We warmly welcome all of new preps and our new families to our school community.

Please join us tonight for…

Thursday 20th November

3:15pm-4:00 Stage 2 Open Afternoon

Gold Coin Donation to support Y2 Architectures charity: Lautem Public Secondary School in Timor-Leste.

🎁 Share the Joy This Christmas

As we head into the festive season, we’re asking for your help to make Christmas brighter for others. We’ve set up a donation box in the school office to collect donations of Colour Run prizes for underprivileged children in our wider community.  Please chat with your children about the possibility of them donating ONE of the items they receive as a prize through the Colour Run.

Together we can make a big difference and help every child experience the magic of Christmas.

Late arrival to school 

If your child arrives later than 9am to school please ensure you walk them into the front foyer and sign them in.  We really encourage all families to try and be at school by 8:45am as this reduces your child anxiety and ensures a smoother start to their school day.  Please don’t ride bikes or scooters to school if you are late as this causes more issues with the locking of gates and the bike shed – it can be very disruptive.

Parent Code of Conduct Respect for All at Mary Queen of Heaven

At MQH, we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected. Our Parent Code of Conduct helps us work together to make our school a welcoming place where everyone can learn and grow.

Showing respect for all is at the heart of everything we do. This means being kind in our words and actions, listening to others, and celebrating our differences. Whether it’s in the classroom, the playground, or during school activities, treating others with respect helps create a positive and caring environment for everyone.

When we follow our Code of Conduct, we help make our school a place where everyone feels comfortable, included, and safe. Simple acts—like sharing, using good manners, waiting our turn, and helping others—make a big difference each day.

We encourage families to talk at home about what respect looks like and how small actions can have a big impact. By working together, we can continue to make Mary Queen of Heaven a community where kindness and respect shine through in all we do.

Let’s keep showing respect for all—because everyone deserves to feel they belong.  I have linked the Code of Conduct for your perusal.

Car and Road Safety

Part of our duty in the mornings and afternoons on French Rd and Hillview Gate is to ensure the safety of all in our community, this includes car and road safety.  In recent weeks we have been horrified to witness children not wearing seatbelts, children not strapped into car seats, children overcrowded in the back seats without enough seatbelts and on one occasion a very young child in the front seat with no seatbelt.  Please be reminded of the importance of car and road safety and always ensure your children are safely strapped into the car seat before it moves off. We will be reporting any unsafe car behaviour to the police in the interest of safety for all.

Social Media and kids don’t mix!

The Australian Government has introduced new regulations regarding social media use by children under the age of 16. Below is a summary of what is changing, what it means for families, and what we as a school will be doing to support you.

What’s changing?

• From 10 December 2025, many social media platforms that are designed primarily for user-to-user interaction (posting, sharing, linking) must take “reasonable steps” to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts. eSafety Commissioner+2Australian Cyber Security Magazine+2 
• These platforms include those like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube (among others) in Australia. eSafety Commissioner 
• Importantly: this is not a direct criminal penalty on children or parents, but rather a regulatory obligation on the platforms to act. eSafety Commissioner+1 
• If platforms don’t comply, they may face civil penalties (corporations could face fines up to ~AUD 49.5 million) under the legislation. eSafety Commissioner+1 

Why has this change been introduced?

The rationale behind this regulation includes:

• Protecting children and young adolescents from online risks associated with social-media style platforms: excessive screen time, exposure to harmful content, cyber-bullying, pressure on mental health and well-being. Beyond Blue 
• Giving parents, schools and communities a clearer “age-threshold” for high-risk social media use, and encouraging safer digital habits during the formative years. 

What does this mean for our students & families?

• If your child is under 16, they will likely no longer be able to create or keep an account on the platforms covered by this law, once the platforms have implemented their changes. eSafety Commissioner 
• Children under 16 will still be able to view public content (for example, videos, posts you can see without logging in) but using an account on these platforms will be restricted. eSafety Commissioner+1 
• For families, this change presents an opportunity to revisit how your child uses digital media: what platforms they use, how much time, what the purposes are (social connection? creative outlet? gaming?), and whether they are aware of online safety and privacy risks. 
• The school recognises that social media (or digital interaction more broadly) is a big part of children’s lives. Rather than simply banning usage, this law gives us a prompt to help our students build digital resilience, safe habits and good decision-making around online activities. 

What the school will do

To support our students and families we will:

• Continue to provide information & resources for parents on digital safety, social media habits and how to talk with children about these changes. 
• Integrate discussion of safe, responsible digital / online behaviour into our curriculum (e.g., cyber‐safety, screen-time balance, social
  • media literacy). 
  • Encourage and support students to use age-appropriate platforms, and to make informed choices about the online environments they engage in. 
  • Keep you updated on any further changes or guidance from the regulatory body eSafety Commissioner, which will publish FAQs and support materials. eSafety Commissioner 

  How you can help at home

  Here are some suggestions for supporting your child at home:

  • Have an open conversation about the upcoming changes: what they already use online, how they feel about it, and what habits they have. 
  • Review together the apps/platforms your child uses: check whether they’re age-appropriate, what kinds of interactions your child engages in, whether privacy settings are enabled. 
  • Set clear boundaries and routines around screen time: e.g., times when screens are off (before bed, during meals), using devices for school/learning vs leisure, and encouraging offline activities. 
  • Encourage your child to let you or another trusted adult know if they see or experience something online that makes them uncomfortable, worried or unsafe. 
  • Use this change as an opportunity: explore alternative digital activities (educational apps, creative outlets, managed gaming, learning about code, design, digital creation) that are age-appropriate and positive.

Dear families,

October is the Month of Mary.  A month where we acknowledge and remember the wonderful model we have.  A woman of courage, respect, humility and love.  A woman who answered God’s call and delivered us our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  We call on Mary’s intercession to protect and guide us always.

New Building

We are thrilled to share that Stage 2 of our school’s building project is now complete and open for learning! These new, purpose-built spaces have already brought fresh energy and opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and connection across our community.

The journey to this moment has been a true team effort. From the initial design concepts to the finishing touches, an incredible amount of care, expertise, and hard work has gone into creating spaces that reflect our school’s values and vision for the future. We extend our sincere thanks to Y2 Architecture, Jardon Group our builders, and everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality.

Our staff and students have embraced the new facilities with enthusiasm and pride. Already, classrooms are buzzing with activity, flexible learning zones are being explored in new ways, and the sense of excitement is unmistakable. It’s inspiring to see how quickly these spaces have become part of our daily rhythm of teaching and learning.

To celebrate this milestone, we will be hosting an Open Afternoon in the coming weeks. Families are warmly invited to tour the new facilities, chat with staff and students, and see firsthand how these spaces are enhancing our learning community.  This opportunity will also serve as a fundraiser for a charity supported by our architects Y2 Architects – raising funds to build three much-needed classrooms at Lautem Public Secondary School in Timor-Leste.

Thursday 20th November

3:15pm-4:00 Stage 2 Open Afternoon

Gold Coin Donation to support Y2 Architectures charity: Lautem Public Secondary School in Timor-Leste.

Colour Fun Run thanks

What an incredible day we had at our recent Colour Run! A huge thank you to all our amazing students, families, and staff who participated, volunteered, and cheered us on. Your enthusiasm, teamwork, and school spirit made the event a huge success.  Felicity’s organisation was simply brilliant.

We’re so proud of the joy and energy shared throughout the day — it truly showed what a wonderful community we have here at Mary Queen of Heaven.

🎁 Share the Joy This Christmas

As we head into the festive season, we’re asking for your help to make Christmas brighter for others. We’ve set up a donation box in the school office to collect donations of prizes for underprivileged children in our wider community.  Please chat with your children about the possibility of them donating ONE of the items they receive as a prize through the Colour Run.

Together we can make a big difference and help every child experience the magic of Christmas.

Late arrival to school 

If your child arrives later than 9am to school please ensure you walk them into the front foyer and sign them in.  We really encourage all families to try and be at school by 8:45am as this reduces your child anxiety and ensures a smoother start to their school day.  Please don’t ride bikes or scooters to school if you are late as this causes more issues with the locking of gates and the bike shed – it can be very disruptive.

ICT use at home

We are seeing an increasing amount of issues coming to school from the inappropriate use of ICT at home.  This seems to be centered around Roblox and children’s messenger.

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, Roblox, 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.

Social media age restrictions hub

The Australian Government is protecting young Australians at a critical stage of their development, through world-first social media age restrictions taking effect on 10 December. Find information in this hub to help you understand and prepare for the change.

Please visit https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub for more information.

Inform and Empower

Each term, students engage in online digital learning lessons designed to help them become confident, safe, and responsible digital citizens.

This term’s focus areas are:

• Prep – Digital Agency: Exploring screen time and personal agency, recognising comfortable and uncomfortable feelings, and learning ways to manage online challenges.
• Year 1/2 – Digital Detectives: Building critical thinking and digital literacy skills while learning how to be kind and respectful digital citizens.
• Year 3/4 – Being Safe & Secure: Understanding how to keep information private, recognise unsafe online interactions, and identify digital red flags.
• Year 5/6 – Critical Thinking in the Digital World: Exploring AI, influencers, and personal values while learning how to navigate scams, hackers, media messages, and evaluate online credibility.

These lessons empower students to use technology with curiosity, care, and confidence.

Dear families,

Welcome to term 4!  It has been so lovely to welcome our students back with some sun and warmer days.  Their smiles and giggles as they enter the gates this week have been so delightful to witness.  School is indeed a really happy place for our MQH learners.

I share with you at the beginning of term 4 The Beatitudes.  A lovely prayer to remind us to practice gratitude, to turn to our God for comfort, for protection, for love and for support.  I encourage you to pray this prayer as a family.

Term 4 is an exciting and busy term.  We have so much to work through and celebrate and we of course have 2026 to look towards.   In planning for next year, I share with you today some staffing changes.

Gabbi Stickland will be leaving MQH at the end of the school year.  Gabbi has been an instrumental member of our team, a foundational member.  Gabbi has spent the past three years commuting from her home in Blairgowrie – not a small task!  She has decided to return to be closer to her family and pursue her teaching career on the Peninsula.  Gabbi will certainly be missed.

Tameka Robertson is expecting her third child and will be finishing up at MQH at the end of the school year to begin her maternity leave.  We wish Tameka every success and know that she will return to us in some capacity in the coming years.

We are still working on our staffing for 2026, with many new members joining our growing team.  I hope to be able to share this with you in the coming weeks.  Today we can share with our Prep team for 2026:

New Building

The new school term has seen the completion of our stage 2 building.  We are absolutely delighted with the 2 classrooms, the two shared spaces, and some break out spaces for our children to utilise.  The landscaping works and natural play space is still being worked on, we hope to be able to access some of these spaces in the coming weeks.  

This morning we gathered for a morning tea with members of the Jardon Group team to acknowledge and thank them for their amazing efforts.   From the very beginning, this build has been such a positive experience. Any little bumps along the way were handled with such great communication and professionalism that it always felt seamless. They have gone above and beyond to support the day-to-day running of our school, working alongside us in what is a very busy, live environment.

Jardon Group always showed such respect and understanding that this isn’t just a building site — it’s our workplace and a learning space for our children. Their safety and wellbeing have always been front of mind, and we really appreciate that.

We absolutely love the beautiful spaces they have created for our students and staff. We thank them sincerely for the care, attention, and pride they have brought to every stage of this project.

Colour Fun Run

Next week we will be hosting our Colour Fun Run, such a fun day that our children really enjoy.  So much fundraising has been done by our generous families and community.

The Leaderboard currently shows:

Prep B – $1,960

Grade 1C – $1,045

Prep A – $920

Prep C – $860

Grade 1B – $665

Grade 2A – $610

Grade 1A – $555

Grade 4/5/6 – $400

Grade 2B – $255

Grade 3/4 – $245

Please continue to get as many people behind this initiative as you can for the betterment of our schools outdoor play areas.

School Fees

Tomorrow, we will be sharing with our community the new fee structure for 2026.  There have been some increases to meet the needs of our growing community and the increasing costs of running a school. Please read over the material that will be shared with you tomorrow to fully understand the fee structure for 2026.

Late arrival to school 

If your child arrives later than 9am to school please ensure you walk them into the front foyer and sign them in.  We really encourage all families to try and be at school by 8:45am as this reduces your child anxiety and ensures a smoother start to their school day.  Please don’t ride bikes or scooters to school if you are late as this causes more issues with the locking of gates and the bike shed – it can be very disruptive.

ICT use at home

We are seeing an increasing amount of issues coming to school from the inappropriate use of ICT at home.  This seems to be centered around Roblox and children’s messenger.

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, Roblox, 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.

Dear families,

Last week our Parish School Advisory Board met for a rich learning experience with neighbouring Parishes.    The session was titled

The Vibrant Parish

Evangelisation: Bridging the gap between Parish and School

Our learning was centered around enhancing Catholic Identity and building trusting relationships with staff, parents and children.   We were reminded  that faith formation happens through every conversation, every act of kindness – when we encounter Christ in one another.  We need to teach our children to see God in themselves and in one another. The school and the parish must work together in ministry. Church needs to be experienced via school and via the family.  The latter is much more difficult.

“Let us all continue to encounter Christ in one another.”

WOW what a month it has been!  Family engagement is alive and well at Mary Queen of Heaven.

HUGE thanks to all of the dads, grand dads and special male mentors who attended our Father’s Day morning tea and classroom visits.  As expressed on the day, your children are so influenced by your role in their life and the joy on their faces when they saw their dad or special person in classrooms was truly heartwarming.  Thank you to everyone who turned out to support the event.  Special thanks to BIG Childcare who fully sponsored our morning tea.

We recently celebrated CoEducator Appreciation Week. Our CoEductors at Mary Queen of Heaven are quite remarkable.  Individually and as a team they support our learners, support our staff and help build the amazing learning community we enjoy at MQH.  We are blessed with a group of educators who are passionate about student learning, wellbeing and growth.  We thank all of them from the bottom of our hearts.

Last week we celebrated ‘Carenvale’ an expo of the amazing learning your children are engaged in in LOTE – Italian.  It was a remarkable community event.  We are so proud to share that not only was it a hive of energy and community spirit, we also raised $6117.  The whole event was coordinated and lead by our BRILLIANT Kate Abbott our LOTE Educator.  A remarkably passionate and dedicated educator.

 HUGE thanks to our major sponsor of the night, Andrew Khoshbakht from JESSIE’S PIZZA GREENVALE.   Thank you to each and every family who came along to support this event.  Special thanks to Stefan Stella who once again supported our school by offering his services as our Auctioneer.

Thank you to all of the families who have completed the MACSISS Survey.  The survey is still open, we encourage all of our families to log on and share your views, your voice and your ideas on the future direction of our school   YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

We are hoping to secure a brilliant addition to our school play area with this GA GA Pit. A super fun, super interactive game for all age groups.  Please visit the link and vote for our school.  Each vote counts – invite family and friends to support us! Help us win a Ga Ga Pit

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16535pjS1E/

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.

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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 3/4 – Splash 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.