Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 3 – Week 9

Comprehension Conversation Prompts

Understanding the story

What was your favourite part of the story? Why?

Can you tell me what happened at the beginning, middle, and end?

Thinking deeper

Why do you think the character made that choice?

What do you think might happen next if the story kept going?

Connecting to self

Did this story remind you of something in your own life?

How would you have felt if you were that character?

Multilingual Families – Reading at Home

Did you know? Reading, talking, and singing in your home language helps your child’s brain grow and strengthens their English learning too! Here are some ways to celebrate your language at home:

Read Together in Your Language – Picture books, traditional stories, or even family recipes.

Share Oral Stories – Tell stories from your culture or family history in your language.

Sing Songs and Rhymes – Music builds memory, rhythm, and vocabulary.

Label Everyday Items – Write words in your home language around the house.

Celebrate Bilingualism – Encourage your child to teach classmates a word or phrase from your language.

👉 Every language is a gift. By reading in your home language, you are giving your child the gift of connection, identity, and strong literacy skills.

🪶 Indigenous Literacy Day – Celebrating Stories, Cultures & Languages

Wednesday, 3 September was Indigenous Literacy Day, a national celebration of the strength and richness of First Nations stories, languages, and cultures.

This special day raises awareness about the importance of literacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, especially in remote communities where access to books and resources can be limited. The theme for 2025 is:

✨ Strength in Our Stories: For Now & Future Generations ✨

Why It Matters

• Stories connect children to culture, identity, and belonging.
• Reading books in First Languages strengthens learning in English too.
• Indigenous authors share unique perspectives that help us all grow in understanding and respect.

How Families Can Join In

📚 Read a story by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander author together.

🌱 Learn about Country – talk about the First Nations people of our local area and the languages they speak.

🎶 Celebrate oral storytelling – share family stories, songs, or cultural traditions at home.

💛 Support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation through book swaps, donations, or simply by spreading the word.

Together, we can celebrate the gift of story and honour the voices of First Nations peoples.

👉 To learn more, visit: www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au 

Maths Games to play at home 

Playing cards are a simple and engaging way to build maths skills at home. Whether it’s practising addition, subtraction, multiplication, or even number patterns, card games make learning fun and interactive. Children can strengthen their number sense, problem-solving, and strategic thinking while enjoying quality family time. Best of all, no special equipment is needed—just a deck of cards and a little imagination!

Have a go at these puzzles. For more examples here is a link: https://drpaulswan.com.au/resources/puzzles/ 

On Sunday 14th September, our parish community came together with our three parish schools to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Patrick’s Cathedral during this Year of Jubilee. It was a truly beautiful and faith-filled celebration, led by the Very Reverend Tony Kerin JCL, Vicar General, together with our Good Shepherd priests, Reverend Dishan Candappa PP and Reverend Samuel Pearson, and Rev. Deacon Poukesi Vakauta.

We were so proud of Isabella, who represented Mary Queen of Heaven with such maturity and reverence, supported lovingly by her family and staff. In his homily, Fr Tony reminded us that God’s love, poured out through the Holy Spirit, gives us gifts not to keep for ourselves but to share generously with others. We know Isabella will share these gifts—wisdom, understanding, right judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder and awe—with our school community in her own unique way.

We give thanks for this special milestone in Isabella’s faith journey and continue to pray for her as she grows in the Spirit.

Confirmation Reflection:

Guided by Saint Teresa ✝️

Confirmation on Sunday was really exciting at the most amazing church, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. I felt delighted to receive my third Sacrament and become closer to God. As I walked up for my reading, a feeling of fright came over me, but I still did it anyway. After I finished reading the prayer of the faithful, I felt relieved. I knew I was supported by friends, family and staff that came and was cheering me on, even if I felt nervous. The Saint I chose was Saint Teresa of Calcutta because I admire her work, helping with the poor and teaching those who never got to learn is who I want to be guided and inspired by. Saint Teresa also represents my Grandma who I wanted to be named after and honor because she is the best! This is why I decided to be guided by Saint Teresa.

• Isabella, Grade 6

Term 4 Class Mass Dates: All families and friends are welcome to attend. 

Friday 10th October – Grade 2

Friday 24th October – Grade 1

Friday 7th November  – Prep

Friday 21st November – Grade 3-6

Thursday 11th December – Grade 6 Graduation and end of year Mass. 

Kolbe Catholic College Excursion

By Daniel .T  4/5/6

As I took a step into Kolbe Catholic College, a bloom of excitement came around me. I feel potion bubbles floating in the sky, and a touch of magic on the ground as I learn about science for my learning at school.

We first learnt how to make a lava lamp, it was pretty simple, all we needed was oil, water, food colouring and alka seltzer tablets. Some year 10’s were helping, they were very kind and helpful. Overall, making a lava lamp experience was unbelievable! 

Then, we learned how liquid nitrogen can make things very cold. The Principal of Kolbe College showed us how liquid nitrogen can change the state of a rubber toy. Once he froze the toy with liquid nitrogen, he threw it into a wall. It shattered into pieces! This changed the state from an elastic to solid and it was an irreversible state. An irreversible state means to not return to its original state. The staff made some liquid nitrogen ice-cream for us, we were very grateful.

Lastly, we had a boat challenge! Teams gathered and tried to discuss what they should buy with their money (fake), each team had $25, once you bought an item and you used it, you could not return it or swap it. My team ended up winning, one of the best excursions ever!

Thank you Kolbe Catholic College

Our spaces are beautiful, abundant, and ready for our children to engage in deep Inquiry from week 1 of term 4.  Be sure to have a good look at them during the Parent Teacher Interviews today and tomorrow.  Here is a little sneak peak

Friendship Fires- URSTRONG 

In this podcast interview, discover why friendship skills are essential for kids and how we’re supporting them through URSTRONG’s Friendology curriculum. Learn how students are building confidence, developing healthy relationships, and putting out their Friendship Fires® with practical strategies they can use every day.

Here is a link to more information and a podcast: 

https://urstrong.com/podcast-interview-friendship-fires-with-dana-kerford/ 

If you have not registered for the parent portal- We highly recommend you doing this. URSTRONG includes a free Parent Membership at urstrong.com. Feel free to explore the resources, and keep an eye on the newsletter for more helpful tips and updates.

NO SMOKING OR VAPING ON OR NEAR SCHOOL GROUNDS

In Victoria, it is illegal to smoke or vape on the grounds of childcare centres, kindergartens, and primary and secondary schools, as well as within four metres of any entrance to these premises. The ban also applies to school-sanctioned events held off-site. 

This public health policy aims to protect public health by preventing people, especially young people, from being exposed to second-hand smoke and vaping aerosol.

On-the-spot fines can be issued to individuals who breach the law. 

It is expected that all MQH families comply with this legislation.

Dyslexia Awareness Month – October

Dyslexia is a learning difference that primarily affects a person’s ability to read, write, and spell. It is neurological, often runs in families, and is not related to intelligence.

It is a lifelong condition, but with early support, children with dyslexia can thrive academically and emotionally.

If you are interested in Dyslexia,

SPELD will be hosting a range of free and low cost webinars, as well as free downloadable resources to build understanding and support for students with dyslexia.

https://www.speldnsw.org.au/information/dyslexia-awareness-month/

It has been another big and exciting term for PE in Term 3!

In the first 5 weeks of the term, students focused on developing their athletics skills in preparation for the District Athletics Carnival. Senior students showed outstanding commitment, training during lunchtime and putting in extra effort to refine their techniques. Their determination, resilience, and sportsmanship were truly impressive on the day of the carnival, as they competed in a range of events including Long Jump, Shot Put, Discus, 800m, 200m, 100m, and relay races. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school.

Junior students were also introduced to these athletics events, giving them valuable experience and helping to prepare them for future carnivals in their senior years.

In the second half of the term, all students participated in a four-week AFL program designed to build and improve their football skills. The program was a great success, with students enjoying the opportunity to learn through fun, skill-based activities.

We’re also looking ahead with excitement to the MQH Colour Fun Run, which will be taking place in Term 4!

We also look forward to the Grade 5/6 Camp in Term 4, where students will take part in exciting outdoor activities while learning valuable water safety skills, including how to surf and boogie board. This is a fantastic opportunity for our senior students to build confidence in the water, promote positive relationships, and develop important life skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Our junior students will also be involved in practical water safety days, held either at Altona Beach or Splash Water Park, where they will participate in a range of fun and engaging water-based activities. These sessions are a great way to introduce younger students to water safety in a hands-on and enjoyable way.

We would like to extend our deepest thanks and gratitude to the amazing sponsors who made our annual Father’s Day Raffle such a success. The generosity shown to the Mary Queen of Heaven school community was incredible and we would like to acknowledge the local businesses that supported us.

Source Central Partners 

Jardon Group 

Jessie’s Pizza Greenvale 

Junior Rockers 

Luna Park 

Melbourne Cricket Club 

Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Greenvale Fish and Chips 

Focus on Health and Fitness Tullamarine

Cellarbrations Greenvale 

Chemist Warehouse Greenvale 

The Ninth Ave

Marnong Estate 

Direct Chemist Outlet Greenvale 

Living Legends