Mary Queen of Heaven Newsletter Term 4 – Week 10

This year has been a fantastic journey of mathematical growth, curiosity, and confidence across all year levels. Guided by our Vision for Instruction, students engaged in rich, purposeful learning that supported them to think deeply, share their reasoning, and apply their understanding in meaningful ways.

Through hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and opportunities for student voice and collaboration, our learners strengthened their number sense, developed flexible strategies, and built strong foundations across all areas of Mathematics. There has been so much to celebrate—especially the increasing independence and perseverance shown in classrooms every day.

We are incredibly proud of the progress students have made and the positive Maths culture they have contributed to throughout the year. Congratulations to all students for a brilliant year of learning, growth, and success.

Here’s a simple, engaging list of things students can do to keep their Maths skills active over the summer holidays.

1. Daily Life Maths

• Help with shopping and calculate totals or change.
• Read recipes and measure ingredients when cooking or baking.
• Estimate and time how long activities take (cleaning, walking, swimming)

2. Outdoor Maths

• Create chalk number lines, shapes, or obstacle courses.
• Count steps between landmarks; compare distances.
• Measure shadows at different times of day and discuss why they change

3. Games & Puzzles

• Play board games involving counting or strategy (e.g., Uno, Yahtzee, Monopoly).
• Complete jigsaw puzzles to build spatial awareness.
• Try Sudoku, number puzzles, or logic problems. https://nrich.maths.org/

4. Money & Budgeting

• Plan a small budget for an outing or snack shop at home.
• Sort coins and notes, then calculate different combinations to make amounts.

5. Creative Maths

• Build with LEGO or blocks and talk about patterns, symmetry, or 3D shapes. 
• Draw repeating patterns, mandalas, or tessellations.

6. Digital Practice

• Use apps or websites like Prodigy, Khan Academy, or Topmarks for short practice sessions.
• Watch fun YouTube Maths challenges (age-appropriate).

7. Maths in Nature

• Collect and sort items (rocks, leaves, shells) by size, shape, colour, or patterns.
  Create simple graphs to show your findings.

8. Measurement Fun

• Measure how far you can throw or jump and track improvements.
• Compare water volumes using cups, bottles, and containers.

9. Holiday Projects

• Create a summer journal that includes tally marks, simple graphs, or number challenges.
• Build a mini “summer shop” and practise addition, subtraction and change-giving.

Inquiry at MQH: A Year of Wonder, Courage and Discovery

As we wrap up the year, our hearts are full reflecting on the remarkable inquiry journeys our learners have taken across 2025. Each project has been a window into their curiosity, their courage to ask better questions, and their growing awareness of the world around them. From exploring the stories of our past, to experimenting with materials, forces, technologies, and big ideas, our children have shown us, again and again, that inquiry isn’t just something they do. It’s something they are.

This term, our final project “Designing with Country” has been a powerful culmination of that identity. Students have stepped into the role of designers, caretakers and storytellers, learning from Country rather than simply learning about it. They explored the shapes, colours and patterns of the land, the wisdom of First Nations custodians, and the way sustainable design grows from deep respect for where we live. Their prototypes, artworks, and reflections have been breathtaking.  Each one demonstrating a thoughtful partnership between imagination and responsibility. Our learners didn’t just make things; they made meaning.

Across the year, in every project, our students have been the most extraordinary inquirers. They have researched with intention, discovered with excitement, documented their thinking with increasing sophistication, and collaborated with empathy and purpose. They’ve proven that when we trust children with real thinking, they rise beautifully, boldly, and beyond our expectations.

As we look toward 2026, we’re already deep in planning for a brand-new cycle of inquiry projects – each designed to stretch thinking, ignite wonder, and honour the voices of our learners. We cannot wait to see where their questions take us next.

Here’s to another year of curiosity, creativity, and learning shaped by the brilliance of our young inquirers.

12 Days of Festive Friendship – A Fun At-Home Challenge!

Here is an exciting opportunity to share URSTRONG’s “12 Days of Festive Friendship” as a special at-home challenge for families this holiday season. Each day includes a simple act of kindness or a friendship-building activity that children can complete at home with siblings, parents, or friends.

The challenge encourages children to practise the key qualities of healthy friendships—kindness, respect, gratitude, and positive communication—while spreading a little extra joy throughout the holidays.

We hope families enjoy taking part in this meaningful and fun way to strengthen connections and celebrate the true spirit of the season!

For more information- have a look at this link via the parent portal. https://urstrong.com/resource/12-days-of-festive-friendship/ 

Our Year as a Faith Community

As we wrap up the school year in the Church’s Year of Jubilee, our students and staff have journeyed together through a season filled with hope, love, and renewal. Guided by the leadership and pastoral care of Fr Dishan and Fr Samuel, our faith community has been strengthened and inspired in many meaningful ways.

We look forward to next year with excitement as we continue nurturing our students to walk in Mary’s light—a light that gently leads us into a deeper, closer relationship with Jesus. May this spirit of hope and joy continue to anchor our community in the year ahead.

Advent Prayer Services 

Thank you to all our families who were able to attend our Morning Advent Prayer Services. It was a gift to gather in prayer and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. Our Christmas tree looks especially beautiful this year, adorned with the anchors created by our students—a reminder that every member of our community is held, seen, and represented.

The anchors symbolise that we do not hope alone. Together we are grounded in our faith, supporting one another as we journey through Advent. Just as an anchor holds a ship steady, Jesus is our anchor, keeping us firm in love, trust, and hope. We are grateful to share this sacred season with you and for the ways our community continues to shine through faith and togetherness.  We look forward to our senior students leading our fourth service on Tuesday at 8.50am – all are welcome. 

Advent in Action 

This week our Grade 6 students delivered all our hamper donations to Helping Hands in Airport West. In our third year as proud partners of Helping Hands we extend a heartfelt thank you to all our Mary Queen of Heaven families. We are blessed to have such a generous community, who again this year will make a difference to so many who are in need.  One of our school captains,  Isabella Polos reflected on the day:

“The experience felt really heart-filling. It showed me how kind people can be to those who are poor or homeless. We learned what we can do and how we can help others in life. I loved seeing the set-up, especially the toy shop where parents could choose presents for their children with dignity and have them wrapped. I was shocked by how many families need support, but it was heart-warming to see how much help they receive—not just at Christmas, but all year round. It inspired me to donate to charities, especially things like hygiene products that people really need to stay clean and healthy. I think it was a really important experience because it helped me put myself in someone else’s shoes.” — Isabella, Year 6

A big thank you to our generous community for making a difference this Christmas.

2026 Sacrament Dates

Please find below information regarding our school and parish sacramental dates for 2026.  Additional information for each sacrament will be forwarded to families in due course. 

TRANSITIONS

Starting a new year at school can be challenging for some students

What families can do

The way you talk about school with your child can help build confidence and excitement for the new school year:

• Speak positively about their new classroom and educators
• Remind your child that they are safe at school and all the staff are helpful
• Talk about things they are looking forward to

Sharing key information about your child with the educators can help ease transitions. Examples of this could be:

• Things your child likes and values
• Things that upset your child or affect their focus
• Things that calm your child or make them feel secure
• A list of your child’s strengths
• Supports that help your child stay safe and engaged
• Signs that show when your child is engaged or stressed

Stay safe during school holidays

The Australian Government has a list of tips for families to keep their children safe in the school holidays

https://www.education.gov.au/newsroom/articles/staying-safe-during-school-holidays

Life Saving Victoria has a list of tips for families to stay safe around the water these school holidays

https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/campaigns-and-programs/keep-watch

Wishing everyone a safe holiday!

Each year, our school is invited to submit five outstanding student artworks to the Melbourne Archdiocese Creative Arts Exhibition. This exhibition celebrates creativity, imagination, and the unique artistic voice of students across the Archdiocese.

I am delighted to announce the five artworks that have been selected to represent our school in next year’s exhibition. These pieces were chosen for their creativity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful interpretation of artistic ideas. Each selected student has demonstrated dedication, skill, and a willingness to explore new techniques—qualities that shine brightly in their finished work.

We congratulate our talented artists and look forward to seeing their work showcased alongside students from across Melbourne. Their achievements are a testament to the vibrant creativity within our school community.

Rose Prebeg, Grade 2, with her painted paper collage inspired by the illustrations in Eric Carle’s books.

Hara Yoon, grade 1, who created this landscape using collage skills.

Yousef Falouta, grade 6, who presented his interpretation of the ‘Mona Lisa’.

Isabella Polos, grade 6, with her interpretation of ‘The Girl with a Pearl Earring’

Lilia Elmir, Grade 6, created a thoughtful digital artwork expressing her understanding of Pope Francis and his character. She included the following words to accompany her piece: “The Pope will shake hands with anyone, even if they are not wealthy. The Pope will always think you’re worthy of respect.”

Thank you to all students for your continued passion and enthusiasm for the visual art. It is always a privilege to see your ideas come to life.