Dear families,

Today we celebrate the  Feast of The Assumption. The feast of Mary’s Assumption is a preview of what our lives will be. At the end of her earthly life, Mary was assumed, or taken up, into heaven body and soul. She did not have to wait for the end of the world, as we do. God granted her this special privilege because of her sinlessness and her fullness of grace.

May we turn to Mary as a guide and beacon who shows us how to live a life of love, courage, respect and humility.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us.

God chose Mary to be the mother of his son, Jesus. Mary was always ready and willing to do whatever God wanted. Because she was so special she was taken up body and soul to be with Jesus in heaven – this is what ‘Assumption’ means. What qualities of Mary would we like to grow in our lives?

In recent weeks we celebrated Grandparents day.  It was so wonderful to see so many Grandparents take part in activities and engage with their grandchildren.  It was our pleasure to host this special day and witness the love between the generations.  The children absolutely loved this special time, thank you to all of those who were able to join us.  

This beautiful image was captured on the day and used by MACS to commemorate Grandparents Day.

Last Monday our school closure day provided an opportunity for our staff to unpack the MACS 2030 Vision for Instruction.  Our staff will work towards the goals set out in this document to ensure we are  offering high impact teaching strategies and high levels of engagements in every aspect of our teaching and learning.  Following an audit on Monday, it was pleasing to know we have many rich and rigorous practices emerging, consolidating and embedded happening across the school.  We will do our best to share these with you via our newsletter and socials.

Dear families,

Welcome to Term 3.  We trust that you have had a restful school holiday break.  The children have rested well and are ready for an action packed Term 3.  We are so delighted to be hosting many community based events in Term 3, where families and extended community can come into our beautiful school and celebrate in all of our learning.  Please keep a close eye on our social media platforms and Audiri for more information.  Our school calendar is always live on the homepage of our school website.

As we reflect on the legacy of Saints Anne and Joachim, let us also reflect on the vital role played by all grandparents in completing the loving family unit and nurturing the faith of future generations. Grandparents can take a vital part in the training of their grandchildren, teaching them to love the ways of the Lord and honour his commandments. It was Saints Anne and Joachim who cultivated in the young Mary a love for God, preparing her for her role in the story of divine redemption.

From Pope Francis:

We look forward to welcoming many grandparents to our Grandparent Day celebration tomorrow.

Dear Families,

As we come to the end of another term of learning, growth and connection we give thanks for all that has been achieved and welcome the holidays as a time for rest and rejuvenation.  We thank you all for your ongoing support of your children and our school in ensuring we work together for the betterment of all in our community. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11)

Father in Heaven,

As we come to the end of Term 2, we take this moment to reflect on the impact we have had as a community. We thank You for the opportunities we have had to teach, guide, and support one another.

Lord, help us to see the fruits of our labor, the growth in our students, and the strength of our community. May we recognize the positive changes we have brought into the lives of those around us and find satisfaction in our efforts.

As we enter this break, we ask for Your blessings of rest and renewal. Grant us the peace and tranquility needed to recharge our minds and bodies. Let this time be filled with moments of joy, relaxation, and reflection.

Help us to return with renewed energy and enthusiasm, ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the new term. May our time away be refreshing, and may it strengthen our commitment to our mission and each other.

We thank You for Your guidance and support throughout this term and trust in Your continued presence with us.

In Your loving name, we pray  Amen.

Dear Families,

The colder weather has certainly set in and Melbourne’s Winter is delivering its best!  It has been great to see many of our children wearing their school beanie and scarf, great ways to keep warm in the outdoors.  Whilst we will always ensure the children are inside for wet weather, where possible having them play and explore outside in all weather conditions is great for their growth, development and acts as a brilliant way for them to burn energy.  With this in mind, please ensure children always have a coat, scarf and or beanie with them for outdoor play.

Dear Families,

On Sunday, we celebrated Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, filling them with divine power and marking the birth of the Church.

Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after Easter, reminds us of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and the unity it brings to believers everywhere. Let’s take this time to reflect on the gifts of the Spirit and how we can use them to spread love, peace, and kindness in our world. 

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” – Acts 2:2

God of all, you sent your Spirit to be with the disciples, filling them with joy, peace and courage. May we also be filled with your Spirit, be brave and share your peace in our world. Amen.

May the Holy Spirit guide you, inspire you, and fill your hearts with joy.

Lord, as we prepare for the coming of a new term make us ready, attentive and available to hear you. Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance that You walk through it with us. Thank You for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.

Amen

Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 2. I sincerely hope you had some quality time with family and friends, and took the  chance to recharge your mind and body ready for another great term of learning & wonder. 

At the beginning of the school holidays, our Christian faith celebrated Easter.  Easter celebrates the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is through life, death and resurrection that believers are given the hope of life after death, eternal life. The resurrection of Jesus provides hope for all believers that life as we know it will be changed, not ended, when we die. 

As a faith and learning community, we will continue to explore the stories that recall the final days of Jesus’ earthly life. 

Dear Families,

Last Sunday it was so wonderful to see many of our families join our staff at our Mary Queen of Heaven Sunday Whole School Mass.  Celebrations such as this are so important for our faith development and to ensure our links to Parish are strong and faith filled.  Thank you to the many families who joined us for Mass.

During this season of Lent and with Holy Week approaching we welcome all of our families into our school during Parent Teacher Interviews to engage with and pray over our still life stations depicting the key events of Holy Week.  These have been put together by each class and are linked to important and reflective scripture.  Please visit the stations, we invite you to be called to prayer and reflections at each of the spaces.

This week, Dani and I are attending a Leadership Conference with VACPSP – Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals.  We have been inspired by guest speakers covering contemporary and important topics such as Social Research around changes in education, Human Rights activists speaking on contemporary human rights issues and our call as educators to be informed, Cultural connectors and Indigenous Educators highlighting the importance of inclusive and diverse practice.  We feel both privileged and empowered to be taking the time to upskill ourselves in the crucial areas.

Parent involvement and parent partnerships are crucial to our school. We welcome and encourage involvement and feedback on any level. We like to remind families of our school values of Respect, Courage, Love and Humility. Please read over the Parent Code of Conduct  linked and be reminded of the types of interactions we encourage. Please pay particular attention to the section that covers how we manage student conflict. We never encourage or promote one parent approaching another about a school related matter, in fact in doing so is a breach of the policy. If you have an issue, please come and see a staff member to assist you.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12NnQ3JRqWxE0wJRiiLjeM8UcWA26Lkh4/view?usp=sharing

Dear families,

As we enter our third week of Lent we focus on what we are called to do in this season of hope.  With renewed vigor, let us focus on on the three pillars of Lent: 

prayer (justice toward God) 

fasting (justice toward self) 

almsgiving (justice toward neighbours)

Loving God, 

Open our hearts and help us to find moments of stillness, that we might hear your voice. May we be eager to hear what you have to say to each of us through your written word and in the depths of our hearts. Help us to listen even when it is challenging and not what we want to hear. We ask this through Christ our Lord,

Amen

Dear Heavenly Father,

We lift our hearts in gratitude for the beginning of this new school year in our beloved Catholic primary school. We thank you for the opportunity to come together as a community of learners, educators, and families, bound by our values of  love, courage, humility and respect

Bless our students, Lord, as they embark on this journey of learning and growth. May their minds be open to the wonders of education, and may their hearts be receptive to the teachings of kindness, compassion, and understanding. Grant them the strength to face challenges, the courage to ask questions, and the perseverance to overcome obstacles.

We ask for your guidance and wisdom upon our dedicated teachers and staff. May they be inspired by the example of Mary Queen of Heaven, to instill in our children a love for truth and a thirst for knowledge. Help them to be compassionate mentors and nurturing guides, leading by both word and deed.

Bless the parents and guardians who entrust their children to our care. Grant them patience, wisdom, and the ability to nurture the faith within their homes. May they find joy in partnering with the school community to support their children’s education and spiritual development.

Heavenly Father, we place this school year into your hands. May it be filled with moments of joy, discovery, and growth. Bless our community with unity, respect, and a deep sense of purpose. May your light shine upon our school, guiding us in all that we do.

Mary Queen of Heaven, pray for us.

One of the hallmarks of the Christmas story is when the angels appear to the shepherds and proclaim, “Peace on earth,” in Luke 2:14. In week 2 of Advent as we light the second Advent candle we pray for Peace.  

God of all,

We pray for Peace in our homes, peace in our churches, and peace in our hearts, when the world all around us spins out-of-control. Help us to stay focused on You, this Advent season and always. Thank You for loving the whole world enough to send the greatest gift, Your Son, so that we might truly have a very merry Christmas.

Dear Families,

As we approach the end of our first year together, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every member of our incredible school community. The journey we have embarked upon has been filled with learning, growth, and the building of lasting connections.

First and foremost, I extend my deepest thanks to our students for their enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication to their education. Your commitment to learning and embracing new challenges has truly set a positive tone for our entire community.  You are all amazing little people who will go on and make a difference in our world!

To our  parents community,  thank you for entrusting us with the education and well-being of your children. Your support, involvement, and collaboration have been invaluable, and we appreciate the partnership we have formed to nurture the growth and development of our students.  In our first year you have been patient and kind as we navigate our new spaces, systems and processes. 

A special appreciation goes out to our talented and devoted staff. Your hard work, creativity, and passion for education have laid the foundation for a positive and inspiring learning environment. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed, and it is the driving force behind the success of our school community.

To our volunteers and community partners, thank you for your generosity and commitment to enhancing the educational experience for our students. Your contributions have played a crucial role in creating a vibrant and supportive community.

In reflecting on this past year, I am truly touched by the patience, trust, and kindness that permeate every interaction within our school community. These qualities have formed the foundation of our shared journey, and I am excited about the potential for even greater accomplishments in the years to come.

As we wrap up this academic year, let us celebrate our achievements, both big and small, and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we have established a positive culture and a community that is not only ready to grow but eager to flourish.

Thank you all for your unwavering commitment, and I am excited to continue our journey together.

Helping Hands Mission

Last week we had the privilege of taking our school leaders to Helping Hands Mission to deliver the goods donated by our school community.  The amazing abundance of Christmas treats was delivered by Grace, Charlene and Livi.  They spoke of our schools desire to bring peace and joy to the needy in our community and our schools desire to give during the Christmas season.  We are so proud of our school leaders and the effort our community went to in donating items.  From the bottom of our hearts we thank you.  Please know that your donations will certainly make a difference this Christmas.

Christmas Carols

Last Tuesday we celebrated the end of our school year with our Christmas Carols.  It was so delightful to see so many of our families attend the carols.  It was also beautiful to see many of our Prep 2024 families joining in the festivities.  Thank you to our children and staff who prepared so beautifully and presented in a wonderfully festive manner.

School Captains

Last week our senior students presented speeches to their teachers and peers to apply for School Captaincy for 2024.  All of our students presented with confidence and clarity, all showing a true reflection of what it means to be a leader.  Our two School Captains for 2024 were elected:

Ameila 

Amelia was elected by her peers for her gentle nature, her love of sports and the outdoors and her commitment to being a fair and just leader.

Neladi 

Neladi was elected by her peers for her  quiet confidence, her commitment to social justice, sustainability and her love and empathy.

We look forward to Amelia and Neladi bringing their leadership skills to our school community in 2024.

Classes for 2024

Yesterday your children got the opportunity to meet their new teachers and classmates for 2024. We  want to reiterate that the teachers spend many, many hours going over the class groupings. Teachers consider the children’s social and emotional needs, learning needs, and relationships with other children and staff.

At these times we must trust that each teacher and the leadership team, know and care for your child. They have worked tirelessly on these class groupings to ensure each child will flourish in 2024.

As parents, you play a very important role in how your child views the changes in 2024.

A positive parent will reassure that any new change will be a blessing – an opportunity to foster new relationships and learn from a teacher who will support and care for them. These parents will find that their child develops resilience – an essential life skill for adult life.

As a parent, you have a choice – do I speak glowingly of the changes that my child faces, or will I model disappointment and anguish with my child? 

We are excited about what 2024  will bring for our school, community, and especially the children in our care. 

Farewell and Good Luck

This year we are farewelling three staff members.  

Josh our amazing ½ Co educator and intervention teacher.  Josh has been a calm and gentle influence on our little learners.  He is born to teach!  We wish Josh every success next year as he pursues his studies and his love for travel.

Bianca our Italian and Music teacher.  Bianca is moving on to further her career at another school.  Bianca has filled our corridors and the children’s hearts with her passion for music and her mother tongue- Italian.  We wish Bianca all the best in her career in education.

Lucy our kind and welcoming receptionist, will be moving on in a completely new role that suits her family’s needs.  Lucy has been a delightful addition to our admin team, and a beautiful ‘face’ to MQH.

We wish them every success in their future endeavors and know they will always carry a little piece of MQH in their hearts.

Testing Interviews 2024

Later today you will receive an invitation to book your child in for their testing time at the beginning of next year.  Prep children will be required to book in for 2 interview times – these will come as two separate bookings.  Year 1-6 will be required to book in for a time on Thursday 1st February only.

Learning Diversity

Mary Queen of Heaven prides itself in embracing all learners. In recent weeks, we have held our final Program Support Group Meetings for 2023 with families of students with diverse learning needs. It has been a joy to shine the light on progress towards personalised goals and celebrate individual success. We are grateful for the cooperative relationship between staff and families in ensuring student wellbeing is at the forefront of learning. We look forward to continued partnerships with families.

Wishing you all a happy, safe and holy Christmas break.  May you take time to find peace and joy in the festive season, spending quality time with family and friends.

We look forward to working with you and learning with you all again in 2024 and beyond.

Learning and Teaching 

As the academic year draws to a close, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the transformative journey we’ve embarked upon at Mary Queen of Heaven, in our formative year. This year, we embraced innovation in learning and teaching, focusing on effective pedagogies, a new inquiry model, data-driven practices, and child-centered learning spaces.

🚀 Innovative Pedagogy: A Catalyst for Growth

Our commitment to innovative pedagogy has been a driving force behind the educational experiences we’ve crafted for our students. Through dynamic teaching methods, we’ve sought to ignite a passion for learning, encouraging students to explore beyond traditional boundaries and develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom. We have prioritised teaching through small group focused teaching designed by educators using evidence.

🔍 New Inquiry Model: Empowering Curiosity through Discovery

The introduction of a new inquiry model, P-2 play-based and 3-6 project-based learning, has been incredibly successful. We’ve witnessed children become active participants in their education, asking questions, seeking answers, and developing a love for discovery. Our Educators will continue to work with Traces of Learning Consultants next year to deepen their understanding of this approach, ensuring that children have the opportunity to nurture critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are essential for success in the real world.

📊 Data-Driven Practice: Shaping Tailored Experiences

Our journey this year was guided by the invaluable insights derived from data-driven practices. By analysing student data, we’ve been able to adapt our teaching strategies to meet individual needs, ensuring that every student receives the support and challenges necessary for their personal growth.

🌈 Child-Centered Learning Spaces: A Haven for Exploration

Our commitment to creating child-centered learning spaces has transformed our school environment into a haven for exploration and creativity. These spaces have not only provided physical comfort but have also been instrumental in fostering a sense of ownership and engagement among our students.

🌟 Celebrating Achievements and Looking Ahead

As we celebrate the achievements of the past academic year, we express our gratitude to our dedicated educators, involved families, and, most importantly, our eager children. Together, we’ve laid the foundation for a future where innovation and child-centered learning will continue to be at the heart of our educational journey.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Mary Queen of Heaven learning community. Here’s to another year of growth, discovery, and limitless possibilities!

Please click on the link to view 2024 School fees for 2024.

Fees Mary Queen of Heaven 2024 (1)

If you hold a current Health Care card please read below.

2024 CSEF & MACS School Fees Concession

PACKS AVAILABLE FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE.

2024 Camps, Sports and Excursions fund eligibility

Below are the criteria used to determine a student’s eligibility for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF).

Criteria 1 – Eligibility

To be eligible* for the fund, a mature minor of sixteen years of age or over, a parent or legal guardian of a student attending a registered Government or non-government Victorian primary or secondary school must:

• on the first day of Term one, or;
• on the first day of Term two.

1. a)Be an eligible beneficiary within the meaning of the State Concessions Act 2004, that is, be a holder of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or be an eligible Centrelink Health Care Card (HCC) or Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder, OR
2. b)Be a temporary foster parent, and;
3. c)Submit an application to the school by the due date.

* A special consideration eligibility category also exists. For more information, see: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF): Eligibility | education.vic.gov.au

Mature minors or parents who receive a Carer Allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with one of (a) or (b) above.

Criteria 2 – Be of school age and attend school in Victoria

School is compulsory for all Victorian children aged between six and seventeen years of age inclusive.

For the purposes of CSEF, students may be eligible for assistance if they attend a Victorian registered primary or secondary school. Typically, these students are aged between five and eighteen years inclusive.

CSEF is not payable to students attending pre-school, kindergarten, home schooling, or TAFE.

Eligibility Date

For concession card holders, CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on 29 January 2024 and/or 15 April 2024.

Payment amounts

CSEF payment amount

The CSEF is an annual payment to the school to be used towards camps, sports and/or excursion expenses for the benefit of the eligible student.

• Primary school student rate: $150.00 per year.
• Secondary school student rate: $250.00 per year.

The CSEF is paid directly the school and will be allocated by the school towards camps, sports and/or excursion costs for your child.