For QMC students (or siblings) in Years 7 & 8 in 2027 | 7-9 December 2026 | Online from home

Take part in QMC Academy Online – Maths & Science – The Sustainable House Edition during the Summer holidays.
Designed especially for students in Years 7 and 8 in 2026, this three-day online course brings maths and science to life through a 3D sustainable home design. Students will explore housing sustainability using numeracy and scientific concepts that build confidence, collaboration and problem-solving skills – all within a supportive online environment designed just for them!

Guided by expert QMC science teacher, Aaron Xiao, students will:

1. Design their own sustainable eco-home, use a 3D platform to create floor plans, design a solar system which meets household demands and understand heat transfer and thermal performance.
2. Solve challenges using real world
3. Work in small groups matched to their learning level
4. Build confidence in energy and heat concepts and how they contribute to the solar power conditions for a sustainable home.

This course is dynamic, creative, fun, and hands on — the perfect balance of holiday fun and meaningful learning.

Bookings are open for QMC families (QMC students and siblings - both girls and boys welcomed). Places are limited to 12 students, with small learning groups of approximately four students each.

This is a wonderful opportunity for your daughter (and siblings) to stay engaged over the holidays, build confidence in key maths and science skills, and experience the second course in our new QMC Academy Online programme.

Please note: The course runs over 3 days (there is no option to join just for one or two days).

Course Details: Maths & Science –The Sustainable House Edition

When: Christmas Holidays: Monday 7 December – Wednesday 9 December (3 days)
Price: $250 total for 3 days
Who Can Join: Students in Years 7–8 (current QMC students and their siblings). Ideal for learners who enjoy problem solving and fun, creative challenges.
Key Skills Covered: Measurement of area and volume, calculating energy use, budgeting and cost analysis, working with scale drawings and floor plans, using data to compare heating, cooling and water consumptions, understanding heat transfer (conduction, convection and radiation), comparing solar energy and renewable systems, insulation and thermal performance.

Daily Schedule:

From 9.00am–12.30pm: Live online teaching
Teacher led sessions: Teacher, Aaron Xiao, will work directly with students on key maths and science concepts.

Small group breakout sessions: Students will collaborate in small groups matched to their learning level on fun, interactive challenges, including live science demonstrations.

Morning break at 10.40am

Lunch break at 12.30pm

Between 12.30pm–3.00pm: Self-managed independent project time
Students will work on their project independently (choosing how long they will spend).

Senior Student support available.

Projects need to be submitted by 3pm each day.

Equipment Needed and How to Join the Online Classroom

What You’ll Need:

Laptop, quiet workspace or headset, ruler, calculator, pencil, eraser, Maths & Science – The Sustainable House Edition Workbook (provided by QMC).

How to Join the Online Classroom:
Once you have booked, you will be provided with a link to the online classroom, which students can join via the web browser or via the Microsoft Teams app.

Web Browser: Click the meeting link and select 'Continue on this browser'. This works on Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.

Microsoft Teams App: Join via the app on Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android.

Pre Course Meet and Greet: A short, optional pre-course tech check is available to ensure students and/or parents can login in successfully and access the online classroom.

Thursday 3 December, 5.30pm–5.45pm

If you have any questions, please contact communications@qmc.school.nz.

What is QMC Academy Online?

As part of our Strategic Plan 2025–2028: Watch It Happen, Queen Margaret College is committed to creating a dynamic learning environment that blends innovation, flexibility, and academic excellence. This year, we are excited to introduce QMC Academy Online – a new digital learning pathway designed to combine the freedom of online education with the high standards and care you experience at QMC.

QMC Academy Online will offer a carefully curated selection of bespoke, curriculum aligned courses designed by QMC to spark curiosity, inspire learning, and build academic capability. As the Academy evolves, there is strong potential for it to grow into a flexible, high-quality digital learning hub that supports students in a variety of engaging and meaningful ways.