Dear Families,

As we approach the end of Term 2, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a positive and productive term of learning at our school.

Student Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews ~ Student reports have now been sent home, and I want to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of our students. The growth and achievements across all year levels are a testament to their hard work, persistence, and curiosity. I also want to thank our dedicated teaching staff for the care and professionalism they bring to reporting student progress so accurately and thoughtfully. These reports are not just a reflection of academic learning, but a guide to support the next steps, and the strong partnership we share between home and school – working together to support your child's journey. It was fantastic to meet with families on Monday night for the Parent Teacher interviews.

Planning Days ~ Last week, our teachers participated in the year level (and Specialist Teachers) Teacher Planning Days. These days are vital in allowing our teams to reflect on learning so far and collaborate to ensure that the next steps are well planned and scaffolded to meet the needs of all learners. It’s part of our commitment to continuously improve and provide high-quality, targeted teaching.

Building Update ~ You may also notice some different faces around the school this week – building tenderers will be visiting as part of the next phase of our $5.86 million school refit. This is an exciting milestone, and we are hopeful for a project start in early Term Four, 2026. It’s fantastic to see this progress and begin imagining the learning spaces of the future.

Sharing Our Leadership ~ We were also pleased to host a visit from our SEIL (Senior Education Improvement Leader) recently. It was incredibly affirming to have her request to share our work and systems with other schools. This is a strong endorsement of the quality of teaching and learning happening here, and I thank the staff for their ongoing commitment to excellence.

Happy and Safe Holidays ~ As the term wraps up, I want to wish all families a happy and safe holiday break. Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I’ll be taking the opportunity to visit both my children during the break and am looking forward to some quality family time.

Kind regards,

Campbell McKay

Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

Why We Use VCOP Warm-Up Games to Teach Writing at Mount Waverley Primary School.

At Mount Waverley Primary School, we believe that developing strong writing skills requires both explicit instruction and engaging practice. One way we achieve this is by using VCOP warm-up games, a dynamic and interactive approach to improving students’ writing. But why are these games so important, and how do they help our students become confident and capable writers?

What Is VCOP?

VCOP stands for Vocabulary, Connectives, Openers, and Punctuation—the four essential elements of powerful writing. These components help students:

• Expand their vocabulary with rich, descriptive words.
• Use connectives to link ideas smoothly.
• Start sentences in engaging ways with varied openers.
• Apply punctuation effectively for clarity and impact.

Why Do We Use VCOP Warm-Up Games?

1. Makes Writing Fun and Engaging – Writing can sometimes feel overwhelming for students. VCOP games provide a playful, low-pressure environment where students can build their skills in a way that feels like a game rather than a lesson.
2. Encourages Creativity – By experimenting with different words, phrases, and sentence structures, students learn to express themselves in unique and engaging ways.
3. Improves Writing Fluency – Regular practice with VCOP activities helps students think quickly and confidently about how to construct sentences and paragraphs.
4. Builds Strong Writing Foundations – By focusing on key writing components, students develop the essential skills they need to write effectively across different genres.
5. Boosts Confidence – The games allow students to take risks with their writing, try new techniques, and receive immediate feedback in a supportive setting.

How We Use VCOP Warm-Up Games in the Classroom

Teachers at Mount Waverley Primary School incorporate a range of VCOP games into daily lessons, including:

• WOW Word Challenges – Students find and use exciting vocabulary words to enhance their writing.
• Connective Chains – A fun way to practice linking ideas using different connectives.
• Sentence Openers Game – Students experiment with a variety of sentence starters to make their writing more engaging.
• Punctuation Power – A game that reinforces correct punctuation usage in creative ways.
• Rapid Writing Challenges – Timed writing activities that encourage quick thinking and fluency.

How Parents Can Support VCOP at Home

You can reinforce VCOP strategies by:

• Encouraging your child to use new and exciting words in their writing.
• Playing word games that focus on synonyms, antonyms, and descriptive language.
• Practising sentence starters to make writing more varied and interesting.
• Reading together and discussing how authors use vocabulary, connectives, openers, and punctuation effectively.

By using VCOP warm-up games, we create a positive and engaging writing culture where students feel excited to develop their skills. Thank you for supporting your child’s writing journey at Mount Waverley Primary School!

Tania Hunter

Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning

Remember to save these dates for next term.

CONGRATULATIONS!

1. Art Competition Winners 






2. Rabindra B. 2C - Winner of Master Winter Chess Championship 2025 (Under 8 boys Category) at Chess Republic in Berwick last month.

                     



3. Aryana J. 5A, Valerie T. 5E and Jessica F. 6D - Recipients of the Super Speak Achievement Award for Public Speaking & Communication Skills in last month.

                  



4. Honoka T. 4B has been selected to represent Victoria for swimming at the National Championships this year.

A.  Foundation (Prep) Enrolment 

Please CLICK HERE for information and resources about the timeline, including factsheets and a poster. 

What you need to do:

1.  Contact our School Office 9807 1480 or email  mount.waverley.ps@education.vic.gov.au to book a school tour or to learn more about our school and the enrolment application process.

2.  Download the Foundation (Prep) enrolment information pack from Enrolling in Foundation (Prep) 

3.  Submit your online application for Foundation (Prep) by Friday 25 July 2025 via the following link students.educationapps.vic.gov.au/s/ 

4.  You will be notified of the outcome of your application between Monday 28 July and Friday 8 August 2025. If you receive an enrolment offer, you should respond to the offer on VicStudents by Friday 22 August 2025.

5.  Take part in enrolment information and transition sessions during Term 4, 2025.

6.  Prepare your child to start Foundation (Prep) from Wednesday 28 January 2026.

A Quick Reference Guide to using the online system is available here.

What happens next?

• We will review the information you submit and contact you between Monday 28 July and Friday 8 August 2025 to advise you of the outcome of your application.
• You should accept ONE enrolment offer by 22 August 2025. When accepting an offer, you will be required to provide additional personal and health information that will be shared with the school.

B.  Years 1 - 6 Enrolment

Please contact the School Office.



We’re here to help and will get back to you quickly. We look forward to receiving your application by Friday 25 July 2025, and also to welcoming you and your child into the Mount Waverley Primary School community for an exciting year ahead!
If you have any questions or need help with the enrolment process, please contact the School Office at 03-9807 1480 or mount.waverley.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Warm regards,

Tina Kolivas
Office Manager

To all our wonderful parent volunteers...
Thank you for all that you do @ MWPS...

Nurturing Wellbeing & Leadership with SPARK – Term 2 Update

Dear Mount Waverley Primary School Community,

As we close out Term 2, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the incredible strides we’ve made through the SPARK program. This term, we’ve aligned our efforts with the principles of The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing and mental health of our students. The focus on Gratitude, Mindfulness, Emotional Literacy, and Vulnerability has been instrumental in strengthening our students’ resilience and fostering a culture of empathy, connection, and leadership.

Fostering Student Leadership and Agency

Our Year 6 students have truly embraced their leadership roles this term. Not only have they co-facilitated SPARK sessions, but they’ve also contributed to refining the activities and resources, furthering their leadership development. This hands-on approach has empowered them to take ownership of their learning and to be positive role models within our school community. We’ve seen a tangible improvement in their confidence and initiative, as highlighted by the Attitude to School Survey results, which show a noticeable increase in student concern for their peers and an improvement in social connections.

Aligning SPARK with TRP Principles

By embedding Gratitude, Mindfulness, Emotional Literacy, and Vulnerability into our SPARK sessions, we have nurtured a deeper understanding of these critical emotional skills. Through these themes, students have developed a stronger sense of self-awareness and emotional resilience, learning to better manage their feelings and communicate with others in a supportive way. These concepts have been woven into every SPARK activity, reinforcing our commitment to the holistic development of each child.

Building Stronger Social Connections

One of the standout successes of SPARK this term has been the way it has fostered meaningful social connections across year levels. Whether it’s through collaborative group activities, sharing personal reflections, or supporting each other during mindfulness exercises, our students have worked together to build lasting friendships. These interactions have created an inclusive and connected school community where all students feel like they belong.

Strengthening Teacher-Student Relationships

The connection between teachers and students has continued to grow through the SPARK program. Teachers have engaged in reflective practices alongside students, promoting open communication and deeper understanding. As a result, students feel more supported and valued, with many seeking guidance from their teachers on a range of emotional and wellbeing topics.

Looking Ahead

As we head into Term 3, we are excited to continue building on the foundation we’ve established this term. With the ongoing support of our dedicated students, staff and families, SPARK will remain a central part of our mission to nurture both the personal and academic growth of every student.

Thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we’re fostering a generation of resilient, connected, and compassionate young leaders.

Examples of a SPARK Session:

• SPARK #6 – Gratitude – CLICK HERE
• SPARK #7 – Mindfulness – CLICK HERE
• SPARK #8 – Emotional Literacy – CLICK HERE
• SPARK #9 – Vulnerability – CLICK HERE

Warm regards,
Chris Goldstraw

SPARK Co-ordinator
 

In Term 2, a group comprised of year 6 STEM Extension and Coding club students have been running a series of student-led coding classes for all Year 3 classes.

Particular thanks go to Ryan, Arjun and Alex, as well as our two STEM leaders Darius and Leo, and Aaron, Oliver, Brayden and Luke.  These students have used their love of learning to inspire the Year 3 students at our school and have made a phenomenal contribution to our school community.

The classes have been a resounding success. We are so incredibly proud of these students with their amazing maturity, passion, collaboration and leadership.

Senior coding club runs on Monday lunchtimes for students in Year 3-6
Junior coding club (run by senior student volunteers) runs on Friday lunchtimes for Years 1-2 

Sophie Cleve
STEM Specialist

Important message from nurses Helen and Ali...

Brace yourselves for an exciting lift-off next term...

Heartfelt Thanks!

We raised a whopping $1,250 +

Success and Appreciation!

Amber our Education Support staff...

What do you find most rewarding about working in a school / being an educator?

I love teaching because it gives me a chance to shape young minds and see them grow in confidence, kindness, and curiosity. I get to make a real difference in students’ lives while also learning from their curious and often brutally honest minds. Teaching is full of joy, random questions and moments that make me laugh out loud when I’m supposed to be serious. I cherish the strong bonds I form with my students, and their inquisitive nature constantly inspires me and teaches me something new every day.

What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of school?

I love all things creative and hands-on. Give me a garden, a glue gun, or a label maker and I’m in my happy place. Organising is my version of meditation. Nothing beats the satisfaction of a neatly arranged shelf or a color-coded planner. I also love interior design and find joy in creating beautiful functional places in my home and constantly dreaming up my next project.

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

I could genuinely live on oysters—raw, with just a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of chilli jam. Yum!

What’s your go-to way to unwind and recharge after a busy week?

 I like to unwind with long drives and quiet sunsets with my husband, tending to my garden with a clear mind, eating out with friends and family and long heart to heart chats with my mum who lives miles away. It’s my way of slowing down, reconnecting and finding joy in simple pleasures.

What’s a fun fact about yourself that most people wouldn’t know?

I’m a software engineer with a passion for teaching. I love solving complex problems and even more, I love helping others learn and grow along the way. Combining tech and teaching lets me share knowledge, inspire curiosity, and make a real difference.