Dear Families,

An Outstanding Year at MWPS ~ I would like to use our second-to-last newsletter for 2025 to acknowledge what an outstanding year it has been here at MWPS. This success is underpinned by our families, who support their children and our school, and backed by our staff who are dedicated to teaching at your child’s point of need, and do so in a way that is aligned with the best evidence-informed practice. The work is overseen by our school leaders, who ensure that this best practice is done skilfully and consistently, on a day-to-day basis across every class, and every lesson. Thanks to our School Council who support these foci through policy and budgets to drive this work, led by the ever-present Nicole Clowes, our School Council President. Across the year, we have had so many special events including excursions, incursions, athletics, swimming, cross-country, tennis clinics, camps, dance clinics and so much more. There has never been a shortage of activities around MWPS, and to all the families who have volunteered, supported and participated throughout 2025, we thank you for your support. The MWPS team is privileged to be a part of the broader Mount Waverley community.

Departing Staff in 2025 ~ I would like to thank Amelia Allan and Shannon Harris who have done a great job this year as classroom teachers, and we wish them well for their next roles. Mr Chris Goldstraw is off to the Victorian Teaching and Learning Academy for twelve months to teach the Teaching Excellence Program – an outstanding achievement and testament to the quality of staff we have at MWPS.

Two staff members are heading away from Melbourne for twelve months, and I wish both Ciara Fitzsimon and Lauren Morris well. We look forward to them returning in 2027. Abbey Xie, who has been our Business Manager in 2025, has been successful in her promotion to Fountain Gate Secondary College. Thanks to Abbey for her significant work and efforts at MWPS, ensuring we are well positioned financially for 2026.

Finally, I would like to thank Justin Simmonds who has been in the background driving our school technologies and infrastructure for many years. Justin has always ensured we had the best of systems in place and we wish him well for his next school.

Library & Foundation Rooms (Buildings Update) ~ We hope that these classrooms and learning spaces (Stage 1) will be available for use at the start of the 2026 school year. As a priority, we have asked that the Foundation classrooms be completed first, which the builders have agreed to do.

MWPS Annual Concert ~ A reminder that our Annual Concert is set to take place on Monday, 8th December. The concert will be held on the oval and will commence at 3:00 pm. Parents & Friends will also be selling drinks and food afterward.

All year levels will sing a song, along with other special performances. All families are invited to bring blankets and chairs, however those bringing deck chairs need to set up behind the designated ‘student zone’. We look forward to a wonderful afternoon where our families can enjoy each other’s company and some festive cheer.

Graduation and Farewell to the Class of 2025 ~ Our 2025 Year Six students are now in their final weeks of primary school. We are very much looking forward to the Year Six Graduation which will be held on Wednesday, 10th December in the school gym. Graduation is always a wonderful event full of pride and emotion, so I look forward to sharing the evening with our senior students and their families.

On behalf of all staff, I would like to wish them all a very fond farewell from Mount Waverley Primary School. We know our school has provided these students with the skills and confidence to take on any challenge they may face in the coming years.

In addition, I would also like to farewell all the families that are departing MWPS for a variety of reasons. We hope that wherever you go, you will look back fondly at your time at Mount Waverley Primary School.

School Reports ~ Our Semester 2 Student Reports will be ‘live’ on Compass from Wednesday, 17th December. Please take time to read through your child’s report and discuss with them their achievements, their attitudes toward their learning, and their future learning goals.

Reading - With the school holidays looming, now is a good time to remind families of the benefits of regular reading habits. Whilst we expect students to read every night as part of their homework routine, we truly want them to want to read every night for enjoyment.

Students who continue to read over the holidays and maintain their reading habits give themselves a serious learning advantage. Research shows that the summer break leads to approximately a two-week drop in literacy skills for students that do not read at home. For those that read regularly, they can go the other way and can gain more than a month of learning growth simply by enjoying a book here and there, especially before bedtime.

School Starting Dates for 2026:
(Please note the following dates for your diary for the start of 2026)

Tuesday January 27th ~ Staff resume : preparation, planning and curriculum day

Wednesday January 28th  ~ Year 1 to Year 6 students start school for 2026

Wednesday February 4th ~ Foundation students start.

Term One Pupil-Free Days:

Friday March 6^th ~ Curriculum Day (No Students)

Monday March 9^th ~ Labour Day (No Students)

2026 School Terms:

Term 1            Wednesday January 28th     -           Thursday April 2nd

Term 2            Monday April 20th                -           Friday June 26th

Term 3            Monday July 13th                  -           Friday September 18th

Term 4            Monday October 5th             -           Friday December 18th

2026 Public Holidays (In Term Dates Only)

Labour Day - Monday March 9th

Good Friday - Friday April 3rd

ANZAC Day - Saturday April 25th

King’s Birthday - Monday June 8th

Melbourne Cup - Tuesday November 3rd

Student Absence ~ If any students are likely to be absent for the remainder of the school year, or early next year, please contact the school office to advise us so that we can update our records accordingly.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind families that extended holidays are not a school approved absence, as per Departmental guidelines. We encourage all students to attend as often as possible, with the aim of being at school at least 98% of the time (less than 5 days of absence for the year).

Students that miss over 20 days per year find themselves falling behind their peers, and this can add up to more than 5 terms of school absence over the course of their education. That is a huge deficit to overcome, and we want to ensure that all students are at school as often as possible.

Have a wonderful holiday! ~ We would like to wish all students, parents, and staff a wonderful festive season with their families. We would like to thank everyone who works so hard to make Mount Waverley Primary School such a fantastic school. We appreciate the opportunity to work with your children each day. This relationship between school and home is vitally important, and we know that our students benefit from the great relationship we have with our community.

Again, thanks for a wonderful year.

Campbell McKay
Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

Why Teacher-Student Conferencing is Essential
at Mount Waverley Primary School

At Mount Waverley Primary School, we are committed to fostering meaningful and personalised learning experiences for our students. One of the most effective ways we achieve this is through teacher-student conferencing—a powerful strategy that supports student growth by providing tailored feedback, goal-setting opportunities, and deeper engagement in learning. But why is conferencing so important, and what does research say about its impact?

What is Teacher-Student Conferencing?

Teacher-student conferencing is a structured conversation where teachers meet with individual students to discuss their progress, identify challenges, and set learning goals. These discussions provide students with immediate feedback and help them take ownership of their learning journey.

Why Do We Use Teacher-Student Conferencing?

1. Provides Personalised Feedback – According to education researcher John Hattie, "Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on student achievement" (Hattie, 2009). Conferencing allows teachers to give specific, actionable feedback that helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
2. Enhances Student Engagement and Motivation – When students receive direct, one-on-one support, they feel valued and more invested in their learning. Research by Black and Wiliam (1998) highlights that formative assessment, including conferencing, significantly improves student motivation and performance.
3. Develops Metacognition and Self-Reflection – Metacognition, or thinking about one’s own thinking, is a key skill for lifelong learning. Educational psychologist Dr. David Perkins states that "students who engage in reflective conversations about their learning develop stronger problem-solving and critical-thinking skills." Conferencing encourages students to self-assess, set goals, and take responsibility for their progress.
4. Supports Differentiated Learning – Every child learns at their own pace. Teacher-student conferences allow educators to tailor instruction and support based on individual needs, ensuring that every student receives the guidance they need to succeed.
5. Builds Strong Teacher-Student Relationships – Research shows that positive teacher-student relationships significantly impact student achievement and well-being. Conferencing fosters a sense of trust and open communication, making students more comfortable seeking help and taking academic risks.

How We Use Conferencing in the Classroom

At Mount Waverley Primary School, teachers use conferencing across all subject areas to support student learning. Examples include:

• Writing Conferences – Teachers provide feedback on students' writing, helping them refine ideas, improve structure, and enhance vocabulary.
• Reading Conferences – Students discuss their reading comprehension, strategies, and personal reading goals with their teacher.
• Math Conferences – Teachers work one-on-one with students to address misconceptions, strengthen problem-solving skills, and set learning targets.
• General Learning Reflections – Students reflect on their progress, celebrate achievements, and discuss next steps for improvement.

How Parents Can Support Conferencing at Home

You can encourage the benefits of conferencing by:

• Asking your child about their learning goals and progress.
• Encouraging self-reflection by discussing what they found challenging or rewarding in their learning.
• Reinforcing the importance of feedback and using it to improve.
• Celebrating small successes and efforts to boost motivation.

By prioritising teacher-student conferencing, we empower students to become independent, reflective, and motivated learners. Thank you for supporting this essential aspect of our learning approach at Mount Waverley Primary School! Enjoy the final couple of weeks of school. Have a fantastic & safe school break and we will see you in the new year.

Tania Hunter
Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning
Mount Waverley Primary School

Ticking Down...

2025 TERM DATES

Term 4: 6 October - 19 December


December

8           Carols Afternoon (3:00 - 4:00 pm)
9            4th Prep Transition
             WHOLE SCHOOL TRANSITION (11:30 am-1:30 pm)
             *Year 6-to-Year 7 Orientation Day

Celebrating Student Achievements!

Congratulations to Our Award Recipients!

Lily G. is a kind, compassionate and caring student. She treats every person she encounters with respect and warmth, and she has an incredible ability to make others feel included and valued. These qualities shine through daily, whether she is helping a classmate, supporting a friend, or simply offering a smile that brightens someone’s day.

What sets Lily apart is her quiet strength and reliability. She has always completed her work diligently and taken on any extra duties with maturity and pride. Whether the task is big or small, she gives her best without hesitation and without ever expecting praise.

Lily is the kind of student who contributes to the heart of a school through her actions, her attitude, and her unwavering kindness. She leads not by loudness, but by example. And in doing so, she has made our school a better place for everyone around her.

For her consistent dedication, her community spirit, and the compassion she shows every single day, we are incredibly proud to recognise Lily as our recipient of this year’s Norm Gibbs Community Leadership Award.


Congratulations Lily!
Go forth...Shine on!

In Partnership With Families

Dear Families,

The Department of Education administers the CSEF to help eligible families with the costs of camps, sporting activities, excursions and incursions.  For more information, please visit Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF): Policy | VIC.GOV.AU | Policy and Advisory Library

We encourage families who meet the eligibility criteria below to complete and return the application form before the end of this term to enable us to enter your details on time for the first payment run which commences on 27 January (Term 1 2026).  The full list of eligible concession and health care cards is available on Concession and health care cards - Seeking medical help - Services Australia.

For existing families who have already submitted a form this year, you do not need to resubmit for next year.  However, if your concession card has since expired or family circumstances have changed, you will need to resubmit a valid means-tested card at the School Office.  Please be advised that any unallocated funds this year will be rolled over to next year.

For new applicants, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the School Office at 9807 1480, or email mount.waverley.ps@education.vic.gov.au

SSR Uniform Provision

KONNICHIWA . KODOMO . KOTO . KYOKASHO . KITSUNE . KIMONO . KAZOKU . KURASU . KOME . KANJI .    KIBO . KANZEN . KYOSHITSU .

Cue the Carols...

It's all unfolding...