Dear Families,

I’m thrilled that Term One is well underway, and everything is progressing exactly as we planned. It has been wonderful to see our classrooms buzzing with learning, curiosity and engagement right from the first week. Teachers and students are already immersed in rich learning experiences, and each day brings growth, connection and new achievements across all year levels.

Our focus on high-quality teaching continues to ensure that every child is supported and challenged in their learning journey. We are pleased with how routines are settling, how students are embracing their lessons, and how our vibrant school community is coming together.

Thank you for your ongoing support — we look forward to sharing more highlights with you as the term unfolds.

Traffic Safety – As a final note, could we please encourage students to use the pedestrian crossings – people are literally crossing ten metres down the road from these.
Also, there have been three accidents this year on Park Lane, so we all need to take care.

Kind regards,

Campbell McKay
Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

We are delighted to introduce the Mount Waverley Primary School Allied Health Team for 2026, who work collaboratively with students, families and staff to support and foster wellbeing, inclusion and learning across our school community. 

Miss Jacinta Evans   
Wellbeing Assistant Principal 

I am greatly excited to be returning from Family Leave and stepping back into my role as the Wellbeing Assistant Principal at our wonderful school. I feel incredibly privileged to work alongside our students, families and staff to nurture a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment where every child can thrive. 

Student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. When children feel safe, valued and connected, they are better able to engage in learning, build positive relationships and develop confidence in themselves. My role is to support the social, emotional and behavioural wellbeing of all students, while working closely with teachers, education support staff and families to ensure each child is known, understood and supported. 

At our school, wellbeing is embedded in everyday practice. Through our Respectful Relationships approach, The Resilience Program, School-Wide Positive Behaviour Supports (SWPBS), and social-emotional learning programs, we explicitly teach students the skills they need to manage emotions, solve problems, build resilience and show empathy towards others. We are committed to fostering a culture of kindness, inclusion and high expectations for all. 

I also work closely with families and external agencies to provide additional support when needed. We know that strong partnerships between home and school are vital to student success, and I warmly encourage you to reach out if you have any concerns or would simply like to connect. Open communication helps us work together in the best interests of your child. 

Over the coming months, I look forward to sharing wellbeing updates, practical parenting resources, and information about programs and initiatives happening across the school. Together, we can continue building a community where every child feels a strong sense of belonging and is empowered to flourish. 

Please don’t hesitate to say hello if you see me in the yard or contact the school office to arrange a time to speak. 

Ms Samantha Kennedy
Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist 

My name is Ms Samantha Kennedy, and I am the Disability Inclusion Learning Specialist at MWPS. I am passionate about creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued, empowered and capable of success. 

In my role, I work closely with teachers, families, support staff and external agencies to ensure each child’s unique strengths and needs are recognised and supported. I also support families through the Department of Education’s Disability Inclusion Funding Model, which aims to enhance access to resources, staff professional learning and tailored strategies so students can thrive here at school. 

Ms Stacey Ng
Speech Therapist

Hi everyone! I’m Stacey, the speech therapist at MWPS. I love working with children to strengthen their language skills, build social connections and support them to express themselves clearly and confidently. 

I have experience working in both private practice and school settings, supporting culturally and linguistically diverse students with a wide range of needs, including speech sounds and articulation, language development and social communication. I work closely with teachers to implement practical, classroom-based strategies and I also suggest activities for students to practise at home. Where appropriate, I can recommend external speech therapy providers to further support student progress. 

Ms Priyanka Venkataramani
School Counsellor

Hello! I’m Priyanka, the school counsellor at MWPS, and this is my third year here. I’ve worked as a school, family and relationship counsellor for over seven years. 
Beyond answering questions like “Can you read my mind?”, my role is to support students’ social, emotional and cognitive wellbeing. I work with students around anxiety, friendships, confidence, parental separation, body image and everyday dilemmas (including what to pack for sleepovers!). Alongside individual wellbeing support, I also run lunchtime clubs and wellbeing workshops to support the broader student community. 

Exemplary

Echo of Excellence

Congratulations!

Officially Welcoming
Our Young Leaders

13 December 2026

MWPS held a significant event that marked the official induction of our new student leaders into their leadership roles for this school year.

It was held at the school assembly where the school leaders were introduced to the school community, followed by the presentation of badges by our Assistant Principal, Miss Jacinta Evans, to each leader.

More than a celebration, this ceremony set the tone for the leadership journey ahead. It offered our new leaders a platform to reflect on the MWPS values they hope to embody—respect, resilience, integrity, curiosity and creativity, and empathy—as they guide their peers and weave their influence into the daily rhythm of our school. 

With their badges shining and their aspirations high, our 2026 student leaders now embark on a year of growth, service, and meaningful impact. We look forward to seeing the positive difference they will make.

  





  




Below are snapshots of our newly-inducted student leaders, each wearing their badge with pride and purpose...


School Captains
From left: Irene, Asma, Georgie, Victor



Art Captains
From left: Alyce, Lily



Wellbeing Captains
From left: Alina, Hannah



Sustainability Captains
From left: Sienna, Jade



Curriculum Captains
From left: Tanvi, Lachlan



Library Captains
From left: Anya, Myraa



STEM Captains
From left: George, Angelina



LOTE Captains
From left: Mariko, Esther



Global Learning Captains
From left: Aryana, Levinia



Music Captains
From left: Hayden, Matthew, Daniel, Aria



House Captains
Front Row from left: Victoria, Jordan, Ayan, Ziyan
Back Row from left: Kellan, Danny, Bhavya, Olivia

Celebrating

Our Families and Cultures

Dear Families,

As part of our school’s Harmony Day celebrations on 1 April, we invited families to share a little about their culture and family background. We have been thrilled with the responses so far and would like to thank the many families who have already taken part.

Harmony Day is a time to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the many cultures that make up our school community. By learning about one another, we help students develop respect, understanding, and a strong sense of belonging.

This week, we are proud to showcase the Opia, Chan, Gunarathna, Gigliotti, Dubey and Fan families who have generously shared their stories, traditions, and experiences with our school community.

The Family and Culture Profile link is still open, and families are warmly invited to participate if they wish. The form is a simple question and answer format, and families may share as much or as little as they feel comfortable. Participation is completely optional.

Family and Culture Profile link: https://forms.gle/Xb8Mwi85R1SL25pW7

This link will remain open until Friday 20 March.

Profiles shared will be:

• displayed in the Oak Tree Area on Harmony Day
• featured in our school newsletter, website, and social media pages

By submitting a completed profile, families thereby provide consent for the information and any included images to be shared in these ways.

We look forward to continuing to celebrate the rich diversity of our school community, and thank families for their ongoing support of our Harmony Day celebrations.

Danielle Bonacci
Global Learning Specialist
Mount Waverley Primary School

Che Banda is coming to MWPS!!!

On Wednesday, 1 April, Mount Waverley Primary School will be celebrating Harmony Day. As part of this special celebration students will be participating in a performance-based incursion performed by Harps A Breeze.
 
CHE BANDA! is a fantastically unique group which takes students on a wonderful, orchestrated journey through the heart of Italy. Their musical performances follow adventurous storylines that take the audience across an ancient land graced with medieval country roads and some of the world’s most iconic landmarks. CHE BANDA! incorporates the authentic Italian language with song and dance, offering students an insight into the everyday Italian lifestyle and a culture which has greatly influenced modern-day Australia. We can’t wait to “travel” with CHE BANDA!  Don't miss out on this distinctive cultural experience!!
 
The cost of this incursion is $4.20. Payment and consent for this incursion is on Compass and is due Friday, 27 March.

Danielle Bonacci
Global Learning Specialist
Mount Waverley Primary School

Massive thanks to
our awesome school parents!

Your time and effort in sorting the endless cascade of books has been a huge help. 



We cannot thank you enough for supporting our school at such a short notice.

On the 12th February, 33 of our Year 3–6 students proudly represented MWPS at the Monash Waverley District Swimming Competition.



Our eager swimmers took to the pool with determination, competing across a range of individual and relay events. Their hard work paid off, with MWPS finishing in an impressive equal 3rd place among the six schools in our district.

Despite the rain and the unusually cool early February weather, our students displayed outstanding resilience and sportspersonship. They cheered one another on, pushed through the conditions, and competed with heart—qualities that made us incredibly proud.

A huge congratulations goes to the 20 students who have qualified for Division. This is a remarkable achievement, and we wish them every success as they take on the next stage of competition.

Casey Giles and James Smith
Physical Education & Sport Specialists
Mount Waverley Primary School

STEM Learning Across the School

A Vibrant Start to the Term

Foundation to Year 2 students have launched into STEM with wide‑eyed curiosity, exploring the basic needs of plants and animals. Through hands‑on investigations, they’ve been discovering how living things rely on air, water, food, and shelter to survive. Their wonder has been contagious as they observed how different creatures depend on their environment in unique and fascinating ways.

Year 3–4 students have stepped into the world of ecosystems, diving deep into the delicate balance of nature. They’ve been researching a chosen ecosystem—rainforests, deserts, oceans, and more—and uncovering how plants, animals, and the environment interact in a constantly moving web of life. Their research has sparked thoughtful discussions and impressive scientific thinking.

Year 5–6 students have taken their learning to the next level with an exploration of habitats, focusing on the interplay between living (biotic) and non‑living (abiotic) factors. They’ve been investigating how these elements work together to support life, analysing real‑world habitats and applying scientific reasoning to understand what makes each one thrive.



Zoe Shi
STEM Specialist
Mount Waverley Primary School

Tuning in...

The Latest Buzz
from the Music Room

Music offers lifelong benefits - boosting wellbeing, strengthening memory, building teamwork, and nurturing creativity.  Please encourage your child to join our choirs - a wonderful opportunity for your child to grow, shine, and feel part of something special.

Choir practice runs every Tuesday at lunchtime:

• Juniors : first half of lunch (1:30-2:00pm)

• Seniors : second half of lunch (2:00-2:30pm)

Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun — just remember to bring a folder.

If families would like to purchase a ukulele for home practice, they are available from the office for $60 each, with left‑handed options also in stock.

Students are encouraged to keep building their skills by practising their singing and ukulele playing at home.

Camp Oasis

10th - 13th March

Our Year 4 cohort is gearing up for camp in March.  Yippee!!

Anticipation is surging...we're inching closer to the big moment...

• Be at school by 8:40am on Tuesday 10th March. 
• Buses will depart just after 9:00am from Park Lane.
• REMEMBER your child's MEDICATION.
• Pack snack & lunch in a disposable bag for Tuesday ONLY.
• Please label/name all your child's belongings.
• Items not permitted - money, additional snacks/lollies, electronics.
• Expected arrival back at school around 3:00pm on Friday 13th March. Please ensure to sign your child our via the class teacher before leaving the school grounds.

Dear Parents and Carers,

With the recent hot weather, we would like to remind families to please dress children in light, comfortable clothing suitable for warm conditions.

We have had a number of students attend the Health Centre feeling unwell, overheated, and uncomfortable, and in many cases they have been wearing multiple layers or clothing that is too warm for the weather. Overdressing can make it difficult for children to regulate their body temperature and may lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.

To help keep all students safe and comfortable during hot days, we kindly ask that you:

• Dress your child in lightweight, breathable clothing
• Avoid unnecessary extra layers
• Ensure your child brings a named water bottle to school each day
• Encourage your child to drink water regularly, both before and during school
• Ensure to have a chat with your child the importance of wearing school hat when playing outdoors

We will continue to encourage regular water breaks, and monitor students closely at school, but your support in preparing them appropriately each morning will make a significant difference to their day and wellbeing.

Kerry Oates
First Aid Officer
Mount Waverley Primary School