Dear Families,  

Strike Action ~ Hopefully you saw my Compass message earlier in the week. The Australian Education Union has called on its members to take strike action on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. Some of our staff will be taking part in the strike action. AEU members who are employed at Mount Waverley Primary School who intend to take stop work action on this day must notify the Principal of their intention in writing no later than 5:00 pm Friday 20 March 2026.  On Monday 23^rd of March 2026 I will communicate with parents and carers how many teaching staff will be taking stop work action and inform the community about modifications to the learning programs for the day.

Voluntary Contributions ~ I would like to thank all the families that have made the voluntary contributions – we have had a very high response and we appreciate your contributions.

Why do students do NAPLAN?

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. As students’ progress through their school years, it is important to check how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and numeracy. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through the school curriculum and allows parents and carers to see how their child is progressing against national proficiency standards.

NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process. It does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with more information about students’ educational progress. NAPLAN also provides schools, education authorities and governments with information about how education programs are working, and whether young Australians are achieving important educational outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

NAPLAN tests online ~ Online NAPLAN tests are designed to provide precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive), which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s response. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment. Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly.

What does NAPLAN assess? NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students are learning through their regular school curriculum. Students sit assessments in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The questions assess content aligned to the Australian Curriculum: English and Mathematics. To find out more about NAPLAN, visit nap.edu.au.

What can I do to support my child? ACARA does not recommend excessive preparation for NAPLAN or the use of services by coaching providers. See the types of questions and tools available in the online NAPLAN assessments at NAP – Public demonstration site.

Long Service Leave ~  Next Thursday March 26^th, 2026, I will start some long service leave. I am excited about travelling to South America and attending something of a school and family reunion, in Argentina. I was fortunate to spend a year there in 1988 as an exchange student and complete Year 12, in a city called Reconquista - in the north of Argentina. In my absence, Tania Hunter will be the Acting Principal. I will back for the start of Term Two.

Kind Regards,

Campbell McKay
Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

Mount Waverley Primary School staff would like to extend our sincerest thanks to our parent community for supporting the new MWPS Making Great Choices Together Behaviour Matrix. Over Term 1, we have seen a significant decrease in the number of behaviours in the Yellow and Orange Zones, with no behaviours in the Red Zone for several weeks. This would not be possible without your support. Having effective, trust-based partnerships that involve two-way communication and mutual respect are crucial for maximising a child's potential and wellbeing.

Key Benefits of Strong Parent-School Partnerships:

• Enhanced Academic Performance: Active engagement from parents increases student motivation and directly correlates to higher academic achievement.
• Improved Behaviour and Attendance: When parents are involved, students often exhibit improved behaviour and more regular attendance at school.
• Social and Emotional Development: A collaborative environment boosts student self-esteem, comfort, and positive attitudes toward learning.
• Personalised Support for Students: Regular communication helps teachers understand a child's unique needs, strengths, and home context, allowing for tailored teaching strategies.
• Shared Responsibility: Partnerships foster a sense of community, ensuring a consistent approach to learning and behaviour that bridges the home-school gap. 

Understanding and Supporting Children’s Feelings and Reactions

Every family is unique and will experience different ups and downs. Whether life is going well right now, or your child or family is navigating tough times, focusing on these five areas of family life will help nurture and protect your child’s mental health and overall wellbeing.

Focus on the PERCS

As parents and family members, there are five key areas you can focus on to support children’s development, learning, mental health and overall wellbeing.

Parent Child Relationship – Build a strong bond with your child by responding warmly and consistently to their needs and making time to connect.

Emotions and Behaviours – Tune in to your child’s feelings and be curious about what’s behind their behaviours, so you can help them understand and express all their emotions in healthy ways.

Routines – Create family routines to help children feel secure, reduce stress and find time for connections and fun.

Communication and Meaning Making – Talk openly with children to help them understand and make meaning of what’s happening in their world.

Support Networks – Know where you can get support and how to ask for help when you need it, and how to help your child build their support team.

For more useful resources and readings,
please visit Emerging Minds
 https://emergingminds.com.au/families/five-ways-to-support-your-childrens-mental-health/   



Jacinta Evans
Wellbeing Assistant Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

24   District Tennis (Tally-Ho Tennis Club)

30   Hot Cross Buns

31   Easter Egg Raffle

31   Regional Swimming (Aquanation, Ringwood)



April
1    Harmony Day

2    Last Day of Term 1
      School Dismissal & Student Pickup @2:30pm



27 March



  

A Celebration of 
Character, Commitment, and Excellence

Well done - Keep Inspiring!

 HOUSE PRIDE 

Term 1
Report and Update

House pride continues to be an important focus for our students, helping to build a strong sense of belonging, teamwork, and school spirit. Over the past few weeks, we have been working closely with students to develop creative and engaging ways to celebrate and represent their house identity.

One of the key projects underway is the creation of a house chant. Students have been collaborating to write a chant that reflects their house values and energy. To make this even more engaging, we are incorporating simple dance moves that accompany the chant. This approach has proven highly effective in fostering participation, strengthening student confidence, and cultivating a positive sense of enthusiasm throughout all year levels  

In addition, students have been designing a unique house logo. This process has allowed them to think carefully about symbols, colours, and meanings that best represent their house. It has been wonderful to see their creativity and pride shine through in these designs.

We have also begun working on posters and banners that will be displayed around the school during events and assemblies. These visual displays are designed to showcase house spirit and create a vibrant, supportive atmosphere. Students have been actively involved in planning and creating these materials, working collaboratively and taking ownership of their contributions.

Overall, these activities are helping to strengthen connections between students and foster a positive school culture. We look forward to sharing the finished chants, logos, and displays with you in the near future, and we appreciate your ongoing support in encouraging house pride at home.

The House Pride Team
Mount Waverley Primary School

Safety First. 
Pause. 
Look. 

Keep MWPS Crossings Safe. 
Our Students Depend On It.

Drive like every child is yours.

Is MWPS poised for Che Banda?

Are we warming up, tuning up, and ready to move to the beat?

On Wednesday 1^st 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! are a fantastically unique group which take 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 look forward to taking a trip with CHE BANDA!
 
The cost of this incursion is $4.20. Payment and consent for this incursion is on Compass and is due Friday 27^th March.  You wouldn't want to miss out on this event - it's definitely shaping up to be one of the highlights for this year!

Dressing Up
Students, you are welcome to come to school wearing your cultural clothing, or wearing something orange, to celebrate Harmony Day.

Danielle Bonacci
Year 6 Teacher
Mount Waverley Primary School

Our Diversity
The Heartbeat of MWPS

Celebrating
Our Families and Cultures

This week, we are proud to showcase the Huang, Dsouza, Karumbidza, Kotoky, Nada and Kukadia families who have generously shared their stories, traditions, and experiences with our school community.

The Tiny Tunnellers 

12 March 2026

Last Thursday, our Year 6 cohort threw themselves into the Tiny Tunnellers STEM incursion with curiosity and enthusiasm, diving into the fascinating world of engineering and tunnel design.  



As part of the experience, children also had the chance to dress up in personal protective equipment (PPE), learn about environmental considerations, use noise‑monitoring tools, and experiment with building tunnels.



These immersive activities helped students understand the many layers of engineering work — from safety and sustainability to precision and teamwork.



Through hands‑on challenges, they also explored circuits, energy transfer, and the mechanics behind tunnel‑boring machines, all while collaborating to build and test their own miniature models. The session was a lively blend of problem‑solving and creativity, seamlessly bridging classroom learning with real‑world engineering in action.

As the session wrapped up, the room buzzed with pride, accomplishment, and the kind of energy that comes from 'learning by doing'.



Students walked away not only with new STEM knowledge, but with a deeper appreciation for the innovation and collaboration behind the tunnels we rely on every day. It was a memorable experience that sparked a curiosity which left every student eager for more.

Zoe Shi
STEM Specialist
Mount Waverley Primary School

Camp Magic
From Start to Finish...
@ Mount Evelyn

Our Year 4 cohort set off for their much‑anticipated camp at Oasis Camp from 10th–13th March, filled with excitement, chatter, and a sense of adventure. 

From the moment they stepped onto the grounds, students were immersed in a range of outdoor challenges and team‑building activities designed to build confidence, cooperation, and resilience. Whether they were navigating obstacle courses, exploring the natural surroundings, or working together to complete group tasks, each experience encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and discover new strengths.  Friendships deepened, and students learned to support one another through both fun and challenges.  Evenings brought a different kind of magic - shared meals, stories, movie night and a talent show.

Several activities quickly emerged as favourites. Laser Tag had students working collaboratively to defend their base and to strategise against opposing teams. The nature walk offered a peaceful opportunity to explore the bushland and observe local plant life, while candle‑making provided a calm, creative moment as each student crafted a colourful keepsake to take home. Archery tested focus and determination, with students aiming carefully for the bullseye. For many, the giant swing was both thrilling and daunting — offering spectacular views at the top before an exhilarating drop back to earth. The reptile show was another highlight, giving students the chance to learn about the safe-handling, and unique features of native reptiles.



By the time the camp drew to a close, students, teachers, and parent volunteers were more than ready to pack up — eager to return home for a well‑earned rest after an action‑packed week. The camp concluded with a walk to Lilydale Lake, where students enjoyed spotting native plants and wildlife - bringing a fitting end to a fantastic and enriching experience.

There was a kind of exhaustion that comes from days filled with adventure, teamwork, and shared laughter. Yet beneath the tired smiles was a deep sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing they had created memories that would last long after the bags were unpacked. Oasis Camp became more than just a getaway; it was a milestone experience that strengthened friendships, built confidence, and allowed our Year 4s to shine in ways that surprised even themselves.

Year 4 Teachers
Mount Waverley Primary School


Acknowledgements

A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated teachers and generous parent volunteers, whose time, care, and enthusiasm made this camp possible.  Your support ensured that every student felt safe, valued, inspired, and empowered along their learning journey.

Make An Impact In Xolani's Life

Thursday, 26 March

Casual Dress Day

Bring a gold coin donation

Wear a touch of purple

Snow Showdown
@ Mount Buller

The Victorian Interschools Snowsport Championships will be held at Mt Buller this winter, and it provides an opportunity for Australian school students of all ages to experience competitive snowsports ~ on either the recreational or competitive level.

In Victoria alone, over 230 schools compete annually in the event at Mt. Buller, with approximately 7,000 entries received.  MWPS students (Prep to Year 12) are invited to compete as part of a team, or an individual in any of our 9 discipline events.  

If you are interested in representing MWPS in this event, please contact:

Miss Giles casey.giles@education.vic.gov.au 

Your email will be forwarded to Rosie Kelly, a parent who is organising the event on behalf of MWPS. 

1.  Hot Cross Buns Day ~ Calling For Volunteers

2.  The Entertainment Membership

Hot cross buns on 30th of March!

This event is a wonderful way to support our school, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of our amazing parent volunteers. If you have an hour or two free, we would greatly appreciate your help on the day.

Please consider signing up using the link below;

https://forms.gle/aX9nbbS6WKgCfsni9

Thank you for supporting our school community!

Support Our School Fundraiser

The Entertainment Membership
is Back!

Special March Offer – DOUBLE DONATIONS Month!
During March, each membership sold will raise $30 for our school. This is a fantastic opportunity to maximise our fundraising efforts, so we encourage everyone to spread the word to family and friends.

All funds raised will go towards supporting school programs and resources that benefit our students.

Take a look at what’s included in the latest March 2026 Digital Booklet here:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/embkn/110226-T1-DigitalA5Booklet-Melbourne/#p=1

Click the link below to purchase your Entertainment Membership and support our school today: 

https://subscribe.entertainment.com.au/fundraiser/1806q87?utm_source=Mt+Waverley+Primary+School&utm_campaign=1806q87&utm_medium=Print&utm_id=144178&utm_content=Print

Thank you for your continued support of our school community. Together, we can make a big difference!

Camp Australia

Enriching Every Child's Day

Before & After School Care

Holiday Programs

Find out more...
https://campaustralia.com.au/

Let's Support Our
Local Grocery Store

www.ritchies.com.au