Dear Families,

Term 1 2026 ~ As we approach the end of what has been a full and energetic start to the year, it is worth pausing to reflect on the many highlights that have shaped our term. There has been a great deal to celebrate, and these moments are a testament to the strength and spirit of our school community.

I would like to sincerely thank our families and community members for the enthusiasm and support you have shown across the term. Your involvement plays a vital role in enriching the experiences we provide for our students. I also extend my appreciation to our staff, whose ongoing dedication ensures the delivery of a vibrant, engaging curriculum with student wellbeing at its core.

Reading at Home & Joining Local Library ~ With the first term almost complete, now is a great time to discuss the importance of reading daily. I regularly highlight the fact that if your child comes home and says they don’t have any homework, they will still be expected to read. This is a non-negotiable, for we know that when students read at home on a regular basis, it helps improve their learning outcomes.

My favourite stat comes from a study that showed that if a child reads for 67 minutes a day, they will achieve, on average, in the 98^th percentile. It simply means that reading works. It underpins everything that we study at school and it’s a great pastime. We want our students to love reading and actively choose to read for enjoyment.

Over the holidays, it is important that students don’t fall out of good habits. Under the new social media laws, reading is also a great way to fill the gaps that the removal of social media has created, so when your child tells you that they’re bored, hand them a book! Given we don’t have a fully functioning library (due to the renovations), I encourage you to join your local community library.

School Parking at Drop-off and Pick-up Times ~We ask all families to please take care to follow road rules and signage when dropping off and collecting students. While increased monitoring in the area means fines are a possibility, our primary concern is the safety of all children, families, and staff.

Recently, we have observed a number of unsafe practices, including double parking, blocking residents’ driveways, using private driveways for U-turns, and stopping in no standing zones. These behaviours place members of our community at risk and create unnecessary hazards.

Unless there is a significant improvement, there is a real risk of a more serious incident occurring.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in ensuring our school environment remains safe for everyone.

Industrial Action ~ My thanks to the families of MWPS for their overwhelming support for staff during last Tuesday’s stop work. Should there be any further action, the school will communicate as early as possible.

School Council ~ Following our AGM last week, the new school council has now ratified our 2025 Annual Report. This will now be submitted to the Department and once we have the all clear, the report will be posted to our website. In addition, elections were held for council leadership positions, and the full council for 2026 is:

President: Kimal Hiralall

Vice President: Jacqui Caust

Parent Members: Kristen Haines, Carl Erenstrom, Irene Liew, Yasin Kobak and Hashika Ganegoda.

Department Members: Tania Hunter, Jacinta Evans, Timothy Chapman and Paul Maczohan.

Executive Officer: Campbell McKay

My thanks to all councillors for volunteering their time to ensure the proper governance of the school and to help drive school improvement.

End of Term ~ Today is the last day of Term 1.  Students will be dismissed at 2:30pm. If parents require supervision for their children, Camp Australia will be offering the Out of School Hours Care program from 2:30pm.

Term 2 commences on Monday April 20^th.

Happy Holidays ~After a very busy and productive term, we hope you can find time to relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends.  It is important to remember to be there for our loved ones and spend quality time with them.  For everyone who celebrates Easter, we wish you a Happy Easter. We look forward to seeing you all back for Term 2. 

Campbell McKay
Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

Why We Use the Best Lesson
as Our Instructional Model
at Mount Waverley Primary School

At Mount Waverley Primary School, we are committed to delivering the highest quality education to our students. To achieve this, we implement the Best Lesson instructional model, a research-based approach designed to maximise student learning and engagement. But what exactly makes this model so effective, and why do we use it? Let’s explore the key reasons behind our choice.

A Structured and Effective Approach to Learning

The Best Lesson model follows a structured lesson format that ensures all students receive clear, explicit instruction, ample opportunities to practice, and meaningful feedback. Each lesson is broken into three essential parts:

1. Introduction - Mini Lesson (10 minutes) – This phase sets the stage for learning; it opens with the purpose and connection to prior learning. Teachers introduce the learning intention and explicitly teach key skills and content. Then co-create the success criteria that the students will use to check their success throughout the lesson.

1. Embedded Learning - Explore (30-35 minutes) – This is the heart of the lesson, where students engage in guided practice, independent work, and teacher conferencing (we call them Learning Talks). Using enabling and extending prompts, students are supported and challenged based on their individual needs. This phase fosters deep understanding through hands-on activities, strategy groups, and collaborative learning.
2. Reflection - Reflect (5-10 minutes) – Learning is consolidated as students revisit the success criteria, reflect on their progress, and share their understanding. This essential step reinforces learning and encourages metacognitive thinking.
3.  

Proven High-Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS)

The Best Lesson model incorporates High-Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS), which are evidence-based methods that improve student outcomes. These include:

• Explicit Teaching – Teachers model and scaffold learning to ensure students grasp new concepts.
• Worked Examples – Students learn by analyzing step-by-step examples before applying concepts independently.
• Collaborative Learning – Group activities enhance problem-solving and communication skills.
• Multiple Exposures – Students revisit key concepts through various activities to deepen their understanding.
• Questioning and Feedback – Teachers ask strategic questions and provide timely feedback to guide student progress.
• Metacognitive Strategies – Students learn how to think about their own learning, improving their ability to retain and apply knowledge.

Empowering Students as Active Learners

One of the most powerful aspects of the Best Lesson model is how it places students at the center of their learning. Through independent practice, peer collaboration, and teacher conferencing, students are encouraged to:

• Take ownership of their learning
• Ask and answer questions
• Justify their thinking
• Set personal learning goals
• Develop a growth mindset by taking risks and learning from mistakes

A Commitment to Excellence

At Mount Waverley Primary School, we believe that every student deserves the best possible education. By using the Best Lesson instructional model, we ensure that lessons are engaging, purposeful, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students. This approach helps us foster confident, capable, and lifelong learners.

Thank you for your ongoing support in our shared mission to provide an exceptional learning experience for every child. If you have any questions about the Best Lesson model or how you can support your child’s learning at home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

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

Lock In These Dates

2026 TERM DATES

Term 2: 20 April - 26 June

• 1 May 2026 - Year 6 Camp Final Payment $298
• 1 May 2026 - Maths Escape Rooms Incursion $13.50

• 24 April, 8 and 22 May, 12 June

• 1, 15 and 29 May, 19 June

SCHOOL DROP-OFF TIMES

Generosity That Reaches
Across The Globe
$900

Good Friday Appeal
@MWPS

Confetti-worthy...

The Easter Egg Raffle has wrapped up with an incredible display of generosity from our school community.  Together, our school community has raised an outstanding...




This amount will go directly toward supporting the vital work of the Royal Children’s Hospital. Your kindness helps ensure that children and families continue to receive world‑class care when they need it most.


Congratulations to Our Raffle Winner!!

30 March

Hot Cross Buns Morning Treat

@ MWPS

26 March 2026
A Transformative Experience
for MWPS Student Leaders

Our Year 6 leaders had an absolutely unforgettable day on Thursday, 26th March at the GRIP Student Leadership Conference at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Throughout the day, students participated in practical workshops and activities designed specifically for primary‑aged leaders. The GRIP Conference is known for its focus on character‑based leadership—encouraging students to lead through values rather than position. This year’s Melbourne event brought together hundreds of young leaders from schools across the region, giving our students the chance to learn alongside peers, share ideas and see leadership in action on a larger scale.

They explored key themes such as leading with integrity, turning ideas into achievable actions, and taking responsibility to create positive change within their school community. 



It was wonderful to see them engaging thoughtfully, asking questions, and stepping outside their comfort zones as they collaborated with students from other schools.



We are incredibly proud of the way they represented our school, and we can’t wait to see how they bring their new skills, insights and enthusiasm back into our community. Their leadership journey is only just beginning—and the future looks bright.


Mel Prantzos                                      Tim Chapman
Year 6 Teacher                                  Leading Teacher
Mount Waverley Primary School

24 March 2026

Monash Heights District
Tennis Championships

On Tuesday 24th March, Ziyan Z.S., Maya W. and Ivan G. proudly represented MWPS at the Monash Heights District Tennis Championships, held at the Tally Ho Tennis Club.

All three students displayed impressive determination and focus. Their strong performances saw each of them progress through multiple rounds to secure a place in the finals — a remarkable accomplishment at a highly competitive district event.

A special congratulations goes to Ziyan Z. S., who finished the day as the boys’ champion, taking out first place with outstanding skill and composure.

We are incredibly proud of all three students for their achievements and the way they represented Mount Waverley Primary School, demonstrating excellent sportpersonship, commitment, and pride.

Mount Waverley Primary School

31 March 2026
Regionals Swimming

Our relays both came first in their heat, and 9^th overall at Regionals.

11yo Girls - Honoka, Beverley, Gloria, Lena

11yo Boys - Bevan, Ziyan, Jacob X, Eugene

Honoka came 4th in both her individual freestyle and breaststroke races (which is so-o-o amazing!).

Ziyan came 12th in his individual breastroke race out of the 4 heats.

Well done to all our swimmers - your courage, resilience, and commitment made us incredibly proud.  You gave it everything, and that's what truly matters.  Let's carry that spirit forward to the next challenge.

Casey Giles
PE & Sport Specialist
Mount Waverley Primary School

2025 Victorian School Sports Awards

Melbourne Cricket Ground

25 March 2026

Victor Huang

Our Year 6 student, Victor Huang, was invited to the 2025 Victorian School Sports Awards, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 25 March 2026.

In 2025, Victor represented MWPS at the School Sport Victoria State Track and Field Primary Championships, where his outstanding performances earned him selection to compete at the national level. Victor went on to achieve an exceptional result, winning gold in the Long Jump at the National Championships.

In recognition of his achievements, Victor also received awards celebrating both his school sporting success, and his positive contribution to the school sports community.

The MWPS community is incredibly proud of Victor’s dedication, sportsmanship, and achievements. We congratulate him on his remarkable success, and wish him every success and good luck in 2026, and beyond as he continues to pursue his sporting goals and dreams.

James Smith
PE & Sport Specialist
Mount Waverley Primary School

Celebrating
Our Families and Cultures

This week, we are proud to showcase the Leitan, Kwon, Agarwal, Yang, Liu and Navneeth families who have generously shared their stories, traditions, and experiences with our school community.




















 

Danielle Bonacci
Year 6 Teacher
Mount Waverley Primary School

Where Cultures Meet,

Community Blooms

At MWPS, Every Culture Is A Thread In Our Shared Tapestry

On Wednesday 1st April, Mount Waverley Primary School proudly celebrated Harmony Day.



This special occasion recognises the rich diversity within our community, and brings together Australians from many different cultural backgrounds. It is a day that champions inclusiveness, respect, and a strong sense of belonging for everyone in our community.



As part of our celebration, students participated in an engaging, performance-based incursion, Che Banda!, presented by Harps A Breeze. This lively and interactive experience took students on a musical journey through Italy, visiting many famous cities along the way. Through storytelling, song and dance, students explored Italian language and culture. The energy and enthusiasm throughout the performance made it a highlight of the day.

We were also proud to involve our families in this year’s celebrations. Families were invited to share their stories, traditions and experiences, which were used to create family cultural profiles. These were beautifully displayed on windows around the Oak Trees area, providing a meaningful opportunity for our school community to learn more about one another, and celebrate the many cultures that make up MWPS.
Throughout the day, students engaged in a range of classroom activities that focused on diversity, inclusion and respect, helping to deepen their understanding of what Harmony Day represents.

A highlight of the day was our shared class lunches, where students had the opportunity to try foods from a variety of cultures. This experience encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones, explore new flavours, and develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse traditions within our school community.



Harmony Day continues to be a wonderful reminder of the strength found in our diversity, and the importance of nurturing an inclusive, welcoming community where everyone feels they belong.

Thank you to all MWPS students, families and staff for making this day such a success.

Danielle Bonacci
Year 6 Teacher
Mount Waverley Primary School

25 April 2026

Lest We Forget

In the first week back in Term 2, the RSL trays/boxes will be made available to each class during school hours with items that range from small poppies to premium badges, allowing students to contribute at a level that suits them.



Student Council
Mount Waverley Primary School

1. Mother's Day Morning Tea
2. Mother's Day Stall
3. Volunteers Needed

Mother's Day Morning Tea
6 May

Mother's Day Stall
7 - 8 May