Dear Families,

2027 Prep Offers ~ Families would have received their offer for a prep place in 2027 last Monday. I would ask all families to check their communications and emails and to let us know that you are accepting the offer as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding placements or you have not yet applied to enrol, please contact the office as soon as possible, for more information.

Building Works Completed ~ At our last School Council meeting held on Thursday 20^th August we discussed the finishing of our building program. This has been a long journey from receiving the $5.86 million in the 2023 State Budget. We have achieved a great outcome from the funding with 20 classrooms / learning spaces completely renovated, new technologies, hearing augmentation, painting, new carpets, new pinboard and whiteboards (for better instructional spaces) as well as new air conditioning units, new wet areas and kitchenette resources. In behind this is a mountain of technology and wiring and new tech infrastructure to really future proof our technology and innovations. Not to mention an amazing new rubber running track, new grass sprinklers and the creating of new garden beds, grass and landscaping. Thanks to all the stakeholder groups for their input into plans - this included students, staff and parents. A big thank you to School Council who gave such thoughtful guidance and direction when we worked on the broader scope and Master Planning so that we consider future developments across the school. 

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CARERS TO TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Carer Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation. Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies. The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey opened online from Monday 17 August and will close Friday 18 September 2026. Please see the link for the survey on the Compass message. The survey is conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Bengali, Chinese, Dari, Filipino/Tagalog, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Sinhalese, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu and Vietnamese. Resources are also available in additional languages to assist parents/carers who speak a language other than English at home. Or you can reach out to Jacinta Evans: Jacinta.evans@education.vic.gov.au directly for survey guides in your language.

VPA Conference ~ Jacinta, Tania and I will be attending the Victorian Principal’s Association (VPA) Annual Conference on Wednesday 3rd to 5^th of September, in Geelong. The theme for this 3-day event is, Leading with Connection & Purpose. These conferences present us with a fantastic opportunity to learn and share.

Excursions ~ A lot happening this second half of the term. I shared these excursions and incursions with School Council last night:  

• STEM afternoon
• Senior School Athletics
• Sexual Health sessions
• Year One Science Works Excursion
• Year Two STEM Excursion – Tiny Tunnellers
• Year Three STEM Robotic Incursion
• Year Four Excursion – Water Cycle and Wetlands
• Year Five STEM Robotics Incursion
• Year Six Excursion to Mount Waverley Secondary College, for their musical.

Whole School Swimming ~ My sincere thanks to our teaching staff and Mr Smith and Miss Giles who have committed to an important two-week swimming program. We are mindful of the flexibility required and the impact on the school week that this program has, but we also are steadfast in our commitment to swimming and a water safety program.  11 children between the ages of 5-14 died as a result of drowning in 2024/25 with over half of these fatalities because of swimming or recreational activities.

Kind regards,

Campbell McKay
Principal
Mount Waverley Primary School

Past The Peak - YAY!!

Gasping Toward The Finish Line

A Spark Of Excellence

Congratulations To
All Award Recipients!

Your effort inspire others...
Well done! Keep shining!

Congratulations to
Our Talented Writers!

Recognising Excellence in Writing

Message From The
MWPS Counsellor

Every child deserves to feel safe, accepted, and eager to come to school. Yet, we know that not every day feels this way. Sometimes it’s simply because the weekend wasn’t long enough; at other times, it may be due to repeated or targeted behaviours from peers that leave a child feeling unwelcome. This is bullying — and research shows that 29–40% of Australian students experience it each year.

As part of our ongoing commitment to student safety and to strengthening the values of respect, resilience, and empathy, MWPS was proud to take part in Bullying No Way Week, joining schools across Australia in standing together for a kinder, more inclusive community.

Throughout the week, students and staff reflected on how our words and actions affect others, both in person and online. We explored not only what to do when bullying occurs, but also the small, everyday choices that help us show kindness, include others, and stand up for what is right.

Small Acts of Kindness

One of our most loved activities was the Small Acts of Kindness initiative. Students and staff were invited to pick up heart‑ and flower‑shaped paper from the basket outside the counselling room and write a kind message for someone in our school community. These simple gestures became gentle reminders that even a small act of kindness can brighten someone’s day.

Kindness Board

Our Kindness Board quickly filled with thoughtful, encouraging messages. It was wonderful to see students sharing words that uplifted others and reinforced the importance of looking out for one another.

Classroom Discussions

Throughout the week, MWPS counsellors visited classrooms for short discussions about the impact of bullying, how to respond when we see someone being treated unfairly, and the importance of seeking help. We also explored safe and respectful online behaviour, recognising that kindness and responsible choices matter just as much in digital spaces as they do face‑to‑face.

Parent Workshop

For parents and carers, we hosted a workshop focused on supporting children with online safety, responding when a child has been harmed or has harmed someone else, and accessing helpful resources and support.  Bullying No-Way Week provides a valuable opportunity to begin these conversations — but creating a safe, inclusive school is something we work towards every day of the year.

Anti‑Bullying Poster Competition

Students also took part in an Anti‑Bullying Poster Competition, creating vibrant posters that promoted kindness, respect, and positive choices. Congratulations to Ayla, Abby (FC), Kayal and Eugene (5D) for their outstanding entries. All participating posters were created with great care and enthusiasm, and were displayed around the school as ongoing reminders of the Bullying No-Way message.

We encourage all members of our community to continue choosing kindness, speaking up when something doesn’t feel right, and reaching out for support when needed.

Priyanka Venkataramani
School Counsellor
(MSc. Psychology, Master of Counselling PACFA reg. 31764)
Mount Waverley Primary School

Last Friday we had a fantastic Book Parade celebration, to celebrate Children’s Book Week 2026 which will take place from Saturday, 22 August to Friday, 28 August.




That was definitely our largest turnout ever, for both our students who were dressed as their favourite book characters and all the parents who attended.

This year’s exciting theme is “Symphony of Stories.” Just like an orchestra brings together many different instruments to create beautiful music, books bring together different voices, characters, ideas and illustrations to create wonderful stories.

The theme celebrates how every story has something special to add. Some stories might make us laugh, some might take us on exciting adventures, and others might help us see the world in a new way.

This year is extra special because it marks the 80th anniversary of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards.

The 2026 CBCA Book of the Year winners will be announced on Friday, 21 August. We can’t wait to discover which books will take home the awards!

A huge thankyou to all the parents who made the morning extra special.

Brad Rooks, Alison Willcox
& Library/Global Learning Extension students
Mount Waverley Primary School

Interschool Snowsport Championship

Mount Buller

This past week, Aidin from Year 2 carved his way into the spotlight, proudly representing Mount Waverley Primary School at the Interschool Snowsport Championships on the breathtaking slopes of Mount Buller.

With over 200 Victorian schools competing, the mountain buzzed with excitement and friendly rivalry. Aidin took on both Alpine GS and Ski Cross, gliding through crisp snow and dazzling sunshine with courage and determination.

From the starting gate to the finish line, Aidin’s focus never wavered — his red MWPS helmet gleaming like a beacon of school pride. 

Bravo, Aidin! You’ve shown what it means to race with heart, spirit, and joy.

May your snowy adventure spark a new generation of MWPS snowsport stars — because every champion starts with one fearless run down the mountain, one burst of determination, and the unstoppable feeling that this could be the beginning of something extraordinary.

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

Pop-Up Performances

Last Wednesday, 12 August, Mount Waverley Primary School blossomed into a pocket of musical delight during recess, thanks to another surprise pop‑up performance led by Tynan from Online Music Solutions. What began as the usual mid‑morning break quickly shifted — the first notes floated across the yard, and students and staff instinctively turned, drawn by that unmistakable spark that says something special is happening.

Zara from 3C opened the showcase with Got Those Boogie Blues by American composer Dennis Alexander. Her confident groove and bluesy flair set the tone beautifully, transforming the playground into a lively mini‑stage and prompting spontaneous toe‑tapping from the gathering crowd.

Oscar from 3A followed with the festive classic Jingle Bells, composed by James Lord Pierpont in the 1800s. His bright, joyful playing added a burst of Christmas‑in‑August cheer, lifting the atmosphere and bringing smiles to faces all around.

Selena from 1C concluded the recess performance with Deck the Halls, written in 1862 by Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant. Her sweet, spirited rendition wrapped the showcase in warmth, providing a charming finale that lingered even after the last note faded.

What unfolded was more than a recess concert — it was a shared moment of joy, courage, and community. The grounds became a stage; our students became confident performers; and the school gathered as an appreciative audience, united by the simple wonder of music drifting through a winter morning.

Anyone who wishes to sign up for keyboard lessons, please contact Justin 0410 678 584.




The Junior Choir wowed students and staff with a spontaneous pop-up performance on Book Week Day. Against a colourful backdrop of literary-inspired costumes, the young performers showcased their talents with enthusiasm and charm. Their spirited singing perfectly captured the wonder of storytelling and added an extra layer of enchantment to the celebrations.

Junior Choir Pop-Up Performance on Book Week Parade Day 14th August 2026

News Update

Did You Know That...

...Laughter Is The Universal Handshake

...Laughter is a Neurological Oddity

• Brain-wide activation - unlike most emotions, laughter lights up multiple regions at once: motor cortex, limbic system, and reward pathways.

• Pain relief - A good laugh releases endorphins strong enough to raise your pain tolerance for up to an hour.

• Memory boost - Laughing reduces cortisol, which helps your hippocampus store information more effectively.

...Laughter is a Pocket-sized Holiday