Principal's Report

Dear Members of the Glen Waverley Primary School Community,

Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the very first newsletter for the 2026 school year!

Welcome Back

Welcome back, everyone! The holiday season seems to have flown by, and here we are, embarking on another exciting school year. I hope all our families enjoyed a joyful Christmas and summer break, making the most of the beautiful weather and precious time together. It has been a delight to hear and share holiday stories with both families and children. Seeing the children return with bright smiles, refreshed spirits, and ready to reconnect, learn, and grow has been truly heartwarming and a real joy. Here's to a fantastic year ahead!

Welcome to our new students, their families and new staff

Our Foundation (Prep) students began their school journey last Thursday, bringing with them a delightful sense of enthusiasm and genuine excitement as they embraced their first days of primary school life.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all the new children and their families who have joined our community. Thank you for choosing our exceptional school as your educational home. We are confident that the new students will find great joy in being part of the Glen Waverley Primary School family.

A heartfelt welcome, too, to all our new staff members! 

Congratulations to Ms. Xi Weng 

I am extremely proud to report that over the holidays; Ms. Meng gave birth to baby Evan, he was born on Jan 20 at 11:19 am, weighing 3020g. All are well and included are some photos for your enjoyment. Congratulations to everyone and we look forward to meeting Evan as soon as possible.

Facilities Update

The school holidays are the ideal time for tasks to be completed throughout our school as the contractors can work uninterrupted. These holidays the following tasks were undertaken:

• Installed panelled walls in between some of the classrooms in the Year 6 building 
• Continued working on the school grounds such as the oval, garden beds and the installation of new seats and tables near the Prep – Two adventure playground 
• Polished the gym floor and
• Replaced the wooden steps leading to some of the portables.

Our significant projects included:

• Updating classroom furniture in the Year P, 1, 2 and 6 classrooms. As the existing furniture was beginning to show its age, we took the opportunity to replace it with modern furnishings, I am really pleased and proud of the face that the old furniture was collected and donated to schools in Vanuatu.
• Year 6 Play and Recreational Area: As you may be aware, this facility has been a major project for the school over the past two years. I am pleased to report that the project is nearing completion, with the following works now finalised:
  • The asphalt and artificial turf have been laid
  • Additional safety fencing has been installed
  • The basketball tower has been installed
  • Line marking has been completed, including four square courts and a half basketball court
  • Remaining gates
  • Drinking troughs
  • Security cameras and speakers

During the next holiday period, the furniture in the Year 3, 4 and 5 classrooms will also be replaced, with the old furniture also being donated.

To complete the project, the following items are still to be installed:

The drinking troughs, cameras and speakers are scheduled for installation tomorrow. With temporary fencing in place for the gates, I am pleased to advise that the children will be able to begin using this new facility from next week!!

Thank you letter and certificate from the Salvation Army

As part of our school’s Service-Learning program, the CIS Captains proudly lead our school’s partnerships with a range of external organisations. One particularly popular and highly deserving partnership is with the Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer Appeal. We extend a sincere thank you to the many members of our school community who generously donated non-perishable goods, as your kindness and generosity made a meaningful difference to families in need during the festive season and reflect the strong values of care and compassion within our school community.

Attached is a certificate and letter from the Salvation Army as they also express their gratitude.

School Assemblies

A reminder that our whole school assemblies will take place in the gymnasium on Monday mornings from 9:05 to approximately 9:45 am. As with all school events, parents and family members are most welcome to attend.

School Crossings, Car Parking and Turning Circle

School Crossings:

Our school is fortunate to have Crossing Supervisors on the intersection of Springvale Road and High Street Road. It is imperative that we ensure everyone utilises the school crossings correctly particularly adults as we need to set the correct example.  

Car parking around our school:

Parking in and around schools is an issue in every context, however we are very fortunate that the Mountain View Hotel allow us to use their substantive car park both before and after school. I strongly encourage parents to utilise this however please park in the white bays only. 

Parking in McDonald’s:

Recently I met with the Store Manager and Owner of the McDonald’s restaurant adjacent to our school. Both are lovely people who have the best interest for the children and our school at heart. An issue that arose during our meeting was that some parents are choosing to park in their car park – please do not do so as it is not fair on their business and potentially places the children at risk due to the congestion the excess cars create. 

Parking in residential streets:

Please be conscious of the signs in all the “side streets” as bylaws officers frequently visit during pick up and drop off times and pay particular attention to the No Standing/No Parking areas.

Turning Circle

Our turning circle is a fabulous means for families to drop off and pick up the children. Please ensure you move to the front of the queue when the children alight or enter the vehicle as it is extremely dangerous if the children were to cross in front or behind other vehicles. 

When queuing in Kennedy, Fairhills and Brent Streets, please DO NOT leave the vehicle as this will be deemed as you have stopped/parked the car and you will be fined. Of most importance is NOT to turn your car’s engine off if you are in line as this will be deemed as you have parked your car as well and you will also be fined. If you are in traffic and are lining up to collect your child(ren), I suggest you leave your engine running.

Also a reminder that all surrounding streets are 40 km per hour from 8 – 9:30 and 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

If you have any queries with any of the above, please do not hesitate to see or contact me.

Classroom Fruit Program (Brain Food)

A reminder that all the children are expected to have some ‘Brain Food’ at 10am each day. Essentially a healthy snack consisting of fruit and vegetables which supports growing bodies, learning and wellbeing. 

Before and After School Care

A reminder that our school provides a Before and After School Care Program for those who require such a service. The Before School program operates from 6:45 to 8:45 and after school from 3:30 to 6:30. Prep children will commence when they are released at 1 p.m. however it is imperative that all children are booked in. Our program is run by Camp Australia, and all the relevant information is located on our school website at www.glenps.vic.edu.au 

Principal Awards

As Principal I ensure that I am involved in the learning process as much as possible and as such strongly encourage all students to share their learning with me. Those who receive a Principal’s Award have their names and the reason why they received an award printed in the school newsletter. This is something I cherish dearly as do the children and their families. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED A PRINCIPAL’S AWARD RECENTLY: 

1A

• Reyan for working very hard to improve his writing

• Aekash for being a great friend. 

   

2A

• Tatiana and Ohana for thinking deeply about the various connections they have in their lives.

4A

• Jamie, Shenelle, Shajika, Ninda, Ray, Amesh, Ray, Alan, Ryan and Harsha for learning all about how our brains gather information and learn.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy fortnight, 

Frank Catalano

Principal