Principal's Report

Dear Members of the Glen Waverley Primary School Community,

I trust all is well with you and your family and welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter where so much is shared about our wonderful school.

As per usual, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on 9802 9938 or via email at frank.catalano@education.vic.gov.au 

Facilities Update

Progress with the new Year 6 Play and Recreational Area is progressing well. Over the last few weeks the furniture has been installed, mulching and planting completed in the area adjacent to the cricket nets, the larger seats have been prepared as has the base for the basketball tower. 

In the coming weeks I am expecting the following tasks to be completed:

• Concreting of the steps
• Artificial turf to be installed where the furniture has been placed 
• Ground preparation for the lower section which contains the half basketball court and four square courts and
• Installation of the safety fencing adjacent to the cricket nets.

I look forward to providing additional news as soon as possible.

Congratulations to the following children for their outstanding achievements:

Klarissa (Year 4) loves learning, and she is constantly challenging herself. Recently she sent me the following email:

On Thursday 30 October, I came home from school to find out I was shortlisted in a scratch coding competition that is held out in the Western suburbs. As a short-listed entry, I was invited to an awards afternoon, at the Point Cook library, on Friday 7 November. I had to leave school a little early, 2 hours, so to get ready and drive an hour to get there by 4pm!

The inspiration for my coding project in the junior animation category, was when I first started school as a new student last year, and my love of rabbits. Well, at first it was Labubu’s as the characters, but the competition rules were that I could not use anything copyrighted. The project name was “Love’s First Day at Toy School” and was to be completed in Scratch, as an original creation no remixes allowed.

The afternoon/evening was officially opening by a councillor and some other people who seemed important!

There was 5 short listed including myself for the category I was in, and 1 of them in particular I thought would beat my entry. But then the time came for the first winner of the evening to be announced, first up being my category. I felt tense…. Will it be me? Surely not. “And the junior animation winner is….Klarissa!” No way!

So I got a trophy, certificate saying I was the winner, and a $50 visa prepaid credit card! I feel really happy and had to get my mum to pinch me to make sure I was not dreaming. I have entered a few different competition things since last year and am really surprising myself over and over.

My project may be viewed at: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1225089157

Wow Klarissa, what a fantastic achievement – well done, congratulations and keep up the amazing attitude towards your learning!

Ayaan (Year 5) is an inspirational young person who has achieved so much in his life. Recently he competed in the Victorian State Athletics Championships and below is a recount of what occurred:

This year my journey started at district cross country. I made it to division then regional and finally state. In my cross country, I encountered many challenges like running, practicing, after running my legs hurt and pushing my legs to run faster. After a long journey in cross country, I was very proud of myself trying my best till the very end. Throughout my journey I have learnt new skills by reflecting on how I could improve even if I went to the next level. I constantly practiced and the hard work has finally paid off. 

In athletics, I participated in events such, long jump, 100m sprint and shotput. Using my hard work and practice I made it into state for all the events I participated in. At the State Championships I tried my best but it was too hard, yet I still didn’t give up and got 6th place in long jump, 6th place in shootout and 4th place in 100m sprint. In my athletic journey overall, I learnt new things and better ways to improve my performance. 

Wow Ayaan, what an amazing year in sport you have had. I cannot express how proud we are of you and look forward to seeing what you accomplish next year – well done and congratulations! 

Akira (Year 5) is a very talented and committed table-tennis player who has achieved so much in her chosen sport: 

In July, Akira (aged 10) competed in the National Championships - her first-ever national event - as a member of the Victorian Under 15 Girls B Team. She performed exceptionally well, winning two matches against opponents from Queensland’s A and B teams, both ranked higher than her. It was a positive and memorable experience, and she thoroughly enjoyed representing Victoria. While she didn’t take home a medal this year, it’s only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting journey ahead.

Well done and congratulations Akira as you have a very, very promising career ahead of you! 

Chess Team Update

2026 has been another outstanding year for our school chess team, as the children have achieved the following results:

Girls Team:

• Chess Victoria Semi-Finals: Placed 1st
• Chess Victoria Grand Final: Placed 2nd 

• Northern Star Semi- Finals: Placed 1st
• Northern Star Grand- Final: Placed 1st

Open Team (Boys and Girls):

• Chess Victoria Semi-Finals: Placed 1st

• Chess Victoria Grand Final – to be held shortly.

   

• Northern Star Semi- Finals: Placed 1st
• Northern Star Grand- Final: Placed 1st

Next week the Open Team are participating in the Chess Victorian Grand Final, where they hope to place first and then represent Victoria in the National Schools Championship. I look forward to providing additional new as soon as possible. 

Prep - Year 3 Team

I am also thrilled to announce that our junior chess team has qualified for the State Prep - Year 3 Final. Congratulations on this fantastic effort and good luck in the final!

It is quite evident that the children have represented themselves, their families and our school with an enormous sense of pride, commitment, dedication and resilience. Once again, well done and congratulations everyone!

2026 Student Leadership Positions 

There has certainly been an even higher level of excitement within the Year 5 classes as the children prepare for the various 2026 Student Leadership positions. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone the very best of luck and look forward to announcing the team on Monday 8th December at a very special assembly.  

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

Year Prep

• Myra, Ishi, Oneki and Yenaya for making a beautiful poster for my office 

Year 1

• Dinaya for receiving certificates from her swimming club 

• Evaan for receiving a trophy for performing at a piano concert 

Year 3

• Vihaan for learning about 3D shapes and building his own square pyramid 
• Sarayu for writing a beautiful card for my office 

Year 4

• Kisal, Manuth and Thehan for learning about the importance of rounding off numbers 

Year 6

• Jungwoo for writing a beautiful speech as featured in the Kids Corner section of the newsletter 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy fortnight, 

Frank Catalano

Principal