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 2025 school year!

Some important points about our school newsletter:

• It is distributed via our school website: www.glenps.vic.edu.au every second Thursday commencing Week Two of each term.
• Our newsletter is able to be translated into numerous languages, simply click on the languages icon and select the one you wish to use. 
• It is an important means of sharing information and
• Also, a means of sharing the children’s learning and achievements both within and beyond our school. 

To subscribe and receive future issues of our school iNewsletter please visit - https://inewsletter.co/1ZwJ6x/subscribe/

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. 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 and returning staff members. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning after a period of leave, we are thrilled to have you with us as we embark on another wonderful year together.

Congratulations to Mrs. Shmerling and Mr. Rowland

I am extremely proud to report that over the holidays, two of our staff extended their families as per the following:

• Mrs. Angelique Shmerling gave birth to baby Georgia and
• Mr. Alex Rowland and his wife, Elenore, welcomed baby Arthur. 

All are at home and doing well. 

Congratulations to everyone and we look forward to meeting Geogia and Arthur 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:

• Removed a ‘trip hazard’ on the basketball court by placing metal sheets in between the court tiles and the spoon drain that runs alongside the court. 
• Continued working on the school grounds such as the oval and garden beds and
• Continued working on the new Year 6 Play Area.  

What else is planned for this year?

Throughout the course of the year we plan to: 

• Complete the Year 6 Play area
• Replace the asphalt at the Turning Circle
• Update the fencing around the bike shed and
• Re-fresh the line marking throughout the school. 

I look forward to sharing additional news in forthcoming newsletters. 

Fundraising Update

Congratulations to our wonderful families and school community for participating in the 2024 Pancake Parlour Rewards Program! We are thrilled to announce that our school was named an individual division winner at Eastland, earning us a $1,000 prize. These funds will go towards the development and construction of our exciting new Year 6 play area. Thank you for your support and involvement in making this achievement possible!

Congratulations to the following children for their amazing efforts outside of school.

As a school principal, one of the greatest joys of my role is witnessing the growth and development of our students. It is a true privilege to celebrate their achievements and be part of their journey. With that in mind, our school newsletter often highlights the wonderful accomplishments of our children, as showcased below:

Table Tennis 

• Akira, one of our talented Year 5 students, is a passionate table tennis player who recently shared some exciting news. Last season, she was the top player in the B2 division at the Croydon Table Tennis Club. Akira not only won the B2 grade finals but also received the prestigious Mark Smythe Award for being the most improved player in the B grade category. She is steadily working towards her goal of qualifying for the state team. Congratulations, Akira, on these remarkable achievements! Your dedication, perseverance, and outstanding attitude are truly inspiring. We can’t wait to hear more about your future successes in table tennis!

Dancing, Christmas Play, Church Choir and Midnight Mass

• Klarisa (Year 4) has had a very busy holiday period as per her email below:

Dear Mr Catalano,

There was a lot that I achieved since the end of Term 4 so I will go in order:

1. At the end of last year, I did my dance grading and I got high distinction for Rumba and Samba and achieved completion of Bronze Bar Latin American. I also got 1st Place for the kid’s social dance competition. Whilst last time for the comp I got only 3rd. My other friends got 2nd place,3rd place and 2 participation awards. but there were a number of kids who participated.

2. I also participated in a church Christmas Carolling Choir that visited the homes of the sick or elderly to bring the carols inside or some outside their homes to comfort for them. It was a very interesting and new experience. It was nice to see all of the people we sang to happy and joining in! I felt happy to see their smiling faces!

3. I was also in a Christmas Play on Christmas Eve which I always do for Christmas. I was Big Star and an Angel. I was happy to be in the play and love doing it. I was actually supposed to be Mary but I was too tall. 

4.  I also went to my first midnight mass and did the offertory procession. I am hoping as I am in grade 4 this year, I get to be an Altar-girl later on in the year! The midnight mass was exciting and interesting. There were more children than I expected at such a late service! 

I hope you are having a great break and here are some photos of what I did attached.

Sincerely,

Klarissa

Well done and congratulations Klarissa as it is obvious that you have been very busy – keep it up and we all look forward to hearing how you proceed with the various events you participate in!  

Golf

Arena (Year 8) is a proud alumnus (former student) and a very talented golf player. Recently she participated in the Adidas Australia Open Amateur tournament, and I am very proud to report that she is the youngest golfer, ever, to make the cut! 

Last weekend she participated in the Victorian Championships, and I am ecstatic to announce that she placed first. Arena, we are all so proud of you and can’t wait to see what you continue achieve in your chosen sport. 

I look forward to sharing more news about Arena’s and other alumni’s achievements in future newsletters.

Rubiks Cube

Daham (Year 5) loves challenging himself with the various forms of Rubik’s cubes. Over the holidays he participated in the "Melbourne Summer 2025" competition and I am thrilled to announce that he:

• Participated in the Megaminx, 3x3, 2x2, 4x4 & Skewb events.
• He qualified the next round in the 3x3 event.
• In the Megaminx event, Daham achieved a personal record (PR) of 2 mins 05 seconds
• For the 3x3 event, Daham also achieved a PR of 12.05seconds

Wow Daham, two PR’s – that fabulous! Well done, congratulations and we all look forward to hearing how you go at your next event!

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 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 also 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.

Individual Book Supplies and School Accounts

I am extremely pleased to report that the vast majority of families have now settled their fees.   Thank you to everyone for your support and for ensuring that we have had a very smooth start with the children being well resourced and ready to go! As mentioned previously, the family contributions are a vital component of the school’s ability to provide resources for us to implement the best possible education for all the children. 

Please be aware that if you are yet to settle your school account and need some assistance, do not hesitate to see me. 

Extra-Curricular Programs 

As everyone would be aware, at our school we have a magnitude of extra-curricular programs and activities to provide the children with additional learning opportunities. An overview of these were distributed earlier in the week and if you have any queries regarding any of our extra-curricular programs, please do not hesitate to contact the nominated person or our administrative staff - Helen, Daniel, Daria, Jacinta or Julie. 

Classroom Fruit Program (Brain Food)

A reminder that all of 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: 

1D:

• Taksh for his exemplary resilience and patience in being the Mars Rover throughout the school holidays. Taksh mentioned that it took him a very long time to build and his advice for anyone wanting to build it – follow the instructions carefully and don’t mix up the pieces! 

2E:

• Atiya and Shammikka for being really responsible members of our school community 
• Prakruti and Disha for learning what RESPECT looks, feels and sounds like. Well done girls and keep up the amazing learning! 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy fortnight, 

Frank Catalano

Principal