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.

The end of Term One

I find it difficult to believe that we are fast approaching the end of the first term of the 2025 academic year – where has the time gone? Nevertheless, a sincere thank you to all the members of the Glen Waverley Primary School community as it has been an outstanding term of teaching, learning and collaboration. I look forward to this continuing next term and beyond.

School Chess Team

Recently our school chess team participated in their first tournament for the year and once again, the children were outstanding as they represented themselves, their family and our school exceptionally well. I am very proud to report that our team placed 2nd (with only 0.5 points separating 1st and 2nd place) and the following children received individual recognition:

Medal Recipients:

Aadyah (Year 5) – High Distinction and Star of the Tournament Trophy
Jahnavi (Year 4) – Distinction and Girls Gold Medallion
Thehan (Year 4) – Distinction and Grade 3-4: Bronze Medallion
Bhoomin (Year 4) – Distinction
Grayson (Year 4) – Distinction
Sohan (Year 6) – Distinction
Manish (Year 4) - Distinction
Yehara (Year 6) – Credit and Girls Silver Medallion
Agastya (Year 4) – Credit
Ved (Year 3) – Credit
Reyansh (Year 4) – Credit
Senon (Year 4) – Credit
Sithev (Year 3) – Credit
Prahan (Year 4) – Credit
Krrish (Year 4) – Credit
Senoli (Year 4) – Credit

Well done and congratulations everyone as you should be incredibly proud of yourselves! Also, a sincere thank you to the numerous parents who supported the children by escorting them to the event as your efforts are appreciated immensely! I look forward to sharing additional news next term!

Congratulations Krisha and Johfrit

Krisha absolutely loves everything about cricket and I am so pleased and very proud to announce that at just 10 years of age (she turns 11 in May) that she has qualified for the Victorian Under 14’s Indoor Cricket team and will represent our state in the national championships, in Western Australia, later this year.

Krisha, wow, this is a phenomenal achievement and I can’t wait to share more news as soon as possible!

Johfrit is an avid member of the Australian Air League, Waverley squadron, and I am very proud to report that recently he received the prestigious, Junior Cadet of the Year 2024 award! Below is a recount that Johfrit would like to share with our school community.

Wow Johfrit, what an amazing achievement – well done, congratulations and keep up the fabulous passion and commitment!

Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal

Thank you to everyone wo supported this year’s Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal as it has been wonderful seeing the children proudly bringing their coins to school for our annual ‘coin race’. We look forward to sharing more information in the first newsletter of Term Two, in the meantime, below are some photographs for your enjoyment.

Intra-school Cross Country Event

Congratulations to the Year 4 to 6 students for the manner in which they participated in our intra-school cross country as you should all be very proud of yourselves. I look forward to our school team being announced and the children participating in the District event next term. Well done everyone!

Year 5 Camp

The Year 5 children and staff returned from their camp looking a little weary, however immensely satisfied after their very successful camp at Beechworth. A sincere thank you to the staff who led and attended the camp as the children really enjoyed their time away, whilst also learning even more about Australian history. In the Kids Corner section of this newsletter some of the children have provided their reflections for us to enjoy.

NAPLAN Assessment Tasks

By the time this newsletter is distributed, the Year 3 and 5 children should have completed the NAPLAN assessment tasks for this year. I wish all the children well and also thank the Year 3 and 5 teachers and the families of the children completing the assessment tasks for all of their work in ensuring the children are prepared. Best wishes to all and we look forward to receiving the children’s results next term.

Vacation Care Program

Once again our school will be implementing our very own Vacation Care (Holiday Care) program during the forthcoming holidays. Included in this newsletter is an overview of the program and the associated costs.

Please be aware that ALL FAMILIES are entitled to a 50% rebate (which is not means tested) plus a further rebate which is determined by your family’s 2024 -2025 annual taxable income.

If you have any questions pertaining to the Vacation Care program, please do not hesitate to contact or see Meththa (OSHC coordinator) or me at school.

Facilities Update

The development of our school’s facilities is an important part of our overall school improvement plan and the school holidays are an ideal time for tasks to be completed. During the recent holidays, the following projects were undertaken:

Topping up of the softfall tanbark in all the adventure playgrounds
Updated the fencing around the bike shed and
Continued the development of the new Year 6 play area. As you may be aware, this is our major project for the year and I am thrilled of the progress thus far:
- The retaining walls have been erected
- The ‘cutting and filling’ of soil has been completed
- Additional drainage works have also been completed
- The soil has been compacted and
- Provision for water, electricity and security has been installed – this will be finalised at a later date.
- A stage area
- Amphitheatre
- Shade sails
- Down ball courts
- A Ga-ga pit and
- Seating.

The next step is to commence the development of the various ‘stations’ which include

I look forward to sharing photographs of the above works in our first newsletter of Term Two.

Principal Awards

Congratulations to the following students for receiving a Principal Awards recently:

Prep D

Rayansh for placing 1st in an Under-6 long jump event and for his outstanding commitment and perseverance

1A

Yuhao, Aansh, Ohana and Tatiana for working so hard to learn all about number facts to 20
Bavitran for making a very clever bookmark in Mandarin classes
Abhay for being a wonderful friend
Ohana for being very responsible and a helpful member of our school community

1B

Kowsigan for receiving medals from her athletics club

1C

Pathan and Milan for working on developing their mindfulness skills by colouring in a picture involving a scene from Minecraft
Foram and Jackson for being very supportive and wonderful friends
Ruwaan for outstanding artwork
Trisha for being very responsible and a helpful member of our school community

1D

Takesh and Ashleigh for learning about the importance of self-regulating
Sajunthan for receiving medals from his athletics club

2D

Kiara and Anuki for being really responsible members of our school community

2E

Ethan for continuing to make outstanding progress with his maths skills and for his outstanding commitment and attitude towards his learning
Aadya for being really responsible and trustworthy

3B

Abisshna for receiving medals from her athletics club

3C

Tyler and Eric for writing a very sensible and thoughtful persuasive piece about the benefits of having a school farm to grow food
Smayan for receiving a trophy from his cricket club for being the best wicket keeper

Ashton for receiving a trophy and medal from his basketball club

4A

Sehansa for being a really responsible member of our school community
Sharanya for being exceptionally kind to her peers by donating her pencil case when one of her friends broke
Aneel, for placing 2nd in an 800m race in a recent athletics event, against very strong competition and for demonstrating incredible dedication and determination throughout the event

4B

Anu also for receiving medals from her athletics club

4E

Prayag, Cian and Shlok for developing and sharing a very informative project about bushfires. He researched how they start, their impact and how to minimise their destruction
Cian for being a very supportive friend
Navesha also for receiving medals from her athletics club

5C

Nethra for receiving medals from her athletics club

5A

Riaan for receiving a trophy from his cricket club for being the most improved player

5E

Suditi for her fantastic attitude and effort with the development of her singing skills. Recently she competed in her first Mic’d Up performance and did exceptionally well.

5F

Jordan for drawing amazing replicas of some of Sidney Nolan’s art pieces and writing about children in the goldfields
Rudra for receiving a trophy and a medallion from his cricket club for an outstanding season where he was recognised for his improvement in his batting and bowling skills

Veer for placing 1st in the Victorian Showdown Karate tournament in the under 11’s category for Traditional Forms. What is even more impressive is that Veer has placed 1st on numerous occasions over the last few years

6A

Meshavi for receiving a medallion at the Shotokan Karate Cup competition. Meshavi has been learning karate since she was 3 years old, and the medallion was for placing 1st in the 10 - 11 group sparing event

6C

Hridu for continuing to make outstanding progress with his learning and for working very hard in all areas of the curriculum

6E

Chenuka for continuing to make amazing progress with his drawing skills. Recently he drew a picture of the character Envy from the movie Inside Out 2

Shawn for being a very supportive and kind friend

Wishing everyone a safe and happy fortnight,

Frank Catalano

Principal

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