50th BIRTHDAY FAIR:

What an amazing day we had - we were thrilled to see so many past teachers, students and families! The buzz around the school particularly in the library where all the photo memory lane was housed was incredible.

Our current students, staff and families are to be commended for all their efforts in making the event such a success!

Many thanks to our School Council members for all their work.

See my speech below.

BOWLING:

All our grade 3- 6 students went on a walking excursion to Mulgrave Country Club for a lawn bowls morning:

First we all leant how to bowl and then we held a Tournament which wa sgreat fun!

We have been invited back for more bowling and maybe even some Squash or Racquetball next year. Students commented on how much they enjoyed the session.

SWIMMING:

Most of our students are participating in the 2 week swimming program at Swimworld.

Having worked with Anglesea Surf Lifesaving Club - I am passionate about the importance of young people being able to swim and be confident in water.

Top tips around water:

Supervise actively
Understand different water environments
Learn to swim well
Practice survival techniques
Encourage safe water play

Vale Ben Austin:

WMPS was very well represented at the Memorial Service at Junction Oval for Ben Austin - our 2020 School Captain.

Ben was an amazing young man as all the speakers indicated. The Service was very moving, emotional and dignified. A fitting tribute to an amazing young man, taken way too soon.

Our thoughts continue to be with Zach, Cooper, Tracey and Jace always.

My speech at the WMPS 50th celebrations November 15 2025

I am Meredith Thornton, Proud Principal of WMPS

I would like to welcome everyone to Waverley Meadow primary School today to help us celebrate our 50th birthday!

I also would like to welcome back our Alumni – we hope you enjoy reminiscing and looking through our memory walk.

?Did you know that we recently received a package that contained something special to WMPS – the letter says

…”Dear Principal and students it saddens me to admit I took this item from our school in the 70s – I was young and foolish – I’m almost 60 now and its time to return it.

I only ever used it once at Australia NZ “one dayer” and it made it onto the back of the Herald Sun!

Tell your students conscience will always get the better of you – sorry”

Have you found this item – it is on display with the letter in the library as part of the memory walk. What is it?

Welcome also to our past teachers and staff member s- I believe we have 4 past principals who will be joining me on the stage at 2pm for our birthday cake.

For those of us who can - please cast your mind back to 1975….

Wheelers hill was a developing south eastern suburb of Melbourne characterised by a mix of established and newer homes with the growth being driven by the Australian dream od having a home with land. It continues to be a family friendly leafy suburb.

We have refurbished classrooms and a very recent upgrade to our 70s bathrooms – please make sure you visit!

What happened in 1975:

Amongst other famous events perhaps politically – 1975 saw the introduction of colour television.
Stevie Wright had a concert at Victoria Park and had a little know support act –AC/DC
And most importantly Waverley Meadows Primary School began on Feb 1 1975 in the navy and gold. At our peak we had 594 students in the early 80’s.

Please enjoy today and support our school and our stall holders.

We have a ticket booth where you can tap your card and magically receive $1 tickets – the tickets can be used on all the stalls with a WMPS pompom. You are of course also welcome to use cash.

A huge thank you to all our sponsors and stall holders.;

Finally, and importantly: our school community who have worked tirelessly since we had this brilliant idea of putting this event together late last year.

Our staff led by our Business managers Pamela – ably assisted by Jaime – who has gone above and beyond, with Clare keeping the school ticking along.

Our school council led very effectively by Jo – she even create dour pedal car race track!

And our staff who have worked with the students to make their stalls amazing!

Lots of opportunities to win blocks of chocolate on the chocolate throw.

Who doesn’t love a good old fashioned lucky dip ( very 70s) followed by popcorn, slurpees and fairy floss. – Jack’s snacks!

Once you have you hair sprayed and tattoos on you must join the silent disco and visit lots of landmarks in our school.

When your ready for a breather grab a coffee from the coffee cart and head into the Devonshire tea area – where tea, and scones jam and cream and slices will be on offer – as well a seat! Wander through the second hand stall and pick up a bargain – enjoy a sausage thanks to the Lions Club – who are great supporters of our school! Tim Mac – who we have roped in to perform for us

And Jenny and her team from Creative music.

You can purchase our garden guide with lots of photos of our students in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program which they students love being involved in each week.

As a special memento we have had every student and staff member create a tea towel with individual pictures to celebrate 50 years. $20

Please leave your mark by decorating a tile to say you were here at our celebration – all the tiles will be made up into a wall mural which will be on permanent display - $5

Make sure you have your photo taken at our photo booth.

Oh and lets not forget the activities: petting zoo, inflatable games, and pedal car race track.

and why not challenge your child to mini golf.

Wrist bands have been pre purchased or you can use 10 tokens from the ticket booth to play mini golf or enjoy the other activities.

We have lots of fabulous raffle prizes – check them out next to the ticket booth- raffles will be drawn at 3pm.

I am very proud to be the Principal of Waverley Meadows – we are a very tight knit Community School that focuses not only on the academics but also the well being of our students – just last week our Prep- 2s went to an old fashioned village Mont De Lancey and our grade 3 – 6 had a lawn bowls competition at Mulgrave Country Club.

We are a small school that always has room for more students who are welcome to join us – thank you!

Stay safe always and be kind,

Meredith Thornton

Principal

Enrolments always welcome - please spread the word about our fantastic school.

Waverley Meadows News

~ To learn is to grow ~

Term 4 Week 9 2025 · 05 Dec 2025

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