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Principal's Report

By Frank Catalano

Dear Members of the Glen Waverley Primary School Community,

 

Welcome back to the final term of the 2026 academic year. I hope everyone had the opportunity to enjoy the glorious spring weather and make the most of the recent school holidays. It has been wonderful reconnecting with our students and hearing about their many holiday experiences and highlights. There were stories of overseas and interstate travel, adventures closer to home, visits to the Royal Melbourne Show, and, of course, plenty of trips to the movies - Paw Patrol appeared to be particularly popular!

 

Term Four is always a busy and exciting time at Glen Waverley Primary School, with a wide range of events, activities and important tasks to complete. Alongside our ongoing focus on high-quality teaching and learning, we have student reports, Year 6 Graduation, the Prep Prom, Prep Transition and a range of incursions and excursions, while also preparing for the 2027 school year.

 

Despite the many demands of the term ahead, I am confident that Term Four will be another wonderful opportunity for learning, collegiality and connection across our school community. I look forward to sharing all that this final term of 2026 has to offer with our students, staff and families.

 

Once again, welcome back and as per usual, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to see me at school or contact me on 9802 9938 or via email at frank.catalano@education.vic.gov.au 

Welcome to the following new and returning children and their family 

I extend a very warm welcome to the following children and their family who have joined the GWPS family this term:

 

Year Prep: Ryan

Year 1: Khlove 

Year 2: Ethan 

Year 4: Vedansh

Year 6: Serena

 

Welcome everyone! 

What’s happened at our school during the recent holidays?

The school holidays are the opportune time for tasks to be completed, and these holidays we concentrated on the Year 6 Building where we: 

  • Installed internal doors for each classroom 
  • Updated the television sets and whiteboards and
  • Installed CIS and safety logos on some of the doors
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Thank you to Agam

May I take this opportunity to sincerely thank Agam (Year 4) for his generous donation of books to our school library and for giving up some of his own time during the school holidays, to build a Lego Porsche for our display cabinet. Well done and thank you Agam, as we greatly appreciate your generosity and wonderful contribution to our school community. 

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Thank you to Ishana and Aishira

Aishira (Year 3) and Ishana (Year 4) were the Winner and Runner Up for the Rotary Club of Monash Glen Waverley Schools Writing Competition. They received a $250 book voucher to spend for our school library and chose some wonderful novels and texts for everyone to enjoy. 

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Congratulations to the following children for their achievements outside of school

As mentioned previously, one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is the children sharing what they achieve away from school, such as:

 

  • Akira (Year 6) – participated in the Australian Junior Table-Tennis championships over the holidays and I am thrilled to announce that she placed:
    • 1st in the Under 11’s Girls Single
    • 1st in the Teams Championships
    • 3rd in the Girls Doubles and
    • 4th in the Mixed Doubles

 

Wow Akira, what an amazing achievement, and to be the National Champion is just phenomenal – well done and congratulations; we are incredibly proud of you! 

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  • Liam (Year 4) loves participating in Taekwondo and recently he was selected for the Victorian State Taekwondo Team and had the incredible opportunity to travel to Canberra to represent Victoria and compete against athletes from other states across Australia.

 

I am very proud to share that Liam won Gold and was awarded the title of National State Champion!  His next step is to represent Australia in Korea in 2027, which will be an incredible opportunity and achievement.

 

Wow Liam, once again, what an amazing achievement, and to be the National Champion is just phenomenal – well done and congratulations! We are all very, very proud of you and I look forward to sharing how you go in Korea next year. 

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  • Shennelle (Year 4) – is a very talented gymnast and recently she competed in the National Club Carnival (NCC) in Queensland that was organised by Gymnastics Australia. Shenelle competed in the High-Performance category in the 8–10 age group and I am thrilled to announce, that she placed 4th place in the Hoop routine. 

 

She is also the only Victorian state gymnast to secure a place at the Development level this year in NCC. Well done, keep it up and congratulations Shennelle as this too is an amazing achievement! 

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  • Over the recent school holidays, the Victorian Rapid Chess Championships were held, and I am extremely proud to report that Jahnavi (Year 5) placed 1st and Saheli (Year 6) placed 3rd in the Girls Under 12’s event. Well done and congratulations Jahnavi and Saheli! 
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  • Manuja (Year Prep) is an avid artist and recently he participated in the Camp Australia Big Art competition, and I am incredibly proud to report that he has, once again, (for the 3rd time) been awarded 1st prize – well done and congratulations Manuja as this is a fabulous achievement! 
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  • Ishan (Year Prep) is a buddy musician (pianist) and recently he successfully completed the first level, "Junior Keys," assessment. He also was provided with the opportunity to perform on stage for the first time during his piano school's annual concert, the "Forte Festival," where he was awarded a medal and certificate. Well done and congratulations Ishan, keep up the great attitude towards learning how to play the piano and I look forward to sharing more of your achievements in the near future!
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  • Devindu, Amasha and Sineysha – love playing basketball and recently they participated in their club’s grand finals. Devindu’s team placed runners up and then, another team was missing some players, so he was asked to join them and placed runners up again. Amasha and Sineysha play in the same team, and they won their grand final and, Amasha also received the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the grand final. Amasha has written a fabulous recount which is featured in the Kids’ Corner section of our newsletter. Well done and congratulations Devindu, Amasha and Sineysha – keep up your amazing passion for basketball! 
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  • Klarissa (Year 5) really enjoys participating in various extra-curricular programs and recently she sent me the following message:

 

Good Evening Mr Catalano, Earlier this year, I was accepted into LabRats Science Club, a selective science program run by Swinburne University’s PrimeSCI! Science Education and held at the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton. Each year, only 25 students from Years 5 and 6 are selected for the junior program. LabRats also gave me the opportunity to enter the 2026 Victorian Science Talent Search (STS), a statewide competition organised by the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria. This year’s theme was “Seeds of Science”. For my entry, I created a Scratch computer program called “Seeds of Survival: Saving Endangered Animals.” My project focused on endangered animals and how conservational science can help protect them from extinction. I entered in the Computer Programs Upper Primary School category. I also had to write a report on it with a cover sheet, a video of me testing it, and explaining the concept of it. I didn’t expect much since it was my first state competition for Coding and there were probably more upper primary students that have been doing coding for a lot longer time than me. I entered the project at the end of July after working on it since mid-May. Then on the 10th of October (Saturday) we received the results after waiting (mainly impatiently) for the results and I was awarded a Silver Medal and Minor Bursary! Sadly, I don’t get my medal, prize money and certificate until our December LabRats meeting. I really enjoyed combining my interests in science, coding and animal conservation. I learnt a lot while creating my program, and I am very proud that my work was recognised in a statewide competition. I hope to participate again next year and continue developing my science and coding.

I’ve attached a couple of pictures of the result email and the link to my game!

 

Well done and congratulations Klarissa – keep up the outstanding attitude towards your learning! 

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Outstanding Achievement at the Victorian Chess Championships!

Yesterday, our Girls Chess Team proudly represented Glen Waverley Primary School at the Victorian Chess Championships, achieving an outstanding result by finishing second overall and earning the title of State Runners-Up!

 

Qualifying for the State Championships is an incredible achievement in itself, and to finish second in Victoria is a phenomenal accomplishment. I am extremely proud of our students and the dedication, skill and determination they demonstrated throughout the competition.

 

What makes this achievement even more special is the enormous amount of time, effort and commitment these girls dedicate to chess. Through regular training, practice and a genuine passion for their chosen sport, they continually challenge themselves to improve their skills and strengthen their strategic thinking. Their success is a wonderful reflection of the hard work, perseverance and discipline they bring to chess, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

 

I would like to congratulate and thank the following students for representing our school so exceptionally well:

  • Amaya, Saheli and Shayana (Year 6)
  • Jahnavi (Year 5)
  • Thinuli (Year 4)

 

A special congratulations to Amaya, who played Board One, competing against the strongest players from each participating school. Amaya remained undefeated throughout the competition, earning her a Board Prize in recognition of her outstanding performance.

 

Amaya, it has been a privilege to watch your chess skills develop and improve over time. This award is a wonderful recognition of your hard work, commitment and perseverance. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement!

 

To all five girls, well done! Thank you for representing our school with such distinction and for demonstrating what can be achieved through dedication, practice and a commitment to continuous improvement. Our entire school community is immensely proud of you and celebrates this outstanding success. We look forward to following your chess journey and seeing what you achieve next!

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Staffing Update

As we enter the final term of the school year, please be advised of the following staff changes:

 

  1. Farewell to Mrs. Hua Maley who has relocated to New South Wales  
  2. Welcome back to Ms. Trish Singh and Ms. Grace Wong.
    • Ms. Singh will lead the Prep Team and provide support across our school and will be working Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
    • Ms. Wong is our Speech Pathologist, and she will be working Wednesday and Thursdays and  
  3. Welcome Vikas (Vik) Oogathoo to our maintenance team. 
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Mr Oogathoo, Ms Singh and Ms Wong

Student Learning Awards

As a school community it is very important that we acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our staff, parents and students. One way of accomplishing this is by participating in award ceremonies throughout the year and at the end of each term. Our end of term award is provided by the Kiwanis Club of Waverley, and we are extremely grateful for their continued support to our school in the form of the Terrific Kids program. The program is a student recognition program that promotes character development, self-esteem, and perseverance. At our school the teachers nominate one student from each area of the school – Preps, 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6. 

 

Congratulations to the following students who received The Terrific Kids Award for Term Three:

Student NameReason for Award
Ashvi Paheertharan – Prep 

This award is presented to Ashvi in recognition of her outstanding effort, kindness, respect, and care she shows to others every day. 

Ashvi is a truly wonderful member of our classroom who consistently displays excellent manners and treats everyone with kindness and consideration. She is always polite, respectful, and willing to help others, making those around her feel valued and included. Ashvi’s friendly nature and positive attitude make her a role model for her peers, and her thoughtful actions never go unnoticed. Her dedication and positive approach to learning have been wonderful to see, and she should be very proud of the progress she has made. 

Congratulations, Ashvi! We are so proud of the caring, courteous, and respectful young person you are. 

Wali Bakhtiyar – Year 1It has been wonderful to see how much you have grown this year, Wali. You have shown such a positive attitude towards your learning and consistently work hard to do your best. You are a curious and enthusiastic learner who is always eager to ask questions, explore new ideas and discover more about the world around you. You show persistence when learning is challenging and continue to put in your best effort. It is fantastic to see you becoming more confident and independent in your learning. Wali, you should be very proud of how far you have come and the wonderful learner you are becoming. Congratulations on being our Year one Kiwanis Terrific Kid!
Alyssa Blackwood – Year 3Congratulations, Alyssa, on a fantastic term of learning! You have made significant improvements in all areas of learning and demonstrated a willingness to listen to and respond to feedback and feedforward. You have consistently worked hard to achieve your best and should be proud of the effort you put in, both at school and at home. Your resilience and perseverance when facing a challenging task is to be commended. Well done and keep up the positive attitude towards your learning. 
Nethanya Gunaratne  – Year 5

Congratulations to the Level 5 Kiwani’s recipient for Term Three, Nethanya Gunaratne. You approach every opportunity with enthusiasm, confidence and an eagerness to challenge yourself. Your achievements extend across all areas of school life, from representing our school in sport to your involvement in Innovations and clubs. Despite your many commitments, you consistently apply yourself to your learning with intelligence, determination and drive.

Nethanya, beyond your own achievements, you make a positive difference to those around you every day. You are always willing to help your peers and support your teacher, while your infectious smile, dance moves and sense of humour bring energy and joy to our classroom.

Being chosen as our class premier, voted for by your peers, is a wonderful recognition of the respect and admiration you have earned. This certificate celebrates not only your achievements, but the kindness, leadership and positivity you show every day. You are an exceptional role model and a truly valued member of our class. Congratulations!

Congratulations everyone, what a fabulous achievement! Included is a photograph of the children with Gary from the Kiwanis Club of Waverley. 

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End of Term Principal Learning Awards

As Principal, I also believe that it is very important that I acknowledge the wonderful learning the students complete and as a result I have a term award for each class. 

 

Congratulations to the following students who received The Principal’s Learning Award for Term Three:

ClassStudent
Prep 

Mia Escalona

For her wonderful approach to learning, Mia is being recognised for her positivity, kindness, and willingness to learn. She comes to school ready to participate and always puts in a wonderful effort across the day.

Mia is a thoughtful learner who listens carefully and tries her best during classroom activities. She is becoming increasingly confident in sharing her ideas and enjoys taking part in new learning experiences. Mia shows determination when learning something new and takes great pride in her achievements.

Mia is also a kind and caring friend who is always thoughtful towards others. She enjoys working alongside her classmates, helping others, and contributing positively to our classroom. Her gentle nature, positive attitude, and enthusiasm for learning make her a wonderful member of our class.

Keep up the amazing work, Mia! We are so proud of you and all the progress you are making!

Prep 

Daniel Wang

The Principal’s Learning Award for Term Three is proudly presented to Daniel for consistently demonstrating outstanding behaviour, respect, global empathy and initiative across all areas of school life. Daniel approaches learning with enthusiasm and determination, continually challenging himself and embracing new learning opportunities both in the classroom and across other curriculum areas. He takes great pride in his work and consistently produces beautifully presented learning in his workbooks. Daniel is a respectful and thoughtful member of our school community. He listens attentively, values the ideas of others and treats both his teachers and peers with kindness and respect. He confidently shares his thinking and brings insightful knowledge and ideas that enrich class discussions and learning.

Daniel shows initiative by organising and tidying up the classroom. He looks out for others by showing empathy and kindness.

Congratulations, Daniel. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow throughout your time as a much-valued member of the Prep B class. May you continue to challenge yourself and embrace every learning opportunity that comes your way.

Well done, Daniel!

Prep 

Marcus Tekesic

For his wonderful commitment to learning, Marcus is being recognised for his enthusiasm, kindness, and determination in the classroom. He approaches each day with a positive mindset and always strives to give his very best. 

Marcus is a thoughtful and attentive learner who demonstrates excellent whole-body listening. He follows instructions carefully, stays engaged during learning time, and is always willing to have a go at new experiences. He is developing confidence across all areas of his learning and takes pride in the progress he makes. 

Marcus is also a caring and supportive member of our classroom community. He is always happy to lend a helping hand, encourage his classmates, and share his ideas with others. His positive attitude, caring nature, and willingness to try his best make him a wonderful role model for his peers. 

Keep up the fantastic learning, Marcus! We are so proud of you and all that you are achieving!  

Prep 

Kabir Sharma

Congratulations on receiving the Principal’s Learning Award, Kabir!

You consistently demonstrate the GWPS School Values of Initiative, Respect, Getting Along, and Integrity. Your kindness, positivity, and enthusiasm make you a valued member of our classroom community.

It has been wonderful to see your confidence grow throughout the year. Thank you for always striving to do your personal best and approaching every challenge with a smile. You are a fantastic role model for your peers, and I am incredibly proud of all that you have achieved.

Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Kabir—keep up the wonderful work!

Year 1

Aaron Parajuli

Congratulations, Aaron, on an outstanding term of achievement and growth! It has been a joy to witness your progress, both academically and personally, throughout this year. Your dedication to your learning journey is truly exceptional. You approach every task with a growth mindset, always trying your best and challenging yourself to apply new understandings. You treat your classmates and teachers with the utmost respect and care, demonstrating wonderful leadership as you consistently model our classroom expectations. Aaron, I am so proud of the way you have pushed yourself, taken risks, and challenged yourself both academically and socially—all while doing it with a smile on your face! Well done, Aaron. Keep up the incredible work!

Year 1

Luis Contreras

The Principal’s Learning Award for Term 3 is proudly presented to Luis to celebrate the incredible growth he has shown in both his learning and confidence this term.

Luis has approached every learning opportunity with a positive attitude and a true curiosity for learning. Through his hard work and persistence, he has made outstanding progress in his reading and writing, developing new skills and applying them with increasing independence. Luis is highly engaged during lessons and consistently demonstrates a genuine enthusiasm for trying new things.

One of Luis’ greatest strengths is his willingness to put in his best effort, even when tasks are challenging. He has become increasingly confident in asking questions and seeking support when he needs it, which has helped him blossom as a learner. Luis’ resilience and dedication highlights the importance of having a growth mindset and highlights him as a shining role model to his peers. 

Luis, I am so incredibly proud of the amazing human you are! Keep on shining brightly!

Year 1

Sophia Dias

Sophia, you are a focused, respectful and enthusiastic learner who consistently brings a positive attitude to the classroom. You demonstrate excellent active listening during lessons and always make an effort to follow instructions carefully and contribute thoughtfully to class discussions. You take initiative in your learning, work independently when needed and always try your best across all areas.

It has also been wonderful to see the positive relationships you have built with your classmates. You are kind, considerate and respectful towards others, and you help create a friendly and supportive classroom environment. Your willingness to keep learning, challenge yourself and approach each task with care is something to be very proud of. Congratulations, Sophia, and keep up the fantastic work!

Year 1

Rosie Lee

Congratulations, Rosie, for consistently demonstrating an outstanding ready-to-learn attitude and excellent whole-body listening throughout this term. You are often the first to sit down ready for learning and consistently show respect by looking towards the teacher, listening carefully and following instructions. You work collaboratively and respectfully with both teachers and your classmates, and you confidently contribute to class discussions to the best of your ability. Your commitment to your learning is particularly evident in your reading, as you regularly practise your sounds and tricky words and always have a go independently before seeking help. It has been wonderful to see the improvement you have made in your reading and reading assessments since last semester. Your perseverance, positive attitude and willingness to always try your best make you a wonderful role model in our classroom. Outstanding effort, Rosie! Keep up your fantastic progress and continue to be the enthusiastic and hardworking learner you are.

Year 2

Arvin Nadiri

Arvin, what an incredible term you’ve had!

You bring such a kind and caring nature to 2A every day. You are thoughtful and considerate towards your teachers and friends and you are always willing to help, support and look out for the people around you. Your generosity and compassion make you a wonderful friend and a valued member of our class.

You have also shown fantastic independence and organisation this term. You confidently work out what you need to do, often using your observations of others to find instructions and keep yourself on track. You have also worked incredibly hard to improve your handwriting, and it has been wonderful to see such expertly crafted writing pieces. It genuinely looks like your writing came out of a printer!

One of the things that stands out most about you is the maturity you show when solving problems. Whether in the classroom or the playground, you handle challenging situations calmly and respectfully, while encouraging yourself and your friends to make positive choices.

Arvin, this recognition is so well deserved. Your kindness, independence and leadership make you a wonderful member of 2A. You should feel incredibly proud of everything you’ve achieved this term!

Year 2

 Siya Dhall

This award is presented to Siya for always approaching every day with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to always doing their best. She has worked hard in all subjects, but has particularly shone in Mathematics, showing excellent problem-solving skills, confidence, and a strong understanding of new concepts. Congratulations on demonstrating an outstanding work ethic!

Year 2

Aura Biasol

Aura has come such a long way this term! You have shown wonderful growth in both your independence and resilience as a learner. You are becoming so confident in approaching challenges and are able to persevere when things become difficult, rather than becoming overwhelmed. It has been particularly lovely to see you developing greater confidence in yourself and your abilities. You are also showing increasing independence in your daily routines, such as remembering to put your bag away independently each morning. You genuinely try your very best every day and approach your learning with a strong desire to succeed. Your perseverance, growing independence, and willingness to keep trying make you a deserving recipient of the Principal Learning Award. Congratulations, Aura!

Year 2

Kiaan Singla

Kiaan, you have been awarded 2D's PLA Award for Term Three. 

Throughout your first full term at GWPS, you have shown the school value of integrity, as you always actively listen to anyone who is talking. When your peers need help with their work, you are patient, calm and understand how to support them so they can complete their best work.

Not only that, but Kiaan you always try to achieve your best in your learning. When learning becomes challenging, you seek advice on how to improve. Your kind nature makes everyone in 2D feel welcomed and appreciated.

Keep up this amazing quality Kiaan. 

Year 3

Rivini Adhikar

Congratulations Rivini on a wonderful term of learning, you are an absolute superstar! Your positive attitude and enthusiasm for learning truly shines and this has been identified by both your teacher and your peers. You face challenges with persistence and resilience, seeking help when needed and trying your best to succeed in all that you do. Your organisation is evident in the way you have all your learning tools ready, and you also encourage others to be prepared as well. You are an excellent role model to your classmates, keep up the excellent attitude!

Year 3

Shebl Al-Ankoosh

Congratulations on receiving the Principal Learning Award, Shebl!

Shebl is a thoughtful and responsible learner who makes positive choices and approaches his learning with a great attitude. He is an excellent listener who follows instructions carefully and takes on feedback to help improve his work.

Shebl demonstrates persistence when faced with challenges and is willing to keep trying, even when learning is difficult. He shows determination and takes pride in making progress and achieving his goals.

As a valued member of our classroom community, Shebl is respectful, kind, and considerate towards others. His positive attitude and willingness to learn make him a wonderful role model for his peers.

We are very proud of Shebl and the effort he puts into his learning each day.

Well done, Shebl! Keep up the fantastic work!

Year 3

Aditi Tripathi

Congratulations to Aditi on receiving the Principal Learning Award for Term 3! You consistently demonstrate a growth mindset in your learning. Your eagerness to explore topics more deeply showcases not only your enthusiasm but also your dedication to achieving your best. I have been impressed by your focus during learning, your whole-body listening, and the meaningful contributions you make to class discussions. 

You also demonstrate excellent organisation and readiness for learning. You listen attentively to your teacher and classmates, and you make sure your belongings are organised and easily accessible throughout the day. I am especially proud of the writing pieces you have created. You communicate ideas, expression and meaning clearly in your writing, engaging your readers and encouraging them to keep reading. 

Keep up your exceptional attitude towards learning, Aditi. Well done!

Year 3

Serena Zhang

Serena is a thoughtful, kind and caring student who brings a strong sense of character to our classroom. She is someone who genuinely cares about the people around her and is always willing to show kindness, patience and respect towards others. Serena possesses a wisdom and maturity beyond her years, often demonstrating a level of understanding and thoughtfulness that makes her a wonderful person to have within our classroom.

Serena is a determined and hard-working learner who takes great pride in what she does. She has a strong sense of what she wants to achieve and is not afraid to work hard to get there. Serena remains committed to her goals and perseveres when things become challenging. She approaches her learning with purpose and takes responsibility for producing work that she can be proud of.

Serena’s maturity, kindness and thoughtful approach to others make her someone her peers can look up to. She consistently sets a wonderful example through the way she conducts herself, showing that being a positive role model is not only about achievement but also about the way we treat and support the people around us.

Congratulations Serena, on receiving the Principal’s Learning Award. This is a well-deserved recognition of your hard work, determination, kindness and the wonderful example you set for others each day.

Year 3

Samar Patel

Congratulations on earning the Principal Learning Award! You have been smashing it with your learning and showing what it means to be a fantastic learner and friend. In Mathematics, your understanding of angles has been amazing, and in English, you created a brilliant information text about iron that showed great knowledge and effort. Your book work is always neat, organised, and finished on time, which shows your responsibility. You consistently show Respect by being kind, fair and thoughtful towards others, and you demonstrate integrity by being honest and trustworthy. You show great initiative by taking on new challenges, giving things a go, and always pushing yourself to do your best. You also show Global Empathy by caring about others, understanding their feelings, and being a great friend to everyone around you. Keep being curious, keep challenging yourself, and keep being the awesome person you are. You should be very proud of yourself, Samar! Well done!

Year 4

Abisshna Rasakumar

Congratulations, Abisshna! You consistently demonstrate our school value of ‘Initiative’ through your enthusiasm, helpfulness and willingness to assist others within the classroom. Each day, you calmly and respectfully arrive ready to begin your wellbeing morning routine, independently identifying your emotions, applying mindfulness strategies and organising our learning space without teacher prompting. You show wonderful empathy towards your peers by willingly offering support and reminding them of the steps they need to follow to be successful with their learning. You are consistently courteous, polite and respectful towards your teachers and fellow learners, and you understand the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. You are also a fantastic team player who demonstrates strong collaborative skills and contributes positively to group learning. Abisshna, you are a wonderful role model for our school, and we are so proud to have you as a member of 4A and the GWPS community!

Year 4

Alex Corr

Alex, well done on having such a consistently amazing year so far! Your love of school is so obviously evident, as you choose to be at the door of 4B bright and early every morning, ready to take on the challenges of the day. Your constant willingness to help out with any job around the classroom highlights how much initiative you carry with you everywhere you go. You show pride in everything you do, both in and out of the classroom. You always make your best effort, no matter how challenging the task, and it has been impressive to see your improvement in both Mathematics and English this year. Your reading fluency continues to improve and your growing confidence when working with numbers has been impressive. I am blown away by the wonderful human being you are becoming and know that your drive to be the best person you can be will endure. You should feel proud of being a worthy winner of this Principal's Learning Award! Amazing effort, Alex!

Year 4

Shawn De Silva

What a fantastic year you have had so far! You are a kind and studious learner, who has come leaps and bounds in your emotional regulation and management. Your passion to learn and drive to improve as a learner is a priceless asset that will assist you both now and in the future. Your handwriting has shown exceptional improvement, with consistency throughout both School Learning and Home Learning. You have shown great resilience when taking on feedback and feedforward. You are also kind and helpful, demonstrating patience when explaining concepts to your peers. You dedicate your time to help them readily in a clear and concise manner without telling them the answer directly. You are not afraid to have a laugh, and share your jokes with the class to lighten up the mood and atmosphere. We all relish in the time that we have to joke around with you. I have no doubt you will blossom into an even more amazing human! Amazing work.

Year 4

Amelia Huang

Amelia, you are a diligent and hard-working learner who always prioritises her work. Your workbook tasks are always completed in an outstanding level. You are eager to grow and challenge yourself in all subject areas, while ensuring efficient learning and commendable grades in every subject. This highly shows your initiative as a student and integrity as a person who values her worth and achievements.

What makes you truly shine is your quiet and kind nature that shows every time you interact with other students and teachers. You are truly a remarkably polite and gentle person that is appreciated by everyone around you. Well done on receiving this award, Amelia.

It has been wonderful to watch your learning journey this semester!

Year 4

Onalee Wijerathne

Congratulations, Onalee! You have demonstrated wonderful dedication and persistence throughout your learning this semester, consistently asking thoughtful questions, taking risks and embracing challenges with a positive attitude. Your willingness to support both your teacher and classmates is a true reflection of your generosity and caring nature, helping you build strong relationships and making you a valued member of our classroom community.

Keep up the incredible work, Onalee!

Year 4

Iman Ahmed

Congratulations, Iman!

You are a positive and enthusiastic learner who is always ready to learn with a smile on your face. You approach your learning with persistence and determination, never giving up when things become challenging. You confidently ask for help when you need it, showing a wonderful commitment to improving and doing your very best.

In addition, you are a kind and supportive member of our classroom community. You are always willing to help others, encouraging your classmates and helping them stay focused and on track. The School Value of Respect is consistently demonstrated through your polite, responsive and caring interactions with both your peers and teachers.

Thank you, Iman, for bringing such positivity and kindness to 4F each day. Your persistence, helpful nature and wonderful smile make you a valued member of our classroom, and I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in the future.

Year 5

Jiro Andres

Congratulations Jiro for receiving the Term Three Principal Learning Award! Jiro has demonstrated fantastic learning and growth during this term, trying his best at everything he does. His effort and willingness to have a go are to be commended as he always approaches his learning with positive attitude. Jiro is respectful and kind towards teachers and peers, spreading positivity to people around him. Well done Jiro, a well-deserved PLA recipient!

Year 5

Anumithan Navakanthan

This award is presented to Anumithan Navakanthan for his positive attitude towards learning and the consistent effort he puts into engaging with his learning. He demonstrates initiative in supporting his peers and proudly reflects our school values through the way he approaches his learning and interacts with others. Anumithan has also shown wonderful growth in English, confidently applying what he has been learning in class, particularly his use of complex sentences and increasingly sophisticated vocabulary. His willingness to challenge himself, apply new skills and continue improving is a wonderful reflection of his commitment to learning. Congratulations, Anumithan, on your outstanding achievement!

Year 5

Navesha Kajan

Navesha has been a kind, caring and focused learner in 5C this term. She brings a growth mindset to her learning everyday as she approaches new concepts with determination. Navesha readily contributes to class discussions with creative ideas and insightful questions. She is mindful of the other learners around her and effectively collaborates with others with kindness, actively listening to others’ ideas. Navesha welcomes the contributions of her peers and provides thoughtful, genuine feedback. She comes into the classroom with a big smile and cheerful heart that creates a warm and inviting environment for everyone around her. Congratulations Navesha on a fantastic term!

Year 5

Reyansh Thakkar

Congratulation Reyansh for receiving the Term Three Principal Learning Award who has set great example in class with his attitude, effort and behaviour. 

He always puts his best effort in learning and actively seeking additional challenge. Reyansh has demonstrated initiatives by helping his peers with their learning and being a helpful student in class. 

Well done Reyansh and keep up the superb effort!

Year 5

Caz Concepcion

Congratulations Caz for achieving the Principal Learning Award for Term 3! I have been impressed by your hard work and respectful attitude in everything you do. You consistently show empathy for others and are always prepared to be an upstander. Caz, your classmates can count on you to be supportive and great friend. Your joy and sense of humour bring fun into our class. Additionally, you listen attentively and contribute meaningfully to others’ ideas during class discussions. In your classwork, you always give your best effort. As a result, you have made fantastic achievements in Maths this term. You have mastered fluency in many of the concepts we have covered this term and should be very proud of your effort.

Caz, your fantastic qualities and effort has shone this term. Well done!

Year 5

Harry Hao

Harry has shown a strong commitment to improving his learning throughout this term. He consistently tries his best and puts a great deal of effort into his work. When he finds something difficult, Harry does not give up and continues to persevere. This determination has helped him become a more confident learner.

It has been wonderful to see Harry becoming more confident when talking and working with different people in the class. He is making a greater effort to communicate with others, share his ideas and become more involved in classroom activities.

Harry’s classmates have also noticed how kind and helpful he is. He is always willing to listen when someone needs a friend and is happy to support others with their learning. Even when communication can sometimes be difficult, he continues to make an effort to connect with and support those around him.

Harry’s hard work, kindness and determination make him a very deserving PLA recipient. His growth and progress throughout the term have been wonderful to see, and he should be very proud of his achievements.

Year 6

Krish Khanna

Congratulations, Krish, for demonstrating continued dedication to your learning throughout the year and especially in Term 3, 2026. You have demonstrated a love for learning and developing in 6A, approaching each lesson with an open mind, ensuring to strive for your best in all you do. Your dedication to learning is reflected in the way you approach new concepts with enthusiasm, collaborate thoughtfully with your peers, and continually seek opportunities to grow, wanting to challenge your understanding in each area. It is wonderful to observe you becoming a mature learner, who meets people with empathy at all points in the day. Well done, Keep up the amazing work!

Year 6

Ruoli (Ceci) Mao

Ceci is an incredibly kind, conscientious student who brings a strong sense of calm and positivity to the classroom. She consistently participates during lessons and utilises her independent learning time with diligence, never uttering a word or allowing her focus to falter. Ceci prides herself on completing any task or project to a high standard, highlighting her meticulous and detail-oriented approach. Overall, she displays a quiet confidence and maturity, in the way she organises herself and manages her responsibilities. Well done on an outstanding term of learning!       

Year 6

Juliana Botea

Congratulations to Juliana for being the recipient of the Term 3 Principal's Learning Award for 6C. You are a caring and considerate member of our class who is always willing to lend a helping hand to both your peers and teachers. Throughout the term, you have shown incredible dedication to your learning. You consistently put in your best effort and approach challenges with resilience and determination. Your willingness to ask thoughtful questions and seek feedback shows your commitment to extending your learning across all areas. Your positive attitude and willingness to support those around you make you a valued member of our class. Well done, Juliana!

Year 6

Prnvat Singh

Congratulations to Prnvat for being the recipient of the Term 3 Principal’s Learning Award for 6D. You are an enthusiastic learner who eagerly takes on and applies feedback in your learning. By consistently challenging yourself, you take your learning to the next level. You show the School Value of Initiative by regularly looking for ways to help your peers and the class. You encourage those around you and make our classroom a friendly and welcoming place. Well done, Prnvat!

Year 6

Radinsa Loku Pattiyage

Radinsa is a highly responsible, diligent, and well-organised student who consistently demonstrates a positive and committed approach to her learning. She demonstrates maturity in the manner that she conducts herself, through her thoughtful decision making. Radinsa manages her time effectively, stays focused on her learning and can be relied upon to complete tasks independently and thoroughly. She demonstrates the school value of Initiative, by contributing ideas, taking additional responsibilities and her willingness to support others. Radinsa’s thoughtful and dependable nature makes her a positive role model for her peers.

Year 6

Mindi Weththasinghe

Mindi, congratulations on your dedication, integrity, and effort you bring to our classroom. You consistently give your full effort to your learning and truly embody our school values of Integrity, Initiative, Global Empathy and Respect. It has been wonderful to see your confidence grow throughout the year. You have challenged yourself to speak in front of others and share your ideas, showing courage and determination as you continue to find your voice. Mindi, you should be incredibly proud of the progress you have made and the wonderful person you are. Keep believing in yourself and taking those brave steps forward!

Year 6

Ayaan Dedhia

Congratulations on an outstanding term, Ayaan! Your diligence, persistence and dedication have earned you the well-deserved honour of being named the Term 3 Principal’s Learning Award recipient for 6G. Kindness, companionship and confidence are just a few of the wonderful qualities you bring to 6G and the GWPS community. Throughout the year, you have demonstrated immense growth, particularly in your confidence in your own abilities and in your social interactions with others. We value you for your compassion, your resilience when things become challenging, and, of course, the wonderful humour you bring to our classroom each day, ensuring everyone who enters 6G feels appreciated and welcomed. Whenever opportunities have arisen, such as becoming a Stand-Up Project Leader or Peer Mediator, you have embraced them wholeheartedly and made the most of your final year at GWPS.

 

You have worked incredibly hard to become the very best version of yourself, the wonderful person we can all see, admire and respect, even when things feel difficult. Gratitude comes naturally to you, evident not only through your actions but also in the way you speak about and appreciate the people and experiences in your life. We are incredibly proud to celebrate you and this magnificent achievement. You should be so proud of the growth, character and resilience you have shown throughout the year, and I am certain, will continue on far into secondary school. Well done, Ayaan!

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

Year Prep

  • Aaradhya, Rysha, Shlok, Daisy, Reyansh, Rehansa, Kate, Riaan, Ansh, Aadi, Shyla, Sankalpa, Nielsen, Selene, Devarsh and Rose for being very responsible members of our school community 
  • Ishan for being very generous and thoughtful with his time by creating a special card for me 
  • Uvin also for being very kind and generous by drawing a beautiful picture of his teacher and I 

 

Year 1

  • Jahnavi, Sarah and Arha for continuing to be very friendly and respectful members of our school community 
  • Jaya for being very respectful and thoughtful as she provided a beautiful picture of an emu for my office
  • Aekarsh, Ramin, Dhiana, Aathira and Janani for being really responsible members of our school community by making sure the yard is neat, clean and tidy 

 

Year 2

  • Saras and Mulan also for continuing to be very friendly and respectful members of our school community 
  • Ashley, Sohana and Dulein for making excellent progress with their maths skills 
  • Tatiana for exploring different body movements during Wellbeing lessons 
  • Bavitran for completing extra home learning
  • Tanisha for working really hard to improve her times tables skills 

 

Year 3

  • Tanvika, Vivaan, Savik and Ava for continuing to make excellent progress with their handwriting skills
  • Sasavi, Saambavi, Jason and Vivaan for working exceptionally hard to develop their spelling skills and understanding of spelling terms 
  • Tehan for writing and being able to spell and read 37 dinosaur names 
  • Ethan for his superhuman handwriting effort 

 

Year 3 and 4

  • Oscar and Owen for attending the Harbin Institute of Technology in Shenzen, China and building the line tracking intelligent vehicle 
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Year 4

  • Ameliya, Owen, Shajika, Ninda, Alan and Ryan for exploring and learning how forces can be in the form of contact and non-contact 

 

Year 5

  • Thesara, Sithuki, Ritisha, Elaina, Nevah, Minza, Tasmira, Tiana and Rose for working exceptionally well on researching and learning about the history of Chinese characters and then transferring this knowledge into a very detailed poster. 

 

Wishing everyone a safe and happy fortnight, 

 

 

Frank Catalano

Principal