Principal's Message

A culture exists in which the Holy Family community values and affirms everyone, with students encouraged to work to their full potential and to build relationships of respect, trust and acceptance.
Informed by the body of research referred to as the Science of Learning, we are a learning community that seeks to always improve upon our practices.
Our Behaviour Curriculum explicitly teaches positive behaviours and sets clear expectations, supporting the building of strong foundations to help every student thrive—socially, emotionally, and academically. This consistent approach ensures more time for learning and better outcomes for all. The school will be participating in the Positive Behaviour for Learning Framework to enhance our ‘safe’ learning environments for everyone.
Our staff is a highly professional team of educators who continually strive for best practice, innovation and creativity. They are committed to ongoing learning, modelling this culture of learning to the children within our care. We offer a broad-based inclusive curriculum with a range of opportunities and experiences that foster the growth of the whole student. We celebrate the unity between the parish and school and encourage you as your child’s first educator to become active participants in both.
Our current enrolment is 256 students placed in 12 straight classes. Our class sizes range from 19-23 students.
Holy Family continues to provide all our students with opportunities for individual growth (educational, physical, emotional and faith based).
Our specialist classes are – Performing Arts, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Auslan, Physical Education, Library
Visual and Media Arts is taught by the class teachers.
At Holy Family School Mount Waverley, our literacy program is grounded in the Science of Reading—an evidence-based approach that ensures every child becomes a confident reader and writer.
We teach literacy through systematic, explicit instruction in phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing. Our knowledge-rich curriculum builds background knowledge and deepens comprehension across all year levels.
We use the UFLI Foundations program from Prep to Year 2 and the PhOrMeS spelling program from Years 3 to 6 to support strong, consistent skill development.
Our school has formed partnerships with Swinburne University, The Resilience Project, Victoria Police (Monash Youth Services) and Respectful Relationships to promote the wellbeing and support the development of positive self-image for each student. Our families have access to counsellors onsite when available.
Our students are encouraged to have a ‘voice’ through a variety of avenues – curriculum ideas, Student Representative Council, Mini Vinnies, FIRE Carriers, student leadership and student led clubs.
Each student in Year 6 is presented with a Year 6 Leader badge at our first Mass/Assembly of the year. It is important for all students to feel valued and listened to.
We have two Buddy Programs – Prep and Year 5 students and Staff and Year 6 students.
Transition
During Transition sessions prior to our Preps starting school our Staff Leadership Team take notes and get to know the incoming Prep students to ‘best’ match these students with a Year 5 Buddy. Each staff member selects a Year 6 student to support and check in on throughout the year.
Our Social Justice initiatives are based on ‘giving of your time’ to support others in our community.
This change of focus has encouraged our Senior students to think of ways they can support our local kindergartens and students at our school. Last year our Year 5/6 visited several kindergartens to read stories and play games with the kindergarten students.
Our Year 4 students continue to increase their awareness of Social Justice issues by being part of the Mini Vinnies Program.
Our School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Association are always looking for ways to engage families. Our school will continue to offer morning coffee after school drop off and ‘run club’ each Friday.
Thank you for considering Holy Family for your family.

Julie David – Principal