Fitzroy Primary School Newsletter

Principal's message 

Welcome new families

We wish to extend a very warm welcome to new families, both in the Foundation year level and across the school. It has been lovely to meet new parents and carers in the yard before and after school and pleasing to see how quickly students have settled into their new classrooms. 

 

COVID safety

Thank you to all families who have continued to conduct twice weekly Rapid Antigen testing on Monday and Thursday mornings. 

  • Parents and carers are not allowed to enter the building, unless it is for office enquiries
  • Parents, visitors and volunteers need to us the QR code to check in if entering the building
  • Masks must be worn by all adults inside the building
  • Students from grades 3-6 are required to wear masks inside
  • Please give your child a mask to wear when at school
  • Air purifiers are located in all rooms throughout the building and windows are open throughout the day
  • If your child has any symptoms or are feeling unwell, please keep them at home and test

Positive futures fund

In 2021 we had over $2000 donated to the school’s Positive Futures Fund by families within our school community. Parents who make a generous donation to the fund are contributing to equal access to programs for all students across the school. Last year the school used the money to ensure that all students attended camp and participated in the swimming program. In 2022 we will continue using funds to support students’ participation in incursions, excursions, camp and swimming to ensure that every child has the same opportunity to participate. We wish to thank parents who continue to support this initiative. 

 

Yard duty supervision before and after school

A reminder that yard duty starts at 8:45am for students who have been dropped off in the yard and are not attending breakfast club. After school, staff will supervise students from 3:30 – 3:45pm. If students have not been picked up, they will be taken to the office and parents contacted for collection. We highly recommend signing your child up for after school care so they can be supervised in the event that parents are running late. 

 

Breakfast club

This term Breakfast Club will be held outside underneath the flagpoles from 8:30am onwards. A huge thank you to Yves and Susan who are running the club and it is great to see more students attending as the term progresses. In the coming weeks we will receive a delivery from Foodbank which will broaden the options and see fruit placed in classrooms. Breakfast is available for all students and is a healthy and inclusive way to start the day. 

 

2021-2024 Capital works update

The project has now reached the end of the design phase and the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) has appointed a project manager to oversee the tendering process. Once this has been finalised, we will be in a position to share the exciting plans for the redevelopment. The school will be vacating Napier St by Friday 1st April and it is expected that works will commence during the school holidays. All staff and students, including Big Childcare will operate from the George St building.

 

Staff have worked extremely hard to move classrooms across into George St and we are in the final stage of preparing the Art room for the grade 5/6s to move into. There is also a large range of furniture that we are looking to donate to a charity and are in the process of sourcing options, either locally or overseas. In the coming weeks, interesting parents will be invited to come and look at what is available for collection.

 

During the holidays you will see hoarding placed around the construction zone and I am pleased to say that we will still have access to the worm farm, kitchen garden and play equipment throughout the Napier St renovation. It is expected that the works will finish in December. 

 

2022 programs and grants update

Below is a list of programs that we are very fortunate to be involved with this year. These opportunities support our PE program, create space for outdoor learning, strengthen partnerships with local kindergartens, promote positive mental health and wellbeing for all members of the community and support our graduate teachers who are new to the profession. 

  • Shade sails grant
  • 2022 Active schools 
  • PE and sport boost
  • Sporting schools 
  • Ready4School program 
  • Mental Health in Primary School program
  • Career start program for graduate teachers and mentors

Sunscreen and hats for outdoor learning

A reminder that during term one, students need to wear a hat for outdoor learning, PE and during recess and lunchtimes. Please ensure that your child’s hat has a name written clearly so it can be returned if lost. Hats can be purchased through the office. We recommend children have their own sunscreen that they can apply themselves throughout the day. 

 

Getting to know you interviews

Over the coming weeks your child’s teacher will contact you to organise a time to meet for a short interview. This is an opportunity to discuss your child’s academic progress, social/emotional development and to set goals. Please note that Foundation parents have already met with teachers and do not require an additional appointment time. Please contact your classroom teacher if you have any questions.

 

Welcome family picnic – Thursday 24th February 3:30 – 4:30pm

On Thursday 24th February, families are invited to bring a picnic rug, chairs, food and drinks to the Napier St running track to welcome new families into the Fitzroy PS community. This will be our first community event in two years and we are very excited to create the opportunity for everyone to come together. To stay COVID safe, the school will not be running a BBQ, instead we ask families to bring their own food and drinks. Parents can begin setting up their picnic spot on the Napier St running track anytime around 3:30pm so that students can be walked across and meet parents there. Please note that alcohol is not permitted at a school event when children are present.

 

Clubs and clinics

This term we have the following clubs and clinics running at lunchtimes from 1:45 – 2pm. All students from grades F-6 are invited to attend and we thank staff and coaches from Fitzroy Lions for coming in and providing sporting, musical, creative and sustainable opportunities for our students. There is no cost for students to attend.

Monday – Fitzroy Lions soccer clinic

Tuesday – Art Club

Wednesday – Art Club

Thursday – Music club with Bryce

Friday – Gardening Club

 

School concert and farewell Napier St

On Thursday 24th March, students will participate in the school concert by performing with their class on a stage in the Napier St grounds. Students will showcase their learning in Performing Arts, with preparations underway for the big performance. Families will be invited to bring a rug, chairs and picnic to watch their child perform. The event will also be an opportunity to farewell the Napier St building before renovation works get underway. 

Please save the date!

 

SCLO and parent group

This term we have Badria Mustafa working as our School Community Liaison Office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She will be running a weekly parent group that is an opportunity to meet other parents in a relaxed environment. Please see the SCLO page in the newsletter for more information.

 

-Angela Richmond