Principal's Report

In this week's newsletter

• Appreciations and News …
  • Welcome to new teachers Kris and Maria
  • Congratulations to Lee and Marshal
  • Asset Management Plan for new gymnasium building update
  • First Nations art installation update
  • Sports results from Maribyrnong District Finals 
  • Victorian High Achievers Program
• Coming up 
  • Canteen opens next week
  • Grade 5 excursion(s) to Victorian Space Science Education Centre
  • NAPLAN update
  • Remember NAIDOC colouring competition closes tomorrow
• Repeated (and updated) messages

Appreciations and News

• Welcome - This week we have welcomed two new members to our teaching team, Kris Lakusa (introduced in the newsletter late last term) who is now teaching 4MS and Maria Morris who we were delighted to appoint to the role of class teacher of 2HR on the last day of term 2.  Maria and Kris have had a busy start. Maria has been sharing the teaching with Heather this week (who expertly managed the class at the end of term 2) in order to effect a comprehensive handover. We then supported our newest team members become oriented by providing a full day of induction and compliance on Tuesday. We know it is vital to support our team members but there is so much to learn for any one new to a school and that is a bigger challenge mid way through the year. We wish both Kris and Maria our very best for a successful transition to teaching at FWPS.
   
• Congratulations to grade 5 teacher Lee White and his partner Laura on the successful arrival of their new child, Freddy Patrick Gillis (3.175 kg) who was born during the last week of last term.  Both Freddy and Laura are doing well. Lee is currently on leave supporting his growing family and will return in week 4.

• Congratulations to grade 6 team member Marshal Claybourne, who travelled to the UK just prior to the holidays for his wedding to his long term partner Karen, a native of Yorkshire. This week is sporting a very classy tungsten wedding ring. We wish Marshal and Karen all the very best.
   
• Asset Management Plan Phase 1 - On Tuesday evening, School Council met for the specific reason of discussing and approving the initial planning for our new gymnasium, music and food technology building. Thank you to all parents and carers and students who contributed to the surveys that we ran prior to the holidays.  Next week our Facilities meeting will discuss the next phase of the project which will move to a more practical stage.  We will continue to keep our community updated every step of the way.
   
• First Nations’ Welcome Art Installation - NAIDOC week was celebrated last week and is recognised in schools on our return to school for Term 3.  At FWPS we are acknowledging NAIDOC in a very special way.  Rising First Nations’ Artist, Amina Briggs has been working in our art room this week creating her welcome mural.  Amina is pictured at work when PBD visited with Susie today.

• Sporting results from Tuesday’s interschool sports Maribyrnong Division Finals which were played in a round robin format
  
  Netball Results
  
  Mixed:
  St Augustine's 25 Vs FWPS 2
  Sunshine PS 9 Vs FWPS 3
  
  Girls:
  Sunshine PS 3 Vs FWPS  9
  FWPS 0 Vs Wembley 34
  Ardeer 9 ST VS FWPS 3
  
  AFL 
  
  FWPS 39 Vs Our Lady's 0
  FWPS 40 Vs St Peter's 0
  Yarraville West 47 Vs FWPS 0
  
  Reports will be presented at our assembly tomorrow.
   
• Victorian High Achievers Program - pictured at our last assembly of Term 2 are the senior students who successfully participated in the VHAP program during the term.

Coming up 

• Canteen … will open next week (Wed to Fri).  Apologies for overlooking informing families in the last newsletter of last term that it would not be operating in the first week of Term 3.
   
• Grade 5 Space Centre Excursion - Tomorrow 5SM and 5MC will be the first of the grade 5 cohort to attend an exciting excursion to the Victorian Space Science Education Centre at Strathmore Secondary College (https://www.vssec.vic.edu.au). Students will participate in the 'Expedition to M.A.R.S. Base' and 'Size of your Sol' programs. The programs will deliver a scenario-based learning environment that engages students in a wide range of science activities, using computer and communications technology and encourages collaborative learning and teamwork. The excursion offers a rich experience in science exploration and builds on core scientific thinking skills. Students work in 'Mission Control' and at the 'M.A.R.S. Base'. Students will also be presented with the realistic feel of the relative sizes of the Sun, Moon and Planets.  5TH and 5LW will attend this excursion on Friday of next week.
  This excursion is a wonderful lead to the grade 5 unit on Earth and Space science for Term 3.  
   
• Upcoming changes to NAPLAN reporting
  
  Ahead of NAPLAN results for students being released during the week starting Monday 17th July, I’m writing to inform you of some changes to this year’s reporting. These are changes being introduced nationally by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
  
  NAPLAN will continue to measure student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation however the results will now be presented in the following 4 proficiency levels:
  
  · exceeding
  · strong
  · developing
  · needs additional support
  
  Students’ NAPLAN reports will continue to show how they are tracking against their peers and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and the expected level for their year. The reports also provide valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support your child.
  
  The NAPLAN report is a reflection of your child on one day in their learning journey. It is important that students know that this does not define them – these results are simply another piece of data about your child that helps us to ensure they continue to get the best from their learning.
  
  When we provide you with your results, you will also receive information about what the new proficiency levels mean.
  
  The reports will be sent home as soon as practicable after we receive them. They will be distributed in sealed envelopes via the students, and we will inform families in a Compass newsfeed post the day they are being sent home with your child.  It is important you keep these reports safe, as schools do not retain original copies.
  
  As always, you’re welcome to speak to your child’s teacher, or a member of the principal team if you have any questions about these changes.

Cheers,

Brendan

Repeated (and updated) messages …

Assembly - Assembly on Friday’s will be held outdoors only if the weather conditions are conducive.  If not, assemblies will be presented indoors in the gallery space in Dingo and broadcast to the classrooms.  At this time of the year it may be anticipated that the majority of assemblies will be held indoors.  For our indoor assemblies we gather all the student presenters, class assembly presenters and pupils of the week before assembly starts, as well as parents, carers, grandparents and community members who have come to watch.  

Hearing your voice - In every newsletter we will add a feedback link.  If you have a concern, suggestion or appreciation, or wish to specifically provide comment on school policies, rather than looking for the school email, you can just go to the link.  This will not be the preferred option for detailed emails - the usual practice of using the school email: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au will still be the avenue, but for the concerns, suggestions or appreciations go to:  https://forms.gle/dPnAN75bFVeM1i16A

Parent/Carer Volunteer Induction 

This information has been ‘pinned’ on Compass so it remains easily accessible.  You will currently find it as the second pinned item on your News Feed .  For all new families or parents and carers who didn’t complete the online process last year, if you wish to assist in classrooms, excursions or camps, or volunteer for really any other purpose at FWPS, we need you to complete the modules online.  For parents/carers who did this last year, all you need to do is sign the relevant form at the office.

Change of Email  

We are no longer using the school gmail addresses for communication to staff.  Parents will be asked to communicate directly with staff using the email facility within Compass, or email the school email address at: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au ‘Attention staff member’s name’.  Emails sent from the Compass app will be sent directly to the relevant staff members’ education email account.  Please understand that staff are busy and will respond in a timely manner.  If a matter is urgent, you are advised to call the school during office hours, or leave a message outside those hours.

Car Park Use

A reminder that the car park is open prior to 8 am and after 4 pm daily for parent access for the Their Care OSHC program.  At other times, please appreciate that the car park is for staff use.  Should you need to walk through to the Their Care location at Emu Corner, for safety’s sake we ask that you use the pedestrian gate next to the boom gate and make your way between Koala and the Wallaby buildings past Gecko via the basketball court through to Emu Corner.

Please check out the brief explanatory video at: https://vimeo.com/777907951

Photo Permission - When parents and carers first sign the enrolment form for school entry, they may be understandably reluctant to sign the photo permission section.  We frequently use pictures and videos to share learning highlights and to maintain and foster school/home links.  As we frequently include photos and videos of the students learning and playing we are regularly confronted by wonderful picture opportunities we cannot share in our newsletter and videos.  

We would love you to review your decision so your child can be fully involved in the life of our school.  Feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the office so they can make those adjustments on your behalf.

COVID Information

As you will all understand, COVID continues to be transmitted within the community and remains a highly infectious illness.  Consequently, it continues to be vital for families to remain careful when exposed to COVID or when demonstrating symptoms.  While schools will no longer be providing Rapid Antigen Tests - We do have dozens of leftover packs that have at least 6 months left before their use by date.  Drop in to the office, or send  us a message and we will send some home with your child.  

Many of you will have heard that this year RATs, while continuing to be supplied by the state government, will be distributed by local councils from venues such as our library locations.

Rapid Antigen Tests are also available for all Victorians from Council sites.  People can get 2 free packs (10 tests) for themselves and 2 free packs (10 tests) for each of their household members.

People with disability and their carers can get up to 4 free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.

Further information can be obtained at Council Rapid Antigen Test Program.

Rapid antigen testing

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff:

·         If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild

·         If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19

·         If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.

Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.