Footscray West PS Newsletter

Principal's Report

Principal: Brendan Millar

In this week’s newsletter:

  • Appreciations 
    • Appreciation to Maxena and David
    • Parent/carer contributions and One in All In
  • News
    • Curriculum Day - Berry Street Education Model (BSEM)
    • Parent / Carer Information Sharing Forums
    • School Council Update
    • Photo Day
  • Coming Up
    • Cross Country Trials
    • Swimming
    • Grade 3 Zoo Snooze
  • Repeated Messages (and updated)
    • Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)
    • Curriculum Contributions
    • Carpark Access
    • Parent / Carer Volunteer Induction

Appreciations 

Appreciation to Maxena and David - We were delighted to see old friends, Maxena and David, wonderful grandparents of former prep student Max, visit to help out during the week. While Max left our school over a decade ago they have remained connected ever since. We can thank Dave and Max for many voluntary contributions over the years, especially our fish tank in reception. Unfortunately, the fish tank doesn’t clean itself, so it was pleasing to see Maxena and Dave spending a few hours on Wednesday expertly cleaning the tank. A big appreciation on behalf of all the little kids who love to watch the fish swim.

 

Parent / Carer Contributions and One in All In - We appreciate all families who have supported our school’s financial requirements by promptly paying student curriculum contributions (formerly referred to as school fees) this year.  As of writing, our prep families had contributed 68% of the total and our 1-6 families 43%.  

 

We have also received a total of $3,250 towards the One in All In (OIAI) program, including an extremely generous anonymous donation of $1000 from one family, as well as an ICT donation of $100 - it all helps. The OIAI has already contributed nearly $2400 towards helping families so far this year, mostly for the forthcoming grade 3 and 4 camps.

News …

Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) - Monday’s curriculum day introduced our whole staff to the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM). The day reflected wonderfully on the professionalism and enthusiasm of our teaching and support staff, expertly guided by a terrific BSEM educator, Jack.  The day provided a terrific insight into how the model can supportively shape our school, supporting our students' learning and emotional development through this comprehensive and well researched program. While we would love on the one hand to be able to complete all four days of training in a short period of time, we understand that attending the training over four curriculum days, spread over two years will enable us to develop and embed practice. Your child’s teachers will be utilising some of the terrific activities in class immediately, specifically brain breaks following this initial introduction. Other elements, such as ready to learn scales will be introduced during the term. A whole school approach is vital for the success of a model such as BSEM. At Footscray West, we have a deep understanding that a whole school approach really works. For many years as a Tribes learning community we developed this understanding and practice. BSEM will be successfully integrated with the support of our School community. We will continue to provide opportunities for you learn about the model and how you can utilise some of the learning practically at home. A big thank you to the organising team; Carolyn, Lisa and Towela and of course the terrific commitment from our staff team.

 

Parents / Carer Information Sharing Forums – it was terrific to see our class teachers and specialists engaging with parents and carers on Tuesday and Wednesday during our Info sharing forums in person or online. Tuesday’s scorching weather made the online WebEx option a popular one – it is great to be able to provide the choice. A big thanks to all who communicated within our forums in a respectful and supportive manner.

 

School Council Update – We appreciate the strength and support of our School Council. We are pleased to have the following parents nominating to remain on Council: Andrew Newman (Otis 4AF), Jess Elliott (Owen 5TC), Paul Gregg (Josh, 6MI and Zoe 1LL ), and Alison Thistlewaite (Emma 5HT, Zoe 4AF, Cameron 2CW).  The casual position mentioned in last week’s newsletter has been filled by Evie Bohan (Martin 1MM).  The ‘outgoing’ council membership meets on Monday.  This will be the final meeting for staff member, Lisa Peterson and parent member, Korin Greenwood.  A very big appreciation to Lisa and Korin for their positive contributions during their time on our Council.

 

Photo Day - Today has provided ideal weather for our annual class photo day. Considering how hot and windy it was 48 hours earlier, we consider ourselves fortunate.  This has enabled us to take the class photos outside and we hope this will enable brighter and more memorable photos.  Today we have had 2 outdoor grade photo locations (on the basketball court) and 4 portrait photo stations set up in Gecko to increase efficiency.  All our recently elected student representatives have had their group photo taken during the day.  After school, families who have booked for sibling photos will have been provided with a time between 3.30 and 4.30 pm.  While an FWPS staff member is required to be in attendance, parents and carers must attend in order to supervise their children.

Coming Up… 

Cross Country Trials - All students grades 4 - 6 will be attending our cross country trials at Johnson Reserve tomorrow from 9.15 to 11.15 am.  The events will start with the youngest age groups.  The grade 4s will return to school once their trials are completed.  Please ensure that your child has a sunsmart hat and applies and has access to sunscreen, as shade options are limited. Parents and carers are welcome to attend. 

 

Swimming - The Grade 1 and 2 swimming program starts on Monday at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre.  The 9 day intensive program will be held in the mornings for the next fortnight with the exception of next Friday, 23rd February (due to the MAC being unavailable).  Our grade 1LL families will participate in a Term 4 program at the time of the Prep swimming program.  This change was made to provide places for the additional student numbers we were unable to accommodate in this term’s program.  

 

Grade 3 Zoo Snooze - The first two of our overnight programs for each of our grade 3 classes will be held next week.  3TN (Trang) will be attending the Zoo overnight on Tuesday, 20th February and 3KT (Kim) on Wednesday, 21st February.  This will be the first of this year’s camp experiences.  The remaining 2 grade 3 classes will be held the following week.  The overnight camp experience for the grade 4 classes will be held for all three classes during week 7 on 14th and 15th March at Campaspe Downs.

 

 

Cheers,

Brendan

 

Repeated messages (and updated)…

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) - If you have eligibility we don't want you to miss out. Please read the information included again this week in the 'From the Office Team' page.

 

Curriculum Contributions - A parent/carer payment contribution Compass post was forwarded to all families a fortnight ago and will be sitting near the top of your Compass tab.  We appreciate all who have supported our programs by making this payment already.

 

Car Park Access - 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.

 

Parent/Carer Volunteer Induction Please look out for the Compass post, pinned so it remains easily accessible. 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.  While the content will be adjusted when the Child Safety and Wellbeing Team can find the time, it remains relevant.