In this week’s newsletter:

Welcome back for Term 2

Appreciations

Thanks Maxena and Dave

News

Easter raffle
Facilities update
ANZAC Day assembly commemoration today at 2:40pm
Sunsmart hats not required until Term 4
Team News
Classroom Volunteers Invitation

Coming Up

ANZAC Day tomorrow - public holiday
Upcoming student free days during this term
Prep 2026 information session and school tours start next Tuesday

Welcome back for Term 2

We hope our families and staff members enjoyed the unusually mild weather throughout the holiday period. I cannot recall ever our summer extending so late into the year.

We look forward to building on our positive start throughout Term 2.

Appreciations and Acknowledgements

Thank you Maxena and Dave

An appreciation to old friends of FWPS, Maxena and Dave who popped in on Wednesday to clean the fish tank in our reception foyer. As former FWPS grandparents, they have remained engaged ever since their grandson joined us for the early part of his primary education. That was about 15 years ago. What an outstanding commitment!

News

Easter Raffle

We cast our minds back to the final assembly of last term when we had the joy of providing the many lucky raffle winners with the Easter hamper prizes. The raffle was a great success due to the generosity of families donating items and purchasing tickets. We were delighted to raise a figure of $4,687.20 which will be used for facility improvements in our school. A big thank you to members of the Parents’ Association and the office team.

Facilities Update

During the holidays there were significant facilities work carried out. The most pressing and indeed the most impressive, being the transformation of the main student toilet block near the Prep courtyard. We couldn't be happier with the work of Harrison Smith of Smith Building Solutions. We didn't know Harrison prior to him quoting for the project based on a recommendation and now based on our experience we are happy to share that recommendation with our community members who may have interest in a commercial or domestic renovation or build.

https://smithbuildingsolutions.com.au

New toilet stalls, toilets, tapware, painting and tiling have complemented the thorough cleaning and polishing of the lino, urinal and troughs.

Additionally, our regular arborist has completed his annual audit and his staff removed a major limb of one of our iconic playground gum trees. Our priority is always safety comes first.

The rubberised playground surface received some necessary repairs:

The work around the other big gum was quite artistically managed I thought!

All classrooms where trailing electric cords were being used to enable TVs to operate were reconfigured by our regular electrician. They look much neater and of course are safer as well.

And finally, our air conditioning post service maintenance work was done across the school.

The building works continued with the completion of drainage and a grease trap for the canteen. As this was being managed major concrete footings were poured. The majority of concrete for the project has now been poured, however the final 100mm slab is due to be poured in May. This is expected to occur over two days with likely a day between pours.

Anzac Day Commemoration Assembly

Today we prepared for a special assembly to acknowledge Anzac Day. While we always acknowledge the importance of Anzac Day for Australians, we have placed greater focus this year, as having a special assembly at the end of this first shortened week seemed an ideal opportunity. The presentation was made as an assembly item by our grade 6 school and class captains.

This week in the library Shannon has been investigating Anzac Day with the older classes through a range of literature. Pictured are the displays created by the students. These were due to be placed as a backdrop to our special assembly starting at 2:40pm.

Sunsmart

While the warm weather lasts we encourage the wearing of hats, however this is optional. Our Sunsmart policy requirements will return at the start of Term 4. Parents and staff may appreciate the break from chasing up lost hats!

Team News

This week you will find the term summary for year 5. Grade summaries for the other teams, including the Specialist team will be included over the coming weeks.

Coming Up

Student Free Days

In order to provide families reasonable prior notice of student free days this term, a Compass post was sent last week.

The dates are replicated here:

Monday, 21st April - Easter Monday public holiday

Friday, 25th April (Week 1) - ANZAC Day public holiday

Monday, 26th May (Week 6) for a Curriculum Day

(Berry Street Education Model - Day 4 Staff Training)

Tuesday, 27th May (Week 6) for a Professional Practice Day for Report Writing

Monday, 9th June (Week 8) - King's Birthday public holiday

Friday, 4th July (Week 11) - Last Day Term 2 (2:20pm Early Finish)

2026 Prep Enrolment Information Sessions and School Tours

Our 2026 Prep Enrolment Information and School Tour sessions will run on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, 29th April 2025 - 9:30am to 10:45am (now fully booked)
Tuesday, 13th May 2025 - 9:30am to 10:45am
Tuesday, 13th May 2025 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Friday, 30th May 2025 - 9:30am to 10:45am

To attend one of the above listed sessions, please register via the following link: https://compasstix.com/e/ih8jj2xmp4

We encourage parents and carers to attend one of these sessions, particularly if new to our school community. Our grade 6 captains, along with K-P Transition co-ordinator Karri and myself appreciate the opportunity of showcasing what FWPS has to offer. Enrolment forms will be available for all families residing within our school zone and enrolment applications will be offered for all families who reside outside our zone.

Warm regards,

Brendan

Reminders and Repeated Messages

Pen Recycling Location at Office

The Environment Team is supporting a pen recycling program and this was reported on at last week’s assembly. While the students were focussed on the many hundreds of pens and textas that eventually wear out at school, you're welcome to send in some from home.

Student References

Due to an ever-increasing workload and in agreement with our local network schools, FWPS teachers and leadership will no longer provide written letters of recommendation / support for scholarship applications for students who are transitioning to independent or Catholic schools. This applies for Year 6 to 7 transitions, as well as transitions in earlier year levels. With written consent from parents/carers (via an email to the school office), we are able to pass on copies of school reports and have a conversation with a students' new school for the purpose of supporting the transition process.

Inform and Empower Program / Raising Kids in a Digital World Information Evening

A replay of Marty and Carley’s first rate presentation and family resources are available here:

Raising Kids in a Digital World - Parent Resources

www.informandempower.com.au/schools-webinars/footscray-west-ps

Replay - Available for 30 days
Toolkit (slides, links and resources from the session)
Blog posts
Printable family poster

Road Safety Reminder

A week rarely passes without multiple examples of worrying behaviour from motorists during the busy drop off and pick up times. The rush to do so often leads to students being put at risk by being encouraged to walk between double parked cars and crossing Argyle Street away from the pedestrian crossing. We can all recall the tragedy that occurred at a Melbourne primary school last year. No one wants to see a similar experience at FWPS.

School Saver Bonus

The office team and in particular our Business Manager, Sandra have continued to be busy every day assisting parents and carers in making sure that they are registered and able to access the $400 one off School Saver Bonus. If this has got away from you, or you just need some assistance, please contact the office team for some practical assistance. The team loves to help. We want every family to fully make use of this opportunity.

Curriculum Contributions

A parent / carer payment contribution Compass post was sent to all families early in term. We really appreciate your support in making this payment for each of your children as soon as possible. Funds received are directed to subsidising the many curriculum costs in managing a school of this size. FWPS is a school that is underfunded based on the Schooling Resource Standard https://www.education.gov.au/recurrent-funding-schools/schooling-resource-standard for Australian schools. At FWPS we receive a lower rate of equity funding due to our local demographic than many other western suburbs schools. This may be deemed as fair from a systemic perspective, but doesn't help us pay the bills! With annual fees topped at $300 (prep) we really think our community can do better than the 69% of families (grades 1-6) last year who contributed their expected contribution. There is an opportunity to pay by instalments. Please contact the office team if you would like more information or assistance.

Photo and Video Permission Form

The Department of Education now requires parents and carers to sign this permission form annually (this used to be a requirement only when students started school, or moved to FWPS). This requirement has made a ‘once off task’ for every child now a x7 task for every child. That is a lot of parent time and you can imagine how that is magnified from a schools’ administration perspective. If you haven't done this yet, please make this a priority to complete and return to the office (or classroom).

We really wish to encourage parents and carers to tick all 3 boxes to enable pictures or videos from class events (incursions, excursions, assemblies, sporting events and camps) and special moments (such as presentations and reports from assembly) to be able to be shown (or linked) in the newsletter and official school Facebook page.

Community News

International Composting Awareness Week - Maribyrnong City Council

What's on for Families - Maribyrnong City Council

Good Clean Fun - Auskick West Footscray

Bilingual Story Time - Maribyrnong City Council

Dads & Kids Sports Fest Special Free Event - Maribyrnong City Council

Active Paths Program - Maribyrnong City Council