Principal's Report

Maximising our Time

Welcome back everyone for term two. We held our Annual General Meeting during the last week of term one, and at this meeting I was able to reflect upon the many positive achievements from the start of the year. I’m delighted to see that our students have kept that momentum going, delivering a first week of this term that was focused, calm and highly engaged.

As a staff we are reflecting upon the importance of maximising the learning time of five hours per day – 25 hours across the week. The pie chart below illustrates a typical school week, while also recognising the valuable events that fall outside this structure – school concerts and rehearsals, sports days, and whole‑school events. We also recognise the need for teachers to devote time to wellbeing matters, intervening and responding in ways to create classrooms that are calm and supportive. 

When you also add in the transitions between lessons, and time for eating, it is easy to see how quickly a school week fills up, and how hard teachers must work to cover all areas.

Pride In Our Workbooks

A focus for our mini-assemblies is taking pride in our workbooks. At the assemblies I explained to students that by giving thought to their presentation, and having a workbook that is well organised, it will motivate them to present work of a high standard. Whilst the main focus of any work task is the learning that has occurred, if presented neatly, it will engender higher levels of achievement.

Below are some examples that were shared at the assemblies.

Year 6 Camp

During the last week of term one, our intrepid Year 6s headed off to Camp Jungai for their four day camp. Congratulations to Year 6 for your attitude, teamwork, enthusiasm and respect that you demonstrated throughout the week. The teachers that attended were very impressed by how you managed every situation – social, emotional and physical, and how you illustrated your effectiveness as a year level team.

As always, we are grateful to the adults who planned and accompanied the camp. To the staff – Anna, Conor, Anneliese, Grace, Cathy and Andres; to the parents – Cathy Coates, Lori Dalton, Lee Hodson, Maree Nowak and Talia Papas.

Somers Camp

We have 17 students attending Somers Camp for the next nine days. They departed today and will return on Wednesday 6 May. This camp is organised by the Department of Education and offered to Year 5 & 6 FPS students every two years. Students will take part in an outdoor camp alongside others from many schools. We wish our students a memorable experience.

Our crew of happy Grade 5s and 6s arrived at Northcote primary school for their bus. Any nervous energy and worry was wiped away when they all banded together and introduced each other to students from other schools. There was a one-hour bus delay, which meant that there was ample time for students to mix and mingle and play basketball, Gaga ball, or discuss the pros and cons of braces. By the time the bus arrived, the children from all schools had integrated and were moving together as one group.  When I left, the kids were on the bus and ready to rock and roll.

~ Parent reflection at drop-off 

School Tours

Today we ran the first of our school tours. We are running tours differently to previous years by limiting the number of attendees to eight adults, running them twice a week throughout the term. If you know of families interested in enrolling their child in Foundation in 2027, enrolment details are available here. 

• Access the online enrolment form.
• Find out more about school tours.

Keep Unwell Children at Home

A reminder about the importance of keeping unwell children at home – especially as cases of COVID and post-viral rashes currently circulating through the FPS community. 

If your child is showing signs of illness please allow them the time they need to rest and recover. Staying home not only helps your child return to full health more quickly, it also protects other students, staff, and families from the spread of infection.

Foodbank Victoria Thanks!

Last term we celebrated Harmony Day with the students invited to wear orange and participate in a range of lunchtime activities to celebrate inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone. 

Students were invited to bring a gold coin donation with the funds going to Foodbank Victoria, a charitable organisation that helps feed people in need. We are thrilled to report that confirm that this fundraiser  generated enough to provide 1,060 meals. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

Curriculum Day – Friday 29 May 

Make a note that our third curriculum day of the year is on Friday 29th May. TeamKids will be operating on this date.

Thank you for your support of the school. See you around the grounds.

Paul Wallace

Principal