Principal's Report

Dear Families,

We have had a great start to Term 3!

100 Days of Prep

Last week, we celebrated the 100th day of our Prep students. It was a lovely celebration with some fabulous costumes. A big thank you to our Prep teachers, Bronte, Maddi and Molly for all their work in making it a milestone day for families and their students.

Division Sport

FNPS students recently participated in the AFL Gala Day and as a result of their amazing efforts, the AFL team made it through to Divisional Sport representing FNPS. The team competed last Thursday and had some challenging opposition. They were able to snag a win in their final game by 2 points!! Well done to all our competitors for your efforts during the day!

The University of Melbourne research partnership

Fitzroy North Primary School is pairing up with The University of Melbourne in a study. This study aims to explore how school playground environments influence children’s healthy development, wellbeing, connections to nature, play activities and experiences, and academic outcomes.

What is this research about?

Our project investigates how playground designs and outdoor spaces impact primary school children’s wellbeing, autonomy, competence, relatedness, connection to nature, and academic engagement. The findings will help inform how schools can create enriching and supportive outdoor environments for students.

Who can participate?

We are seeking primary schools in Victoria to take part. Students from Prep to Year 6, their parents/carer, and teachers will be invited to participate. Your school's participation would make a meaningful contribution to this area of research.

What will participation involve? 

Students will complete a short workbook during school hours (approximately 30–45 minutes) about their playground experiences and activities, their personal wellbeing, and their feelings about nature. Younger students will be supported by a researcher who can read the questions aloud for the students. Researchers will also ask the students some open-ended questions that will be voice recorded for later transcription. These recordings will then be deleted.

Parents/Carers will complete a survey (approximately 20 minutes) about their child’s behaviours, their own connection to nature, and some demographic questions. We will also ask for optional consent to access their child’s National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) results, if their child is in the applicable NAPLAN year levels.

Parent survey:

https://q.surveys.unimelb.edu.au/jfe/form/SV_6LilumOD0GDKngG

Researchers will record their perceptions of the school playground, conduct a biodiversity survey of plants indoors and outdoors, and assess the play affordances in the school playground.

Participation is voluntary, and all data will be kept confidential.

What are the benefits?

Our school’s involvement will contribute to research on how school environments can best support student development, wellbeing, and connection with nature. Findings will be shared with participating schools to help improve outdoor spaces for learning, wellbeing, and play.  Insights gained from this study may also contribute to the development of strategies and policies that optimise children’s healthy development within school environments.

Have a lovely week!

Kind regards,

Nick England

Acting Principal