In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations and News
- BSEM Parent/Carer online forum
- Regional Round Robin AFL
- School Council update
- The annual Parent/Carer Opinion survey opened on Monday
- Grade 3 and 4 swimming program started this week
- Wet weather and the oval
Coming Up
- Assembly tomorrow
- Swimming continues
- FWPS Annual Athletics Event
- Smile Squad next month
Repeated (and Updated) Messages

Appreciations and News

Berry Street Education Model Parent/Carer Forum - We were pleased with the attendance of nearly 100 parents and carers and the format and presentation of last evening’s BSEM parent/carer forum, hosted online by BSEM educator Kaine Volkov. Thanks to all who logged in and for posing some great questions. We are very appreciative of the outstanding financial support and enthusiasm of our Parents Association in bringing us this event and the Wellbeing team for organising it. Unfortunately, BSEM does not allow schools to record the session for even a short access period. We are hopeful that next year we will be able to arrange another forum.

Regional Round Robin AFL Event - Stratos stepped in for Marco (unwell) and again with the assistance of Michael and Daniela Kordick (Perry 6MP) to support the highly motivated footy crew. While the results didn’t fall our way, I think we can appreciate that FWPS ensured our large squad all played, both genders were represented and all students did so with a positive attitude. There will be a report presented at Friday’s assembly.

School Council update - Our meeting was held online on Monday evening.

We addressed the requirement to provide a public meeting about the Annual Report to the School Community before moving onto the current business of Council.
In a staffing update we acknowledged the positive news that our newest office team member, Sharon had been offered and had accepted an ongoing position at FWPS.
In correspondence and the Principal’s Report it was noted that the Department of Education Regional Office had set a cap of 100 students at Prep level for the 2025 school year. This means when offers of prep placements are communicated in the next two weeks, we cannot offer places to families residing outside of our school zone, if doing so exceeds the cap for 2025. The exception of course includes students who reside in our zone, or have siblings currently enrolled in our school. In such cases, schools must accommodate all students who fit this criteria, even when accommodating late enrolments.
We then discussed questions relating to each of the reports shared beforehand from each of our subcommittees (Finance, Facilities, ComPol and the Parents Association).
Finance covered our current financial position, our contract with uniform supplier PSW and some mid term options prior to contract renewal and the outcome of our recent asset stocktake. We considered Facilities priorities; student toilet refurbishment and the expected announcement of a $50K grant submission late this term, LED stage government spotlight replacement initiative, and considerations regarding synthetic turf removal and eventual replacement options post building works were also discussed.
Facilities covered the above, as well detailed discussion relating to the building project and Wallaby building concerns. Regarding the building project, we expect to go to tender to a shortlist of experienced building companies late in August. Our current expectation is that we will have the last two weeks of Term 4 to ensure the Gecko and shelter shed (both set for demolition) are cleared of all items of use. We intend to renovate both sets of student toilets near Crocodile. We will be unable to do this in the September holidays, as we will need to know the outcome of the grant (see above) and will set a time in a term break to manage this work, regardless of the outcome. We have received improved feedback on the quality of daily cleaning as now managed by SERCO. The changeover from the very disappointing ISS contractors has been challenging, but positive news deserves recognition, so we are hopeful the recent improvements will be maintained. We are planning a Sunday working bee mid November in warmer weather. With changed rules and expectations relating to Child Safety and OHS requirements, we anticipate that an adult only working bee will finish with a family lunch featuring the pizza oven.
ComPol has been planning for the launch of our new Vision and Values. We are looking to officially launch our Vision and Values early in Term 4.
Parents Association have been extremely active with being partners with us in supporting the implementation of The Berry Street Educational Model with the successful information forum held last night. It was pleasing to learn that we now have support for running the Father’s Day Stall this term. The return of the Trivia Night has proven very popular, so we hope for a successful evening and the opportunity to expand next year to enable a larger gathering.

Parent / Carers Opinion Survey - This opened on Monday this week. All families should have received an email to the parent listed in our database as Parent A. I cannot imagine any of us feel like doing another online survey, however it would be appreciated if you can take the time to respond thoughtfully. Please contact the office if you have not received the relevant email.

Grade 3 and 4 swimming… started this week and things have gone well following a few teething problems on Monday. We appreciate our staff and those at the MAC for enabling the program to occur and the parents and carers who have volunteered to make themselves available to assist with adult / student ratios. Team leaders Tess and Medha positively commented on the level of responsibility shown by the swimmers from both grade 3 and 4.

Next week the program will continue for all 5 days for the grade 3s and for 4 days for the grade 4s, due to the FWPS Athletics Event on Wednesday.

Wet weather and the oval - The really recent wet weather has forced us to close, or restrict the area of use of the oval for multiple days over the last fortnight. We really do like to keep the entire playground open to all. Fingers crossed for some warmer and dryer days ahead.

Coming Up…

Assembly tomorrow - The Preps will share their excitement at the first 100 days of school celebration tomorrow. As a result we adjusted our assembly presentation roster to bump up our preps for some upcoming assemblies. Tomorrow it will be PAK’s turn to showcase this milestone event. We will be keeping an eye on the weather to make a decision during the day whether we are going to present our assembly inside (gallery space of Dingo), or from the bleachers facing the green shade sail. The front gate will be open at 2:30pm at the conclusion of recess and assembly is due to start at 2:40pm. All are welcome.

Athletics next week - The program was shared with families in a Compass post yesterday and is replicated in today’s newsletter (Coming Up at FWPS).

A summary as posted with the permission and payment form on Compass:

Payment and consent due by Friday, 2 August

Our School Athletics Carnival for students in Years 4 to 6 will be held at Moonee Valley Athletics Track on Wednesday 7th August from 9.30am to 3.00pm. All students are expected to attend as the Athletics program is part of the PE curriculum.

Each participant will compete in a minimum of three, and a maximum of four, events on the day. Students will choose from running, throwing and jumping events. The results of these events will determine the selection of our Representative Athletics Team, who will go on to compete in the District Athletics Carnival on Thursday, 22nd August at the same venue.

The canteen at the track will be open on the day serving a range of food and drinks for students and parents, if they choose to purchase items on the day.

A reminder that students in Year 4 who have enrolled in the Intensive Swimming Program will not be attending the pool on the day of the Athletics Carnival as they will be participating in this event. This was outlined on Compass when enrolling for the swimming program and the costs for the pool were reduced to allow for this.

A few key points:

Lunch/snack will need to be brought by all. The canteen will be open and provide snacks and non carbonated drinks. A maximum of $10 is suggested. The canteen will NOT be available to cater for student lunches.
Students will be expected to wear school uniforms suitable for exercise - T-shirt, shorts and runners.
Students are encouraged to wear outer wear - track pants / tops (labelled with your child’s name). These do not need to be uniform items for this day only. Please ensure that your child dresses in accordance with expected weather conditions.
Event times will be subject to delays.
FWPS school nurse, Zowi will attend the event. Medication stored at school for students’ daily or emergency use will be brought with us.
Parents / carers are encouraged to attend.

Cheers,

Brendan

Repeated (and Updated) Messages…

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