Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations 

• Congratulations to the grade 5 VHAP participants in term 1 
• Gratitude for Parent Association volunteers 
• Hey! Nice mural

News

• Election result has positive funding implications for government schools
• Mother’s and Special Person’s Day stall cost explanation

Coming Up 

• Grade 6 Winter inter school sports round 2
• Assembly tomorrow
• School Council on Monday
• Prep 2026 information session and school tour session 2 next Tuesday at 9.30am and 6:00pm
• IDAHOBIT Day

Appreciations

Congratulations to the Grade 5 VHAP Participants in Term 1

The grade 5 students who participated in Term 1 Victorian High Achievers Program are pictured receiving their recognition certificates at assembly last week. 

Parent’s Association Appreciation

PA  members have done a marvellous job preparing and providing a great range of items for the Mother’s and Special Person’s Day stall to be held tomorrow.  A grade roster has been prepared (thanks Carolyn) to ensure all who wish to participate don’t miss out.  Check out the pinned Compass post for information on the Sensory Friendly Shopping Session. 

Hey! Nice Mural 

Love the newly painted Parent’s Association second hand uniform container that this week is being transformed by Shannon from Hey! Nice Murals, assisted by colleague and parent Yasmin Frazzetto (Izzy and Daisy) and Jacqui Horvat (Sid and Ziggy). Shannon’s skills were sourced and resourced by our PA.

News

Election Result 

It was an unusual election day Saturday as FWPS was quiet without a queue or sausage and onion (always with onion) in sight.  While it is part of my brief to be careful when commenting on politics, the return of an ALP Federal government comes with a promise of a significant government school’s funding increase to better support what is unarguably an underfunded system.  The agreement for the Commonwealth to provide an additional 5 percent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) to all states and territories will over time increase our resources to better meet the needs of FWPS kids.  There is no real detail yet, but the promise for the Commonwealth to increase the future recurrent contribution from 20 percent to 25 percent of the SRS, has taken 10 years and successive governments of conservative and progressive alignment to actually make such a commitment.  We will watch with interest.

Mother’s and Special Person’s Stall - An Explanation 

The increase in per student cost this year and the requirement for participating families to pay online has understandably stimulated some community feedback.  To reiterate, our Mother’s and Special Person’s Day stall is entirely run on the goodwill and voluntarism of a small group of parents and carers.  The stall cost has remained at $5 for many years.  That was the cost when I joined FWPS as Assistant Principal in 2007! 

Our active Parent’s Association executive meets with leadership early each term. At the start of this year they expressed their concerns that finding worthwhile stall items at the established price point had become very difficult. After further consideration, an increase to $10 was agreed in order to broaden the item variety and quality, and to reduce the need for another increase for a very significant period of time.  In order to reduce the time required for volunteers and the office team to provide change, count and bank notes and coins, it was further agreed to make our stall a cashless event. Families are encouraged to participate, but it is certainly not required - we know some families may not recognise the day, or choose to make a gift, or purchase one elsewhere. For the couple of community members who have expressed concerns of affordability for other families, we always have plans in place - it is no different this year. 

Coming Up 

Winter Interschool Round 2 

The second round sees our netball, T Ball, AFL and soccer teams playing at home against old rivals Footscray North PS.  Games are run between 12:15pm and 1:30pm.  Parents/carers are always welcome to attend and support the teams.

Assembly Tomorrow 

The forecast again appears fine, so we are again hopeful of an outdoor assembly this week.  4TF will present their assembly item, we will hear our first winter sports reports that will feature the results of last week’s games, some relevant reports about upcoming events and of course Pupil of the Week awards.  As usual, school gates will be opened at 2:30pm straight after recess to enable our community to attend.

School Council 

School Council will be held online on Monday. A report will be included in next week’s newsletter.

2026 Prep Enrolment Information Sessions and School Tours 

The remaining sessions are:

• 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.  

IDAHOBIT Day

IDAHOBIT Day will be acknowledged next Friday. We encourage rainbow clothing to show our support.

Warm regards,

Brendan

Reminders and Repeated Messages