Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

News and Appreciations

• Cessation of Industrial Work Bans
• IDAHOBIT Day
• New Facilities Works
• Bike and Scooter Safety and Courtesy (continued)
• Staffing Change in 1HL - effective this week

Coming Up Tomorrow

• Walk (Ride) Safely to School Day

• Assembly

   

Coming Up Next Week

• Prep 2027 Tour and Enrolment Information Sessions Final Chance
• Presentation of the 2025 Annual Report to the School Community

News and Appreciations

Suspension of Industrial Work Bans

Following the in-principle agreement reached between the Department of Education and the Australian Education Union (AEU), schools have been advised that all industrial action associated with negotiations for the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA) was formally suspended on 18 May 2026 whilst sub branches consider and then vote on the offer. This includes all stop work action, including industrial action relating to school visits by Members of Parliament.

As previously communicated in an earlier newsletter, one aspect of the industrial action included a ban on work associated with preparing written comments for Semester 1 student reports. While the bans has now been placed on hold, the disruption to the usual reporting timeline means that schools are not required to complete written comments for Semester One reports. It is not reasonable to expect teaching staff to now undertake work that, as union members, they were previously directed not to complete during the normal reporting period.

Footscray West Primary School will continue with its planned student reporting schedule. Semester 1 reports will provide indications of student achievement against the relevant Victorian Curriculum standards only.

Student Learning Conferences

Student Learning Conferences will soon provide an opportunity for parents to meet with their child’s class teacher to discuss their academic and wellbeing growth across the first semester. Currently, teachers are busily assessing what learning concepts have been retained by students and may contact some parents they wish to discuss student progress with prior to conferences. Over the next few weeks however, teachers are unable to accommodate the many parent initiated requests that have been made, for additional meetings to see how their child is progressing. The right time for this conversation is at the Student Learning Conference, once assessment has been completed and reports have been issued. In the meantime, parents are encouraged to contact the principal team for urgent matters. 

Bookings for student learning conferences will be released on Compass within the next fortnight.

IDAHOBIT Day

Thank you to 3CG for their thoughtful assembly presentation last Friday which not only recognised the importance of this day but also helped us learn more about the history of it.

New Facilities Works

Safety mesh was installed on the car park sliding gate and the adjacent fence line next to Dumbo.  We are now confident that the safety glitch recently pointed out to us has been rectified.

Bike and Scooter Safety and Courtesy (continued)

Last week I quoted the very reasonable concerns of a parent and the need for riders and walkers to safely and respectfully share the footpath. With this being National Road Safety Week and tomorrow being Walk (Ride) Safely to School Day, it doesn’t hurt to reiterate this concern. From my own perspective, I wish to also remind students that it is not acceptable to ride or scoot within the school grounds. It simply isn’t safe, particularly for pedestrians.  If I see students flagrantly ignoring this requirement, their bike or scooter just might spend 24 hours under my supervision! Along with this expectation, is the simple fact that every one of us who rides or scoots is also required to wear a helmet. This breach seems to be more prevalent with scooter riders - 2 senior students were reminded of the law on this matter on Wednesday. I wouldn’t risk my safety by ever riding without a helmet and I believe our whole community would be supportive of this view. I will add this reminder to my assembly notes.

Staffing Change in 1HL - effective this week

I shared the following information with the parents and carers of 1HL students earlier in the week:

We would like to inform you of a change to the teaching arrangements for 1HL, effective from this week.

Libby, who currently teaches the class on Fridays, will be replaced in this role by Brooke Danaher, a long-standing member of our team and former Prep Team Leader. This arrangement will begin this week and continue for the remainder of Term 2 and throughout Term 3.

As Libby has approved leave in Term 4, the arrangement that we had already planned for will remain in place. During Term 4 the grade's predominant teacher, Helena, will teach the class 5 days a week.

This change will allow Libby, in her senior leadership role overseeing the English curriculum, to dedicate additional time to this important responsibility.

We have aimed to minimise changes for the benefit of the students and are pleased to welcome Brooke back as she returns from family leave in a part-time capacity.

Coming Up Tomorrow

Walk (Ride) Safely to School Day 

This will be a low key reminder that walking and riding is often the most convenient, fun and least frustrating way to attend school each day - but most importantly we also want it to be the safest!

The Preps will receive some removable tattoos if they walk or ride tomorrow.  

Year 6 Winter Sport – Round 3 

Tomorrow’s matches are an away fixture, with our Year 6 students competing against Footscray PS.

Assembly

Tomorrow’s assembly in the Eagle Gymnasium will feature:

• 3SJ presenting their assembly item
• Sports reports from last week’s third round of winter competition
• Other relevant reports

• Our Pupil of the Week awards

   

Please be seated prior to 2:50pm. Gates will open after students return to class following the end of recess at 2:30pm.

Coming Up Next Week

Prep 2027 Tour and Enrolment Information Sessions Final Chance

Our third and final morning enrolment information sessions and tour will be held next Tuesday, with the final opportunity to attend an information session being our only evening session to be held next Wednesday.

Tours have been very popular, with strong bookings across all sessions.

Prospective Prep parents may book here:

Prep 2027 Information Sessions and School Tours

Remaining Sessions

• Tuesday, 26 May 2026, 9:30am – 11:15am
• Wednesday, 27 May 2026, 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Presentation of the 2025 Annual Report to the School Community

Government schools are required to provide a public presentation of this report annually.  The report references 2025 data and is prepared using a template, the draft and final version being shared at School Council, prior to being attested by the school principal and then approved centrally, after which it is uploaded to the school website.  Our 2025 Annual Report to the School Community can be viewed here:  2025 Annual Report.

At 7:00pm next Tuesday there will be an opportunity to join an online presentation of the report.  This meeting will be attended by our current school council and will precede our regular school council meeting.  If you wish to attend, please log on to this Webex link no later than 7.00pm. 

Best regards,

Brendan

Repeated and Revised Messages