Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

News and Appreciations 

• Family Voluntary Contributions
• Professional Learning this Week
• Annual Prep Picnic
• Prep Open Afternoons Visits
• Dogs in the Yard

• Parent Association Fundraiser

   

Coming Up...This Week

• Eagle Building Photographs
• Assembly (including Marrung Representatives Badge Presentation) 

Coming Up...Next Week

• Labour Day public holiday is this Monday
• Maribyrnong District Swim Carnival next Tuesday for Qualifying Students 

• NAPLAN Assessment Program for Years 3 and 5

   

Repeated Messages

News and Appreciations

Family Voluntary Contributions

While the principle of a “free education” remains a right, the politicisation of parent contributions has had a significant impact on government schools. FWPS used to receive parent payments from approximately 95% of families. This figure now typically sits between 65% and 70%.

Although we have worked hard to keep contributions low and ensure value for money, receiving approximately 25% less revenue has a very real effect on our ability to provide the quality and range of resources we believe are necessary. In recent years, we have introduced programs such as Spelling Mastery, the Explicit Maths Program, and Inform and Empower. Each of these programs carries a per-student cost. When family contributions are not received, we must find funding elsewhere.

As I write this, I am very conscious that a number of families are experiencing financial hardship. Contributions may be made as a part payment rather than in full. If you are in a position to do so, please support the school by contributing to the best of your capacity.

Professional Learning this Week

On Tuesday, our new teaching and education support staff demonstrated a strong commitment to professional growth by participating in the third Berry Street Education Model training day, with a focus on building stamina and strengthening engagement strategies. Working in a small-group online setting enhanced the effectiveness of the learning experience. We remain firmly committed to ensuring that successful implementation is deliberate and well supported, not left to chance. Thank you to our newest staff members at FWPS for your dedication to this important professional learning.

At the same time, Assistant Principal Carolyn and our Year Level Team Leaders attended an onsite professional development day to participate in and observe the Explicit Maths Program in action. The feedback was extremely positive. Although we only introduced this program at the beginning of the school year, the level of understanding and staff confidence is encouraging. We know that sustained success depends on strong support, appropriate resourcing and a shared commitment to continuous improvement.

Well done to all teams for such a strong and promising start.

The Annual Prep Picnic

The Annual Prep Picnic was held after school on Tuesday having been rescheduled due to poor weather last week. As the oval was too wet, we utilised the green shade sail area.  This provided the added benefits of providing great access to the playground and toilets and the asphalt proved an ideal chalk art gallery! Thanks to all who attended and Karri and the Prep team for your preparation and attendance.

Prep Open Afternoon Visits

It was great to see Prep parents and carers in the prep classrooms on Wednesday afternoon for the first Open Afternoon visit. Families are invited to book one of the three remaining available afternoons on Wednesdays in March to visit their child's grade, where they can experience their child engaged with their peers and teacher in a Learning Through Play session. Open afternoons run from 2:50pm to 3:20pm. To ensure that all families have the opportunity to attend, each child is able to have one pair of adults attend one of the sessions only.

Dogs in the Yard

We have had several recent incidents where pet dogs have been brought onto the school grounds this year.  While many of us love dogs, it is simply not appropriate for dogs (even if accompanied and well controlled) to be on school grounds. There are some children who are scared of dogs and as such it is not an appropriate place for them to be.

Parent Association Fundraiser 

Appreciations to our uniform supplier, PSW for supplying us 4 Medallion Club tickets and car parking for next week’s first home game during the afternoon on Saturday, 14th March against the Greater Western Giants, perhaps our biggest foe.  These tickets and two car parking tickets are valued at well over $500.  Please bid through the link on Compass.  There will be a starting bid of $200.

Coming Up...This Week

Eagle Building Photographs

The rescheduled professional photo shoot of our new Eagle Building, arranged by Kennedy Nolan Architects and involving Junior School Council members, will be held tomorrow morning for selected JSC representatives who have returned their permission slip.  Students who are available at the earlier time of 8.30am are asked to gather in office reception.

Assembly

Assembly will be held in the Eagle Gymnasium at 2.50pm sharp (please be seated beforehand).

This week we will:

• Present badges to our Marrung representatives

• Our Year 5 class presentations will continue this week featuring 5AC

   

From last week’s assembly:

• Environment Team members received their badges

• 5DW presented their assembly item

Coming Up – Next Week

Maribyrnong Division Swimming Carnival 

The annual Maribyrnong Division Swimming Carnival will be held at Brimbank Aquatic Centre next Tuesday, 10th March. This is an indoor 50 metre facility, so there will not be the same concerns with sunsmart requirements as in previous years.  The team of 26 qualifiers in grades 4, 5 and 6 will depart school at 8.50am sharp, please meet in the Gazebo at 8.40am.  Our team will be accompanied by our PE teacher, Stratos and year 5 team member, Annie. This event will conclude at approximately 1:15pm, so all students are encouraged to bring snacks and lunch.  They may also choose to bring their water bottle or drink from the bubblers onsite. Our team will share the bus with representatives from Footscray North PS to make the cost more affordable for families. Wearing of school uniform is required on the day for arrival and departure. All parents and carers are welcome to attend.

Labour Day Public Holiday

Next Monday is the Labour Day public holiday. There will be no school.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN starts next week. Please check today's newsletter for the timetable.

Best regards,

Brendan

Repeated Messages

Inform and Empower Cyber Safety Program

Parent Welcome Letter 2026

Photographing, Filming and Recording Students

Our annual reminder that if you wish to adjust your current level of permission for photographing, filming or recording of your child to contact the office. Please see the Policy page on our school website for more information:

 https://www.fwps.vic.edu.au/page/222/Policies-and-Child-Safe-Standards

Annual Privacy Reminder

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ privacy policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy, available on the Policies page on our website: https://www.fwps.vic.edu.au/page/222/Policies-and-Child-Safe-Standards, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use the Google Suite (G Suite Information for Parents & Guardians) safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Gujarati, Mandarin, Somali, Sudanese, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund Applications for Families

Please also make sure you look at the flyer in the newsletter regarding Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund applications for 2026. Applications close in June and are a great help for families.