In this week’s newsletter:

News and Appreciations

Industrial Action Update
Bike and Scooter Relocation for Year 1s
New Facilities Works
Appreciation to SIMS IGA Supermarket and The Chestnut Tree Bookshop

Coming Up Tomorrow

Mother's and Special Person's Day Stall
Winter Interschool Sport Competition
Assembly

Coming Up Next Week

Education Support Staff Day on Thursday
Prep 2027 Tour and Enrolment Information Session next Friday
Year 6 Winter Sport Round 3 next Friday
IDAHOBIT Day

Coming Up in a Fortnight

Student Free Day

News and Appreciations

Industrial Action Update

You may have seen media reports regarding recent progress between the Australian Education Union and the State Government. While we are heartened by these discussions, a formal improved offer has not yet been presented. The union executive rejected an earlier proposal because the wage increase for education support staff, the lowest-paid workers in our sector, was nearly half that offered to teachers and principals.

In response to the current negotiations, the union has paused the proposed half-day regional stop-work actions for a fortnight; however, other industrial work bans remain in place. This includes the ban on writing comments for student reports. To ensure full transparency, even if a new agreement is ratified in the coming weeks, mid-year reports will not include written comments this year. We cannot expect our teachers to complete these comments late in the term, especially as the reporting cycle is typically well advanced by this stage.

Please note that while comments are paused, reports will still include "progression points" (the dot points) to provide an accurate evaluation of academic achievement. These reports will be distributed electronically on Friday, 12th June, ahead of our Student Learning Conferences held from Monday to Wednesday during the final two weeks of term.

Bike and Scooter Relocation for Year Ones

Today it feels like winter has arrived, so there may be less demand for bike and scooter parking following the warm weather we have recently been appreciating. You may have seen the post I sent on Compass yesterday announcing that the prep bike and scooter park near the Prep courtyard had been expanded. From this morning we planned to direct all year one students to also leave their bikes and scooters in this space. This should have the effect of reducing the numbers of bikes and scooters being parked in the main (now) year two to six bike and scooter park. We will monitor this situation and adjust if necessary.

New Facilities Works

We really endeavour maintaining and improving our buildings and surroundings as a priority at FWPS. This week an additional section of high black chain mesh fencing was constructed near the bike and scooter entrance (effectively the weekend access to the Eagle Building) to improve security, a feature that was not included in our Eagle construction project. Yesterday a small shed was built between Emu Corner and the fenceline near the gymnasium storeroom for the purpose of housing additional equipment that is used occasionally, such as high jump equipment, posts and poles. Thanks to our Facilities manager, Taleb who organised these works. Taleb is looking forward to a fortnight of leave from next week, so some of our plans may be on pause until his return.

Appreciation to SIMS IGA Supermarket and The Chestnut Tree Bookshop

We really appreciate the wonderful support our school receives from local businesses. We are especially grateful to SIMS IGA Supermarket and The Chestnut Tree Bookshop for their ongoing generosity and community spirit. Thank you again for supporting our school.

Coming Up Tomorrow

Mother’s and Special Person’s Day Stall

A roster has been prepared to ensure that all grades have an opportunity to visit the gallery space in Dingo for our annual Parents’ Association Mother’s and Special Person’s Day stall tomorrow. Students will visit during their class time. Thanks to the many families who paid the $10 fee via Compass Events by the deadline of yesterday. A special thanks to Wesene Jackson (Isaac 4LW and Ezra 1HL) and Hilary Simmons (Felicity PAC) for their very generous donation of time, talent and effort and for all parents and carers who have provided generous donations and who have volunteered to staff the stall tomorrow. The gifts are really impressive. We deeply appreciate the work that our marvellous PA does!

Winter Interschool Sport Competition

The second round of competition is due to be held as an away fixture competing against Corpus Christi Primary School. Students will leave during lunch play and the games are due to be played from about midday. AFL and soccer teams will play at Hansen Reserve and netball and T-ball at the school. Parents and carers are welcome to attend and support the teams.

Assembly

It is now wonderful to predict in advance that despite the turn in the weather, tomorrow our assembly will be able to take place under cover. We will look forward to 3HH’s assembly item, our sports reports from last week’s first round of the winter competition, a variety of other reports and of course our Pupil of the Week awards. Please be seated prior to 2.50pm. Gates will open after students return to class following the 2.30pm end of recess.

Coming Up Next Week

Education Support Staff Day on Thursday

The role and importance of ES staff in schools has become increasingly more important over the years. They work in collaboration with the teachers and principal team and we deeply appreciate their contribution at FWPS. We will acknowledge our marvellous crew with a morning tea and appreciation from our students next Thursday.

Prep 2027 Tour and Enrolment Information Session next Friday

Our second tour will be held on Friday 15th May. They have already proven popular with plenty of bookings already made. Prospective parents may book here: https://www.fwps.vic.edu.au/page/283/Prep-2027-Tour-and-Enrolment-Information-Sessions

Sessions remaining after next week:

Tuesday, 26th May 2025 - 9:30am to 11:15am
Wednesday 27th May - 6.00pm to 7.30pm

Year 6 Winter Sport Round 3 Next Friday

Next week we will have a home fixture when we host St John’s Primary School.

IDAHOBIT Day

IDAHOBIT Day will be acknowledged next Friday, 15 May. We encourage our whole community to wear a 'splash of colour' to show our support of diversity within our community.

Coming up … in a Fortnight

Student Free Day

Reminding our community that Monday, 18th May is a student free day, as it has been assigned as a Professional Practice Day for staff. Teachers will be predominantly focussing on student assessment and reporting. Teachers rarely have the opportunity to work from home, so they will have the opportunity to do so if they wish. Class based and administration education staff and the principal team will be onsite. Our OSHC provider, TheirCare has opened their bookings for a full day supervised whole day care program for families who wish to take up this opportunity.

Best regards,

Brendan

Repeated Messages

Family Voluntary Contributions

Thank you for your continued contributions via Compass. We appreciate your ongoing support to help sustain our curriculum programs.

While the principle of “free education” remains, the politicisation of parent contributions has had a significant impact on government schools. FWPS previously received contributions 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, a reduction of approximately 25% in revenue has a real impact 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, all of which carry a per-student cost. When contributions are not received, we must source funding elsewhere.

We understand that some families may be experiencing financial hardship. Contributions can be made in part rather than in full. If you are able, we encourage you to support the school to the best of your capacity.

Photographing, Filming and Recording Students

This is our annual reminder that if you wish to change your current permission settings regarding photographing, filming, or recording your child, please contact the school office.

Further information is available on the Policies page of our website: 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 outlined in the Schools’ Privacy Policy and Privacy Collection Notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students Policy (available on our website) explains how we collect and use images, videos, and recordings of students, including when parent consent is required and how it can be provided or withdrawn.

We also encourage parents to review our guidance on the safe use of Google Workspace for Education (G Suite Information for Parents & Guardians), and how you can further protect your child’s information. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s use of Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, please contact the school.

For more information, refer to the Schools’ Privacy Policy: Information for Parents, available in multiple community languages including Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Gujarati, Mandarin, Somali, Sudanese, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF)

Please refer to the flyer in this newsletter regarding CSEF applications for 2026.

Applications close in June and provide valuable financial support for families. This year, the amount has increased to $400 per child. If you are eligible—don’t miss out!

Art News

Visual Art Teachers: Susie & Jessica R-D