Principal's Report

Welcome Back to Term 2

Welcome back everyone. We hope you were able to take some time to relax and restore with loved ones over the term break and are ready for a great term’s learning in Term 2.

There is a lot to squeeze into what is to be a short, nine week term. We have Mother’s Day, the election, the Grade 6 and Grade 4 camps and our Middle School Production amongst many other events.

We also have NAPLAN for our Year 3 and 5 students coming up in Weeks 4 and 5 of this term. Due to the happenings of the past two years, this is actually the first time both cohorts will be undertaking NAPLAN; so we wish them all the best. More information to come closer to the date.

We have put together a ‘for the fridge’ calendar of events for families and it is attached for your reference. All events are correct as at today’s date – please be advised that we will notify you of any changes / additions as we become aware. 

Curriculum Day / Professional Practice Days Term 2

You will notice on the Term 2 Calendar that in addition to our planned Curriculum Day on 10th June, there is also a Teacher Professional Practice Day (PPD) scheduled on 3rd June. Teacher PPDays are an opportunity for teachers to undertake, administrative, planning and organisational tasks both individually and with their colleagues. Usually, these days are spread throughout the term, however, due to the current difficulties schools are experiencing with finding replacement teachers, the Department of Education has recommended that schools hold one common PPD for all staff. 

As with our Curriculum Day, teachers will still attend school on this day to undertake this important work, although students are not required to attend. We apologise for the late communication of this information, however, the advice from the Department only came through over the holidays. Should you require your child to attend on the day, please let us know so that we can make supervision arrangements.

Welcome Toby Russo

You may have seen a new face in the yard throughout this week. Toby Russo, our new Assistant Principal joins us from Spensley Street Primary School and brings with him extensive experience in Mathematics leadership, leading organisational change and student support. Toby has spent the week getting to know the staff, children and our community and, although it’s only been four short days, Toby has certainly eased into the FNPS community without skipping a beat.

If you see Toby out in the yard, be sure to introduce yourself and say hi!

Farewell Jenny and Patrick

This week also saw us farewell two of our long-term staff members, Jenny Clark and Patrick Dunn. Jenny dedicated more than 30 years to Fitzroy North Primary School and truly was the fountain of knowledge that we all relied on to answer all of our queries. From beginning here as a parent, Jenny has been a committed and constant member of the FNPS community, bringing kindness and class to everything she has done. 

Jenny was nominated for (and won!) the prestigious Melbie Award today for her service to the Fitzroy North School Community. For those who don't know, the 'Melbie' is a local hero award given weekly by Sammy J on ABC Radio Melbourne Breakfast. You can listen to Jenny accepting the Award here - jump to 1hr 51m 30s to listen.

Similarly, Patrick has been helping the FNPS community for more than 20 years and it is his patience, kindness and commitment to the children here at the school that we will miss terribly. We are so very grateful for their contribution to our great school.

Building Project – it’s actually happening

After five years of planning and replanning, I am so excited to inform you all that just this morning, Duncan Forster, our School Council President, signed off on the paperwork to assign a builder to our project and commence the build. It is believed that we should be all systems go within the next four weeks so get ready to be a part of our transformation.

 Prep 2023 Enrolments

Do you or someone you know have a child starting school in 2023? We are now accepting enrolments for next year. School tours are held each Tuesday morning at 9:30am, please follow the link below to book yourself into one of these sessions.

Go gently,

Tania