FPS Newsletter

Principal's Report

Welcome Back for Term Four

Welcome back families – we have had a wonderful first week back at school. Term four is always an exciting time of the year. After three terms of implementing positive work routines and establishing strong relationships with classmates and teachers, term four is an opportunity to embed and celebrate all of those wonderful routines, and is a time that sees students ‘fly’ with their learning.

 

Well done everyone for such a great start to the term!

 

Year 5 Camp Success

During the last week of term three, our Year 5 students experienced a two night/three day camp at Anglesea. This camp is always one of the highlights of the school calendar, and this year was no different. 

 

Anglesea provides a perfect setting for students to work together as a team, overcome a range of challenges and put their everyday life skills to the test. The camp starts off on the beach where the students take part in a range of activities during their beach carnival. The rest of the activities then take place at the YMCA campsite where the students took part in canoeing, giant swing, bush cooking and orienteering (to name a few).

 

Well done to the students for their spirit, enthusiasm and determination during the week. You can read about the camp in the Year 5 Spotlight section of this newsletter.

 

I am always grateful for the efforts of the adults who attend. Without these people, there is no camp. Thank you to the teachers – Blake, Lauren, Naomi, Olivia, Prue and Jess; and to the parent helpers; Yasmin Beddall, Rachel Petersen, Jonathan Payling, Josh Crane, Ash Millott, Peter Dean, and Alistair Parsons.

 

ART FOR ALL: How Much was Raised?

At our end of term three assembly, we were delighted to announce that the amount raised at this year’s Art FOR ALL event was $46,000. This is a fantastic achievement! Our community events are primarily about community – bringing the wonderful people of Fairfield together, however, the money raised is also an important aspect. 

 

In 2024 we used the funds that we raised to support the wonderful environmental work that has been led by our sustainability officer, Amelia Trompf,  and which has been communicated via the newsletter. The funds have also been used to support our Koorie perspectives work, including the Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri  Dance Group performance and staffing for our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Plan. 

 

In 2025, we will be using these funds to once again pay for sustainability improvements, the art program and work in the area of Koorie perspectives.

 

One final thank you to everyone who contributed to this three-day event, and for creating such a memorable day. In this week’s newsletter, there is a chance for you to provide feedback about ART FOR ALL. We encourage you to find time to complete this short survey as this feedback will help shape future events. 

 

Music Stand Whereabouts

A member of the parent band that performed at Art FOR ALL is missing a silver music stand and printed music in a black folder from the event. Please contact the office if you know its location.

 

Social Media – Factsheet & Advice for Parents

The Department has created resources and advice regarding how parents can support their children as they navigate the online world, specifically on how to stay safe and the potential risks of social media. I encourage you to find time to have a read through.

 

WhatsApp – Protocols for Parents

This year has seen a positive increase in the role of our class liaisons. Most notably, each year level held a social night that was organised by liaisons via WhatsApp groups, which has been a wonderful initiative. WhatsApp is an effective communication tool that keeps groups connected, sharing information about community events and supporting class-related activities, such as finding excursion volunteers and reminding families about early dismissal times at the end of the term.

 

The WhatsApp groups were created to support and strengthen information sharing and community mindedness among families. We ask that all communication within the groups stays focussed on events, reminders and class level information. For any issues related to student learning or wellbeing, please contact the school directly.

 

Parent Volunteer Celebration

At recent school council meetings we have been discussing ways that we can acknowledge the amazing contributions that our parents make to help create such a vibrant, welcoming place. These contributions include a range of activities:

  • Attending camps and excursions
  • Support at concerts and special events
  • Classroom volunteers
  • Involvement in community events
  • School Council

 

The question we have been discussing is ‘How can we make this happen without parents organising it?’ Thanks to TeamKids, we will host a volunteer celebration where food and a coffee cart will be onsite (with no cost to parents). This is an opportunity for parents to catch up, and where I can (on behalf of the school) thank you for your contributions.

 

More information will be communicated via Compass shortly, including an RSVP request.

  • Date: Friday 22 November
  • Time: 9 - 10am
  • Location: Outside the gym foyer

 

Planning for 2025

This term, staff will begin to draft student class groupings for 2025. As part of this process, students will be asked to write down the names of five peers who they work well with. We aim to accommodate at least one of these requests. Staff will use their knowledge of individual students to help create classes, ensuring a balance of abilities, gender, friendship groups and room for social expansion. 

 

Whilst recognising that staff are generally best placed to make decisions about their students’ future placements, there may be specific considerations of which they are unaware. If there is an important situation that parents need to communicate to the school for 2025 class placements, please email Paul Wallace no later than Friday 1 November.

 

Please note, we do not accept requests for teachers.

 

Families who are planning to leave the school this year are requested to email the school office at their earliest convenience to support the planning process. 

 

Lunchtime Clubs

Lunchtime Clubs started again this week. Here are this term’s offerings:

  • Year 6 STEM Committee
  • Drawing Club
  • Board Games Club
  • Catch-up Art
  • Mindfulness Club
  • Basketball Club (for Years 1 – 2 students)
  • Indigenous Games Club (for Foundation students)
  • Library Club
  • Year 3 Soccer Club
  • Eco Club (for Years 4 – 6 students)

 

2025 Curriculum Dates

The following dates have been confirmed as Curriculum Days in 2025:

  • Tuesday 28 January
  • Friday 30 May
  • Monday 21 July
  • Monday 3 November

 

Have a great week.

 

~ Paul Wallace, Principal