Principal's Report
Principal: Brendan Millar
In this week’s newsletter:
Appreciations and News
- Staff Appreciations
- Junior School Bake Sale
- Kids' Share Open Afternoon
Repeated From Last Week
- 2026 Learning Buddy suggestions for students in Grades Prep to 5
- Leaving FWPS for 2026?
- 2026 Additional Considerations for Class Placement
Coming Up - Tomorrow
- Sporting Colours Day
- End-of-Term Assembly & Early Dismissal
Holiday Works
- Tree Removals - Monday 21st September
- Water Shutdown - Tuesday 22nd September
- Power Shutdown - Wednesday 23rd September - TheirCare will provide a holiday program at Footscray Primary School on this day
Next Term
- SunSmart 'No Hat, No Play' Policy
Appreciations and News
Staff Appreciations
Many families have formed special connections with our teachers and staff at FWPS. We are fortunate to have such dedicated people who give so much with passion and care. We wish all our families a safe and restful break, and we hope our staff enjoy a well-deserved opportunity for rest and recuperation.
Junior School Bake Sale
A wonderful addition to our school calendar this year! Thank you to our Parents’ Association and all the junior school families who joined in the bake sale spirit last Friday. The enthusiasm—and the delicious treats—were greatly appreciated (though they certainly tested my resolve!). The Junior Bake Sale raised a total of $1651. Funds raised from both the Senior and Junior Bake Sale will go towards the gym build.
Kids’ Share Open Afternoon
It is great to see how quickly our twice-yearly informal family visits to classrooms have become part of our school culture. Thank you to the many families who attended on Tuesday. Your interest means a great deal to our students.
Repeated from Last Week
2026 Learning Buddy suggestions for students in Grades Prep to 5
It’s that time of the year again, when our staff begin the extensive class placement process for 2026. As with previous years, students from Grades Prep to Five will be provided with an opportunity to suggest the names of five peers (learning buddies) who they would like to be with in the same class for the following school year.
Please click the link below to go to the newsletter page with all the important information for this process.
Leaving FWPS for 2026?
If your family is planning to leave for another school next year, we would really appreciate you emailing us at: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au using the subject line (above).
2026 Additional Considerations for Class Placement
Each year we provide the opportunity for parents and carers to communicate additional considerations for class placement for the following school year. We ask all families to carefully consider whether they need to make a submission, as class placement is a complex process that involves all our teaching and leadership staff to develop over much of Term 4. There are clear and abiding parameters that we have in place. Please read with careful consideration and if you choose to make a submission, do so by Friday, 17th October (Week 2, Term 4). There will be no opportunity for late submissions.
Please click the link below to go to the newsletter page with all the important information for this process (scroll to the bottom on the page).
Coming Up - Tomorrow
Sporting Colours Day
Tomorrow is our annual Sporting Colours Day, a long-standing Term 3 tradition at FWPS. Students are encouraged to wear their favourite sporting gear and bring along a gold coin donation to support State Schools Relief—a charity that supports thousands of Victorian families each year, including some at our school.
Junior School Council (JSC) members will collect donations from classrooms at the start of the day, with senior JSC representatives assisting the Prep classes. The total will be announced at the end-of-term assembly.
End-of-Term Assembly
- Time: 1:40 pm
- Location: Outdoors if weather permits, otherwise in the Dingo Gallery Space (livestreamed to classrooms).
- Program: PHM class presentation, Pupils of the Week, and other student reports.
- Parent Seating: Available for families of presenting or award-receiving students should an indoor assembly be held.
Early Dismissal
School will finish at the early dismissal time of 2:20 pm.
Parents and carers please ensure that you have made arrangements for your child to be collected at this early dismissal time. Their Care will operate from this earlier time.
Holiday Works
Tree Removals – Monday 21st September
Following advice from arborist Chris Quinlan (Recovery Trees), our two large playground gum trees will be removed due to safety concerns. While they have long provided a backdrop for our students and staff, recent limb shedding and significant dieback mean it is no longer safe to retain them.
Arborist’s Recommendations (excerpt):
- “As Eucalyptus camaldulensis is a known limb shedder, the decision was made to brace both of the trees when inspected several years ago. At that time there was no history of limb drop. Both trees have now shed limbs recently. The bracing has been effective in stopping the limbs from reaching the ground, but trees that have started to shed limbs are more likely to do so in the future.”
- “Tree number one has started to die back. This dieback is significant and may reach a point where there is no longer enough live foliage to support the tree. Any loss of limb from tree number one will expose tree number two to unfamiliar wind patterns, increasing its chances of limb failure.”
“The trees are now much larger than when initially braced and are more susceptible to failure. Although the bracing has been successful, it is not a total failsafe. It is now too great a risk to retain the trees, and it is recommended that they both be removed for safety reasons.”
I will join Chris and his crew onsite early Monday morning. During removal, Their Care entry will be through the front entrance only. The art room will be available if noise or disruption affects the program. All safety precautions will be followed.
Water Shutdown – Tuesday 22nd September
As part of construction works, school water meters will be replaced. This will result in no water access on site for most of the day.
- Portable toilets and bottled water will be provided.
- Their Care will run with an excursion scheduled for part of the day.
Power Shutdown – Wednesday 23rd September
Due to electrical works, FWPS will have no power on this day.
Their Care will not operate onsite.
Next Term
Sunsmart "No Hat, No Play" Policy - Term 4
Our SunSmart “No Hat, No Play” policy begins from the first day of Term 4. Students must wear a broad-brimmed or legionnaire hat during outdoor activities, including PE and sport. Students without hats will be required to remain in the covered breezeway between the Wallaby and Bilby buildings.
Warm regards,
Brendan
2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey
We are inviting all families to participate in the 2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey, offered annually by the Department of Education. Your feedback is valued and helps our school better understand family perceptions around school climate, student behaviour, and engagement.
While participation is optional, we encourage you to take part. The insights gained will support our school improvement efforts and inform staff professional development and future planning.
Key Details:
- Survey opens: Monday 18 August
- Survey closes: Friday 19 September
- Access: A direct link will be sent via Compass next week
- Duration: Takes approximately 20 minutes
- Devices: Accessible via desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone
- Languages: Available in English and 10 other languages – Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Additional translated resources are also available upon request.
If you would like assistance or a translated guide, please contact the school office.
For more information, please don’t hesitate to speak with a member of the Principal Team.
Warm regards,
Brendan
Principal
Reminders and Repeated Messages