Principal's Report
Principal: Brendan Millar
In this week’s newsletter:
Appreciations and News
- Staffing update
- Social media restrictions for under 16s
- Additional new fencing for yard safety
- Year 6 Log Cabin Camp
Coming Up - Tomorrow
- Interschool sports this week
- Assembly arrangements
Coming Up - Next Week
- Thank you, morning tea, for 2025 volunteers
- Annual Christmas Appeal
- Prep 2026 Play dates
Zooper Dooper
Coming Up - Later
- Through School Transition Day
- Grade 6 Graduation
Appreciations and News
2026 Staffing - We have had our 2026 staffing in place for several weeks; however, it is not unusual for late staffing changes to occur, and we have found ourselves in this position this year. We would like to have shared a staffing summary last week, but due to a member of our team being successful in applying for a leadership position at another school, we are currently in the process of recruiting a replacement staff member. When this process is completed, we will then publish all staff roles in the subsequent newsletter.
Social media restrictions for under 16s - In a couple of weeks Australia will introduce a world first law setting the minimum age for social media use at 16 years of age. I applaud the move, but I suspect like many I have spoken to I am pondering how this will be enacted. We have included an information piece from our cyber safety partner, the Inform and Empower team.
You will find this on page 8 of today’s newsletter.
Yard safety - This week we have had our regular fence contractor build a fence to enhance the safety of our students and limit access to the Bilby building at the front of the school.
When the construction of our gym building is complete a sliding gate to the car park will be installed to ensure that the school is better secured than any time in the past. The only access during the day for visitors will be via reception.
Log Cabin Camp - The grade 6 camp was successfully held from Monday to Wednesday this week. Our campers returned looking extremely fatigued from this highly engaging camp that was packed with activity time. A huge thank you to our staff team, Libby, Mikala, Monica, Marshal and Russell. Appreciations in particular to Mikala for her fine preparation. Camps cannot be run without the participation of our parent volunteers, a point I made to the students when I visited camp on Tuesday afternoon for a few hours. So, a big appreciation also to: Paul Battaglia, Pete Brownstein, Clare Lombardi, Emily Re, Kate Riley, Arthur Rybka, Rebecca Alkan, Vishal Chopra, Jess Lilley and Renee Jones. We hope they can join many other parents and carer volunteers attending our staff catered Volunteers Appreciation Morning Tea on Friday of next week at 11.30am in the gallery space of the Dingo building.
Coming Up - Tomorrow
Interschool Sport - There is a home game scheduled for this week when we host Footscray PS. This is the second last match of our season, with a final home game being played next week, prior to the Grand Final for qualifying teams to be held at Footscray North PS during week 10.
Assembly - This week we will feature an end of year presentation from the Marrung Team, as well as Pupil of the Week awards. Sports reports will again feature following last week’s bye.
Coming Up - Next Week
Prep 2026 play dates - Following a comprehensive Prep transition program, after school on Wednesday and Thursday next year’s prep grades and families are invited for a ‘play date’ with their new class peers. This will be an informal gathering in the playground.
'Thank you' morning tea for 2025 volunteers - Another reminder that the upcoming Volunteer’s morning tea is to be held, appropriately on World Volunteer Day, Friday (5th December). Staff will be showing their appreciation by catering for the many helpers who have assisted in so many ways. If you have helped in classrooms, attended excursions, assisted with the swimming program, participated in camps, been a member of School Council, supported Parents’ Association, amongst others we would love to see you join us in the Dingo gallery space on that day!
Annual Christmas Appeal - Appreciations to the many families and staff members who have taken some time and spent their money on supporting our annual Christmas Appeal. In a heart-warming Christmas tradition, years ago we collaborated with The Salvos to source a range of hamper items at this time of the year. We ask our families to donate new games and toys and the staff to donate food items*. If you can help, please drop them in to the office, or send them to school with your child. The final day for donations is COB on Friday of next week, 5th December.
*Please note, this is a guide, we will happily accept food or games and toys from either families or staff!
Zooper Doopers - Friday of next week will also be the first of successive Fridays that thanks to our Parent’s Association we will have Zooper Dooper orders delivered to the classrooms at lunchtime. Consent and pay via Compass by tomorrow Friday 28th November.
Coming Up - Later
Through School Transition Day - For families with students currently in years Prep to 5 we encourage every child to be at school after lunch during sessions 4 and 5 on Tuesday, 9th December (12.10 to 2.00pm). Please avoid making an appointment for your child during this time. This is the day when all our current grade Prep to 5 students find out their class teacher(s) and visit their new class and interact with their new classmates. This is the day when we invite new students to join us as well.
Grade 6 Graduation - Our annual graduation event will this year be held in the gymnasium at Footscray North Primary School on the evening of Monday, 15th December. Entrance for families will be via Mephan St (next to the Footscray Society Aged facility). Year 6 families have received and will continue to receive communication via Compass as we prepare for this important annual event.
Cheers,
Brendan
Repeated from Last Term
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).
Reminders and Repeated Messages