Principal's Report

School Review – Preliminary Report

Our School Vision

Earlier this year, we redefined our school vision. We felt that it was the perfect time to do this, with our school review taking place last term. Our vision statement aims to encapsulate what is important to us as a school, and reflects our ongoing emphasis on improving and refining teacher practice. It is important to continue referencing our vision, to create a collective community understanding of our whole-school direction.

Vision Statement

Our vision is for students to embrace all learning opportunities enabling them to thrive both at school and beyond. Guided by our values of Excellence, Creativity, Community and Respect, we create an environment where students feel safe, valued, value others, and contribute with a sense of purpose.

The updated vision guided our focus throughout the school review process. In previous newsletters, I have outlined the purpose and process of the review. We have now received our School Review Preliminary Report, and I am pleased to share some of the key findings below. These achievements are worthy of celebration and reflect the significant growth our school has experienced over the past 12 months.

Key Findings of the Review:

• The impact of the cultural change over the last year cannot be underestimated – the consistency across the school compared to previous years is like night and day.  
• Classroom observations highlighted the learning environment in 2026 as safe, calm, and orderly. There was clarity on  the main expectations of the school, class, and students. 
• The staff focus groups highlighted leadership’s focus on school improvement and their determination to refine approaches and expectations.
• Focus groups highlighted the school values of respect, creativity, community, and excellence. These were seen in all classrooms and lived across the multiple levels of the school. 
• Pride across the school and wider community was evident.
• There was a clear culture of trust amongst staff. 
• Classroom observations and focus group discussions identified the move in 2025/26 to implement a climate of guaranteed curriculum, collaborative planning and evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning. 
• The move to explicit teaching using a programmed approach in literacy in Years 3 to 6, and phonics in Foundation to Year 2, had brought about a strong foundation of levelled work.
• Student focus groups highlighted the positive relationships with teachers and the strong connection with families. 
• Parents had high expectations and indicated that learning was now at the forefront of school improvement. 
• Students were proud to be students at Fairfield Primary School. There was strong community pride in the school with staff, students and parents highlighting the level of connectedness to school. 

I look forward to sharing a more detailed summary of our School Review Report later in the term.

Celebrating Pulse Points

There is a lot of excitement around the school with the formal introduction of Pulse Points! You will have read on Compass that our students received their first reward, by passing the total of 200 points, which gave them an additional five minutes recess time. 

Points are earned when students display the behaviours in our SWPBS Matrix. I have a feeling we will meet our end of year target of 750 points, thanks to all the brilliant work of our students.

Yard Redevelopment Update

It is exciting to see that work has started on our yard redevelopment. The students enjoy watching the diggers in action, and are always keen to provide advice and suggestions to our contractors! Digging up the asphalt has revealed that there will need to be some additional underground works to our water and drainage system before the new asphalt can be laid in this area.

Every fortnight we should see the gradual transformation from the old yard to the new, and we eagerly await its completion.

Update from Jeavons – the landscape architects project managing the transformation.

Landscape works commenced on 21 September 2026, with our appointed contractor, Warrandale Industries, making excellent progress across the site. A key focus during the school holiday period was maintaining safe access for the school community while advancing construction works.

To date, demolition and asphalt works have been completed to the edge of the Foundation classroom decking. Existing drainage pits have been repaired and adjusted, and new DDA-compliant access has been provided to improve accessibility across the site.

 

As part of the redevelopment, remediation of existing infrastructure has also been undertaken. During demolition works, it was discovered that several existing stormwater services had been damaged by tree roots, had insufficient fall back to the building, and had not been installed at the required depths. Warrandale Industries is currently rectifying these issues by replacing and consolidating the stormwater network, installing the pipes at the correct depths and ensuring they discharge appropriately to the legal point of discharge. These improvements will provide a more reliable drainage system and protect underground infrastructure from future damage caused by heavy vehicle movements in the area.

 

These important remediation works will ensure the redevelopment is built on a safe, compliant, and long-lasting foundation, setting the project up for the successful delivery of the next stages of construction.

Fundraising Update

At the end of term three assembly, we announced that we raised $39,000 from ART FOR ALL. What a wonderful achievement! First and foremost, our ART FOR ALL weekend is a community-focused experience that brings everyone together and this year’s event certainly hit the mark in that respect. 

The funds raised are very important for our school. FPS relies heavily on parent contributions and fundraising monies to provide the very best learning opportunities, resources, and facilities for our students.

We also raised $746 from the Father’s/Special Person’s Breakfast.

This takes our fundraising for the year to $92,190; just $7,810 short of our $100,000 goal, with a mango fundraiser and the election day sausage sizzle still to come.

Hoop Time Tournament

At the end of last term, we had 11 basketball teams represent the school at the Hoop Time tournament. We are delighted to share that two teams – Junior Future Stars (Girls) & the Senior All Stars (Girls) –  have progressed to the region finals.

A big thank you to the many parents who generously gave their time to coach teams and score games at the competition, and to parent Adele Baker for coordinating this opportunity for our students.

We wish both of our girls’ teams the very best in the finals and look forward to hearing how they go!

Take the School Uniform Survey

A reminder to families to complete the survey regarding our school uniform/dress code policy. It is important to hear the viewpoints of as many families as possible.

Thanks to everyone for a great first week of term!

Paul Wallace

Principal