Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations and News

• Thanks Dr Niraj Lal
• Our Values in action
• Soundgarage program in 2026
• Social media restrictions for under 16s

• Prep 2026 play dates

   

Coming Up - Tomorrow

• Interschool sport this week
• Assembly arrangements
• Thank you morning tea for 2025 volunteers
• Annual Christmas Appeal closes
• Zooper Dooper Friday

Coming Up - Next Week

• Through School Transition Day
• Apology to Victorian First Nations people
• Student reports will be available on Friday, 12th December

Coming Up - Later

• Graduation event
• Class parties

Appreciations and News

Appreciation to Niraj Lal

A big appreciation to Niraj Lal, who volunteered his time and expertise to provide multiple science presentations for our Prep grades on Monday based on his award winning book, Henry the Flying Emu.  As many will know, Niraj is a FWPS parent (Ash 3CG and Ella PAC) and along with other talents is a well known ABC podcaster. We very much appreciate his generosity.

Our Values in Action

Recently I was delighted to learn that FWPS students Mihail Gligoroski and Otis Carter (pictured with their siblings) set up a lemonade stand to raise money to donate for our Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. The money raised was used to purchase a gift card for the appeal. I look forward to presenting Mihail and Otis with this week’s Principal’s award.

Soundgarage Program in 2026 

Bookings for the 2026 Soundgarage program are open. As many families know, the program takes place during school hours. In previous years we have aimed to avoid scheduling Soundgarage lessons during specialist classes; however, due to the program’s continued popularity, we will be adjusting our approach for 2026.

As mentioned a fortnight ago, next year Soundgarage sessions will be scheduled during specialist classes as the first option, with core class time used only as a secondary option. We want families to be aware of this before registering, as it may mean that across a given term your child could miss part of the same specialist class on a regular basis.  We will aim for the specialist classes to be changed quarterly to ensure students do not miss the same specialist class throughout the year, but this cannot be guaranteed due to the complexity of timetables.     

Social Media Restrictions for under 16s 

 Next week Australia will introduce a world first law setting the minimum age for social media use at 16 years of age. There are many implications, as any parent of adolescents will know. For information please refer to the information again included in today’s newsletter from the Cyber Safety Commissioner and Inform and Empower, our cyber safety partners.

Prep 2026 Play Dates 

Following a comprehensive Prep transition program, after school today PMM and PHM, the remaining two of next year’s prep classes (and families) are invited for a ‘play date’ with their new class peers.  An appreciation to our terrific Parents’ Association for running a sought after pop up second hand uniform stall for families.  Boy they are efficient - set up and pack down in zero time.  Joining PA is a great way to meet other great parents and help out practically for memorable events.  

Coming Up - Tomorrow

Interschool Sport 

The final home / away game in our summer series will be a home game scheduled this week with St Berndadette’s School.  The Grand Final for qualifying teams to be held at Footscray North PS on Friday of next week.

Assembly 

This week we will feature an end of year presentation from the year 3 team involving representatives across the grades focussed on Celebrations.  An appreciation to team member Caity for finding the time to assist the children develop and practice their presentation. We will also feature our weekly Pupil of the Week awards and the final presentation of sports reports from all teams.

Thank you Morning Tea for 2025 Volunteers 

A final reminder that the Volunteer’s morning tea is to be held, appropriately on World Volunteer Day at 11:30am tomorrow.  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 the office, or send them to school with your child.  Correction from last week - the final day for donations is COB next Monday, 8th December. 

*Please note, this is a guide, we will happily accept food or games and toys from either families or staff!

Zooper Doopers 

Tomorrow we will also hold the first of successive Zooper Dooper Fridays thanks to our Parent’s Association. Pre-ordered Zooper Doopers will be delivered, ready to consume to all the classrooms at lunchtime. 

Coming Up - Next Week

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 (12:15 to 1:45pm).  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.  

Apology to Victorian First Nations People 

Our state will take an important step towards addressing past injustices towards Aboriginal people and building a stronger, united future, with an apology to First Peoples to be made in the Victorian Parliament. Premier Jacinta Allan will make a formal apology in Parliament House on Tuesday, 9 December 2025.  The apology will be available to view in real time parliament.vic.gov.au.

Student Reports

Parents will receive direct communication next Friday at 4:00pm providing them with a link to their child's Semester 1 report.

Coming Up - Later

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 Street (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.  

Class Parties 

The annual Picnic in the Park celebration for our year 6 students will be held at Hansen Reserve on Wednesday, 17th December and class parties for most other grades will be held on Thursday, 18th December. Class teachers or team leaders will communicate specifics to families via Compass. A post seeking permission to share food has been sent. Please ensure that is completed. Parents who have concerns due to food allergies or cultural reasons are encouraged to decline the event and send a treat for their child to eat.

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