Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations and News

• Kaboom Kids - Diversity Day - back up date
• Kindness Day
• Video Wildlife Xposure
• Latest Yard Enhancement
• School Council update
• Soundgarage and Specialist Classes
• Italian Learning at FWPS
• PA Zooper Dooper proposal
• Congrats Chelsea

Coming Up - Tomorrow

• Emergency Management Drill
• Interschool Sports
• Assembly 

Coming Up - Next Week

• Year 6 Log Cabin Camp

   

Coming Up - Later

• Thank You Morning Tea for 2025 Volunteers
• Through School Transition Day
• Annual Christmas Appeal

Appreciations and News

Kaboom Kids - Diversity Day

The students were wonderfully engaged by the very energetic Kaboom Kids team on Monday, our back up day.  And while the weather was a bit dicey, the positive ‘can do’ attitude and value of resilience was evident amongst the groups and well led by their grade 6 student leaders. Thanks to Lisa and Towela from the Wellbeing team for organising this event.

Kindness Day 

Today we acknowledged Kindness Day with a very practical approach by our JSC members in sharing kindness cards with other students at the Buddy Bus Stop.  

Video Wildlife Xposure

Thanks to Ella and the team here is the slideshow presentation of the recent Wildlife Xposure visit exploring their Year 2 ‘Under the Sea’ topic. The presentation can be accessed here:

Latest Yard Enhancement 

We have finally blocked the view to the necessary but unsightly blue rubbish skip with this stylish fence featured next to our stunningly decorated PA second hand uniform stall.

School Council Update 

During our final meeting of the year we appreciated that parent Wessene Jackson (Isaac 3MP and Ezra PAK) will now share the co-opted Parent's Association Community role of School Council, along with Stuart Balloch.  

Soundgarage and Specialist Classes

At FWPS, our priority focus for classroom learning time is supporting students to achieve their potential in literacy and numeracy. This is a large body of work for staff and involves significant and increasing timetable constraints. To support our priority work, in 2026 if choosing to participate in the Soundgarage program, students may miss part of a specialist lesson such as Art, PE, STEM, Library or Music, rather than Literacy or Numeracy lessons, as has been the norm until now. This will maintain the integrity of our core learning. By enrolling your child in Soundgarage in 2026, it comes with the understanding that one of their specialist lessons, which have formerly been protected time in the timetable against Soundgarage, may now be the lesson that they miss each week. Please note that families will not be able to elect which of the specialists their child may miss.

Italian Learning at FWPS

After numerous attempts to advertise for a suitable Italian teacher for 2026, we requested and have been granted a dispensation. Therefore, an Italian language program will not be a part of our specialist curriculum next year. Consequently, we will now continue to offer a library specialist program in 2026, along with the introduction of a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) specialist program. We wish our current Permission to Teach staff member, Federica well as she completes her secondary teaching degree and moves into that sector of education next year.

Zooper Doopers 

An appreciation to our Parent’s Association who will provide an opportunity for students to purchase frozen Zooper Doopers for availability on Friday of week 9 and 10. Parents will be able to purchase via Compass. More information to follow.

Congrats Chelsea!

Year 3 student Chelsea often has amazed us with her phenomenal gymnastic skills.  I asked her if she would be able to share some pictures from her recent trip to the Nationals on the Gold Coast.  

Here is some information from her mum to provide us with context.

Chelsea from 3CG, started acrobats / gymnastics two years ago, she was in the prep squad last year and was fortunate enough to skip a few levels and got into the State Squad this year. When you’re in a squad you get to compete with other clubs, Chelsea and her partner Keira got to compete 5 times this year.

Results for the First, second and third competition, they took home, gold for their balance routine, gold for their dynamic routine and gold all around, (all gold for all 3 comps)

During the September holidays, they got to travel to The Gold Coast to compete in the Nationals finishing 6th for their balance routine, 9th for Dynamic and 7th all around, they were nervous because it was a very big stage and this was all new to them but overall they did well coming home with a ribbon! The last competition they came home with gold for their balance, 6th for dynamic and 3rd all around with a trophy! A big accomplishment for Chelsea and her partner! 

We love sharing great stories about the lives of our students away from school.  If you have a great story to share, please drop me a line.

Coming Up - Tomorrow

Emergency Management Drill

Tomorrow between our lunch and afternoon recess sessions there will be a planned emergency drill, a termly requirement to heighten readiness should a real emergency response ever really be needed. Relating to this, on Wednesday there was some confusion as we were testing new hardware required for our upgraded PA system and for a few seconds an alert message was sounded in the yard during lunch play. As this sound was not broadcast indoors, it did take a little while for the message that the sound had inadvertently been played to be communicated. We then informed students that the message had been played in error. We apologise for any distress this unscheduled announcement may have caused.

Interschool Sport 

There is a bye scheduled for this week. Students will be engaged in intra team sports this week instead.

Assembly 

This week we will not feature an assembly item but we will have reports presented on behalf of our library helpers and our Environment Team, as well as Pupil of the Week awards. Due to the sports bye, there of course will not be sports reports this week either.

Coming Up - Next Week

Year 6 Log Cabin Camp 

With a big thanks to Mikala and the team, everything is ready for a fantastic and memorable year 6 camp at a wonderful location. When I visited last year I was very impressed with the set up and the warmth and flexibility of the onsite staff. We will be keeping our fingers crossed for decent weather.

Prep 2026 Transition 

The final classroom visit (of 3) is set to occur next Tuesday. This has been a very comprehensive program of support for families. We appreciate all that Karri, the staff team and grade 6 and grade 5 student leaders have done to ensure our newest starters have been so well supported.

Coming Up - Later

Thank you Morning Tea for 2025 Volunteers 

A reminder that the upcoming Volunteer’s morning tea is to be held, appropriately on World Volunteer Day, a fortnight 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!

Through School Transition Day 

For families with students moving into grades 1 to 6 next year we encourage every child to be at school after lunch during sessions 4 and 5 on Tuesday, 9th December. 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), their grade location and of course their new group of peers.  

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. It is lovely when we see students duck out of class for a couple of minutes to drop off an item for a child less fortunate. What a real and abiding learning experience this could be. The final day for donations is COB Friday, 5th December. 

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

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