School Council Report
School Council Meeting Report for March
Dear Staff, Parents and Carers,
The new incoming school council had its first school council meeting on 24 March 2025. More information about the role and functions of the School Council is here.
Principal’s report
Enrolments for 2026: A number of tours have taken place and enrolments are looking positive for 2026. Due to a change of policy, schools can only accept enrolments from Term 2. If anyone knows of any families who may be interested in attending FPS in 2026, please recommend that get in touch with Mary and do a school tour..
Staffing: We would like to welcome Wendy Dai as our STEM teacher and Kelly Dingheldei as our Performing Arts teacher. Unfortunately, we will be saying goodbye to Lorene at the end of Term 1 as she starts a new role at Melbourne Girls Secondary College. We thank Lorene for her efforts whilst at Fitzroy Primary School and wish her all the best in the future. We have recruited a bilingual French teacher, Jennah Goguillot, to replace Lorene for Term 2.
Annual report: Scott Burton presented FPS’ draft 2024 Annual Report to School Council which reflects the school’s achievement, areas to improve and to assist with future planning. The report helps the community hold schools and the government accountable for improving student outcomes. We encourage parents and carers to read the report and will announce when the finalised version is available early next term. A brief summary is below.
Learning
The draft 2024 Annual Report shows that FPS demonstrated notable progress in supporting student learning outcomes, particularly in mathematics and numeracy skills, compared to the average of similar schools. In terms of reading, the data shows a need for further improvement, particularly at Year 5 level. To address this, FPS has implemented focused literacy interventions and professional development for teachers, aiming to foster a love for reading and enhance literacy skills across all year levels. Overall, the school's commitment to continuous improvement and the strategic measures taken to support student learning outcomes reflect a proactive approach to education, ensuring all students achieve their full potential.
Wellbeing
A number of challenges impacted FPS’s efforts in this area in 2024 such as staff turnover, leadership changes and, as a consequence, behavioural issues. In response, FPS has made significant strides in supporting improvements in student wellbeing outcomes. It has focused on enhancing the sense of connectedness among students and improving the management of bullying within the school environment. FPS laid the foundations for the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support Systems, appointed a mental health in Primary Schools leading teacher, enhanced its partnerships with North Richmond Community Health and Yarra Youth Services and provided regular wellbeing workshops and activities to promote mental health and resilience among students.
Engagement
The average number of absence days for students in Years Prep to 6 in 2024 was 29.3 days, which is higher than both the similar schools' average (23.2 days) and the state average (21.8 days). Common reasons for non-attendance include illness and extended family holidays, which can significantly impact students' learning and overall academic performance.
Other highlights from the school year
2024 was filled with memorable events and achievements that brought our school community closer together and provided enriching experiences for our students. This included moving into our newly renovated George Street Campus, the Iftar dinner, the Fantastic Fete, Year 3-6 Camp, the Yarra Youth Partnerships and Melbourne Victory Clinics.
Financial performance
FPS maintains a sound financial position through careful and strategic spending overseen by the School’s Finance Sub committee and School Council. The school has continued to manage its financial resources in a very prudent manner for 2024, whilst maintaining and developing the number of outstanding learning opportunities for our students.
Capital Works on Napier Street:
The significant delays from the VSBA going to tender have been caused because they have bundled 3 projects into the tender to get a large-scale builder. Whilst we have been ready for tender since our original deadline of November, we have had to wait for delays on the other two projects. We understand that the tender will be submitted 7th April before the end of the term.
Education sub-committee report
Acceptable Usage Agreement: School Council approved a one page reference with clear expectations for device and internet use at Fitzroy Primary School which is attached.
Finance sub-committee report
Library Fund: The ATO has approved FPS’ library fund for DGR status meaning that we can now accept tax deductible donations to our library fund. We will provide more information about the Library Fund and how we intend to use any money raised early next term.
Community Engagement & Fundraising Sub-committee
Landscape masterplan: School Council approved a proposal to use the left over proceeds from the fete and community donations to engage Rush Wright associates to do a master landscaping plan of the school. This will enable us to improve the amenity of our spaces, including the harmony garden on George St and the playground, kitchen garden and fruit tree area on Napier St.
Fantastic Fete/La Fête Fantastique: We have tentatively marked 15th November 2025 as the date of our school fete as well as a day to mark the school’s 170th year anniversary. Organisations will start early next term and we welcome as much involvement from the parent/carer community as possible!
Other updates
Elizabeth Alexander AO: School Council can co-opt a community member on to school council, who can be someone other than a Department of Education employee. We approved to co-opt Elizabeth Alexander (Jasna’s mum!) to School Council. Elizabeth Alexander has extensive financial, regulatory and governance experience and school council resolved to co-opt her to join school council.
Election of office bearers: School council resolved to elect Evelyn Tadros as President, Charlotte George as Vice-President, Fabienne Parker as Secretary and nominate Elizabeth Alexander as Treasurer.
Subcommittees: School Council hosts three subcommittees and will be constituted by the following:
Finance: Scott, Elizabeth, Evelyn and FPS’ Business Manager.
Education & Policy: Nick, Fabienne, Muna and Joel
Community Engagement and Fundraising: Evelyn, Charlotte, Marian and Jason Rodwell. This subcommittee is open to all (not just school council members, so please get in touch if you would like to be part of it).
Communication on social media: As a result of recent inappropriate social media commentary that was posted to a group linked to one of FPS’ official channels, school management reviewed the settings for that group and decided to delink it from its official channel. It is timely to remind everyone of our school values, respect, empathy and courage and the expectation that all school community members behave respectfully in line with the Department of Education’s Respectful Behaviours policy.
Communications with school council: If any staff member, parent or carer wishes to raise any issues for the school council to consider, please do not hesitate to contact the School Council President via email or any other member of the new School Council.
2025 school council
Evelyn Tadros, President of the School Council and parent member
Charlotte George, Vice-President of School Council and parent member
Fabienne Parker, Secretary, Classroom Teacher
Scott Burton, Principal and Executive Director of School Council
Nicholas England, Assistant Principal
Joel Cranshaw, Parent member
Marian Hilowe, Parent member
Muna Idris, Parent member
Jenny Psihogios, Parent member
Oscar Yanaz, Parent member
Elizabeth Alexander, Community Member