Principal Report - 

Mrs Cameron

Welcome back for Term 2

We have experienced days filled with sunshine as we commence what I am confident will be another fabulous Term 2, with students quickly settling back into the routines of school and clearly ready for another productive term of learning. 

Over the holidays we had some minor works undertaken across the school with restoration of the large garden bed between the Office and 3/4 Building. This will be planted out in the coming weeks. We also had WXT Landscaping finish off the extension to the Digging Pit, much to the delight of students this week, with our funds of $5971.15 from the recent Colour Run and Family BBQ held last term, going towards the completion of this project.

A huge thanks to our F&F Committee, parent volunteers and staff for ensuring this event was a wonderful success. It is wonderful to see so many of our students of all ages playing collaboratively in the Digging Pit. 

 School staff pay and conditions and continuing industrial action Term 2, 2026

As parents and carers know, staff at our school who are members of the Australian Education Union (AEU) have been involved in long-running negotiations with the State Government and the Department of Education for improved pay and conditions.

Despite an increased number of ongoing negotiations and the commencement of industrial action, including the Statewide full day stopwork last term, there is still no fair offer on the table to address the key issues facing public school staff. Victoria’s public schools remain the lowest funded in the country, teachers are the lowest paid, with education support staff and school leaders underpaid as well. School staff also continue to face significant workload pressures.  Staffing shortages continue to be experienced in public schools across the state. 

As part of the campaign, AEU members will be taking further industrial action, including half-day stopworks on a rolling, region-by-region basis. This means each school will be affected once. We understand this can cause disruption for students and families.  Staff are taking this action because they care deeply about public education and want to see our schools properly funded, and to receive fair pay and conditions, all of which are critical to a prosperous future for Victoria’s public-school students. 

Union members at Fyans Park Primary School may elect to stop work for half a day on Tuesday 26th May. We will continue to keep families informed about any action that may affect our school community.

Fyans Park celebrates Japanese Children’s Day

On Tuesday the 5th of May we will be celebrating Fyans Park’s Japanese Day. On this day, students are invited to dress up in clothes related to Japanese traditions and culture. This could include a top with anime characters, a red circle pinned to a white t-shirt to represent the Japanese flag, kimonos etc. Grades 3-6 students will have some sports activities during the day (weather dependent), so keep this in mind when planning outfits.

Our F&F committee will also be running a Japanese inspired snack canteen for students on this day so there will be lots of things for our students to enjoy. 

Personal Learning Plans 

Last term you might recall, we communicated with families via our Department newsletters regarding our review of Individual Education Plans. 

From this term, we will be introducing a new format in documenting and sharing student learning goals for Reading and Mathematics for the following students:

• Students identified as working 18 months above the expected level requiring extension
• Students identified as 12 months below the expected level requiring additional support
• Students identified by staff with specific learning needs 

This new format will be referred to as a Personal Learning Plan (PLP).

PLPs will be developed in the coming weeks for Semester One and will remain in place for the remainders of Term Two. Going forwards, these will be developed once per semester and reviewed during our main assessment and reporting periods.

Please note, all students across Fyans Park have individual writing goals that are reviewed regularly and these will remain in their current format; documented in classrooms and learning programs and not part of a PLP.

If a PLP is developed for your child, you will receive an email that directs you to Compass where the PLP can be read via Chronicles. Your child’s classroom teacher can also download and print a copy of this, if required.

As mandated by the Department of Education, documented Individual Education Plans will continue to remain in place for:

• students in statutory OOHC (Out of Home Care)
• First Nations students (further supported by Marrung – Victorian Aboriginal Education Plan 2016 to 2026)
• students supported under individualised disability funding programs
• students in youth justice (custody and community)
• students in re-engagement programs under contract arrangements with another school or provider
• students undertaking FLOs. (Flexible Learning Options)  

If you have any queries regarding student learning plans for individual needs, please speak with either myself or Assistant Principal, Emily Burgess.

SWPBS Update 

Many of you will already be familiar with the FPPS Expected Behaviours, which students supported in the creation of. Our FPPS Expected Behaviours are prominently displayed in classrooms and learning areas across the school with behaviours explicitly taught and acknowledged by staff in the classroom and the yard.  At the start of each term, teachers revise behaviours with students to ensure shared understanding and consistency across the school. 

As well as our students being learners of reading, writing and mathematics, they are also learners of behaviour.

Classroom teachers use Class Dojo and award students ‘Dojo’ points to reinforce positive behaviours, while providing targeted assistance to students who need extra support, to ensure an inclusive learning environment. In addition, staff provide explicit feedback, praise and encouragement. 

Experienced based rewards have been established across the school including things like, lunch with a favourite teacher, extra play time, being a helper in another department across the school, an extra specialist session in a week, an item from the prize box and a movie ticket that will be redeemed twice per term for any student who has earned 100 ‘Dojo points’. Dojo has other features, however we are solely using this platform for student and teacher use while at school.

I encourage you to speak with your child/ren about their Dojo points and the reward they are aiming to experience and redeem their points for.

Any other questions regarding our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support implementation please don’t hesitate to see any member of staff. 

In addition, for students, staff and families we have a clear and documented process for how we, the staff at Fyans Park, will manage minor and major unexpected behaviours at school. Please see below.

Finally, and again with the input of students and teachers, we have developed bullying prevention resources, and a framework aligned to our Bullying Prevention Policy. The resources include a common language for both students and teachers – STOP, WALK, TALK.

I would especially like to acknowledge Sylvie F in 56B for her fabulous artwork representing STOP, WALK, TALK that is now visible in all areas of the school. 

The below graphic titled “Is it Bullying?” is being used to support students, staff and families in generating a shared and consistent understanding of what bullying is and isn’t. Our Bullying Prevention Policy ratified by our School Council last year outlines the school's process in preventing, while also managing, incidents of bullying. 

All current policies are located on our website at:

https://fyansparkps.vic.edu.au/our-school/policies/

School drop off and pick up – Student Safety

In recent weeks, the school has received communications from local members of our community expressing concern regarding traffic and parking around our school, particularly at drop off and pick up times. I have also been in touch with City of Greater Geelong with some suggestions on how the areas around our school could be improved. 

In addition, I have been informed that the City of Greater Geelong will be undertaking visits around our school in the coming weeks to observe the conditions of our surrounding streets at peak school times. 

I genuinely appreciate the support of all FPPS families in keeping all students safe when arriving and leaving school grounds. Please ensure that if you see me, should you have any concerns. 

A reminder that the driveway on Ormskirk St is a No Standing / Parking zone. 

2026 Transition

Despite it being early in the year, we have already received requests for school tours for 2027. With this in mind, the following school tours have been arranged for new families who are residing in our local neighbourhood zone as we continue to be at full capacity with regards to enrolment numbers. 

This year we are anticipating a slightly higher Foundation enrolment with 27 siblings already confirmed.

Families can very quickly access the Find My School website to identify their local neighbourhood school at https://www.findmyschool.vic.gov.au/

Our student leaders will be assisting me in facilitating school tours this year and welcoming new families and students to our school. 

Upcoming School Tour dates are listed below:

I welcome new families from all year levels to attend.

Thursday 30th April at 9.15am

Friday 1st May at 9.15am

Tuesday 19th May at 9.15am

Girls Football

Prior to the end of term, I had the privilege of attending the Girls Footy competition held at South Barwon Reserve. The skill level of all students and their ability to work together to move the ball, was a stand out. I was particularly impressed with the sportsmanship and resilience shown by all. Special shout out to Mia H who was injured and attended to cheer on her team mates. 

A big thanks also to Tim and Mia Clark who supported with coaching and encouraging our team on the day, along with Arunabha Banning who supported with First Aid and to the many parents and grandparents who attended throughout the day to support the team. 

Student led ANZAC service – Friday 24th April 

A reminder that tomorrow our student leaders will be leading us in an ANZAC service for students commencing at 3.00pm on the green surface. Parents and Carers are most welcome.

Lastly, commencing 4-8th May, I will be taking a short period of leave and Miss Emily Burgess will be Acting Principal during my absence and Mr Scade Acting AP. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school in Week 4.

Have a great week everyone

Mrs Cameron