Principal's Report
Our New Website Has Launched!
We are excited to announce that our new school website is now live! We encourage you to take a few minutes and have a look through the new site. We have updated the content to ensure that it aligns with our current practices in the areas of learning and wellbeing. This includes our approaches to teaching Literacy, Numeracy and Specialist programs.
You can still access all of the parent information that is good to have available, including:
We still need to update the photographs – you might recognise the students in the photos from their younger days!
We think that the website is stunning and we are grateful to a number of people who have made this possible:
- Staff: A special mention to the leadership and specialist teams in updating the content in the learning sections.
- Sarah Moody: Our communications coordinator has been strategising and curating the website to ensure that visitors have the best experience possible.
- Laura Coutts: Laura is a parent at our school, who devoted many hours of her technical expertise to ensure that the website is slick, appealing and informative. Thank you Laura!
We will be adding school tour dates to the website soon. New families who are interested in enrolling their children at FPS can contact the school via the website.
Parent Contributions
Last week you will have received a Compass communication regarding parent contributions.
Under the Department of Education funding model, our school receives only $5,000 in additional funding above the base allocation. This is determined by the Department’s formula, which is based on the social demographic profile of a school community. Given this modest level of additional funding, we rely on the contributions of families to effectively deliver and resource our programs.
We have commenced the year with several significant investments; $44,000 on 72 new laptops and related devices; painting and repair works across the school; forward planning for specialist programs in 2026 – including the engagement of subject matter experts in Physical Education, as well as Artists in Residence to support our Performing Arts and Visual Arts programs.
In addition, our yard redevelopment project has now been approved by the Victorian School Building Authority to proceed to tender (further details will be shared in the next newsletter).
We are at an exciting stage where these improvements will directly benefit all students, and we thank families for their ongoing support in making this possible.
Regional Newsletter Mention
It has been heart-warming to hear the positive feedback from families about the upbeat atmosphere that they are noticing around the school this year. There have been lots of comments about the structures that we are implementing and the impact that these are having – read the leadership section in the newsletter for more detail.
The work that staff were involved in during the two curriculum days was included in a Department regional newsletter (see the copy below). This newsletter is sent to Department staff who work in our region (North West Victoria). It is another nice celebration of our recent work.
On the 27 and 28 January 2026, Fairfield Primary School held curriculum
days with support from Jane Hancock, Senior Education Improvement
Leader, Daniel Ioannides, School Wide Positive Behaviour Coach,
Maryanne Panucci, Manager, Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Services
and two leading teachers with portfolios across Respectful Relationship and Wellbeing.
Across Semester 2 2025 there was lots of engagement and
discussion with school leadership to consider how to set up consistent
practices to improve school climate, with the aim of reducing the
cognitive load for students and increase instructional time. A focus on
Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS) Procedures and
Routines was decided upon. Teachers could then focus on developing
and embedding procedures which supported students; appropriately
entering and exiting classrooms, ways of gaining teacher attention, and
working independently.
The days consisted of Area and Divisional staff with leading teachers
delivering content, activities, and workshopping the procedures selected
as the focus. Positive feedback was received by leadership and teachers,
with teachers being grateful for the time to participate in professional
learning that was relevant for them and time to plan for the start of the
year. Teachers were engaged and reported the days ‘hit the mark’, they
‘were feeling positive and ready to implement the work’. Principal, Paul
Wallace reported the changes were ‘quite incredible’, sharing photos of
the foundation and year 1 students and grade 5/6’s rehearsing lining up
to enter their classrooms. Breanna Feben, Education Improvement
Leader also attended the curriculum days and will continue to provide
some additional support.
Huge congratulations to all that were involved in these highly successful
days and for your ongoing support of Fairfield Primary School to embed
the practices they have committed to undertake!
Visitors Signing In
To support our child safety practices, we ask that all visitors who enter the school during school hours collect a lanyard when they sign in. This includes parents who are collecting their children early.
By wearing these lanyards, students and staff can be assured that the visitors have been approved and signed in appropriately. Thank you for your support.
Huge Eco Club Turnout
Last Thursday we held our first Eco Club of the year. Students from Year 1 – 6 were invited to come along and get involved in practices that improve our sustainability work. Last week was the most we have seen turn up at one of these sessions with over 60 students joining – we love the enthusiasm.
Eco Club’s first task was to design labels for the bins for juice cartons. These cartons cannot go into the general recycling – they are to be recycled separately through the Victoria Container Deposit Scheme.
Thank you to Year 1 teacher Anneliese, and our sustainability office Amelia for leading this work.
Open Afternoon Buzz
Thanks to all the families that popped by last week to visit the classrooms and say hi to the teachers. The Wingrove Street Campus had a lovely buzz – for many adults this was the first time they had seen the senior campus.
School Photo Day
Professional photographers are coming to FPS on Tuesday 3 and Thursday 5 March to take individual, sibling and class photographs.
Unlike previous years, there is no action required before photo day. Access codes and order details will be provided when images are ready to view and purchase online.
Congratulations Chiara!
Congratulations to one of our FPS staff members for some exciting news during the holidays. Chiara welcomed baby Odette into the world at the beginning of January. Congratulations Chiara and Sean!
Welcome Picnic – Friday 20 February
This Friday we invite all families to our Welcome Picnic. Our resident parent DJ, Paul Agius, will be playing the music whilst you are relaxing and chatting with friends and neighbours.
Keep an eye out in Compass for details about volunteering and behaviour reminders for the children, to ensure an enjoyable evening for everyone.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Paul Wallace
Principal