Principal's Report

Yard Redevelopment – Off to Tender!

In the background of all the busyness of school life, FPS has been working alongside Jeavons Landscape Architects and the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to progress the development of the yard upgrade.

This work started nearly three years ago! There are a number of approvals requiring sign-off by the VSBA, who have stringent requirements to proceed with building projects of this size.

The great news is that after many delays, Jeavons were able to put the project out to tender last week.

Whilst we have tried to keep you updated of progress through the newsletter, the summary below is an easier way to capture the milestones to date.

Pre-2023

The school developed a building masterplan with Jeavons, to upgrade the quality of our outdoor spaces. Works accomplished in this period include:

• Construction of Kaan’s Winya – our Indigenous garden.
• Decking installation next to Foundation classrooms.
• Construction of the competition-grade sports court.
• Demolition of old playground and installation of new eastern playground.
• Demolition of the old Foundation building and development of the fig tree courtyard.
• Sheltershed upgrade.
• Fence replacement around the LSC campus, including gate and entrance upgrades.
• Landscaping around the Fairfield Rd Building.

2023

The school and Buildings and Grounds subcommittee developed key principles for the purpose of the yard redevelopment:

• A hazard free, functional space.
• Sustainable – a regenerative outcome.
• Integrated – complements and supports surroundings.

Actions:

• The school then invited staff, parents and students for consultation, to hear what they would like to be considered for the development of this space.
• Following consultation feedback, Jeavons created a Concept Plan and costings.
• School Council approved the expenditure of $325,000 (exc GST), plus 30% contingency fees, using previous raised fundraising monies.
• The school submitted appropriate documentation to VSBA in December 2023 for approval to proceed with the project.

2024 – 2025

• The school’s submission was approved by VSBA, subject to a soil report. This report resulted in periods of significant delays due to the VSBA requirements for the soil to be retested on numerous occasions at various locations. 
• In June 2025, Prensa (who were recommended by VSBA) provided the school with a clearance soil report.
• Engineers visited onsite to survey the proposed works area to assess the drainage requirements.
• Jeavons finalised its tender documentation in late 2025. Following additional requests by VSBA, the tender documentation was approved in February 2026.

2026

• Tender circulated by Jeavons – the VSBA-approved contractors are given three weeks to submit a proposal for the works. Jeavons predict a further three weeks will be required for tender assessment and value management.
• The best case scenario would be for the work to commence in term two, however this will all be dependent on the availability of the selected contractors.

What do the Proposed Works Include? 

Refer to the images below.

• Demolition and replacement of the current old asphalt. This will improve drainage in the area and stop the pooling of water that occurs.
• Installation of a garden on the southern boundary (next to the old playground). This area would include plantings, granite sand surface and bench seating. One of the plane trees will need to be removed (approved by the Buildings and Ground committee).
• Installation of permeable paving, curved bench seating and mulch around plane trees.
• Installation of garden beds and timber bridge next to the old playground (this garden will receive the runoff water from the newly laid asphalt).
• Installation of timber decking seat near the Fairfield Rd Building.

How Will we Fund this Project?

As mentioned above, much of this work will be covered by the funds we have already accrued from fundraising events, including ART FOR ALL and Trivia Night. We will also allocate some funds from our building fund, thanks to family contributions.

Whilst School Council has assigned $325,000 for this project, for all elements of the project to be delivered and to have the best playspace possible, we will need funds beyond $325,000 – the asphalt works alone is estimated at $150,000.

School Council are in agreement that to provide the best playspace possible, we need to consider ways to secure additional funds. These include:

• Applying for a Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways grant through Melbourne Water.
• Using all funds that we raise through our 2026 community events towards this redevelopment.
• Running additional fundraising events.
• Seeking donations from the broader community (given that we have our school grounds open year round for community use).

We are excited by the prospect of plans being put into action, and we will keep you informed of how we hope to raise the additional required funds through our communications. If you have ideas/experience in fundraising, please feel free to reach out.

Welcome Picnic Fun

Friday evening was a wonderful and busy time on the oval as we held our Welcome Picnic. It was fantastic to see so many families come together to relax, connect and enjoy a casual night out.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make it such a success. A special thanks to Paul Agius and Steve Watson for the tunes, and to those who assisted with monitoring the gate and packing up at the end of the evening  — we truly appreciate your support.

School Photo Day

Today was the first of two days for school photos. Our students looked smart in their uniforms and we are relieved that the class photos were able to be taken outside. We are lucky to have grounds that photograph beautifully!

Some time this week, your child will bring home a photography code, which can be used to view and order the photographs online. More details to come shortly.

Bees in the Trees

You may have noticed the hum of bees near Milkshake the Cow – in the peppercorn tree at the corner of Langridge Street and Fairfield Road. The bees are foraging and will move on of their own accord. 

Paul Wallace

Principal