Investing in Our Students

A Community That Invests in Our Children

A note on parent contributions for 2026.

At Fairfield Primary School, we are so proud of the community we have built together. The energy, generosity, and care that our families bring to this school every day is something we never take for granted. As we move through 2026, I wanted to take a moment to share a reminder about parent contributions, why they matter, what they make possible, and how they are directly shaping the experience of every child at our school.

How Government School Funding Works

Government schools in Victoria are funded primarily through the state and federal governments, with allocations based on factors such as student enrolment numbers and equity funding.

Equity funding is calculated based on the social and economic profile of the school community, this includes factors like parental occupation and education levels. It is intended to support students who may need additional resources. Schools in areas of high disadvantage can receive very substantial equity allocations: the Victorian Department of Education's own worked example shows a primary school with a high concentration of disadvantaged students receiving over $1,000,000 in equity funding in a single year. Schools in areas of moderate disadvantage might receive anywhere from $50,000 to several hundred thousand dollars.

Fairfield Primary School sits at the other end of that spectrum. Because our school community is relatively advantaged compared to the statewide average, we will receive the minimum allocation of $5,000 in equity funding for 2026. This is simply how the needs-based model works and it does mean that we rely on parent contributions and fundraising to provide the programs, staff, and experiences that go beyond what base government funding covers.

That gap is filled by you, our school community. Parent contributions and fundraising are what allow us to go above and beyond for our students.

What Your Contributions Make Possible

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our families, we are able to provide:

A rich, resourced specialist curriculum, including Science, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Visual Arts, and French.
Enhanced digital learning opportunities across all year levels.
A well-resourced school library, supported by a dedicated librarian.
Registered school nurses on-site five days per week.
Regular grounds maintenance and garden care.
Refurbishment and improvement projects that keep our buildings and facilities in great shape.

Last year alone, contributions helped fund the creation of our Frog Pond, new air conditioning and sliding doors in the gym foyer, upgraded drinking fountains, freshly painted classrooms, new whiteboards, and a sink in the Science room. These are real, tangible improvements that our students benefit from every single day.

This Year: Transforming Our School Yard

In 2026, we have an exciting and important project underway – the redevelopment of our school yard. This includes laying new asphalt with upgraded drainage, landscaping beautiful new garden areas, and installing additional seating throughout the grounds.

Our yard is the heart of our school, it is where friendships are made, imaginations run wild, and children recharge during their day. I’m sure that many of you also use this space on weekends and school holidays. This redevelopment is a significant investment in the wellbeing and joy of every student at FPS and the wider local community, and contributions to our school will play a direct role in making it happen.

Every Contribution Counts

We want to be clear: all contributions are entirely voluntary. We deeply understand that families are navigating a range of financial circumstances, and there is no pressure attached to this request.

What we do know is this: when our community comes together whether through financial contributions, fundraising, or volunteering time, the impact is felt by every child who walks through our gates. Together, we are building something extraordinary.

Thank you for being such a vital part of the Fairfield Primary School family. Details on how to make a contribution have been shared on Compass.

Warm regards,

Hayden Gyles, School Council President