Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

• The newsletter has been posted early this week, due to ANZAC Day on Thursday
• Appreciations and Acknowledgements
  • Grade 6 captains
  • Victorian High Achievers Program participants 
• News…
  • Absences and late arrivals
  • Interschool sport this week
  • Parents Association plans
• Coming up 
  • ANZAC Day public holiday tomorrow
  • Assembly on Friday
  • Remaining 2025 Prep information sessions
• Repeated (and updated messages)

Our newsletter has been compiled a day earlier than usual due of course to ANZAC Day being commemorated tomorrow …

Appreciations and Acknowledgements

Grade 6 Captains - An appreciation to our captains, Edie, Perry, Jasper and Adam from 6MP and Otis and Mollie from 6KR, who proudly represented our school meeting and greeting prospective new parents for the first of our 2025 Prep information sessions and tours on Tuesday. Visitors commented on the warm welcome they received.  Our school captains, Aisha and Dean then started the session with a bespoke Acknowledgement of Country and supported Their Care co-ordinator, Angie in providing the option of child care for the children whilst Karri and I shared some information about our school and the learning program.  Aisha and Dean then keenly accompanied our visitors touring Prep and specialist classrooms.  All captains are looking forward to the opportunity to support our Prep 2025 information sessions and tours at the forthcoming morning sessions on Tuesday, 7th and 21st May.

Congratulations to students who participated in the Victorian High Achievers Program - Based on previous NAPLAN results, grade 5 and 6 students attending government schools are considered for inclusion in the VHAP.  Pictured from assembly last week are the students who participated in Term 1 this year receiving their participation certificates.  

Students pictured - Jude Cork, Samantha Ho, Charlie Powell, Ciaran Welsh, Miles Wright, Zoe Mitchell Crow, Grace O'Connor, Tavish Riley, Sebastian Vuong. Children without photo permissions have been obscured.

News…

Absences and late arrivals - The Department of Education has increased the focus on schools and families accounting for student absences and late arrivals.  This coincides with the outcomes of our School Review last year, when despite many positive aspects, our degrading absence data was outlined as an area for improvement.  Zowi, our school nurse has been busily contacting families who have not provided reasons for absences on Compass.  There is also a requirement for late students to be signed in at either of the Compass tablets in the office by their parents or carers.  Students who arrive late, not accompanied by a parent or carer will need to wait until they have been signed in.  To avoid this inconvenience, please assist your child arriving on time, or if late please accompany them to the office and sign them in.  Hopefully we will all adjust to this changed requirement quickly.

Inter School sports this week - Our grade 6 students have been keen to participate in the Winter interschool sports competition amongst our neighbouring primary schools on Fridays.  However, as the first round against Corpus Christi PS coincided with a curriculum day for them, the decision was made to play on Tuesday.  As the sunsmart regulations change at this time of the year, Winter sport will be held in the two sessions after lunch.  Sports reports for this first round will be presented at assembly on Friday afternoon.

Smile Squad - During the first two weeks of term, students who previously participated in the Smile Squad dental hygiene program have had the opportunity to receive follow up fluoride protection. This is being done in the Bilby meeting space.

Parents Association - Last week Liz, Carolyn and I met with PA joint presidents Clare Mitchell Crowe and Alicia Madden, in what was our second, beginning of term catch up.   We appreciate their positive approach and look forward to the Mother’s Day stall coming up on Friday, 10th May and other prospects, such as consideration of the return of the Trivia Night, an old favourite that we haven’t held for several years. 

Coming Up… 

The ANZAC DAY public holiday will be commemorated tomorrow.  School will be closed on ANZAC Day.

School Assembly…last week featured 4MK (pictured) with a very entertaining and dramatic presentation of what it takes for a grade to develop an assembly item…. with lots of student input.  This week 4AF will take the opportunity to present an ANZAC commemoration.  As always, if the weather is reasonable we will be presenting from the Bilby seating facing the green shade sail.  If the weather is dicey we will set up in the gallery space of Dingo and present in person to parents and carers who have a direct interest and broadcast to classrooms.  Assemblies start at 2:40pm.

Mother’s Day Stall - This will be held on Friday, 10th May run by the Parents Association.  Information is included in today’s newsletter on the FWPS Parents Association page. 

Remaining 2025 Prep information sessions (talk and tour) will be held on:

• Week 4 - Session 2 - Tuesday, 7th May - 9:30am-10:45am and 
  Session 3 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
• Week 6 - Session 4 - Tuesday, 21st May - 9:30am-10:45am

To attend one of the above listed sessions, please register via the following link: https://compasstix.com/e/t4uvkuv39j

We encourage parents and carers to attend one of these sessions, particularly if new to our school community.  Enrolment forms will be available for all families residing within our school zone and enrolment applications will be offered for all families who reside outside our zone.  Places may become available after all those applying within the zone have been offered and accepted or rejected places.

Cheers,

Brendan

Repeated (and Updated) Messages…

Forthcoming student free dates this term - There will be a Professional Practice Day (student free day) held on Monday, 13th May.  That is during week 5 of Term 2. 

There will be a Curriculum Free Day (student free day) held on Thursday, 6th June.  That is week 8 Term 2, ahead of the King’s Birthday public holiday on Monday, 10th June (week 9).

Their Care will provide a full day program on both these days should there be sufficient interest.

Prep 2025 Enrolment Information - Prep 2025 Talks and Tours.  There will be four tours held over three dates, two weeks apart starting during week 2 of Term 2.  While there is no obligation to attend (especially for current families), families with a Prep 2025 starter are very welcome.  For new families, attendance is strongly encouraged.

Information can be obtained from our website: Book a Prep Enrolment Information Session and Tour here. 

Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) - If you have eligibility we don't want you to miss out. Please read the information included again this week in the 'From the Office Team' page. Please note the deadline for making an application is Friday, 28th June. 

Curriculum Contributions - A parent/carer payment contribution Compass post was forwarded to all families early in term and will be sitting near the top of your Compass tab.  We appreciate all who have supported our programs by making this payment already.

Car Park Access - A reminder that the car park is open prior to 8 am and after 4 pm daily for parent access for the Their Care OSHC program.  At other times please appreciate that the car park is for staff use.  Should you need to walk through to the Their Care location at Emu Corner, for safety’s sake we ask that you use the pedestrian gate next to the boom gate and make your way between Koala and the Wallaby buildings past Gecko via the basketball court through to Emu Corner.

Parent/Carer Volunteer Induction Please look out for the Compass post, pinned so it remains easily accessible. For all new families, or parents and carers who didn’t complete the online process last year, if you wish to assist in classrooms, excursions or camps, or volunteer for really any other purpose at FWPS, we need you to complete the modules online.  For parents/carers who did this last year, all you need to do is sign the relevant form at the office.  While the content will be adjusted when the Child Safety and Wellbeing Team can find the time, it remains relevant.