Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations and News

• Disability Inclusion Program Cuts
• Year 5 Kangaroobie Camp
• Remembrance Day 
• Emergency Management Drill

Coming Up... Tomorrow

• Diversity Day
• Summer Interschool Sport
• Assembly presentation

Coming Up... Next Week

• Curriculum Day on Monday
• Year 3 Campaspe Downs Camp

Coming Up... Later This year

• Thank You Morning Tea for Our 2026 Volunteers
• Through School Transition Day – Tuesday, 8 December

Appreciations and News

Disability Inclusion Program Cuts

News that proposed reductions to disability support in schools will take effect next year was communicated to school leadership teams late on Tuesday. This appears to be one of the first occasions on which a major reduction in resources has been communicated so close to implementation.

As a result, we, along with other government schools, are reviewing how our programs and supports may need to be delivered differently. For families already managing significant challenges, this news may also create uncertainty about how support for their children will be sustained.

Further details, including the specific impact on individual schools, are yet to be communicated. Our central concern is that schools will need to adjust to reduced resources while continuing to support students with diverse and complex learning needs.

We will carefully assess our options and share our planning and decisions with School Council at its next meeting, with updates provided to our broader community thereafter.

Year 5 Kangaroobie Camp

What a wonderful experience our Year 5 students and staff enjoyed at Kangaroobie last Wednesday to Friday! Located along the spectacular south-west coast, near the Twelve Apostles, Kangaroobie provided a fantastic setting for three days of learning, adventure and connection.

Our school values were clearly evident in the way students and adults approached the experience. We are particularly appreciative of Dan’s preparation and the support of his teaching partners, Annie and Alex. The strong learning and social bonds evident among our students are a testament to the warmth, care and wonderful humour demonstrated by the Year 5 teaching team.

As a staff team, we were also extremely grateful to our parent volunteers, who brought the same energy, enthusiasm and genuine interest to every activity, including the more demanding tasks that are an inevitable part of school camp.

A massive thank you to our parent volunteers:

• Ari Pipilikas (Alex)
• Annie Yarnton (Noah)
• Angie Wickson (Ivy)
• George Richards (Louis)
• Clementine McBride (Angus)
• Tom Gaden (Parker)
• Sean Ryan (Patrick)
• Andrew Jago (Sam)
• Steve Hubbard (Oliver)
• Tom Walker (James)
• Nico Lynch (George)

Our regular staff attendees have developed terrific relationships with the Kangaroobie team, who clearly love sharing their stunning location with visiting schools. We were also fortunate to enjoy wonderful weather throughout our three days away.

I know our Year 5 team is keen to share their camping experiences with the broader school community through an assembly presentation next week.

Remembrance Day 

Poppies and Remembrance Day badges have been provided by Footscray Returned Services League and are now available for purchase from the office.  Poppies are $2 each with various badges priced for $5, $10 and $20.  We will acknowledge Remembrance Day on the 11th of November.

Prep 2027 Classroom Transition Visits

The first of three Prep 2027 transition visits was held successfully on Monday.  Once again, our Year 6 captains did a fine job welcoming our new families to FWPS.  For our final two visits Karri will arrange for our Year 5 students to have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by taking on this role.  The next Transition visit will be on Tuesday, 10th November.

Emergency Management Drill

On Tuesday afternoon the entire school participated in our Term 4 emergency drill. This was our first ‘shelter in place’ drill, which took place in The Eagle gym. We were very impressed by the calm and efficient manner all classes made their way to the gym.

Coming Up....Tomorrow

Diversity Day

Tomorrow, we look forward to celebrating our annual Diversity Day, featuring Kaboom Kids!

Students may attend out of school uniform and are encouraged to wear bright, comfortable clothing suitable for energetic, tabloid-style activities. As activities will be held outdoors, students must wear broad-brimmed, sun-smart hats.

If your child will be absent due to an extended long weekend or, for Year 6 students, attendance at a Footscray High School assessment, please remember to decline the event or record their absence through Compass.

Summer Interschool Sport

Our Year 6 students will take a break from interschool sport this week due to our Diversity Day commitments. There will also be a bye next week, with games recommencing on Friday, 13 November.

Assembly presentation

Monday will be a student-free Curriculum Day, followed by the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday. Our teachers will use this time for assessment and report preparation.

The school office will remain open on Monday, and TheirCare will provide a full-day program for families requiring care. Please make bookings through the usual process.

Coming Up....Next Week

Curriculum Day on Monday

Monday will be a student free day, prior to the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday.  Our teachers have this time for assessment and report preparation.  On Monday the school office will be open, and Their Care will provide a full day program.  Book in the usual manner.

Year 3 Campaspe Downs Camp

Our Year 3 camp will be held on Thursday and Friday of next week.  This is a one-night, two-day residential camp.  As with all camps, we rely on the commitment of staff and parent volunteers. 

Coming Up....Later This Year

Thank You Morning Tea for Our 2026 Volunteers

We would like to invite all our 2026 volunteers to a special morning tea as a small but tangible expression of our appreciation for the time, dedication and support you have given throughout the year.

Whether you have helped in classrooms, attended camps or excursions, represented our community through School Council or the Parents’ Association, or assisted with special events such as our special persons’ stalls and bake sales, your contribution has made a difference. If you have volunteered in any capacity, we would love the opportunity to thank you in person.

Our morning tea will be held ahead of International Volunteers Day on Friday, 4th December.

Date: Friday, 4 December

Time: 11.30 am – 12.10 pm

Venue: Gymnasium, Eagle Building

We look forward to celebrating and thanking the many people who contribute so generously to our school community.

Through School Transition Day – Tuesday, 8 December

A reminder to families that our annual Through School Transition Day will be held on Tuesday, 8 December. This is the day when our current Prep to Year 5 students visit their classrooms for next year, meet their new teachers and spend time with their future classmates. It is also the statewide transition day for Year 6 students moving to government secondary schools.

After lunch, students will find out which class they have been allocated to and participate in approximately two sessions with their new class. We will also welcome new students entering Years 1–6, along with their families for this session.

For families with children currently in Prep to Year 5, please arrange appointments outside the 12.30–2.00 pm transition session wherever possible, to ensure your child can participate.

Warm regards,

Brendan