Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

An Important Safety Reminder

News, Appreciations & Acknowledgements

• School Winter Disco Tonight

• Science Week Glider Challenge

   

Coming Up Tomorrow

• Assembly

   

Coming Up Next Week

• Industrial Action
• Parent / Carer Opinion Survey
• Sports District Athletics Carnival
• Book Week Parade

An Important Safety Reminder

It may seem obvious, but please do not take other children home!

We know that when this happens, it comes from a place of care and concern. However, we have had several occasions where a child in the yard, known to another family, has been collected without their parent’s knowledge because their parent was not available when contact was attempted.

If you are ever faced with such a situation, please bring the child to the school office. We will work with you to contact their parents or carers and ensure that the child remains safe and supervised until appropriate arrangements can be made.

News, Appreciations and Acknowledgements

School Winter Disco Tonight

We are looking forward to the return of our annual school disco this evening. A big appreciation to our Parents’ Association and volunteers, who, supported by our office team and Liz, have put a great deal of work into ensuring a successful event.  

For all who have responded affirmatively to the pinned Compass post, tickets and glow sticks have been packaged and distributed to classrooms today for every participant to take home.

A quick summary:

•  Junior Disco we are asking the children (Years Prep, 1 and 2) to arrive through the main Argyle St gate and line up on the basketball court from 5.20pm with their ticket.  The disco will run from 5.30 until 6.40pm. During the disco, students will have the opportunity to receive their pre-paid Zooper Dooper. 
• At the conclusion of the Junior Disco (6.40pm) parents/carers will be asked to wait on the basketball court for an orderly pick up.  
• Note that if an adult other than parent/carer is to collect your child, our office team will need that information in writing prior to 3.30pm on the day of the disco.

For the Senior Disco the arrangements are identical but the times of course differ.

• Senior Disco - students (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) to arrive from 6.50pm and wait on the basketball court.  We will admit students from 7.00pm.
• At the conclusion of the Senior Disco (8.20pm) students will be able to leave with their parent/carer or with an adult who we have received written permission to collect your child (see above).

Even more important than having a great time is ensuring that our event runs safely. We appreciate your patience with any queues at drop-off and pick-up, as our priority will always be ensuring a safe and orderly event for all children. 

Please ensure you read the bolded information above before arranging for a family friend or another adult to collect your child. 

Science Week Glider Challenge

Students had the opportunity to compete in a glider challenge in the gym today supervised by our STEM teachers, Sasha and Tom. I am sure that Shannon would have been delighted by the high level of interest and participation demonstrated, especially by the students in our junior and middle classes. Thanks to all the kids, staff and parents/carers who contributed and participated.

Coming Up Tomorrow

Assembly

Tomorrow’s assembly will announce the winning grade from the Science Week daily quiz and we will look forward to 1MC presenting their assembly item. We also appreciate parents and carers arriving in good time ahead of assembly each week. While gates are opened following recess, grades start to move over at 2:40pm after their snack time.  Our expectation is that assembly will begin once all students have arrived - usually on or just before 2:50pm.

Coming Up Next Week

Industrial Action

Members of the Australian Education Union have the opportunity to vote on a revised Schools’ Agreement by next Monday. The outcome will determine whether the proposed stop-work action will proceed next Wednesday, 19th August. We will inform our community of the outcome at the earliest opportunity.

Parent / Carer Opinion Survey

The annual Parent and Carer Opinion Survey is a Department of Education mandated process that seeks feedback about families’ experiences of attending their local government school. A specific link will be shared with parents and carers next week. The survey will be open for several weeks and we encourage all families to participate.

Sports District Athletics Carnival

Next Thursday, 20th August will be the date of the annual Maribyrnong Primary Schools’ Sports District Athletics Carnival to be held at Aberfeldie Sports Track in Moonee Ponds.  We will have a team of almost 70 competitors from across Year 4, 5 and 6, accompanied by Stratos, additional staff and a parent volunteer. There will be 2 buses due to leave Blandford St at 9:15am. 

Students are required to attend dressed appropriately, wearing the school provided sports shirt and bring along a hat, sunscreen and lunch. The canteen will be operating.

The events will run from 10:00am and we welcome parents and carers to attend and support the competitors.

Information of relevance will be provided to parents / carers of our squad and is also included here:

Book Week Parade 

This has become a much loved annual event at FWPS and will be held on Friday of next week. We will hope for great weather to allow us to present all classes at the same time near the Bilby green shade sail, however we will plan for an adjustment to scheduling if poor weather requires use of the gym. A big appreciation to Year 2 team member Bec for her wonderful efforts in preparing for this event. You still have time to arrange a costume (simple or complex). It's great when everyone gets involved.

Best regards,

Brendan

Repeated and Revised Messages