Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

News and Appreciations 

• School Photo Days
• School Council News

Coming Up...This Week

• Cross Country Trials (Years 4–6)
• Assembly (including Environment Team badge presentation and Prep attendance)

Coming Up...Next Week

• Prep Picnic
• Prep Open Afternoons
• Eagle Building Photographs
• Recent photos at FWPS

Repeated Messages

• Inform and Empower Cyber Safety Program
• Photographing, Filming and Recording Students
• Annual Privacy Reminder
• Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

News and Appreciations

School Photo Days

It takes two full days for the team from Arthur Reed Photography to complete class, staff, individual, Year 6 graduation and student leadership group photographs.

This year was considerably smoother thanks to access to half of our new Eagle Gymnasium. Group and individual photos were taken simultaneously, while PE classes continued uninterrupted on the other side of the dividing net.

A sincere thank you to our School and Class Captains who worked in shifts alongside the photographers and class teachers. Their organisation ensured all classes and groups were photographed on time and without unnecessary waiting. Photography was completed today.

School Council News

School Council met online on Tuesday evening for its first meeting of 2026. This was the final meeting of the current Council, with the new Council to convene later this term.

We acknowledged the outstanding contribution of long-term member Sonia Vuddamalay, whose youngest child, Lola, graduated last year. We also look forward to welcoming new member Natalie Cassar at our next meeting on Tuesday, 31 March.

Below is a summary of the key discussion points:

Sibling Photos

When we learned that Arthur Reed would no longer be offering after-school sibling photography, we began exploring alternative options. A parent who is a professional portrait photographer recently approached our Parents’ Association with a proposal to provide family photo sessions.

Positive preliminary discussions have taken place between leadership and the parent. Once arrangements are confirmed, we will communicate details and dates. Watch this space.

Car Parking

Car parking continues to be a challenge, particularly following last year’s loss of FWPS offsite parking and the long-term temporary closure of Shorten Reserve access.

Currently, there are three 10-minute parking spaces on Argyle Street (8:00–9:00am and 2:00–4:00pm daily), with similar signage on Blandford Street at the rear of the school.

Council discussed short and long-term parking options, including potential “kiss and go” arrangements used at other schools. I have since contacted Maribyrnong City Council to request a meeting with Traffic and Parking representatives to further explore possible adjustments.

Facilities Update

As mentioned last week, our Facilities Subcommittee is progressing plans for:

• A sand and water play area on the eastern side of the gazebo

• A seating and paving area on the western side

   

We are working with Simon Ellis, a well-credentialed landscape architect, to develop costings, timelines and logistics. This project represents Priority 1 of our two major priorities for 2026, with Priority 2 being replacement of the outdoor basketball court surface.

Please contact me or any member of School Council if there is an issue you would like raised or discussed.

Coming Up...This Week

Cross Country Trials (Years 4–6)

Tomorrow, all Year 4, 5 and 6 classes will walk to Johnson Reserve shortly after 9:00am for our annual trials.

The focus is participation and enjoyment of active movement, with no pressure or expectation beyond involvement. Students who enjoy competitive running are encouraged to apply themselves and nominate for cross country team selection.

As shade is limited, hats are mandatory. Students should bring named water bottles and have access to sunscreen. Parents and carers are most welcome to attend and support.

Assembly

Assembly will be held in the Eagle Gymnasium at 2:50pm sharp (parents and carers please be seated by 2:40pm).

This week we will:

• Present badges to our Environment Team members
• Welcome our Prep students to assembly for the first time

• Celebrate our first Prep recipients of the POTW award

   

Our Year 5 class presentations begin this week with 5DW.

Coming Up – Next Week

Prep Picnic

Our traditional Prep Picnic, postponed due to this week’s weather forecast, has been rescheduled for next week at the same time.

Prep Open Afternoons

Now we have concluded our Wednesday assessment program, parents and carers have been invited into their children's classrooms for an afternoon visit. Bookings online via Compass.

Eagle Building Photographs

The professional photo shoot of our new Eagle Building, arranged by Kennedy Nolan Architects and involving Junior School Council members, was postponed due to Tuesday’s weather forecast.

The session has now been rescheduled for Friday morning next week. Replacement permission forms have been distributed to participating students.

Recent Photos at FWPS

Honour Board Updated

We acknowledged last year’s Honour place recipients and this year’s School Captains.  

Thanks Zowi for arranging our signwriter for this very specialised service.

Recently John from 4MP shared his outstanding art work with us.  I had the pleasure of forwarding this picture at the time to his very proud grandmother.

Junior School Council Members

Junior School Council members were proud to receive their badges last week - here they are with Lee, one of our two conveners.

A four leaf clover - a lucky find for Alexander from year 2.

Best regards,

Brendan

Repeated Messages

Inform and Empower Cyber Safety Program

Parent Welcome Letter 2026

Photographing, Filming and Recording Students

Our annual reminder that if you wish to adjust your current level of permission for photographing, filming or recording of your child to contact the office. Please see the Policy page on our school website for more information:

 https://www.fwps.vic.edu.au/page/222/Policies-and-Child-Safe-Standards

Annual Privacy Reminder

Our school collects and uses student and parent personal information for standard school functions or where permitted by law, as stated in the Schools’ privacy policy and the Schools’ privacy collection notice.

Our Photographing, Filming and Recording Students policy, available on the Policies page on our website: https://www.fwps.vic.edu.au/page/222/Policies-and-Child-Safe-Standards, describes how we collect and use photographs, video and recordings of students. The policy also explains when parent consent is required and how it can be provided and withdrawn.

We ask parents to also review the guidance we provide on how we use the Google Suite (G Suite Information for Parents & Guardians) safely at the school and what parents can do to further protect their child’s information. If after reviewing the guidance, you have any questions or concerns regarding your child using Microsoft 365/Google Workspace for Education, please contact the school.

For more information about privacy, refer to: Schools’ privacy policy: information for parents. This information is also available in eleven community languages: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Gujarati, Mandarin, Somali, Sudanese, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund Applications for Families

Please also make sure you look at the flyer in the newsletter regarding Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund applications for 2026. Applications close in June and are a great help for families.