Footscray West PS Newsletter

Principal's Report

Principal: Brendan Millar

 In this week’s newsletter:

  • Safety Alert - Driver Behaviour
  • Appreciations and News
    • Parent helper feedback on incursion
    • Prep 2025 transition program
    • Grade 6 Ballarat Log Cabin Camp 
    • Prep incursion on Tuesday
    • Whooping cough and Covid alerts
  • Coming Up
    • Assembly tomorrow
    • Grade 6 interschool sport Vs St Bernadette’s at home tomorrow
    • Student Support Group meetings next week
    • Second hand uniform stalls end of day next week
    • Prep 2025 ‘Play dates’ on Wednesday and Thursday next week
    • Grade 6 interschool sport Vs St John’s at home next Friday
    • Statewide Orientation Day (Grade 6) and annual Through School Transition Day Tuesday 10th December
  • Reminders
    • Salvation Army/FWPS Christmas Appeal
    • School Saver Bonus information

Safety Alert

Before school this morning a parent/carer inappropriately and dangerously chose to double park and enable their children to alight and walk across Argyle Street without supervision.  I remain in a state of shock that too often we see or receive reports similar to this.  

Appreciations and News

Parent Helper Feedback on Grade 1 Melbourne Museum Incursion

After school last week I spoke to a parent who had assisted on the Grade 1 excursion.  She followed up with this email which I sought to share anonymously with our community:

 

I wanted to say firstly a huge thank you to the teachers and school for the grade 1 excursion this week. I also wanted to share my wonderful experience being lucky enough to be a parent helper on Tuesday to the Melbourne Museum. The teachers had clearly put in a lot of time and effort to ensure it ran smoothly and the kids were organised and informed on what to expect and how to get the most out of the experience. I am sure there was a lot of behind the scenes work for it to run so well. The day had clearly been very well planned, and the kids were super excited, informed and prepared by their teachers on both the topic of mini beasts but also heading out into the public as a big group. I was so happy and proud to see the kids engaging with the exciting exhibitions at the museum, chatting with their peers and teacher about lots of different subjects, but also respecting the other members of the public sharing the space with them. One member of the public commented to me how lovely the kids were and that she had shared a great conversation with a couple of FWPS kids about some bugs and their life cycle. She said we should be proud of them and asked which school we were from. My child has not stopped talking about how much they loved the day. Please share with the teachers and other staff how wonderful I thought the experience was and pass on my huge thanks for all their efforts for Tuesday, as well as everyday for what they do to enrich our kids' learning. It does not go unnoticed. 

 

Prep 2025 Transition Program

Our Prep 2025 orientation program has been held once weekly over the last few weeks.  This has enabled multiple opportunities for all our incoming Prep cohort to visit a 2024 Prep classroom for a fun and engaging learning experience.  All our current and next year’s Prep teachers (including Maria, who is moving from the Grade 2 team, and Hayley, who is joining us from her current school) have participated in at least one experience.  The visits have also assisted Karri, our Prep Transition Leader with the challenging task of creating classes that take into account the variety of personalities and learning needs of the children.  A huge appreciation to her for the comprehensive program that she has provided, along with the support of the Prep and Office teams, and Assistant Principal, Liz.

 

Grade 6 Ballarat Log Cabin Camp

The 3 day and 2 night program concluded yesterday afternoon, when the campers returned looking very tired and happy.  It was a terrific camping experience, which I was fortunate enough to get to spend a few hours at on Tuesday.  Our Grade 6 cohort were absolutely outstanding.  They took on some significant adventure challenges, amongst other activities, including an evening visit to Sovereign Hill’s fabulous AURA light and sound spectacular.  The wonderful and positive interactions amongst the students and towards our staff and parent helpers and camp staff was very affirming.  A very big thank you to Mikala (who did an outstanding job in planning and liaising with the camp), members of the Grade 6 team and Grade 6 mums and dads who assisted.  They were marvellous in assisting to create a very positive vibe.  We cannot run camps without this level of support.

Prep Incursion on Wednesday 

Our annual Wildlife Xposure incursion was again a hit with the Prep team on Wednesday.  Led by the owner Xavier, the marvellous range of animals visiting from their country home in Melbourne’s far east is best captured in picture form.  Thanks to Anna for sending me through the following assortment: 

Whooping Cough and Covid Warnings

Unfortunately, we continue to receive feedback from families testing positive for whooping cough.  Please see your doctor if a member of your family is experiencing the following symptoms:

Additionally, I have received a Department of Education alert regarding recent COVID spread in metro Melbourne: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health-alerts/increase-covid-19-activity

 

Please be vigilant and if in doubt, please keep your child at home until symptoms have abated.

Coming Up 

Assembly Tomorrow

We will plan for an outdoor assembly, however, will keep an eye out for heat, or rain….it has been that sort of week!  We will feature sports reports from tomorrow morning’s matches and our assembly item will feature a presentation from the Marrung team.

 

Grade 6 Interschool Sport Vs St Bernadette’s at home tomorrow 

Games will be played tomorrow at FWPS and local grounds.  Summer sports activities are subject to Sunsmart rules which require morning rather than afternoon sessions.  Parents and carers are welcome to attend to support the teams.  Games are due to be played between 9:15 and 11:20am.

 

Student Support Group Meetings next week 

Students who are currently supported through the Program for Students with Disabilities or the new Disability Inclusion Program, will have support group meetings scheduled from Monday to Wednesday next week. As this is a big resource commitment for our school, with class teachers, members of the wellbeing team and education support staff released to attend, it involves complex organisation. Attending parents and carers are encouraged to make their very best efforts to be on time.

 

Second Hand Uniform Stalls end of day next week 

By the end of term our Parents’ Association storage container is due to be moved to the front of the school, as one of the very first actions in our own Big Build.  This is also a great opportunity for families to obtain quality used uniform items for the new school year, as we wish to store as little clothing as possible for the move.  Consequently, uniform sales will be occurring towards the end of the school day and after school on Monday to Thursday next week.

 

Prep 2025 ‘Play Dates’ on Wednesday and Thursday next week 

Following the comprehensive Transition program that started in Term 2 and concluded with the last of 3 orientation visits this week, next week a more casual opportunity for our Prep starters to play in the playground and parents and staff to chat will occur from 3:40 to 4:20pm next Wednesday (for PAK, PHM and PMM) and Thursday (for PBD and PAC).  Parents will learn of their child’s Prep classes with communication to be sent by Friday.  Parents’ Association will be providing the second hand uniform shop particularly with Prep families in mind on both these afternoons.

 

Grade 6 Interschool Sport Vs St John’s at home next Friday 

The final round will occur next Friday, as another home game. Teams that qualify for finals will play their grand finals on the following Friday, 13 December at Footscray North PS.

 

Statewide Orientation Day (Grade 6) and annual Through School Transition Day Tuesday, 10 December 

This is our opportunity to enable all new grades to form for the first time.  We choose this day, as our current Grade 6 students attending government schools also have their opportunity to ‘step up.’  We endeavour to have all our new teachers attend, as well as new students (Grades 1 to 6) to enrich the experience. More information will be shared with families next week.  

 

Grade 3 Celebrations Enquiry

The Grade 3 team have been learning about Celebrations within our community.  Thanks to Michael who has prepared the following video: https://vimeo.com/1034031369?share=copy

Reminders

Salvation Army / FWPS JSC Christmas Appeal

Our families and staff continue to generously provide donations for our annual appeal with the Salvation Army.  We will be accepting donations until Thursday, 12 December. Please place any new toys in the box in reception, or non perishable food items directly to the staff room.   

 

School Saver Bonus

In recent weeks we provided information on how all our families can access the one off School Saver Bonus in 2025.  This initiative is open to all families, with a $400 bonus for each child attending a state government school next year.  However, to receive access for costs set for the first semester next year you will need to ‘activate’ your account using details provided in an email on or about 26th November from the Department of Education to the email address that you have provided in your child’s enrolment documentation.  Please check your spam folder if you do not receive this email.

  • Please follow the instructions contained in that email to activate your School Saving Bonus account.
  • See the ‘From the Office Team’ page again in this week’s newsletter where you will find detailed steps on what every family must do to activate their funding.
  • Once you have completed the steps above you will have immediate access to the $400 for 2025 costs.  This includes camp payments, such as the Grade 3 Zoo Snooze that we are required to collect this year for these Term 1 events early next year.

Curriculum and Professional Practice Days in 2025 

Last week School Council approved the following student-free curriculum and professional practice days in 2025. We anticipate that TheirCare will provide a full program of care on these dates.  You may wish to place them in your diary.

  • Tuesday, 28th January 2025 (Staff Planning)
  • Monday, 10th February 2025 (Berry Street Education Model Day 3)
  • Monday, 26th May 2025 (Berry Street Education Model Day 4)
  • Tuesday, 27th May 2025 (Report Writing)
  • Monday, 3rd November 2025 (Professional Practice Day)

 

Cheers,

Brendan

REPEATED MESSAGES FROM PAST NEWSLETTERS

Leaving FWPS in 2025?

If your family is planning to leave for another school next year, we would really appreciate you emailing us at: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au using the subject line (above) and letting us know your child’s new school so we can process the transfer.