Principal's Report

FNPS Fete 2023

Wow! Only two more sleeps!! We can’t wait to share with you what is set to be a wonderful celebration of FNPS and our community this Sunday. We are hoping the weather gods shine on us and all of the planets align to produce what is sure to be another amazing FNPS Fete!! This year’s Fete funds will go towards the Fergie Street Landscaping project once the build completes.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every volunteer who has put their hand up to help out on the day. Without our committed team of parent, staff and community volunteers, these events wouldn’t be possible. Thank you also to the amazing team of volunteers who gave up their time on Thursday afternoon to make sure FNPS was Fete ready – your dedication to our school and your community is very much appreciated.

Build Update and Upcoming FNPS Projects

We are so very close to the handover of eight classrooms. Unfortunately, some underground issues with the fire service have held us up, but we are hopeful that these will be rectified in the very near future.

Following on from the handover of Stage 1A, we are hopeful that we will receive stage 1B before year’s end. This area includes our new front office and entry way, along with additional classrooms and sensory learning spaces.

This handover will then trigger a string of projects, including:

• After moving out of the Library and Hall, we will have painters in over the holidays to freshen up these areas, along with the Junior Building foyer and corridor.
• Works will be undertaken to reinstate the FNPS Library, including auditing our current resources and purchasing new resources where necessary.
• The classroom currently out of commission is set to be repaired in the coming weeks, along with restoration works in the corridor.
• The Junior Playground Project is due for commencement late in Semester 1 2024.
• The Fergie Street Landscaping Project will also be undertaken once site handover is complete.
• Once we have ample storage space and are able to empty out the containers, our Maths and Literacy teams will undertake audits of our current resources and purchase new materials for our core curricular areas where needed.
• An arborist will be undertaking extensive works over the Summer holidays around the school, including the removal of many damaged trees.

We are so excited to kick off these projects and re-energise our school and community.

Remembrance Day 2023

At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.

Tomorrow, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, may we paused to reflect and remember those who came before us for and commemorate Remembrance Day 2023.

Celebrating our Community 

We would like to extend our congratulations to Kat Rae, parent of Imogen (1/2LE) who is currently exhibiting her work at the Red Gallery in North Fitzroy until 12 November. Red Gallery describes the exhibition as a “strikingly poignant and deeply emotive interpretation of the real impact of war on individuals, families and societies.” More information about the Red Gallery and the current Exhibition can be found here - Red Gallery - Instagram 

‘Mon U Mental’ - Kat Rae [Paper on Plinth] 

Kat has also recently been involved in the ABC docuseries ‘Australia After War’. The series is a thought provoking exploration of the stories of veterans and their families from WWI until today. Make sure you take a look at the series available on ABC iView. 

Congratulations also to Zeno Sworder, parent of Lelea (5SE) and Maya (PBW) on winning the Picture Book of the Year in the 2023 Children’s Book of the Year Awards. Zeno was also crowned winner of the 71st Australian Book Design Awards for 2023 for his wonderful book My Strange Shrinking Parents. Zeno’s other picture story book This Small Blue Dot has also won numerous awards. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Zeno on these very significant achievements and also extend our thanks to him for the work he has done in our classrooms this year, provoking thoughtful discussions and building the storytelling capabilities of our learners. 

Go gently, 

Tania