Appreciations and News

Prep 2026 Parent Information Evening

I joined with K-P co-ordinator Karri, Assistant Principal Liz and School Nurse Eleanor Caldwell on Tuesday night for our Prep 2026 information session for parents. It was very well attended, and our visitors were a terrific, attentive audience. We appreciated being able to speak to parents and carers directly and share valuable information at this key time in this final term prior to the children joining us in 2026.

Today the second welcome visits were hosted by Karri and our grade 6 captains. This will soon be followed by the first classroom visits, where the children will get to spend some time in class with our prep class teachers.

Thanks to all at Footscray West Primary School who are contributing to our successful and practical Transition program.

Thank You to Our Parent Association! (from Shannon)

A huge thank you to our Parent Association for their generous donation of $370 towards new books for our library. Throughout Term 3 and 4, our Student Librarians gathered hundreds of suggestions from students across the school - it was no easy task choosing the final list!

With the donation in hand, we visited The Chestnut Tree Bookshop and were able to select a wonderful range of new titles for everyone to enjoy. Keep an eye out for the special sticker inside each book that shows our gratitude for the Parent Association’s support.

The School Council

The School Council met online on Monday and considered the following aspects:

New Parent Association co-president Tanya Tran was welcomed to our meeting. Outgoing co-presidents, Clare Mitchell Crow and Alicia Madden were acknowledged for their terrific work.
The Finance report covered recent payments, commitments and challenges with our projected 2026 Student Resource Package. Parent payment arrangements for 2026 were approved. There will be a $40 increase to cover costs for curriculum materials in support of our teaching and learning plan.
In the Principal’s Report we discussed staffing changes, anticipated student class numbers and planning for 2026.
The Facilities report referenced the excellent progress of our building project and some exciting plans for ground improvements next year, such as replacement of the external basketball court surface and new shade options for the (former) gum tree playground.
In general business we discussed the positive impact the Inform and Empower cyber awareness program has had this year. This was reported following the survey conducted with students and teachers. This year our trial was generously financially supported by Bendigo Community Bank. In 2026 we are preparing for this to be financed as part of our parent payment schedule.
Grade 6 Log Cabin camp compliance documentation was reviewed and approved.
The hiring process for the new gym was discussed. This task will be handed to our Facilities subcommittee to develop parameters and practicalities.

Grade 5 Kangaroobie Campers

Our Grade 5 Kangaroobie campers headed off in rather rainy conditions on Wednesday morning. The rain did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the travellers and the weather had cleared by the time they reached their first stop at Winchelsea. Due to the strong wind conditions expected, the Kangaroobie staff team adjusted the timing for the beach walk and substituted the canoeing activity. This morning, I spoke to team leader Helena Lizos and it was pleasing to hear how well the camp is proceeding. Wind conditions were far from the extreme effects we experienced in the metro area late yesterday and there was barely any rain. Students and adults slept well and were enjoying breakfast prior to having prior to a big day and evening of activities and experiences.

As you can see in the selected photos, the kids are having an incredible experience.

Grade Placement Considerations

Thanks to families who appreciated the opportunity to share considerations for grade placement with the leadership team. Our process has a firm timeline and there is no further opportunity for feedback beyond last Friday’s deadline, hence the multiple advertised opportunities for input over a period of over 5 weeks. Our teaching teams started the whole school process on Monday, and this will continue over many weeks, as there is much to consider and significant criteria to factor into the process. Students in grades 1 to 6 will find out their grade teacher and class peers on our Through School Transition Day on Tuesday, 9th December. This occasion always aligns with government school year 6 to 7 transition day.

Coming Up

Year 6 Inter School Sports

The Year 6 inter school sports started back with the first of our summer rounds last week. This week it will be an away game at Dinjerra PS. Due to the summer sports being played in the morning it provides enough time for the designated sports reporters to prepare their scripts prior to assembly. We enjoy hearing about the morning’s exploits particularly when they are able to be shared on the day, rather than a week later due to winter sports being held at a later time. Sport is always best viewed or reported live or near live!

Assembly

It is PBD’s turn tomorrow and you can bet they are excited! Assembly will be held at the regular time of 2.40pm. We will of course feature our Pupil of the Week Award winners for week 3 and hear about the second round of grade 6 interschool sports results. Presented outdoors, weather permitting.

Diversity Day

Friday of next week is our annual day when we celebrate diversity amongst our school community and integrate key messages around cultural diversity, disability, indigenous and gender inclusion and the engagement of everyone, no matter their background, gender or ability. It is a free dress day (no gold coin required) when kids are welcome to wear lots of colour and this year, with it also being Halloween we invite our kids to road test some of the costumes they will be wearing trick or treating in after school. Please ensure costumes and clothes are suitable for participating in the many fun sporting activities provided by Kaboom Kids and a sun smart hat is also required. As well as a visit from the fantastic Kaboom Kids in the morning we will be providing a Halloween themed dance party in the Bilby shade sail area at recess.

Student Free Curriculum Day - 3rd November, followed by the Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday

A reminder to families that Monday week (3rd November) is a student-free curriculum day for staff who are undertaking report writing for the second semester.

If your child requires care, please book with TheirCare, our outside school hours care provider.

This day will also be followed by the Melbourne Cup Day public holiday on Tuesday, 4th November.

Cheers,

Brendan

Repeated from Last Term

Leaving FWPS for 2026?

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).

Reminders and Repeated Messages

Art News

Visual Art Teachers: Susie Belcher & Jessica Russell-Davies