Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations and Acknowledgements

• Student Learning Conferences 
• Bonanza Bake sale - thanks to all who contributed and participated
• Congratulations to our successful sports teams

News

• Bulldogs player visit 
• Prep -  reuse, reduce and recycle video 
• Student lateness and absence reminder
• School nurse link correction for prep families

Coming Up - Tomorrow

• Food delivery service
• Early assembly from approximately 1.40pm
• School dismissal at 2.20pm
• School Holidays
• TheirCare
• Facilities News

Coming Up - Next Term

• Specialist Program - Weeks 1 and 2
• Prep to Year 3 Swimming

Appreciations and Acknowledgements 

Student Learning Conferences 

An appreciation to our teaching teams for their work and being available over 6 sessions over the final fortnight of term. This format best met our reduced availability of spaces which made the running of learning conferences during the school day (by combining grade groups and suitable indoor spaces) impractical.  We appreciate the parents and carers who attended and who engaged respectfully with our classroom and specialist teachers.

Bonanza Bake Sale 

The Parents’ Association bake sale was an outstanding success. A big appreciation to members of Parents’ Association for having the foresight to plan and promote the event and to all the many parents and carers who donated items. With $1469 raised, it was also highly successful in raising funds for additional costs anticipated for our big building project. We also acknowledged that every dollar raised has been made possible through the donation of ingredients and labour by members of our community. We look forward to prep to grade 2 families having their opportunity to contribute to an additional bake sale later in the year.

Congratulations to our Grade 6 Winter Sport Students

A big well done to the Girls’ netball and AFL teams that saluted in their Grand Final matches played last Friday.  They have already played at the next level during an inter district round robin event yesterday. A report has been included in this edition of the newsletter.

News

Bulldogs Player Visit 

We appreciate the occasions when we’re able to host a visit from the Western Bulldogs. This was the second opportunity this year, this time with grade 5 students having the opportunity to nominate to attend. From the large list, 30 AFL aspirants were given the opportunity to meet with our sporting visitors. A frisson of excitement was apparent when our visitors stepped through the door, led by current western Bulldogs captain and perhaps our greatest ever player - The Bont!  Marcus Bontempelli last visited our school as a 20 year old, at that time less well known by the team mates he accompanied.  Flanked by ruckman/forward turned backline stalwart, Rory Lobb, long kicking, fleet footed defender, Bailey Dale and our rangy youngest recruit, Zach Walker (drafted only a month earlier and living a dream that only a barracker turned AFL listed player could imagine) they walked through the yard to the grade 5 line up area. There was evident energy and excitement from students (“It’s The Bont”) and starry eyed staff members. The grade 5 participants then had the opportunity to handball and kick in rotating groups with each of the players, followed by a student goal kicking competition that culminated with a kick off with the players. The session concluded with an opportunity for all participants to receive autographs. It was a memorable afternoon - the day The Bont re-visited FWPS.

Prep - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Video 

This was created by Hayley and the prep team several weeks ago and has only now been uploaded due to a technical issue:  Prep - reduce, reuse and recycle

Student Absence and Lateness Reminder 

A reminder that when signing in for your child when late, it is respectful and appropriate to list a legitimate reason on the Compass tablet. Parents/carers are also strongly encouraged to post student absences on Compass. It can be done at any time and saves time for you and our office team.

School Nursing Service Data Collection Correction 

Our K-P transition co-ordinator, Karri shared an important communication last week with grade prep parents and carers relating to the opportunity for an assessment with the school nursing service - the final free opportunity for physical/medical assessment during the first 5 years of development. The initial post had a link that was incorrect, this was in contrast with the QR code that was correct. The post has been edited to reflect the correct link. We encourage all prep families to consider carefully whether this assessment is a valuable one to participate in.

Coming Up - Tomorrow

Food Delivery Service

Please note that our current food delivery service will operate tomorrow, a positive with our delivery option as there is no requirement for an end of term clean or stock take of the Canteen. Consequently, the food service will be operating tomorrow, the last day of term.  Book online using the Spriggy app.

Assembly Tomorrow 

Assembly will be held after 1:40pm following an earlier than usual recess. If the weather clears and it is suitable for students to sit outdoors, we will present assembly from the Bilby steps, featuring 2AM’s assembly item and our final Pupil of the Week awards for the term. Students from grades 1 to 6 will bring their bags so they can be dismissed directly from assembly. If weather determines an indoor assembly, parents and carers with children presenting, or receiving Pupil of the Week Awards will be invited to attend in the gallery space. In these circumstances, all students will be dismissed from their classrooms.

End of Term 

Please note that school will be dismissed for the Term 2 holidays at 2:20pm tomorrow.  Please make arrangements to collect your child from that time if they are not participating in the TheirCare OSHC program, which will start immediately following dismissal.

School Holidays 

School holidays will be held from Monday, 7th and conclude on Friday, 18th July.  School resumes on Monday, 21st July.

TheirCare 

TheirCare will be running a 10 day holiday program which includes 4 offsite excursions over that time.  Book online at: https://theircare.com.au/

Facilities News 

Building works will continue to proceed over the term break.  We anticipate seeing cladding installed, starting with the eastern and southern walls of the basketball gym area. There will be trenching works done between the Wallaby and Koala buildings. In school managed works we are excited with our reverse cycle air conditioning project that will see installation in the gallery and library spaces of the Dingo building.

Coming up … Next Term

Specialist Program Weeks 1 and 2 

Next term due to the 9 day grade prep, 1, 2 and 3 combined swimming program commencing Tuesday, 22nd July and concluding Friday, 1st August.  The days your child has their specialist classes will almost certainly be changed for the duration of the swim program.

Student and Staff Illness

After a long term with significant student and staff illness we look forward to having a great break and resetting our batteries for Term 3.

Warm regards,

Brendan

Reminders and Repeated Messages