Footscray West PS Newsletter

Principal's Report

Principal: Brendan Millar

In this Week's Newsletter

  • Appreciations and News…
    • Let's appreciate these awesome students!
    • Father’s Day stall appreciation
    • Student representative photos
    • Tutor Learning Initiative extended
    • Divisional Athletics Carnival
    • AFL Junior X Competition
    • Books ‘n’ Boots donation box
  • Coming up 
    •   Assembly this week
    • Parent/Carers Opinion Survey closes tomorrow
    • Kids Share Open Afternoon
  • Next Week
    • End of term is Friday of next week - dismissal at 2.20 pm
  • Repeated (and updated) messages

Appreciations and News

Let’s appreciate these awesome students - Yesterday, Shannon (teacher of 5SM) was on yard duty when she spied Lexi (1TN), Olina (1TN), Oliver (3MK), Poppy (PKT) and Lilly (PKT) doing their bit for the environment! In the gusty wind a rubbish bin had blown over, and these responsible students jumped into action without any prompting to collect up the strewn rubbish and to upright the bin. 

 

What a bunch of superstars! Thank you, Lexi, Olina, Oliver, Poppy and Lily!

Father’s Day and Special Person’s stall - Last Friday’s Father’s Day stall was a great success and only possible due to the planning and hard work of members of our Parents’ Association (PA) volunteers, in particular Andita and Alicia (as acknowledged last week) and all who assisted in attending as stall helpers on the day.  PA can only run such terrific events if we have an active committee.  If you could assist in the future, please email your interest to fwpsparentsassociation@outlook.com

 

Student Representative Photos - A big appreciation to the multi talented Liz Beasley who assembled our student representative groups on Monday for some group photos.  We have included one of each in today’s newsletter.  They will be featured prominently in reception.  Families will be emailed a high resolution photo in the next few days.

Tutor Learning Initiative extended - We were pleased to hear the news this week that the TLI, initially introduced to support students’ whose learning progress was most affected by pandemic lockdowns, will be extended again next year.  The focus will be on students whose learning challenges have been identified based on NAPLAN assessment.  Heather Patterson has done an outstanding job and we are pleased she will continue in this role in 2024.

 

Maribyrnong Division Athletics Carnival - Stratos and Marshal accompanied our group of qualifiers for the event that was held at Keilor Sport Track on Tuesday.  We are very pleased that 16 students qualified for the Western Region event, having represented the school proudly.

AFL X Excursion - Anthea and Lee accompanied a group of 40 grade 4 and 5 students yesterday to Skinner Reserve in Braybrook for a new event.  Students from several local schools also attended.  The students loved the experience on this approach to footy that was focused on fun rather than competition.  We have included a few pics of the event.  A report will be presented at Friday’s assembly.

Books ‘n’ Boots drive - Our B ‘n’ B books box is now almost full of boots and shoes.  We will be taking donations until the end of term.  Thanks to all who have donated, our Marrung leaders appreciate your support.

Coming up…

Assembly this week… This week it will be 1LL’s turn for their assembly item.  Assembly starts at 2.40 pm at the Bilby shade sail, or if the weather is dodgy, from the gallery space in Dingo. Pictured last week - members of 1JI with their fabulous presentation showcasing the grade’s recent investigation into the history of the telephone, an aspect of this term’s unit, ‘The Olden Days’.

Kids Share Open Afternoon (Wednesday 13th September 2023) - On Wednesday 13th September from 3:30pm to 4:15pm, FWPS will be hosting the second semester Kids Share Open Afternoon for our parents/carers of all year levels. This is an informal and optional opportunity for you to visit your child’s classroom.

 

During this time, your child will be encouraged to share some of their work they have completed so far this semester with you, and to have a discussion about their current learning goals. They might also show you around the room, including looking at the classroom displays and resources that help them with their learning. While teachers will be roving the room, the focus is on the conversation between you and your child, and your child’s opportunity to share and take ownership of their work. 

 

On the day, all children will still be dismissed at 3:20pm. If you are planning to attend, you are welcome to return back to the room during the Open Afternoon window (3:30pm to 4:15pm). You do not need to stay for the full length of time (10 -15 minutes should be sufficient) and families are welcome to come and go as they please during the Open Afternoon window.

 

If you have multiple children at FWPS, this time will allow you to visit each room for a suitable amount of time to have each child share their work. We anticipate the peak period being straight after school, so please expect classrooms to be busy and noisy during this time. It is likely to be quieter as we get closer to 4:15pm.

 

We thank you for your ongoing support of your child’s learning and encourage you to follow up with your child’s teacher if you have any concerns about your child’s academic growth.

Next Week…

Term 3 concludes next Friday at 2.20 pm - In terms 1, 2 and 3 school always finishes one hour earlier.  In term 4, school finishes 2 hours earlier. A final assembly prior to the holiday break will be held at 1.40 pm, an hour earlier than usual.  

 

Cheers,

Brendan

Repeated (and updated) messages…

Assembly - Assembly on Friday’s will be held outdoors only if the weather conditions are conducive.  If not, assemblies will be presented indoors in the gallery space in Dingo and broadcast to the classrooms.  At this time of the year it may be anticipated that the majority of assemblies will be held indoors.  For our indoor assemblies we gather all the student presenters, class assembly presenters and pupils of the week before assembly starts, as well as parents, carers, grandparents and community members who have come to watch.  

Hearing your voice - In every newsletter we will add a feedback link.  If you have a concern, suggestion or appreciation, or wish to specifically provide comment on school policies, rather than looking for the school email, you can just go to the link.  This will not be the preferred option for detailed emails - the usual practice of using the school email: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au will still be the avenue, but for the concerns, suggestions or appreciations go to:  https://forms.gle/dPnAN75bFVeM1i16A

Parent/Carer Volunteer Induction 

This information has been ‘pinned’ on Compass so it remains easily accessible.  You will currently find it as the second pinned item on your News Feed.  For all new families or parents and carers who didn’t complete the online process last year, if you wish to assist in classrooms, excursions or camps, or volunteer for really any other purpose at FWPS, we need you to complete the modules online.  For parents/carers who did this last year, all you need to do is sign the relevant form at the office.

Change of Email  

We are no longer using the school gmail addresses for communication to staff.  Parents will be asked to communicate directly with staff using the email facility within Compass, or email the school email address at: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au ‘Attention staff member’s name’.  Emails sent from the Compass app will be sent directly to the relevant staff members’ education email account.  Please understand that staff are busy and will respond in a timely manner.  If a matter is urgent, you are advised to call the school during office hours, or leave a message outside those hours.

Car Park Use

A reminder that the car park is open prior to 8 am and after 4 pm daily for parent access for the Their Care OSHC program.  At other times, please appreciate that the car park is for staff use.  Should you need to walk through to the Their Care location at Emu Corner, for safety’s sake we ask that you use the pedestrian gate next to the boom gate and make your way between Koala and the Wallaby buildings past Gecko via the basketball court through to Emu Corner.

Please check out the brief explanatory video at: https://vimeo.com/777907951

Photo Permission - When parents and carers first sign the enrolment form for school entry, they may be understandably reluctant to sign the photo permission section.  We frequently use pictures and videos to share learning highlights and to maintain and foster school/home links.  As we frequently include photos and videos of the students learning and playing we are regularly confronted by wonderful picture opportunities we cannot share in our newsletter and videos.  

We would love you to review your decision so your child can be fully involved in the life of our school.  Feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the office so they can make those adjustments on your behalf.

COVID Information

As you will all understand, COVID continues to be transmitted within the community and remains a highly infectious illness.  Consequently, it continues to be vital for families to remain careful when exposed to COVID or when demonstrating symptoms.  While schools will no longer be providing Rapid Antigen Tests - We do have dozens of leftover packs that have at least 6 months left before their use by date.  Drop into the office, or send us a message and we will send some home with your child.  

Many of you will have heard that this year RATs, while continuing to be supplied by the state government, will be distributed by local councils from venues such as our library locations.

Rapid Antigen Tests are also available for all Victorians from Council sites.  People can get 2 free packs (10 tests) for themselves and 2 free packs (10 tests) for each of their household members.

People with disability and their carers can get up to 4 free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.

Further information can be obtained at Council Rapid Antigen Test Program.

Rapid antigen testing

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff:

·         If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild

·         If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19

·         If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.

Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.