Principal`s Message

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope all families enjoyed a refreshing break over the autumn holidays and found some time to relax together. Autumn is often a season of reflection and renewed energy “Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go”, and in education, it reminds us that growth takes time, patience and change. As Albert Einstein once said, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think.” With that in mind, we have had a busy and productive start to the term, filled with new opportunities for learning and connection across our school.

Staffing Updates

We have experienced some staffing changes this term as we farewell Asha and Nick. I would like to sincerely thank them both for their contributions to our school community and wish them every success in their new roles. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome Suchita to our team. Suchita will be working in our Education Support team and brings a wealth of experience from her work in education across a range of countries. Having worked with us on a casual basis over the past 12 months, Suchita has already built strong connections with many of our students, allowing for a smooth transition into her new role.

OSCH Providers

We are delighted to warmly welcome TheirCare as the new providers of Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) at Fitzroy Primary School. TheirCare brings a strong reputation for delivering engaging, high-quality programs that support children’s wellbeing, creativity, and social development in a safe and inclusive environment. We look forward to working in partnership with TheirCare as they become part of our school community, building positive relationships with our students and families. I am confident they will be a wonderful addition to Fitzroy Primary, and we encourage families to make them feel welcome as they begin this new chapter with us.

Volunteer Induction

Just a reminder that our Volunteer Induction Session has been rescheduled to Friday 15 May at 9:15 am. During this session, we will outline the role of a school volunteer, unpack our volunteer policy, discuss the Child Safe Standards, explore ways to best support classroom teachers and students, and provide time for any questions. Anyone wishing to volunteer in any capacity at Fitzroy Primary School is required to attend an induction session. The onsite session will take place in the Staffroom on George Street. We look forward to seeing many of you there.

Education Week

Friday 22 May (9:05–10:00am) – Open Morning for Families

 We warmly invite families and friends to visit our classrooms and see our learning in action, while celebrating how we support our students to be active, engaged learners. Throughout the week, students will take part in a range of learning experiences that highlight our commitment to both English and French learning, wellbeing, and community connection. 

Support

We understand that navigating Compass, payments, or school forms can sometimes be challenging. If you require support, please contact the office to arrange a suitable time to come in, and our team will be happy to assist you. We kindly ask for your patience during busy times such as morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, as you may experience a short wait if seeking assistance at these times.

Attendance

Attendance continues to be a key focus for our school. Every day counts, and arriving on time helps students start their day calmly and ready to learn alongside their peers. Regular attendance supports both academic progress and strong social connections. Of course, if your child is unwell, we ask that they remain at home to recover fully and help keep our community healthy.

2027 Foundation Enrolments

Looking ahead, planning is already underway for 2027 enrolments. We are currently conducting school tours every Wednesday. If you know families who are yet to decide on a school for 2027, we encourage you to invite them to book a tour through the Fitzroy Primary School website. These tours provide a wonderful opportunity to experience our school in action and learn more about what we offer. If your child is starting prep next year, please fill in an enrolment form and return to the office promptly.

Industrial Action

We have been advised of planned industrial action in the form of a half-day stop work on Tuesday 20 May. However, this action has currently been suspended until 18 May while negotiations continue, and we are hopeful that a positive resolution will be reached. At this stage, it is important to note that arrangements may still change. I will keep families informed and provide an update as soon as possible regarding whether the stop work action on 20 May will proceed. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we await further information.

Capital Works

Finally, we are excited to share that we are only weeks away from the handover of our Napier Street building. This is a significant milestone and will allow us time to move furniture and thoughtfully set up learning spaces in preparation for classes in the new areas at the beginning of Term 3. Landscaping will continue for the remainder of the year, and I will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our school community. I look forward to a fantastic term ahead.

-Scott Burton, Principal