Principal's Report

In this week’s newsletter:

Appreciations and News

• Trivia Night Success
• District Athletics Carnival
• Labubu doll ban
• Parent/Carer Opinion Survey
• Inform and Empower Cyber Safety Webcasts for Preps
• NAPLAN

Coming Up - Tomorrow

• Book Parade and Assembly

   

Looking Ahead

• Talk Money incursion on Monday for Year 6
• Wear it Purple Day next Friday

Appreciations and News

Trivia Night Triumph 

A huge appreciation to the Parents’ Association team, which added a few faces for the specific and significant job of preparing and presenting a riotous trivia night event last Friday. Thanks to chief organiser, Nico Lynch and the organisation team, Hilary Veale, Nick Price, Nic Davis and Josh Madden, along with many other helpers.  We are very appreciative of the fundraising that has been derived from this evening. The Parents’ Association has an article in today’s newsletter celebrating this terrific event.

Trivia Maestros: Anoushka Jeronimus and Luke Campbell

MC and Auctioneer: Tim Solly

Talking Head Lice (Parent Band): Nick Price, Joni and Antony Smith, Dan Boscolo, Heath Perdevski and Tim Solly

DJ Tom Showtime: Tom Gaden

Scott and Charlene Cake Makers: Sara Davis, Cat Luczck and Kerry Avantidis

The Groomsmen: Nick Davis, Nico Lynch, Nic Price, and Josh ‘wish I was a Nick’ Madden

Trivia Trophy Makers: Willis Cunningham, Niraj Lal, Sally Cunninghan and Anoushka Jeronimus

Wedding Planners: Naomi Finlay, Hill Veale, Clem and Lachie McBride, Nat Gaden, Yaz Frazzetto, Christa Hanafi, Marcela Rigg, Georgia Ensor and Dylan Kelly, Liam Ryan, Andy Yarnton and Susan Jones

The District Athletics Carnival

The District Athletics Carnival was held at Aberfeldie today in stunning weather. I was fortunate to spend some time at the track where I managed to take some pics featured in today’s newsletter. It was delightful to see the joy on our rep’s faces, the positive spirit of competition and co-operation, and we appreciated the marvellous support of parents and carers.

Labubu Dolls – Toy Ban

Last week, a Compass post was sent out regarding the banning of Labubu dolls, keychains, and similar knock off versions. This decision wasn’t made lightly. In a short space of time, our staff observed a troubling impact on student wellbeing linked to these toys. By Friday’s assembly, we followed our Thursday evening Compass post with an announcement to the students of the decision of a school-wide ban, effective Monday. Since then, we’ve received strong support from families, and we appreciate your understanding as we prioritise the emotional and social safety of all students.

Parent / Caregiver Opinion Survey

All families should have received an email from the Department of Education inviting one parent or caregiver per household to complete the annual Parent / Caregiver Opinion Survey. The survey will remain open until the end of term. If you haven’t received your invitation, please contact the office team.

Cyber Safety Webcasts – Inform & Empower

Next Monday and Tuesday, our Prep students will participate in the ScreenTime SuperStars cyber safety program. These brief, age-appropriate sessions are delivered online as part of the Inform and Empower series. We are very thankful to Seddon Community Bendigo Bank for funding this important initiative in the first year that we have engaged with the program.

NAPLAN

I recently mentioned our very encouraging NAPLAN results for year 3 and 5 cohorts and a promise to provide a report in a subsequent newsletter. We are chuffed to share this news. Please check out the report prepared by Assistant Principal, Carolyn Lockie on the Teaching & Learning News page.

Coming Up Tomorrow

Book Week Parade – Friday Morning

We are excited to host our 4th Annual Book Parade tomorrow. Introduced to FWPS following 2 years of lockdowns, it was our first event that welcomed our community back to school and we remember that day very positively. We love how students and staff alike make the effort to dress up as a favourite book character. We would love to see as many available family members join us on the day. 

The parade will be held at the Bilby Green Shade Area and will kick off at around 9:10am. Students will head into their classrooms first and then assemble in the marked areas for the parade. Younger siblings are warmly invited to join their school-aged siblings as their class is called up to parade.

At around 10:30am, the event will conclude, and we kindly ask parents and carers to move on so students can take part in book-themed rotational activities. We're watching the weather closely, and in case of rain, we’ll announce alternative arrangements via Compass.

Assembly 

We hope to host our regular outdoor assembly in the afternoon. Should the weather turn, we will livestream the assembly to classrooms from the Dingo Gallery.  Due to Book Week we will not feature a grade assembly item this week, instead our library helpers will announce grade Book Week prizes.  Pupil of the Week Awards will also feature, as usual.

Looking Ahead to Next Week

Talk Money Incursion – Monday (Grade 6)

Our Grade 6 students will take part in the Talk Money incursion, a financial literacy program exploring saving, spending, needs vs wants, and digital money. Supported by the Ecstra Foundation and ASIC, this session is fully funded, so there is no cost to families. We are hopeful this will empower our students with lifelong money skills.

Wear It Purple Day – Friday, 29th August

Next Friday, we’ll join schools across the country to celebrate Wear It Purple Day, promoting inclusion, respect, and pride in our rainbow young people. Students and staff are encouraged to wear purple or rainbow colours to show their support. There’ll be a fun lunchtime dance party in the Bilby Assembly Area – complete with giveaways and prizes!

Warm regards,

Brendan

2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey

We are inviting all families to participate in the 2025 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey, offered annually by the Department of Education. Your feedback is valued and helps our school better understand family perceptions around school climate, student behaviour, and engagement.

While participation is optional, we encourage you to take part. The insights gained will support our school improvement efforts and inform staff professional development and future planning.

Key Details:

• Survey opens: Monday 18 August
• Survey closes: Friday 19 September
• Access: A direct link will be sent via Compass next week
• Duration: Takes approximately 20 minutes
• Devices: Accessible via desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone
• Languages: Available in English and 10 other languages – Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Additional translated resources are also available upon request.

If you would like assistance or a translated guide, please contact the school office.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to speak with a member of the Principal Team.

Warm regards,

Brendan, Liz and Carolyn

Principal Team

Reminders and Repeated Messages