Principal's Report

Welcome Back to Term Two

What a great start to the term. Everyone is back into the swing of things, learning, laughing and playing together. During my classroom visits last week, I was struck by how quickly students have settled back into school and are engaging in their learning.

As well as classroom experiences, students have the following events to look forward to:

Foundation students have a Science incursion in a couple of weeks (20th May), where they will become scientists by exploring magnetism, electricity, chemistry, forces, light and colour, and mini beasts.
Year 1 students are currently taking part in Drama Toolbox incursions. During these sessions, they are focusing on wellbeing, discussing topics such as working collaboratively and conflict management.
Year 2 have a ‘Crazy Chemicals’ incursion next Tuesday, where they will investigate how materials can change, including how solids may change to a liquid or a gas through chemical reactions.
Year 3 students participated in a Science incursion, ‘Matter of Matter’ today, where they learnt about the different states of matter - see the pictures below.
Year 4 will be taking part in a Science incursion on 11 May, ‘Earth and the Milky Way’, where they will launch into space and explore planets, moons, stars and galaxies.
Year 5 will be starting their alternative sports program on Friday with taekwondo.
Year 6 are of course enjoying themselves in Canberra this week. Upon their return, they will look forward to an excursion to Werribee Zoo on 12 May.

The events above indicate that there is a lot of Science happening this term – read the Assistant Principal section for more information.

All of these excursions and incursions supplement the Inquiry learning in classrooms, providing first-hand experiences, talks and demonstrations from experts. Students often view these events as one of their highlights of the year.

Year 6 in Canberra

Yesterday morning we waved our Year 6 students off, as they headed to the airport for their week in Canberra. I have been keeping in regular contact with Sarah Abbott, who has informed me of how much they are enjoying their camp, and how well they are representing the school.

We look forward to hearing about their camp in the next newsletter.

Staff Professional Development

At FPS, we have staff meetings every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. These meetings take a variety of forms and can be a whole school staff meeting, or a meeting between year level teachers. These meetings are central to the professional development of staff.

Our meeting schedule includes fortnightly meetings where teachers meet in year levels, using the Inquiry model below. During these meetings, teachers identify groups of students with similar learning needs, and develop and implement learning and teaching activities for students to progress and grow in their learning. This collaborative inquiry approach provides a valuable opportunity for teachers to share expertise, analyse data and apply professional development learnings in a collaborative environment.

Building Works Update

We are very pleased with the relocation of Charles, our crossing supervisor, on Wingrove St. This crossing (at the corner of Fairfield Rd/Wingrove St) is heavily used before and after school, and the deployment significantly enhances safety. As mentioned last term, this is a temporary measure until the new crossing is constructed by Darebin City Council.

The new stretch of fence on Wingrove St looks great; positioned perfectly alongside the new footpath next to the Performing Arts Room. Thank you to parent Damian Cullen, who has now coordinated the last three fence upgrade projects. We also acknowledge the parent contributions to our Building Fund, which funded this project.

We are hopeful that the Fig Tree Garden will be open next week. It will become a spectacular centrepiece for the school, shadowed by our much loved Moreton Bay Fig Tree.

The shelter shed has been given a makeover, with the new ceiling panels and paintworks brightening this space up. We hope for these works to be completed in the next couple of weeks.

You may have noticed construction of the new shed opposite the bike shed. We are also hoping that this shed will be completed in the next couple of weeks, with the shipping container removed. The shed will become a storage area for community event furniture (tables, marquees, etc.) as well as additional space for community and classroom resources.

School Tours for 2022 Foundation Families

Prospective 2022 Foundation families are now able to register to attend school tours, which run between 20 May and 16 June. If you know of families looking to enrol their child at FPS, direct them to our school website for the enrolment process, timeline and relevant forms.

If you are a current FPS family and have a kindergarten child who is ready to commence school in 2022, we ask that you submit an enrolment form by the end of term (Friday 25 June) to facilitate the planning of staffing and resources for the coming year.

Lost Property

Lost Property has been in a state of limbo during recent months as we manage all of the building works. We have purchased some new storage furniture, and all lost property is now located around the corner from the Langridge St Office in the hallway opposite the French Room, which links to the Fairfield Road building (where the Year 3&4 classrooms are located). Parents are welcome to look through these items to find any missing garments.

Wishing everyone a great week.

~ Paul Wallace, Principal