Appreciations

Welcome back to onsite learning at FWPS

It was with great pleasure that we welcomed all grades and almost all our students back to school on Monday for the first time in 11 school weeks. There was a real sense of joy. It was a magic day.

Before the gates were opened, all staff joined me for a quick socially distanced staff briefing. The chief reason was an opportunity to wish Anne-Marie good fortune in her new role on the occasion she briefly returned to say au revoir to her (former) class. Her collegiate co-leader Heather, shared some well chosen and authentic words and we had the opportunity to present Ann-Marie with some gifts from her colleagues.

Students from all grades keenly and joyfully trotted to class as soon as all 6 ‘alphabetically ordered’ gates were opened at 8.50 am on Monday.

A return to the ‘soft start’ (utilised when all students returned after our initial return from remote and flexible learning) proved a successful strategy. With gates supervised from 8.50 to 9.10 am every morning, there is ample opportunity to find an entry time that suits families. The only relatively busy period is on gate opening. We know lots of the senior students are keen to see mates and choose their time of arrival. For parents whose children are pressed for time, we are pleased that amended regulations now allow all students to attend the Their Care before and after school program. For those arriving later still, all students need to access the front entrance if they arrive after 9.10 am. To support the importance of providing ample opportunity for families to physically separate and to dial down the stress, no grade rolls are currently marked until 9.30 am daily.

The end of the school day has always proven to be a little more challenging, so we took suggestions into account and worked with the Traffic Management Office at Maribyrnong Council to arrange permission to block off parking at the frontage of the school in the afternoon, the most obvious way to effectively ‘widen the footpath’. With a little earlier movement of students, and grades in P-6 order leaving consecutively from all 6 gates, we have found this an easier process too. While the effort of placing and removing bollards and bunting every afternoon may become a drag, we think it is already proving a key for a successful end of day exit procedure. It is important that all parents and carers, especially those continuing to hunt for parks in Argyle St, do consider the rights of our neighbours, as we have at this stage only secured Council approval for a two week trial period.

Caren and I independently visited classrooms and specialist programs on Monday morning and we commented on the festive and noisy atmosphere in most of the grades. We were privileged to have the opportunity to witness students, teachers and education staff reacquaint themselves.

As you will recall, it was a beautiful Spring morning, so the fun of being in the yard with friends was also a pleasure to observe. As I wandered around the oval chatting, I took these pics. There was lots of interest in being included in the newsletter or next week’s assembly video.

Attendance/access to TheirCare

Please note that parents who are dropping their children at Their Care have always been strongly discouraged from walking through the car park (from Argyle St) unless it is before 8 am or after 4.00 pm and they have parked for this purpose.
We have required parents accompanying their children to enter through the crossing gate and then make their way between Koala and Wallaby, past Gecko to Emu Corner.
Following our previous return from remote learning, some students entered the crossing gate into the school grounds unsupervised. Consequently, this time we are asking all parents walking their children to Their Care, to enter carefully through the main car park gate, turn immediately right onto the pedestrian path, enter through the green gate and make their way around Koala, via Wallaby and Gecko to Emu Corner.
This in one of three necessary exceptions to the rule that parents and carers are not permitted on site. The others being: school drop off/collection via Blandford St pedestrian path and attendance at the school office.
At all times parents, carers, students, staff and contractors should not enter school grounds if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, or have been within proximity of a positive case.
We hope that you can appreciate staff may enquire if they see you in the school grounds.

Food Matters

Due to safety concerns, the following arrangements have been made (hopefully) for the short term as we remain COVID-19 wary.

Food for celebration - Parents who wish to send in food for birthday celebrations are requested to only send in items that are wrapped individually. So basically it is a NO for cupcakes and the like, and a YES for individually packaged items like chocolates or lollies. This will ensure the children can open them themselves (and dispose of the wrapper) and birthday celebrations can still be acknowledged. Of course usual safety requirements will continue for students with food allergies.

Orchard to Plate – As food technology is still allowed to be taught with

strict hygiene considerations, we are pleased to note that after

consideration and research the OTP program returned today. All

sharing of food will be negated by Dianne, our OTP coordinator providing

all portions to students directly.

Canteen – The Lunchbox 3012 reopens on Friday for recess and lunchtime service. Ordering must be made online, as we have decided not to have

any staff/child handle cash. Frozen fruit cups will be provided in the lunch

baskets. For further information please read the Lunchbox information

on page 6.

Leaving FWPS?

If your family is planning to move to another school for the 2021 school year we require this information in writing. The complex task of forming class lists will be developed over the next few weeks and the earlier we can factor in student changes the more comprehensive those lists can be. Please drop us a message at: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

Class Placement for 2021

During term 4 the teaching teams will spend many hours preparing grades for next year. Throughout this process, the needs of all students are considered from a social, academic and behavioural perspective. However, parents who wish to discuss, or

communicate considerations relating to their children’s grade placement for 2021 are advised that initial communication should be made in writing and addressed, via the office, to Brendan Millar.

All matters will be dealt with sensitively, however we must stress that requests for specific teachers or classes will not be accommodated. Requests related to learning, behavioural or social requirements will be considered on merit and in consultation with key staff members. Please note that all communication on this matter will need to be received by no later than Friday, 30th October.

We will acknowledge receipt of any communication in writing and may seek further information to support any request.

All the best,

Brendan

The West Weekly

Issue 30 · 15 Oct 2020

In this issue