Principal's Report

In this week's newsletter

• Appreciations and News …
  • Vale …
  • Congratulations to …
  • Wominjeka mural has now been installed
  • NAPLAN envelopes were distributed last Friday
  • Specialists’ planning summary included this week
• Coming up 
  • Milo’s Birthday Surprise for Preps
  • Parent and Carer Opinion Survey
  • Road Traffic Safety audit considerations
• Parent Opinion Survey invitation and explanation
• Repeated (and updated) messages

Appreciations, Sympathy and News

Vale Ron Peck - We were saddened to learn that on Sunday, Ron Peck (1930 - 2023), father of our FWPS leader and team member Libby Buck, passed away in hospital after a recent illness.  We have of course conveyed our sympathy to Libby, who returned to work on Wednesday prior to planning to attend the country funeral on Tuesday next week.  I am sure all families, especially those whose children have benefited from Libby’s compassion and great teaching, will join in extending their condolences at this sad time.

School Council met… on Monday and the following matters were discussed:

The full approved School Review report was discussed.  We have included the public section here:  

The report will form the basis for our next School Strategic Plan 2024-2027 which will be prepared over the next few months, leading to the first of the 4 Annual Implementation Plans over the life of the strategic plan.

A request from Maribyrnong Council to provide a letter of support regarding a proposal for a road safety audit for local schools (see information below).

Changes in NAPLAN reporting parameters were discussed.  Information was forwarded to all parents of students in grades 3 and 5 and is included here: 

Curriculum contribution increase to be considered and recommendations provided via our Finance subcommittee.

Canteen ‘over the counter’ sales cessation discussed and ratified.

A discussion was held regarding the costs and logistics new gymnasium building project. 

Student and staff illness - We have significant student and staff illness affecting our operations at the moment.  I visited one grade 2 class earlier in the week with 11 student absences due to illness.  While many seem to be affected by flu or flu like symptoms, we do have Covid cases as well.  Both Assistant Principals Liz and Carolyn are absent today after testing positive.  We remind all families that we continue to have rapid antigen tests available for collection and urge all families to test when children are unwell.  Regardless of the outcome, we urge all families to continue to be cautious and keep the children home when managing infectious symptoms.

NAPLAN … results for students in grades 3 and 5 were delivered late last week and distributed to families the next day.  Where students were absent, the reports have been retained at the office.  There are a handful that still are awaiting collection.  Where students have returned, we will forward them this week.  As we distributed them at the earliest possible time, the teachers only had a chance to view individual student results this week during their Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Parents and carers who wish to discuss the results with their class teacher are welcome to contact them through the normal channels.  Please be patient as teachers work through the lists, bearing in mind the parameters that our current industrial agreement allows for additional staffing hours.

First Nations’ Wominjeka Art Installation - Tuesday morning the weather was clear and still - ideal time to install our very special bespoke WOMINJEKA (WELCOME) mural.  Taleb and Dan (a tradie in a former life…) are pictured busily installing the mural in time for the students to arrive.  Later, the artist, Amina (also pictured) returned to touch up the paint along each of the joins.  She was amazed by the interest and the many questions that came her way!  If the weather allows for an outdoor assembly we are hopeful that Amina will join us for an (unofficial) unveiling on Friday.

3/4 Swimming - The program has started successfully this week with 122  students attending.  The students were really keen on Monday with one grade 3 boy declaring to me that he’d been too excited to sleep!  There will be some very tired souls by the end of the fortnight’s program.  A big appreciation to the staff, parents and carers who have made the program possible, as well as the terrific support from the staff at the MAC.

Specialist planning summaries - This week the specialist team have included their term planning summaries, along with the grade 2 team, who just missed the deadline last week!

NAIDOC Week colouring in competition - This year our new Marrung leaders organised the competition with the support of Tess Maddison, our Marrung Champion.  Please see pictures (in Teaching and Learning News) with Tess at last week’s assembly of the 8 students (and one teacher) who were judged to have presented the most impressive colour-in sheet from this year’s competition.  As one student winner was absent we will add her picture next week.

Coming up 

Upcoming incursions and excursions - We know the students have been excited to attend the full range of learning related incursions and excursions over the last 18 months.  In this coming week we will look forward to the 100 Days of Prep celebration on Monday, Mrs Sargood history incursion for the grade 1s on Thursday and Friday, the Robogirls coding incursion (5SM and 5TH) also on Thursday and of course the second week of the grade 3 and 4 intensive swimming program.  While the grade 6s may feel a tad overlooked of course they have had and will continue to experience a range of incursions, excursions and of course their school camp in this second semester.  All communications relating to these events are forwarded via Compass to the parents/carers of the relevant grade groups and of course updated in the Dates to Remember in our newsletter each week. There seems to be no quiet weeks at FWPS! 

Parent Opinion Survey - Each year every government school seeks feedback from their parents and carers at about this time.  While we once were required to provide a random list of only a proportion of our families, digital collection methods now enable schools to include their entire adult community - if they so choose - we do.  Please read the letter (below).  We hope we have many families choosing to respond.

Road Safety Audits - Maribyrnong Council is seeking feedback from local schools regarding an application to the Traffic Accident Commission (TAC) to undertake Road Safety Audits for each of the local schools, including the Active Paths routes to school.  This matter was discussed at our School Council meeting on Monday and a letter from our Council will be prepared within the next week.  We will seek feedback from members of our Junior School Council and our Grade 6 leaders.  We also would appreciate any feedback from parents and community members.  If you would like to have your safety concerns included, please email us at: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au using the subject line Road Safety Audit.

Assembly this week … will feature 2TF’s grade item.  We have moved through the grades starting with grade 6 and this will be our second grade 2 assembly item after a fabulous presentation from the members of 2CW last week (pictured).  We will keep an eye on the weather. If a ‘live’ indoors assembly is held we will of course anticipate that seating will be available for parent and carers of students presenting or receiving Pupil of the Week awards. 

Cheers,

Brendan

2023 Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey:

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CARERS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

Our school is conducting a survey to find out what parents / caregivers think of our school. The Parent / Carer Opinion Survey is an annual survey offered by the Department of Education that is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behaviour, and student engagement. The survey is optional but we encourage all families to participate. Our school will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies. 

All families are invited to participate in the survey. 

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023.

Parents and carers will be sent an email with a unique log on code.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. 

The survey results will be shared and discussed at School Council. Recent survey results were a key reference during our recent School Review. Please speak to a member of the Principal team if you would like more information.

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 in to 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.

Parking Responsibilities - Information for Schools