FPS Newsletter

Principal's Report

Welcome Back

We have had a great start to the new term. It is crazy to think that we are now in the second half of the year – where did that time go?

 

The first week went very smoothly with students readjusting to school life quickly. As the term starts to fly by, the calendar is full of lots of exciting events to look forward to. In the next fortnight alone we have:

 

Parent Teacher Interviews (PTIs)

Whilst this might not register as an ‘exciting’ event on the students’ calendar, it is worth giving a mention as we have a new format for PTIs. We are hosting a combination of onsite (Tuesday and Wednesday) and online (Thursday) meetings over the course of three afternoons. Bookings can be viewed in Compass – check your interview times to verify whether you need to be onsite or online.

 

Learn to Swim Program

This definitely fits into the bracket of ‘exciting’ for our Foundation – Year 2 students. This week is the first of eight weekly swimming sessions at Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre for our junior students.

 

House Athletics Carnival

Our Year 4 – 6 students will be making their way to Collingwood Harriers Athletics Track next Wednesday for our Athletics Day. This is an opportunity for students to dress up in their house colours and put their track and field skills to the test.

 

There are lots of other events on the horizon; Foundation’s Fire Education Incursion, Year 5 Alternative Sports (wheelchair basketball) and of course the Year 3 and 4 Concert.

 

Lunchtime Clubs

Once again we have offerings of lunchtime activities for the term. These lunchtime clubs provide the students with an opportunity to have a go at something different, as well as providing respite from the busyness of the school yard. 

 

Here are this term’s clubs:

  • Monday: Library, Loom Bands, Year 6 Band, Chess Club
  • Tuesday: Eco Club, Board Games, Drawing Club
  • Wednesday: Library
  • Thursday: Catch Up Art
  • Friday: Student Voice, Yarn Club

Here are some photos of our students enjoying their first session at chess club.

 

Changes to NAPLAN Reporting

Ahead of NAPLAN results for students being released from Monday 17 July 2023, I’m writing to inform you of some changes to this year’s reporting. These are changes being introduced nationally by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

 

NAPLAN will continue to measure student achievement in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar and punctuation, however the results will now be presented in four proficiency levels. These are:

  • Exceeding
  • Strong
  • Developing
  • Needs additional support.

 

This change will give schools, parents and carers clearer information that details student achievement against new proficiency levels.

 

Students’ NAPLAN reports will continue to show how they are tracking against their peers and provide an indication of their skill levels against national averages and where we would expect them to be in order to get the most out of schooling. This provides valuable information to teachers about how we can continue to support your child.

 

Each set of NAPLAN results is an important milestone and it’s also important that students know that one result does not define them – these results are about making sure every student gets the support they need so they can continue to get the best from their learning.

 

When we provide you with your results, you will also receive information regarding the meaning of the new proficiency levels. 

 

As ever, you’re welcome to speak to me, or your child’s teacher with any questions about these changes

 

Early Dismissal on Thursday

Remember, we have a 1pm dismissal on Thursday for Parent Teacher Interviews.

 

See you around the grounds.

 

~ Paul Wallace, Principal