Principal's Report 

Appreciations

A big thanks to all the students who have continued to embrace learning opportunities provided during remote and flexible learning 2.0. In some cases, we have had children initially reluctant to learn in this remote manner, who have shown resilience and made significant learning gains. Well done.  These are lessons that will serve them well into the future.  In particular, an appreciation to students and staff who have thought of their peers in preparing ideas and plans.  We have regularly had outstanding contributions such as, the Specialist’s Classroom, and initiatives from the Junior School Council and from our school and class captains.  In next week’s Assembly video, we have a relevant feature from the Environment team.  Thanks to Edie, Madison and Jordan and staff members, Dianne, Helen and Anna. 

Thanks to all the students who continue to send letters, jokes, stories and art pieces to the FWPS MailBox.  Shannon tomorrow will deliver the bounty to the Maribyrnong Council offices for distribution across the local aged care network.  We will of course keep you informed.

Happy Father’s Day – It will be a Father’s Day like no other.  No trips, cafes nor extended family lunches.  We know it will be an at home event, a little like ‘Groundhog Day’, but it is an opportunity to celebrate as a immediate family and reach out to grand dads online.  I hope all our community of dads feel rightly loved and appreciated – at least on Sunday!  Dianne from Orchard to Plate has put together a terrific recipe for you all to try "Wrapped in Bacon".  Click here for the link - https://youtu.be/DtI9Pgt3aXk

News …

Next week (Week 8 Term 3) we will provide each teaching team with one day when they will be released from their day’s remote teaching responsibilities for a Professional Practice Day (PPD).  This requirement is part of the current Schools’ Agreement where each equivalent fulltime class teacher, or specialist, is provided one day free from teaching duties to manage aspects such as planning and assessment. We followed a similar approach during term 2. Class teachers will not be online on this day, however the specialist team will be managing the day's curriculum activities and responding to the students on the day.  On each team’s PPD, the Specialist teachers will share the day’s learning activities.

School Communications – This year of uncertainty has underlined the importance of effective communication. As mentioned in a recent newsletter, we were surprised by the approach the owners of Flexibuzz, our long term push notification app, had taken in rebadging the app (Flexischools) and changing the format, most obviously the inclusion of advertising we had no say in.  As a consequence, school leadership, administration and school council have explored other options. We expect to soon share links and information about our new push notifications app.

Grade 5/6 Virtual camp – The teachers of our senior students have been mindful that our graduation class have been particularly negatively affected in their final year at primary school. Based on a suggestion from the school/class captains, the grade 5 and 6 class teachers are currently preparing for a virtual Canberra school camp to be run in the final three days of this term. This was announced/discussed at the weekly captains’ meeting on Tuesday and shared with the students through their digital classroom feeds.  We are acutely aware this is not a substitute, but a creative way to mark the occasion in a way that will focus on fun, learning and using initiative. Groups will be formed across the 7 classes and will participate in a series of activities during the time.  We will share some more information next week and I am sure have some pics and video for sharing later on.  A big thanks to the Captains’ crew and the grade 5 and 6 teaching team for their energy and initiative.

Future planning 

Like you all we are waiting on the Premier’s plans as we come to the challenging conclusion of six weeks of Stage 4 restrictions.  Following the announcements we will need to follow schools’ operational advice.

Will term finish at the end of next week as expected? Will there be a staged return to face to face learning at the beginning of term 4? What will access to school look like?  What are expectations for use of masks and physical distancing?  What events and plans for term 4 will need to be adjusted or accessed in another way? As we have endeavoured to do throughout the pandemic, we will assess requirements, consider the views of staff and where appropriate, our School Council and student representative groups.  We will then make plans and communicate them as expeditiously and clearly as we are able to. 

We would love to hear from families who may be moving for any reason for the 2021 school year. Planning for the new school year will be more challenging than normal, so your assistance will be appreciated. Please email us, send a message via Flexischools, send us a note, or speak to us directly.

Stay well …

Regards

Brendan