Principal's Report

Black and White

We normally associate red and navy blue as the colours our students wear at school. Last week this scene changed as students wore their newly arrived, ‘Iso Edition’, 2020 Art4All t-shirts. The t-shirt design was inspired by our imaginative students and the linocut print created by parent Corrin McNamara. The t-shirt perfectly reflects the work of our artist in focus, MC Escher, and the experience that COVID has brought us this year.

Thank you to the parents who organised, sorted and delivered these t-shirts, led by Trish Phelan.

Foundation Orientation – 2021 Students

We are now into the second week of visits from next year’s Foundation students. The Performing Arts Room has been transformed into a Foundation classroom as our visitors have the opportunity to play, read, paint, draw and much more besides. The students are so excited to be starting FPS next year, and we can’t wait too!

We are continuing to publish weekly videos for our future students, which include appearances from our teachers and current students. I am sure that all of our students would enjoy watching these videos, which can be accessed here.

2021 Grade Structures

We are able to confirm the grade structures and location of classes for next year – see the table below. We will announce the teachers and their 2021 grades in our final newsletter in a fortnight’s time. Next year, we anticipate having 540 students across 25 classes.

Meet Your Teacher Session – Last Week of Term

A Meet your Teacher session is scheduled for Wednesday 16 December, from 12 – 1pm. 

Students will be informed of their 2021 teacher, and will meet with their new teacher and classmates at this time. If your child is starting school holidays early and won’t be around for this session, please contact the school so that you receive the details via email.

Wingrove St Campus

Sarah and I are fortunate to be able to visit the Wingrove St campus on a regular basis. It is simply stunning, with the impressive façade matched by the intricate and spacious interior. Whilst this building will be housing classrooms for Year 5 and 6, all year levels will have opportunities to visit and experience this amazing space.

We hope to be able to invite all parents for a walk through the building next year, pending COVID restrictions.

You may have a number of operational questions about the building, particularly if you have a Year 5 or 6 child next year. We will communicate details before the start of next year. You might be interested to know that School Council are currently in consultation with City of Darebin regarding upgrades to the current pedestrian crossing arrangements on Wingrove Street. We will keep you informed of any updates.

Departing Early of a Friday (or Any Day)

With the easing of restrictions, we have many families getting an early jump on a weekend away. To make the collection process of children smoother on the office, can you please email the school in advance with the time of when your child/children are departing.  Teachers will organise for them to be ready to be collected at the school office. Please note:

• If you can avoid collecting children during lunch play, that is appreciated. Children often do not hear announcements made at this time.
• Please do not collect your child from class between 3:15 – 3:30pm. This is a really busy time at the office, so it is a challenge to locate and get students to the office quickly.
• The office staff will sign your children out of Compass as you leave – please do not do this at home – it causes a ‘clash’ in the system.

~ Paul Wallace, Principal