Newsletter - 7 April 2022

Issue 10


Principal's Report

Appreciations 

Hoodie Up for Autism day - It was pleasing to see so many students and staff  Hoodie Up for Autism on Monday at assembly.  It was an ideal time for me to don my Bulldogs AFL hoodie, not my usual school attire.  More importantly families generously supported the Amaze Charity with a final figure of $661 raised.  That is a lot of gold coins and as we are using cash less frequently than we used to, I expect that cars and money boxes have been raided to meet this need!  Thanks for your support.

    


A reflection on term 2

Well we have (nearly) made it through this most challenging and successful term.  Those two points may sound diametrically opposed, but I am sure our community can appreciate that having classes operating every day during this term has been a wonderful achievement.  At any time in the previous two years Covid safe rules would have triggered long periods of remote learning for all, something I feel we can all agree is not a state we wish to return to.  However, we know there have been challenges and sacrifices.  With approximately 20% of our student population catching Covid this term, as well as many more who may have been close contacts, significant learning and social time has been missed.  This is also the case with our staff who have been directly affected, the largest proportion encountering Covid over the last couple of weeks. We appreciate that for many children, the symptoms are mild or completely lacking, that is not the case for many adults.  We should all appreciate that for all this term, teaching and class based education support staff are in classes wearing masks every day, knowing that despite precautions, the risk of contracting Covid is high.   Please join me in appreciating their efforts.

On another matter, an appreciation to the parent who contacted police and the school regarding a motorist who irresponsibly completed a 3 point turn on the Blandford Street school crossing!  It is through the active and appropriate response of both adults and children that we can prioritise the safety of our community.

News

Our School Council met last week and we were pleased to elect Andrew Newman (Harriette 5CG and Otis 2JI) in the continuing role of President.  Katie Berman (Sam Jago 1LB) was elected as Vice President and Damian Stock (Edan 3JS and Sully 1CW) also will continue as Treasurer for a short time, as sadly, Damian and family will be moving mid year.  We will seek a member of Council to step into that role during this term.  We were pleased to welcome Korin Greenwood (Jayden Smeaton 2TN) and Paul Gregg (Josh 4MS) on as new members of Council.

School Council also approved a student free day on Monday 9th May (3rd Monday of term).  This date was included in last week’s newsletter.  This is a non-student attendance day for all classes.  On that day an all day TheirCare program will operate. This day will now be re-titled as a common professional learning day, providing teachers with a professional practice day, in line with a decision made by the Department of Education just this week.

At our meeting, School Council sought further information regarding a proposed Reporting day for parents on Wednesday 22nd June during the final week of term 2.  We have now confirmed that reporting day will be a full day Curriculum Day with no students in attendance, though they will be encouraged to attend interviews, or student-led conferences (grades 5 and 6).  The interviews will be conducted throughout the day and into the early evening.  At this stage (subject to Covid rules) we would anticipate that both in person and video conferencing options will be available.  Parents and carers will be able to choose their preference.

Western Region Swimming Carnival
A small team headed down the highway on Tuesday 5 April to compete in the Western regional swimming carnival.  Whilst no one took home any bling, a fun day was enjoyed by
 all.  Well down for representing FWPS. 



Harvey, Liye, James, Oscar 

Compass - First Aide Notifications
Last week we turned on the Notifications tab on Compass.  This unfortunately coincided with our second recent internet outage.  Please note that every time our school nurse Terry (or a member of the admin team)  enters details of a visit to the first aid room, the relevant information is recorded on Compass and the link is forwarded to your email.  Terry also calls families on a discretionary basis and this practice will continue.  Many of these Compass notifications will be very minor and will not require parents to call the school, or collect their child early. 

New Covid cases this week …

Positive 

In isolation 

21 students 

7 staff

16 students

1 staff


Rapid Antigen Tests - The Victorian Government has announced it is extending the rapid antigen test (RAT) screening program for the first 4 weeks of Term 2.

  • FWPS will distribute remaining stocks to students in grades prep, 1, 2 and 3 today.
  • Schools are due to receive their RAT allocation for the first 2 weeks of Term 2 by tomorrow. Should we receive these packs in time they  will be distributed to the remaining grades; 4, 5 and 6.
  • During the first four weeks of term 2, students and staff will be encouraged to test twice weekly.

The Lunchbox Canteen 
Thanks to Lindy and the team for providing the canteen service Wednesday to Friday during term 1 .  As per usual practice, The Lunch Box canteen will not be operating tomorrow for the shortened last day of term.

Parents’ Association are holding a pre holiday social gathering at West Footscray Wine Store on Barkly Street at 12.00 pm.  The executive assures me that all attendees will be back in time for our early end of term dismissal at 2.30 pm!

End of term 
Students are dismissed at 2.30 pm tomorrow, as is consistent with end of term arrangements in Victorian Government schools. Please ensure you have arranged to collect your child by that time.  Weather permitting, an outdoor assembly will be held.  The prep students will leave the assembly shortly before the conclusion and will be dismissed from outside their classrooms.  This will  lessen the number of people in the prep dismissal area and reduce the stress for the children, parents and carers -  and the prep staff team!   

Students from any class  who have not been collected by 2.45 pm will need to attend the office where a decision will be made on whether they will then attend the TheirCare after school program.

Collecting your child early
If you arrive at the office to collect your child during the school day for an appointment, it helps if your child and their teacher are aware your child is being picked up and at what time.  For everyone’s benefit, try and avoid collecting your child during recess (10.40 - 11.10 am), or lunch play (1.00 - 1.50 pm), as it can be difficult to locate students in the busy yard at these times.  Sometimes it can be quite disruptive, so please take note of the above information.  We do have a concern with parents collecting students in the last half hour or so of a school day in order to beat the rush.  This disruptive to classes. 

Wishing all in our community a healthy term break.  We do hope you find time for doing some of the things that bring you joy; family, friends, relaxation and/or activity, celebration, sleep-ins and recharging.

Next term 
School will return on Tuesday 26th April, the day after ANZAC Day.  We plan to return to the morning procedure where gates will open at 8.45 am and students will be able to play in the yard until the music plays two minutes before the bell.  Students will then line up in the areas used daily after recess and lunch and be accompanied to their room by their class or specialist teacher.  

Cheers,
Brendan



Coming Events

DATE

COMING EVENTS

Fri 8 Apr LAST DAY OF TERM - 2:30 FINISH
Mon 25 Apr Anzac Day Public Holiday 
Tue 26 AprFirst day of Term 2
Thur 5 MayPreps 2023 Information Session 9:30am
See link for bookings: 2023 Prep Tours
Fri 6 MayMother's Day Stall
Mon 9 MayCommon Professional Practice Day - Student Free
Tue 10 May to
Fri 20 May

NAPLAN online test window for year 3 and year 5 students

Wed 11 May2nd Hand uniform sale 3:15-3:45pm
Thur 19 MayPreps 2023 Information 9:30am & 6:00pm
Thur 2 JunePreps 2023 Information Session 9:30am
Fri 10 June2nd Hand uniform sale 8:50-9:30am
Mon 13 JuneQueens Birthday Public Holiday 
Wed 22 JuneCurriculum Day - Reporting to Parents 
Fri 24 JuneLAST DAY OF TERM - 2:30 FINISH


The Premiers’ Reading Challenge 2022 Is Now Open!



The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open and  Footscray West Primary is excited to be participating.

The challenge is open to all students from Prep to Year 6. It is not a competition; but a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 29th August 2022.

If you are a student Prep – Year 2 you will be automatically registered and will complete the challenge at school.

If you are a student Year 3-6 you need to:

  • Register as a challenger to get a login and keep a record of your reading on the challenge website
  • Read 15 books during the challenge with at least 10 from the official booklist

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

If your child is keen to join the Reading Challenge please let me know in the library so they can be entered on the database and assigned a username and password to access the website.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklists and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/premiers-reading-challenge

If you have any queries  or want more information please see me in the library.

Jodi
Library



Parents' Association

Hello and Congratulations on making it to the end of Term 1!

Celebrate this Friday (before you pick up the kids )

West Footscray Wine Store is open this Friday from 12noon, so why not pop in with a friend to enjoy a beverage before early school pick up at 2.30pm. A few of us from the PA will be there to relax and unwind before the school holidays. We've booked some tables out front, but there's also plenty more room indoors. Hope to see some faces there - we'd love to make this a regular event. 

Thank you

The PA has been busy in Term 1.... a GIANT THANKYOU to everyone who's shared some of their precious time to help make our school even better. We're all volunteers, and working together we have delivered some awesome initiatives and programs for the school, including:

Prep Welcome Packs, ongoing donations to the JSC and Environment team, Mother’s Day/Special Persons Stall buying and wrapping, four 2nd Hand Uniform Shops, planning and Committee meetings, surveys, moving into the shipping container, setting up new fundraisers, and keeping the school community updated each week through the Newsletter – it seems like a fair bit, but many hands make light work.

Next term will be big too...

  • Delivering the Mother’s Day/Special Persons stall on Friday 6th May -  urgent call-out for donations!

  • More 2nd Hand Uniform Shops (save the dates: 3pm Wed 11th of May and 8.45am Friday 10th of June), including special out of hours sessions for TheirCare families.

  • Delivering our FWPS Beanie Fundraiser
  • Pressing GO on our PA Facebook page, so you can get timely updates directly from us
  • Social Event and Community Talk planning
  • And more…

Have a safe holiday, see you next term.

Cheers,
Sharee, Kate and Tinny (your PA Exec) & PA Committee



Community Notices




Vacancy

Office Admin

3 to 5 days per week
9.30am to 2.30pm

Enquires: 9687 2000
 steve@barklyglass.com.au







FREE AFL Clinic
During the upcoming school holidays, AFL Victoria will be running a free AFL Come & Try program for Junior Girls/Boys on Wednesday the 13th of April at McIvor RESERVE, YARRAVILLE.  This program will focus on giving girls/ boys aged 5-12 years old the opportunity to play modified games and have fun in a safe environment and encouraging them to participate in Auskick or community football in the area if they are interested.

There will be both a mixed boys & girls group where you can register at https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/695404, as well as a junior girls group where you can register at https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/426e6b

Looking forward to see you all there on the day.

Maidstone Community Centre
We have two Children’s Workshops running over the School holidays being Kids Can Cook and Create a Zine.   The Kids Can Cook workshops will be running over the 2 weeks and offer the option to book into both weeks or Week 1 or Week 2. 

Kids Can Cook

This fun filled vegetarian four week class will get your kids making pizzas, pasta, smoothies, muffins and more while learning basic knife handling skills. Age 6 -12yrs.

Time:     10 - 11.30am

Date:     Wed 13 &  20 April (Week 1)

              Thur 14 & 21 April (Week 2)                 

Cost:       $40 (4 sessions)

If you’re interested in enrolling, please click the Trybooking link below:

Week 1 https://www.trybooking.com/BYKLE

Week 2 https://www.trybooking.com/BYKLL


Create a Unique Zine

In this fun workshop students will learn how to put together their own zine - it could be a book, a comic, a story, or anything you dream up! Students will have access to an amazing array of craft materials including: markers, pastels, pains, stamps, and many more. They are welcome to bring any comics they are already working on! All students will go home with a unique zine to keep forever. Suitable for primary school age kids age 8 –12yrs.

Date:  22 April

Time: 10 - 11.30am

Cost:  $10.00

If you’re interested in enrolling, please click the Trybooking link below:

https://www.trybooking.com/BWIYJ


Playhouse Pantomimes Presents ‘Write Your Own Story,’ 12:45pm April 9 - 24 (no Monday shows) at Melbourne Town Hall

A princess? An ogre? A talking goat? Who will you meet today? Every show is different! We’ve learnt lots of scripts – now you get to pick which ones we perform! Each performance features three beloved children’s tales, complete with original songs and non-stop laughs for the whole family.