Newsletter - 17 November 2022

Issue 36


Principal's Report

Reminders

  • Lost property  - we have many items of unclaimed lost property.  If clearly labelled, items will be returned to the owner.  However, an extraordinary number of items cannot be returned, as labelling is indistinct or absent.  If your family has lost items, please check through lost property items when at school for drop off or pick up.
  • Uniform - all students should be attired daily in uniform with the exception of Mufti Days, or seniors when wearing sports uniform.  We most often find that outer tops are not uniform items.  That is totally understandable for the wearing of coats, but not jumpers or windcheaters.
  • A reminder that our marvellous Parents Association are organising an election day sausage stall.   A post was provided this week.  If you can volunteer some time, please hit THIS LINK to sign up to help out on Election Day. We'll have the election tunes pumping, and it really is a fun social day. 

Included in today’s newsletter:

  • Appreciations
  • News …
    • Remembrance Day acknowledged  on Monday
    • 2023 staffing list for 2023
    • Class placement map for 2023
    • Facilities report
  • Covid update
  • Coming Up

Appreciations

  • Prep Transition - A big appreciation to Kimberley Tong, our Prep Team Leader and K-P Transition coordinator.  Our Prep Transition program started today and it was ready due largely due to Kim’s wonderful organisation and commitment.  This year Kim stepped into Karri’s role and that may have been a daunting task.  However, in what is undoubtedly the most challenging of team leadership roles, Kim has been outstanding and she is deeply appreciated by the Prep team.  We wish the new prep team an outstanding first Transition day today.  A big acknowledgement to Yvonne, Natalie and Rachael in the office for all their work in assisting Kim and the team.    
  • Thanks to Sarah Griffioen from our Parents Association for regularly running the second hand uniform shop at a variety of times to suit families.  

News … 

Remembrance Day was acknowledged at our morning assembly on Monday due to our Pupil Free Day being held on Friday.  The children were complimented for the very respectful manner in which they listened and remained respectful during the minute of silence.

Staffing in 2023 
We know that parents/carers and students are always keen to see the teaching arrangements for the new school year.  In the current climate we are very pleased to have (nearly) all staffing in place.  Over the last few days we have been able to place some additional Educational Support Staff to our staffing complement.  Welcome Nicole Odzovski (soon to be a former FWPS parent), Jennifer Attard and Marion Cole.  We have some sessional Soundgarage music roles and David’s Musical Futures’ Junior school position yet to finalise.  A big appreciation to my Principal class colleagues; Liz and Carolyn and staff members of multiple staffing panels (Caitlin, Joanna, Jess Nem Singh and Lisa), for the stellar work from day one of this term.

Please click on this link for a full list of Footscray West PS Staff for 2023

Please click on the link for Class and program locations for 2023

Facilities news - Our Facilities sub-committee that is made up of staff and parents and carers and usually meets a few days prior to Council.  At Wednesday’s meeting matters discussed included:

  • The prospect of a replacement gymnasium.
  • The scope of a Planned Maintenance Program encompassing continuing repairs to Wallaby caused by damp and leaking, replacement of roof and ceiling of Lorikeet and other minor repairs to roofing of toilets, Koala and Dingo.  These are yet to be costed/quoted.  Therefore we do not anticipate any main works occurring in the short term. 
  • Basketball and pole installation on concrete pad where maintenance shed previously was placed.
  • An additional third flag pole at the front of the school.  Consideration for 3 flag points on the basketball court where our assemblies are held.
  • Spoon drain repairs required for the south side of the oval.
  • Grants for additional/replacement bike security at the front of the school.

An appreciation to all who ‘attended’ our WebEx meeting.

COVID update

Please note that Covid positive cases continue to be prevalent.  We urge our community to remain vigilant and respectful of others.

New COVID cases over the last 5 days …

Positive 

5 students

2 staff members

We will continue to contact parents and carers to collect your child if they present with symptoms at school that may be transmissible.

Cheers,
Brendan



Coming Events

DATECOMING EVENTS
Thur 17 NovParent Asociation AGM
Fri 18 NovTheir Care 2nd Hand Uniform Shop PM
Thur 24 NovPrep 2023 Transition Session #2
Thur 24 NovTheir Care 2nd Hand Uniform Shop 
Thur 1 DecPrep 2023 Transition Session #3
Tue 6 Dec or
Thur 8 Dec
Prep 2023 Playground Dates
Mon 12 DecGrade 1 Christmas Melodies at Hamer Hall
Mon 12 DecGrade 6 Graduation - RecWest
Tues 13 DecThrough School Transition - Grades P-5
Statewide Transition Grade 6 to Year 7
Wed 14 DecPark to Park Celebration Grade 5/6
Thur 15 DecDiversity Dash
Fri 16 DecEnd of Year Grade Parties 
Fri 16 DecParents Assocation End of Year Get Together - West Footscray Wines - 12noon to 2.30pm
Fri 16 DecCelebration Assembly @ 2:45pm
Tues 20 DecLast Day - early finish 1:30pm


Pupil of the Week

NAME

GRADE

APPRECIATION FOR:

Evie

PAC

Showing enthusiasm for learning and giving your personal best to all work tasks.  Magnificent Effort Evie!

Heidi

PAK

The enthusiasm and effort you apply to your learning. Keep it up!

Felix

PHS

Completing and applying your personal best to all tasks. Well done Felix!

Jean

PKB

Completing her work to the best of her ability! Jean has been a star!

Luella

PKT

Her effort and growth mindset when sorting animals according to their features. You are a star!

Tomas

1CD

Seeking to help out others when they were unsure how to complete their coding tasks and sharing his great knowledge in the topic. Well done!

Panayiota 

 

1CW

The care and consideration you have been putting into your writing. Keep up the great effort.

Malik

1LB

Working exceptionally hard to apply his letter-sound knowledge when reading unfamiliar words! Fantastic effort Malik!

Ivy

1HP

Your amazing progress in reading! Keep it up!

Petar

1LL

Continued effort with all your schoolwork. Well done!

Eric

2BD

The enthusiasm and dedication that you show being our class Junior School Representative.

Marlon

2JI

His perseverance and diligence to complete tasks with great determination and enthusiasm especially when writing his information report. Superb effort!

Penny

2LE

The fabulous effort she has put into writing tasks.

Luigi

2TN

Working hard to research facts about your sea animal and planning a great information report. Wonderful effort!

Lola

3JS

Always applying your growth mindset in all set tasks and consistently following the Tribes Agreements.  What a wonderful role model you are!

Flynn

3MK

Applying your personal best effort during writing sessions. Keep it up.

Stella

3MP

Displaying her personal best. You are a superstar!

Ryan

3TM

Always doing the right thing and being an excellent role model to your peers in 3TM!

Amelie

4AF

Setting a fantastic example for the standard of work she produces. Amelie, it is amazing to see you continuously work at your personal best!

Miles Wright

4BC

Positively settling back into school life. 4BC loved hearing about your travel stories!

Dione

4DW

An incredible assembly report about the non-swimmers' water safety program. You delivered it with great confidence and expression - well done!

Ben

4MS

Demonstrating his enthusiasm and personal best efforts in his creative writing. Fantastic efforts Ben!

Ela

5CG

Stepping up and teaching her peers during small group sessions and demonstrating commitment to her learning. Keep it up Ela!!

Jacob

5SM

Being a kind and sensible classmate and never calling out.

Evie Millsom

5TH

Consistently showing kindness and helping others.

Eva

6LC

Effectively using a variety of literary devices in your poetry writing. Fantastic work, Eva!

Maverick

6MP

The effort that you put into all tasks and the way you look out for others. Well done!

Emily

6MC

Always following the Tribes Agreements and leading others by example. The effort you put toward everything you do is commendable. Keep it up, Em!

Audrey Manning

TheirCare

Being a super kind person, taking great care of children at TheirCare and always checking in on everyone!  

 

 

 

 



Adjustment to School Times



Dear parents and carers,

In 2023 our school start and finish times will shift at the start and end of the school day to meet required lunch break times in the VGSA (workplace agreement). Both the start and end of the day will move forward by 10 minutes.

New start time: 8:50am

New finish time: 3:20pm

How was this decision made?
To reach this point, the staff Consultative Committee developed multiple options for our daily structure, aiming to maintain the current start and finish times. This, however, has not been possible whilst still prioritising quality teaching and learning time in the morning and middle parts of the day. Our staff are deeply committed to the learning and wellbeing of all our students, and so, elected to recommend a change of start/finish times to the FWPS School Council. This recommendation was discussed with Council, including considerations for outside providers such as TheirCare and Lunchbox 3012, and was approved through a unanimous vote at an Extraordinary School Council Meeting on Monday evening.

What are the changes?

 NEW TIMES

 OLD TIMES

8:50am to 9:40am - Session 1

9:40am to 10:30am - Session 2

10:30am to 11:20am - Session 3

11:20am to 11:30am - Lunch eating

11:30am to 12:10pm
Big play (40 mins)

12:10pm to 1:00pm - Session 4

1:00pm to 1:50pm - Session 5

1:50pm to 2:00pm
Afternoon snack

2:00pm to 2:30pm
Small play (30 mins)

2:30pm to 3:20pm - Session 6

9:00am to 9:50am - Session 1

9:50am to 10:40am - Session 2

10:40am to 11:10am - Play time

11:10am to 12:00pm - Session 3

12:00pm to 12:50pm - Session 4

12:50 to 1:00pm - Eating time

1:00pm to 1:50pm - Big play

1:50pm to 2:40pm - Session 5

2:40pm to 3:30pm - Session 6

*changes in bold

Why do we need to change?
The reason for this adjustment is to meet the parameters of the new Victorian Government Schools Agreement (VGSA) - specifically the industrial requirement for all teachers to have a half hour break each day between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm, free from duties.  As we currently operate, any day a teacher has a lunch yard duty, they have only 25 minutes free from duties during the required time period.  While our school staff team have been keen to maintain this status quo, we have been clearly informed that we will be considered to be ‘in breach’ of the Agreement and that this is not a position that we can continue with.

What have been the considerations/limitations?

  • At FWPS, we will have 29 grades in 2023. We need to provide 6 Ñ… 50 minute learning sessions a day to accommodate all grades accessing the Specialist classes within our staffing budget.
  • Our first break must not occur before 11:30 am, to meet the staff break requirements. This places 3 sessions at the start of the day.
  • Staff wanted to prioritise learning time in the morning and middle session, rather than the end of the day when students tire. This is why we have elected for two sessions in the middle.
  • To accommodate two sessions in the middle and the staff break before 2:30pm, we must move the day forward by 10 minutes.
  • Students must have 25 hours of instruction time per week.

We know that families will trust our best intentions for students and their learning were applied for this decision.

Warm regards,
The FWPS Principal Team - Brendan, Liz and Carolyn



Maribyrnong Primary Schools' Christmas Trees Program



Salvation Army Xmas Appeal


Thank you to everyone who has donated. We are accepting donations until the morning of Wednesday 14th









BE YOURSELF💅

** The Grade 4s have been producing some terrific examples of persuasive weriting, which have been directed toa variety of audiences.  clem in 4DW decided to share this piece with me.


Dear FWPS

Before we start I’m going to ask you something. Has anyone made you feel different or not fit in?Now I want you to think about why he or she made you feel different.

You might be thinking “why is this girl asking me questions? I just want you to be yourself. It doesn't matter what people say or think, be who you are and want to be.

Disabilities🦯
Some of you out there might have a disability. A disability is like being blind, deaf, can’t walk or talk. Disabilities can get in the way of some things and it’s hard but don’t let it take you down, keep trying.

There once was a woman named Alicia Alonso. As a kid she had to stay in bed a lot and her eyesight got so bad that she became blind but as an adult she was a very famous ballerina.So you don’t have to give up on what you love because of a disability.😇

LGBTQ 🏳️‍🌈 
Maybe some of you don’t know what LGBTQ means. You might need to ask your parents more about this. Some people feel scared of telling people about this and OH BOY I KNOW. Some kids feel this way and as a kid it can be hard like Coy Mathis.

Coy Mathis was in pre school. When he wanted to go to the toilet he could only go in the boys toilet or the disabled toilet so he said “I’m not a boy and I’m not disabled I'm a girl” the teachers accepted who he was. So it’s fine to be gay,lesbian or transgender be who you are.🏳️‍🌈👍

Gender⚧
Has anyone judged you because of your gender?Well, tell that person to buzz off because being a boy or a girl doesn't make you any different.

There once was a girl who lived in Iran and women were not allowed to drive but she thought that was dumb so she got her brothers car and posted a video on YouTube of her driving and saying that woman should be allowed to drive. She went to jail 3 times and then they were allowed to drive.🚗🚻✔️

You are probably asking yourself “the people she’s talking about are famous, I'm not famous!” These people are famous because of who they are!







So go out there and be YOURSELF 




Parents Association

Volunteer. Donate. Vote.

Testing testing… hello…. Hello…. Can you hear me down the back? That is our impression of what it is like using the current portable PA system at FWPS. We are a pretty excited that all the money raised at the Election Sausage Sizzle on the 26th will go towards a powerful new PA that will be used at assembly, sporting events, picnics and book week parades! Something that all students and parents at FWPS will surely benefit from.

In addition to the traditional democracy sausage and soft drinks, this year we'll also be offering ice-creams, freshly popped popcorn and ‘old fashioned’ Mixed Lolly bags.

How can you help?
There are several ways, and all will be much appreciated:

  1. Volunteer to work at the Sausage Sizzle
  2. Donate consumables to the Sausage Sizzle
  3. Vote at FWPS - and tell all your neighbours to do the same!

Volunteer
Please follow THIS LINK to sign up to help out on Election Day. We'll have the election tunes pumping, and it really is a fun social day. Children are welcome to attend.

 

Election Day Sausage Sizzle- Nov 26

Please review the available time slots below and click on the button to sign up.  So you may see/meet some familiar faces- we encourage you to sign up this way: Time slot B: Prep and grade 1 parents Time slot C: Grade 2 and 3 parents Time slot D: Grade 4, 5 and 6 parents. You are welcome to sign up for more than 1 time slot, and you may sign up for any slot you wish. The slot suggestions are purely a guide. Also your FWPS children are welcome to attend. An email will be sent to you on Friday the 25th with further information about the sizzle. Thank you for donating your time. If you have any queries in the lead up to the sizzle please email FWPSParentsAssociation@outlook.com Thank you!

www.signupgenius.com



Volunteers on the day will be led by Election coordinator (and experienced sizzler) Rob DeMaid, School leadership and PA members.

Donate
If you're unable to donate your time on the day, please consider donating consumables to the sausage sizzle. All donations directly support our stall's profit making ability.

This week and into early next week, we're asking for donations to be dropped off to the office. Here's what we need:

  • Cans of name brand soft drink and bottled water
  • Tomato sauce
  • Napkins
  • Cooking Oil
  • Bags of ‘old school’ Lollies - think snakes, milk bottles, Minties - all the old canteen favourites.

Vote
Vote at FWPS, and enjoy a democracy sausage (or two)! Also, search FWPS Parents Association on Facebook and be sure to share our promotional poster with your local networks!

Thank you for helping the Parents Association to take advantage of this opportunity, and we welcome and appreciate any contributions that you can make.

Regards,
Sharee, Kate & Tinny (PA Exec Team), Rob and the PA Committee.

 



TheirCare

Hi parents, guardians, staff, and friends! 

We are thrilled to welcome back all children and families to TheirCare! We have welcomed new children and families and we are so excited to continue meeting all the wonderful people in our community! 

This week our theme is the World Cup!  The weather has been very wet and cold this week, so we have spent loads of time playing world cup themed activities in the gym and Emu Corner. The students made bookmarks and hama bead creations this week and are excited to play with all the new resources!  

This week’s Star of the Week for TheirCare will be Audrey Manning for being a super kind person, taking great care of children at TheirCare and always checking in on everyone!  

For all families if you have any questions about TheirCare and would like to come and have a chat please come visit us in Emu Corner in the morning or afternoon, alternatively you can contact us on the details provided and we will help you as best we can.

TheirCare Team: 
Louise, Connie, Ashleigh, A’shya & Nuray  

Contact Details:
Service Phone: 0487004072 
Service Email: footscraywest@theircare.com.au 
Head Office: 1300 072 410