Newsletter - 23 March 2023

Issue 8


Principal's Report

Principal’s Report Newsletter 23rd March 2023

In this week’s newsletter:

  • Appreciations and congratulations
  • News …
  • Easter Raffle returns
  • Visit by Western Bulldogs players
  • Facilities meeting was held
  • NAPLAN assessment program to conclude today
  • Assembly tomorrow
  • Our Captains interview our new staff members
  • Coming up … next week
    • School Council meeting on Monday
    • Western Region Swimming Finals on Tuesday
    • Nudel Kart team building on Wednesday
  • Coming up … the final week of term
    • The last day of school will be Thursday, 6th April at 2.20pm 
  • Repeated and updated communications
APPRECIATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS
  • The holy month of Ramadan is about to begin, when Muslims worldwide observe fasting (sunrise to sunset), prayer, and acts of charity. This is the month the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.  In honour of this occasion Sheikh Rabih Baytie from the Maidstone Mosque dropped some sweets into the office today as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. Ramadan is a significant time for Muslims, and we look forward to supporting our Muslim brothers and sisters as they continue to promote interfaith harmony and understanding. The Mosque is open to everyone in the community. 
  • Maribyrnong Swifts - We were only too happy to provide a short term ‘change of venue’ option for the Maribynong Swifts, our local women/girls’ soccer club.  When they were unable to access Johnson Reserve for a few weeks due to maintenance work, we received a request for access to our oval.  This was certainly appreciated in a positive communication I received from the President of the club earlier this week.  They won’t miss our rather less salubrious playing surface, but we like helping out when we can.
  • Harmony Week has been a great opportunity to focus on the types of positive behaviour and community attitudes that align with our values, characterised in our School Agreements.  I loved the wall of inspiring orange hued art works that have been placed underneath our Honours Board near the staffroom - please see page 4 for pictures.
  • The Grade 1 and 2 Swimming program concludes tomorrow- It has been a great success and wonderful to see the joy that the children have shown daily while lining up for the buses.  The behaviour of the children and the level of responsibility demonstrated have been just some of the positives we have noted.  Of course none of this is possible without the work of our staff, with the assistance of parent/carer helpers. A big thank you to all who participated.  Please see https://vimeo.com/810770277

  

  • Parents’ Association are busy with running our first Easter Raffle for a number of years and preparation for Mother’s Day in May - amongst other things, such as a successful second hand uniform stall during the week.  PA appreciate offers of assistance and new members.  Contact details are always included with their newsletter posts.
  • An appreciation for families who have already made donations for the Easter Raffle and Mother’s Day stall.  Our admin team will happily accept donations at the office.
NEWS…
  • What a wet start this morning - I couldn’t let sisters, Alice and Livia go by without asking to take a snap for the newsletter sporting their matching rain coats.
  • Our Easter Raffle returns after a 3 year break.  Today all students/families will have received a page including 5 raffle tickets to buy or sell to family and friends. Tickets are $2 each. Families who choose to participate will need to complete the ticket stubs and return them to school in a sealed envelope with the correct money by Monday 3rd of April.  
  • Visit by Western Bulldogs players - On Tuesday students in grades 5 and 6 who chose AFL as their inter/intra school sports discipline, were delighted to participate in a footy clinic with two players who are currently on the WBFC list.  Oskar Baker joined the Dogs from the Dees, so it must have been a challenging game on the weekend playing against his old side in a disappointing loss.  Lachy McNeil has been on the list for 3 years and has been a regular player, but did not make the team last week.  The activities were organised by Lulu Beatty, a young football player working for the AFL.  She informed me that it was the first clinic she had run without direction.  We were pleased to give her an appreciation for doing a great job.  The players were both delightful young men.  Well humoured and generous in their interactions with our students.  Some volunteers will present a report at assembly and grade 6 students, Hasna, Aker and Hikma already have prepared a brief video: https://vimeo.com/810780319
     
  • Our first Facilities (sub committee of school council) meeting for this year was held on Wednesday evening.  We focused chiefly on upcoming works due to start at school over the Easter holidays.  There will be work done in the Wallaby building (managing damp in interior and exterior walls and some roof works - rooms affected will be the staff room and student services office), a roof and ceiling replacement in Lorikeet and minor roof repairs in Koala (1LE and 1TN), Crocodile (toilets and cleaner’s room) and Dingo (roof capping).  The works in Wallaby and Lorikeet are the most extensive and time sensitive, as interior work needs to be managed to enable usage on our return at the beginning of term 2.  Initial Lorikeet works will need to be completed in a short window provided by Easter, as this will involve the removal of asbestos sheeting in the roof and eaves of this building.  Whenever asbestos is removed on a school site, only contractors can enter the grounds or buildings, consequently these works are prioritised to start on Good Friday and conclude by the following Tuesday when the Their Care holiday program commences.  During this time, signage will be placed on relevant external gates to discourage access to all but contractors.  From Wednesday 5th April, preparation will start with the construction of a temporary work enclosure for onsite materials, equipment and temporary contractor toilet.  This will be located on the oval adjacent to Lorikeet.  There are strict OHS requirements for the contractor to comply with.  Any vehicle movement during school hours will be prohibited during lunch and recess play.
  • The NAPLAN assessment program concluded today for students in grade 3.  The grade 5 program concluded on Wednesday.  There may be some ‘catch ups’ for individual students who were absent when the test was scheduled this Friday or next Monday. 
  • Assembly - If the weather allows us to assemble outdoors tomorrow, we are planning to move the assembly to the asphalt area under the green shade sail to make use of the shade provided.  The trade off being that students will need to be seated on the asphalt rather than the green synthetic surface.  If we judge the weather is not suitable, we will revert to a Webex live assembly presented from the gallery space in Dingo.  Parents and carers who plan to attend to see their child present or receive an award will of course be welcome to attend either an outdoor assembly.  Assembly is at 2.40pm.
  • Our Captains interview our new staff members - in an initiative developed during lockdowns our Captains regularly interviewed new staff members for assembly videos.  Our current Captains loved the idea so much, they were keen for the tradition to continue.  With our first subject we have Grade 6 teacher, Marshal Claybourne being amusingly interviewed by class captains Mahibah and Lydia https://vimeo.com/810779888    

COMING UP... NEXT WEEK

  • School Council meeting - Our second meeting for term and the first with the new council will be held at school on Monday.  New parent members; Alison Thistlewaite, Casey Wright and Sonia Vuddamalay will be joined by new staff representative, Towela Sinkonde.  It will be a busy evening.  Members who also are on or joining the Policy and Communications sub committee (PolCom) will meet from 6 pm.  We will have a brief supper break prior to the full council meeting at 7 pm.  Positions will be declared vacant and nominations called for.  We will elect office bearers, determine meeting dates for the year and then move onto business.  We address any recommendations from our sub committees and Parents’ Association and will then work through an extensive agenda.  Following the election of office bearers, our upcoming school review will be a priority item, as well as the legal responsibilities of council members and parameters school councils operate within.  We will review the 2022 Annual Report to the School
    Community, the 2023 Annual Implementation Plan and discuss and compare our 2021 and 2022 School Performance Reports and finally our Camp program challenges for the future - phew! 
  • Western Region Swimming Finals will be held on Tuesday in Geelong.  We wish our 5 qualifiers (Owen Elliott, Katherine Tregear, Liye Xu, Harvey Howe and Eli Lieberman) the very best of luck.  We appreciate their parents and carers providing transport and support.
  • Nudel Kart team building on Wednesday - We will be keen to unveil our Nudel Kart https://www.nudelkart.com/ deconstructable play equipment for the students.  School and class captains and members of the Junior School Council and Environment team will be involved in a workshop learning how to use and create with the amazing play equipment.  We think this will be a fun session that will combine creativity, problem solving and team building skills.  Inventor and owner of Nudel Kart Marcus will present 3 workshops with the assistance of our student representative conveners.

COMING UP... THE FINAL WEEK OF TERM

  • The last day of school will be Thursday, 6th April at 2.20pm. 


Cheers
,
Brendan




REPEATED AND UPDATED COMMUNICATIONS

Hearing your voice - Some feedback from this week’s successful assessment on our compliance practices was a suggestion that we more practically seek community feedback. So from today, in every newsletter we will add a feedback link.  If you have a concern, suggestion or appreciation, or wish to specifically provide comment on school policies, rather than looking for the school email, you can just go to the link.  This will not be the preferred option for detailed emails - the usual practice of using the school email: footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au will still be the avenue, but for the concerns, suggestions or appreciations go to: https://forms.gle/dPnAN75bFVeM1i16A

CSEF Eligibility - The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities such as, school camps, swimming, school-organised sports programs, outdoor education programs, excursions and incursions. You may be eligible if you hold a current Centrelink Health Care Card, Veterans Affairs Gold Card or Pensioner Concession card.  

If you registered your child in 2022 there is no need to re-register, however you DO need to register new Prep Students or if your circumstances have changed and you are now receiving benefits.

Forms can be found in the link below or at the main office, a copy of your Health Care Card is required, this can be copied at the office. 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/health/CSEF-Application-Form-2020.pdf

Should you require further information, please contact the Admin Team on 9687 1535.

Parent/Carer Volunteer Induction 
This information has been ‘pinned’ on Compass so it remains easily accessible.  You will currently find it as the third pinned item on your News Feed .  For all new families or parents and carers who didn’t complete the online process last year, if you wish to assist in classrooms, excursions or camps, or volunteer for really any other purpose at FWPS, we need you to complete the modules online.  For parents/carers who did this last year, all you need to do is sign the relevant form at the office.

Change of email  
We are no longer using the school gmail addresses for communication to staff.  Parents will be asked to communicate directly with staff using the email facility within Compass, or email the school email address at: (footscray.west.ps@education.vic.gov.au) attention the staff member the message is intended for.  Emails sent from the Compass app will be sent directly to the relevant staff members’ education email account.  Please understand that staff are busy and will respond in a timely manner.  If a matter is urgent, you are advised to call the school during office hours, or leave a message outside those hours.

Car park 
A reminder that the car park is open prior to 8 am and after 4 pm daily for parent access for the Their Care OSHC program.  At other times, please appreciate that the car park is for staff use.  Should you need to walk through to the Their Care location at Emu Corner, for safety’s sake we ask that you use the pedestrian gate next to the boom gate and make your way between Koala and the Wallaby buildings past Gecko via the basketball court through to Emu Corner.

Please check out the brief explanatory video at: https://vimeo.com/777907951

Photo Permission - When parents and carers first sign the enrolment form for school entry, they may be understandably reluctant to sign the photo permission section.  We frequently use pictures and videos to share learning highlights and to maintain and foster school/home links.  As we frequently include photos and videos of the students learning and playing we are regularly confronted by wonderful picture opportunities we cannot share in our newsletter and videos.  

We would love you to review your decision so your child can be fully involved in the life of our school.  Feel free to contact your child’s teacher or the office so they can make those adjustments on your behalf.

COVID information
As you will all understand, COVID continues to be transmitted within the community and remains a highly infectious illness.  Consequently, it continues to be vital for families to remain careful when exposed to COVID or when demonstrating symptoms.  While schools will no longer be providing Rapid Antigen Tests - We do have dozens of leftover packs that have at least 6 months left before their use by date.  Drop in to the office, or send  us a message and we will send some home with your child.  

Many of you will have heard that this year RATs, while continuing to be supplied by the state government, will be distributed by local councils from venues such as our library locations.

Rapid Antigen Tests are also available for all Victorians from Council sites.  People can get 2 free packs (10 tests) for themselves and 2 free packs (10 tests) for each of their household members.

People with disability and their carers can get up to 4 free packs (20 tests) in line with existing RAT distribution for people with disability.

Further information can be obtained at Council Rapid Antigen Test Program.

Rapid antigen testing

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff:

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 infection, no matter how mild
  • If you are a household or close contact of someone who has COVID-19
  • If you are a social contact of someone who has COVID-19.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their positive RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.

Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.

 



Coming Events

DATECOMING EVENTS
Wed 29 MarchPrep Open Afternoons - 2:45pm
Wed 15 - Fri 31 MarNAPLAN Years 3 & 5
Mon 27 MarchSchool Council Meeting (In person) - 7:00pm
Tue 28 March Western Region Swimming Finals
Wed 29 March Nudel Kart - team building activity for Captains' crew, JSC and Environmental Team 
Thu 30 MarchGrade 6 Social
Thu 30 MarchPA Gift Wrapping session 2. 7pm to 8pm at 540 on Barkly.
Tues 4 AprilHoodie Up for Autism
Thur 6 AprilLast Day of Term 1 - 2:20pm finish
Mon 24 AprilTerm 2 begins - 8:50am
Tue 25 AprilAnzac Day Public Holiday
1st - 16th MayGrade 3/4 Camp Zoo Snooze - various dates
Tue 2 May
9:30am -10:45am
Tue 16 May
9:30am - 10:45am
Tue 16 May
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Tue 30 May
9:30am - 10:45am
2024 Prep Enrolment Information Sessions and School Tours
To attend one of the listed sessions, please register via the following link: https://compasstix.com/e/yzkmg5dfrq
Wed 31 MayMaribyrnong Division Cross Country Brimbank Park for Qualifiers


Pupil of the Week

NAME

GRADE

APPRECIATION FOR:

Abigail

PAC

Being a considerate classmate and for always sharing in community circles. You’ve had a great start to the year!

Hugo

PAK

Being a reliable class helper and actively participating in all activities. Keep up the wonderful effort.

Marcel

PBD

For the wonderful effort you apply to your work tasks. Keep it up!

Warren

PKT

For being an inclusive friend. Thank you for making others feel welcome!

Kirtesh

PLB

For demonstrating wonderful attentive listening when on the mat.  Keep up the fantastic work Kirtesh!

Illi

1JI

For showing a growth mindset and applying his personal best to settle into tasks diligently and efficiently.  The effort you put in does not go unnoticed.  You are a great role model, Illi.

Mason

1JS

For developing a growth mindset in his handwriting, by doing his best in attempting to write letters on dotted third lines.

Ayaan

1LE

For always putting his best effort into tasks and being a kind and friendly class member.

Olina

1TN

Always enthusiastically participating in reading group sessions and applying personal best. Terrific effort Olina.

Maya

1LL

For always putting effort into your learning and being so positive!

Malik

2CW

Being a kind and considerate friend who is quick to help those others around him. You are a superstar Malik!

Oliver

2DW

For the effort and enthusiasm he has shown at swimming.  It’s great to see you taking part, having fun and making progress!

Tate

2HR

Doing his personal best and showing attentive listening during swimming lessons. Well done!

Darcy

2TF

For demonstrating a personal best attitude and great progress throughout our swimming sessions. Well done, Darcy!

Ababo

3CG

For always giving her personal best, staying organised and asking fantastic questions!  Keep it up Ababo!

Alex

3MK

Using a growth mindset and showing a positive attitude towards your learning this week. Well done!

Harvey

3MP

For displaying a growth mindset during his academic tasks. Well done!

Coco

3TM

For always being a helpful and considerate classmate. Thank you for everything you do for us Coco!

Caleb

4AF

Being a fantastic role model to his new buddy in PBD. It’s great to see your leadership skills emerge Caleb!

Ewan

4JD

Ewan for applying teacher feedback and making improvements to his narrative writing. Well done for using a growth mindset!

Adalyn

4MS

For her valuable contributions during classroom discussions and always trying her personal best in all learning activities. Wonderful efforts Addy!

Sebastien

4TC

For his wonderful contributions to class discussions and challenging himself in maths.

Lucas

5LW

For his effort and dedication to his learning both inside and outside the classroom. You consistently give it your all Lucas. Well done!

Gretel

5MC

Always thinking critically and making insightful contributions to class discussions. Keep up the great work!

Gabriella

5SM

For your positive attitude and effort towards all tasks.  Your love of learning is admirable!

Audrey

5TH

Being a kind and caring friend. You always make others feel included and appreciated. Thank you!

Christa

6LC

For always leading by example and putting great effort into everything you do. You are a wonderful role model to your peers!

Shukri

6MC

Always volunteering to assist and help others and contributing so much to 6MC. Your drive to improve, challenge yourself and try new things is inspiring to everyone around you. Keep up the amazing effort!

Evie P

6MP

Consistently showing care for your learning by seeking support and feedback when needed. Keep it up!

Emma Thistlethwaite

TheirCare

Always being so kind and showing respect every day to the staff. She is always ready to lend a hand and supports the whole team.  



Harmony Week

    

 

Important Health Information

Dear parents and caregivers,

I am writing to you to let you know that we have multiple students within the FWPS community become sick with vomiting over the last few weeks (possible gastroenteritis). As a precaution/ courtesy, we are sending this letter to increase and additional hygiene precautions wherever necessary.

Most gastro in the school setting is viral and infection usually resolves on its own.  Gastroenteritis is very easy to spread, so I’d like you to be aware of the symptoms; know how to look after everyone in your household; and importantly, how to stop passing this infection on to others.

Symptoms can take up to three days to develop and usually last between one or two days and sometimes longer.

Symptoms can include - nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache and muscle aches.

Ways to help stop spreading this illness:
  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to stop the spread of infection.
  • While effective against coronavirus, alcohol-based hand sanitisers are not effective against many of the viruses that cause gastroenteritis.
  • Make sure children keep drinking fluids when sick to prevent dehydration from vomiting or diarrhoea.
  • Clean surfaces, benchtops, bathrooms, and toys regularly so the infection does not spread to others in your house.
If anyone is sick with vomiting or diarrhoea, everyone should remain at home until their symptoms have stopped for 48 hours, as you all may still spread the infection during this time.  That of course means that your child should not return to school for a minimum of two days following onset.
Yours sincerely,

Zowi Marshall
FWPS School Nurse

Easter Raffle



Hoodie Up for Autism on Tuesday, 4th April 2023



Premiers' Reading Challenge


The Premiers’ Reading Challenge 2023 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 1st September 2023.

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



Parent Association News



TheirCare News

Hi parents, guardians, staff and friends! 

We continue to welcome all new children and families to TheirCare this term and we are very happy to be getting more children each morning and afternoon. We are excited to be meeting more and more of the brilliant people in this beautiful FWPS community!  

This week the children havev learned about Harmony Day where we celebrate diversity and unity. The children and staff dressed in orange to show appreciation for the day. We have been so busy with so many children!, and we would like to thank our amazing team here at Footscray West who have been all hands on deck.  

Holiday Program is fast approaching, and bookings are open for families to book for our incredible program. The theme of these holidays is ‘Wild Child’. We will be experiencing a range of fun activities and excursions. We will be going to cinemas as well as the famous Luna Park!. Please confirm bookings soon as places will be filling up fast!  

This week’s Star of the Week for TheirCare will be Emma Thistlethwaite for always being so kind and showing respect every day to the staff. She is always ready to lend a hand and supports the whole team.
 
Reminder to all parents, guardians and children, our fundraiser is still running and will end at the end of term!  

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



Community Notices