Newsletter - 30 March 2023

Issue 9


Principal's Report

Principal’s Report Newsletter 30th March 2023

In this week’s newsletter:

  • Appreciations and congratulations
  • News …
    • School review survey
    • School Council news
    • Easter Raffle 
    • Nudel Kart team building on Wednesday
    • Grade 6 Social today
    • Western Region Swimming Finals on Tuesday
  • Coming up next week  … the final week of term
    • Hoodie up for Autism on Tuesday.
    • Assembly will be held (hopefully outdoors at 1.40 pm on Thursday of next week.  
    • The last day of school will be Thursday, 6th April.  School concludes at 2.20 pm.
  • Coming up next term
  • Repeated and updated communications

APPRECIATIONS AND CONGRATULATIONS…

Recently the Preps enjoyed a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. You can enjoy it too thanks to the Prep team.  Appreciations to Amel for preparing this video: https://vimeo.com/812296255

Parents’ Association members have been working busily on wrapping gifts for our Mother’s Day (and Special Person’s) stall in May.  It was wonderful to welcome our stalls back last year and we are delighted that this is already being terrifically organised and supported again this year.

NEWS …

School review survey - We have included a link here: https://forms.gle/gR6YQ5MN9oSd3kdx9 
We would appreciate your thoughtful and constructive feedback.  Your views will assist form our Pre Review Self Evaluation (PRSE).  We would appreciate you responding over the next week, but will keep the link live for the first week of the holidays, encouraging more families to respond, prior to leadership preparing our PRSE response during the second week of the holidays.

Our School Council met on Monday and we welcomed new members; Sonia Vuddamalay, Casey Wright, Alison Thistlewaite and Towela Sinkonde.

It was a busy first meeting of our new council.

Key points included the election of new Council Office Bearers. Congratulations to Andrew Newman who will continue as President. We welcome second year member Tess Sketchley as our new Vice President, replacing Katie Berman, who moved into the role of Treasurer.

During the meeting matters we discussed that may be of interest included:

  • The unresolved concerns with parking and driving and pedestrian behaviour that puts our students' safety at risk.  We will continue to seek better support from Maribyrnong Council.
  • The Facilities developments at school, including greater details on building works (as detailed in last week’s newsletter).
  • The successful selection of a First Nations artist to create a significant art work in a very visible location in our grounds.
  • The Annual Report to the School Community 2022 was approved and will be attested by the President.  This will be uploaded to the school website and will be accompanied by a contextual explanation.
  • The 3/4 Zoo Snooze camp series - Council discussed how time in lieu (TIL) costs will be covered by the school and not passed onto each family.  In order to reduce TIL costs, members of the Principal team will attend each camp overnight (Principal class are not eligible for TIL payments).  There is an expectation that the additional costs for the school to bear will be considerably greater for our 2 night grade 5 and 6 camps to Kangaroobie later this year. Unfortunately, schools have not been recompensed by government to provide TIL despite it being an agreed aspect of last year’s industrial agreement.

Easter Raffle - Thanks to all who have so generously supported with lots of donations, as well as selling and buying tickets.  Please send sold tickets and all money raised to school by next Monday.  The donations will be wrapped in hampers so that every grade level has a chance to win.  The winning tickets will be drawn at our end of term assembly next week.

Nudel Kart workshops - Our student leadership teams, including our School and Class Captains, Junior School Council (JSC) representatives and members of the Environment Team (ET), were involved in one of 3 workshops held on Wednesday with Nudel Kart inventor and designer, Marcus Veerman.  I was pleased to participate in the first session with our grade 6 leaders, along with our Captain’s convener, Lauren C.  During the second session, it was our JSC conveners, Brooke and Lee and in the final session, the members of ET were supported by conveners, Caity and Michael.  We were well resourced as we had access to our  new Nudel Kart, as well as one Marcus brought as well. https://www.nudelkart.com/primary-school-loose-parts-play-cart.html 

During the first session with the senior students, being that they were older, Marcus provided them with some creative challenges. He also didn’t explain how to use the equipment, other than a few pointers on safety.  The Captains worked in one group and our grade JSC and ET members worked in the other group.  They had limited time but were reminded when the pressure was on, that they needed to coordinate and collaborate.  At the conclusion they demonstrated their constructions and explained how they developed them. They really managed the fun but fast paced expectations exceptionally well.  Then it was the JSC leaders in grades 1 to 5’s turn, followed by the final workshop, for the grade 1 to 5 Enviro Team leaders. With these workshops Marcus explained more about the concepts to the students (as well as safety tips) before allowing them to explore the equipment freely.  Soon the students were busily creating, on their own, in pairs, or small groups - all self formed.  As the session progressed, some students joined others to form pairs, or larger groups.   At the end of each session there was a ‘gallery walk’ enabling the children to explain their creations.  It was organic and terrific to observe. This was also a great verbal exercise, as Marcus encouraged all presenters to speak clearly and with volume.  Students arose to this expectation excellently.  Once the sessions were completed, grade 6 student representative volunteers worked with Marcus in packing both kits.  The system is superbly developed, so at the end of the session when packed, it reverts to a kart that can be moved with ease.  We will look forward to our kart (and the accompanying Nudel Rover) being used with grades, small groups and as a lunchtime club.

      

Grade 6 Social - Today you may have seen the grade 6 students wearing casual clothes.  The reason for this was the opportunity for our senior students to enjoy planning and playing together for our annual school social event.  This was prepared by the grade 6 teachers with the assistance and support of the students.  Some of the planning and organisation falls on the shoulders of our grade 6 student leadership team.  

In the words of the grade 6 teachers:

It is a tradition at Footscray West Primary School that the grade six students have the opportunity to attend a grade 6 social. At socials, the students get to share a meal, play some games, and participate in dance and activities. Our social will be held during the school day. It begins after lunchtime and finishes before recess eating time. Students are welcome to come in their casual clothes and wear these for the whole duration of the day. 

Assembly this week - We are still planning to inaugurate the green shade sail area as our location for outdoor assemblies.  We had a false start last week due to the threat of wet weather, so are hoping for better this week.  Along with our Pupils of the Week, this week we will share a presentation from the students in 5MC.  All parents, carers and grandparents are very welcome.

Western Region Swimming Finals were  held on Tuesday in Geelong.  Well done to Eli, Harvey, Liye, Owen and Katherine for your achievements. A brief report is included in today’s newsletter.

Coming up next week ...

  • Hoodie up for Autism will be on Tuesday. A gold coin donation for the Amaze Organisation would be appreciated. 
  • Assembly will be held (hopefully outdoors) at 1.40 pm on Thursday of next week.  

The last day of school will be Thursday, 6th April. School concludes one hour early on the last day of terms 1, 2 and 3.  With our change of start and finish times this year, the end of the school day (and term) will be 2.20 pm.

Coming up next term …

  • There will be a Pupil Free Report Writing Day, held on Monday 15th May.  That is week 4 of Term 2. Their Care will provide a full day program on that day should there be sufficient interest.
  • Zoo Snooze grade 3 and 4 camps will be held from Monday May 1st and conclude on Tuesday, May 16th.

Cheers,
Brendan


Repeated (and updated) messages …

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
Thu 30 MarchPA Mother's Day Stall Gift Wrapping session 2. 7pm to 8pm at 540 on Barkly.
Tues 4 AprilEaster Raffle Hamper Wrapping session 9am-11am at FWPS staff room
Tues 4 AprilHoodie Up for Autism - bring a gold coin for donation
Thur 6 April PA end of term get together from 12.30pm at West Footscray Wines
Thur 6 AprilLast Day of Term 1 - 2:20pm finish
Mon 24 AprilTerm 2 begins - 8:50am
Tue 25 AprilAnzac Day Public Holiday
1 - 16 MayGrade 3/4 Camp Zoo Snooze - various dates
Mon 15 MayPupil Free Reporting Writing Day
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:

Noah

PAC

For using a growth mindset and perseverance to complete challenging tasks. Brilliant effort!

Mia

PAK

For the positive attitude and growth mindset you apply to all tasks and being a caring member of our class.

Dexter

PBD

For always showing attentive listening and trying your best. Wonderful effort!

Poppy

PKT

For the resilience and determination she has shown in completing tasks even with a broken right arm!

Jessica

PLB

For being a positive and helpful member of the class. Your friendly smile and gentle nature will be missed. We wish you all the best at your new school.

Ella

1JI

For consistently showing respect to others and working diligently while always applying her personal best effort towards all tasks. Sensational Ella.

Nefali

1JS

For being the first student to always warmly, volunteer to play with peers that do not have a buddy during lunch and recess.

Vi

1LE

For participating in class discussions and activities using a growth mindset.

Reggie

1TN

For applying personal best effort to complete your maths task. Terrific job Reggie!

Hamish

1LL

For listening to feedback to help you learn. Great effort Hamish!

Paloma

2CW

For being a kind, thoughtful and empathetic student to those in her swimming group. You are an amazing role model Paloma.

Lachlan

2DW

For the fantastic level of effort he is putting into his learning. Your commitment to solving problems in Maths and never-give-up attitude is so impressive!

Meika

2HR

For showing great improvements in her learning through putting in her personal best effort. Keep it up!

Clementine

2TF

For demonstrating her personal best in her recount writing about swimming and including exciting adjectives.

Marlo

3CG

For asking great questions, striving for his personal best and being a thoughtful class member! Keep up the hard work Marlo.

Penelope

3MK

For always putting in your personal best in all tasks. Amazing effort Penelope!

Luigi

3MP

For always expanding his knowledge with enthusiasm. Fantastic job!

Maggie

3TM

For your positive attitude to learning and always trying your personal best. Well done Maggie!

Aryan

4AF

For trying his personal best to follow the school agreements in the classroom. Aryan, you should be very proud of yourself!

Amelia

4JD

For consistently applying her personal best effort in all learning areas. Keep it up!

Logan

4MS

For always applying a growth mindset when learning new strategies in Maths. Keep up the wonderful efforts Logan.

Felix

4TC

For consistently trying his personal best and helping others in the classroom. Well done, Felix!

Jasmine

5LW

For jumping into the learning pit when faced with new strategies for solving subtraction problems. Fantastic work Jasmine!

Archie

5MC

For applying your personal best effort writing your narrative. Your creative ideas and spirit are so valued!

Eva

5SM

For always applying your personal best to your learning, especially tasks that demonstrate your artistic creativity.

Lucas

5TH

For being a kind and supportive classmate. What a fantastic role model you are Lucas!

Jonah

6LC

For your consistent effort during our writing sessions and working hard to apply feedback to your own writing. Good job!

Harry

6MC

For putting 100% effort into all tasks. Your use of prior knowledge and love for new learning help you to achieve such amazing results. Keep it up Harry!

Aiden

6MP

For the effort you applied to improve your persuasive text about tennis. Great work!

Lucy DeMaid

TheirCare

For showing kindness to other children and being a very good friend! She is always helping others and includes everyone in her games! 



Easter Raffle



Western Region Swimming Carnival

On Tuesday five students from Footscray West P.S accompanied by their parents competed in the Western Region Swimming Carnival held at the Kardinia Aquatic Centre in Geelong. It was a great effort by all to get to this stage and participate against some of the best underage swimmers in the state. A big appreciation to the parents/carers who volunteered their time to transport and supervise our swimmers on the day. The names of the students and their results are listed below.

Eli Leibermann

12yr Boys Butterfly

5th

Harvey Howe

12yr Boys Backstroke

4th

Liye Xu

12yr Boys Breastroke

8th

Owen Elliott

10yr Boys Freestyle

6th

Katherine Tregear

12yr Girls Backstroke

6th





Hoodie Up for Autism on Tuesday, 4th April 2023



Parent Association News

Good afternoon,

Thank you to the 16 parents who came along to wrap and create gifts last week. It was the largest group we have ever had, and together we achieved so much! Your time was greatly appreciated. 😊

We have also been receiving some amazing donations of books, jam, earrings and handmade craft for the Mother’s Day Stall. Your generosity and talents will  benefit our stall and our kids significantly.

The PA have two more wrapping tasks coming up, and our end of term get together is locked in (cheers to that). Please see the dates listed below:

THIS Thursday 30th March -  Mother’s Day Stall Gift wrapping Session. 7.00pm to 8.00pm (540 on Barkly, hosted by Beth)- Why not come earlier with a friend and have dinner or a drink?

Tuesday 4th April - Easter Raffle, Hamper Wrapping session. 9.00am to 11.00am (FWPS Staff Room, hosted by Sharee). Little kids welcome.

Thursday 6th April - End of term get together - from 12.30pm at West Footscray Wines.

Jam Jars Available

The PA have purchased some new Preserving/Jam Jars for the Mother’s Day Stall. If you were thinking of making some jam for our stall please send us an email at FWPSParentsAssociation@outlook.com and we will arrange to get you a packet (8x 120ml) or two of jars. Alternatively, if you have an abundance of fruit on a fruit tree at home, please let us know! We may just be able to get that excess fruit to an expert jam making parent.   

Thanks again to everyone who has donated, wrapped and taken the time to support the PA and our kids over the last few weeks.


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

Remember, follow us of facebook! Search : FWPS Parents Association. Or send us an email FWPSParentsAssociation@outlook.com




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’s theme is EASTER! We are all excited for the Easter bunny to visit us in the coming weeks and so we will be creating lots of crafts and playing Easter-themed group games this week!!  

Holiday Program is only two weeks away, and bookings are open for families to book for our incredible program. The theme of these holidays is ‘Wild Child’. We will be involved in a range of fun activities and excursions. We will be going to the 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 Lucy De Maid for showing kindness to other children and being a very good friend! She is always helping others and includes everyone in her games! 

Reminder to all parents, guardians and children, our fundraiser is still running and will be until 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 



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



Community Notices