Newsletter - 15 May 2025
Principal's Report
Welcome back to all our families for another exciting and productive term. For those I haven’t met or crossed paths with, I’m Mel Richardson and I will be acting principal here at Fairview until the end of Week 6. Even after three weeks, I have been warmly welcomed by the Fairview Primary community and have enjoyed reconnecting with familiar faces following a teaching stint here many years ago. It has been great to return and see that the vibrant community spirit is alive and well. During this time, I have continued to support the leadership team in continuing their important work around school improvement and enjoy supporting the work of teachers, teacher assistants and students in classrooms as we continue to implement our Lifting Literacy priority.
Learning is the focus
Term 2 is one of the most important terms of the year. It is the term when routines, structures and relationships are consolidated to support orderly and productive learning environments. It is the first of the reporting terms and so regular attendance is also a key focus. Effective reporting is supported by Moderation Day (Week 6) which allows teachers the opportunity to ensure they make consistent judgements about a child’s achievement against the curriculum. Reporting to families will occur later in the term with conferences with teachers about student progress.
In the literacy space, a whole school focus has been on the successful daily implementation of the UFLI systematic phonics program in all Prep to Year 6 classes. This occurs across all our classrooms and is a system-wide program being implemented in all schools across the state. This forms part of our core focus on developing fluency and automaticity in word recognition for all our students. This term in teacher professional development we are focused on developing consistent whole school approaches to ensure that as students move between the years they know and understand the routines and ways of working, allowing them to focus on what they are learning.
Wellbeing for Learning
It has been pleasing to see students engage in a range of additional supports across the school, including robotics, scratch coding, gardening and social and emotional groups as the term has got underway. These opportunities sit alongside our explicit teaching of the STAR expectations to support students to develop learning behaviours, build positive relationships with peers and engage in safe learning and play. Conflict resolution and how we solve our problems at school with others is a key focus where we are teaching a range of strategies when things go wrong – which we know happens. This is a valuable explicit teaching opportunity to teach a life-skill that students take with them into working life to be able to manage challenging situations with others. It is why our message is clear that the way we solve problems is always through use of our words, walking away and seeking help from an adult. Physical retaliation is discouraged and isn’t condoned in any DECYP schools as an appropriate response to conflict. We ask that this same messaging is supported by families in how we manage these situations at school.
The value of play
Watching students play is the highlight of any principal’s day. Seeing students happy, laughing and being curious is such an important part of childhood development. Here are some students investigating the insects around the trees in the playground and asking things like ‘Where do they come from?’ ‘What do they want?’ ‘Why are they there?’ This type of play is what grows a mind that investigates how things work and make connections to the world around them. Something so simple, but so important.
Mel Richardson
Acting Principal
Upcoming Events
21 May - NSS Storytime
26 May - STAR Assembly
28 May - School Cross Country
4 June - SPSSA Cross Country
5 June - Free Dress Day
6 June - Student Free Day
9 June - Public Holiday
18 June - School Association Meeting 4pm
1-2 Grierson
We have had a busy start to Term 2 in 1-2 Grierson, we have had a focus on being "bucket fillers" not "bucket dippers," based on the brilliant book about kindness 'Have you filled a bucket today?' by Carol McCloud.
We have been thinking of different ways to fill other people's buckets by being kind. This linked beautifully to Mother's Day celebrations and being grateful for the wonderful people we have at home.
This has ALSO linked to Do it for Dolly Day and the messages of "Sprinkle Kindness like it's Confetti" and "In a world where you can be anything, be Kind".
3-4 C Karsznia
MOTHERS DAY
In 3-4C we have been looking at creative expression and using imagery to show our thoughts and feelings. Students were tasked with thinking about images and scenes that show a connection that they have with their parents or special person and creating cards that are meaningful to them.
Happy Mother's Day to everyone.
5-6 C Bradshaw
This week in 5-6 Bradshaw as part of our science inquiry into electricity, we looked closer at circuits.
We found that circuits are found in electrical devices and are a pathway through which electrical current can flow. We experimented with different ways to make the light glow and problem solved the reasons why it didn't.
Art
3/4A Thornton painted these beautiful watercolour florals for a special gift.
Do It For Dolly Day 2025
Our amazing students at Fairview Primary School came together to acknowledge Do It For Dolly Day. In class, they participated in meaningful activities that promoted a strong anti-bullying message.
As a school, we are deeply committed to stamping out bullying and fostering a safe, inclusive environment for everyone. Each class demonstrated their dedication by placing their hands on a banner and pledging to promote kindness and respect within our school community.
Let's continue to work together to make Fairview Primary School a place where everyone feels valued and supported. Staff and Students raised $268.00 by selling Ice Creams. Jelly Cups, and from a Staff Morning Tea. Our School Association will also make a donation towards the cause.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the day by dressing in blue, purchasing an ice cream or donating food for the morning tea.
#DoItForDolly #AntiBullying #KindnessMatters #FairviewPrimarySchool #dollysdream
School Association
Thank you to everyone who supported the Mother's Day Stall.
Art and Craft Donations
We are in the process of equipping a communal space at the school and would greatly appreciate any donations of art supplies, craft materials, games, puzzles, or other items that children enjoy using for creative activities and play. Kindly drop off any donations at the school office. Thank you for your support!
School Lunch Program - Term 2 Menu
Celebrating Canteen Week 19-23 May
The school canteen is often the unsung hero of our school community and from 19-23 May, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the amazing staff and volunteers who keep it running!
We thank our amazing canteen team for their hard work, dedication, and warm smiles every day. We truly appreciate all that you do. Thank you!
School Health Nurse
New Norfolk Golf Club
