Wow! What an unbelievable year for Fairfield Primary School. And we’re only just half way!

 

Land Acquisition

Just as we closed second term, we got the news that the Department of Education had agreed to acquire the land across Wingrove Street, site of the old police station. This is an extraordinary event and one that sets up our school for decades to come. See the press announcement in the Preston Leader.

 

At this stage, it’s a land only deal. Any development of that land for teaching space will come later, but hopefully not too much later. We’ll update the School Buildings Master Plan with a concept design about how that land can be best integrated into the school for the best possible educational outcomes for the students.

 

In the very short term, the Department will complete site remediation to make it safe and fit for purpose. By the start of Term 1, 2017, we expect to have it clean, leveled and fenced. We’ll explore opportunities for interim use in its undeveloped state.

 

Netball Court?

State and Local governments have been focusing on improving sporting facilities in the northern suburbs with a focus on netball courts. We have been working with Sports & Rec, Victoria, Darebin City Council and local netball clubs to see whether Fairfield Primary School could be the site of a new competition grade netball court. We’ve been waiting on the 2016/2017 budget but indications are that this could go ahead. Even if so, there’s a lot to work out to ensure it’s the right fit for our school including its physical dimensions, impact on our Grounds Action Plan, multi-sport suitability and understanding our social contract with community sports clubs. However, if all those ducks line up then this will be an extraordinary enhancement to our sports facilities and something which would be unlikely to be funded otherwise by the Department of Education or community fundraising.

 

School Grounds Projects

Speaking of the Grounds Action Plan, having finished Kaan’s Winya, the hardworking Building & Grounds Committee is moving on to the next project. Under the Grounds Action Plan, the next focus was to be the basketball court. However, while we explore the netball court opportunity, attention has moved to the Langridge Street/Fairfield Road corner of the school. Currently used for bike storage, shipping containers and waste management, this area has great potential for better use. One idea is to develop a creative play space and alternate school entrance. Watch this space.

 

Fundraising, Community Events and Sponsorship

Fairfield Primary School has a first class community on so many levels. That comes through events that focus on fundraising, others that focus on community engagement, many of which take some from each pot in different measure. We’ve become very good at this.

 

However we’ve come to this place organically and we commonly face questions about our objectives: What is the fundraising money for? What’s the best use of volunteer hours? Should we spend money to raise money?

 

With this in mind, School Council will undertake a review of our fundraising and community events to develop a clear strategy, one that has community engagement and provides a clear roadmap for event management, fundraising, sponsorship and capital projects. Critically that review will involve community consultation and we’ll report further on next steps.

 

Art4All

And on the subject of successful events, we have the Art4All event on the weekend of 9 to 11 September 2016. This is one of our foundation community and fundraising events and always one to look forward to. This event ticks all the boxes and, especially, brings the children into focus with their role in the gala night and showcasing the visual arts at Fairfield Primary School. It’s a real treat to see them in their black & whites and serving the guests at the Gala Evening on the Saturday night.

 

So, please put the dates in your diary, order T-shirts ‘4All’ in your family and book your ARTZone tickets.

 

Sausage Sizzle

Thank you to Kim Curetin for organizing the election day sausage sizzle during the school holidays as well as all the volunteers on the day:

  • Aidan Farrell
  • Alister Bayston
  • Leisa Bayston
  • Roslyn Brierley
  • Paul Hunt
  • Tali Ross
  • Daniel Carosone
  • Deborah Amott
  • Marco Bowman
  • Monique Ferguson
  • Tamara Tse
  • Amber Loxton
  • Helen Dellidis
  • Tyler Telfer
  • Mandi Bennett
  • Sarah Harrington
  • Kim Cureton
  • Jodie Palmer

 

This is a great banger-for-buck fundraiser for the school, raising $2,417 in revenue (before costs) on fairly contained volunteer hours. After wrestling that voting form into the ballot box it’s hard for any voter to turn down a snag. The only upside I could see to the bizarre electoral process we witnessed was the potential for a second election and then another sizzle! Alas, a government was formed so we’ll have to wait for the next State Election in 2018 unless the Commonwealth Government goes to the polls earlier. We should not fear electronic voting unless it threatens the sausage sizzle.

 

I’m always available to hear about your views on school council business and anything that’s featured in my report. My continuing thanks to my fellow councilors, parents and carers, teachers and administrators who make Fairfield Primary such an outstanding school!

 

~ Alister Bayston, School Council President