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I am proud to share the exciting news that our school was selected with a small number of primary and secondary schools to represent Victorian Government schools in the campaign Your Public School – It’s All Here. This is a significant honour and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vibrant learning community we are so fortunate to be part of every day.
As part of the campaign, a professional video was produced on-site, capturing the spirit, diversity, and excellence that define our school.
The campaign celebrates the strength of public education across Victoria, and we are thrilled that our school was chosen to help tell that story.
I extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to the filming process and helped bring our school to life on screen. Whether appearing in the video or supporting behind the scenes, your involvement made this achievement possible.
Here is the final video …. It truly reflects what we already know—our public school has it all.
I would like to inform our school community of some upcoming changes to canteen arrangements, following a recent review conducted by the School Council.
What’s Changing?
After careful consideration School Council has decided to transition to a new canteen operating model. This may include updated menu options, revised pricing, and changes to ordering processes.
What This Means for Families
An ordering system will be in operation at all three campuses initially. The Year 9 Eatwell program will continue at the Kinnear Campus commencing early in Term 2.
When Will This Happen?
The new arrangements are expected to take effect from the commencement of Term 2. Further details, including updated menus and instructions, will be shared at the beginning of Term 2.
I wish all members of the school community a satisfying, energising and safe break. I look forward to welcoming our students back for Term 2 on Monday 20 April.
Jillian English
Principal
Students harvested fresh produce from the school farm to donate to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Footscray. After gathering the produce, students walked it to the centre themselves, where they had the opportunity to make the donation in person and were then given a tour of the centre’s supermarket, gaining valuable insight into how it supports local families.
Back on the farm, students have been caring for the chickens by searching for worms, maintaining their living space, and cleaning out the coop. These activities have helped students develop responsibility while learning about sustainable food systems and animal care.
The class has also been exploring Footscray to investigate how local council initiatives promote community wellbeing. During one excursion, students visited a public bouldering wall and observed how the space encouraged both physical activity and social connection, with community members gathering to climb together.
It has been a fantastic start to the CIP program, and students are already looking forward to the exciting opportunities and experiences awaiting them next term.
CIT Team
FHS celebrated Harmony Day during lunchtime at each campus on Monday 23rd March.
Staff and students came together to make Friendship bracelets, write messages of support on the Harmony Wall and had the opportunity to map out their country of heritage on the giant world map.
“During Harmony Day, I felt really represented because there is not alot of people from my country in Australia” – Megan 7A
“I felt seen because people could look at the map and see I am from Tibet” – Tenzin 7A
Molly and Nikki from Maribyrnong Youth Services came and did a Pop- Up Beats and Eats Session at each campus to celebrate the End of Term 1. Wow! That went fast!
Whilst here, they encouraged students to sign up to Council’s Beats and East Session on 10th April & the School Holiday Program.
See Council’s website for further info.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Easter and school holiday break from the Wellbeing team.
We decided to start Year 7 with Government & Democracy. This has cemented and extended some of the learning our students did in primary school. The Year 7s enjoyed exploring the importance of the Constitution and examining the electoral process by doing activities such as preferential ballot counting
Year 8s now start the year with Laws & Citizens, which is an examination of how justice and law-making is organised in Australia. Teachers reported that the topic was so well-received that we will extend it slightly next year.
Year 9s still start with Biomes, with a focus on Food Production alongside Food Security. Due to the various other programs at Year 9, some groups have done their end of topic test, while others will do it at the beginning of next term.
Year 10 History students have been studying the lead up to the Second World War out of the new custom reading pack our teachers prepared, and recently visited the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, where they were complimented for their respect and interest in hearing survivor Guta Goldstein’s account
Next term we look forward to:
* Year 7s are finishing Economics with a test and then Geography – Water in the World – examining water access and hydrological disasters * Year 8s are in the middle of Geography – Urbanisation and Changing Nations, to understand how governments plan cities and towns to accommodate growing and changing populations. They will then move to Landscapes and Landforms. * Year 9s will begin History with the Industrial Revolution, in order to understand its impact on subsequent history events. * Year 10s will be examining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander campaigns for rights and freedoms during the 20th Century.
Our VCE Humanities students are also working well with some outstanding results from SACs. Our staff have been complimenting the mature approach and work ethic with the current Year 12 cohort!
Kate HabgoodHumanities Learning Area Leader
Tennis had a great day out playing Buckley Park and Mount Alexander, narrowly going down in overall games, Malaki G and Luca C with memorable matches.
The boys beat Essendon Keilor College chasing down 72 off 12 overs with Logan Harrison hitting big and retiring with 26 not out. A fantastic hat-trick taken by Rowland Walker securing the first win, but unfortunately Strathmore got a hold of us in the second match. Rain postponed our third game against Maribyrnong. Well done to Logan H on 2 great innings in both matches raising the bat for 50 accumulated runs.
The girls had a tough day out against Sunshine and Sirius, girls had a great day led by the standout effort of Ivana S and Stella Z
Boys won 2 games against Maribyrnong and Mt Alexander and lost 2 games. Kai O and Finn P with notable mentions, appreciate the senior coaching, scoring and umpiring efforts from Kase P, Sylvie E and Nellie D.
Led by Elli M, who swam in 4 individual events and 2 relays, have a look at these results: 1st in the 50m free and butterfly, 2nd in 100m free and 50m breast for 14yr old girls.
Yan L came away with three 2nd place individual medals in the 50m breaststroke, butterfly and free style. Yan has been our sole State representative over the last couple of years so it’s nice to for Yan to have some company in the state finals this year.
Georgia A swam 2nd in her 100m backstroke and claimed 2 more medals in relay team.
Annaliese W put up great swims individually but her best was in the medley and freestyle relay with a 1st and a 2nd medal.
Elli, Yan, Georgia and Annaliese combined in the 17yr old medley and 4x50m freestyle event placing 2nd and then 1st place to claim their place at the state finals on April 23rd at MSAC.
Shoutout to Eli L who came away with a 5th in 100m freestyle representing the boys.
Hugely successful day by the squad.
Congratulation to our state finalists in Yan, Elli, Georgia and Annaliese.
Each successive group is building confidence, teamwork and real-world technical knowledge through hands‑on learning supported by our partners at the Community Bike Hub.
If you missed it earlier this term, Channel 7 News featured our program, showcasing the Community Bike Hub mentors alongside FHS staff Tim Beare and Kellie Catanese as they worked with our 2025 Year 9 cohort.
👉 Watch the feature here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUz-vD5j01d/?igsh=OTNvajZjM2Jqbmp5
We look forward to seeing even more students benefit from this unique and inspiring learning experience.
Kellie competed in the National Downhill Mountain Bike Championships at Mount Buller — and came away wearing the National Jersey for theMasters (30+) Women’s category.
Downhill mountain biking is a demanding sport that sees competitors tackle steep, technical descents featuring rocks, drops, berms and varied terrain. Kellie’s national title is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects her courage, skill, and commitment both on and off the bike.
Pictured: Kellie’s 7C Physical Education class celebrating her achievement, proud to have a national champion leading their learning.
Parents are the career experts, so please encourage your child to explore their interests, strengths, and aspirations.
This April school holidays; families are invited to take advantage of university campus tours. Deakin University offers students the chance to experience university life firsthand—exploring world-class facilities, collaborative learning spaces, and student accommodation, while meeting current students and discovering different courses.
Visit for more details.
https://www.deakin.edu.au/student-life-and-services/events/campus-tours
RMIT is also running campus tours across its three Melbourne campuses, giving students a behind-the-scenes look at immersive labs, innovative study spaces and more.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-locations-and-facilities/campus-tours
For our Year 9 students, the recent Victorian Careers Expo was a valuable opportunity to explore future pathways. We encourage families to ask their child what stood out and what sparked their interest.
Next term, all students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will begin developing their Career Action Plans, helping them set goals and reflect on their learning journey.
Families can also support career conversations by using the myfuture website, Australia’s national career information service. It offers interactive tools, career profiles and course information to help students make informed decisions about their future.
https://myfuture.edu.au/home
We also have the Footscray High School website, which aims to provide you with the latest information to help you make decisions about your future career and life beyond school.
https://www.footscraycareers.com
If your struggling with Homework and need help come join us at Homework Club.