Parent Newsletter Issue 11 2026

Leadership update

We’re pleased to share an update on our Disability and Inclusion Program for Semester 2.

• Carly Clement is Acting Leading Teacher, supporting our Senior Campus
• Jane Bailey is Leading Teacher, supporting our Junior Campus.

We have some temporary changes to our Wellbeing and Engagement roles for this term.

• Malcolm Fretz is filling in for Oki Gardner as Leading Teacher, supporting Wellbeing and Engagement – Junior (Barkly Campus) until 21 August.
• Josh Morris-Drohan is filling in for Liam Mitchell as Leading Teacher, supporting Wellbeing and Engagement – Junior (Pilgrim Campus) until 12 August.

The Wedding Singer

What a wonderful night it was on Wednesday 22 July to sit in the audience for Footscray High School’s production of The Wedding Singer! Watching the humour, heart, and music of the 1980s come to life on our stage was a real privilege, and I was so glad to share the experience with our school community.

It meant a great deal to see so many of you there, proud parents and family, friends, staff, students, and guests. Your support is what makes nights like this possible.

Productions like this don’t come together by chance. Watching from the audience, it was clear just how much passion, dedication, and countless hours of work had gone into this production, both on stage and behind the scenes. None of it would have been possible without our staff, who gave up so much of their own time, planning, coaching, problem-solving, and steering this production from the very first rehearsal through to opening night. I’m deeply grateful for everything they put into this.

And to our students, thank you doesn’t quite cover it. You should all be enormously proud of what you have achieved as a team. Watching you perform, it was clear just how much you enjoyed the whole experience.

Again, well done to all concerned in this amazing production.

School Annual General Meeting

The Annual Report to the school community is a chance to celebrate our achievements, reflect on the school’s performance, and see how our improvement efforts have enhanced student achievement, engagement, and wellbeing.

It’s also a great opportunity to meet our Principal Team, connect with school leadership, and learn more about their vision and commitment to our school community.

Date: 18 August 2026
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Location:  Kinnear Campus Library

Please RSVP by 17 August to Kaylene Tanti at 7842-info@schools.vic.edu.au so we can prepare an appropriate venue for all attendees.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Jillian English
Principal

FHS had 3 runners take the track at the Yarra Valley racecourse to battle the hills and green pastures of Melbournes East at the State Cross Country on Thursday 16th July 

• Elli M was our first runner who finished 14th of 87 runners with 12.33min run for 3km in the 14year Girls. 
• Evie M finished 33rd of 87 athletes with 13.21min for 3km in the 15year Girls. 
• Lelle K finished 6th in a field of 77 runners with a 11.55min run for 3km in the 17-20year Girls.

August is our most exciting month, with Book Week commencing on August 24^th (Week 7).  Events will be happening daily, as well as our annual dress up day (date TBC).  It’s time to start planning those book themed costumes! 

It’s even more fun with a group of friends, with recent years seeing entire casts of The Wizard of Oz and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on parade. 

Winter is the perfect time to check out what’s on in our libraries right now. Pilgrim and Barkly students  can always find a game to play, with the enduring love of Uno making these cards always the most in demand.    More creative types can tinker with the Lego collections and our staff are always on hand to recommend a great book to curl up with when it’s too cold to go outside.

Over at Kinnear, crafty inspiration can be found with our current display of creative books.   After the success of our quilt making for the Royal Children’s Hospital last year, a second project is now set up for students and staff to make a small square to be part of a larger work of art. Once again, this will be donated to the RCH via the Very Snuggly Quilt Auxiliary. No sewing experience necessary.

Did you know there are only 41 cinemas in the world that can screen Christopher Nolan’s epic film, The Odyssey, in its complete format?  Of these, only one is in the southern hemisphere, right here in Melbourne.  Tickets are in high demand so in the meantime, there’s always the book.  We currently have a couple of copies still available but be quick!

As always, our staff are always on hand to assist students with their research and study needs. Remember, there’s no such thing as a silly question.