AddressFootscray City Primary School (FCPS) is a Foundation to year 6 school established in 1877 in the inner west suburb of Footscray, in the City of Maribyrnong, seven kilometres from central Melbourne. The school is located next to the City of Maribyrnong Council Offices and is four hundred meters south of the Footscray railway station. We are also a campus for the Western English Language School (WELS).
The school's history is reflected in its four buildings. The original 1877 Bluestone Building is now used for the Instrumental and Ensemble Music Program and the allocation of classroom spaces for the WELS. The 1910 brick building houses six classrooms and a large central area that allows for collaborative learning experiences and community gatherings. The 1970 brick building is currently undergoing refurbishment via an extensive capital works program funded by Victorian Government which will be completed later this year, and houses the school's administration area, staff room, art program, and 21 teaching spaces, and finally, the 2019 Gymnasium and Performing Arts Building comprising basketball court, canteen, multi-purpose room and music teaching space.
The school grounds currently have two main playground areas, a synthetic grass soccer field, active use garden areas, , sandpits and asphalt hard-court space for basketball, bat-tennis, and volleyball. In 2019 we opened the Gymnasium and Performing Arts Building, funded as part of the State Government's Footscray Learning Precinct. We have submitted grant applications to enable further improvement to our grounds, including the introduction of sensory playgrounds, nature play areas and the installation of solar panels on the expansive Gymnasium roof.
A total of 474 students were enrolled at this school in 2024. The Student Family Occupation and Education index takes into account parents' occupations and education and this is then used by the DET to determine our Equity funding. For 2023, our Student Family Occupation and Education Index (SFOE) was categorised as HIGH.
With a growing local population, the school has come under enrolment pressure and is implementing priority placement order. This sees us enroll children for whom we are their designated neighbourhood school and those who have a sibling already enrolled in the school and who resides at the same address. All other enrolments are placed on a waitlist and if spaces are available, we enroll children whose address is the next closest to our designated neighbourhood boundary. The projected enrollment for 2024 is 480 students.
FCPS is one of four schools involved in the Footscray Learning Precinct. This State Government initiative has seen us work collaboratively with the educators from these other schools since 2016 so as to develop a Framework for Student Learning that is research based and strives for excellence in the learning opportunities available to the community. Stage One funding saw the Master Plan developed for the entire FLP, which includes plans for the refurbishment of the Peppercorn and Main Buildings at FCPS to allow for greater capacity and to upgrade facilities in accordance with current learning and teaching pedagogy. Stage One funding also delivered the Gymnasium and Performing Arts Building at FCPS and which will be a shared used facility when the Pilgrim Street Campus of Footscray High School opens in 2021. As a further part of the FLP, funding has been allocated for an Early Learning Centre on the site next to FCPS with the expectation that the educators in both settings will collaborate to ensure high standards of learning and smooth transitions from the early learning to primary school setting.
Mission
We are future making for every child so that they are learning to learn, learning to thrive and learning to contribute.
Vision
Our students will possess the skills, knowledge and ways of thinking that enable them to embrace learning, respond to challenges and thrive as active members of the community.
Values
At Footscray City Primary School we are a diverse and inclusive COMMUNITY who value:
- Taking RESPONSIBILITY for our learning and our impact on our selves, others and our environment.
- Thinking and acting with KINDNESS which means we are friendly towards others and considerate of their feelings.
- Demonstrating RESILIENCE by persisting and being courageous when faced with challenges in our learning and relationships.
Learning and Teaching
The school focuses on the development of student capabilities in literacy and numeracy, believing these are the foundations for learning all areas of curriculum.
The instructional model and instructional strategies implemented in all classroom and specialist programs are based on the research of Robert Marzano, McREL International, Richard and Rebecca Dufour and John Hattie. Focus is placed on all students learning at high levels, educators working collaboratively in Professional Learning Communities and evidence-based practice to ensure growth for every child.
Our Annual Implementation Plan prioritises the building of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, particularly in the areas of `Building Practice Excellence¿ and `Curriculum Planning and Assessment¿. The school places a strong emphasis on leaders operating with a focus on curriculum, instruction and assessment, and we have a range of leadership opportunities including PLTs, Curriculum Priority Areas and Curriculum Coaching of teachers. Our priority is to deliver improved student learning outcomes for every child through personalised learning programs, an orderly environment and the development of a Growth Mindset.
Our Specialist Programs are delivered by teachers specifically trained in their respective fields and with significant experience in the areas of Visual and Performing Arts, Language Learning (Mandarin) and Physical Education. The Specialist Professional Learning Team work collaboratively as a team and with teachers across the school, ensuring students are exposed to concepts across the learning areas and have the opportunity to access a diverse curriculum.
We also offer a high quality Instrumental Music Program, with students accessing this learning during the school day with highly trained and specialised music educators. Students have the opportunity to work in individual and small group settings, with regular performance presentations to their peers and community members. We have a proven record of this program enhancing the learning, engagement and wellbeing of our students, and contributing to improved learning outcomes across the curriculum.
Community Involvement
The parent community is actively involved in the school and their children¿s learning. This is in the form of involvement in school council sub committees, classroom volunteers, maintenance and improvements to facilities and grounds, fundraising and community events such as our Bi-annual Art Show (Visual Arts) and Big Day Out (Performing Arts), participating in Curriculum Celebrations and Student Learning Conferences. Teachers and school leaders in our school are committed to supporting community involvement in the school¿s programs, understanding its contribution to student growth and achievement.
