Department of Education - Victoria

Footscray North Primary School (FNPS) is an inner suburban primary school 6km from the Melbourne CBD. The population in the local area is changing. This is reflected in the changing SFOE: 2025- 0.2528 (2019-0.3824) at FNPS. FNPS is experiencing continued growth in student enrolments 2025 - 633 (2019- 450). During this time FNPS has enacted an enrolment strategy which has minimised the enrolments of students beyond our designated neighbourhood zone. Current trends indicate the school population is likely to continue to grow. There are a number of high-density housing redevelopments in the neighbourhood zone that will likely contribute to this. The growth in school population has been catered for by the delivery of a major building project completed in 2021 to increase the permanent capacity of the school to 700 students.

Our student population is drawn from our local area. Approximately 40% of our students speak a language other than English at home, with over 40 different language groups represented. Students who enrol speaking little or no English often spend a period of time attending the Western English Language School. A small number of students identify as of ATSI background. The school has a small percentage of students who are enrolled as international students (less than 1%). The ongoing growth in the student population has also resulted in a growth in staffing requirements. Rigorous staff recruitment, induction and mentoring, along with retention of staff, have been and will continue to be an area that requires attention to ensure that high quality practices are consistently implemented across the school.

In 2025 Footscray North Primary School (FNPS) had a staff of 3.2 Principal Class, 2 Learning Specialists, 2.6 Leading Teachers, 37 teaching staff and approx. 25 EFT Education Support staff. Curriculum programs are delivered through 28 classroom programs supported by 5 specialist programs. The school is housed on a very large site (9 acres) and is made up of 6 permanent buildings, 3 double relocatables, a new gymnasium and a number of active and passive play spaces. Our school facilities included 28 classrooms with adjacent office areas, collaborative spaces and breakout rooms, a performing arts room, a visual art, room, 3 resource intensive learning spaces (LOTE/STEM), a library, Gymnasium, administrative area and community room (OSHC) and a fully equipped canteen area.

Footscray North Primary School (FNPS) is committed to providing a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment, where students reach their full educational potential supported by a differentiated curriculum of the highest quality. FNPS recognises that student wellbeing and student learning outcomes are inextricably linked and understand that the school should promote this link both within the school environment and the classroom. We recognise the importance of the partnership between the school and parents/carers to support student learning, engagement and wellbeing. We share a commitment to, and a responsibility for, creating an inclusive and safe school environment for our students. The school provides a curriculum with a strong emphasis on English, Mathematics, Social Emotional Learning and an integrated topic-based curriculum. The core curriculum is complemented by Specialist Programs in Physical Education, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Spanish and Technologies.

Footscray North Primary School has developed and embedded a universal culture of learning and a belief that all students can learn at high levels. Our work is underpinned by this belief, and that our strategic actions as a school can make a difference. We have implemented Professional Learning Communities as a way of ensuring that all students learn at high levels and staff continue to refine and develop high impact teaching strategies. Professional Learning is an integral part of the operation of the school, and Professional Learning Communities are the focal point for planning, development and implementation of teaching and learning and collective inquiry to improve teacher practice. Footscray North Primary School has a strong tradition and reputation in the provision of excellence in education in the local area.  In 2023, FNPS commemorated 100 years of providing outstanding education to the local community.  Footscray North Primary School's vision is to support the learning and wellbeing outcomes of our students. 

Our mission at Footscray North Primary School is to graduate empowered students who are high achieving, socially and emotionally intelligent, globally aware and active citizens in the community. Our mission statement components are operationalised, implemented and monitored, and provide a lens through which to guide us in decision making, resource allocation and aspiration. Our school's objectives are considered as part of the four yearly strategic planning process and reflected in the goals listed in our current School Strategic Plan (SSP). We also develop an Annual Implementation Plan to operationalise the Goals and Key Improvement Strategies contained in our SSP. Our school values provide a strong foundation in identifying the way that we work with our community through the creation of shared expectations and norms.  They support us in decision making and action planning, supporting us in remaining focused on what is important.

Footscray North Primary School's values are:

• Inclusion: through appreciation of individual differences and actively encouraging involvement by the whole school community.
• Excellence: by striving to excel at work and play and persisting to reach our goals.
• Respect: for our community's views, beliefs and rights, considering everyone's opinion and treating everyone as equal. We respect ourselves and others, our belongings and the environment.
• Responsibility: by all the school community for our actions and behaviours, striving to achieve a stimulating and vibrant learning environment, by providing quality programs and encouraging each other to reach our full potential.

 

SC1    Demonstrated knowledge of the relevant curriculum, including the capacity to incorporate the teaching of literacy and numeracy skills. Demonstrated capacity to respond to student learning needs.

SC2    Demonstrated capacity to implement high impact teaching strategies, guided by how students learn, and evaluate the impact of learning and teaching programs on student learning growth. 

SC3    Demonstrated capacity to monitor and assess student learning. Demonstrated capacity to use data to inform teaching practice and to provide feedback on student learning growth and achievement to students and parents.

SC4    Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills. Demonstrated capacity to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with students, parents, colleagues and the broader school community to support student learning, wellbeing and engagement.    

SC5    Demonstrated behaviours and attitudes consistent with Department values. Demonstrated capacity to reflect upon practice and engage in professional learning to continually improve the quality of teaching.