Footscray Primary School has a proud history of language learning. In 2021, we will introduce an Italian bilingual program grounded in evidence of best practice for our Foundation and Year 1 students.
We will also be enhancing our Vietnamese language learning program to provide a high-quality language learning experience for every child at Footscray Primary School.
This framework is the beginning of our journey and will be strengthened by our students, our staff, and our community as we move forward together.
Please visit the Vietnamese Language Learning page or Italian Bilingual Program page to learn more about these programs.
Thank you to all those who attended our community meeting in May. Please find the presentation slides via the link below.
Community Meeting Slides
Feb 2020
Research undertaken on identifying factors for implementing a successful bilingual program including historial recruitment data, bilingual subcommittee meetings, visits to bilingual schools, attendance at bilingual network meetings.
12 February – Bilingual subcommittee meeting
19 February – School council meeting
28 February – Bilingual update provided in school newsletter
https://www.footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/february28_2020.pdf
March 2020
18 March – School council meeting
26 March – Bilingual update provided in school newsletter
https://www.footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/march_26_2020.docx.pdf
April 2020
7 April - Bilingual newsletter released confirming commitment to re-establishing a successful bilingual program at Footscray Primary School in 2021.
https://footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/bilingual_newsletter_1.pdf
15 April – School council extraordinary meeting
20 April – Second bilingual newsletter released announcing commitment to establish a rich, comprehensive Vietnamese language program to sit alongside a re-established bilingual program with a new target language to be determined through community consultation. Members of school community invited to join the bilingual subcommittee to develop a consultation process with the community.
English
www.footscra.sponsored1.com/uploaded_files/media/bilingual_newsletter_2.pdf
Vietnamese
www.footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/vietnamese_bilingual_newsletter_2.pdf
24 April – School meets with Chairperson, Vietnamese Community Australia, Victoria Chapter; Chairperson Victorian Multicultural Commission; and local member for Footscray.
29 April – School council meeting
May 2020
22 May – Bilingual subcommittee meeting
25 May – Online community meeting to outline the future of language learning and consultation process for a new bilingual program language. Participants invited to contribute questions for discussion.
https://footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/community_meeting_may25_1590446378.pdf
29 May – Languages subcommittee (subcommittee name changed to incorporate language and bilingual program)
29 May – Language update provided in school newsletter
https://www.footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/may_29_2020.pdf
June 2020
5 June – Languages subcommittee meeting
12 June – Languages subcommittee meeting
12 June – Language update provided in school newsletter https://footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/june_12.pdf
17 June – School council meeting
19 June – Languages subcommittee meeting
24 June – Bilingual survey opens with notifications to school community on compass and school website. Surveys provided to current and future families in English and Vietnamese, online and in hardcopy.
26 June – Language update provided in school newsletter
https://www.footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/june_26_2020.pdf
July 2020
15 July – survey closes with over 180 responses from current and future Footscray Primary School families and staff.
17 July – Languages subcommittee meeting
20 July – Presentation by Languages Education consultant to Languages subcommittee
21 July – Languages subcommittee prepares report for school council consideration on future bilingual program target language
29 July – School council meeting
30 July – Language update includes school council decision to deliver Italian as the bilingual program language commencing in 2021.
Aug
2020
14 August – Language update in school newsletter
https://www.footscrayps.vic.edu.au/uploaded_files/media/august_14_2020.pdf
[1] Languages Provision in Victorian Government Schools, 2018 https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/languages/eduState-languages-provision-report-2018.pdf p50