Dear students, families and staff of Cheltenham Primary School,

As Term 1 draws to an end, I want to thank our school community for such a positive start to the year. It has been a busy few months, and it has been wonderful to look back on the effort, achievements and growth of our students from Foundation to Year 6. I hope all our families have a safe and restful holiday break, and a very happy Easter to those celebrating over the long weekend. We look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for the start of Term 2, Monday 20 April.

Staffing

Today we farewell Amy Midson (Year 1) as she commences her maternity leave and prepares to welcome her first child. We are excited for this new chapter in her life and grateful for all she has contributed to our Year 1 team. Lauren Mackenzie from Glasgow in Scotland has completed a handover with Amy in the last two weeks and will be 1A's teacher for the remainder of the year. Welcome Lauren!

Sam Groves (Year 5) is the proud new father of a beautiful baby girl: Maeve Murphy Groves. Sam is currently on partner leave. 5A were thrilled for Sam; particularly Micah McG. who correctly guessed the baby's name! Congratulations to Sam and his wife, Ais.

NAPLAN 2026

Thank you to our school NAPLAN Coordinator Wendy Savage, who did a wonderful job coordinating her first NAPLAN tests for Years 3 and 5 and conducting catchup tests for students that were absent for testing sessions. I also acknowledge Haidong Lu, our IT technician who has overcame some significant IT issues for us over the years with NAPLAN but nothing remotely like the unprecedented disruption statewide on the first day of testing this year! Thank you to the teachers in Years 3 and 5 who worked diligently with the children so they felt comfortable and confident to give their Personal Best and to David Senior, Arthur Chronopoulos, Wendy Savage and Education Support Officers: Silvia, Sarnali, Yota, Lawrence and Sheryl, for their support of the students in Years 3 and 5.

Our school mission statement is 'We accept the challenge.' Leaning into challenges and developing grit are essential for building both learner confidence and lifelong success. When students tackle difficult tasks, they strengthen their problem-solving skills, resilience, and ability to persevere through setbacks. Overcoming challenges fosters a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing the belief that effort leads to growth - a mindset that is critical for academic and personal development. By encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones and persist to build stamina, we help them to develop the self confidence and skills they need to thrive.

Mathematics Olympiad

Our Mathematics Excellence program aims to enrich and challenge some of our talented Mathematicians in Years 4 to 6 through the provision of experiences designed to promote and improve mathematical problem solving skills; develop an understanding of a variety of strategies to promote flexibility in problem solving and encourage creativity and collaboration in problem solving ( Please read the Mathematics Olympiad Report).

Return to the Garden

The Return to the Garden program in Term 1 has been highly valued by our students with many enjoying the opportunity to enjoy the Garden and do garden maintenance during lunchtimes. Our youngest student, Frederick the calf, has been very popular. He has thrived under the care and nurture of our students who have enjoyed feeding him and has proved to be quite the neighbourhood attraction too. Sadly with the care and attention he has received he has doubled in size (!) and will graduate from Cheltenham Primary School today. Frederick will journey off to his family farm where he is definitely going to be one of the friendliest and most sociable of young bulls!

Buildings and Grounds

Two ash trees located along our fence line were removed after our school arborist inspected both trees and deemed them unsafe; requiring immediate removal. Their root systems had also extended beneath the carpark asphalt, creating a significant tripping hazard for staff exiting their vehicles.

The damaged asphalt in this area is scheduled to be replaced in the school holiday period and once the surface is excavated, the remaining root systems and stumps will be removed. Following this, new trees or shrubs that are more suitable for this location will be planted.

Over the holidays a tripping hazard near the BER which has bollards on it will also be rectified.

Grant applications

I am delighted to advise that our Accessibility Grant to the VSBA has been approved to the Report and Estimate phase. Following this phase, an evaluation will be undertaken to identify what areas will require funding. Thank you to Judy Harrington and Donna Ryan for their efforts to complete this grant.

Congratulations to Shaun Penny who has been successful in obtaining a grant from the Sporting Schools Fund for new sports equipment in netball (Years 3/4) and basketball (Years 5/6).

Senior Leaders Badge Ceremony

The senior leaders badge ceremony is always an important event in our school calendar. This year all Year 6 students were reminded of the importance of being a role model to other students and modelling our school values and inclusivity for all other students.

Talei and Nathan, our 2026 School Captains, encouraged all students to 'have fun whilst learning and help others do things outside of their comfort zone.'

We very much look forward to seeing how all our Year 6 students and Senior leaders develop and grow into their leadership roles over the course of this year.

Representatives of the Student Council and our Middle school Leaders were also presented with their badges of office at a whole school assembly please see Matt Littlechild's Student Representative Council Report in this newsletter.

As a school we congratulate all our Senior Student Leaders, Middle school leaders and representatives of the Student Council. We look forward to seeing your growth as leaders over the course of the year and the impact you will make.

Vale John - your legacy will remain with us...

This morning I had the honour of representing our school at the funeral of John Ernest Mitchell, a long‑standing and deeply valued member of the Cheltenham primary school extended community. John was a driving force in the parent body for many years, and his sons, Simon and Tim, both attended Cheltenham Primary School. For many years, John has generously funded the Mitchell Music Award, a contribution that has supported and inspired countless students.

Tim shared that as a professional musician his passion for music began at Cheltenham and that some of the happiest days of his life were spent here as a student. Many past students and teachers were also present today, a testament to the strong and enduring connection John maintained with our school.

It was a beautiful celebration of a man who was deeply loved by his family and friends and who lived a life marked by kindness, generosity, and selfless service. On behalf of all the students who have gratefully received the Mitchell Music Award over the years — thank you, John. May the road rise up to meet you, and may the wind be ever at your back.

Farewell to Bronwyn Moline, former Assistant Principal at Mentone Girls’ Secondary College. Bronwyn and I first met through the Eleanor Davis Leadership Program, and together we led the Leaders in the Making initiative for the Beachside Network, coaching aspiring leaders as they prepared for promotion.

Bronwyn had dreamed of being a teacher since childhood. She was a true renaissance woman — an enthusiastic swimmer, a singer, and someone who embodied what it means to be a lifelong learner. In the year that she took 12 months leave without pay, she came to help out a friend and served as my Assistant Principal for most of that year. She loved her taste of primary education and often spoke of her time at Cheltenham as “healing for her.”

Sadly, Bronwyn passed away after a courageous ten‑year battle with cancer. Thank you, Bronwyn, for your service to Cheltenham, your light, warmth, and wonderful smile. You will be deeply missed, my dear friend.

She walked among us with grace — and we are better for having walked beside her.

2027 Foundation enrolment

Thank you to all current families that have returned their enrolment forms for a child commencing Foundation in 2027. A reminder to all current families with a sibling ready to start Foundation in 2027 to collect an enrolment pack or complete the enrolment form which can be downloaded from our website.

Once the form is completed, please hand it in to the office as soon as possible, to ensure that we hold a place for your child.

Tours for prospective families will continue throughout Term 2. Tours are scheduled weekly on a Tuesday or by arrangement.

Finally thank you to all our staff in classrooms and specialist areas, in learning support and intervention, and in the office (the engine room of our school) for your collective efforts this term. Happy Holidays to all!

Kind Regards,

Bronwyn

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