Principal News

Book Week 2024 - Reading is Magical

Grandparent's and Special Friend's Morning

On Wednesday morning, we had the pleasure of opening our doors to grandparents and special friends to celebrate Book Week with our students. The morning was filled with excitement as students and their guests engaged in a range of fun activities designed to celebrate the joy of reading. From creative storytelling sessions to collaborative craft projects, it was a morning full of connection.

We were thrilled to see so many grandparents and special friends join our students in their classrooms, sharing stories, and participating in activities that highlighted the importance of literacy. Your presence and enthusiasm greatly enriched the experience for everyone involved.

Thank you to all the grandparents and special friends who joined us and made this Book Week celebration at CEPS such a special and memorable occasion. Your support and involvement were truly appreciated!

Book Week Parade

Yesterday morning, our annual Book Week Character Dress-Up Parade brought magic and creativity to our school. It was an amazing sight to see the incredible effort students and their families put into creating such imaginative costumes. The collaborative groups dressed as characters from the same book was also wonderful to see.

Our teachers also shone with their spectacular outfits, showcasing their own flair for creativity. Congratulations to all the costume winners and special mentions! It was clear that everyone was a winner, thanks to the stunning array of costumes on display.

A huge thank you to the parents, carers, and friends who joined us to celebrate this magical event. Your support made the day even more special!

Book Fair

Thank you to all the families who supported our Book Fair this week! Your enthusiasm and generosity in purchasing a range of exciting books have truly made a difference. It was wonderful to witness the excitement on the students' faces as they selected their new reads and shared their eagerness to dive into their chosen books. Your support helps foster a love of reading and enriches our students' educational experiences. 

Thank you

A huge thank you to our wonderful Book Week organising committee for their outstanding efforts in planning an incredible range of experiences for our students. Your dedication and hard work made the week truly special.

A big shout-out to Mrs. Douglas, Mrs. Emmanouil, Mrs. Uhe, and Mrs. Burman for your contributions. Your enthusiasm and commitment were evident in every activity and event, and we are grateful for your support in developng love for reading among our students.

Thank you for making Book Week a memorable and enriching experience for everyone!

Father's and Special People's Day

We are excited to invite our Cheltenham East Primary School community to our Father’s and Special Person’s Afternoon next Friday, 30 August, from 2:30-3:30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share a special time with their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or any special person in their lives.

Each year level has planned engaging indoor and outdoor activities designed to be enjoyed together. Whether it’s a fun game, a creative project, or a chance to explore, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

To add to the festivities, we will be hosting a complimentary sausage sizzle for all attendees. It’s a great chance to catch up with other families and enjoy a casual bite together.

Detailed information about the activities will be shared soon, so keep an eye out for further updates. We look forward to welcoming you all and celebrating this special afternoon with our wonderful community!

2024 School Review

I am seeking parents/caregivers to volunteer their time to participate in our School Review's parent focus group early next term. Our families' perspectives are crucial in helping us understand what and why we are doing well and where we can make enhancements to serve our students and community better. The School Review Panel will engage parents/caregivers in questions that were previously determined by the panel itself. These questions will be connected to the goals of the school's 202-2024 School Strategic Plan. The panel consists of the School Reviewer, Senior Education Improvement Leader, Challenge Partners (two Principals from other schools), School Council President, School Principal and members of the school's Leadership Team. 

What is a School Review?

Every four years, government schools engage in a School Review, and this year we are due to be reviewed. This is an important process that will assist in shaping the future plans of our school. This review is closely linked to our 2020-2024 School Strategic Plan and aims to evaluate our progress over the past four years while identifying areas for growth and improvement.

A school review is a comprehensive evaluation process that assesses the effectiveness of a school's programs, practices, and overall performance. It is an essential part of our School Strategic Plan, which sets out the long-term goals and strategies for continuous improvement. The review provides an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, understand our challenges, and plan strategically for the future.

How to get involved?

To register your interest, please complete this Google Form.

Date - Thursday October 10th from 9.15am. We anticipate the session will run for approximately 1 hour.

Please note that I am seeking approximately 10-15 parents to participate. Should I receive nominations beyond this number, I may run a ballot to determine the final participants.

Excursions/Camps Consent

Following consultation with teachers and the office staff, we are implementing an adjustment to our existing parent/guardian consent deadline for students to attend excursions and camps. 

In support of staff and the challenge of chasing up consent on the day of an event, access for parents/carers to provide consent will close at midnight the day before each event. Unfortunately, there will be no flexibility in this process.

I urge everyone to provide consent as soon as events become active on Sentral. Should you require support regarding event payment, please do not hesitate to contact the office. 

Lost Property

We've noticed a growing collection of lost clothing items in our lost property. If your child is missing any clothing, please take a moment to visit our lost property located in the student toilets breezeway. We encourage you to check regularly to reclaim any lost items. Thank you for your cooperation.

Student Safety - Before/After School Yard Supervision

Student safety at our highest priority and the safe and appropriate supervision of students is an important element of our duty of care to students. Part of this duty is ensuring parents and students are aware of our student supervision arrangements before and after school. 

Before school: School grounds are supervised at 8.45am

After school: School grounds are supervised until 3.45pm

Students on school grounds outside these times will not be supervised (unless they are attending the Team Kids before or after-school care program)

Parents/carers are requested to ensure that students do not attend school outside of these supervised times unless they are attending Team Kids.

2024 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey Closes Friday 30 August 

Survey Access

To complete the survey, simply:

1. Click on the link below

https://www.orima.com.au/paren...

3. Select 'Cheltenham East Primary School' by typing it into the 'school search' box

2. Enter the School PIN below

PIN: 296679

3. When complete, please click on the tick button at the end of the survey to submit your answers. Please note that the survey will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity.

1. Should you have any technical queries regarding the survey or questions regarding the privacy and confidentiality of your survey responses, please do not hesitate to contact ORIMA Research on 1800 654 585 (toll-free during business hours), or by email: pos@orima.com.
2. Should you have any participation or survey-related queries, please contact the school, or the department by email: school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au.

Why Your Feedback Matters

Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand where we are doing well and where we can improve. The insights you provide allow us to make informed decisions that enhance the learning experience for our students and our families. The staff and I thoroughly review the data sets and use them to guide our planning and improvement efforts.

How to Approach the Survey

I kindly ask that you complete the survey with an objective lens, thoughtful consideration, and where possible, through a whole school perspective. Reflect on your experiences and provide honest feedback. This balanced approach helps us gain a clear understanding of our strengths and areas that need attention.

Celebrate and Improve

Please use this survey as an opportunity to celebrate areas of strength and highlight areas for potential improvement. Your constructive feedback is essential in helping us create a supportive and thriving school community.

I appreciate your time and effort in completing the survey. Your voice does matter, and together, we can continue to build a school environment where every student can succeed.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Robert