I am beyond excited and thrilled to have been appointed as the substantive principal of our wonderful school, following my role as the acting principal. This is truly an incredible opportunity, and I feel both honoured and humbled to serve in this capacity.

The journey so far has been nothing short of amazing. Our school is home to some of the most remarkable students I've ever had the privilege of working with. Their enthusiasm, creativity, and thirst for knowledge are truly inspiring. It's heartwarming to see their smiling faces every day, reminding me why I love what I do. 'CEPS kids are friendly kids' could not be more evident in my daily student interactions.

Our dedicated staff members have been a constant source of support and inspiration. Their passion for education, commitment to our students' success, and their unwavering dedication have played a significant role in shaping our school's positive atmosphere. I am incredibly grateful to be surrounded by such an exceptional team.

Our school community, in particular our parents/caregivers, play a vital role in our success. The partnership between our school and our community is truly special, and one that I am eager to further develop. I am grateful for the continued support and involvement of all our stakeholders.

As I take on this new role, I am excited to continue on our journey together. We've achieved so much already, and there is so much more we can accomplish. With your continued support and our shared dedication to providing the best possible education and opportunities for our students, I am confident that we will achieve even greater heights, and make Cheltenham East Primary School, the categoric school of choice in our local area.

I look forward to collaborating with each and every one of you as we work to continue building an inclusive, supportive, and thriving learning environment for all. Together, we will make Cheltenham East Primary School an even more exceptional place for our students to learn, grow, and succeed.

Thank you for your warm welcome and support. Let's embark on this new chapter together and make it a journey to remember!

CEPS Book Week 2023

Our CEPS Book Week 2023 is just around the corner, and this year's theme is 'Read, Grow, Inspire!' We are eager to cultivate a love for reading and inspire a lifelong passion for books among our students. The highlight of the week will be our fantastic Book Fair, where students can explore and purchase a wide range of rich literature.

Book Fair - November 20th to 24th

The CEPS Book Fair will be open from Monday, November 20th to Friday, November 24th. Our provider Lamonts will have a fantastic selection of books for children of all ages, from enchanting picture books to thrilling novels. It's the perfect opportunity to stock up on some great reads for your young bookworms.

Character Dress Up Day - November 21st

On Tuesday, November 21st, we invite all students to dress up as their favourite book characters. The dress-up parade will take place from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM on the basketball courts. We can't wait to see the creativity and imagination that our students bring to life through their costumes!

Parents/Grandparents/Special Friends Morning - November 23rd

On Thursday, November 23rd, we welcome parents, grandparents, and special friends to join us for a delightful morning of learning in our classrooms from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. This is a wonderful opportunity to share in the joy of reading with your children. On this morning, Team Kids will provide a coffee van to ensure that our guests can enjoy a complimentary warm beverage.

We are excited to make our 2023 Book Week a memorable and inspiring event for all. Let's celebrate the power of reading and the growth it brings to our young readers.

We look forward to sharing this exciting week with our CEPS community, and we hope to see you at the Book Fair, on Character Dress Up Day, and during the Parents/Grandparents/Special Friends Morning.

Happy reading!

2024 Foundation Transition - Session 2

Marvellous Maths Adventures

Our future budding mathematicians had a wonderful time during our 'Marvellous Maths' session. Under the guidance of our dedicated teachers, they embarked on a journey of counting numbers to 10.

Imagination and creativity took centre stage during the craft activity. Supported by some of our amazing Year 5 students, the children put their fine motor skills to work and designed their own jellyfish, complete with tentacles. Incorporating math into our craft activity, the children counted the number of tentacles on their jellyfish, reinforcing their counting skills. They joyfully counted from 1 to 10 while adding each tentacle to their creation.

Another highlight of the session was the children singing 'Five Little Ducks.' The children gathered in a circle and sang along with their friends, learning the joys of music whilst practising their counting. Singing together not only builds a sense of community but also aids in language development and memory.

We now look forward to the next session on Tuesday 21 November where our 2024 Foundation students will meet their buddies and build connections together through play.

Curriculum Day Reminder

A reminder to families that next Monday 6 November will be a pupil-free day. On this day, the students will not attend school, providing teachers with valuable time to collaboratively focus on their professional growth. Staff will be specifically focused on assessment and reporting practices and future curriculum planning.

Building Works

We finally have a date for the development of our new inclusive and passive play space. Barefoot Projects will be installing this new space over the summer break, and we anticipate completion prior to Australia Day. Just in time for the new school year!

Thank you to the Parents Committee for their financial support of this project. Their ongoing fundraising efforts are truly remarkable.

Regards,

Robert Ridgway