Principal's News

Our School Vision

"Cheltenham East students are empowered learners who are flexible thinkers with the skills and knowledge to respond critically and creatively to their world.”

Early Finish Today

A reminder to all parents today is the last day of Term 1 and is an early finish for all children. A special assembly will be held at 2.00pm with a 2.30pm dismissal from the outside stage area. We will present the Aussie of the Term Award and the lucky winners of the Easter hampers and farewell Robyn Kimpton at the assembly.  Please ensure you make arrangements for your children to be picked up on time. 

The first day back at school is on Tuesday 26th April.

Some of Term 1 Highlights include:

• Getting through a school term at school!
• New Grades getting to know each other 
• Students and teachers working very hard to improve 
• Learning growth
• A very positive annual report
• Specialist Programs in Art, Music, PE & Health and Italian
• New Foundation children starting school for the first time 
• Announcements of Senior Student School Leaders 
• Swimming Trials and successful House and District Carnivals
• Anti Bullying Day
• School photos
• Successful Evacuation Drill

I hope that you all enjoy a safe and happy school holiday period and that everyone is ready to return to school for Term 2 on Tuesday, 26th April (Monday 25th is ANZAC DAY). We have much to look forward to in Term 2 including the Year 6 Camp, Cross country carnivals, winter sport, half year reports are just to name a few.

Farewell Robyn Kimpton at the Last Assembly  

We are officially farewelling Robyn Kimpton one of our long serving business managers today with a special presentation which will start at 2pm on the back stage area.

After 31 years Robyn Kimpton has retired.

I would like to personally acknowledge the work of Robyn Kimpton and thank her for her amazing work with the school for the last 31 years. I have worked alongside Robyn for around 10 years and she has always been a very positive advocate for the school. She has also been extremely helpful, friendly and always acted professionally in all her dealings with staff, children and parents. There are always positive comments from the community regarding Robyn’s demeanour and friendly manner with parents and the wider community.

Robyn’s contribution to staff well being and welfare has really been appreciated and she was always extremely thoughtful and helpful. She was always checking in with staff, children and parents about how they were coping and how they were feeling well being wise. Nothing was too much trouble.

We will miss her happy presence at the front of office and in general at school, we wish Robyn all the very best for the future with Dave and her family. I think Robyn is looking forward to retirement and particularly spending more time with her grandchildren. There will be a formal presentation to Robyn on behalf of School Council and the staff of the school at today’s assembly.

Have You Lost a Bracelet?

A silver Pandora Bracelet with Gold Charms was found in Silver St, near the crossing.  It has been handed into the Cheltenham Police Station.  

Dental Visit

The Dental visit has been confirmed in the first week of Term 2 starting on Tuesday April 26th and continuing for the week. The Dental van will be using the returned forms we have already received from parents this term to determine which children will be checked.

Year 6 Camp

Thank you to the following teachers for volunteering their time to take the Year 6 children on camp: Miss Boucher, Mr Packham, Mr Hughes, Mrs Divya Rai, and Mr Bach will all be attending. The Year 6's are going to Echuca in the second week of Term 2 starting Monday May 2nd for five days where the children will attempt many challenging activities, including riding a horse during the week and will learn more about themselves and their capabilities as they participate. We know they will have a great time.

2023 Foundation Enrolments

Enrolments are now OPEN for 2023.  

Group Tours can be booked via the office on 9583 5746.

Thursday 5th May -   ** BOOKED OUT **

Tuesday 10th May -  ** BOOKED OUT **

Saturday 14th May -  ** FILLING FAST **

Monday 23rd May - AVAILABLE

Places are filling fast so spread the word.  Enrolments are open and we ask that siblings coming to Cheltenham East Primary in 2023 please enrol now. 

Lost Property

All Lost Property will be disposed off today.   

ANZAC DAY 

ANZAC DAY falls on the first day of Term 2 this year which is a public holiday. It is important for all children to understand this part of our history and the sacrifices made on our behalf by so many men and women of the armed services. We will endeavour to recognise this in some way at school. This will enable the children to understand a little bit more about the sacrifices made by the men and women of the armed services. 

Working Bee

We are looking to have a Working Bee on Sunday May 15th starting at 9am and finishing at 11am sharp. This is a great opportunity for parents to connect with each other and the school again after two years of Covid restrictions.

We will be completing a variety of work around the school with more details of activities to come shortly.

Medication Reminder

A reminder to all parents that any medication your child is to receive at school must be clearly labelled and explained to their teacher. All anaphylactic and asthmatic sufferers need an ASCIA action plan from their GP for staff to follow in case of emergency.

Rapid Antigen Tests

The Victorian Government has announced it is extending the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) screening program for the first 4 weeks of Term 2. Schools will receive their RAT allocation for the first 2 weeks of Term 2 by Friday 8 April 2022.  The RATs will be distributed as soon as possible this week.

 The screening recommendations will remain the same next term for students and staff:

• Mainstream schools – recommended to test at home twice a week
• Specialist schools – recommended to test 5 days a week due to the higher risk of severe illness for medically vulnerable children. 

COVID Update for Term 2

COVID cases continue to be a part of our daily life. New Rapid Antigen Tests have been distributed, masks still need to be worn by Years 3-6 children, and parents need to contact the school to report a positive test result and children with a positive test need to be at home for 7 days.

Children displaying COVID symptoms or signs of illness at school must be collected and returned to school after 24 hours (if testing negative to a RAT test).

School Values

The children will continue working closely together through the coming winter months. This is a great time to reinforce our school values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, COURTESY and CO-OPERATION with all children. Filling someone’s bucket of kindness should be a priority for all children and adults. Helping others is to be encouraged by everyone and can be done in a variety of ways. It is great to see our Year 6 children looking after the younger children out in the yard.

Thought For the Week

Holiday Preparation

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Principal

Wayne Bach