From Mr Ridgway

2026 Foundation Enrolments are now open

We are pleased to announce that Foundation enrolments for the 2026 school year are now open!

If you have a child starting Foundation in 2026, we encourage you to submit your enrolment forms early. This helps our office plan effectively for the year ahead, particularly with staffing and class sizes.

If you already have children attending Cheltenham East, and have a sibling ready to begin their school journey, please ensure their enrolment is submitted as soon as possible.

Help us spread the word within the community – we are now accepting Foundation enrolments and are excited to welcome the next generation of Cheltenham East learners!

Attitudes to School Survey 2025

The AtoSS is an annual student survey offered by the Department of Education to assist schools to gain an understanding of students' perceptions and experience of school. Students in Years 4-6 will be asked about their thoughts and feelings in relation to their school, their learning, peer relationships, resilience, bullying, health and wellbeing, physical activity, and life in general. This year, the AtoSS will be conducted at your school from Monday 12 May to Friday 13 June. Please see the attached Parent Consent Letter below for further information. Click this link to access the letter below in languages other than English.

F-2 Cross Country

The recent F-2 cross-country event was a fantastic success, bringing together our school community for a day of fun and fitness. Despite a few rain showers, the spirit of the event shone brightly, and a wonderful time was had by all.

A special thank you goes to Mrs Robinson for her exceptional organisation and dedication. Her efforts ensured that everything ran smoothly and that all participants had a memorable experience.

We also extend our gratitude to the parents and carers who assisted throughout the event. Your support and enthusiasm were invaluable, and we couldn't have done it without you.

A big shout-out to our Year 6 students who played a crucial role in supporting our younger students. Their encouragement and guidance helped make the event enjoyable and successful for everyone involved.

2025 Annual Report to the Community

Every year by 30 April, schools are required to produce a 'School Annual Report' for the preceding year. The Annual Report provides an opportunity to share the school’s achievements and progress with the school community.

At the bottom of this article is a link to the entire report, however, I have also populated some dot points that demonstrate the Annual Report highlights. The attached report is still in 'draft mode' until the Department of Education finalises the document for quality assurance.

About Our School 

School Context: 

• Cheltenham East Primary School is dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment. 
• The school's vision focuses on nurturing students to be confident, responsible, and active community members. 
• Core values include respect, responsibility, resilience, and striving for excellence. 
• The school has 394 students (206 female, 188 male) and a diverse team of educators. 
• Located in Cheltenham, the school has a multicultural community with 27% of students having English as an additional language. 
• The school is in the 'Low' socio-economic band, indicating low socio-educational disadvantage. 
• Strong focus on academic excellence with high performance in English and Mathematics. 
• Positive feedback from parents and staff on school satisfaction and climate. 

Progress Towards Strategic Goals 

Learning: 

• Significant progress in educational goals and student learning outcomes. 
• 88.1% of students are at or above age-expected standards in English, and 91.0% in Mathematics. 
• High performance in NAPLAN assessments for Year 3 and Year 5 students in Reading and Numeracy. 
• Enhanced staff capabilities in using formative assessments to guide teaching and learning. 
• 96% of staff use data for curriculum planning. 
• Focus on 'student active participation' to engage students in their learning. 

Wellbeing: 

• Continued refinement of the CEPS Wellbeing Framework, including Respectful Relationships lessons. 
• Focus on building healthy relationships, problem-solving skills, resilience, and confidence. 
• 73.4% of students in Years 4 to 6 reported a positive sense of connectedness. 
• 76.5% of students positively endorsed the school's management of bullying. 
• Access to counselling services and wellbeing programs. 
• Positive feedback from parents (87.2% satisfaction) and staff (83.0% school climate). 

Engagement: 

• Average attendance rate of 92% across all year levels. 
• Extracurricular activities like sports teams, music clubs, and art workshops to engage students. 
• Emphasis on student voice and agency in decision-making processes. 
• Junior School Council successfully enabled student voice and agency, e.g., selecting new link markings. 
• Targeted interventions to address attendance issues. 
• Positive responses from the Parent Opinion Survey and School Staff Survey. 

Financial Performance 

• Total operating revenue for 2024 was $4,730,839, with a net operating surplus of $9,928. 
• Major revenue sources: Student Resource Package, Government Grants, and locally raised funds. 
• Expenditure included camps, excursions, property services, and asset acquisitions. 
• Equity funding supported students from disadvantaged backgrounds. 
• Effective financial management ensured quality education and support for students. 

For more detailed information, you can visit the school's website at Cheltenham East Primary School. 

2025 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)

Each year, schools are required to develop an Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) that outlines a school's goals, strategies, and actions for the year to improve student outcomes. It includes specific targets, key improvement strategies, and detailed plans for professional learning and resource allocation. The AIP helps ensure that the school's efforts are focused, coordinated, and aligned with broader educational priorities.

Below is a summary of our 2025 AIP

Key Goals and Strategies

1. Increase Learning Growth for Every Student

Long-term Targets (by 2028):

• Improve Year 5 students' NAPLAN scores in Writing and Numeracy.
• Increase Year 3 students' NAPLAN scores in Writing from 17% to 30%.
• Maintain Year 5 students' high performance in Writing at 35%.
• Ensure students from Foundation to Year 6 meet or exceed expected levels in literacy and numeracy.
• Maintain a 90% positive endorsement from staff on the School Staff Survey for collective efficacy.

2025 Focus:

• Maintain the 90% positive endorsement on the School Staff Survey for collective efficacy.
• Develop and consistently apply a whole-school instructional model.
• Implement consistent assessment approaches in Numeracy and Literacy.

2. Optimise Student Engagement and Wellbeing

Long-term Targets (by 2028):

• Maintain an 80% positive endorsement for school climate.
• Increase positive feedback from students from 76% to 80%.
• Improve students' sense of connectedness from 73% to 80% and confidence from 68% to 75%.

2025 Focus:

• Increase positive student feedback beyond 76%.
• Empower students to be active in their learning.
• Build staff capacity to maximise student engagement.

Key Improvement Strategies

Teaching and Learning:

• Develop and embed a whole-school instructional model.
• Provide professional development for teachers to ensure consistent teaching practices.
• Use data to inform and adjust teaching strategies.

Student Engagement:

• Encourage active student participation in lessons.
• Use formative assessments to check for understanding and adjust teaching accordingly.
• Foster a positive school climate through consistent behaviour management strategies.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Robert