Principal News 

CEPS Dance Party - End of Year Celebration

As we approach the end of another fantastic year at CEPS, we are delighted to invite you to join us for a special End-of-Year Celebration on Thursday, 7 December, from 

3:00- 4:30pm, on our school oval.

This event promises to be an unforgettable afternoon as our talented students take centre stage to sing and dance to various celebration and Christmas songs. Their hard work and dedication will shine through in performances that capture the spirit of the season and showcase the vibrant talents within our school community.

To make the celebration even more enjoyable, we encourage you to bring along a rug or chair to ensure your comfort during the festivities. Additionally, we invite you to pack an afternoon tea to share with your family. This can be a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow parents, make new friends, and spread the cheer of the holiday season.

As a reminder, this is a strictly alcohol-free event, in keeping with our commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all attendees.

Let's come together as a school community to celebrate the achievements of our students, the support of our families, and the spirit of the holiday season. 

The students and staff look forward to sharing this occasion with you on the school oval next Thursday.

A Spectacular Celebration of Books: Recap of Our Successful 2023 Book Week

I am delighted to share the highlights of our recent Book Week, a celebration that truly brought the magic of literature to life within our school. The festivities were marked by enthusiasm, creativity, and a shared love for storytelling, making it a week to remember for everyone involved.

Character Parade Triumph:

The week kicked off in style with the Tuesday Character Parade, where both staff and students showcased their creativity by dressing up as their favourite literary characters. The costumes were nothing short of spectacular, displaying the diverse and imaginative world of literature that our school community embraces. A heartfelt thank you to all who participated, and to the parents/carers who attended.

Congratulations to the Best Dressed:

A round of applause is in order for our prize winners for Best Dressed during the Character Parade. Your commitment to embodying the spirit of your chosen characters was truly commendable, and your efforts did not go unnoticed. Well done on bringing those beloved literary figures to life with such flair and creativity.

Open Morning Delight:

Thursday brought another highlight with our Open Morning, where we welcomed grandparents, parents, carers, and special friends to join us in celebrating learning. It was heartwarming to see so many familiar faces on campus, engaging with our students and participating in the various activities that showcased the educational journey taking place within our school.

Gratitude to the Organising Committee:

A huge 'thank you' is extended to our exceptional organising committee—Emma Harper, Samantha Waugh, and Deb Douglas. Their dedication, meticulous planning, and tireless efforts were the driving force behind the success of Book Week. Without their commitment, the week's festivities would not have been possible. Their passion for fostering a love of reading and learning was evident in every detail, and we are immensely grateful for their invaluable contributions. I also extend my appreciation to the entire staff for their collective contributions throughout the week. 

Book Week was a resounding success, and we are truly fortunate to have such a vibrant and engaged community. Thank you to everyone who played a part in making this celebration a memorable and enriching experience for all. We look forward to many more literary adventures in the future.

Buildings and Grounds - Holiday Works

Over the January break, two significant improvements will take place to enhance the overall learning environment for our students.

Outdoor Inclusive Playspace: Where Learning Meets Fun

One of the highlights of the holiday building and grounds works is the construction of our outdoor inclusive playspace. This dynamic area is designed not only to foster physical activity but also to promote inclusivity, ensuring that every child, regardless of ability, can actively participate in play.

Imagine a space where children can explore, learn, and grow together, fostering social connections and creating lasting memories. Our commitment to providing an enriching and inclusive learning environment remains at the forefront of this exciting project. The play space will feature a variety of play structures, creating a space where every child can find joy and adventure. We believe that play is an integral part of a child's development, and this new addition will undoubtedly contribute to the holistic growth of our students.

Thank you again to our Parents Committee for their financial contribution to this exciting space.

Upgrades to Junior Classrooms on the Coolac End

In addition to the outdoor playspace, we are pleased to announce that doors will be installed on the junior classrooms located on the Coolac end of the main building. This improvement aims to enhance the functionality of these learning spaces, providing students and teachers with a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

The installation of doors not only contributes to the safety and privacy of the classrooms but also adds a layer of insulation, ensuring a comfortable atmosphere for our young learners. We understand the importance of creating an environment that supports focused and undisturbed learning, and this upgrade aligns with our ongoing efforts to optimise our facilities.

Buildings and Grounds - Community Connection

Following a recent survey on the allocation of school fundraising, a familiar theme of our school grounds has popped up. As communicated, we no longer have a school maintenance staff member. As a result, we are calling on volunteers to support us in some basic routine yard maintenance activities to enhance the beauty of our school grounds. 

Here's how you can get involved:

1. Weeding: Help us tackle those pesky weeds and ensure our garden beds are looking their best.
2. Litter Clean-Up: Let's work together to maintain a clean and welcoming environment by picking up any litter around the schoolyard.
3. Pruning: Give our plants and shrubs some love by assisting with pruning to promote healthy growth.
4. Leaf Blowing: Let's keep our pathways clear and tidy by blowing away fallen leaves.
5. Planting: Bring some green thumbs and help us plant new flowers and shrubs to add colour and vibrancy to our surroundings.
6. Clearing Tree Debris: Assist in clearing any fallen branches or debris to ensure a safe and inviting space for everyone.

Whether you have an hour or a whole day to spare, your contribution will make a significant impact on the overall appearance of our schoolyard. It's also a fantastic opportunity for us to collectively strengthen our sense of community, and take pride in our school's appearance. This could be before/after school, during school time or on the weekend.

To Sign Up: Please respond to this link or email (cheltenham.east.ps@education.vic.gov.au) the school to indicate your availability and preferred task(s). If you have specific skills or tools you'd like to bring, feel free to let us know.

We appreciate your commitment to supporting us to maintain our school as a beautiful and nurturing environment for our students. 

Community Safety

I am excited to share some important updates regarding the safety measures being implemented in the school's staff carpark. As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the well-being of everyone on our premises, we will be introducing new safety measures to enhance the overall safety in the area.

1. Reduced Speed Limit: Once installed, the speed limit within the school's staff carpark will be reduced to 10 kilometres per hour (km/h). This decision has been made with the primary goal of creating a safer environment for all pedestrians, staff, and visitors alike. Please be reminded that parents should be not accessing the staff carpark at any time.

2. Pedestrian Signs: To further enhance awareness and promote pedestrian safety, a watch for pedestrian signs will be installed on either side of the pedestrian crossing located inside the school's main gate. These signs will serve as a visual reminder for drivers to be vigilant and watch out for pedestrians.

Why These Changes Matter: The safety of our students, staff, and visitors is of utmost importance to us. By implementing these measures, we aim to reduce the risk of accidents and create an environment where everyone can feel secure while navigating the school's premises. 

Regards,

Robert Ridgway