From Mr Ridgway

Term 2 Wrap-up

As we approach the end of another busy and successful term, I would like to wish all our students, families and staff a happy and restful Winter School Holiday break. A reminder that Term 2 concludes on Friday 26 June with an early dismissal at 2.30pm, and students will return for Term 3 on Monday 13 July.

For the first two weeks of Term 3, I will be taking Long Service Leave and travelling with my wife through Canada and the United States as we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. It is a special milestone, and I look forward to returning refreshed and ready for another exciting term. During my absence, the school will be left in the capable hands of Mr Jared Chaplin and Mrs Sam Waugh, who will continue to lead our school community with the support of our dedicated staff.

Term 2 Highlights

This term has been filled with many wonderful learning opportunities, achievements and community events, including:

Year 5/6 Camp at The Ranch
Year 1 excursion to Rippon Lea Estate
Year 4 Metro Trains Incursion and NGV Excursion
Year 3 Living Cultures Incursion
Foundation Fire Education and Ambulance Victoria visits
Year 6 Meet the Author Incursion
Foundation to Year 2 Cross Country event
District and Division Cross Country participation
Year 6 Interschool Sport competition
Soccer clinics, Soccer Gala Day and Winter Lightning Premiership
Mothers' Day Stall, Coffee Van and Mothers' & Special Friends' Afternoon
Year 1 Grandparents Visit
Junior School Council Winter Warmer Drive
Parent-Teacher Interviews
Ongoing 2027 Foundation Tours and Foundation Experience sessions
Curriculum Day and staff professional learning
Successful school emergency evacuation drill

Thank you for your continued support throughout the term. We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements and the positive way they have embraced learning, challenges and opportunities. On behalf of all staff, I wish everyone a safe, relaxing and enjoyable holiday break, and we look forward to welcoming students back for another exciting term of learning.

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week 2026 is a time to recognise and honour the histories, cultures, achievements and ongoing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It provides an important opportunity for students, staff and families to learn about and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of the world's oldest continuing cultures. Throughout the week, our students will participate in a range of activities designed to deepen their understanding of First Nations peoples, their connection to Country, and the importance of respect, reconciliation and truth-telling.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn and play, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We also recognise the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and celebrate the valuable contributions they make to our school, community and nation.

We encourage families to continue conversations at home and take the opportunity to learn more about the significance of NAIDOC Week and the rich cultures of First Nations Australians.

Together, we celebrate, learn and walk forward with respect.

CEPS Annual Implementation Plan Mid-year Review

At Cheltenham East Primary School, we are proud of the progress being made through our 2026 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP). Our AIP outlines the key improvement priorities, actions and success measures that guide our work each year as we progress towards the goals in our four-year School Strategic Plan. During the first half of the year, staff have continued to strengthen teaching and learning practices, with a particular focus on F-2 Phonics, whole school mathematics and student wellbeing. Professional learning, coaching and collaborative planning have helped ensure greater consistency in classroom instruction, supporting all students to achieve success.

A major focus this year has been the implementation of the PhOrMeS approach to literacy in Foundation to Year 3. Staff have participated in extensive professional learning and coaching to build expertise in evidence-based reading and writing instruction. Early reading assessment data shows encouraging growth across Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2, indicating that students are responding positively to these approaches. The school will continue to build staff capability and expand support to ensure strong literacy outcomes for all learners.

In mathematics, work has centred on developing a consistent instructional model that combines best practice teaching strategies with high-quality resources. Student achievement data continues to show strong growth in mathematics, with students demonstrating significant progress over time.

Student wellbeing remains a key priority. Through our Positive Classroom Management Strategies (PCMS) work, we have focused on creating predictable routines, clear expectations and supportive learning environments. Recent student survey results show improvements in learning confidence, school connectedness, motivation and engagement. As we move into the second half of the year, we will continue strengthening student voice, wellbeing supports and positive relationships to continue ensuring every child feels safe, connected and ready to learn.

Emergency Evacuation Drill

This week we conducted an onsite emergency evacuation drill. We are pleased to report that the drill was completed smoothly, calmly and efficiently, with students and staff following procedures as expected.

Emergency drills are an important part of keeping our school safe. They help students and staff become familiar with emergency procedures so that, in the unlikely event of a real emergency, everyone knows what to do and where to go. Regular practice helps build confidence, reduces anxiety and ensures we can respond quickly and safely when required.

We congratulate all students and staff for their cooperation and respectful participation. Their calm and responsible approach contributed to the success of the drill and reinforces our commitment to maintaining a safe and prepared learning environment for everyone. Thank you to Mr Chaplin for leading this work, supported by Nomes and Tara.

Robert Ridgway

Principal

Cheltenham East Primary School