From the Assistant Principal
Welcome back!
A warm welcome back to all our students, families and staff to Term 3 and the start of the new Semester. Below are a few reminders for the new Term.
Reminders!
School Jumpers and Jackets...
As we get into the coolest months of the year we expect to see more coats, jumpers and jackets coming to school. With the unseasonably warm days students are removing these items during recess and lunchtime play or PE/sport lessons and then forgetting to collect them. With this in mind could I please remind families to ensure all items that come to school are clearly named as this helps with their return. If you have items that have not returned home - please check the lost property cupboard in the Heritage Building.
Lunchboxes and rubbish...
Each recess and lunchtime we find a number of lunchboxes and drinks bottles across the school grounds. Please could students be reminded collect these before heading back to class. Additionally, to help keep our school clean and care for the environment, we also encourage families to pack waste-free lunches where possible and ask students to use the bins provided for any rubbish. Every small effort makes a difference!
Parking and safety around the school
Polite reminder that we do not allow cars onto the front car park between 8:15am and 9:15am to ensure safe pedestrian entry to the school for our students and their families. Please also be mindful of the pick-up and drop-off points locally and also remind students to cross the road safely and at the appropriately designated points.
Attendance Matters – Thank You, Families!
We were delighted to receive advice from the Department over the holiday break that Cheltenham Primary School achieved a 5% improvement in student attendance last term. Thank you to our students and families for your commitment to making attendance a priority—it's a fantastic achievement for our school community.
As we move through the colder months, we know that coughs, colds and other seasonal illnesses are common. We encourage everyone to stay healthy, keep warm, and, when well enough, aim to be at school every day so students don't miss out on valuable learning and classroom experiences.
At Cheltenham Primary School, we know that regular attendance is essential for every child's learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. Being at school each day helps students build friendships, develop confidence, stay connected with their teachers and classmates, and make the most of every learning opportunity.
We also ask families, where possible, to schedule holidays, medical appointments and dental visits outside school hours to minimise time away from learning.
If your child is feeling anxious about friendships, schoolwork or attending school, we encourage them to come to school whenever they are well enough. Regular attendance helps children maintain routines, stay connected and access the support they need, while extended absences can sometimes make returning to school more challenging.
If your child is experiencing difficulties with school attendance, please don't hesitate to contact your child's classroom teacher or reach out to me directly. We value our partnership with families and are committed to working together to ensure every child feels safe, supported, confident and ready to learn.
If your student/s must miss school, please notify us as soon as possible by calling main reception or adding an attendance notification to Compass.
Want to know more? Attendance and missing school | vic.gov.au
School refusal: children & teenagers | Raising Children Network
Mrs Wendy Savage
Assistant Principal