Farewell to Our Beloved Assistant Principal, Karen Bentata-Grimm

Dear School Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you that our Assistant Principal, Karen B.G., will be retiring at the end of this year. Although I have only had the privilege of working alongside Karen for the past two years, her connection to our school spans over 35 years, making her an integral part of the fabric of CPS.

Karen's calm, level-headed approach has been a source of stability and strength for our leadership and administrative team. After starting her teaching career at West Melbourne Primary School, where she taught a multi-age Grade 3/4/5/6, Karen joined us at CPS nearly 30 years ago. Since then, she has called our school home, working in various specialist roles before stepping into her most cherished role as a prep teacher. Her career journey also included time in the TAFE sector before she returned to CPS, where she continued to inspire and nurture students across all levels of the school.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Karen became a lead teacher, spearheading curriculum improvements and contributing to projects that expanded our school’s capabilities—particularly in thinking routines and data-driven instruction. In 2017, she stepped into the role of Assistant Principal, where she truly found her niche. An expert in timetabling, Karen has been a pillar of support to both staff and students alike. Her deep understanding of our school community, coupled with the strong friendships she’s built, make her retirement a bittersweet moment for us all.

Personally, I’ve found Karen’s support invaluable, and she has seamlessly stepped into the Principal role whenever needed. Her wealth of knowledge and unwavering commitment to CPS will be dearly missed, and I know I speak for many when I ask, "Where will we go for the answers now?"

As Karen embarks on this exciting new chapter of her life, exploring what the world has to offer, we wish her every happiness. While her absence will be felt deeply, her contributions have left an indelible mark on our school. We are grateful for her outstanding service, and we are hopeful that the wisdom and leadership she has imparted will continue to guide CPS for years to come.

Please join me in thanking Karen for her remarkable dedication and wishing her the very best in her retirement, which will commence in 2025.