Welcome back to Term 4!

It has been wonderful to hear from many of our students this week as they excitedly shared stories about their travels and activities over the holidays. Whether it was exploring new places, spending time with family and friends, or simply enjoying some well-deserved downtime, I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable break filled with fun and relaxation.

During the break, I had the chance to spend time with my wife in the United States, exploring two of our favourite places on foot, Yosemite National Park in California and North Cascades National Park in Washington State. Both offered breathtaking scenery and a wonderful chance to unwind in nature.

Back at school, it’s been great to see the enthusiasm as students settle back into routine. Our Foundation to Year 2 students have started their swimming program at Mentone Grammar, with Week 1 already completed. It’s been fantastic to see their growing confidence in the water and the joy they bring to each session.

Looking Ahead in Term 4

Term 4 also brings a host of exciting events,

Colour Run – A vibrant and fun-filled day that always brings smiles and laughter.
World Teachers’ Day – A special opportunity to recognise and celebrate the dedication and positive impact of our incredible teachers.
Foundation Excursion to Myuna Farm – Our youngest learners will have the chance to experience hands-on learning about animals and nature in an engaging environment.
Year 3 and Year 4 Camps – These camps offer wonderful opportunities for students to build independence, develop teamwork skills, and create lasting memories with their peers.
Year 6 Graduation – A significant milestone as we celebrate our senior students’ achievements and wish them well as they prepare for the next stage of their journey.
Year 5 Visit to Arcare – A meaningful opportunity for students to connect with residents at Arcare, sharing in conversations and building community spirit.
Year 5/6 Concert – Always a highlight of the year, this event will showcase the incredible talents and teamwork of our senior students.

Exciting News – Cheltenham East PS Moving to Compass in 2026

I am pleased to announce that from Day 1, 2026, Cheltenham East Primary School will transition from Sentral to Compass as our Student Management System (SMS).

Our staff will begin training in the Compass platform this term, and we will share important information and guidance with families throughout the term to support a smooth transition.

The move to Compass will allow for greater streamlining of communication and school systems, meaning we will no longer need to use QKR and Class Dojo. From a parent and carer perspective, Compass is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience when the change occurs.

About Compass

Compass is a comprehensive school management platform used widely across Victorian government schools. It brings together key communication, attendance, and learning functions into a single, easy-to-use app for families.

Through the Compass App, parents and carers will be able to:

View news feed updates and school notifications
Access student reports and learning progress
Record and explain student absences
Receive event and excursion notifications and provide permissions and payments online
View and book parent-teacher conferences
Access school calendars and important dates

The Compass App also offers secure two-way communication between families and the school, replacing multiple platforms and simplifying the way we stay connected.

Benefits for the School

From a school perspective, Compass offers enhanced functionality and improved integration across systems, allowing for greater efficiency and consistency in communication, administration, and data management.

This upgrade reflects our commitment to continuously improving our systems to better support students, families, and staff.

We look forward to introducing Compass to our school community and will continue to provide regular updates and guidance throughout the term as we prepare for this exciting change.

2026 Staffing Update

This was shared via Sentral late last Term, but I'll share it again here.

Substantive Assistant Principal – Mr Jared Chaplin

I am delighted to announce that Jared Chaplin has been appointed as the substantive Assistant Principal of Cheltenham East Primary School. Since joining us as Acting Assistant Principal at the start of 2025, Jared has made a significant positive impact on wellbeing and teaching and learning across the school. His professionalism, expertise, and approachable nature have earned the respect of staff, families, and students alike. We congratulate Jared on his well-deserved appointment and look forward to his continued leadership.

2026 Acting Assistant Principal – Mrs Samantha Waugh

I am pleased to share that Samantha (Sam) Waugh will step into the role of Acting Assistant Principal from the beginning of 2026, with a focus on Disability Inclusion Profiles (DIP).Supported by the Department of Education’s Mental Health in Schools funding, Sam will combine classroom teaching in Foundation (Monday–Wednesday) with leadership in Disability Inclusion (Thursday–Friday). Her expertise and commitment to inclusive education will be a tremendous asset to our school community.

2026 Learning Specialist – Mrs Robyn Apostolopoulos

Robyn Apostolopoulos will continue in her role as Learning Specialist in 2026.Robyn’s deep knowledge of effective teaching and learning has strengthened the curriculum and improved student outcomes across the school. She will continue to guide and support staff in best practice and whole-school curriculum development.

2026 Classroom Teachers

We are delighted that Mr Julian Gordon, Mrs Pene Silva, Mrs Samantha Collins, and Ms Sarah Lazzaro will continue as classroom teachers in 2026. Each has made valuable contributions to our school through their dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to student learning. We look forward to their ongoing positive impact in the year ahead. Miss Stuart has successfully obtained a teaching position at Bentleigh West Primary School in 2026.

Visitors Policy Update Reminder

At Cheltenham East Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of every child is paramount. To improve our adherence to the Department of Education's Child Safe Standards and Emergency Management procedures, we ask all families to follow the processes outlined below.

Late Arrivals (after 9.00am)

Parents/carers must sign their child in at the office
The child will then wait at the office and be escorted to their class by a staff member with a late pass, which is handed to their teacher.
If you wish to walk your child to their class, you will need to sign in at the office and receive a visitor lanyard first.

This process ensures accurate attendance records and supports our emergency management requirements.

Early Pick Ups (before 3.30pm)

Parents/carers must attend the office first.
You will be asked to sign your child out at the office.
The office will then contact your child's classroom teacher.
Your child will be sent to the office with two peers, with their bag, to meet you.

This process ensures students are safely signed out and our staff are aware of who is on site. It also minimises classroom interruptions.

Collecting Students from Classrooms

In the event you are required to collect your child directly from their classroom:

The office will ask you to sign in and wear a visitor's lanyard.
Teachers will only release students to parents/carers wearing a visitor's lanyard.
If you do not have one, you will be respectfully asked to return to the office to complete the sign-in process.

We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we continually strive to maximise student safety and wellbeing.

Students not returning to CEPS in 2026

As part of our workforce and class structure planning for 2026, we are seeking an indication from families whose children may not be continuing with us next year.

If your family is relocating or considering a move to the independent or other school systems in 2026, we kindly ask that you notify us as soon as possible.

Having a clear picture of student numbers across each year level supports me in making informed decisions around staffing and class structures. We understand that circumstances can change, but even a “best guess” at this stage will greatly assist our planning.

Please contact the school office ASAP if your child will not be continuing with us in 2026.

Hats are back!

As the daily UV index is increasing, hat-wearing will be enforced from next week. Please find your child's hat over the weekend and pop it in their bag. Students without hats will be directed to play in the shaded areas within the Eating Area/Passive Play Space.

Update to Phone Office Hours

Please note that the CEPS office phones will now be turned over at 4:00pm (previously 4:30pm).

We ask that all families make every effort to ensure children are picked up on time. We understand that unexpected situations can arise, so please contact the office as soon as possible if you are running late.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Robert Ridgway

Community News