From the Principal ...

We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we are gathered on and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Dear students, families and staff of Cheltenham Primary School,

Last Friday, our school held a thoughtful and moving ANZAC Day Assembly, led with maturity and respect by our senior student leaders, facilitated by Bernard Hickey. Together, we reflected on the significance of ANZAC Day, listened to readings and the Ode, and observed a minute’s silence. Our students demonstrated great understanding of the values of courage, service, and remembrance. We thank all families who joined us and supported this important commemoration.

During the week all students made ANZAC biscuits in the Kitchen Classrooms. Luke and Aidan in Year 6 sold badges to students and families during the week for the Cheltenham RSL, ANZAC appeal. For over 100 years, the ANZAC Appeal has funded critical services for veterans and their families such as advocacy, mental health support, financial assistance, social connection and more. Aidan and Luke were wonderful ambassadors for our school and received lots of positive feedback from staff and families. Many thanks, Luke and Aidan!

Baby Fever

I am delighted to share that Amy Midson has safely welcomed her first child, a baby girl named Chelsea. Our warmest congratulations and very best wishes go to Amy and her partner, Josh.

Nicola Lane (The Arts) commenced maternity leave this week and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her second child. Rhiannon Dalman (Year 2) will also be beginning her maternity leave shortly as she prepares for the birth of her second child.

We extend our sincere thanks to Amy, Rhiannon, and Nicola for the wonderful way they have prepared their classes—and in Nicola’s case, the school—for a successful start to Term 1. We wish each of them a joyful and special time at home with their families.

We welcomeLauren Mackenzie to Year 1, Emma Rae to Year 2, and Kim Jones Denholm, who will move into The Arts specialist position for the remainder of the year.

PTFA

The PTFA has another full calendar of activities planned for Term 2. In May, students will participate in the Mother’s Day Stall on Wednesday 6 May facilitated by members of the Student Representative Council, followed by a second‑hand uniform sale on Monday 25 May. The PTFA will be running a BBQ at our very own Cheltenham Farmers Market on Saturday 30 May and is now calling for BBQ volunteers, please see PTFA section in this newsletter.

June highlights include the popular Trivia Night fundraiser on Saturday 13 June at the Cheltenham Bowls Club, and a Bunnings BBQ on Saturday 20 June. These events support school fundraising while strengthening community connections.

Term 2 Curriculum Overviews

Our termly curriculum summaries provide families with a snapshot of upcoming learning and how challenge and complexity increase as students progress through the school. Today's issue features our year level overviews, which we encourage you to read.

Important Notice: Changes to Kiss & Go due to Train Line Works

Metro Trains has advised that, due to ongoing Level Crossing Removal Project works, buses will again replace trains at Cheltenham Station from Friday 1 May until the end of service, Wednesday 20 May. During this time, Metro will be using the Kiss & Go zone in front of our school as a bus pick‑up and drop‑off point for commuters.

What this means for school families

Only 2 Kiss & Go spaces will be available directly in front of the school. An additional 4 spaces will be available across the road, just after the school crossing. Please plan to park a little further away and walk in where possible. This will help keep traffic flowing and ensure everyone’s safety.

Important Reminder

If you use Kiss & Go, you must stay in your vehicle. Traffic personnel will be onsite to keep cars moving and to support safe entry and exit for students, families, and staff.

Crossing Safely

For everyone’s safety, please use: The traffic lights, or the manned school crossing on Charman Road.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this busy period. Your support helps keep our school community safe.

Building and Ground Works

Gallery Image — Section of carpark that was completed. Tree roots removed , ground works completed for the laying of new asphalt.

Section of carpark that was completed. Tree roots removed , ground works completed for the laying of new asphalt.

Tripping hazard removed and asphalt inserted

Over the term break we repaired the area of the front carpark damaged by tree roots and an area outside the BER. We removed some plants at the front of our school to reduce the garden beds so that families have more space to wait at pickup and also some overgrown shrubs to improve visibility and safety.

We intend to install extra seating for parents and care givers to have the option to sit, while you wait to pick up your child and implement a zoned planting schedule of native and indigenous plants in these areas.

Finally, our Year 5 and 6 students leave Wednesda for Lord Somers Camp which is always a highlight! We know they will enjoy a brilliant time connecting with each other in this extraordinary adventure environment and look forward to hearing all about it in a forthcoming edition of the newsletter. Thank you to all the parents and carers that have volunteered to go on camp with Years 5 and 6; camps like this would not be possible without your support.

Kind Regards,

Bronwyn