Principal's News

Without sounding like a broken record, we have enjoyed a very busy two weeks around the school, culminating in such an exciting and celebratory event on Wednesday with the delivery of our school production. As we have shared throughout preparations, an event like the production has truly become a whole of school effort, with all staff, students, parents and volunteers working together to put on our performance. Preparations have occurred throughout the whole of this year and I have witnessed the substantial commitment from all staff, led by Okano sensei to ensure that children were prepared and ready for Wednesday. 

Every one of our staff contributed towards the event, many of whom didn’t get home until after 10pm having attended the Town Hall throughout the whole day. It is such a significant event but one that requires the efforts, enthusiasm and work ethic of every staff member. On behalf of our school community, I extend my sincere thanks to each member of staff, our cast of volunteers and parents who have supported us in the lead up to this event. Lastly and importantly, I congratulate our students, who have dedicated themselves to rehearsals, learning their lines both at school and at home and giving us such a fantastic celebration of bilingual education. A school production at any school is a wonderful event, to deliver this so successfully in a bilingual immersion environment is just another unique and celebrated aspect of our school.  

ActivePaths Launch

It was wonderful to join our families on the 28th August to officially open our ActivePaths program. Thank you to our students and families that joined our staff to plot one of the three routes to school. As a one off, this was a really successful event but the project is designed to encourage changed habits, focussing in on families taking an active route to school and avoiding cars and vehicles. We recognise that this might not be feasible everyday but perhaps this could be something that might be possible once a fortnight or even a partial walk, ride or scoot to school. I appreciate the work our Junior School Council undertook, working alongside the Glen Eira Council and Bicycle Victoria to complete this project. Well done All! 

Father’s Day 

With the sun out on Sunday, I am hopeful that our Father’s, carers and important people were celebrated on Father’s Day. Thank you to our Parents and Friends Club, in particular Jenni W (Mother of Tom) and our volunteers who helped run our Father’s Day stall last week. 

Working Bee

It really did feel like spring over the weekend and it was perfect weather to come together for our Term 3 working bee, thank you to our families and students who provided some voluntary support on Saturday morning. We were able to complete a number of jobs, including erecting the frame for our new storage shed. Thank you for giving up a little bit of your own family time over the weekend to support our school. 

Footy Colours Day

Over the last 10 years, I may have enjoyed celebrating Footy Colours Day by carrying a wooden spoon with me on the day, such was Carlton’s performances, so I am thankful (albeit as I write, a little nervous about this evening) to celebrate Footy Colours Day with our school next Friday 15th September. Students are encouraged to wear their footy team colours as we lead into week 2 of the finals series with the AFL grand final to be held over the school holiday break. 

More importantly, we are also asking students to bring along a gold coin to donate to Fight Cancer!  Every year more than 950 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in Australia. With treatment starting instantly they face, on average, more than 6 months away from their school and school friends. We're taking part in Fight Cancer Foundation's Footy Colours Day to help these kids!

All the money we raise will help the Fight Cancer Foundation to provide accommodation and support for cancer patients and their families and fund vital life-saving research into cancer treatment and cures. I look forward to seeing plenty of Carlton supporters next Friday – Go Blues! 

RUOKDay

Students are encouraged to wear a splash of yellow to acknowledge the importance of R U OK Day, celebrated nationally on September 14th. Mental health and wellbeing is a priority area in all Victorian Government schools through the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) priorities. The opportunity to talk with our students and or develop strong relationships with friends or a trusted adult could help navigate complex issues such as uncertainty about the future, self-esteem, mental health and navigating friendships. 

Leadership Camp

A number of Year ¾ and 5/6 girls took the opportunity to attend a Leadership Camp at Portsea Camp over the weekend. Happy Vibes at The Portsea Camp was a fully subsidised program which focused on embracing, mentoring and empowering young women of tomorrow, breaking down the barriers traditionally faced by girls in regards to their sense of self, body image, self-worth and capacity to aim high and define success by their own passions and purpose. We are very proud of our students who attended and it was great to hear some stories from their weekend away. 

Referendum Date 

The Australian Electoral Commission have recently confirmed that our school will be a polling booth for the upcoming referendum on the 14th October, this is an important date for a number of reasons. If you are in the area and voting on the day, could I encourage you to drop into our school where we will run a cake stall and sausage sizzle throughout the day with all fundraising efforts supporting our Parents and Friends Club and our school. 

Trivia Night

The last pitch for our Trivia Night on Saturday evening delivered by our wonderful PFC team, I know there are still seats and tables available, please follow the QR code and try booking link to register. Thank you to those parents that have already purchased tickets, enjoy the fun and we look forward to sharing some photos from the event. 

Athletics

Thank you to Miss Molloy, staff, families and volunteers for helping us host a fantastic CPS Athletics Day last Wednesday. The weather cooperated after a very patchy and wet start to the morning and we were able to deliver a fun and engaging day for our Year 3 – 6 students. Congratulations to our students for the manner in which they not only competed, but persevered and tried their best, often having a go at an event for the first time. There were great spirits and support shown throughout the day making it a fun day for everyone. Congratulations to those students that were selected for the next stage of competition, representing our school at the District Athletics event on the 13th September. 

Go For Gold - ActiveSchools

We are once again partnering with the Glen Eira Council to promote health and fitness during the month of October, further information will be shared over coming weeks. By taking part in the Go for Gold 2023, one lucky student will win a Fitbit Ace.

Students will receive a Golden Ticket and each time they walk, ride or scoot to school, they will tick one of the boxes on their ticket and then record it on our classroom calendar.

The more active we are, the better our school’s chance at becoming Glen Eira City Council’s Active Schools Champion for 2023. Be active and help us win! For further information, please visit www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/active-schools.

A CPS Tram

Recently we were offered the opportunity to submit artwork to Yarra Trams to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Glen Huntly Tram depot. Two of our students Kiku and Aya had their artwork reach the finals to be printed on a tram. Congratulations Kiku and Aya!    

My Thanks

This is the final newsletter of the school term and an opportunity to thank our staff and school community for their support and tireless work throughout Term 3. I extend my best wishes to all families over the final week of the school term and over the school holiday break. I hope it is a chance to spend time together and enjoy some events, day trips or travel. We look forward to coming together once again for the beginning of Term 4 on October 2nd. 

I look forward to seeing you around the school over the next week – Go Blues! 

Edward Strain 

Principal