Meet the Team!

Linda Palermo

Director of Middle School

pal@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

Teresa Peluso Josie Fell

Year 7 Coordinator Year 7 Coordinator

pel@cheltsec.vic.edu.au fel@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

Georgia Clarke Warren Wheatley

Year 8 Coordinator Year 8 Coordinator

cla@cheltsec.vic.edu.au whe@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

Owen Rigby

Year 9 Coordinator

rig@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

Our aim is to create an orderly, safe and supportive learning environment for Year 7, 8 and 9 students. We also hope to encourage Middle School students to participate in all aspects of school life including sports, music and the arts, clubs and, of course, our great tradition of The Avenues exchange.

We welcome our Year 7 students to Cheltenham Secondary College and hope it is the beginning of a successful and enjoyable high school career. Our Year 7s enjoyed three days of transition activities in their first week and have settled enthusiastically into home rooms in the B Wing. They are being closely supported by all members of staff, our lovely Year 12 students, and our amazing Year 10 Peer Support Leaders.

We welcome our Year 8 and 9 students back to Chelt.Sec and have noticed a high level of engagement in the classrooms and beautiful smiling faces in the yard.

Timely reminders for Year 7, 8 & 9 parents

Uniform

Please ensure your student is wearing the correct uniform, including black polishable shoes and plain socks without a logo.

PE Uniform guidelines for timetabled classes:

Periods 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 – students must wear their academic uniform to school and change into their PE uniform at school for their lesson and change back into their academic uniform at the conclusion of their PE lesson.
Periods 5 and 6 – students must wear their academic uniform to school and change into their PE uniform at school for their lesson, they can then wear their PE uniform home (no requirement to change).

There is a full explanation of the uniform items available, and the college expectations in the school diary/planner and in the Uniform Policy on the website. Please email Linda Palermo, Middle School Director, if you are experiencing difficulties securing the correct uniform for your student.

School Diary/Planner

Every student in Middle School has received a named diary/planner with the expectation that it is carried to every lesson on every school day. The planner is used to record homework, due dates for assignments, test dates; as well as excursions and special events.

Very importantly, it is also used as a ‘hall pass’ when students need to go to the toilet or sickbay or Wellbeing appointments during class time.

Laptops

It would be greatly appreciated if laptops can be fully battery charged as a regular routine in the evenings so your student comes to school with enough battery to last the day. At home, please create a space for homework out in the open where laptop usage can be monitored to minimise harm and maximise cyber safety.

School Photos

Our school photo day is scheduled for Monday 16th February. School photo ordering is available through the school’s Compass portal. There is a backup photo day scheduled for Thursday 26th February for any students that are not present on the 16th. Students are required to be in full academic uniform for photos.

On behalf of the Middle School Team, we wish our Year 7, 8 and 9 students all the best for a productive and enjoyable school year in 2026. We are here to help.

Linda Palermo

Middle School Director

Year 7 Transition Program Photos

Amazing Race

Spaghetti Activity

First Day

Year 7 BBQ

Our annual Year 7 BBQ took place on Wednesday evening - just in time for the cool change and the rain! Despite the weather turning, all our staff, students and families were in high spirits as they migrated from the Canteen Courtyard to the VCE Study Centre for shelter. Snags, salads, drinks and pasta were on the menu, with a little bit of something for everyone.

It was such a wonderful opportunity for staff to get acquainted with our Year 7 families. Members of our Peer Support team were also in attendance to help handle the food and welcome new students and parents into the fold. A round of applause for everyone's hard work in bringing this event together.

On behalf of the Chelt.Sec Community: Welcome!

Food Tech Year 7C

Chelt.Sec Clubs and Activities

Maths Club | Dungeons and Dragons | Badminton Club