Principal News

Teaching and Learning 

Active Participation

Our staff are currently working collaboratively to focus on improving the active participation and engagement of our students in their learning.  Some of the strategies teachers are utilising to support this work include:

Mini-whiteboards: Students use individual whiteboards to solve problems, write answers, and display their work. This immediate feedback tool encourages everyone to participate and allows teachers to quickly assess understanding.

Turn and Talk: This strategy involves students discussing a topic or question with a partner. It promotes critical thinking, and verbal communication skills, and ensures that every student has the opportunity to articulate their thoughts.

Choral Response: Students respond in unison to questions or prompts from the teacher. This method builds a sense of community, reinforces learning through repetition, and keeps energy levels high in the classroom.

Science of learning evidences that these techniques enhance an inclusive and dynamic learning environment where all students are actively engaged in their education.

Daily Review/Retrieval Practices

Science of Learning and Cognitive Load Theorists evidence that 'Daily Review and Retrieval Practices'  in classrooms help students transfer knowledge from short-term to long-term memory. By regularly revisiting previously learned material, students reinforce their understanding and create stronger neural connections. Teachers are currently trialling review practices at the beginning of math lessons to support students in reconnecting with prior learning. Consistent review not only aids in retention but also builds students' confidence in their knowledge. By moving knowledge to long-term memory, students are then better able to apply their understanding successfully when engaging in problem-solving tasks.

Kiss and Go - Ensuring Community Safety

This is a reminder of our the importance of adhering to The 'Kiss and Go' signage installed on Silver St last year improve community safety, in particular student safety during the busy 3.30pm pick-up period. Unfortunately, several parents/carers are continuing to park in these spaces for durations well beyond the designated 2-minute limit. The Kingston Council has provided some information below for your reference. Due to increased safety concerns, the council has also advised that their law enforcement team will be patrolling this area during pick-up periods. In addition, we will be reinforcing with students the importance of using our many manned school crossings at all times. We ask families to continue this conversation at home.

2024 Parent/Caregiver/Guardian Opinion Survey 

Survey Access

To complete the survey, simply:

1. Click on the link below

https://www.orima.com.au/paren...

3. Select 'Cheltenham East Primary School' by typing it into the 'school search' box

2. Enter the School PIN below

PIN: 296679

3. When complete, please click on the tick button at the end of the survey to submit your answers. Please note that the survey will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity.

1. Should you have any technical queries regarding the survey or questions regarding the privacy and confidentiality of your survey responses, please do not hesitate to contact ORIMA Research on 1800 654 585 (toll-free during business hours), or by email: pos@orima.com.
2. Should you have any participation or survey-related queries, please contact the school, or the department by email: school.surveys@education.vic.gov.au.

Why Your Feedback Matters

Your feedback is crucial in helping us understand where we are doing well and where we can improve. The insights you provide allow us to make informed decisions that enhance the learning experience for our students and our families. The staff and I thoroughly review the data sets and use them to guide our planning and improvement efforts.

How to Approach the Survey

I kindly ask that you complete the survey with an objective lens, thoughtful consideration, and where possible, through a whole school perspective. Reflect on your experiences and provide honest feedback. This balanced approach helps us gain a clear understanding of our strengths and areas that need attention.

Celebrate and Improve

Please use this survey as an opportunity to celebrate areas of strength and highlight areas for potential improvement. Your constructive feedback is essential in helping us create a supportive and thriving school community.

I appreciate your time and effort in completing the survey. Your voice does matter, and together, we can continue to build a school environment where every student can succeed.

Working Bee - Saturday 24 August 

Our Term 3 Working Bee will take place on Saturday 24 August, from 9.00am-12:00pm. The School Council's Building and Grounds Committee has decided to focus our future Working Bees on completing specific projects, and this term's task will be to remove the uneven pavers around the hall. Following this work, a contractor will backfill this area with crushed rock to improve safety and aesthetics. Even if you can only spare 15-20 minutes to help lift a few pavers, your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

For those who can join us, please bring a set of gloves, and if possible, a crowbar and wheelbarrow. Below are the before and after photos for this project to give you an idea of what we’ll be working on. We plan to have the ground completed like the new play space on Coolac St.

We are also trying to organise a small working party to remove the run-down cricket nets so that the space can be rejuvenated for students to enjoy. We are seeking qualified tradies to assist so please reach out if you can do so.

We look forward to seeing you there and thank you in advance for your support!

Kind Regards,

Robert