Acting Principal's News
Our teachers have shown great resilience during challenging times, and last Friday all schools acknowledged this across our nation. Remember to share your appreciation of our teachers, if last week got away from you! Hot Chips were the order for the day in the staffroom!
Thank you to our teachers, education support staff and volunteers for all their dedication and efforts.
Notice of final Curriculum Day for 2022, NOV 11
Next Friday 11th Nov is a pupil free Curriculum Day. Teachers will be spending time working in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) reviewing and finalising the work of 2022. Our PLCs are English, Maths & ICT, Wellbeing & Humanities and team members meet weekly to ensure the curriculum is being delivered in a considered, planned and rigorous way. Our PLC team leaders do remarkable work in building teacher expertise and providing professional learning sessions for staff. This work requires ongoing considerations, and the Curriculum Day will ensure the transition into 2023 links our current achievement within the 2022 Annual Implementation Plan, and has momentum leading into our 2023 goals and targets.
Teachers will also be working on Semester 2 Assessment and Reporting requirements. The Semester 2 student reports will be distributed to families at the end of the school day, Thursday 15 December.
Class Structures 2023
While we are still finalising some staffing positions for next year, after careful consideration of the learning and wellbeing needs of our children and teaching staff across all year levels, I confirm our 2023 class structures to be:
Foundation - 3 classes
Year 1 - 2 classes
Year 2 - 3 classes
Year 3/4 - 5 classes
Year 5 - 2 classes
Year 6 - 3 classes
What is a composite class?
Composite, or multi-age classes occur in schools for a number of reasons. Composite classes provide schools with more flexibility and options to ensure even class sizes and a balance of student social and academic needs within and across year levels. As our student enrolments grow and change, it is likely that we will have several composite classes across the school. Research demonstrates that there are many benefits to students being in a composite class; and through teamwork and positive communication we can support all our children to successfully transition to their new class.
Why do we create composite classes?
As our enrolments fluctuate and grow there will be a need to run composite classrooms at our school to meet industrial requirements. This is because funding in public schools is allocated on a per student basis, with our overall budget being assigned according to the total number of students enrolled on the census date, in early Term 1 each year.
How does the school decide the classes each year?
The principal and the staff work together to form classes that consider overall student numbers, individual student needs, the recommended class sizes and the total number of staff employed by the school. Multiple scenarios are projected and considered based on needs throughout the whole school. The final decision is made by the principal.
How do teachers cater academically for more than one year level in a class?
All classes, whether a single year level or composite class group, have children with diverse learning needs and abilities. When planning for student learning, teachers take into consideration the strengths, prior knowledge and needs of every student. They use this as a starting point to design the learning and work from where each child is currently at.
Teachers are trained in differentiating the curriculum to meet the varying abilities of their students. We have a very clear understanding of the curriculum requirements and expectations for each year level. Effective assessments of student learning ensure we know students’ needs, strengths and future learning points. Here are some strategies that we use:
- Planning open-ended tasks that cater for a range of different abilities and allow learning to be demonstrated in different ways
- Planning tasks that allow for different entry points and provide opportunities for extension and problem solving
- Providing targeted small group and individual instruction based on learning needs and specific teaching points
- Setting individual goals, challenges and projects which encourage children to demonstrate independence and responsibility in their learning
- At times students will separate into year level groups for instruction; this may include linking with another composite class or working in smaller groups within the classroom.
Research by Professor John Hattie indicates that teacher quality, as opposed to whether a class is a straight year level or composite, makes a positive difference to the academic outcomes of students.
What about socially?
Children benefit tremendously from having friends outside of their year group, just as they do outside of school. Developing a wider group of friends gives students greater connections across the school and can benefit them within the wider community. It also helps students build social skills, which has long term positive effects for building resiliency. Most children quickly adapt to new classes and form friendships that remain lasting in future years. All students share the same recess and lunch times, which will further widen social and play opportunities.
What are the benefits of a composite class?
Children in a composite class have the opportunity to mix socially and academically with a wide range of students. Children are able to work at their own rate within a community of learners and are able to learn from, and with, each other. Younger students have the opportunity to learn alongside older peers, and older students can show leadership and demonstrate high level understandings and complex thinking skills to model and explain their learning at designated times.
An excellent link for more information
Do you still have concerns?
If you still have concerns, please talk to your child’s teacher about how they will cater for the individual needs of your child.
Parent Payments 2023
School Council has approved the schedule of parent payments for 2023. Please keep abreast of communications coming through Class Dojo regarding accessing these details and supplies for 2023. Please be aware that under the parent payment policy, early payment options can no longer be offered by schools.
Remembrance Day Assembly
CEPS will hold a Remembrance Day assembly at 10.30am on Thursday 10th November. This will occur on the Remembrance stage nearest Avalon Court. If we have poor weather, it will be cast digitally to classrooms via Webex. The community are welcome to attend the outdoor event.
Over the next week, our Junior School Council members will be selling Poppy Appeal merchandise, leading up to Remembrance Day on the 11th November. The merchandise includes things such as bracelets, badges and pins and the prices will range from $2 - $5. Your donation allows the RSL to tailor specialist services to the needs of our current and former service men and women, and their families. We would love everyone to support the Red Poppy Appeal. Thank you for your support
Colour Run Nov 10th
The school is a buzz in anticipation of the upcoming Colour Run on Nov 10th. Our dedicated Parents Association is busy planning for a successful event. Every child will receive a brightly coloured headband and glasses to wear to complete the colour run.
To assist families in preparing, all students should not wear school uniform this coming Thursday. White/light clothing will work best when it is their turn to run through the bright coloured powder. Please be ready and prepared for lots of bright colours on clothes, which may or may not completely wash out!
The fundraising part of the event is going well with 130 families setting up a fundraising page but that means there are still 175 families who haven’t joined in yet. Every little bit counts, so please set up your fundraising page and get involved.
Fundraising for our school is easy – simply follow the instructions outlined in your child’s sponsorship booklet they received from their teacher. Your child can accept donations online by creating a cybersafe fundraising profile at www.australianfundraising.com.au
Remember all money raised will go towards a new cricket pitch, an electric school information board and new playground equipment for CEPS!
Some of our Grade 6 students made a video in anticipation for the Colour Run. You can view it here
Baby Welcome
With excitement I announce two new arrivals very dear to the Cheltenham East family! Ms Gemma Shea has welcomed a bouncing baby girl Frankie and Mrs Rosie King has welcomed her bundle of joy, a little girl Mia. We wish them all good health and happiness always.
Kind regards
Leisel Ward
Acting Principal