Breaking News

At last some good news!! We have just received a grant of nearly $500,000 to refurbish the girls and boys toilet block in the main building. I received this letter from the Honourable James Merlino on Wednesday telling us that we have received nearly $500,000 for the project. We look forward to having a new toilet block next year.

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Dear Mr Bach

Minor Capital Works Fund 2021 Round 2 grant application outcome:

(Application ID MCWF200342)

I am delighted to approve funding of $499,127.00 for a ‘Refurbishment of student toilet block to improve amenity, cleanliness and hygiene’ at Cheltenham East Primary School through the Minor Capital Works Fund Round 2 – 2021. The VSBA will lead the delivery of your project, in consultation with your school.

Regards

The Honourable James Merlino MP

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Last Day 1pm Dismissal

Today, Friday December 17th is the last official day of the school year, there will be a student assembly on the School oval at 12.30pm sharp followed by a 1pm dismissal of all children. Please make sure your children are picked up at this earlier time. Year 6 students will be first to exit the school after being recognised by the rest of the assembly.

Year 6 Graduation /Reunion

*SAVE THE DATE** - Friday February 11th (more details to come)

Year 6 children have missed out on so much including their Graduation night. It was decided that we will hold a formal ceremony for them on Friday February 11th which will hopefully be Covid free. We intend to run it on the oval with families coming along to watch the presentations to our Year 6 children.

I would like to congratulate our 2021 Year 6 class for their resilience, their perseverance, and their capacity to adapt well to another year of learning which has had significant challenges.

It has been our intention to provide a well-rounded education that has provided the opportunity for these students to become incredible human beings who are kind, compassionate, resilient, resourceful, and curious as well as having the capacity to develop their intellectual and emotional intelligences.

We are really proud of the Year 6 students of 2021. We wish them all the very best as they move into their next chapter in life when they continue to:

Show kindness and care for those around them
Be inclusive to all by inviting rather than excluding
Never compare themselves to others, as they are all unique
Demonstrate positive behaviour choices
Be responsible, respectful and honest when communicating on-line
And … by supporting their friends by not being a bystander.

Safe and Happy Holidays

It has been a tough year for children, families and teachers so a holiday break has come at the right time for the whole community. Whatever you are doing enjoy it with your family as much as you can after limited opportunities to do so throughout the year.

I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. The Christmas break can throw up many hidden dangers and safety concerns. Please be vigilant with your children particularly around water (pools, rivers, lakes, surf) and the roads. Children need to make sure that they are wearing a helmet when riding or scooting and ensuring that they are following the road rules. We want everyone back safe and sound to start the new school year.

I extend my well wishes to all members of the school community and congratulations on completing a successful and yet challenging year.

Start of the School Year for 2022

A reminder to parents that staff will be back on Friday 28th January;

Grades 1-6 children will start back on Monday January 31st
Foundation children start back a day later on Tuesday February 1st.

Meet The teacher

Unfortunately the Meet the Teacher session had to be modified to 15 minutes and social distancing due to Covid concerns. At least the children still met their new teacher, even if it was for a very short period of time. Unfortunately new students coming in from other schools could not participate.

Thankyou To Staff

On behalf of the School Council I would like to officially thank our wonderful Teaching and Education Support staff who put so much time and effort into educating the children at CEPS. Our staff faced an unprecedented series of challenges during 2021. They were required to rethink the way they worked and embraced the challenge with abundant success.

When COVID-19 struck our state again we had to change almost overnight to learning from home, working quickly to transition classrooms online and to ensure equipment was accessible to everyone in a matter of days. The enormity and immense effort, creative thinking and long hours that this required cannot be overstated. Throughout it all, CEPS teachers persistently ensured our students were at the centre of our work, remaining engaged in learning and connected to their peers. At the same time, the staff themselves were also challenged on an incredibly steep learning curve, especially in the use of technology.

Over this year CEPS teachers went way beyond normal duties for their students: dropping off and collecting classwork from student homes; thinking of innovative ways to maintain a sense of belonging and building community; calling families to link vital support services; differentiating learning beyond not only capabilities but inclusive of circumstance and technology: and generally being available for their students all from the confines of their own homes.

In reflection, our schools have never been more appreciated by students, parents and the public as 2021 has demonstrated the undeniable central role they play in our society. As we have returned onsite, our teachers have again risen to the challenge of teaching as they have kept our students safe in a socially distanced world. They fulfil many roles including teacher, counsellor, first aider, infection control supervisor, the odd comedian and much more to the children. I applaud each and every staff member for the year that was.

Thank you also to our wonderful office staff Belinda, Tara, Robyn (recently retired) and Sue who keep the front of the school ticking over. Their professionalism and dedication ensures the school administrative area runs smoothly at all times and the volume of work which has been re-assigned to Term 4 as a result of school operations this year has been enormous. Thank you for your resilience and determination to ‘get the job done’.

Thank you to our wonderful School Council who have represented the community throughout the year, giving up valuable family time to make meetings and make important decisions. We wish departing councillors Ange Berry and Nick Howes all the best for the future. Thank you to our fantastic Parents’ Committee volunteers in particular Linda Donaldson, Shelley Mead who are both departing, Jodie Marsh and Sam May for adapting in a year of very different circumstances under which to operate. Your work is much appreciated by all at CEPS.

Student Reports

Your child would have received their report last Monday. These reports indicate the point of learning for each child as at the end of the 2021 school year in English and Maths. This data will be shared with each child’s 2022 teacher (along with other data and work samples) as the ‘starting point’ for learning next year. Students have received the results that they deserve and as is the case with all reports, there are results to celebrate and results that will be the focus of future learning and development throughout the next 12 months.

Volunteers - thank you

Thank you to our many volunteers in the school for your help over the year. There are many organisations and individuals who give up their time to help our students and teachers. The opportunity to meet and hold our traditional thank you morning tea is not possible this year, however the sentiments remain. On behalf of the school I extend a warm thank you for your wonderful support during the year in many capacities including: Kids Hope, Crossing Supervisors, Parents’ Committee, Pre-service Teachers, Parent Helpers and all other volunteers who have helped at CEPS in any way.

Thought For the Week

Wishing all CEPS families fantastic times together and all the best for a brand new start to 2022.

May it be Covid free for everyone!

Best wishes to all of our families from the staff at Cheltenham East Primary School.

Principal

Wayne Bach

Farewell Grade 6 Leaders