COVID restrictions are slowly changing. We are now not recording QR check in, but maintain strict entry protocols and expectations whilst inside our buildings, including being double vaccinated. The number of positive cases in our community remain stable and relatively small. Your continued support and active management of the testing procedures and periods of isolation has made sure our school is managing the spread of COVID as best we can.

Last Monday was an important day for the administration of the school. All students are included in the annual census and our enrolments for the that day determine the allocation of central funding from the Department of Education. Accurate attendance data is critical and your support in recording absences and using SENTRAL so effectively has made the process so much easier to complete.

Foundation Students

Next week sees the first full week of the year for our amazing Foundation students. They have settled in well to our school and continue to impress with great enthusiasm and attitude.

Labour Day Public Holiday Reminder

A reminder of the Labour Day Public Holiday is on Monday 14th of March. The school will be closed.

End of Term Reminder

The last day of Term 1 is Friday 8th of April. School finishes one hour early on Terms 1, 2 and 3 (2.30pm) and finishes 2 hours early on the final day of the year.

Call for School Council Nominations

All government schools in Victoria have a School Council. School Councils are legally formed bodies that help to set the key directions of the school within centrally provided guidelines. Parents on School Council provide important viewpoints and have valuable skills that can help shape the direction of the school.

Nominations are now being called for the parent and DE&T employee member categories of School Council. If you decide to nominate, you can nominate yourself or have someone nominate you. Forms are attached to this newsletter or available at the office. Once completed, these need to be returned to the Office by 4:00pm on Friday March 11th. We have 5 elected parent category members up for re-election (4 x 1 year terms and 1 x 2 year term), as well as 2 elected Education Department employee category members. If there are more nominations received than there are vacancies on Council, a ballot will be conducted in the two weeks after the call of nominations has closed. Being a member of School Council is very rewarding. We currently meet on the third or fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm. You don’t need any previous experience.

School Council Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held Wednesday evening March 23 from 7pm to 7.30pm in the school staff room where we will present the Annual Report on the school achievements for 2021. This will be placed on our school website for all of the community to read. New office bearers will also be elected for the coming year.

The first School Council meeting will be held straight after the Annual General meeting.

2021 Victorian State Wide Positive Behaviour System Awards

Our school has achieved a bronze certificate in the State-Wide Positive Behaviour Support Program. This acknowledgement system is designed to identify and recognise Victorian schools that exemplify the highest level of practices in schools. This was driven by Mrs Pendlebury (past teacher), Mr Bourke, Mrs Ward and the Well-being Professional Learning Team made up of some of our staff. These positive behaviours are all based around our four school values – Responsibility, Respect, Co-operation and Courtesy. We still have a lot to do to reach gold standard but this is a fantastic effort by our staff and students at CEPS. Below is a statement from the awards committee.

“I am excited to inform you that your great school has achieved the Tier 1 VIC_SWPBS Bronze Award, after I reviewed your application that Mrs Pendlebury with support from Mr Bourke submitted in Term 4 last year.”

There will be a formal SWPBS recognition communication in Term 2.

2023 Foundation Enrolments

Enrolments are now OPEN for 2023.

Group Tours can be booked via the office on 9583 5746.

Friday 11th March - BOOKED OUT

Wednesday 16th March - BOOKED OUT

Thursday 24th March - BOOKED OUT

Tuesday 10th May - AVAILABLE

Saturday 14th May - AVAILABLE

Monday 23rd May - AVAILABLE

Places are filling fast so spread the word. Enrolments are open and we ask that siblings coming to Cheltenham East Primary in 2023 please enrol now.

School Swimming Trials

Well done to everyone in the senior school for participating in the School House swimming sports and the district swimming trials over the last 2 weeks. All students have demonstrated personal responsibility and have endeavoured to ‘Aim High’. The District swimming team has been selected from the trials where they have attended training sessions and will compete on our school’s behalf.

A special mention to Mrs Robinson for organising these events for everyone.

Our Values Are Alive!

Every Friday afternoon our students eagerly await the results of the Values Ambassadors Raffle draw, where the winners are announced at our 3.10pm assembly on the back stage. Throughout each week students who are consistently demonstrating behaviours which show Courtesy, Respect, Co-operation and Responsibility are awarded a raffle ticket to go into the draw. Check out our fabulous students each week whose smiles say it all in the photograph in our newsletter. Thanks kids! You are terrific Values Ambassadors!

Covid Updates

The Rapid Antigen Testing program will continue in schools until the end of Term 1 2022, although this will continue to be monitored and may end early if recommended by health advice.

All students and staff in mainstream schools are recommended to test twice a week, while students and staff in specialist schools are recommended to test each school day.

COVID updates are being sent each day and we will try to get this information to the CEPS community as soon as possible. We continue to follow the Health Departments’ guidelines to keep everyone safe. Please continue to make sure you notify the school if there is a positive case so we can support the family and protect our community at the same time. Keep up the good work. Overall, we have had a successful start to the academic year. Mask wearing has been consistent, the additional masks that you are providing for your children are ensuring that they are protected. Teachers have windows and doors open to maximise ventilation and the air purifiers have been delivered to the classrooms and are all in use. Additionally, we are ensuring that we are limiting the mixing of classes and encouraging the use of outdoor spaces to align with the COVID operations guide.

These actions have led to barely any new cases in our school, everyone is to be congratulated for the joint effort.

For more information on symptoms visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/symptoms-and-risks.

For more information on how to get tested visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/taking-test-covid-19

Mr Jon

Mr Jon has been very busy at the back of the school re-staining and painting the stage areas which have made this area look so much better. He loves the fact that children are coming up to him and telling him what a great job he is doing making the school look so good! He is also going to re-stain the entry ways into portable buildings, the bottom stage area and repaint the yellow lines around the school.

Thankyou Mr Jon!

Contact Details

Have your contact details changed? We have already tried to phone parents and emergency contacts only to find that the phone number is no longer valid. It is absolutely vital that we can contact parents/carers at all times.

Attendance/Punctuality

“It’s not okay to be away!” Every minute counts! When students stay away from school their learning and friendships are affected. When children arrive late, they interrupt the learning of other students as well as valuable teaching time.

All children who arrive after 9am must report to the office area first, prior to going to the classroom. This will avoid an “unexplained absence” SMS from the school. We really look forward to the support of our families in ensuring our students absolutely maximise their educational possibilities by being here ON TIME, EVERY TIME. Your commitment to and interest in your child’s education is absolutely vital to their success at school.

Sun Smart School

We are a Sun Smart school and as such children are required to wear a school approved legionnaires or a wide brimmed hat from mid-August to end of April when participating in any outdoor activity (eg lunch times, sporting activities, excursions etc). They are also encouraged to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the day. On extreme hot weather days the school will be running a Sweat Day timetable where children stay inside. This will be at the discretion of the Principal.

Thought For the Week

Principal

Wayne Bach

Wellbeing

GET ACTIVE FOR MARCH