Principal's Message 

Another wonderful fortnight ticks by.

Week 5 has come and gone and there are now only four weeks left of term, can you believe that? This term feels like it has only just begun yet we have achieved so much already. All classrooms are very settled and fully into their 2024 routines and structures. Our Foundies even had their first Wednesday this week and got through with flying colours. 

Staff enjoyed a wonderful Numeracy Professional Learning Day on Monday which was fantastically organised and led by Mrs. Goward and Miss Petzke. We looked at the new maths curriculum to be rolled out this year and also did some term and yearly planning utilising this.

Looking forward, we have our new look new week swimming program next week (Week 6). Learning timetables will look a little bit different due to swimming but we ensure that students will get access to specialist classes and their core learning as best as possible. Having swimming condensed to one week minimises the level of disruption that a two week program can create. 

See News from the Office for more information. 

In Week 7 there is the Labour Day Public Holiday, F/1 Teddy Bear Picnic, School photos, NAPLAN begins, a JSC Leadership Excursion to GMHBA Stadium, and a Parents  Open Afternoon on Friday 15th @2:30pm where parents are welcome to join their child/ren's classrooms for 30mins to participate in an activity etc before we hold our whole school assembly. A massive fortnight awaits!

2024 School Council

Congratulations to our newly appointed School Councillors for 2024 (listed below). Three parents join us for the first this year for what is shaping up to be a very exciting one. 

The 2024 School Council will sit for the first time on Tuesday, March 19th following our Annual General Meeting on the same evening where we will appoint all the key School Roles necessary.

Our Annual General Meeting will commence at 5pm and all community members are welcome to attend. 

NAPLAN Assessment

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that will be held in March for this year for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals and can be used to improve student achievement.

The assessments this year will be held in weeks 7 and 8, Wed 13th to Fri 22nd, with catch up days available within this period.

We wish our Gr 3 and Gr 5 students all the very best. 

If you have any further questions then please see your child’s teacher.

The schedule is below for both Gr 3 and Gr 5 tests;

Wed, 13th - Writing 11:30

Mon, 18th - Reading@9am / Lan Conv 11:30

Tues, 19th - Numeracy 9am

Wed 20th-Mon 25th - Catch up

Defibrillator at Ceres PS

Defibrillators play a vital role in saving lives during sudden cardiac arrest incidents, which can occur without warning. We are proud to say we now have a defib onsite at Ceres PS, located in our foyer area should the need ever arise for it. 

Big thank you to Mr. Beaton who applied for a City of Greater Geelong Community grant to fund our defib last year. We felt the need was essential for a school setting like ours as our school is located out of town and at a distance from ambulance services and the closest defib was too far up the hill if required.

The defib box will be installed soon.

Prep Enrolments and Tours

Enrolments for 2025 Preps have begun and there has been plenty of early interest. 

If you have a sibling of a current student needing enrolment next year then we ask that this is submitted as soon as possible to give us a clear indication of potential numbers. 

If you know anyone looking to enroll at Ceres also, then please ask them to book a tour or pick up an expression of interest pack.

Subscribe to our Newsletter 

Our newsletter is private to our school community and is not shared on our website or Social Media.  However, you may want to have a grandparent or other family member be able to receive our newsletter.  If you do, you can subscribe to our newsletter with the link below and then when the newsletter is published it will go to them.  You can also subscribe if you would like to receive the newsletter directly into your email instead of via Compass.

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Reminder: Our student led Assembly is on today at 2:30 pm.

Our assembly is a very important part of our school. It is an opportunity to proactively reinforce our school culture and expectations through the acknowledgement and celebration of our students and school. 

Have a great fortnight.

Tim Callaghan

Acting Principal