Out and about at Surfside

Term 3 Wrap Up

It has been a bumper term 3 with so many highlights and it has been fantastic to reflect each fortnight on what our school community has been able to achieve, participate in and learn from. We are thankful to all of the staff, students and Surfside community who contribute so much in and out of the classroom each and every day. Our staff have been proud of the opportunities offered to our students in and out of the classroom environment and these opportunities work towards allowing our students to be emotionally equipped to thrive. We want to wish all of our students, staff, families and wider community a happy and safe break and we hope that everyone can have a chance to rest, regenerate and prepare for an engaging and successful term 4.

We have confirmed our Foundation numbers for 2026 and look forward to welcoming our students into 4 classes for the 2026 school year. We will announce our Foundation teaching team by Friday 17th October prior to our Information Session during week 4. We are busy planning for 2026 so if you are relocating in 2026 could you please let a member of the administration team know.

We were sad to farewell Ms Leah Canale today who has been successful in picking up a position at Tate Street Primary School starting in term 4. We thank Ms Canale for her support of students and staff over her 2 years at Surfside PS and we wish her all the best on this new journey. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Taryn Andrews as part of the year 4 and M20 team during term 4. Mrs Andrews has been a part of Surfside for the past 5 years and has a strong relationship across all year levels in the school. 

The staff of Surfside participate in Spirit Week during the last week of each term and asign a theme to each day - a touch of glitter, mix and match, sporting theme, staff uniform and finished off with our pink day!! We try to make sure it's not just the kids having all of the fun and it is nice when they come in and try to guess the theme of the day.

We are also sad to farewell Sarah from Camp Australia who will have her last day at Surfside today. Sarah has been with us for nearly 3 years and built strong relationships with the kids in before and after school care. We thank Sarah for her work at Surfside and connecting with our school community and wish her all the best for her new position. Below is a letter from Sarah to our school community:

Hello Surfside! 

As of the end of this term, I will no longer be working at Surfside Primary School before and after school care. I have accepted a role with Camp Australia in Ballarat and will be moving there over the school holidays. 

When I started here at the end of 2022, I had no idea how much I would fall in love with this school and its community. You all welcomed me with open arms and made my time working here an absolute delight. 

The last nearly three years have flown by, it hardly seems like it’s been that long! It has been an absolute delight meeting all of the children at this school and watching them grow into the incredible people that they are. I have no doubt that, as you all continue on your journeys, you are going to do incredible things. 

I will miss you all dearly, and forever treasure my memories here at this school. Thank you everyone for including me in your wonderful community. 

Remember to always be kind and to find joy in every day. 

With love, 

Sarah Clarence. 

Camp Australia will run it's holiday programfrom Surfside during the term 3 holidays and please check the Camp Australia website for more details about the program

Lindsay Fisher Visit

We were thrilled to welcome Surfside royalty through the doors this week when Lindsay Fisher popped in for a cup of tea and a tour around the school. Lindsay was the first ever Principal at Surfside from 1991to 2000. Lindsay enjoyed walking around the school and said some things have really changed but many things remain the same. He loved popping into some classes, speaking to some kids and sharing some stories about the history of Surfside.

Hats Compulsory for Term 4 & DCS Uniforms

Term 1 and term 4 are the terms that hats are compulsory for all students to be outside at recess, lunch, PE lessons and outdoor activites. This is supported by the Surfside and Department of Education Sun Smart policy. UV levels increase significantly during these terms and it is an important aspect around keeping our students safe. Students are required to wear a broad brimmed hat (caps are not ok). Students will be given a grace period in week 1 of term 4 but all students will be required to wear hats from week 2 or they will be required to be undercover during play periods and outdoor activities. Hats can be ordered from DCS UNIFORMS - CLICK LINK TO ORDER HATS HERE

Pink Day - Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) Fundraiser

WOW!!! Surfside have turned up in style and loud and proud for our Pink Sports Day. The day started with breakfast for our staff, the arrival of a giant pink lady at the front of the school, the whole school attempting to replicate a pink lady on the basketball court and recess and lunch full of activities and delights. We had pink musk slice, pink coated cookies and pink icing cupcakes. Our year 6's did their best to get some face paint designs on all of the faces of Surfside and at lunchtime we danced to some uplifting tunes while we shaved a few familiar heads. What a fun day but more importantly an opportunity to support such an amazing cause for the Breast Cancer Network of Australia (BCNA)

SURFSIDE- YOU ROCK - YOU RAISED A MASSIVE $2200 - YOU SHOULD BE SO PROUD AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL

We will add the school fundraising amount to our linked page but if you were unable to donate today you can always jump on our Surfside School Pink Day page

Bonanza Day fundraising amount

We celebrated the achievements of our Year 6 group in our last newsletter for their magnificent effort in planning, organising and running the 2025 Bonanza Day. It was an overwhelming success and the Year 6's and Surfside Community raised a whopping $5200. The year 6 crew will now plan how they would like to support the school and their legacy with a plan for the money. Our 2024 year 6 students chose to purchase new back boards for our basketball courts.

Victorian State Schools Spectacular

Students from across the state worked together and soared to new heights with On Air — where dreams take flight, friendships shine, and every young voice is heard.

The event has been in operation for 30 years, and is a breathtaking and heartwarming blend of song, dance, and circus — all staged with spectacular lights, costumes and a 75-piece orchestra.

From pop anthems to powerful ballads, gravity-defying aerial acrobatics to heart-pounding routines, On Air lifted spirits and left the audience awestruck.

The annual Victorian State Schools Spectacular program is an invaluable performing arts opportunity for Victoria’s government primary and secondary school students.

The program showcases and unites government school communities through working towards a common goal of more students reaching the highest level of achievement in the arts, ensuring kids are happy, healthy and resilient, and building pride in our schools.

The Spectacular has become an invaluable rite of passage for Victoria’s top young talent, and a cherished, memorable education experience for all participants.

Surfside Primary School participated in the 2025 Spectacular and after many rehearsals enjoyed a busy and fun filled weekend of performance and creating life long friendships and experiences. The students put on a great performance and will remain a highlight for many of them. A big thank you to Ms Elli Moss, Ms Kristy Griffiths and Mrs Katrina McCredden for supporting the State Schools Spectacular Crew throughout 2025 and also a big thank you to the parent/carer support crew - YOU ALL ROCK!!!

Wonder Schools Music Showcase - Geelong Performing Arts Centre

We are often entertained by our band and academy during assemblies or school based performances but the band ventured to the Geelong Performing Arts Centre to perform in the Wonder Schools Music Showcase. A big thank you to Mr Justin Morzinek and Mr Dan Asher for working with the band and academy each week and all of the parent support (ROADIES) for travel and logistics. We look forward to many upcoming performances from both band and academy and we hope that they continue to inspire many of oour younger students to sing, play a musical instrument or entertain others.

Division Athletics - Landy Field

We had a collection of Surfside students reach the next round of athletics and participated in the Division Championships at Landy Field. They performed in a number of events such as the sprints, distance events, jumps and throws. There was tough competition but they all gave their best and matched the high level of competition. A massive congratulations to Tessa B who has qualified to participate in the Region Championships in Keilor next term.

Division Basketball Championships

Our school Basketball team participated in the Division Championships on Friday. It was a hot field with some high quality teams. All of our teams performed at a very high level and showed great teamwork and sporting behaviours and finished 2nd and 3rd on the day. A big thank you to all the staff and our parent/carer helpers for assisting on the day and in the lead up.

Breakfast Club - Pancake Morning - R U OK Day

There was a light drizzle to start the day for R U OK Day but a little drizzle couldn't dampen the sunshine of Surfside. Our Breakfast Club crew served up hundreds of pancakes in the morning while they sat and chatted with friends, danced to some 80's classics and raised awareness for R U Ok Day - an opportunity to check in on someone.

Got a feeling that someone you know or care about isn’t behaving as they normally would? Perhaps they seem out of sorts? More agitated or withdrawn? Or they’re just not themselves. Trust that gut instinct and act on it. Learn more about the signs and when it's time to ask R U OK? here.

By starting a conversation and commenting on the changes you’ve noticed, you could help that family member, friend or workmate open up. If they say they are not OK, you can follow the conversation steps to show them they’re supported and help them find strategies to better manage the load. If they are OK, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask.

We all want to work towards a community where R U OK? Day is everyday but if we continue to raise awareness we hope that goal is not too far away. It is great that we can provide a community that gets together to connect and spark conversation. Remember that if you are ever in need for a chat please always feel welcome to pop in for a chat!

2026 Student Scholarships - Department of Education

Student scholarships for Grade 4 – Year 12

The Department of Education administers a range of scholarships on behalf of various trusts.

Scholarships are available to students currently enrolled in Grade 4 to Year 11, and students enrolled in Year 12 in 2025 who plan to begin tertiary studies in 2026.

Applicants for the scholarships are evaluated on their:

· academic achievement

· participation in school activities

· community involvement.

Scholarships are either one-off payments or available for the duration of the student’s course/study.

Scholarships support students and families to assist with the cost of education and engagement in further study at primary, secondary and tertiary level.

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled in Victorian schools and must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Some scholarships are available specifically to Victorian government school students while others are available to students across all sectors.

Scholarships may be targeted to students experiencing financial hardship, and trusts may have particular eligibility criteria.

Can students apply for more than one scholarship?

Students are encouraged to carefully identify and apply for scholarships where they meet the criteria.

Scholarships available to primary school students For information on specific eligibility requirements, please visit student scholarships.

John and Maud Askew Primary Scholarships

· Grade 4 and 5 students valued at $750

· Grade 6 students valued at $1,500

George Wilson Robertson Scholarships

· Grade 6 students valued at $1,500

Scholarships available to secondary school students

John and Maud Askew Secondary Scholarships

· Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 students valued at $1,500

Further information For information on how to apply visit the Student Scholarships web page For additional information or queries, please email studentscholarships@education.vic.gov.au

Term 4 is just around the corner

. Here are some things to plan for or be aware of as we enter term 4 and the festive season:

• Hats for Term 4 - Sun Protection Policy  hats are mandatory for term 4 for all students to participate in outdoor activities and be outdoors during recess and lunch. If you need to order a hat for term 4 this can be done via DCS Uniforms - https://www.dcsuniforms.com.au/collections/surfside-primary-school

   

• 2025 Fresh Food Fair - Friday 7th November - keep an eye on upcoming newsletters regarding information for the Fresh Food Fair and it starts with a special page in this newsletter. 

• 2025 School Annual Concert - 

            Thursday 27th November - students have been busy preparing for             our upcoming concert and the staff have been busy organising for              a massive Jungle Adventure at the Grove Outdoor Pavilion. Keep                  your eyes open for more information in term 4

F-2 Swimming Program 

Our Swimming and Water Safety Program will be held in Term 4 over 2 weeks beginning Tuesday 7th October, for students in Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2. Surfside Primary is able to reduce the cost for families with a subsidy from the Department of Education's Positive Start Initiative'. All families who have paid at the start of the year only need to give consent through their Parent Compass. Families who have yet to pay can do this via compass and give consent. Call our office if you have any questions.

Preparation is the key to allow for a successful 2 weeks:

• Have all clothing and swimming items labelled
• Students should wear their swimming costume underneath their school clothes
• Have an extra bag with swimming items (towell, change of underwear, goggle, etc)
• Students are not allowed to get changed in shower or toilet cubicles as these need to be available for the general public
• A hooded towel is great for students 
• Over the holidays it might help to do a couple of trips to the BASC pool to help your child with the routines and familiarise themselves with the area if they are feeling a little anxious or don't regularly do lessons.

School Council 2025 - September Meeting - Overview

Our school council recently met to discuss matters including finance, school based data review, school review overview, community event planning and much more.

School Council 2025 - October Meeting 

Our school council look forward to our next meeting which will be held on Tuesday 21st October:

• Finance Meeting at 5.00pm
• Council Meeting at 5.30pm