Principal's Message 

Fortnightly reflection

We've had another action packed fortnight at Ceres. Our 5/6s had a visit from Bat Force for a transitions program and the 3/4s visited the Geelong Sports Museum, a brand new museum at GMHBA Stadium (we were the first school to visit!). It was a sea of yellow for R U OK day yesterday and the F/1s are at the YMCA today for a Gymnastics session. I've had lots of students visit me to share their poetry writing and to celebrate their achievements, such as moving up reading levels and for showing initiative by organising games to include others.

As this is the last newsletter before the holiday break, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work this term. We have a tremendously hard working, caring and dedicated team here at Ceres. It's quite unique really! 

CCTV at our school 

Ceres Primary School has decided to use a closed-circuit television (CCTV) system at our school.

Our school has an obligation to ensure the school environment is safe and secure, and fulfil our duty of care to students, staff and visitors.  The CCTV system will assist our school to fulfil these obligations and to prevent and manage other inappropriate behaviour on school grounds. CCTV will also provide enhanced capability to protect our school’s assets against vandalism and theft.

We will follow Department of Education and Training policy requirements for the design, installation, management and use of the CCTV systems. This policy is available at: CCTV in Schools – Installation and Management.

We will also place a CCTV Privacy Notice on our school website with more information about our school’s use of CCTV before it is rolled out over the upcoming school holidays. 

If you have any questions or concerns at this stage, please contact the office on (03) 5249 1382 or ceres.ps@education.vic.gov.au 

Upgrades to Lighting and Grounds Work

The lighting in the Specialist classrooms will be receiving an upgrade today, which will greatly improve the Art room and STEM room. 

Over the school holiday break, there will be a few trades here completing some works in the grounds. We have artificial turf being laid in the area beside the admin building, near the 3/4 and 5/6 classroom and Gaga Pit. We're very excited for this upgrade as it will vastly improve the safety and usability of this area. It tends to get muddy really quickly with a drop of rain and it means there will be more area for students to be able to play in. 

With trucks and other equipment in the grounds, it would be best to avoid visiting the school grounds during the holidays. 

2025 Preparation

We may be in the thick of 2024 but, in terms of school planning, we already have one foot firmly in 2025.

To assist our planning we ask that if your family is moving out of our area or your child will be attending another school in 2025, please contact the office and let us know as soon as possible to allow us enough time to effectively plan and manage our enrolments. Thank you.

150th Celebrations

Saturday, May 3rd 11am-2pm for our community event to commemorate our school's special milestone. 

More details will be elaborated on as the planning committee works its way through all of our ideas. Excitement is certainly starting to build. Our next committee meeting is this coming Monday at 2:15pm. 

Sunsmart in Term 4

It has been great to see all students wearing their hats at break times and in PE lessons.

School hats are available for purchase from our uniform provider Beleza for $15. School hats with a broad brim meet all DET and sunsafe requirements, baseball hats do not. 

Students will be actively encouraged to apply a broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen (SPF30+) at home before coming to school which their parents or guardians provide.

Please read our Sunsmart Policy attached below for further information.

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

Our assembly is an 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.

Jess Goward

Acting Principal