Principal's Message 

Happy Term 3!

Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful break with their families. As we kick off Semester Two, we look forward to another term filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences.

Staffing update this term

At the end of this term, the final four weeks to be exact, I will be taking some long service leave and heading up the East Coast with my family. We'll be chasing the sun and warmth, while enjoying some wonderful family time. I am unsure of my tenure at Ceres beyond this term so hopefully I have some news for you all before I head away. 

Mrs Goward will be acting in my position while I am on leave. 

School Strategic Review

This week we have been engaging with Julie Myers (accredited reviewer) from the National Curriculum Services, as well as, challenge partners Stuart Bott (Leopold Principal), Warren Dawson (DE Inclusion Coach) and Shelby Papadopolous (DET Senior Education Improvement Leader) to not only analyse and celebrate our results and efforts over the past four years but also to set new strategic goals for us as a whole school community to strive for over the next four years. 

The whole process has been a very positive one as we have had lots to celebrate and are very proud of what is occurring in and out of our classrooms. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank those parents who gave their time for the Parent Focus group, the students who also contributed to a focus group and, of course, our wonderful staff who happily and professionally opened their classrooms, shared planning documents and a vast array of data with the reviewers. 

The panel, I can assure you, were most impressed with what they saw, heard and experienced at our school. They really loved meeting members of our school community.

Well done team Ceres!

150th Celebration Update

Planning for our big 150th celebration next year may still be in the early stages, however, the organising committee and I have some wonderful plans to commemorate and celebrate our wonderful school's milestone. All will be revealed in good time. 

For now, though, I would love to share with you all our logo designs for the occasion. These will feature on many items such as banners, letterheads, stickers, badges, and many other forms of merchandise next year. We hope you like them as much as we do.

Friendly reminder for our committee that we will meet next Thursday, 25th @2:15pm.

**REMINDER** P/T Interviews are next week!

Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held next week, on Wednesday, July 24th. 

School on this day will conclude at 1 pm with interview times available from then. Bookings are open now via Compass but will close early next week. Big thank you to those households that have done so already. 

Kelly Club will begin earlier on this day also, please book via their website.  

Yard updates

Another busy holiday period inside and around the grounds these past holidays. We had quite a few electrical works done over the break but the most impactful updates were in the yard with our Fairy Garden and front entrance areas both receiving a makeover. Huge thanks to Bunnings and Chelsea for the Fairy Garden works. Bunnings very kindly donated all equipment and time to overhaul this space and make it a beautiful and relaxing area for our students to play and/or have some quiet time.

The front entrance received new gates and some long overdue signage. We often had visitors who didn't know where we were or would have to ask the nearest classrooms where the office was. This is no longer an issue with the addition of a new large front sign, some directional signage, and some very smart looking gates to compliment it all. 

Junior School Council Semester 2

We would like to thank our Semester 1 JSC members for their wonderful and very successful tenure to begin the year under Mr Murrell's guidance. The Arcade held at the end of Term 2 was a fitting send off for all of your hard work making Ceres the best school it can be for your peers. 

At our assembly this Friday, we will acknowledge and present our Semester 2 representatives with their badges as they begin their leadership journey.  We all know you will do a fantastic job also. 

2024 JSC Representatives are;

NAIDOC Week at Ceres

NAIDOC Week, Sunday 7 July – Sunday 14 July, - is a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, their contributions to our nation and the continuation of the oldest living culture on Earth.

This year’s theme chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee, is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.

The theme honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture – with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year NAIDOC week was held over the school holidays.  As a school community, we recognise the importance of NAIDOC week and have been completing activities throughout the school, for example, these wonderful Art creations below.

Punctuality reminder 

Our staff are seeking the cooperation of parents to ensure that children arrive at school no later than our 8.45 am starting time, to enable classes to commence on time and without interruption. If students arrive after 8:45 am they miss important introductions and instructions to learning sessions. This disadvantages the student who is late, and also negatively impacts the other students and the teaching time for the whole class as the teacher often needs to stop teaching to re-explain instructions to the late class member. 

Students who are late need to be signed in by an adult at the office and obtain a late pass before proceeding to class. 

If students are required to leave school early, parents are to sign them out of the office also.

Reminder: Our student led Assembly is on today at 2:30 pm. Today we will be presenting our Semester 2 Junior School Council Leaders their badges.

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.

Tim Callaghan

Acting Principal