Ceres Primary School is an exciting, stimulating and vibrant school located 10km from Geelong, in the picturesque surrounds of the Barrabool Hills.

 Our school has modern facilities, which includes 8 classrooms, library and multipurpose room. Our spacious and attractive grounds give students the opportunity to be environmentally conscious. We are committed to continuous improvement and attaining distinction in teaching and learning at every level. We have an enrolment of 120, with our students coming from our immediate and wide catchment areas. Currently we do not have any programs offered for overseas students. We provide quality-learning programs in all curriculum areas.

Specialist programs encompass Music, Art, PE & Health, STEM, and a Library program (MARC) which ensures student strengths and talents are addressed. Emphasis is on inquiry based learning and explicit teaching to the point of need through fluid groupings, with a strong commitment to Values Education (Super 7). 

Technologies are embedded within the curriculum to facilitate exciting and engaging learning programs to meet students' individual needs facilitated through "Bring your own device" program. We currently have 22 staff members, which includes a Principal, 6 full time teaching staff, 6 part time teachers and Specialist staff, 7 education support staff and 2 non-teaching staff (administration). We do not currently have any Torres Strait or Aboriginal staff. Our current leadership structure includes 1 Principal, a Learning Specialist, a Tutor and Data Coach, and PLT Leaders. 

All students are respected as individuals and teachers and families work together to promote learning. We strive towards the healthy development of every child in an inclusive environment so that each has the knowledge, skills and resilience to be successful in a rapidly changing world. The Ceres Primary School community values the extension of each student's individual potential by encouraging, recognising and rewarding effort and achievement. We strive to provide a co-operative and friendly environment where students share the responsibility for their own learning, behaviour and health.

 At Ceres Primary School we value mutual working partnerships with parents, in the education of each individual, to aid in the student's social, emotional and academic growth. This is also achieved by providing a safe and secure environment, which has a community and family atmosphere.

 Students are working on embedding the actions and behaviours of the Super 7, which are Bucket-filling, Risk Taking, Safety, Organisation, Resilience, Respect and Tolerance and Best Effort. We continue to promote student voice and participation with all year levels involved in leadership opportunities. Our year 5 & 6 students participate in being involved in Junior School Council, as Student Leaders and House Captains. 

There is a strong relationship between parents, staff and students, with a high level of parent participation on School Council, as classroom helpers, in fundraising, buildings and grounds development and community social activities.

(a) Vision and values

Demonstrated capacity to create a shared vision, define and gain acceptance of school goals and set and communicate expectations for effective performance.

(b) Teaching and Learning

Demonstrated ability to manage the quality of teaching and create a positive culture of challenge, support and collaboration.

(c) Improvement, Innovation and Change

Demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans and policies and lead innovation and change.

(d) Management

Demonstrated capacity to ensure that the school's human, physical and financial resources are efficiently allocated and managed.

(e) Development

Demonstrated capacity to create a professional learning community that is focused on the continuous improvement of teaching and learning, supporting all staff to achieve high standards and commitment to their own learning and wellbeing.

(f) Engagement

Demonstrated capacity to develop positive relationships with students, parents/families and the local community and participate in and contribute to system-level activities.

(g) Community Criterion

Demonstrated capacity to lead a small school with a strong sense of family and community values, ensuring a positive school culture that motivates and supports student engagement, learning and wellbeing.

The role of the principal is to lead and manage the planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement of the education of all students in a community through the deployment of resources provided by the Department and the school community.

At the same time, the principal, as executive officer of the school council, must ensure that adequate and appropriate advice is provided to the council on educational and other matters, that the decisions of the council are implemented and that adequate support and resources are provided for the conduct of council meetings.

The principal is accountable for the overall management and development of the school within statewide guidelines and Government policies. A clear set of accountabilities, which distinguish their work from other members of the Teaching Service and the education community are set out in detail in the contract of employment.

The core accountabilities of all principals are to:

• ensure the delivery of a comprehensive education program to all students
• be executive officer of the school council.
• establish and manage financial systems in accordance with the Department and school council requirements.
• represent the Department in the school and the local community.
• implement decisions of the school council.
• contribute to system-wide activities, including policy and strategic planning and development.
• manage and integrate the resources available to the school.
• appropriately involve staff, students and the community in the development, implementation and review of school policies, programs and operations.
• report to the Department, school community, parents and students on the achievements of the school and of individual students as appropriate.

Appropriately qualified individuals currently registered or eligible for registration with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via *******@education.vic.gov.au

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

• All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
• Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
• A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
• Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

To be eligible for employment, transfer or promotion in the principal or teacher class:

• The person must have provisional or full registration approved by the Victorian Institute of Teaching; and
• if the person completed an Australian postgraduate level initial teaching program or course of study on or after 1 January 2024, they must demonstrate that they have satisfactorily completed a postgraduate level accredited initial teacher education program that has been accredited by an Australian State or Territory Teacher Regulatory Authority as satisfying the requirements of the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership 'Accreditation of initial teacher education programs in Australia: Standards and Procedures'; and
• a person who graduated from a Victorian Initial Teacher Education (ITE) program after 1 July 2016 must also demonstrate that they have passed the literacy and numeracy test for initial teacher education (LANTITE) requirements (this condition is satisfied where the LANTITE requirement is part of the Victorian ITE program completed by the person).

Details of qualification requirements as updated from time to time can be found at Recruitment in Schools.

To be eligible for appointment as a principal a person must either:

• Be a substantive Principal of a registered school in Victoria; or
• Have a statement of readiness following completion of the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment.