2024 Newsfeed

Moyston PS students, teachers and community past and present, celebrated their 150th birthday recently. There was a roll call, tree planting, a reunion dinner and family fun day. Congratulations Moyston PS.

October 2024

Moyston PS - 150th Celebration

Natte Yallock PS - 150th Celebration

Natte Yallock primary school celebrated their 150th birthday this month. The community and past and present students turned out in the hundreds to share their memories, reminisce the times gone by and celebrate the school and community as it is now.

Congratulations Natte Yallock primary school.

Daylesford Secondary College

Finalists in the National Teacher Awards 2024 in the Category of Improvements in Health & Wellbeing.

Daylesford College Wellbeing Services were named as Finalists in the National Teacher Awards 2024 in the Category of Improvements in Health & Wellbeing. Congratulations to all involved.

September, 2024

Lethbridge Primary School - 150th Celebration

Lethbridge Primary school had a successful celebration for their 150 years!

October 2024

Ballarat Specialist School - Year Nine Camp

The Year Nine Camp at Cave Hill Creek proved to be an unforgettable experience for al involved. Students participated in various activities designed to foster a connection with nature and each other. The shared experiences created lasting memories, instilled valuable life lessons and strengthened the students sense of indepenedence.

Rokewood and Shelford Primary Schools - Healthy Schools with Hesse grant program

Rokewood and Shelford Primary Schools were features in the Golden Plains Times for their garden and worm farm. See the article here: Schools supported in garden growth - Golden Plains Times

September 2024

Mount Rowan Mural Excursion

The Year 10 students of Mount Rowan SC recently wandered the lanes of Melbourne to view the amazing murals that adorn the city.

Mount Clear College - Victorian State School Spectacular

Mount Clear College made a remarkable impact at the Victorian State School Spectacular earlier this term, with many students taking on diverse roles. From joining the mass dance ensemble, contributing behind the scenes in stage management and performing as featured dancers, our students showcased their talent and dedication.

Phoenix P-12 Community College - Cambodia and Singapore Travel

Over ten days, fourteen dedicated students embarked on an enriching journey to Cambodia and Singappore, immersing themsleves in local cultures and engaging in meaningful service work. In Cambodia, they spent three days in floating villages, building a house for a local woman whose previous home had sunk. The students funded all materials themselves, making the money they handed over to the new home especially memorable. Students also explored Cambodia's rich history and culture, visiting temples and learning about the Khmer Rouge genocide. In Singapore the group visited Marina Bay Sands, sampled local flavours at hawker centres and concluded with a visit to the stunning Gardens by the Bay.

Alfredton Primary School - Harmony Day

March 2024

Delacombe Primary School - Pirate Day

Delacombe Primary School were enthusiastic participants of the nationwide 'Pirate Day' this month. The day aims to raise money and awareness for research into childhood cancer and Delacombe did an incredible job raising $550 and they looked ARRRmazing doing it!

Staff and students embraced the spirit of the day, and the Junior School Council were very effective in organising the event.

May 2024

School Industry Roundtable event

On Thursday 23rd May, the Department hosted the Central Highlands Area, School Industry Roundtable event. The day was held at the Ballarat Golf Club and welcome over 60 stakeholders who were keen to have input about how Work Experience occurs within the area. Schools, students and over 20 industry bodies sat together having robust discussions related to themes such as ‘The work experience model’, ‘Preparing students for work’ as well as how to develop ‘Onboarding and support for industry’.

The day was captured by the talented Debbie Wood as the days Digital Recorder and attendees were kept deeply engaged by wit and presence of our MC, Glenn Manton. Glenn was able to lead stakeholders along the journey of day, beginning with the presentation from the Regional Taskforce, data feedback from local areas, and then exemplar models of work experience from the Ballarat Tech School, Grampians Health and Federation University before breaking to morning tea.

Upon return, we had a Q & A session with panellists from the LLEN, Phoenix P – 12 Community College, Grampians Health, Federation University and Ballarat High School. Students in the crowd took to the mic to ask the hard questions about how work experience can benefit both students and industries. After hearing “attitude and relationships” being the key for success, we moved into the final session of the day – workshopping ideas drawn from the wealth of knowledge and experience in the room.

The morning ended with a tale of Alec ‘the Burra’ Epis, where the attributes of having the right attitude, persistence, high expectations and compassion were key to the success of not only growing a better person, but also a long-standing working relationship – which isn’t that what work experience is all about?

May 2024

Little Bendigo Primary School

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony

Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at Little Bendigo Primary School on 28th May.

School Captains – McKenzie and Will with Macaylah and Blair (Wadawurrung Traditional Owners)

May 2024

Sebastopol Primary School 2024 Hoodies and Polos

Year 6 Students at Sebastopol PS are very happy with their 2024 Hoodies and Polos! They voted to continue with the 2022 design that was a collaboration by senior students during Wadawarrung language and culture with teacher Miss Mac and ESO, Chris Ottini.

We think they look terrific.

May 2024

Clunes PS - 100 days of school

Foundation students at Clunes PS recently celebrated their 100th day of school. Whilst they were enjoying a terrific day of dressing up and resting their weary bones, the middle and senior year students were busy exploring the notion of fractions.

July 2024

Buangor PS - A stitch in time

Principal Sally Peacock from Buangor PS recently taught her junior students the age-old skill of hand stitching, to complement their STEM focus of toy making... what is old is new again! A great way to develop fine motor skills.

July 2024

Creswick North PS - Naidoc Week

BUTTERFLIES have become the talking point in Creswick with a flutter emerging not far from the middle of town. The colourful display is helping to grow a project that started in 2023 at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre - and every primary school and kindergarten pupil in town has made their mark. Their goal has been to share their take on Indigenous-inspired art as a follow to NAIDOC Week, a celebration of First Nations peoples. Creswick, Creswick North and St Augustine's primary school pupils had a sing-a-long party to unveil the murals, fixed to the side of the neighbourhood centre's Indigenous garden, on July 24. Creswick Kids Choir member Willow, aged 11, was on hand to help musician Stella Savy teach actions to accompany Indigenous songs for the party.

More than 400 children contributed to the design with wooden butterflies and leaves crafted by Creswick's men and women's shed members. Creswick artist Dale Oliver pulled it altogether using a range of materials for backing. "It was great fun to do it and especially to see the kids today," Oliver said. "I felt they all loved it." Creswick Neighbour Centre is on Dja Dja Wurrung country.

Courtesy of the Ballarat Courier, July, 2024.

Literacy Local Leaders - teachers at work

Teachers from across Central Highlands Area are halfway through their training as Literacy Local Leaders. The professional learning consists of 6 days workshopping throughout semester 2, developing and exploring teaching and learning in the Literacy space and furthering their expertise as leaders in schools and complex problem solving.

North Network Principal Meeting - Term 3

Did you ever wonder what a Principal Network meeting looks like?

Principals from the North Network gathered recently in Ararat. These days consist of collaboratively exploring Network data around a designated teaching and learning area, sharing of best practise and focussing on Wellbeing across the Network.

August 2024

Minister Visit - Beaufort PS

Beaufort Primary School had a visit from the Minister of Education, Ben Carroll recently.

MP for Ripon, Martha Haylett also attended. Camille, a middle year's student from Beaufort PS is a big fan of Martha and was very excited to meet with her. She spoke with our Member of Parliament around her wish to gain funding for an indoor sensory space that could be utilised during recess and lunchtimes.

Book week - Willaura PS

Book week at its best. Students and staff from Willaura PS enjoying the fun and shenanigans of Book Week.

August 2024

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Childrens Day

Avoca PS

Avoca PS hosted an amazing day recently for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.

August 2024

NAIDOC Deadly Doors - Ararat College

Students in their year level form group designed their classroom doors in line with the NAIDOC theme for 2024 - Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. The 1st prize winners received pizza and runners up chocolates. Here are the winner and runner up designs.

July 2024

Brenda Matthews - The Last Daughter

Brenda Matthews - The Last Daughter, talking to the students at Ararat College. Her story telling about her journey was emotional and powerful.

June 2024

Koorie Cultural Day at Ararat West PS with Uncle Ron Marks

The Art Teacher had created an Art piece using clay, and the students collected natural resources to imprint on the clay. The visual art pieces represent a bird's eye view of their school and surrounding area. The students loved when Uncle Ron threw the boomerang. Overall, they loved hearing him telling stories and showing artefacts.

May 2024

Warrenheip Primary School ANZAC Day

April 2024

Mount Egerton Primary School Maths Learning

May 2024

Presentation Slides

ASSIST: Formative Assessment

At our most recent Assessment Initiative for Schools and Teachers (ASSIST) meeting teachers and principals looked at effective use of formative assessment strategies in the classroom. There were lots of ideas shared and some participants have already started to implement some new strategies in their classrooms. There were many ideas and resources shared from each of schools.

We have an upcoming Pop Up online sessions looking at the Digital Assessment Library and DIBLES. These will be aimed at small school teachers and principals. If you are interested in one of these free sessions, please use this form to sign up: https://forms.gle/HQ8EyL1wdc3GMDMC6

To access the slides or resources from any of the ASSIST sessions click on the link for the ASSIST tab.

May 2024

Rokewood Primary School ANZAC Day artworks

Buninyong Primary School STEM

During Education Week the Prep-2 students at Buninyong Primary School worked on a wide range of STEM activities. The Grade Preps looked at Engineering and constructed a marble run out of recycled materials. This reinforced their understanding of items that roll and slide. Shadow puppets were the focus of the Grade 1 students. This saw students draw a plan, create a puppet, test their puppet, and make improvements. Levers and pulleys were constructed by Grade 2s. Students used a wide range of materials to create and design an item with moving parts.

Lunchtime club was also taken over by STEM activities. On Monday we explored physics by constructing paper aeroplanes. Tuesday saw us go on a biology scavenger hunt around the school looking for all kinds of living things! Wednesday was our sustainability day where some students pulled up their gloves and did some cleaning up around the school. Elephant's toothpaste was the highlight of Thursday and saw lots of students viewing a demonstration of chemical reactions. Friday saw us unveil a new and exciting application we are going to be using at school for 3D design, Makers Empire. Here’s a couple of photos of Mr Smith in action conducting one of the experiments during lunch time in the courtyard…he gathered quite a crowd!

May 2024

Pyrenees Cluster Annual Athletics day

Students from Amphitheatre, Moonambel, Landsborough, Natte Yallock and Nivarre primary schools enjoyed an action packed day at their annual athletic carnival recently. The event was hosted by Natte Yallock PS and held at the local recreation reserve, where students, staff and families gathered to participate, cheer and celebrate these students. Students from Beaufort SC attended the day to help out with recording, measuring and rotations. A highlight and long-standing tradition of this sporting event is the 'marching competition'. Students practise long and hard to wave their flags and 'fall into line' as a school to compete in this event. Congratulations to Moonambel PS as overall winners on the day.🏆

May 2024

New to Teaching: graduate teachers in the spotlight

Many teachers from across CHA have taken the opportunity to participate in a New to Teaching program at the Academy of Teaching and Leadership, Ballarat. The program aims to provide professional learning, mentoring and support to teachers in the Central Highlands Area who are new to teaching. It is an opportunity to share practice, stories and wonderings with colleagues and facilitators. The course runs over 6 sessions across the year. If you are interested in joining, please contact the Academy.

May 2024

North Network Principal Conference

Principals from Central Highlands North Network were privileged to be able to attend a conference recently at Halls Gap where they had an opportunity to embark upon collaborative improvement and professional learning. David Buttifant, guest speaker facilitated learning sessions with a focus on Collaborative Intelligence Building. At the core of the work and collaboration was the purpose to improve student outcomes and school improvement.

Principals were Welcomed to Country by Tya, Allira and Wilem Lovett (from Pomonal PS)- Gunditjmara Traditional Owners living on BudjaBudja (Halls Gap) country here in Gariwerd (Grampians mountains).

May 2024

Ararat North Primary School

The Potato People

Foundation students at Ararat North Primary School studied the text ‘The Potato People’ by Pamela Allen. During the study, students summarised the text, learned new vocabulary words and made connections to themselves and the world.

At the end of the text study, students had the opportunity to make their own potato person. It was a lot of fun and there were some very creative potato people.

May 2024

Bunniyong Primary School MasterChef

May 2024

Mount Clear College

On Friday 24th and Saturday the 25th May, Mount Clear College presented Disney's 'Alice in Wonderland Jr'. The College is immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of every student who was involved in the production. Students started rehearsing in March and participated in intensive sessions in the holidays and the week leading up to the performance. They also performed to four primary schools from the Area and the students all thoroughly enjoyed the show. Well done to all staff and students involved!

May 2024

Sebastopol Primary School

Sebastopol Primary School had a terrific day of numeracy professional learning, that included professional modelling and conversations that will support planning for the new numeracy curriculum and effective teaching approaches.

April 2024

Darley Primary School

Darley Primary School were featured in the Moorabool News.

Click on the link to read more.

April 2024

Warrenheip Primary School

Easter celebrations at Warrenheip Primary School.

April 2024

Moyston Primary School

Senior students in Year 6 at Moyston PS were able to commence their first days in their last year of primary school wearing their very impressive new polo tops that they designed themselves.

Whilst Emme in Year 2 was super proud to share her thoughts and beautiful handwriting around ways to be KIND.

Feb 2024

Bullarto PS rolled up their sleeves for an outdoor learning day in conjunction with Clean up Australia School Day. Students helped out around the newly restored station, coupled with some sketching of the new hall.

Feb 2024

Bullarto Primary School

The first days of school 2024 shaping up to be a real success.

Lots of preps starting at Moonambel!

Moonambel Primary School

Ararat Rural Cluster (ARC)

Willaura PS, Pomonal PS, Maroona PS & Moyston PS

Ararat Rural Cluster students enjoyed a day out exploring bugs with Landcare at the Nook in Moyston. The Nook is a captivating natural reserve covering 132 hectares near Moyston. It boasts an abundance of orchids, making it one of the richest reserves in the region for these delicate blooms.

Students are benefiting from their newly formed Cluster and the learning and social opportunities they have engaged in as a collective.

March 2024

Mount Egerton Primary School

Ready to Learn for junior students

The top row is their chosen strategies to become ready to learn. The bottom row they can indicate where they are on the ready to learn scale.

Ready to Learn for senior students

The top row is where the students can use a counter to indicate how they are feeling. Below that is their chosen strategies for the classroom and playground. The student can also nominate their trusted adults.