Caves Beach Public School Newsletter

Term 3 Week 7 and Week 8 - 31st August - 11th September 2026

Principal's Blog

Newsletter Term 3 Week 8

Father’s Day

Thank you to all the dads, granddads, and father figures who came to our Father’s Day BBQ last week. We are happy you could celebrate with us at school.

A big thank you to Mandy Tyndall and the parent volunteers for organising the Father’s Day BBQ and stall. Your efforts and support helped make these activities a success for everyone.

Kindergarten 2027

Our Kindy transition program has begun, and we are pleased to welcome our Kindergarten 2027 students and their parents to the school. The 2027 Kindergarten students are taking part in playgroup sessions held in the kindergarten classrooms. We look forward to getting to know all our new students better as we continue this program.

If you have a child of Kindergarten age who has not yet enrolled, or if you know of anyone interested in starting Kindergarten at our school next year, please contact the school office at 4971 1838.

2026 Exchange

Last Monday, Stage 3 students were treated to an international exchange with PSBB Chennai India. This is our 6th year of collaboration with PSBB Chennai where both our schools come together to share information about current and topical conservation works of interest. This year we had the privilege of Professor Matt Hayward speaking to students about the importance of biodiversity. Professor Hayward has extensive knowledge and passion for wildlife conservation and students enjoyed an informative question-and-answer session.

Kind regards,

Lisa Dallaway

Principal (relieving)

Upcoming Events

Week 8

  • Tuesday 8th September - Kindergarten Seastars Playgroup
  • Friday 11th September - STEM Discovery Day

Week 9

  • Monday 14th September - P&C Meeting
  • Tuesday 15th September - Kindergarten Seastars Playgroup
  • Tuesday 15th September - Year 6 Sports Day SHS
  • Tuesday 15th -16th September - 2027 Kindergarten Parent Interviews
  • Thursday 17th September - Family Band Night
  • Friday 18th September - Colour Run
  • Wednesday 2nd September - Father's Day Stall 
  • Friday 4th September - Father's Day Breakfast

Week 10

  • Tuesday 22nd September - Oakvale Farm ES1
  • Thursday 24th September - Celebration Assembly

Class of the Week

Awards

Gold

Congratulations to the following Gold Award recipients:

          Archie H - 5/6P

         Patrick E - 6S

         Beau C - 6S

         Finn R - 6S

         Shelly F - 6S

         Dash T - 6S

         Emme J - 6S

Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following Merit Award recipients:

Week 6

KF   

Tyrone B & Max CKPJarrah F-B - Noah JK/1BStella D & Eoghlan H
1HStella W & Florence G1/2SZachariah A & Harper W2MFrankie F & Myah B
3LHudson J & Lincoln M3/4NMackenzie M & Oscar M 4MAmirkal A & Tyde S
4/5BAva G & Connor J5TCharlie A & Willow J5/6PMila A & Archie H
6SReuben V & Amber MK/6RHudson B

GYM Awards

Congratulations to the following GYM Award recipients:

Week 6

KFConnor BCuriosity & Kindness
KPClaudia PEnthusiasm & Friendliness 
K/1BLenny P Patience & Respect
1HToby SHumour & Joyfulness
1/2SBrax HPerseverance
2MCatalina BGratitude & Respect
3LMaeve HEmpathy
3/4NSophie TOrganisation
4MLiana CHumour
4/5BLuka WCuriosity
5T

5/6PHavanna SRespect
6SEleanor BHelpfulness
K/6RArabella MKind Friend

Merit Awards

Congratulations to the following Merit Award recipients:

Week 7

KF   

Chloe C & Austin BKPMateo C & Valentina GK/1BSammy M & Bowie S
1HArthur S-V & Indie P1/2SOscar P & Aurora E2MLayne H & Skyla H
3LStevie L & Mason M3/4NIzabelle R & Tahlia H4MBonnie D & Kaia H
4/5BDakota H & Ava W5TNaomi P & Wylie H5/6PMarley H & Zayden E
6SAaylah S & Ashlyn MK/6RJonah W K/6FKyle M

GYM Awards

Congratulations to the following GYM Award recipients:

Week 7

KFDaphne JTeamwork & Helpfulness
KPNoah JHelpfulness
K/1BStella D Helpfulness
1HRuby RTeamwork & Helpfulness
1/2SArdyn BHumour
2MBella MKindness & Compassion
3LRylan MPerseverance
3/4NNash SRespect
4MLewis THumour
4/5BLuka WHelpfulness
5TBilly DJoyful
5/6PHailey CKindness
6SJake FHumour
K/6FBailee OGenerosity
K/6LDylan ACreativity & Patience

Other School News

Check-in assessment for Years 3 - 6

Dear parents and carers,

During Term 3, students will participate in the Check-in assessment.

The Check-in assessment is a NSW Department of Education online literacy and numeracy assessment available to support schools to assess and monitor student learning.

The assessment can supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing in literacy and numeracy and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs. Students with disability may receive the same level of support during the assessment they would normally receive in the classroom.

  • The assessment will be scheduled for our Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 students during Weeks 6 to 9 (Monday 24 August to Friday 18 September) with a finalisation week in week 10 (21 September to 25 September).    

  • All students complete a reading assessment and a numeracy assessment. Year 6 students will also complete a writing assessment during weeks 6 to 9.

Zone Debating

Congratulations to our Caves Beach Sharks who are officially the Zone Champions in the NSW Premiers Debating Competition!

Nina, Mila, Oliver and Grace have worked consistently to hone their debating skills to reach the Regional level as the undefeated winners!

Nina, our first speaker, dazzles the audience with her engaging introductions, clever definitions and brilliant public speaking skills.

Mila, our second speaker, proves that nothing gets past her! She cleverly weaves her arguments into captivating lessons that leaves her audience convinced.

Oliver, our third speaker, is the King of Rebuttals. He can find the logical flaw in any argument and hold the opposing team accountable for everything they say!

Grace, our fourth speaker, is the brains trust of the group. Writing quickly, on the spot, to add to arguments and rebuttals to help her speakers bring home the win!

Well done to a great group of debaters and good luck as they move into the Regional Knockout Competition! 

Tournament of Minds

A huge congratulations to our incredible Tournament of Minds team, who achieved first place in Primary Social Sciences at the Hunter Regional Tournament, held at Newcastle Grammar School on Sunday 30 August.

They will compete in the NSW Branch Final, at UNSW on Sunday 13th September 2026. 

You have the Spirit of TOM of commitment, cooperation and fair play, respecting the views of all team members and respond positively to overcome the obstacles encountered during the challenges.

A special thank you to Phillipa Campbell, who is Evelyn’s mum. Phillipa is a primary teacher with the Department of Education and has kindly offered to help on the day. 

Grow Your Mind

As we come to the end of the year, it is important to reflect on the people we are thankful for in our lives, special moments we enjoyed and what we are looking forward to in the New Year!

Displaying GRATITUDE for what we have, is an essential part of our well-being.

 At the end of everyday use your ELEPHANT to remember:

  • something that went well
  • one person you are thankful for
  • what you are looking forward to tomorrow

You could start your own GRATITUDE journal.

Environmental Group

Learning and Support

Physical Activity and Mental Health

How does physical activity affect wellbeing and mental health? 

Choose the correct answers. 

  • Children (5-12 years old) who engage in moderate physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day can help relieve feelings of stress, anger and frustration. 
  • Strong evidence that excessive screen time for children may have negative effects on behaviour, anxiety and mental health. 
  • Non-competitive physical activities e.g., camping, dancing focus on being active. It provides opportunities for children to socialise and improve wellbeing. 
  • Regular physical exercise can have a positive impact on mental health and mood by increasing your happy hormones levels. 

Find out more:

·         https://beyou.edu.au/fact-sheets/wellbeing/physical-activity-and-mental-health 

·         https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/play-learning/screen-time-healthy-screen-use/managing-screen-time-3-11-years 

·         https://aifs.gov.au/resources/short-articles/too-much-time-screens 

·         https://www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress

Aboriginal News

Sport News

Band News

Band

It is close!! Family Band Night is next week Thursday 17th September. Please arrive by 5:45 to the school hall and be ready to commence the concert at 6pm. 

Extra notes are available in the music room and it is also posted on the band seesaw page. Students will need to write their song down on the list in the music room this week during band rehearsal. 

Band camp - Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th October - week 3 term 4 - Catalina Function Centre Rathmines - note will sent home this week. 

Band camp is an overnight camp for years 3-6 and day camp for year 2 students. 

Week 8

Junior band 8:15am – 8:55am - Tuesday and Thursday 

Senior band 8am – 8:55am - Wednesday and Friday 

Week 9

Junior band 8:15am – 8:55am - Thursday only! And family band night is this night!! 

Senior band 8am – 8:55am - Wednesday and Friday 

Please send a black display folder with current band music to rehearsals each week.

Tutor Lessons:

Lance Verdon- clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone & percussion - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday  

Rachael Sebastian- keyboard -  Tuesday

Isabella O'Brien - flute and bass guitar - Tuesday 

Fees:

Fees will be collected through the school office for all band members. These will be allocated to your School Bytes account in the next few weeks and include the whole year fee and instrument hire, if applicable. 

These fees can be paid off termly @ $60 per term or in full at any stage of the year. Instrument hire fees are due term 1 to secure the instrument for your child. Instrument hire fee is non- refundable.

Band fee - $60 per student per term.

Instrument Hire fee - $100 per year, due term 1

Reeds:

Reeds are available for purchase with cash only to Mrs Scott or Lance at band rehearsal:

Clarinet - Rico - $3.50 (Beginner students) 

Clarinet - Vandoren - $4.50 (Intermediate - advanced Students) 

Saxophone - $4.50 

Bass Clarinet - $7.50

Students will be supplied with a reed when one is broken so they can continue to participate in rehearsals and lessons.  A slip will be sent home with your child with the cost displayed and payment is expected within the same week.  Happy  music making! 

Library News

P&C News

🌊 Caves Beach Public School P&C Newsletter

📣 Where to Find Us & Stay Connected

📧 Email: cavesbeachpublicschool@pcaffiliate.onmicrosoft.com

🌐 Website: Caves Parent

📱 Facebook: Caves Beach Public School P&C

🛍️ Buy, Swap & Sell Group: Caves Beach Public School P&C Buy, Swap and Sell

Together, we’re creating special memories and opportunities for our kids. 🏫✨

Caves Beach Public School P&C

Working together for our kids 💛 

Canteen Chatter

🍔 Seaside Bites Canteen News 🏖️

👋 Seeking canteen volunteers  

If you are free and keen to help please email me below.

We are also looking for more volunteers on Thursdays and Fridays. 

You can help by volunteering once a month on the roster or casually when you’re available. Shifts are 9:00am–12:00pm, everything is easy to learn—we’ll show you what to do 😊

Please spread the word and encourage friends to get involved. The kids love seeing you at school, and it’s a great way to be part of the community 💙

Contact email: cavescanteen@gmail.com

Volunteer Roster for this fortnight:

Week 8

Week 9
Monday7th SeptNikkiMonday14th Sept  
Tuesday8th SeptLissyTuesday15th SeptSandra
Thursday10th SeptBreeThursday17th SeptNanaka & Glen
Friday11th SeptMaryanne, Mandy E & Nicole HFriday 18th SeptAllira, Bridgette & Jessica

Thanks so much for your support!

Madonna at  Seaside Bites🏖️

Uniform Shop News

Other Information

Caves Beach Public School

A caring, supportive school promoting high academic standards.

Respect | Responsibility | Integrity | Acceptance | Care & Compassion | Honesty & Trustworthy