Caves Beach Public School Newsletter

Welcome to Week 10 Term 4 2025

We have come to the final school week for 2025. This year has been filled with moments of joy and accomplishment packed with school events, excursions, performances, sporting achievements, classroom successes, and countless everyday moments of kindness and growth. Thank you to all staff for their dedication and hard work, to parents for trusting and supporting us and to the whole Caves Beach learning community for being part of this year’s journey.

Have a safe and relaxing summer break. Student’s return to school Monday 2nd Feb 2026. Our Swimming Carnival will take place on Wednesday 4th Feb and we will aim to place students in their new classes on Monday 2nd Feb.

Important Bushfire Information

With this year's bushfire season fast approaching we take this opportunity to advise you of the bushfire emergency arrangements for our school.

Our school is in a bushfire prone area and is listed as Category 2 on the NSW Department of Education’s bushfire risk register.

· Students may access online learning via the Department of Education Digital

Our school is in a bushfire prone area and is listed as Category 2 on the NSW

To ensure the health, safety and welfare of students and staff, the Department has determined that on days when NSW Rural Fire Service declares a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for Caves Beach area, our school will temporarily cease operations for the following day.

In addition, schools may be made non-operational due to changing higher risk conditions and advice from emergency services and the State Emergency Operations Centre.

We recommend that you monitor advice from our school, via Audiri and Facebook, which will push notifications to you advising that the school is non-operational.

The Fire Danger Rating does not mean there will be a bushfire, but rather weather conditions that could pose a high risk for a bushfire event. The measure is proactive to ensure staff, students and the community remain safe.

To ensure that we continue to support student learning on these days, I have put the

To ensure that we continue to support student learning on these days, I have put the following arrangements in place:

· Students may access online learning via the Department of Education Digital Learning Packs at Primary (nsw.gov.au)

· Students may access online learning via the Department of Education Digital Learning Packs at Primary (nsw.gov.au)

Our school will inform our school community after 4 pm if there is a change to the operational status of the school for the following day. To assist the school in contacting all families please ensure that you have provided us with up-to-date contact details.

Further information on up-to-date communication of school operations, can also be found through:

 · Our school website or Facebook page

· NSW Department of Education’s School Safety website: https://

· education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety

· NSW School Updates app: https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/nsw-

· school-updates-app, and

· Social media.

We recommend that all our families follow the advice of the NSW Rural Fire Service and ensure that your family knows what to do if there is a fire.

It can take as little as five minutes to make your plan. Discuss it with your family so you

It can take as little as five minutes to make your plan. Discuss it with your family so you know what you will do in the event of a fire. https://www.myfireplan.com.au/

Please contact the school on (02) 4357 1225 if you would like any further information about this matter.

Please contact the school on (02) 49 711 838 if you would like any further information about this matter.

Week 10

• Monday 15th December - Year 6 Farewell
• Thursday 18th December - SHS Swim Carnival - Year 6 only
• Friday 19th December - Last Day of School

Term 1 2026

Week 1

• Monday 2nd February - 1st Day of School
• Wednesday 4th February - Swimming Carnival

Applications for 2027 placement in Year 5 opportunity classes and Year 7 selective high schools open from 6 November 2025 to 20 February 2026. 

The application link will be available at Selective high schools and opportunity classes from 6 November. The link is below.

Students seeking placement in an opportunity class are in Year 3 when applications open and will be in Year 4 when applications close.

Students seeking placement in a selective high school are in Year 5 when applications open and in Year 6 when applications close.

Parents and carers must apply during the application period – late applications will not be accepted. Applications close on Friday 20 February 2026. 

Aboriginal Education Committee would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our school community who have joined us for the Yarn Up Breakfast on 9th December.  Your presence, your voices, and your partnership are deeply valued, and they enrich our community in so many meaningful ways. Thanks to Carol Proctor from Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council for the ongoing support and the members of the Land Council continue to provide to our school. Earlier this term, Donna and her team generously supported our fundraising raffle by donating the bike that was offered as first prize. 

Over the past year, we have been fortunate to continue strengthening our connections with Swansea High School, particularly through the Koori Room. I want to acknowledge and thank Josh Honeysett and Jarn Hodgson for their time, care, and cultural knowledge. Their support has made a significant difference, not only in creating opportunities but in building confidence, cultural identity, and a strong sense of belonging, especially for our male students. Jarn has also sent his apologies for today. 

I would also like to recognise the wonderful work of the Ngaarr Dhuwi Girls Academy, whose leadership in cultural dance and art programs has been instrumental in supporting our Aboriginal girls. Their cultural guidance and community spirit have created powerful and lasting learning experiences for our students. Our Stage Three students, in particular, have deeply benefited from the connections and learning these programs have fostered. 

Looking ahead to 2026, we plan to hold a Yarn Up each term, with each gathering focusing on a different theme. These sessions will give us meaningful opportunities to listen, learn, collaborate, and grow together. We welcome your suggestions for topics or areas you would like us to explore, as your input is truly valued. 

We look forward to 2026 when we meet with families and staff to develop Personalised Learning Pathway plans for our students. 

It was a relaxed and welcoming space where everyone could listen and connect by sharing stories, experiences, and culture through open conversation. The event encouraged respectful dialogue, promoted understanding, and helped build strong relationships within our school community.   

Band - Week 10 - Term 4

Week 10 - NO BAND- Happy holidays! 

• Please keep in close contact with your tutors regarding absences. 

Lance Verdon- Clarinet, Saxophone and Percussion - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday  

Rachael Sebastian - Keyboard - Tuesday 

Isabella O'Brien - Flute and Bass guitar - Tuesday 

Bryn Wilson-Kellaway - Trumpet and Trombone – Wednesday

 Fees:

Fees are due at the beginning of each term and will be collected through the school office for all band members. These have been added to your school bytes accounts, for new band members, please let Mrs Scott know if there are any errors or if you cannot view these fees. 

Reeds:

Reeds are available for purchase with cash only to Mrs Scott:

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! 

Kelsey Scott 

Band coordinator 

✨ DISCO THANK YOU! ✨

What an incredible night! Our school disco was a huge success, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support of our volunteers.

Thank you to each and every one of you who helped make the night fun, safe, and memorable for all our kids. 💛💃🕺

A HUGE THANK YOU TO:

Stephanie Davies, Mandy Tyndall, Madonna Frost, Tarnia Richards, Peter Bradica, Melissa Campbell, Steven McDonald, Jessie Boothe, Mel Tinsley, Kaye McDonald, Eliza Taylor, Scott Shepherd, Blake Richards, Allison Zooks, Nanaka Forster, Vanessa Fisher, Michelle Cootes, Lesley Steinohrt, John Raue, Ant Ramsay, Matt Fisher

Student Helpers:

Allie, Aaylah, Cindy, Amelia, Koah, Keeley

Final Thanks:

A heartfelt thank you as well to the volunteers who generously put their hands up to help, even though we didn’t end up needing extra support, your willingness means the world to us. 💛

🎨 COLOUR RUN – NEW DATE!

📅 Wednesday 17th December

K–2: 12:00–12:30pm

Years 3–6: 12:40–1:10pm

If you have already purchased your ticket — you do NOT need to repurchase.

All tickets automatically transfer to the new event date.

What to wear:

White shirt, shorts and joggers that can get wet.

Please bring a towel, plastic bag for wet clothes and school uniform to change into afterwards.

HELPERS NEEDED!

We are looking for volunteers to help on the day with:

Colour stations

Supervision around the course

Handing out sunglasses & headbands

Pack-up afterwards

If you’re available and willing to help, please email us at:

📩 cavesbeachpublicschool@pcaffiliate.onmicrosoft.com

Even 30 minutes makes a big difference — the kids LOVE seeing you out there!

📆 Upcoming Events

🎁 Christmas Raffle - drawn 16 December

🏃‍♀️ Colour Fun Run - 17 December

📣 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 💛

🍔 Seeking Volunteers for 2026 – Can You Help?🙌

We are currently on the lookout for more wonderful volunteers to help out in the Seaside Bites School Canteen for 2026! If you’re a parent, grandparent, or carer with a spare morning once a month—or even just on an ad-hoc basis—we would love for you to join our team.

No experience is needed, as we’ll provide training to help you get started. Our volunteer shifts run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and we promise it’s not all work—there’s plenty of fun to be had! Volunteering is a great opportunity to get involved in the school community, meet new friends, and see your child’s face light up when they spot you in the canteen. It also gives your child the chance to learn about the importance of giving back and supporting their school.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please pop by the canteen for a chat or email us at cavescanteen@gmail.com. We’d love to have you on board!