Caves Beach Public School Newsletter

Welcome to Week 6 Term 4 2025!

Student Semester 2 Reports

Teachers are currently finalising assessments and preparing Semester 2 reports for their students. These reports are aligned with the Department of Education’s Assessment and Reporting Policy and will be distributed during Week 10 of this term.

 Swim School

Next week, 40 students will participate in Swim School – an important program that ensures our students are safe in and around water, especially given our close proximity to the beach and lake. A big thank you to Mrs McDonald and Ms Brewster for organising and supervising this valuable activity.

 2026 Classes

This time of year, is always busy with end-of-year activities such as student reports, Presentation Day, Year 6 events, and planning for the upcoming school year. To help us with our preparations, please notify the office if your child will not be attending CBPS in 2026. Additionally, if you know any families planning to join our community next year, please encourage them to contact the office as soon as possible to arrange enrolment. We will be accepting a limited number of out-of-zone enrolments in 2026, but spaces are filling quickly.

 Parent Survey

This term, we will conduct a parent/carer survey to gather your feedback on factors affecting student wellbeing and engagement. The survey will cover topics such as communication with staff, home activities, and your views on our support for learning and behaviour. Your input is invaluable and will help us make meaningful improvements. The confidential survey takes approximately 15 minutes and will be available through Audiri in the coming weeks. A note with further details will also be sent home. Participation is voluntary, but your support is greatly appreciated.

Week 6

• Friday 21st November - P&C Colour Fun Run

Week 7

• Monday 24th - Friday 28th November - Swim School
• Tuesday 25th November - Kindergarten Transition 
• Wednesday 26th November - Band Presentation Night

In K6L, we have been learning how to follow recipes and use kitchen equipment safely. These lessons have been both fun and educational, allowing students to develop important skills in the kitchen. Best of all, the delicious results have made cooking a class favourite! We’re proud of our young chefs and look forward to many more tasty creations.

Congratulations to the following Gold Award recipients:

    River B     3/4B

    Kelly A     3/4B

    Darcy F    6M

Congratulations to the following Merit Award recipients:

Week 4

Congratulations to the following Celebration Award recipients:

Week 4

Congratulations to the following Merit Award recipients:

Week 5

Congratulations to the following Celebration Award recipients:

Week 5

Last Friday, Caves Beach Public School received the ‘Natural Environment’ Award from Lake Macquarie City Council and their sponsor Hunter Water!

This award recognises our beautiful school grounds and the care that goes into maintaining them — from our thriving native gardens and shady trees to our vegetable garden, nesting boxes, rainwater tanks and sustainability initiatives.

A huge thank you to our staff, students and community for helping create a vibrant, sustainable environment for everyone to enjoy.

The year is almost at its end for band, but we have a few special events to wrap up the end of year. Please ensure you note all the dates in your schedule as the band best performs with all members present.

Band will continue until Wednesday December 10th (week 9). Senior band will be required Thursday 11th for presentation day performance, however, there will be no rehearsals Friday week 9 or in week 10. Tutors will continue through till the end of week 9 unless otherwise communicated individually.

Year 6 students will need to return any hired instrument on Thursday 11th December after the performance.

If your child is moving into high school and a would like assistance and advice to either purchase or hire an instrument or join an ensemble, please contact me for a chat.

Dates for your diary:

• Visiting Sydney High School Band - Monday 24th November - Senior Band workshop in the morning session and whole school performance in the middle session.

• Band Presentation night - Wednesday 26th November - 6pm - 8pm - All band students – Note has been sent home and posted on the Band seesaw page.
•  Gold Assembly – Thursday 4th December – 2025 Combined Band - School COLA 
•  Presentation Day – Thursday 11th December – Swansea High School Hall – Morning session – Senior band performance.

Week 6 and 7

New beginner band - 8:15am – 8:55am Tuesday 

Combined band (2025 junior and senior bands) - 8:00am – 8:55am - Wednesday

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

Senior band 8:00am – 8:55am - Friday

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

• 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 will be collected through the school office for all band members. These have been added to your school bytes accounts, please let Mrs Scott know if there are any errors or if you cannot view these fees. 

Fees can be paid off termly @ $60 per term. 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, Junior and Senior band.

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

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 

🙌 Volunteers Needed – Can You Help?

🎄 Christmas Disco Volunteers

We need helpers for:

✨ Setup

✨ Pack down

✨ Sign-in/out

✨ Serving snacks & glow items

✨ Monitor bathrooms

✨ Pack-up

Even 30 minutes makes a huge difference!

🎨 Colour Fun Run Volunteers

We are looking for helpers for:

✨ Colour stations

✨ Course supervision

✨ Handing out sunglasses/headbands

✨ Pack up & clean-up

If you’re available, we’d love to have you!

📧 Email: cavesbeachpublicschool@pcaffiliate.onmicrosoft.com

Include:

Your name

Your phone number

Event you can help with

(Optional) Your child’s name/class

🧁 Canteen Volunteers

Your kids will love seeing you in the canteen and it’s a fun, relaxed way to help!

📧 Email Madonna (Canteen Coordinator): cavescanteen@gmail.com

Include:

Your name

Your phone number

Your availability (e.g. “one morning a month, 9–12”)

📆 Upcoming Events

🏃‍♀️ Colour Fun Run - 21 November

🪩 Community Disco - 28 November

🎁 Christmas Raffle - drawn 16 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!

Mango Drive Update 🍊 Our Mango Drive delivery is still set for the first week of December. Please note that this date is subject to change, but we’ll keep you updated with any new information.

Sushi Fridays – Don’t Forget to Pre-Order! 🍣

Sushi Fridays are still on, and we’re thrilled to offer this exciting lunch option to our students! Please note the following key information:

• Pre-orders must be placed by Tuesday morning at 8:45 am for Friday's lunch.
• Orders can be made via the QKR app under the canteen menu.
• Don’t forget to add any other canteen items to your order while you're at it!

Please note: Unfortunately, if you have preordered sushi and are away on that day, we are unable to refund or transfer it to another day.

Alternatively, if your child is away, you are welcome to pick up the order from the office on the day — just let us know in advance.

We hope your child enjoys this new lunch treat as much as we do!

Mexican Mondays & Tuesdays 🌮

Don’t forget, Mexican bowls are back! Your child can enjoy a tasty Mexican lunch on Mondays and Tuesdays only. Here’s how it works:

• Orders can be placed through the QKR app.
• Choose from the regular canteen menu, but remember, the Mexican bowls are only available on Mondays and Tuesdays!

Let’s spice up lunchtime together!

Important Reminder: Check the QKR App

Don’t forget to check the QKR app regularly for the latest lunch menu items, including the option to pre-order sushi for Friday lunch.

Madonna @ Seaside Bites 🏖️

Volunteer Roster for this fortnight: