Caves Beach Public School Newsletter

Welcome to Week 4 Term 4  2023

Term 4 has kicked off as busy as ever. Currently teachers are completing assessments in readiness for writing semester 2 school reports. We have a full calendar with many end of year events including Kindergarten 2024 transition days, class parties and of course all of our Year 6 activities.

Make My Day

I mention our senior students regularly, expressing how kind and caring they are towards our younger students and Alex from K6D is no exception. Alex is in Year 4 and has volunteered to support Mason from KB as his reading buddy. Thank you, Alex, you have allowed the Reading Buddy Program to expand and congratulations Mason on your improvement in reading!

School Pledge

Earlier this year we were asked by P&C members to review some of the processes in our weekly school assembly. One was the School Pledge. After surveying parents and discussion with students and staff Year 6 were given the task of bringing our pledge in line with current practice. Please see below the new Caves Beach Public School Pledge written by our 2023 Year 6 students.

School Additions

Along with our DoE major works our school will be undergoing some more changes. We now have a boundary fence allowing us to safely extend our existing open playground space from the oval boundary to the front fence boundary. Mrs Chensee works with a group of children providing additional support with social interactions during some break times. We will be adding this space, which includes the Sensory Garden, to our playground supervision to allow a safe and supported play area for all students. Work should begin early next year on a long-term goal. We will install covered walkways from both our front gates to the main COLA and to our supported classrooms. We are also hoping to provide a larger covered verandah space for our supported classrooms.

Special Achievement

Congratulations to Toby 3/4B and Seth 4C who initially were chosen to attend a Westham Soccer clinic at the Gold Coast and have since gone on to be selected in the UK Development Soccer Tour with Westham United. The boys will travel to London in 2024 to complete an 11-day tour. What an amazing achievement Seth and Toby!

Amazing Students

Last week I was made aware of the fundraising efforts of two Caves Beach PS students. Dash and Nate are completing a cold-water challenge. They are raising money for the Waves of Wellness Foundation, a mental health and surf therapy charity Co-founded by an ex-Caves Beach Public School student, Joel Pilgrim. Well done boys. The boys have raised $2723.00 close to their $3000.00 goal!

Tell Them From Me Survey

Each year our school encourages parent feedback via the Tell Them From Me survey. The survey provides our school with student, teacher and parent perspectives about the engagement and wellbeing of their students. This information is valuable to schools and can be used to identify strengths and successes, as well as areas to target for improvement. Information and a link to the survey can be found in this newsletter.

Sue Gibson

Principal

Week 4

• Monday 30th October - Family Band Night

Week 5

• Tuesday 7th November - Kinder Orientation Session 4
• Thursday 9th November - Senior Band Workshop

In K6D we have been busy getting hands on with our learning, exploring our interests and having fun along the way. Here are some photos of our favourite activties over the past couple of weeks.

In this mathematics lesson we were learning patience, problem solving and 3D space using marshmallows and spaghetti. We created 3D objects, and discovered the different shapes that made these objects.

Visual art is one of our favourite subjects, and it’s always a messy learning experience. We explore different mediums, mixing colours, and about famous artists and designs.

Getting outside, being active and learning new skills is another learning experience we enjoy in K6D. We have been learning soccer skills and teamwork during our sports lessons.

Congratulations to the following Merit Award recipients:

Week 2

Congratulations to the following GYM Award recipients:

Week 2

Congratulations to the following Gold Award recipients:

      Wylie Hammond     2M

      Georgia Price      3/4B

      Savannah Moore  3/4B

Congratulations to the following Merit Award recipients:

Week 3

Congratulations to the following GYM Award recipients:

Week 3

Our school will be participating in the Partners in Learning parent survey, another part of the Tell Them From Me suite of surveys (student, teacher and parent surveys) on student engagement. The survey asks parents and carers questions about different factors that are known to impact on student wellbeing and engagement.

Running this survey will help our school understand parents’ and carers’ perspectives on their child’s experience at school. These include: communication between parents/carers and staff, activities and practices at home and parent/carer views on the school's support of learning and behaviour. This valuable feedback will help our school make practical improvements. 

The survey is conducted entirely online on smartphones, iPads, tablets, laptops or computers. The survey will typically take 15 minutes or less to complete and is completely confidential. The parent survey will be conducted this term, and run until Friday 3 November. Although participating in the survey is entirely voluntary, your responses are very much appreciated.

More information about the survey is available at: education.nsw.gov.au/ttfm. To access the survey for our school go to: http://nsw.tellthemfromme.com/vqg8t

The survey is available in 23 languages.

Sharon Robertson - K-2 Learning Support Teacher

Tell us something about yourself (brief background, best place for coffee, best beach, what days do you work at Caves Beach PS) 

I first began teaching at Caves Beach P.S in 1997 and continued for five years until the arrival of my first child. When my children were little, I had some time away from teaching, returning when my youngest child was 3, where I continued to be a part of the Caves Beach P.S community in various roles. For the past 6 years I have been working as a Learning Support teacher working four days a week, supporting students from Kindergarten to Year 2. 

I am not a coffee drinker, but believe the best place to get a great hot chocolate is Blue Door at Merewether. My favourite beach would be Redhead Beach as I have many happy childhood memories that were made there, it is also the beach where I have taken my children to. 

What does a typical day look like as LaST? 

As a Learning Support teacher, I take students either in small groups or individually, where I assist students to develop their Literacy skills. The lessons include Phonemic Awareness activities, explicit teaching of sounds, Literacy based games, learning heart words (high frequency sight words) and reading decodable texts. 

How do we find out what our child does in Learning and Support groups? 

Parents of those students who attend Learning Support lessons can contact me via the school email or phone if they have any questions regarding their child’s program or progress. Alternatively, parents can contact class teachers who I am in constant collaboration with. 

The Enviro Group have been busy weeding and mulching our garden beds. We were very lucky to get some vegetable and flower seedlings in on Wednesday just before the rain came. We harvested our first onion and some more silverbeet which Miss Heap cooked up in a tasty frittata for us to enjoy. 

Band Update  

What a busy start to term 4 for band! 

A huge congratulations to all band members who participated in Bandfest in week 2, you represented your school with pride and performed beautifully. The feedback from other teachers at the event was exceptional in regards to behaviour and your playing. You have very proud teachers after this experience. 

Thank you to all the parents who assisted with transport for Bandfest, it was very much appreciated. 

Family Band night 30th October! 

Reminder for band families attending FBN tonight.

Students to wear full band uniform. 

5.00pm - 5.45pm - BYO family picnic in the school grounds - optional.

5.45pm - All band students to set up with instrument and music in the hall. 

6.00pm - Concert commences. 

8.00pm - Estimated end time. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for our band students to perform in a variety of ensemble sizes for each other and their families. 

Looking forward to a great night of music! 

Visiting Sydney School

Thursday November 9th Senior Band will host a touring band from Narrabeen Lakes Public School for a workshop and performance. Senior band will need to wear their band shirts on this day. Junior band rehearsal will be as normal on that morning. 

Band Presentation Night - Save the date!

Band presentation night will be held on  Wednesday 29th November, 6pm - 8pm, in the school hall. This night showcases junior, senior and combined band as well as our year 6 students. Annual awards, gifts and certificates are presented at this night. 

Rehearsals Week 4 (this week) 

Senior Band - Wednesday and Friday morning - 8am 

Junior Band -  Thursday morning only  - 8.15am

There will no Tuesday morning rehearsal after FBN on Monday night. 

Rehearsals Week 5 - 9 

There is a change to rehearsals for some band memebers for the remainder of the year. 

Tuesday - 8.15am - New training band 

Wednesday - 8am  - Combined Junior and Senior band 

Thursday - 8.15am - Junior Band 

Friday - 8am - Senior Band 

Reminder! Please send your child to rehearsals with a display folder each week. 

Music tutors 

Please ensure you contact your child's tutor if they are unable to attend a scheduled lesson.

Fees

Fees for term 4 are now due:

Individual reminders will be sent home this week for those families who are not up to date with fees for 2023. 

It is very important that fees are up to date for 2023 as the band will transition to a new payment procedure in 2024. 

Senior band - $65

Junior Band - $55

Yearly instrument hire fee - $100 - only for members who hire from the school and take the instrument home - clarinets, flutes, trumpets, saxophones, trombones, bass guitar. 

Please use your child's name as the reference, eg ScottT1fees 

Example of fees for term :

Junior band member playing the clarinet and hiring from the school. Term 1 fees: $55 plus instrument hire fee for 2023 of $100. Total $155. 

An instrument hire fee is only payable once per year. Please ignore if you paid. 

Remember! The band collects fees separate to the school, see bank details below. 

Caves Beach PS Concert Band 

BSB: 062820Account: 00903319

WHAT WE DO AT CAVES BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C ASSOCIATION

The Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) is a group of parents and carers who work hard to build and support our school community and to make positive improvement to our school environment. The P&C plays an important role through generating funds for school initiatives that fall outside of the schools allocated budget. And to liaise with the school about items that impact our children’s school. 

Your P&C meets twice a term on a Monday evening and operates the following services:

EVENTS

Throughout the year your P&C facilitates and host events to build and support our school community. We understand that school is about community, people, resources, opportunity and education. Popular events in the past have been Mothers Day and Fathers Day Stalls, Colour Runs, Easter and Christmas raffles to name a few. 

PURCHASING ITEMS

A big part of the P&C is fundraising and purchasing much needed equipment and items the school may need. Being able to provide these items and brighten our children’s school makes all the difference. 

FACEBOOK GROUPS & INSTAGRAM

Our P&C has two Facebook pages to join:

CAVES BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL P&C

https://m.facebook.com/groups/cavesbeachpc/?ref=sharehttps://m.facebook.com/groups/cavesbeachpc/?ref%3Dshare&exp=8ce3&mibextid=S66gvF

and 

CAVES BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL BUY SWAP SELL

https://m.facebook.com/groups/324597866278243/?ref=sharehttps://m.facebook.com/groups/324597866278243/?ref%3Dshare&exp=8ce3&mibextid=S66gvF

CANTEEN

The Canteen runs Mon - Tues - Thurs - Fri, during term. Our menu varies from hot food, fresh sandwiches, some healthy snacks etc. Check out our menu on the QKR App. Our Canteen cannot operate without volunteer helpers every day assisting the Canteen Convenor. Food orders can be made online at Qkr!

UNIFORM SHOP

The Uniform Shop available online via the QKR App also. If you feel you need a fitting please contact the school for arrangement. Your order will be delivered to your child's classroom.

GETTING INVOLVED

There is evidence to suggests that parent and carers involvement at their child's school produces positive educational outcomes. We encourage all parents and carers, new and current, to take an active part in their children’s education. We completely understand that your time to commit to volunteering may be limited, We are all so busy these days. There are a variety of opportunities to contribute as much (or as little) as you would like. If you would like to register your interest or if you have any questions please contact us at this stage via our fb page .

The summer menu has returned for Term 4.  

Dumplings are back on the menu for Monday and Tuesday. 

Meatball subs will no longer be available to order. 

Thank you to the fabulous volunteers who kindly donate their time. Without your help our canteen would not be able to operate! If you would like to be added to the roster and a part of the fun, please call into the canteen and speak with Jo, or email us at cavescanteen@gmail.com

Ordering Uniforms

The Uniform Shop operates online all year round – orders placed via QKR will be delivered to classrooms throughout the week.  Alternatively, you can request that orders are left at the office for you to collect. 

If your uniforms are too big/too small, please email us and let us know - we can arrange an exchange to ensure that you have the right ones.  Or if you have ANY questions regarding uniforms prior to ordering - please let us know via email and we are happy to  help! cavesuniformshop@gmail.com

Uniform Shop – TERM 4 OPENING HOURS

The School Uniform Shop will be open Term 4  on Wednesday mornings from 8:45am – 9:30am.  This is mainly to assist our new Kindy families with planning their uniform needs – but all families are welcome! If you are unable to visit on Wednesday mornings – please email us and we can arrange to meet you at another time.

Place your order via the Qkr! App (quick, simple & our preferred option)

**You can link a credit card or debit card to the Qkr! App

If you need an order form to order/pay via direct deposit OR have ANY questions regarding uniforms prior to ordering - please let us know via email and we are happy to help! cavesuniformshop@gmail.com

If your uniforms are too big/too small, please email us and let us know - we can arrange an exchange to ensure that you have the right ones.