Byron Bay Public School Newsletter TERM 4 | WEEK 2 | 2025

Year 6 students took part in a STEM activity where they learned about how Aboriginal Australian Peoples traditionally built shelters using natural materials from their local environment. The students designed and built their own small model shelters using materials like bark, sticks and leaves. Each shelter had to be waterproof and the students tested their models to see how well they worked. This project helped students understand Aboriginal culture, history and how people used smart, sustainable ideas to live in harmony with nature.

To respect Aboriginal beliefs about caring for the land, any natural materials the students collected for the activity were returned to where they were found after the project was finished.

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Term 4 is here! Students and staff have had a calm, positive start to the term. This will be a busy time for learning and events—we look forward to celebrating achievements, engaging in meaningful activities and continuing to support each other. We are committed to making this term productive and enjoyable for everyone.

Parent/carer permissions

At Byron Bay Public School, we are committed to offering a wide range of curriculum and extracurricular opportunities for our students and families, including incursions, excursions and parent/carer workshops. It is important that all members of our school community actively participate in supporting students to access these opportunities. Firm numbers of students attending these opportunities is required by a set date, due to requirements from organising bodies and our own WHS/risk assessment requirements.

We kindly ask that you regularly check your Byron Bay PS communications to ensure you are well-informed and able to respond promptly to these important invitations. Should your email address change, we ask this be communicated with the school.

The school currently advises parents and carers of upcoming events that require permission and/or payment via email and the School Bytes app. After the initial notification, we send 1 - 3 reminders to those families still pending permission. The cut off date for permissions and payments will be clearly marked on the permission note. Should you be experiencing difficulty in regard to finance or completion of the online permission note, please contact the school prior to the due date. We are always happy to assist you in any way we can.

Bus Zones

Please ensure that you do not stop, even briefly, in the bus zones on Kingsley Street before and after school. Maintaining clear traffic flow for buses in this area is essential for our students’ safety. Be aware that police and unmarked parking inspectors frequently monitor this zone. Thank you for your cooperation.

School Garden Update

Stage 4 of our school vegetable garden renovation has seen completion, with the removal of the main garden bed. Choked with tree roots, the garden as it was remained unplantable. The last stage will see raised beds installed, ensuring surrounding trees do not impinge on the soil or overshadow the beds.

A considerable financial commitment in time and additional services has been required to remediate this area, with a grant application placed to fund the final stage. Our aim is to provide a garden which promotes student participation in a safe and accessible gradening space. We appreciate your patience during this ongoing refurbishment.

Mrs Paron-Clarke and her wonderful Year 1 gardening team are joyfully planning and planting the four raised beds by Carlyle Street. You might have also noticed the fresh new pencils and school sign on Carlyle Street, now beautifully surrounded by a lovely variety of plants. A big thank you to our dedicated cleaner and gardener, Eleanor, whose incredible care and hard work are making our gardens flourish all across the school.

Our first Kindergarten Orientation session was a great success! Families and future students joined us for a fun and welcoming introduction to our school community. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces as the children explored their new learning environment, began making new friends and met their Year 5 buddies. We’re excited for a fantastic 2026 school year ahead!

P&C Donation

The BBPS P&C have kindly donated a bottle of sunscreen for each classroom to be accessed by students throughout the day. We thank the P&C for their generous and timely addition in keeping our students sunsafe.

Year 3 Circus Arts Excursion

Year 3 Flying High!

At the end of Term 3, Year 3 students embarked on an exciting and action-packed excursion to Byron Bay Circus Arts. They enthusiastically rotated through a variety of engaging activities, from bouncing on trampolines to testing their balance on beams and other apparatus. Laughter, movement and energy filled the space as students embraced the fun and challenge of learning new skills. Some even managed to conquer their fears and bravely took on the high trapeze, enjoying the thrill of being up high and trying something new.

Year 4 Gold Coast Excursion

On the last day of Term 3 - Friday, 26th September, Year 4 students set off bright and early for an action-packed day at the Gold Coast Recreation Centre. Students were divided into three mixed-class groups and rotated through a range of exciting activities — the Giant Swing, Safe Archery and Team Challenges. Each activity encouraged teamwork, perseverance and plenty of fun!

Our Year 4 students were terrific representatives of our school, demonstrating the core values of respect, responsibility and fairness throughout the day. A big thank you to Mrs Spry for organising such a fantastic excursion and to Mrs Morris, Mrs Rhodes, Mrs Kneipp, Nicky Sheridan and Rileigh Street for their support and supervision.

Paddock to Plate

Students from every class in the school had a wonderful time at our Paddock to Plate workshops last week with local chef and school parent, Dan Lange. The program aims to help children gain an understanding of where fresh food comes from and how to prepare it in a healthy and nutritious way, focusing on the concept of Paddock to Plate. It promotes healthy eating and good nutrition by actively involving children in preparing food and drinks, encouraging them to make healthier choices. A zero-waste policy is promoted, in line with the school’s commitment to healthy eating environments and practices. Special thanks to our P&C who generously funded half of this fabulous program.