Principal's News
Jingiwallah / Hello Learning and fun continues at Pottsville Beach Public School as we power through Term 1! Our dedicated teachers are currently completing benchmark assessments to for the beginning of the year. These assessments support teachers to identify learning goals for students and to implement teaching and learning priorities to meet the individual needs of our students. Benefits of reading at home Thank you to all parents and carers who support learning from home by engaging in our home reading program, by listening to their child read each night or reading to their child. We encourage all families to support their child to read books at their level, to develop phonological skills, reading fluency, accuracy and confidence. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Congratulations to all students who have received PBL tokens and awards in the last 3 weeks. Our PBL token tubes in our office are already beginning to fill, with some classes filling their class containers and receiving class rewards. Students receiving awards can be found in the section below. Assemblies A special congratulations to our students who have been elected by their classmates to be the Class Reps for the Student Representative Council - Semester 1. This coming Friday 6 March, parents and carers are invited to join us for the Induction Ceremonies at our special assemblies:
- K-2 Assembly from 9:15-10:00am; and our,
- 3-6 Assembly from 10:15-11:00am. Our Sports House Leaders will also be inducted at this assembly.
Our Kindergarten teachers are also in the process of completing Best Start Kindergarten Assessments with our Kinder students. Best Start Kindergarten Assessment identifies student’s literacy and numeracy skills on entry to Kindergarten. All Kindergarten students complete the literacy and numeracy assessment in the first full 5 weeks of school. It has been conducted in all NSW public schools since 2010. The assessment is mapped to the National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions. The assessment is conducted in line with existing school practices and builds upon teaching and learning programs that support students in the transition to school. NAPLAN - Information for Parents and Carers
Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is sat by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March 2026. NAPLAN is just one part of our school’s learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school, so the best preparation is their everyday classroom learning. Our school will also undertake activities to help students become familiar with the types of questions and tools available in the online tests. The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available for you to see the format of the online tests. Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/naplan) and the NAP website (https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers). If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher. National Ride2School Day National Ride2School Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel! Students are encouraged to join more than 350 000 students across the nation who will ride, walk, skate or scoot to school. Look out for teachers handing out Safety tokens at our school entrances on Friday 20 March and for handy bike safety tips and resources, check out the following websites: https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bicyclenetwork.com.au%2Frides-and-events%2Fride2school%2Fget-involved%2Fparent-portal%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ctrisha.parker2%40det.nsw.edu.au%7C6c48c68e41e6459078cb08de798ffc62%7C05a0e69a418a47c19c259387261bf991%7C0%7C0%7C639081856480456769%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=lfhdPOKEGoDdNasReW2pBAcdQqss9hyAI6JGBqVciTQ%3D&reserved=0 https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsw.gov.au%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2021-05%2Fbicycle-riders-handbook.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Ctrisha.parker2%40det.nsw.edu.au%7C6c48c68e41e6459078cb08de798ffc62%7C05a0e69a418a47c19c259387261bf991%7C0%7C0%7C639081856480488829%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1QEckPK33ZAl6ybVu5Hof1%2FsWJJ61uGtwO2bd65mk64%3D&reserved=0 https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.transport.nsw.gov.au%2Fsystem%2Ffiles%2Fmedia%2Fdocuments%2F2025%2Fcrs_safety_on_wheels.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Ctrisha.parker2%40det.nsw.edu.au%7C6c48c68e41e6459078cb08de798ffc62%7C05a0e69a418a47c19c259387261bf991%7C0%7C0%7C639081856480510058%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IMqxvdG05RLjtQSjKF600mlH2VNxi2dof4IpwYjZgqE%3D&reserved=0 Regards, Mrs Trisha Parker, Principal
Table of contents
- Principal's News
- Deputy Principal's News
- Our safe, respectful, learners in our safe and inclusive educational environment!
- Kindergarten -Year 2 News
- CRUNCH & SIP
- BEST START ASSESSMENT
- Kindergarten Sport in Term 1
- K-2 Assembly and SRC induction
- Stage 1 Intensive Swimming
- District Swimming
- Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) Awards
- Years 3-6 News
- NAPLAN - 2026
- Bounceback
- Leadership in Sustainability
- Dubay Connections
- Sports Report
- First Nations News
- P&C News
- Supporting your child's transition to Kingscliff High School.
- Contact us
Deputy Principal's News
Jingiwallah term 1 is well and truly underway at Jingiwalla, and Pottsville Beach offers an incredible range of opportunities for our students to get involved. So far this term, our students have proudly represented the school at both the School and Far North Coast District swimming carnivals. We have also enjoyed AFL and NRL clinics, held tryouts for several representative sports, and completed the selection of our girls’ and boys’ dance groups. It’s wonderful to see our students embracing these opportunities while consistently being SAFE, RESPECTFUL LEARNERS. Scripture Scripture classes commenced across the school in Week 4. Currently, students can attend Combined or Catholic scripture sessions every Friday, with K-2 from 11:40 am to 12:10 pm, and Years 3-6 from 12:15 pm to 12:40 pm. Unfortunately, Ethics is not being offered at this time due to the unavailability of a teacher. External Providers External providers began their programs in Week 4 as well. These include our band and choir tutors, along with externally funded service providers who support children with additional health, disability, and wellbeing needs, helping them to fully participate in school life. Camp Australia Before & After School Care at PBPS Camp Australia offers convenient before and after school care for our students at PBPS. Their operating hours are 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, with bookings available for both Before School Care (BSC) and After School Care (ASC) through the Camp Australia app. During the school term, students not only have the chance to socialise with friends but also participate in free interactive webinars. Upcoming webinars include:
- 2nd March: Ask a Marine Biologist – a fun and educational interactive session for kids.
- 24th March: Mental Health First Aid for Families with Dr Billy Garvey – a valuable free webinar to support family wellbeing.
Camp Australia also runs exciting art competitions, giving students the chance to design their own T-shirt. This term’s theme is “Super Heroes” — a fantastic opportunity for creativity! In the school holidays, Camp Australia offers an engaging holiday program featuring both excursions and incursions to keep children entertained and active. For more information about Camp Australia, please drop by the hall before or after school and see Donna.
Miss Dee Stephenson Deputy Principal
Our safe, respectful, learners in our safe and inclusive educational environment!
Did you know that we offer a variety of extra-curricular activities for your child to reach their highest potential? From choir to dance, Jarjums and YULI programs for our First Nations students, to Spelling, Debating, Write a book in a day, Talent Quest and Open Mic, there is something for everyone at Pottsville Beach Public School.
Mr Adam Reid, Deputy Principal, visited our school and spoke with our students in Years 5 and 6 about the upcoming Open Night at Kingscliff High School and the variety of opportunities on offer for students.
Our Eco Warriors Garden Program is available for all students to enjoy during our lunch breaks. During Term 1, students can access the garden on Mondays and Thursdays at lunch play time.
Our students excell across the physical domain of the High Potential and Gifted Education framework. Through the NSW Primary School Sports Association, our students engage in sports and activities that meet their individual needs and talents.
Kindergarten -Year 2 News
CRUNCH & SIP
Kindergarten is loving their crunch and sip each morning. We would like to encourage parents to pack this early morning crunchy fruit or vegetable in a separate container to support our students with food choices. We are also learning about hygiene and the importance of hand washing before food and after play.
BEST START ASSESSMENT
Kindergarten will complete Best Start Assessments in Week 6. Staff will share the analysis of these assessments with families in Week 9.
Kindergarten Sport in Term 1
Kindergarten have been learning about First Nations games and are thoroughly enjoying learning the rules and playing with their peers. We will be having sport at 9:00am on a Thursday to avoid the heat of the day for Term 1.
K-2 Assembly and SRC induction
Our first K-2 assembly is scheduled for this Friday 6 March from 9:15am in the hall.
Stage 1 Intensive Swimming
Our Stage 1 Intensive swimming kicks off next Tuesday 10 March. Please see SchoolBytes for further details.
District Swimming
Congratulations to Year 2 students Duke S and Minnie O who represented the school at the district swimming carnival.
Years 3-6 News
NAPLAN - 2026
Please ensure your child has headphones (with a cable) ready for next week so they can access the NAPLAN assessment platform successfully.
Bounceback
Our Year 6 students had their first opportunity to lead a group of kids from all year levels. These peer support sessions are a wonderful opportunity for our students to work together to discuss important themes like teamwork, respect and resilience.
Leadership in Sustainability
Congratulations to Luca G, Chester R, Eadi B and Phoebe W, who will be participating in the Youth Environment Council (YEC) sustainability program. This exciting year-long initiative aims to increase students’ environmental knowledge and understanding, inspire and empower them to take positive action for sustainability, and provide authentic opportunities for leadership and collaboration. As part of the program, students will design and lead peer learning experiences through a student-driven environmental project, building connections with local environmental organisations and mentors while fostering meaningful partnerships between current and future custodians of our environment. Through hands-on initiatives, teamwork and authentic real-world experiences, students will explore practical strategies to reduce waste, conserve natural resources and create positive environmental change.
Dubay Connections
Congratulations to Nia F, Annabelle M and Marlie B, who will be participating in a range of activities throughout the year as part of the Dubay Connections program throughout the year. This program aims to empower young First Nations and non-First Nations women to strengthen their connection to culture, community and Country through STEM learning. Facilitated by the Coastal Academy of STEM Excellence, the program brings together primary and secondary students from across the Coastal Learning Community. With a strong focus on student voice and leadership, participants will design local solutions that support a sustainable future while deepening connections to culture and Country.
Sports Report
Congratulations to the following students who are the 2026 PBPS Swimming Age Champions. Junior: Remy O, Cordelia C 11 Year: Elka-Sage B, Theo N Senior: Harvey N, Sierra G Winning House: Balereh These students will receive their medallions at the whole school assembly on Friday Week 6. Congratulations to Esme R, Isla S, Audrey C and Sylver P who have been selected in the Murwillumbah District Tennis team. Good luck to Phoenix D who is representing North Coast at the NSWPSSA Cricket Championships in Sydney this week. Mr Rologas Sport and Physical Education Coordinator
First Nations News
YULI – Years 5 & 6 First Nations Students Friday 20th March We are excited to be holding our first YULI for our Year 5 and 6 First Nations students. Students will begin the day at the Murwillumbah Museum, where they will explore “The Wiiyan” exhibition. This exhibition shares the Bundjalung creation story explaining the origins of the Bundjalung Nation tribes and their dialects. Following the museum visit, students will walk to the Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre where they will participate in supervised pool games, enjoy the waterslide, and have lunch (provided). Students will then return to school. This day aims to strengthen cultural connection, identity, and community for our students in a supportive and engaging environment.
P&C News
Welcome Back to 2026! Welcome back to all our wonderful families for the 2026 school year! We hope you enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing break and that the year is off to a positive start for everyone. Before we dive into the year ahead, I would like to sincerely thank our incredible P&C team for covering for me while I was away. Your commitment, teamwork and willingness to step up for our school community does not go unnoticed. I am so grateful to work alongside such generous and community-minded parents. Rather Than a Formal Introduction… Let’s Play “Would You Rather?” To the families joining our school community this year — welcome! We are so glad you’re here. For those who may not know me yet, my name is Jess Cullen, your P&C President. To help you get to know me beyond the school gate, here’s a little snapshot. Would you rather:
- have chocolate or coffee? Chocolate. Always chocolate. (I actually hate coffee. I know, controversial!)
- stay home or book the trip? Book the trip. I love exploring new places, whether it’s a snowy mountain, a bustling city, or somewhere off the beaten track.
- read the book or just watch the movie? Read the book first… then absolutely watch the movie. I love seeing how stories are brought to life on screen (and comparing what they changed!).
- embrace comfortable silence or fill the gap? Fill the gap. I’m not great at awkward silences and genuinely love having a chat and getting to know new people, so please don’t hesitate to say hello.
- sit still or keep moving? Keep moving. I’m not very good at sitting still! If you see me out and about in Pottsville, I’m probably “doing the loop” through town, Koala Beach and Seabreeze or walking along the beach. It’s my favourite way to reset.
- summer sunshine or winter layers? Winter, every time. Which does make living in Pottsville an interesting life choice since I’ve called it home since 2009! But we make it work… I feel incredibly lucky to be raising my family in such a beautiful community.
Outside of school, I work full-time as a Literacy Advisor, which keeps me very busy. The P&C is a bit of a “side project” for me, but one I’m passionate about. I truly believe that if every parent committed to just one year on the P&C for each child they have at school, we would never struggle with membership or volunteers. Many hands really do make light work. The P&C isn’t about adding pressure to already busy lives, it’s about small contributions that, together, make a big difference for our children and our school. At the heart of it all, I believe school communities are strongest when parents feel connected. So whether it’s at a meeting, an event or a quick conversation at pick-up, I look forward to getting to know you this year. If you see me at school drop-off, pick-up or at an event, please introduce yourself. I’d love to meet you and welcome you personally.
Join Us at the Next P&C Meeting – Tuesday 5 May We warmly invite all parents and caregivers to attend our next P&C meeting on Tuesday 5 May at 5.30pm in the Library. If you can’t attend in person, you’re welcome to join online via the meeting link and take part from wherever you are. Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 485 770 948 450 9 Passcode: 4Dy9pV2s We’d love to see you there! Help Our Eco Warrior Garden Thrive in 2026 Our School Eco Warrior Garden Club continues to grow, and we’re excited to make 2026 even bigger and better! Plans include:
- More planting and bigger harvests for the canteen menu
- Native bee education
- Seed harvesting projects
- Greater community involvement
After the long, hot summer, we need a few more helping hands to keep this fantastic program thriving. Even a small commitment makes a big difference! Ways You Can Get Involved: Hands-On – Lunchtime Garden Club Help students in the garden on Mondays or Thursdays during lunchtime. Commitment is flexible — fortnightly, occasionally, or filling in when others are unavailable. Please note: A current WWC (Working With Children) check is required. Hands-On – Working Bees Lend a hand during scheduled working bees for larger garden projects. Behind the Scenes Assist with coordinating supplies, sourcing materials, planning, or preparing plant information for our garden folder. Donate Have spare tools, PVC pipe, seedlings or seeds (preferably organic)? We’d gratefully accept donations. If you’d like to get involved, please contact Emma at pandc.pottsville@gmail.com. Stay Connected – Join Your Year Group WhatsApp Did you know we have active WhatsApp groups for each year level? We’re currently looking for Year 4 and Year 5 parents who would be happy to set up and lead groups for these year levels. Join your child’s year level group chat using these links: Kinder Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 6 If you’re interested in leading a group, being added to one, or would like support, please contact our wonderful P&C Secretary Bec via email pandc.pottsville@gmail.com to get started. Let’s keep building our supportive and connected school community! Exciting News – Our P&C is Now a Return and Earn Charity! We’re thrilled to share that Pottsville Beach Public School P&C is now officially registered as a charity with the Return and Earn program! This means that every eligible bottle or can you recycle through Return and Earn can help raise funds for our school. It’s quick and easy to set up:
- Open the Return and Earn app on your phone.
- Navigate to the Charities tab.
- Search for and select Pottsville Beach Public School P&C.
- Choose “Set as payout.”
Once selected, your container refunds will automatically be donated directly to our P&C each time you return your eligible containers. Every 10¢ counts! With the support of our wonderful school community, we can turn everyday recycling into valuable funds for our students. P&C Student Representation Support – 2026 Initiative As part of our 2026 P&C Initiative, we are proud to support students who represent our school beyond the local level. This initiative aims to help families with costs associated with participation and travel. Support may include (but is not limited to):
- Sporting representation (Regional PSSA level or above)
- Spelling Bee participation
- Music performances
- Leadership representation
- Other similar events requiring travel of more than 100km
Families wishing to request support can complete the application form via the link provided. https://forms.gle/FuE5LZacPfCXNdto7 All applications are reviewed at the next scheduled P&C meeting (held on the first Tuesday of each month during school terms). Families will be notified of the outcome following the meeting. We are incredibly proud of our students and are delighted to support them as they represent our school and wider community. If your child is eligible, we encourage you to apply. Kind Regards Jess Cullen P&C President
Supporting your child's transition to Kingscliff High School.
Dear Families We are thrilled to invite you to our Open Night on Thursday 5 March from 5:30pm to 7:00pm! Come along for a family-friendly, fun-filled evening packed with exciting activities and opportunities to explore. Here's what's in store:
- Free BBQ - delicious food for all to enjoy!
- Information sessions for Year 7 2027 students and beyond, including Pinnacle Program, Sports Excellence, STEM, Big Picture and more
- Open learning spaces with cool displays and hands-on interactive activities
- Live music, drama, and dance performances to entertain you
- Amazing Race with exciting prizes to be won - get ready for some fun competition!
- Explore our state-of-the-art gym
- Cake stalls to satisfy your sweet tooth
- "Snowman" shaved ice available for purchase to keep you cool
Come support our amazing students, explore our fantastic facilities, and have a chat with our phenomenal educators. We can't wait to see you there!
Want to learn more about the exciting opportunities available for your child as they transition to our local high school? Check out Kingscliff High School's website - https://kingscliff-h.schools.nsw.gov.au/ Or visit Kingscliff High School's Official Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/kingscliffhighschool/
Contact us
Pottsville Beach Public School 85 Tweed Coast Road Pottsville NSW 2489 Phone: 02 6676 1161 Email: pottsville-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au Website: https://pottsville-p.schools.nsw.gov.au/ Get directions