Dear Parents/Caregivers,

2020 Next Step survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of all students who completed Year 12 in 2019. The Next Step survey is a brief, confidential survey that gains a comprehensive picture of the employment, study and life choices made by Queensland school completers in the year after they finish Year 12.

Between March and June, all our students who completed Year 12 last year can expect to receive instructions to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office. Please encourage them to take part. If their contact details have changed, please assist the interviewer with their updated details or forward the survey to their new address so they can participate.

Thank you for your support of the Next Step survey in 2020.

Further information on Next Step is available online at www.qld.gov.au/nextstep or on toll free telephone 1800 068 587.

Regards,

Chris Capra,
Executive Principal

Assessment

Year 11 students are currently completing assessment for the new QCE. They do not have a shutdown and will have timetabled classes up to and including the last day of term Friday 3 April.

Year 11 students will then finalise their Unit 1 assessment in Week 4/5 of Term 2 in mid-May this year. As per QCAA guidelines students cannot change subjects mid Unit so no subject changes are available to Year 11s until late May.

Year 10 and 12 students commence shutdown in Week 10 of this term. Year 12s commence on Monday March 30 and Year 10s commence on Wednesday April 1. The timetable for the Year 10 and 12 shutdown will be published on the school website below in the coming days: https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/testing-and-assessment .

Students can also down load a copy on the school’s K drive under curriculum.

All students need to be aware of the date, room and time of their scheduled exam. During shutdown students only have to attend school for scheduled exams or study sessions.

Students must be in full school uniform to sit exams. Students who are studying VET subjects and are not up to date with their competencies will be required to attend school during VET catch up sessions to complete their competencies.

All assessment tasks are due at 9:00am on the due date not during class time. Students who are absent for an exam will need to provide a medical certificate and apply for a change of date with their HOD on the next day they are at school. Similarly, students who are applying for an extension or special consideration will need to download an extension/change of date form from the school website and submit to their relevant Head of Department at least 48 hours before the due date. The school Assessment Policy is also published on the school website under curriculum/testing and assessment.

Note that the assessment schedule for all Senior years has been published on the above school website since August last year. Year 10 and Year 12 will have assessment due in week 10 of each term whilst Year 11s will have assessment due in Week 7 of term 1, Weeks 4 and 5 of Term 2 and Week 2 of Term 3 and then the last week of each term. Refer to the website for more information. Please note that as per QCAA policy family holidays are not grounds for an extension or change of date of assessment.

The QCAA has also published the timetable for Year 12 external exams in term 4 of 2020. It will also be published on the school website in the coming days.

Other senior schooling news:

• Students that have a long-standing medical condition that requires a change to the mode of assessment or assessment conditions need to apply for an Access Arrangement and Reasonable Adjustment (AARA) with the school Guidance Officer Mr Jones. This should be completed as soon as possible.
• All Year 11 and 12 students should by now have registered with the QCAA student portal and completed the online Academic Integrity course. Students should check their EQ email account as they were emailed details regarding this portal and course at the start of the year.
• Parents and students are reminded that successfully completing General English or Literature (Year 12 2020) is a pre-requisite for the majority of Universities in Queensland.
• Year 10s and 11s are again encouraged to register for School based traineeships and apprenticeships (SAT) in Y block. A SAT will give students paid employment, work experience and a Certificate 3 qualification which gains extra QCE credits, but also opens up a tertiary pathway. Please contact Ms Shreeve in Y block for more information.
• Students in Year 10 are again reminded that their academic performance in Year 10 semester 1 will determine which pathway they can choose in Year 11. Students wishing to complete an ATAR pathway need to achieve Bs in English and Maths. Students wishing to study a senior science course in year 11 and 12 also need to achieve a B in Year 10 Science.
• The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority has created a new website

(https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/index.html). This is a great source of information on the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), Senior Education Training (SET) Plan, future pathways, subjects and assessment.

Our students and teachers have reached the tough end of the term. It’s going to be all about hard work, working smart and consistency to get through the last two weeks and all those assessment items. We have been talking to the students about what it means to work hard and show industry in the classroom.

I am really encouraged by the level of detailed feedback that students are receiving from their teachers. This feedback and responding to it is a vital step in improvement of an individual task.

Please encourage your young person to read any feedback on drafts very carefully and ask them if they understand what the teacher is telling them about their attempts.

The other challenging step for junior secondary students is being organised enough to meet those timelines. This is all about the working smarter idea. As a parent staying connected to your young person’s deadlines and coaching them to meet these is one way we can work together in their education. Please discuss with them when their deadlines are and work with them to achieve this around their other at home commitments.

All these things will allow you to extend your support role in their learning which as a school we are grateful for and value the role you play in this as parents.

Term 1 Reports

Student reports will be emailed home on the last day of term. Please ensure that the email address we have recorded for you is current. Should you not have an email address registered with us, we will post your child’s report home.

Term 1 reports are interim reports. This means that they will indicate a child’s Term 1 achievement, effort and behaviour in each subject with grades only. We encourage you to follow up on this report by attending Parent Teacher Interviews in Term 2. Information about how to book for Parent Teacher Interviews will be sent wit reports.

NAPLAN 2020

At this stage, PBC will be participating in NAPLAN online this year. Tests will be conducted in Week 5 and 6 next term. As the online format is new for students we would encourage you to check out the demonstrator website and have a play with what students may find similarly on the actual test. The online format is interesting in that it will be adaptive and will cater to the diverse levels that students are at based on their responses to early questions on the tests.

You can find the website by following this link - https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

We encourage all students to be part of NAPLAN if they are able to do so, and we make special provisions for students with disabilities. PBC teachers frequently use NAPLAN data to make decisions about differentiation and targeted teaching in the classroom. However, students may be withdrawn from the testing program by their parent/carer. Withdrawals are intended to address issues such as religious beliefs and philosophical objections to testing.

A formal notification of withdrawal must be received by the school prior to testing. Should you wish for your child to withdraw from NAPLAN, please contact me at the school asgal1@eq.edu.au

School based traineeships available  

New exciting traineeship opportunities are available in the Pathways Centre Y Block for Year 10’s for Term 2. Job boards will be updated regularly with new positions. Students can collect a registration form and apply now.

Get paid while gaining a qualification when doing a school based traineeship and earn up to 8 QCE points!! A variety of traineeships are on offer with a focus on business, hospitality, retail and tourism.

Hospitality and Business Traineeships: 

• Zarraffas Tugun and 19th Ave
• Portside Coffee Currumbin
• Crema Espresso Coolangatta
• The Original Bakery Tugun
• Bakers Delight Robina
• Maries Pizza Tugun, Palm Beach and Mermaid Beach
• Guzmen Y Gomez Burleigh
• IGA Currumbin
• Surf Easy Surf School

School based vacancies links: 

Ignite Education: https://www.ignite.edu.au/job-vacancies/ 

Aurora Training Institute please visit their vacancy page: http://www.aurora.edu.au/schools-program/ 

Prestige Training Services vacancies, Please visit this link for more opportunities https://pst.edu.au/job-board-gold-coast/ 

There are more opportunities on the job boards. Please come into Y Block to register.  

Love your current job? Would you like to turn it into a traineeship? Come to the Pathway centre and let’s see if we can create a traineeship for you in your current role.   

The Pathway Centre is open before school and first break to apply for any of the above positions.

Sonia Shreeve - Industry Liaison Officer

It has been a busy start to the year in Humanities. Our Year 9 Business students have attended an App Building incursion where they have learned about the use of emerging technologies in making business ideas come to life. There are certainly some budding entrepreneurs within the cohort! Our Senior Business and Economics students are monitoring developments around the world, as they witness the real-time impacts that world events have on businesses and the economy and the challenges these present for the future, demonstrating just how important and relevant these subjects are. The Year 11 Legal Studies students will be going on an excursion to the Supreme Court in Brisbane. A District Court judge will talk to the students and field questions, and  students will be observing a range of criminal and civil cases in both the District and Supreme Courts.

Our Geography students have been getting out and exploring the world around them. Thanks to the organisation by their fantastic teachers, Mr Opie and Mrs Maccan, the students have had the opportunity to put their learning into practice:

Year 10 Geography

Recently our Year 10 Geography classes ventured up to the Southport Spit to gain a better understanding of the natural beauty of the area, as well as the implications of a Cruise Ship Terminal being built at the Spit. Students had the opportunity to explore the man-made structures in the area, talk to Phil Hoile from Save Our Spit Alliance, and go snorkelling to identify some of the 450 fish species that call the area home. A great day was had by all

Mr Opie

Year 12 Geography

On 5 and 6 March, 16 students from Year 12 Geography went on camp to Springbrook National Park and Mount Tamborine area. On Day 1, we completed an 18km hike through the rainforest along the Warrie Circuit, with adventures and stunning sightseeing along the way. Although we all suffered from leeches and slippery narrow tracks, we managed to survive the hike. From cooking a barbeque together that night and seeing the glow worms at Natural Bridge, to hilarious conversations with cool Chris, it will be a camp that we definitely won’t forget. The field work on day 2 was another adventure in itself, learning so many different things about both the disturbed and undisturbed forest at Mount Tamborine. Overall, it was an amazing experience that is so worth taking Geography for!

Year 12 Students and Mrs Maccan

Day 1 of HPE week continued the project of "Rise Every Day Mentally Stronger" with two mindfulness sessions - one before school for staff and students and one in the Rock and Water program led by a Year 12 Health student. Lunch 1 saw "Challenge the teacher Competition 1" where students attempted to score more free throws in a row than the designated teacher. No student was able to complete the challenge, however a prize pack was awarded to the highest scoring student.

Day 2 began with a guided meditation session before school, perfect for teachers and students entering an assessment period. The beat the teacher challenge at first break was a tough fitness challenge. Mr Maccan represented the teachers and after a quick warm up completed 74 frog squats in 60 seconds. This high number presented such a challenge to the students that for a few minutes no-one stepped up. Eventually some students braved the pain and pushed their maximum effort. The top senior school male was Ryan with 66 frog squats in 60 seconds. The top senior female was Cypress with 29, and the top junior male was Jack, beating Mr Maccan by one rep, completing 75. All three students earned a prize pack for their effort, with Jack also receiving a canteen voucher. Well done to all.

Day 3 was focussed on building mental strength. Three sessions were conducted;

1. Stories of resilience – ex PBC students on a recovery journey from eating disorders and mental health concerns spoke with the year 11 Health class exploring strategies to build resilience.
2. Battling stigma – an open lunch session attended by teachers and students exploring the power of stigma and the power of relationships to break stigma. Supported by the ex PBC students on a recovery journey.
3. Advice for parents to support building mental strength - a free session for parents where a panel of experts offered advice on strategies and resources to develop mental strength of their children. The panel of experts included Headspace staff, school based youth health nurse, guidance officer, dean of students and 4 parents of students who have experienced mental health concerns whilst at school.

Day 4 had only one activity - challenge the teacher at football goal scoring. This event proved to be the most popular thus far with a number of staff and student competitors. Congratulations to Amalia who was the only student to equal Mr Morley’s score.

The final day saw students submitting the welfare treasure hunt forms for the Year 7s. Our beat the teacher challenge was all about the short game in golf with a chipping contest against Mr Davis. Congratulations to Finn for achieving the highest male score, and Cypress for achieving the highest female score. Neither scores could beat Mr Davis so no canteen vouchers won

Shane Roberts
HOD HPE

Cook Island

For the Year 12 aquatics snorkelling unit we visited cook island for the day. After a short boat trip from Tweed River to Cook Island the students were eager to find their way into the water. Snorkelling amongst a great variety of fish, turtles, star fish and even wobbegong sharks, students experienced a real life relation to the underwater world. After countless hours of snorkelling, there was still time for bomb dives, sing-alongs and the occasional bout of sea sickness. This day brought memories, friendships and experiences that everyone will cherish for their last year of school.

Lilli Wyatt and Abbey Gawler, Students

Class Clowns

Comedy has certainly taken PBC by storm in recent weeks. Following on from the huge success of Mandy Nolan's 'Funny Kids Comedy Writing Workshops' and the Reds Go Riot Comedy Showcase -$720 raised for Beyond Blue - students participated in a Crash Course at HOTA and the regional Class Clowns Heat with Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the largest arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere. From there, two of our funny fellas made it through to the Qld State Final of Class Clowns. 

On Sunday 15 March, Fletcher Purchase (Year 10) and Jai Uhlmann (Year 9) represented PBC at the Brisbane Powerhouse, competing against students from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane and Cairns. These guys absolutely nailed it and (drumroll please), the 2020 QLD State Winner of Class Clowns is.......JAI! 

Jai will (eventually) go on to compete in the National Final of Class Clowns, which has been postponed and will get a trip to Melbourne, the country's comedy capital. What an exciting adventure for all students involved. Big thanks to Bendigo Bank Tugun Community Branch for helping to make all this possible. Watch this space! 

CONGRATULATIONS JAI! 

If you want to catch the kids on Toasted TV, you can on the Channel 10 website this Thursday! 

Year 7 - Hinze Dam Excursion

Two week ago PBC’s new Integrated Learning Class (7A) spent the day at Hinze Dam exploring our current and future water supply options. They had a great day including learning about water testing, flood mitigation, the politics of drinking purified recycled water, the environmental and recreational value of the hinterland, baby eels from New Caledonia fulfilling their biological destiny in South East Queensland and much more. Seeing their studies in action will complement their integrated Science, English and Humanities study on the topic.

Working Musicians Program

The Working Musicians Program was visited this week by professional cellist, song writer and performer, Kate Derepas. Students were able to workshop their original songs with Kate and learn how to go about pursuing a career as a professional song writer and session musician.

Potential Through Tenacity Workshops

This is a photo of Shiike Venderwerff giving a guided meditation to the students last week around the topic of managing adversity. This program is for Year 9 and 10 studentws and is called Potential Through Tenacity.

PBC Cross Country

Thursday 23 April (Week 1, Term 2)

Which Race do you compete in? - "the age you turn this year - 2020"

12's, 13's - 3km

14's, 15's, 16's, Open - 4km

Compulsory for all SPX students

Non SPX students must sign up with Mrs Hart by Wed 22 April 3.30pm

If students wish to sign up online please email Ms Hart on ajhar1@eq.edu.au

Immunisations

2020 Immunisations for Years 7 and 10

Schools play an invaluable role in looking after the health of their students. Immunisation against a number of diseases is one strategy which contributes to the wellbeing of both the individual and the community as a whole.  The Gold Coast Public Health Unit is responsible for delivering the the school immunisation program for Year 7 and Year 10 students in State schools  free vaccination(s) to protect against a number of diseases.

Parent/carers that have email access will receive information from Queensland Health and if you participate in this year’s program you will receive online information to complete. Any parent/carer that does not have access to online forms please send your child to their respective Junior Secondary or  Senior Secondary School Student Services office to collect the hard copy ‘Immunisation consent form’ and return to the same office.

Immunisation dates

REMINDER - Year 7 PBC immunisation Tuesday 17 March

 If you need a permission form for your child to be immunised email admin.immuniseGC@health.qld.gov.au or Phone 1800 940 750

Junior Secondary

• Year 7 students: Term 1 Week 8 Tuesday 17 March and Term 4 Week 2 Tuesday 13 October

The following vaccinations are offered for Year 7 students:

• human papillomavirus (HPV vaccine)
• diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (whooping cough)

Senior Secondary

• Year 10 students: Term 3 Week 1 Tuesday 14 July
• Any parent/carer that is unable to access online forms may either visit the Middle School Student Services office to collect and complete the form or have your child take the form home for completion and return to PBC.

The following vaccination is offered for Year 10 students:

• meningococcal ACW Y vaccine

Parent/carers who do not return a consent form indicating ‘No to Vaccination’ will not be contacted. Students will not be vaccinated without a valid consent form.

Mobile Dental Van is at PBC

The Gold Coast Health mobile Dental Van will be located at PBC State High until Monday 8 June 2020. The van will be located in the staff carpark to the right of the main administration block. If you would like to book your free dental check for your child call 1300 300 850 today. School Holiday bookings are also available.

For more information head to: www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/oral-health

PBC Fundraising - Entertainment Book

Get your new Entertainment Membership today to support Palm Beach Currumbin State High and receive these early bird bonus offers. When you buy an Entertainment Membership before 31 March, you will receive a $10 JB Hi-Fi eGift Card!
  

Follow us on Social Media

www.facebook.com/palmbeachcurrumbinstatehigh

www.instagram.com/pbcshs

www.facebook.com/pbcalliance  

We encourage parents/caregivers to email your student’s excellent recent achievements to us. These achievements can be in The Arts, sporting, academic or community service. We would love to hear from you! Please email us at news@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au with details of your student’s achievement and include at least one photo, and/or any links to media articles that we can share via our Parent Newsletter, internal communications and social media.

State Swimming Qualifiers

Congratulations to the following PBC students who have made the South Cost Team for swimming. Good luck to all of you #goreds 

• Blake Anderson Year 7
• Julia Remington Year 7
• Kade Robinson Year 8
• Maverick McCarthy Year 9
• Gemma Edwards Year 9
• Tallan Raftery Year 10
• Emily Porter Year 11

Gold Coast Debate Competition

Last week was Round 1 of the GC Debate competition. What a great start for PBC!

Our Year 9 team, Jett Mance, Cameron Thompson and Jezabel Ratcliffe,  won their first debate 'The Royals are still relevant'.

Our Open A team (Year 12 experienced debaters), Robbie James, Toby Cooper and Talulah Ratcliffe, also won their debate 'Australia has over-reacted to the Coronavirus'.

Round 2 is in 2 weeks time. 

Year 7 Rugby League Sports Excellence

Last month the Year 7 Sports Excellence Rugby League students competed in the Tonie Carroll Cup hosted by Beenleigh. The students played 5 games across the day and showed great grit and determination to compete against much bigger opposition. They proudly represented the Reds and finished the day as one of the top teams at the carnival only being beaten by Marsden 3 tries to 1 in their final game of the day. A great start for the Junior Reds in their first competition for the year.

We Will Rock You

Congratulations to Havannah Hills, Dance Excellence student who has also been selected to perform in the Brisbane arena theatre show “We Will Rock You!” Rehearsals commence later in the year. An expected 5 shows per day, over a week to be presented January 2021. Good luck Havannah!

Basketball - Australia team

Congratulations to Indi Bowyer who was selected in the U17 Australian team to compete at the FIBA Asia Cup. Indi participated in the four day National Performance Camp at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence which encompassed testing, on court skills and education. Great work Indi!!

Click the links below to hear the latest from PBC’s Wellbeing Team.

Senior School Guidance Officer

Read the attached article for the latest information targeted to senior students of careers and pathway information.

https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/guidance-officer

Middle School Guidance Officer

Canteen 

Please Don’t forget Breakfast is from 8:00am till 9:00am Monday to Friday for all students and hot chocolates are also available as the weather is getting cooler.

International Burger day was a great success and loads of fun for all staff and students where we introduced our New PBC Mac Burger with our PBC secret sauce with everyone has enjoyed.

With the colder weather we are busy making some warm and wonderful meals for our students to keep re-energised.

Below is the link to our latest Canteen menu. There has been some price and menu changes. The Canteen menu is also available on our website.

Payments Window Operating Hours

Over the counter payments can only be accepted between 8:00am and 1:00pm on Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can make payments via BPOINT from your invoice or statement or Direct Deposit.

For Internet banking please use the details below:

School’s Bank Account:               PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS General A/C

BSB Number:                             064-404 CBA Branch Burleigh Heads

Account Number:                        00090303

Reference/Details:                      Record both Student ID AND the reference Code to ensure your payment can be recorded correctly. (Reference Code = ITEM BEING PAID FOR e.g.: 2018 SRS8 or 2018 ACEX10)

SRS Fees

Make payments the quick and easy way using BPOINT. Visit www.bpoint.com.au/payments/dete, follow the prompts or phone BPOINT on 1300 631 073.

Parents/caregivers experiencing financial difficulty can email ParentSupport ParentSupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au.

Payment plan options are available including Centrepay -a service to families whereby periodic payments can be made to the school or Direct Debit via credit card (monthly). Paperwork is available from the Student Services Office to activate either of these plans.

QParents

Parents – have you registered for QParents yet?

Are you using QParents to stay in contact with our school and to access information about your child’s schooling?

If you haven’t yet registered for QParents, register now.

You can provide your 100 points of identity documents for registration online through QParents, or in person at your school.

If you have limited identity documents, or experience difficulties registering, please contact your school for help.

QParents is a great way to stay informed about what’s happening in your child’s school life

Saver Plus

Could $500 help you with high-school costs?

https://www.facebook.com/SaverPlusAU

PBC Alliance Business Directory

Did you know that we have a wonderful community of local businesses that support our students through advertising with the PBC Alliance. They have listed their businesses in our online business directory. Our business directory covers all areas of products and services and includes special offers for PBC families. All membership fees go 100% to supporting PBC students in their educational programs ensuring they can reach their potential.

Visit our Business Directory at www.pbc-alliance.com.

Would your business like to support our students?

Become a Partner or Member of the PBC Alliance.

Visit the PBC Alliance website! www.pbc-alliance.com to find out how you can get involved with our business community and support our students.

Welcome to our newest 2020 Partner, Stone Style! 

Thrower House After School / Saturday / Holiday Program

Nixon's Hope for a Cure

SORRY THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID-19 DIRECTIVES

The Mudgeeraba Lawn Bowls Club are hosting a fundraiser event on Saturday 21 March 2020 from 5pm. There will be Jumping Castle, Face Painting, raffles, barefoot bowls. Live Music and food Available. Come down and support Nixon's Hope for a Cure if you can.

Currumbin Valley Coaches

Increased Coach Cleaning Procedures

The safety and well-being of our passengers and staff is always our priority. We are actively monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, adhering to Government advice and are taking steps to help keep us all safe.

In addition to our regular stringent cleaning of coaches, we are also completing the following practices:

• Regular anti-bacterial wiping of all touchable surfaces. This includes seat handles, grab rails, toilet door handles and the onboard restroom facilities.
• Increased disinfectant cleaning of the air-conditioning filters.
• Spraying the interiors of the coaches on a regular basis throughout the day with an anti-bacterial spray.
• Additionally, we are also providing hand sanitiser onboard all our coaches at the entry point for our clients and staff use.

We’re reminding everyone who uses Currumbin Valley Coaches to follow guidance from public health authorities.

For more information, visit the World Health Organization website.

If we may be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Catherine Isaacs.

Currumbin Valley Bus & Coach

P: 1300 794 373
E: catherine@currumbinvalleycoaches.com.au
W : www.currumbinvalleybusandcoach.com.au