Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week we officially farewelled our Year 12 students at their Graduation and Formal ceremony.  After such a disrupted year, it was great to finish on a high note where we could, as a community, celebrate the conclusion of 13 years of schooling with the students. The student performances and farewell speeches were inspiring and graduates had a great time after the formal part of the evening was complete. I would like to thank Amanda Stewart and Mitch Kennedy who never gave up on the idea of having a formal and graduation where the parents could attend. The amount planning, re-planning, time and effort that went into making the event happen was substantial. 

We wish the Year 12 students all the best for next year and a reminder that if everything doesn’t go to plan, we will be here to assist through the new Link and Launch program that we are offering Year 12 graduates in 2021.

From the commencement of school in 2021, all Year 7 to 9 students will not be allowed to use their mobile phones from the time that they arrive at school until the time that they leave. With all Year 7 to 9 students in 2021 having their own laptop for learning, there is no longer a requirement for phones to be used in class for learning purposes or in the playground. If students are required to check their phone through the school day for messages from home/work, they will be able to do so during a lunch break only, and in a designated office area only.

Chris Capra
Executive Principal

Farewell our Class of 2020

Last week we were privileged to farewell our graduating Class of 2020 at the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony and Formal Dinner. In what has been a year that no-one could have expected, this cohort has proven themselves determined, passionate and resilient. A huge thankyou to the families of our Year 12’s for their attendance on what was still a COVID-impacted event, as well as a huge online community enjoying the live-stream of the arrivals and ceremony from afar. A hearty congratulations must be reserved for the Year 12 Year Coordinator, Ms Amanda Stewart and Dean of Students, Mr Brad Dixon for their guidance, mentorship and leadership over the past 3 years with this cohort of gifted and vibrant individuals, as well as every teacher who has strengthened the learning and lives of this group.

To the graduating Class of 2020, congratulations, good luck and thank you for always upholding the values of our school and community in all that you have done. You’ve left a wonderful legacy on our school. We look forward to welcoming you to our alumni community and our Reds family.

Release of Year 12 results

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) will release student QCEs and Senior Statements and Statements of Results through the Student Portal on the myQCE website https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/index.html from 9:00am on Saturday 19 December 2020. Students must know their Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) and password to log in and check their results. Students have been emailed and reminded on many occasions to log into this portal to check their account details but some have chosen not to do so.

Students will be able to download hard copies of their qualifications directly from the Student Portal on the myQCE website. They will not be sent hard copies from the QCAA though they will be able to request hard copies in the Student Portal.

Please note that as Year 12 results and Levels of Achievement are calculated by the QCAA, Year 12 students will not receive an Exit Statement or Report from PBC; they will only receive published results from the QCAA via the Student Portal.

Year 10 and 11 Exams

Year 10 and 11 shutdown exams commenced on Monday 23 November and will continue until Friday 27 November. The shutdown timetable is published on the school website (https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/testing-and-assessment. The last day of school for Year 10 and 11 students is Friday 27 November.

Year 10 reports will be finalised and emailed home from Wednesday 9 December.

Note that some Year 11 subjects e.g. Maths do not complete their first Unit 3 assessment item until early in 2021.  Year 11 Unit 3 interim reporting will not be finalised until early in Term 1 2021; hence Year 11 students will not receive a report at the end of this academic year.

A reminder that all drafts and assignments are due before 9:00am on the due date and that exams cannot be given early to students because of other commitments. The school Assessment Policy is also published on the same link above as shutdown exam timetables.

Please note that in the new QCE students cannot be exempted from assessment in Unit 3 and 4 (Year 12) due to medical conditions/family circumstances.

Students must complete all assessment in Unit 3 and 4 to attain credit for the QCE. Students that miss assessment due to extenuating circumstances will have to provide documentation to apply for extensions/change of date for assessment. The school may then negotiate a more suitable time for assessment that meets QCAA deadlines. This may mean the student completes alternate assessment at the end of the year or early in 2021.

Students that have a long-standing medical condition that affects them completing certain modes of assessment should by now have applied for an Access Arrangement and Reasonable Adjustment by the QCAA with the school Guidance Officer Mr Jones.

A reminder that in 2021 all Year 10 and 12 assessment will be scheduled for the last week of each term. Year 11’s will have a different schedule for Term 1 and 2 however will also have exams in the last week of school in Terms 3 and 4.

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

ATARs are calculated by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). All ATAR eligible students should have registered with QTAC (https://www.qtac.edu.au/atar/ ) to ensure that they receive their ATAR on 19 December.

Year 12 school leavers seeking employment

A reminder to register with Ms Shreeve in Y block with your contact details and expressions of interest, this will be forwarded to The Department of Employment Small Business and Training which will broadcast students with relevant vacancies and opportunities. 

With less than three weeks to go we still have much to achieve to close out 2020 and be ready to begin the new school year.  We have finalised reviews of our key programs and are now entering a consultation phase with staff on any changes for next year.

The final two weeks of school will see students finalise their assessment and gain feedback by the end of Week 9. Week 10 begins with Transition Day for incoming Year 7’s and all others will participate in an alternate program starting on this same day. There will be no normal classes in this week with current teachers; however students will work on curriculum related activities with PBC CARE teachers. Our school values collaborative professional learning and this model of staffing our last week enables this to occur. This model allows us to release our Junior Secondary teachers to prepare and plan for 2021 in teams. Absences will be tracked as normal with rolls marked each day the usual sms message for absent students will be sent. Students will need to come in school uniform and should bring lunch as although the canteen will be open it will have reduced stock being the last days.

Finishing Well

At this time of the year, both parents and teachers can notice young people becoming tired and losing focus. We have been stressing the very small number of school days left this year, and the importance of finishing with the best possible outcomes. Attendance every day is crucial for maximising student learning and performance. Final assemblies in Week 9 will have special significance for the Year 9 students we will mark their transition to senior secondary with a special assembly awards, entertainment and a bbq.

Transition Day

On Monday 7 December, we will welcome close to 400 future Year 7s to PBC.

Textbook Return

Now is the time of year for students to dig out the textbooks and novels they are no longer using in the classroom, and return them to The Book Room in B Block. Any texts required through the exam period can be returned after the tests are completed. Please encourage students to search through their bedrooms and lockers for textbooks. Returning all books now means that students will be able to hire next year’s texts in a timely manner at the start of 2021, and they will have no bill issued for missing texts!

Lockers

In these final weeks, students should be cleaning out their lockers in preparation for the end of the year. Bringing home those items not used daily can save students having to transport too many things home in one trip. All lockers must be cleaned out by Friday 27 November. Lockers will be available again at the start of the school year, at which time students may go to Student Services and have a locker allocated to them. We do welcome any communication from parent/caregivers. If you do have a concern  please email parentsupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au. 

Optima team news

The Week 7 year level assemblies began with musical entertainment provided by the very talented Music Excellence students. The Year 11 Music Excellence students performed at the Year 7 assembly and both Ilai Commerford and Reuben Mills Year 8 provided an outstanding  performance for their own year level.

To recognise Term 4 student achievement each year level assembly identified students from the ‘Spinning Wheel’. Congratulations to our recipients!

Year 7

Optima Awards – Sari Bretagne, Madison Crabtree, Zaria James, Jayden Locher

100% attendance -  Jamey Bennedick, Chelsea Crossan, Annabelle Harvey, Maria Hlawatsch, Ebony Larman, Jackson Lawry, Bradley Munro   

Year 8

100% attendance - Uyiosa Usadolo, Kaden Robinson, Jaemon Turner, Alex Mitchell

92% attendance - Brock Tighe, Brianna Barrett, Danielle Mullen, Erin Gilltrap, Tahli Barends

100% Excellent Effort & Behaviour - Piper Blair, Paige Casley, Hamish McKenzie, Thomas Peachey, Emma Suttle

Today in Humanities two Year 7 classes combined to showcase a museum of what we learnt in the Term 4 Humanities unit. We all worked together to each create an Artefact, poster or PowerPoint. These were used to complement our speeches on our Ancient Egypt topics. We had special guest visitors including Mrs Wise, Mrs Cardinal, Mrs Langton, Mr Apanui and Mr Fitter. Overall, everyone tried their best and had a great time. Best of all we learnt a lot about Ancient Egypt!

Written by Minka and Azenna

Congratulations to the Year 11 Drama Excellence class on their successful production of PBC 'Scene Sessions'. This student lead production saw our Drama Excellence students work to bring snippets of contemporary Australian theatre to the stage. The scenes explored love, life and what it means to find connection within this complex and diverse country! A special thank you to Michael Lotscher for volunteering his expertise in lighting and sound, and a huge thank you to the audience who came along to celebrate this year's last performance from our talented Drama Excellence students. 

Bravo and I cannot wait to see you all next year for even more theatrical works! 

Mr Sarasola

A huge congratulations to PBC’s Soccer Boys for winning the Schools Premier League U/15 Cup. After being down 1-0 at half time the Reds stormed home to defeat Corinda 4-1 and win their second title of 2020 after also winning the Open Boys division.

Shane Robinson

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

Senior Secondary 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

Junior Secondary Guidance Officer

Attached is the latest article from our Junior Secondary Guidance Officer Anna Willis.

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.

Years 9/10 Awards Night

The Year 9 and 10 Awards Night was held on 11 November 2020.

Congratulations to the following Award recipients:

Special Awards

2020 Highest Academic Achiever Year 9 - Alana Edwards

2020 Highest Academic Achiever Year 10 - Sesalela Ryan-Ova

PBC Lions Citizenship Award - Michelle Wykes

PBC Lioness Club Bursary - Ethan Campbell

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership Award - Isabella Edge

Australian Defence Force Long Tan Future Innovators Award - Jed Clancy

Creative Arts Excellence

Service and Committment to the Arts

Lilly Millett - Visual Arts
Kate Mitchell - Drama
Leilani Nield - Dance
Isaac Whittle - Music

Most Outstanding in the Arts

Ky Follent - Instrumental Musician
Juliet Gjone - Musician
Ashlee Haase - Dramatist
Joseph Hayward - Dancer/Choreographer
Erin Holt - Visual Arts Product
Imogen Stewart - Dancer/Choreographer
Dylan Tapfer - Film Maker

Sports Excellence

State Representatives

Shona Coxsedge - Squash
Indianna Dally Watkins - Track
Kyan Falvey - Surfing
Ethan Gray - Track
Olivia Hooper - Track
Dakota Newson - Netball
Tom Whitpaine - Surfing

National Representatives

Matthew Boyle - Surfing
Sarah Hardwick - Kayak
Ava Lund - Kayak
Ty Richardson - Surfing

Reds Award

Hugh Munro - Surf League/Kayak

Junior Sportsperson of the Year

Ty Richardson

Academic Awards

Year 9 Outstanding Academic Achievement

Layla Ahern, Jade Bayley, Nelson Beikoff-Smart, Benjamin Burgess, Kianna Cox, Hannah Daley, Alana Edwards, Grace Hately, Sean Lunney, Jett Mance, Jezebel Ratcliffe, Claudia Thorne, William Todd, Kailana Warren, Bella Withington.

Year 10 Subject Awards

Tyrell Appo - Essential English
Max Barber - Literature and Science Extension
Viva-Grace Barnes - Legal Studies
Zane Beutel - Marine Science
Ava Edmonds - General Mathematics
Gemma Edwards - Health & Psychology
Nathan Farrell - Mathematical Methods  and Specialist Mathematics
Rohan Frawley - Music Excellence
Juliet Gjone - Music
Ashlee Haase - Drama and Drama Excellence
Joseph Hayward - Dance
Stella Hughes - Philosophy & Reason
Jake Johnstone - Drama
Liam Locher - Business Studies and Digital Technology
Jake Matsushita - Legal Studies
Rito Matsuzaka - Japanese
Molly McLennan - Health & Physical Education
Lilly Millett - Art and Engineering & Design and Visual Arts Excellence
Kate Mitchell - Drama
Jade-Lee Muller - English
Lana O’Neill - Legal Studies
Piper Phelan - Technology Food
Claire Seaton - Industrial Technology Studies
Brydie Stegeman - Dance Excellence
Lily Suttle - Drama Excellence
Nell Thomas - Essential Mathematics
Hayden Topping - History
Calen Verrall - Geography
Natalia Zambelli - Science and Spanish
Jessica Zanchetta Economics

2020 Outgoing Junior Secondary Leaders

Layla Ahern, Hannah Daley, Jayden Flood, Grace Hately, Sean Lunney, Amanda Oliveira-Fiamenghi, Sam Walker, Asha Webb

Friday Flood of Positivity

Here’s what the kids said this week:
Mr Johnstone - Great Coaching
Ms Willetts - Nice, kind, caring and helpful
Ms Hyatt - Care, really nice
Ms Farrell - Help explaining math concepts
Ms Thomas - Supportive
Mrs Murdoch  - ‘Noticing the little things I do’
Ms Hyatt - Bubbly
Ms Schatz - Variations to routine to make learning fun and engaging
Mr Hage - Care, involved and engaged ‘gets me doing stuff’
Ms Jones  - ‘She’s a legend’ has helped me to pass maths
Ms Carney  - Made transition easy
Ms McGuire - Relaxed
Mr Lane  - ‘A lad’ always helping with work
Mr Jeffrey - Always helping to get work done
Mr Byron  - Always explains and helps me understand class work
Mr Buchanan   - Encouragement to achieve better mark
Ms Maher  - Provided positive incentives for teamwork and cleaning
Ms McGlynn  - Drama Ex picture frames
Mr Jesser  - Helped with maths
Mr Peters - Great exam prep
Ms Bell - Always helpful and positive
Mr A Brown - ‘For being a legend’ great basketball sessions X2
Mr Mackay - Great energy and great to be around
Mr C Brown - Great care

Leaving PBC?

If your student is NOT RETURNING to PBC in 2021, please complete and the attached leaving form.  You will also need to:-

• Return all PBC Textbooks /novels/borrowed items

• Provide the name of destination school

• If your student will be working/apprenticed, you will need to provide a letter from the employer confirming student is working 25 + hours per week

• Forms can be emailed to enrolments@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

• Any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Main Reception

Spark their Future — Finding their Spark

You can assist your teen find their spark to help build their confidence and get more out of school. Hobbies can allow your teen to develop their sense of self and find their passion. Being engaged in something they enjoy can help them persevere and find meaning in learning. Watch parenting expert Maggie Dent discuss the importance of teens finding something they’re good at to help them grow their spark and build their confidence at the Spark their Future website.

Help kids cope with summer storms, floods and fires

It’s been a big year for dramatic news, and some children may feel anxious as summer storm and cyclone season approaches. The Triple P — Positive Parenting Program can help you support children’s coping skills and resilience, and free Triple P is available statewide thanks to the Queensland Government. For more information, visit the Triple P website.

Know the 4T early signs of type 1 diabetes

World Diabetes Day was a reminder to us all that diabetes can affect children too. If your child is showing the 4T early signs — going to the toilet often, is constantly thirsty, is more tired than usual or is looking thinner — they may have diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition where your child’s body no longer produces insulin, an important hormone that helps turn glucose (sugar) into energy for their body. Knowing the 4T early signs and having your child tested can avoid serious complications.

Stay in touch!

Social Media is a great way to keep in touch with PBC. If you use Instagram be sure to follow us @pbcshs and on Facebook you can follow us @PalmBeachCurrumbinStateHigh or @PBCAlliance. We regularly post helpful information for our students, parents, and community as well as many amazing achievements of our students.  

Dates to Remember

23 November - Shutdown for Year 10 and Year 11 Exams

23 November - Senior Music Excellence Showcase

25 November - Year 7/8 Annual Awards Night

27 November - Last day of school for Year 10 and 11 students for 2020

7 December - Year 7, 2021 Transition Day

9 December - Last day of school for Years 7-9 for 2020

18 January - PBC Main Reception/Admin reopens for 2021

18 January - PBC Uniform Shop starts extended trading for 2021

27 January - First Day of school for 2021 - Years 7, 11 and 12

28 January - First Day of School for 2021 - Years 8, 9 and 10

Palm Beach Soccer Club - Calling Girls!

Container Deposit Scheme

Don't forget that you can drop off your containers for recycling and help PBC raise money for various sustainability projects! Collections are held on Wednesday mornings through term time from 7:00-8:30am at the Reds Oval Gate. If you can't get to our drop off point you can still donate your earnings to PBC by using the code below when cashing in your containers at a recycling centre.

PBC Alliance Business Directory

Support our local businesses through our only Business Directory of the PBC Alliance webpage and via our Red Pages page on the school website.

If you are looking to support our local businesses and local community when looking for a product or service look no further than the PBC Alliance Business Directory. All the listings are supporters of our students and local so please support those that support PBC. 

Become a Partner today

If you are interested in learning more about the PBC Alliance visit our website! www.pbc-alliance.com.

Bendigo Bank Tugun Community Bank Branch

Synergy Fitness

Aurora Training Institute

LJ Hooker Palm Beach

Southport Sharks

WHYse Choices

Veteran Mentors

Gold Coast United

Capital Pest Management

Stone Style

Currumbin RSL

Prestige Services Training

Inspire Physiotherapy

Firewire Surfboards

Tweed Seasports

Trade Glass

Real-Crete Brisbane

Rhys Wildermoth, First National Palm Beach

Griffith University

CHG Integrated Wealth

The Pines, Elanora

Woolworths, The Pines

99 Bikes, Burleigh

PFD Food Distributors

Esportif Management (Nash Dawson)

Bond University

Southern Cross University

Burleigh Bears Rugby League Club

Currumbin Eagles Junior Rugby League Club

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary

Fraser Financial Services

Wilson Haynes Law

Big Screen Video

Belinda and Stephen Phelan

Meatsmiths, Elanora

Palm Beach Surf Club

MRAEL

Shingleback Off Road

The Suns AFL Club

If you are interested in learning more about the PBC Alliance visit our website! www.pbc-alliance.com