Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Awards and Performance season is upon us with celebratory events for our Academic, Sports, Arts and Vocational students all in the next few weeks. Our Dance Students started the Awards & Performance season with a brilliant night of contemporary dance performances which was well supported by the community and staff at HOTA. The following weekend saw three of our four Australian Rules Football teams win their respective State Final with our fourth team coming runners-up. 

Our Senior Academic Awards Night witnessed a full hall of parents, family and staff celebrate our students who topped their subjects including the overall School Dux, congratulations to Kai Meath and to Runner-up Dux Talulah Ratcliffe.  We also announced our 2022 School Captains.  Congratulations to Tanu Nona and Isabella Edge who will represent the school next year as our key student leaders. 

Music Under the Lights was back this year and as successful as ever. Congratulations to all the staff, students and parents who were involved in making this such a spectacular event for the community (with the local primary schools in attendance). Such a busy fortnight, with a lot more to come.

Congratulations to Phoenicians who were the winning house for 2021.  In one of only three full assemblies each year, the winning house was announced to 2600 enthusiastic students who were active participants. It was also great to see Spartans maintaining their consistency in finishing fourth each year.

If your family is moving away at the end of the year, and/or your children are changing schools, could you please let the office know so that we can staff the school accordingly. An email or phone call to the office regarding a change of schools would be appreciated.

The 2021 Optima Yearbook is in the final stage of editing and ready to be printed. The Yearbook is a very popular publication each year so if you would like to order a 2022 School Magazine for your student please do so by completing the attached form asap. Please note that Year 12 students will receive a Yearbook at Graduation, as a gift.

Year 7 to 10 attendance rates have dropped off this term. Students in the compulsory attendance phase of education (Years 7 to 10) are required to be at school every day unless they are unwell. We have an attendance target of 95% for all students. With all subjects only having three periods a week, one day of missed schooling can equate to 33% of a subject being missed for the week. Missing 33% of a subject for a week, makes it hard to catch up on work.

Executive Principal

Dance and Dance Excellence

On Friday 8 October, the dance department hosted their annual Dance Night at HOTA. The show was an outstanding showcase of the talent we foster here at PBC. The evening was divided into two acts and the work ranged from student choreography to performance work across the genres of hip-hop, jazz, contemporary and lyrical. There were over 450 guests in attendance, 108 dancers, 5 Music Excellence Musicians, 2 Backstage Drama Excellence students and 15 Arts Staff that all contributed to making the evening a success!

Visual Arts 

For the first time ever, we have had 4 Senior Visual Arts students nominated for awards at the Creative Generation Excellence Awards Regional Arts Exhibition. Ryan Thwaite, Allie Baldwin, Gabriella Kilgariff and Neroli Light Law have all been nominated for their Senior Visual Art pieces. Creative Generation received a total of 500 submissions from 181 schools in Queensland. This year, 120 works were shortlisted with 37 Excellence winners and 7 Regional Encouragement awardees. The Awards will be presented at the Regional exhibition at ‘The Walls” in Miami from Friday 29 October-Sunday 31 October 12:00-5:00pm. All the best to our 4 nominees! A wonderful achievement!

Instrumental Music – Under the Lights

Last Friday we hosted another one of our major and most adored community events, Under the Lights in the Senior Quad. Mr Hart, Mr Buchanan, Mr McLean and Mrs Cooper worked extremely hard to prepare our Instrumental Music students for their performance pieces for presentation for the evening. It was wonderful to see all the families and the PBC Community there to celebrate all of the fabulous work the students have been working on this year. With Eisteddfods and other concerts being cancelled due to COVID, this was a special event for our Instrumental Music students to showcase their work. 

Arts Awards Evening

We are planning to host our Arts Awards winners and their families at our Annual Arts Awards evening on Thursday 28 October in the theatre. We will be showcasing performances from all subject areas, and presenting awards to honour outstanding work by our artists. We hope to have some performances and food and drinks in a twilight session on the grass area outside the theatre from 5pm, before we enter the theatre for the awards ceremony at 6:00pm.  

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.

Social Entrepreneurship Competition

As part of Year 9 Civics and Legal Studies, Meg and Lily entered the Social Entrepreneurship Competition, FUTURE ANYTHING. They created an inspiring business idea to ‘fight against rape and rape culture’ which got them into the National Semi Finals. Unfortunatley they didn't win however presented their idea really well.

Basketball Excellence

Congratulations to PBC’s Cyra Iliuk for making the U18 Basketball State Performance Program. This puts Kikki on a pathway that will develop and prepare her to represent QLD.

StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup State Champions

The StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup State Champions were crowned after a weekend of intense action. PBC flexed their footy muscles, taking out three of the four secondary school state titles at the StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup at the Maroochydore Multi Sport Complex on the Sunshine Coast confirming our name as the powerhouse AFL school in the state, claiming the junior male and female and senior female Championships. Click the link to read the story of how the weekend unfolded. Congratulations to all the AFL students and coaches for their fantastic efforts. https://www.aflq.com.au/streetsmarts-aflq-schools-cup-state-champions-crowned/

PBC Students Fundraising

Recently, the PBC students and staff celebrated all the various houses’ achievements through the year at the Champion House Assembly. Two of those achievements was raising funds for the Cancer Council and the Macleods Domestic Violence Refuge on the Gold Coast. Here the Year 12 Student Leaders presented a cheque for $2,000 to Susie Longman of the Cancer Council and a cheque for $10,000 to Elisha Bray from Macleods Refuge at the assembly. The raising of this amount of money for such a worthy causes is simply amazing and a credit to our students for making it happen.

Equestrian Success

Congratulations to PBC's Lydia - Yr 11 who recently competed at the Zone 2 pony club one day event (ode) placing 1st in the junior 80cm. She also competed recently in the QLD Equestrian Qld State Eventing Championships in Toowoomba placing 3rd in the junior 80cm class. Both of these events comprise a dressage test, show jumping round and cross country phase. Amazing effort Lydia!

Rugby League Pathways

Congratulations to PBC’s Ryan Foran and Jack Cullen, 2021 Australian Schoolboys, rugby league excellence students who have both signed on  with the Gold Coast Titans for 2022. Good luck Ryan and Jack! 

Congratulations to the PBC Rugby League 'REDS' Awards winners who each displayed the high standards, on and off the field, that we promote as well as the values of being a Red.

Congratulations goes to...

• Yr 7 – Kapuarangi
• Yr 8 – Brodie
• Yr 9 – Ayden
• Yr 10 – Zane
• Open Bs – Bailey
• Open A’s - CRAIG WESTON MEDAL WINNER – Ryan

2021 Optima Yearbook - ORDER TODAY!

2021 PBC Optima Yearbook is going to print!!

Be sure to place your order to get your student a copy of the Yearbook for just $30.

This year there is 140 pages of fun and colourful content! Messages from student leaders, house leaders and key staff. Photos, photos, photos and more photos of as many students as we could fit in. Stories for all departments. Excellence Program reports, major events highlights, Champion House news and a Farewell to Year 12 gallery. The magazine covers all faculties, all year levels and all programs. DON'T MISS OUT!!

Here is a sneak peak of some of the pages...

To place your order click the below link to find the details. Yearbooks will be distributed end November 2021.

Good Humans @ PBC

Our staff were challenged to identify some of their peers as “Good Humans”. People who are kind and compassionate. These fine ladies were some of our staff that were nominated by their peers and won our Good Humans prize packs. Congratulations to all of them!

Walk with us

This week the Year 10 Essential English classes engaged in the opportunity to listen to one of the Founders, Nikki Sega who was accompanied by Robyn from Walk With Us – an organisation on the Gold Coast who a provides a variety of services for the homeless.

The students heard an authentic talk which provided information pertaining to the issues relating to homelessness, real life experiences as well as how the wider community and ‘Walk With Us’ are assisting people who find themselves without a home.

The Year 10’s will now use the information shared, with further research and investigation towards creating a multi-model presentation to raise awareness within the PBC community regarding the issue of homelessness.

In appreciation of Nikki’s time, Year 10 showed their appreciation by providing food donations to the organisation to share with their local homeless friends.

Southern Business Womens Connect Luncheon

Thank you for the Tugun Community Branch of the Bendigo Bank for inviting Ms I’Anson with Michaela and Matilda (Year 12 Student Leaders) along to the Southern Business Womens Connect Luncheon last week. The girls enjoyed a very inspiring lunch listening to some amazing local business women tell their moving stories of their journey to success in our local area.

Titans Deadly Futures Program

The Gold Coast Titans with The Preston Campbell Foundation and Village Roadshow Theme Parks have been running their Titans Deadly Futures Program, working with Gold Coast students in Year 10 and encompassing Indigenous Timelines, Cultural identity and Career Aspirations. Two of our Year 10 students were lucky enough to attend the program this term. Kaytlin and Hayley are pictured with Jasmine Peters and Shaniah Power of the Gold Coast Titans NRLW team and Preston Campbell.

Link and Launch

Do you have a son, daughter or extended family member that is just about to leave school or has graduated previously from Grade 12? Leaving school after so many years of commitment can be both exciting and a little scary. Sometimes it takes a past student a few months to figure out what they want to do, this ‘down time’ can often impact on their motivation levels and attitude.

There are currently lots of opportunities available for study, work and training – it’s just knowing how to access all of this information.

At PBC we have a designated Link and Launch Manager who can assist in navigating a wide range of options in consultation with the past student. She will organise a one on one catch up so as to ascertain their goals, their strengths and current skills and help them to create a future pathway. In addition, she can offer specific advice on resumes, cover letters, job searching, interview preparation & presentation and current labour market and educational destinations overall. Assessment tools profiling is also available as a value-add service!

Pathways can include (but are not limited to) part time work (if the past student is currently studying), full time employment, Apprenticeship and Traineeship opportunities, linkages to government and federal workforce participation programs, free TAFE for Year 12 leavers and community and health referrals all based on the needs of the individual.

For additional information don’t hesitate to contact:

Elaine Braniff Link and Launch Manager at PBCSHS on:

Mobile: 0467 951 239

Email: ebran61@eq.edu.au

Also: PBC Link and Launch

Bus Travel 2022 (NSW residents)

Follow PBC on Social Media

Our social media accounts are the best way to stay connected with the daily happenings of our school. We will upload any important messages, reminders, student achievements and general action. With posts every day this a great way to celebrate our awesome school. If you have any news about your student that you would like to share please message us via Direct Message on Instagram, Messenger on Facebook or email to news@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au.

Instagram @PBCSHS

Facebook @PalmBeachCurrumbinStateHigh and @PBCAlliance

Dates to Remember

World Teachers’ Day celebrations

Our teachers are very special people. On World Teachers’ Day Friday 29 October we encourage the whole school community to say thank you in recognition of their dedication and important work. Every day they educate and inspire our students. Get involved and visit World Teachers’ Day for information, printable decorations and cards, posters and certificates. Use #ThankQldTeachers to tag your thanks.

Be kind online – preventing cyberbullying for Queensland state schools

The department has launched animations to encourage students to block content, report it, and support each other if they see or experience bullying online.  

The animations show common scenarios that occur, and remind students to Be kind online.   Primary students can find out how bullying in gaming and sharing mean content can impact others and what actions they can take. Secondary students can explore the impact of sharing intimate photos and negative anonymous accounts.  

It is important students know they are not alone and there are ways to prevent cyberbullying. Share the videos with your children and start the conversation today.

Nominations for Creative Generation 2022 open

Nominations for Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage 2022 are now open. If you have students of any age that love to sing or dance, you are encouraged to nominate them. Opportunities also exist for high school students to work behind the scenes, perform in the orchestra, drama cast or drumline. The CGEN team want to hear from schools about their performing arts ensembles that may consider nominating for a standalone entry. CGEN is an inclusive and safe environment for students that love the arts. For more information, reach out to the team.

Scholarships for aspiring teachers

Teachers make a significant and positive impact in our communities. Do you have an aspiring teacher in your family? Financial support is available for aspiring teachers to gain teaching qualifications. The Aspiring Teacher Grant is a one-off payment of $2,500 or $5,000 for rural or remote Year 12 students commencing an undergraduate initial teacher education program in 2022. In honour of Dr Pearl Duncan, an Aboriginal teacher who dedicated her life to improving participation in education, the Pearl Duncan Teaching Scholarship valued up to $20,000 is available for Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students commencing a teaching degree in 2022. Applications close 10 December.

Scholarships for Year 12 graduates

TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarships are named in honour of Thomas Joseph Ryan, former teacher, barrister and Queensland Premier (1915–1919). They seek to acknowledge students who demonstrate outstanding leadership within their school and community, and academic excellence in Year 12. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students commencing their tertiary journey in 2022. One student per school can be nominated. If you’re interested, please talk to the principal. Nominations close 10 December.

Bendigo Bank Tugun Community Branch – Scholarships 2022

The commitment of Community Bank Tugun, part of Bendigo Bank, to build stronger communities is demonstrated by what we do – from sponsoring local sporting clubs through to providing grants to local community groups.   

Much of this commitment is focused on our youth and from 2018 we took this one step further when we launched the Community Bank Tugun Scholarship, which was aimed at assisting local students who were academically capable and community-minded but experiencing difficulty in funding the high cost of tertiary study.  Subsequently, we have supported 6 students since the program began with various university degrees.  

Our Community Bank Branch is proud to support local youth to further their education, and maybe one day our community will benefit directly from the skills and knowledge they bring. 

We are excited to announce that our Scholarship program will continue with support of another 2 local students in 2022. 

An information sheet detailing the Scholarship’s criteria is attached and I am happy to provide further information if required. In addressing the scholarship’s criteria, a demonstration of academic achievement, community involvement and contribution, leadership roles and the financial and/or social challenges being experienced is required. 

Our Scholarship will invite applications from 23 August 2021 until 31 January 2022.  This year, we have deliberately opened the program much earlier to ensure there is sufficient time to make your Year 12 students aware of the program before they leave school.   

We hope that you may be able to assist us by helping to spread the word about our Scholarship Program to your Year 12 students, whose circumstances may be a match to the criteria and who may be interested in applying. 

I have also attached a promotional poster to display at school, the Scholarship Application Guide and the below links to be provided to students. 

University - http://cia.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/Program/Index/2?programId=3895

TAFE - http://cia.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/Program/Index/2?programId=3896

We look forward to receiving applications from your students and if you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Living Through Covid – Make Your Voice Heard

The Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) is proud to launch its Growing Up in Queensland: Living through COVID survey for young people living in Queensland aged 13 – 18 years.

Living through COVID examines the impact of lockdown and collects young people’s suggestions about how government and community leaders could best communicate to them about matters relating to the pandemic.

The insights gathered will be shared with government leaders and will inform a youth-perspective roadmap so the voices of young people can inspire changes to the way decisions are made and communicated.

The Living through COVID youth survey is available for young people aged 13 – 18 until Sunday 31 October 2021 by visiting www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/living-through-covid.

We would appreciate your help in promoting the survey so we can make sure the voices of young Queenslanders are heard and amplified.

For further information about the Living through COVID survey, please email growingupQLD@qfcc.qld.gov.au.
 
Kind regards, 
Growing Up in Queensland project team
Queensland Family & Child Commission