Dear Parents and Caregivers,

At a recent conference, we were informed that Price Waterhouse Coopers is one of the largest employers of high school graduates in the world.  PWC prefers to train their staff with the necessary skills and technical abilities (in six weeks) rather than having aspiring employees attend university (for three years).  It was interesting that academic achievement whilst valuable to PWC was not the main criteria for employment.  PWC was looking for behaviour, effort and interpersonal skills as the main criteria for employment. In addition, PWC are looking for the interpersonal skills within the context of, team work, problem solving, creativity and communicating ideas. The one test that prospective employees sit is based on aptitude regarding interpersonal ability. What were described as soft skills in the last generation is becoming the main currency for employment in the next generation. Part of our House and Care initiative is to have our students enhancing their communication and interpersonal skills each and every day in a variety of settings that might not be possible in other classes.

Congratulations to the instrumental music students and their successful tour of the Darling Downs. The students performed a number of concerts for small schools and local community music groups from Toowoomba to Stanthorpe. Feedback from the community groups was it was such a joy to get to play with a large talented band of students. It was great to see the Stage Band back up the next night at the PBC P&C Gala dinner. 

The Athletics Carnival was a great success with almost 2000 students participating in a wide range of events on the day. The students’ engagement levels were high and it appeared that the students in attendance had fun. A number of records were broken and we now have a quick turn around for our school team who will compete at the District and Regional level shortly.

Regards,

Chris Capra,
Executive Principal

General Information

• Year 10 and 12 students commence shutdown on Thursday 13 June. The shutdown timetable has been published on the school website. Parents and students are reminded that all classes will be actively commencing new work during week 10 and that students are expected to attend school up to and including 28 June.
• Year 12 QCS students have a masterclass for the Writing Task on Tuesday 18 June and then will sit their final practice tests on Wednesday 19 June. As individual results affect the OP performance of the whole group; students that have performed poorly on the practice tests will be required to attend extra support tutorials in term 3. A reminder that on 7, 14 and 21 August QCS students will be required to attend QCS sessions during sport time and until 3:30pm on Wednesdays in their final preparation for the QCS test.
• Year 11 students have just finalised their Unit 1 assessment and reporting. They do not have a shutdown period this term. Their next assessment block is in week 2 of term 3.
• Any Year 10 student requesting a subject change will have to attend a meeting in Y block at 11:30am on Thursday 20 June. Please note only limited changes will be available.
• Any Year 12 students wishing to complete a First Aid course in the last week of school (Friday 28 June) should register with Ms Shreeve in Y block. The cost of this course is $100.
  
  

Year 12

QCAA learning accounts

All Year 12 students were recently issued (via their school email) with instructions to log onto the Student Connect website at www.qcaa.qld.edu.au. It is important that students do this to ensure that their details such as correct spelling of their name, address and date of birth and subjects studied are correct. At the end of Year 12 it is the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, not PBC, which will issue and send out the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and OP and Senior Statement. Students who log on by 31 August are also in the running to win an Apple MacBook Air. Any student who finds that their details are incorrect should contact Ms Ashby in Y block.

Year 10

SET Planning (SETP)

Year 10s will commence planning for their subject selections and pathway for Year 11 and 12 in term 3.

Students intending to complete an ATAR pathway in Year 11 and 12 need to be achieving at least a B in English and Maths at the end of Semester 1.

Specific senior classes have the below requirements for subject selections next year: 

VET News

The following courses are available for Year 11 students that have not accessed their VETis funding. This is a great opportunity for students to gain a qualification whilst still at school and accrue valuable QCE points. Students can see Miss McQueen in F block staffroom for more information.

Gold Coast Trades College Term 3 intake

• Cert I CIVIL CONSTRUCTION – Wednesday – start date 17July 2019
• Cert I SURFBOARD CONSTRUCTION – Friday – start date 19 July 2019
• Cert I CONSTRUCTION (GENERAL) – Friday – start date 19July 2019
• Cert II ELECTROTECHNOLOGY – Friday – start date 19 July 2019

Gold Coast School of Hairdressing

• CERT II Salon Assistant (hairdressing or barbering)

Aurora Training Institute

• Cert II Community Services

Gold Coast TAFE

• Please see attached flyer for current courses available at GC TAFE

School holiday workshops at Profile Salon Supplies

Pathways Centre News

School based traineeships available

Lots of exciting traineeship opportunities available in the Pathway Centre Y Block for year 10/11’s in Term 2. Job boards will be updated regularly with new positions.

Students can collect a registration form and apply now

Year 11’s are reminded they need to secure a traineeship this term to allow time to complete before graduating.

Provide First Aide Course will be held at school 28 June $100. To secure your spot, See Ms Shreeve Y Block

A variety of traineeships are on offer with a focus on business, hospitality, retail and tourism

School based vacancies links:

• Ignite Education
• Aurora Training Institute
• Prestige Services Training vacancies

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

Hospitality and Business Traineeships:

Hudon Café – John Flynn hospital
Wendys the Pines
IGA Currumbin
Kurrawa Surf Club
Fuel Bakehouse Currumbin
Subway Burleigh, James St and Stocklands
Subway Stocklands and James St Burleigh
Pizza Hut the Pines
Raw Energy Coolangatta
Saltwater Currumbin
Third Base Coffee
Palm Beach Surf Club
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Nerang RSL
Coming Home Co. Robina
Coffee Club Coolangatta
Zeus Robina
Guzman Y Gomez Robina
The Cheesecake Shop - Nerang
Zarraffas Tugun and Palm Beach & Burleigh
Lava Carts Robina
Crema Espresso the Pines, Robina & Bundall
The Boatshed Restaurant Kiosk

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

Year 7 2020 General Enrolment Evening

For parents who have younger siblings in Year 6 can I remind you that our General Enrolment night is on Wednesday 12 June from 6:30pm in PBC Theatre.

This evening is for Parents and future students who live in our catchment area. This night is not for excellence programs and parents of students in these programs who are out of our catchment areas are reminded that the sibling rule does not apply in this case. The night is not compulsory but provides an opportunity to meet the Middle School team and to gain information about the current enrolment process. Enrolment packs will be available at the end of the presentation. Further details can be found on our school website. We look forward to seeing you there.

Motivation, Engagement and Learning

As parents and educators, we know there are many factors that influence academic learning and understand that motivation and engagement contribute to student outcomes. The Motivation and Engagement Wheel, developed by Dr Andrew Martin is a practical, multi-factor approach to student motivation and engagement. Throughout his research Dr Martin investigates which attributes contribute to your child's Personal Potential Network including motivation, engagement, buoyancy, resilience and adaptability, personal goal setting and positive relationships. Two areas we would like to share with you are 'motivation and engagement' and 'personal goal setting'.

Dr Martin defines motivation and engagement as, “students’ inclination, energy and drive to learn, work effectively, and achieve – and the thoughts and behaviours (and feelings) that reflect this”.  He describes the factors that influence student motivation as self-belief, learning focus and valuing school, while positive engagement includes planning, student management and persistence. The factors that impact negatively on motivation and engagement are anxiety, failure avoidance, uncertain control, self-sabotage and disengagement. The 11 areas are described in The Wheel (Dr Martin 2010).

The Wheel 

How can parents support and increase their child’s positive engagement and motivation and help them remain ‘above the line’ of The Wheel?  Dr Martin provides parents with the following suggestion – to concentrate your language on the ‘five C’s’ and ‘personal best goals’:

Confidence: Can be enhanced when students are encouraged to view success as not only the final step in an assessment piece, but the completion of many learning/study steps along the way. Confidence also focuses students’ attention on their own personal improvement rather than competition or comparison.

Control:  Can be developed when students discuss, acknowledge and implement effective study strategies at home knowing they will impact upon achievement.

Coordination and commitment: Can be developed when students set effective goals and acknowledge and implement that effort and strategy are important factors for improvement.

Composure: Can be enhanced when students view mistakes as a natural and essential part of learning and when it is time for exams, a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast increase one’s composure.

Personal Best: Are goals that students set for themselves and are focused on improving their home learning or study strategies from one term to the next. PBs are also focused on one’s personal improvement, and not a comparison to others.

If you are interested in further readings, strategies or tips, please visit Dr Martin’s website, Lifelong Achievement Group. 

End of Term Update

There are now fewer than fifteen school days left until the school holidays, and the countdown to assessment is even closer! Students should be reflecting on their OPTIMA goals and considering what it is that they need to do to earn their best possible results. Unlike the Interim Report, which may only reflect one piece of assessment, the Semester Report shows a pattern of learning achievement, effort and behaviour.

Assessment may be due right up to the end of term. Please respect our holiday dates as removing students from class can make assessment difficult and stressful for them.

Being Busy vs Being Stressed

Some students find the end of semester a particularly challenging time, especially if multiple assessment pieces over a short time span is a new experience for them.

A useful way to phrase discussion with your young person about this is that they will be busy, but they should not be stressed. A busy student has many demands on their time. They are completing the allocated home work each night, as well as undertaking their own study and review of topics, and work on assignments. The busy student has their assessment due dates written up and placed in a space that the whole family can see. They know what is due, and when. They set about tasks in ‘baby steps’, doing a little at a time and in a logical way. They ask their teachers for assistance early when they do not understand. 

The stressed student doesn’t do homework or hasn’t written it down. They don’t study until the night before the test, or may not even know there is a test coming up! The stressed student looks at a large task and puts off starting work on it. They don’t let the teacher know that they are struggling with concepts. 

Students should expect to be busy – there is no other option when you are striving to achieve your best. Key things that Middle School students should be doing now to avoid being stressed are: 

• Use the Student Planner effectively
• Have assessment dates clearly displayed at home
• Break tasks into achievable chunks and work methodically on these
• Start writing summaries and study notes for exams
• Stay in touch with teachers when work is difficult

These strategies, in combination with good habits around sleep, diet and exercise, should help your young person maintain a sense of control over the coming busy weeks.

Community Service

Does your child participate in a community service activity, such as Surf Lifesaving, coaching a sporting team or helping an animal welfare organisation? If so, we would love to acknowledge their efforts formally here at school.

For details, go to our Community Services Program web page. 

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.

Middle School Guidance Officer

Click to find an article on the impacts of students viewing violent footage.

PBC is committed to helping students to prepare for life after school. As part of this preparation we wish to identify local businesses who would like to sponsor the resources of The Wealth Academy into our school. These businesses will become our financial life skill partners and hopefully also provide presentations that support our curriculum program.

One of the resources made available to our school is a youth-oriented financial life skills e-zine titled Teenfinca, which is an acronym for teenage financial capability. The latest issue of Teenfinca is available for students and families to read and share. We encourage parents to discuss the articles within the ezine with your children. Such discussions help to build the future financial capability and wellbeing of students. You will notice that students from our school have been featured in this issue of the e-zine.

Academic Excellence ~ Humanties excursion

It was spectacular weather for 7A, 7B and 7C’s Academic Excellence Humanities excursion to Hinze Dam 2 recently. Students enjoyed learning about how our water future is interlinked with the preservation of native species, Indigenous history, early settlement of the area, engineering feats, economic considerations, water testing, chemistry, biology, technological developments, the politics of recycled water and much more. Thank you again to the dedicated, inspiring educators at SEQ Water for sharing their knowledge and passion and the students who participated wholeheartedly and behaved beautifully.

$20 Boss Competition

What could your students do with $20? The answer might surprise you!

By 2030, all jobs across all sectors are going to look different. Automation, globalisation and more flexible working arrangements are rapidly reshaping our economy and workforce. In this future world of work, young people are predicted to have 17 different jobs over 5 careers in their lifetime.

Year 9 Economics and Business Students at PBC have recently participated in the $20 Boss Competition- a nationwide in-school entrepreneurship program. Students were given $20 of start-up capital donated by The National Australia Bank to create, launch and operate a business venture over the course of the school term.

The $20 Boss program is about putting skills development at the forefront of learning. Developed by the Foundation for Young Australians in consultation with students and educators, the $20 Boss program is the largest entrepreneurship program in Australia. In the past four years, over 30,000 students from over 500 schools have participated in the program.

The $20 Boss Program has seen the facilitation of important enterprise learning. Students have created their own products and businesses from the ground up with the aim of raising as much profit as possible. We have seen businesses such as the creation of surf wax, all kinds of unique baked goods, games, challenges, bath bombs, artwork and many more. All businesses are to utilise the principle of innovation to create a financially sustainable enterprise.

The world of work is changing we must prepare our students by creating opportunities to build valuable skills like financial literacy, teamwork and entrepreneurship.

Andrew Griffin
Humanities HOD

State Honours Ensemble Program

Congratulations to PBC's Claire and Sammy who were selected along with the state’s best middle school musicians to perform in the State Honours Ensemble Program. The students rehearsed in a 3 day intensive camp at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and performed in a concert highlighting their incredible talent. PBC Instrumental music families and students are all very proud of Sammy and Claire for their achievements. Well done!

Working Musicians Program 

After an exciting first term of song writing and collaboration, PBC students who are involved in the Working Musicians Program are now planning and preparing for their first gig night, to be held at Dust Temple, Friday 21 June. These budding independent artists are currently in the process of consolidating their assets, rehearsing their original sets, creating a promotional campaign, as well as working alongside the venue manager of Dust Temple to pull together a very special concert in this highly-renowned creative space. Tickets are limited, so get in quick! Tickets available very soon from www.artemus.com.au  

Netball Excellence - Juniors

The Junior Netball Excellence class participated in the Indoor Netball Federation QLD’s Secondary Schools Competition on the 30-31 May in Arundel. PBC had two teams in each of the age divisions U13s and U15s, separated into Pool A and Pool B with the winners of each pool meeting to play off for the 2019 INFQ Trophy.  In a thrilling Grand Final, PBC U13s were victorious in double extra time 28-30 defeating Southport. The PBC U15 side who is also our Vicki Wilson Shield side displayed a dominant performance defeating Southport 26-15 for the 2019 INFW U15s Trophy.

Girls Rugby League

On Tuesday 28 May a selection of Year 8 and 9 female students as well as one Year 11 student competed for the Oceanic District at South Coast Trials. Our Year 8’s and 11 student were the youngest in their trials so will have the opportunity to trail again in the same age category next year.

Naomi Apanui

Track & Field Carnival

In the middle of a very busy Term 2 was one of the pinnacle House events of the year, the Track and Field Carnival once again it was a highly competitive competition which was held over 1 and a half days with students representing their Houses with the hope of making it through to the Oceanic District finals.

The Oval was a sea of Green, Yellow, Red and Blue as students dressed up in their House colours and took part in the march past, where we saw nearly 2000 students parading around the track.

The standard of competition was as high as ever with many students achieving PB’s throughout the day in the different events. To ensure that all students were catered for and entertained, PBC had a number of ‘alternative activities’ such as a Ninja climbing wall, bubble soccer and 2 giant inflatable obstacle courses.

The atmosphere throughout the day on the oval was electric and one which will stay in the memories for years to come. A change this year saw the introduction of 100m finals at the end of the day where PBC showcased their fastest students in what was an amazing spectacle.

After a long day of competing the total points were calculated and the 2019 Track and Field House Champions were the Vikings who managed to win the event for the second year running, with the Spartans coming a close second and  Phoenicians and Athenians coming 3rd and 4^th respectively. Congratulations to the Viking House and also to all of our PBC students that took part in the day and we wish our athletes good luck as they go on to compete at District finals in week 9 at Griffith University.

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 Facebook.

Joffrey Ballet School – Training Camp

Congratulations to PBC's Cleo Lewis who was awarded a scholarship for a summer training camp at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. Cleo will train hard for 3 weeks and then she will do a group performance in a theatre on Broadway. This is a wonderful opportunity that Cleo has worked very hard for. Well done!

Squash Success

Congratulations to PBC's Shona for all her recent Squash success. Shona came Runner Up in the U19 Girls at the Gold Coast Junior Championships on 18/19 May and last weekend came Runner Up in U17 Mixed (She was only girl!) Coffs Harbour Junior Classic.

Both these events are Silver events on the Australian Junior Squash Tour. One below State level. Shona also received Most Improved Player award for 2018-2019 in Southern Region. She was selected in the Southern Region Team to compete at Queensland Junior Championships in July at Daisy Hill.

PBC General Enrolment Information Night

Do you live inside Palm Beach Currumbin State High's catchment area? Do you have a student entering Year 7 in 2020?

PBC invites the parents and students who reside in our school’s catchment area and due to start Year 7 in 2020 to our Year 7 General Enrolment Information Night.

This information night will give you an opportunity to;

• meet members of the Middle School leadership team
• understand PBC’s approach to Middle Schooling
• gain an insight into the curriculum studied and how we will support your young person
• learn the process to enrol.

Enrolment forms will also be available to be collected.

Please note that this night does not cater for students who wish to apply for Selective Entry in future years.

We look forward to introducing our team and helping you take this next important step in your young person’s education.

Entertainment Books - Fundraising

PBC is excited to be fundraising with Entertainment again this year! The 2018/2019 books are now expired so it is definitely time to update! Click the link below to get your copy today.

Support us now

Important Dates

Thank you…

Veteran Mentors - PBC Alliance Gold Partner

Thank you to Troy Methorst of Veteran Mentors who recently attended PBC to present one of our students Jaxon Calderone, with the Student of Merit Award which Jaxon earned doing the Veteran Mentors Junior Leadership Program. Year 10 students we shown the vision of Jaxon's sky diving which was done on one of the final days of the Program. Jaxon performed exceptionally on the program and was the only attendee to receive this award, well done Jaxon!

CHG Integrated Wealth - PBC Alliance Silver Partner

Thank you to Paul Gaffney of CHG Integrated Wealth who has been presenting financial literacy sessions to both our senior students and staff at PBC over the last term. These sessions have been very well received. Thank you CHG!

PBC Alliance Business Directory – support our local businesses

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. https://www.pbc-alliance.com/business-directory.html

Would your business like to support our students?

Become a Partner today 

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

We would like to give a huge shout out to our 2019 PBC Alliance Partners! The support of these amazing businesses, for our students, is hugely appreciated.

Bendigo Bank – Tugun Community Bank Branch
Aurora Training Institute
Prestige Service Training
Griffith University
Leading Teams
Southport Sharks
Veteran Mentors
Choices Media
ACTV Strenth Co
Capital Pest Management
CHG Wealth
Stone Style
Currumbin RSL
Trade Glass
Inspire Physiotherapy
Firewire Surfboards
Tweed Sea Sports
PFD Food Distributors
Gold Coast United FC
Bond University
Wilson Haynes Solicitors
Fraser Financial Services
Big Screen Video
Mighty Minds
Netspirit
Esportif
Burleigh Bears Rugby League
Currumbin Junior Rugby League
Storm Cycles
The Meatsmiths, Elanora
Palm Beach Surf Club

Uniform Shop

Cashier 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.

Lockers

To secure a locker, please return the Locker Hire Agreement attached and make payment to Student Services as soon as possible. Locker Hire is $44.00 for the year, which includes the hire of a padlock.

QParents

QParents is an app for your smart phone that allows you to keep your child’s educations journey in your hands.

Saver Plus

Could $500 help you with high-school costs?

Griffith University - Academic Bootcamps!

Register now online at https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/griffithpay/year-11-academic-bootcamps.html 

Ignite Education - School Based Traineeship Information Night