2 February 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to what promises to be a very exciting year. My colleagues have been exceedingly busy in preparation for the school year, however, thanks to the motivation we’ve taken from the excellent results of last year’s graduating class this has been an exciting time.

Results of 2015 included:

• 100% of students attained a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) or Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)
• 16% of OP eligible students received an OP 1-5
• 94% of OP eligible students received an OP 1-15

I am particularly proud of these results as it is the first time that every student has left PBC with an appropriate certificate of graduation, which is vitally important in ensuring all students enjoy future career success.

These results again place PBC in the highest echelon of Queensland Schools and I wish to congratulate the students and my colleagues on these outstanding results.

We remain committed to excellence in 2016 and our school has been a hive of activity in preparation. Over the holidays, the school has seen:

• Extensive refurbishment of the senior schooling office
• A new covered area erected in the middle school
• The refurbishment of a number of classrooms
• Extensive work on our technology infrastructure
• An additional 500 student lockers purchased

Wednesday we welcomed almost 400 Year 7 students, and I was highly impressed with the enthusiasm and rigour they demonstrated in their transition to High School. In fact, all year levels made a tremendous start to the school year. The students have looked fabulous, been well prepared and focussed on their studies.

I am well aware that many PBC families make sacrifices to support their child’s education and I would like to thank you for the support you provide our school.

My colleagues and I look forward to working with you to ensuring your young person achieves to their potential and I will keep you informed on our progress across our key initiatives in the months ahead.

Thank you for choosing PBC for your child.

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Senior School Update

Welcome back to all our Senior School students and families. I trust that you had a restful break and have all returned ready to learn. I have been very impressed with the way students have returned to school and how quickly they have engaged with their school work. As you will now be aware, following three years as the Director of the Middle School, I am now in the position as Head of Senior School. I feel honoured and privileged to be in this position as I have the opportunity to reconnect with students and families who first entered our Middle School over the past three years. I bring into this role vast experience, as prior to commencing at PBC, I was the Head of Senior School at Varsity College.

The priority in this initial part of the school year is for students to build quality learning relationships with their teachers and focussed study habits. If these habits are built early it will ensure every student gives themselves the best opportunity to achieve success.

As a school community we place very high expectations on all of our students. In particular, by the time students have progressed into our Senior School we expect that they are leaders in our school. That means leaders in:

• Fostering our learning culture
• Creating a safe and supportive school environment
• Following our uniform policy
• Attending school and contributing at all levels

It is important at the commencement of the new school year for our students to reflect on last year’s learning and progress and set new targets and goals for 2016. To aid this process, I would ask that parents/guardians take the time to sit down with your young person to discuss their new timetable and learning pathway, and that you are working together on a study plan that allocates a balanced period of time to study, social activities and sport.

It is important at the commencement of the new school year for our students to reflect on last year’s learning and progress and set new targets and goals for 2016. To aid this process, I would ask that parents/guardians take the time to sit down with your young person to discuss their new timetable and learning pathway, and that you are working together on a study plan that allocates a balanced period of time to study, social activities and sport.

Our Senior School team has included many important messages and strategies that you need to know about for your student to be successful at PBC. I encourage all parents to partner with the school to ensure that we can achieve the best possible results for each and every student.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have a query or an issues so that we can proactively work together to find a solution. Our contact details can be found via the school website staff contact list.

Year 11 Parent Information Evening

Lastly I would like to formally invite Year 11 students and parents to our Parent Information Evening for Year 11 students on Wednesday 10 February. It is a very important information night and is a must for all parents and students commencing Year 11 in 2016.

Key Senior School team members

The key Senior School team members are:

Blair Hanna
Head of School – Senior School

Deputy Principal Report

Welcome back to all of our Senior Students. The Senior School administration team is delighted to be moving into 2016 with renewed energy and focus. We aim to work closely with all of our students this year to ensure pathways and individual goals are clear. We encourage students to use this time, starting out a new year, to set their own goals in relation to each of their individual subjects as well as wider career goals.

The Optima Plan at the front of the Student Diaries can assist in this process. Students should ensure that this plan is complete within the first week of school. Classroom teachers and the Senior School Guidance Officer can be contacted if assistance is required.

Alyce Cleary
Deputy Principal Senior School

Dean of Students Report

It is a pleasure to say that students in the Senior School have thus far settled wonderfully into the New Year, with excellent routines and high standards being upheld both inside and outside the classroom. Across the years, senior students have maintained a culture of excellence within our school, forged primarily around the basic expectations of our Optima Code: Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be A Learner. Students have again been challenged this year to uphold the expectations expected of them regarding uniform and behaviour at school. The PBC Uniform Code in the front of the Student Planner details information regarding acceptable standards of dress in the Senior School.

We look forward to working and supporting all Senior Students this year to continue building upon the standard of excellence that has come to be expected of PBC students.

Mitchell Kennedy - Dean of Students Year 11 and 12
Tracey Cardinal - Dean of Students Year 9 and 10

Information for Senior Students

It has been great to see all of our Senior students back in class and working hard on achieving their Optima goals and pathways for beyond school.

Please see the following information below;

Year 11 Information Evening

The Senior School information night for Year 11 students will be conducted on Wednesday 10 February from 6:30pm in the school hall. This session will be useful for parents of all Year 11 students and will also include a presentation on study skills.

Assessment Calendars

Assessment calendars are currently being collated and will be available on the school website and the school intranet after Week 3. Parents and guardians and students should use these calendars to plan their study timetables.

Exams

Exams will be scheduled in the last week of school this term in Week 9 up to and including Thursday 24 March. Students and parents are reminded that according to our assessment policy, exams can under no circumstances be re-scheduled earlier than the rest of their cohort.

OP Predictions

Year 12 OP predictions will be mailed out this week. If your student’s OP prediction is higher than 17 they may need to consider moving to Selection Rank. This generally means a change of 1 subject but will generally improve tertiary options available in 2017. A meeting can be arranged with Senior School Staff to discuss the various options.

All OP students are again reminded that every rung is important and that the student’s position in the class will affect their OP.

QCS

Year 12 QCS students have been sent a letter outlining the Study Skills Program this year. They will have their first Turbo session on Tuesday 2 February and will have their first extension Masterclass in Week 7. Improving student performance in the QCS test will significantly improve the OPs of all our OP eligible students. As the performance of the Year 12 cohort as whole affects each OP students; all OP students need to be committed to the QCS program including attendance at Masterclasses, Turbo sessions and practice tests. Please refer to Study Skills letter mailed out. If your student no longer wishes to be OP eligible they should contact Mr McDougall as soon as possible.

Any year 12 students wishing to commence a Certificate III in Business to improve their tertiary options for 2017 should make an appointment to see Mr McDougall.

QCE

Students are again reminded that they need to be eligible for a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) to complete senior. This means that all students are expected to choose appropriate pathways and pass at least 5 of their 6 subjects.

Special Programs

During Special programs Wednesday Period 2 the following lessons have commenced:

• Year 12 QCS students will continue with their preparation for the Core Skills Test in September.
• Non QCS Year 12 students have commenced the BRAKE Driver Education program
• Year 11 students have commenced a unit on Study skills
• Year 10 students have also commenced a unit on Study Skills

Mick McDougall
HOD Senior School

Welcome back for 2016

This week we welcomed around 460 new students to our Middle School. I have been very pleased to see the year start off smoothly and that students were in rooms and working from the first period of the first day.

I spoke with the Year 7 students on Wednesday morning about relationships and how they were the key to a great start at PBC. I asked them how they wanted to be perceived as a student here- some of the things they thought of were friendly, well mannered, and a good friend. The values that underpin our OPTIMA code are strong ones and those that will develop positive relationships.

Our OPTIMA values being:

Optimistic, persevering, trustworthiness, industrious, mature and aspirational.

These values we will explicitly aim to teach and foster in our students over the middle years especially.

Optima means nothing but the best- we ask students to set goals to be their best and we will support and assist them every step to achieve those goals.

I wish everyone the most productive and happy year and look forward to working with you as the Head of School - Middle School. I am leading a fabulous team who will support your young people in any endeavours or problems they have.

Key Middle School team members

The key Middle School team members are:

I look forward to meeting more of our Year 7 parents at our Parent Night on the evening of Wednesday 17 February at 6.30pm in the Hall so look out for more details via a take home letter with your student, on the school website and Facebook page in coming weeks.

Anita Sgalippa
Head of School - Middle School

Deputy Principal Report

Welcome to, or welcome back for, 2016.

The Middle School is a place where students are not only learning in their subject areas but are also learning how to behave in different situations. For some this is the first time they have to take some responsibility for their own learning and organisation, and for some this will be the largest gathering of people they have encountered. It is important, therefore, that there are guidelines and rules to help them navigate through this.

The Optima code is how we organise our behaviour expectations. The Code is based on three basic concepts:

• BE SAFE
• BE RESPECTFUL
• BE A LEARNER

All our behaviour conversations with students are around these concepts. These concepts are positively framed and reminders for not being Safe, Respectful or a Learner will be given to students from time to time in the form of consequences.

Students who consistently abide by the code are recognised by Optima rewards or Optima postcards.

As the year progresses, we will be refining our processes for positive behaviour including better recognition of students who comply with the code.

You can help your student by talking to them about the Code, which can be found in every student planner, and by acknowledging when they bring home an Optima award.

I look forward to an excellent school year working with you and your students to make their PBC experience rewarding and enjoyable.

Peter O’Brien
Deputy Principal Middle school

Middle School Welcome

The Middle School has commenced the year with energy and enthusiasm at PBC. As always, it will be a busy year. For Year 7, it is a time of great change, while in Years 8 and 9, students are adjusting to the raised expectations and demands on their learning.

Assessment Calendar

To help students get organised and stay organised, the Assessment Calendar will be published on the PBC website at the beginning of Week 3. Parents and students can easily access this information so that they can predict the busy times and plan for them. Students should also be using their diaries to note homework and important dates.

Assessment Policy

Meeting deadlines teaches important life skills and provides an equitable assessment environment. Please familiarise yourself with the PBC assessment policy on the school website.

Support for student learning

In these first few weeks, some students may feel daunted by aspects of their schoolwork. Telling this to the class teacher is really important as they are best positioned to support your child. For those students who would like further help in their core subjects of Maths, English, Science and History, teachers at PBC volunteer their time to provide free tutoring. These tutoring sessions are held in the PBC Library each Tuesday afternoon from 3.15-4.15pm starting from Week 3. We look forward to students joining us from Tuesday 9 February.

Sharon Hillcoat
HOD Middle School

Excellence Program Information Evening

If you have a child currently in Year 6 and are interested in maximising their opportunities for success in high school, please come along to our Excellence Program information session.

When: Wednesday 24 February 2016 at 6:30pm. (School tours from 5.30pm)
Where: Palm Beach Currumbin State High School Hall
Contact: exenrolments@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au or call 07 5525 9418 to reserve your place. Limited seating available, bookings essential.

For more information regarding PBC’s Excellence programs please visit our website.

Tara Gonzales-Judd
Excellence Enrolments Officer

School photos – Important information

School photos will be taken in the PBC Hall on the following dates:

• Tuesday 2 February for Years 7-10
• Friday 5 February for Years 11-12
• Tuesday 9 February as catch-up day

Students were provided with their order forms on the first day of Term 1 with their 2016 school diaries and timetable.

IMPORTANT - Check your order form

Please ensure that the order form your student received has their name on it (see image below).

If your student has taken home an order form of another student, please ask them to return it to student services immediately.

If your student did not receive a form, please collect one from Student Services.

Please complete the form provided and ensure students bring these on the day.

Online ordering:

School photos can also be ordered and paid for using a secure online MSP Web Portal www.msp.com.au

Instructions for online ordering are on the order form. Please contact MSP Photography for any enquires regarding your order: phone 07 5520 2999 or email admin.gcnr@msp.com.au

Payment information:

• Parents can pay for all of their children’s orders in one envelope. Please write all the children’s names on the one envelope that contains the payment. However each child requires their own envelope on photo day to ensure their order is placed and processed (even if the payment is in a sibling’s envelope).
• Payments can be made by cash, cheque, credit card or money orders only. The correct amount needs to be put into the envelopes, as the photographers do not carry change.
• Orders placed after photo day will incur a $20 search fee. Parents can contact MSP to organise any late payments. Late orders are not processed until payment is received.
• Don’t seal envelopes inside each other. You can pay for all children in one envelope, however each child needs to have their own envelope on photo day. Please indicate on the child’s envelope that contains all sibling payments the names of the children you are paying for.

Uniform policy

All students are required to wear a full school uniform and adhere to the uniform policy; sports uniforms will not be accepted.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Maths Department News

Welcome back to Maths at PBC. I would like to start by misquoting Galileo….

‘Mathematics is the language in which the Universe was written so if you want to understand the Universe then you have to understand Mathematics.’

I am really looking forward to working with our excellent Maths teaching team this year and deepening your young persons’ knowledge and understanding of Mathematics and the Universe!

Maths resources

I have been impressed when going into classrooms at how well prepared our students are and would like to take this opportunity to remind you that students are expected to have a separate exercise book for Maths (not a 5 subject book please), a scientific calculator (phones are not permitted to be used as a calculator in class or exams), a ruler, pencil and pen. Students will be given their Maths textbook over the next two weeks and we would like to ask you NOT to access or use any of the online features that the text offers until specific instructions are given by your young person’s Maths teacher. Using the code inside the book will void the on line textbook access for future years. Students will be given a generic username and password in the coming weeks.

Student Planner

I would like to draw your attention to the student planner which has some excellent pages on Maths in the Research and Operational Skills section near the front of the planner. These include Laws, Formulae and Symbols and useful information regarding Fractions, Decimals and Percentages – I advise you to get your young person to familiarise themselves with these useful sections.

Topics

Throughout the year students cover a range of interesting topics in Mathematics. They are provided with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge through a various range of assessment tasks, ranging from data investigations, reporting, formative and summative assessment.

This year in Middle School Maths classes we will be increasing the focus on basic non-calculator numeracy skills. Students will be asked to do some quick questions at the start of each lesson as a warm up and to keep their basic Maths knowledge and understanding fresh. I encourage all students to make sure that they know their times tables as well in Year 12 as they do in Year 7 as basic knowledge like this makes problem solving so much easier.

Students who have started the Maths A and Maths B courses in Year 11 will be tested in week 2 to assess their ability to complete the course successfully. Students who do not meet the required standard will be asked to move to a Maths course that is more appropriate for them to ensure their success in completing Senior School.

Tutoring

Once again this year after school tutoring will be held on a Tuesday afternoon in the Library from 3:15pm to 4:15pm. Students in Years 7-10 can access this free tutorial session for personalised help in Maths, Science, English and SOSE. Students attending will be required to sign in and out of each session, and bring with them work that they need help with. Students who have attended these tutorial sessions have found it a valuable addition to their learning outcomes. The first tutorial session will start week 3, Tuesday 9 February.

Please keep in contact with myself or your young persons’ Maths teacher throughout the year.

I’ll end with a puzzle:

Take number 1000 and then add 20 to it.
Now add 1000 one more time.
Now add 30.
Now add 1000 one more time.
Now add 40.
Now add 1000 one more time.
Now add 10.

What is the total?
Answer at the end of the newsletter.

Cathy Clipson
Acting HOD Mathematics

HPE Department News

Health and Physical Education is a curriculum that engages students in the development of healthy attitudes and habits. In all levels of HPE we work to develop the physical capabilities of students across a range of sporting contexts whilst developing an ability to make informed decisions related to health.

Our learning will access and utilise local areas outside of the school. Any learning activity conducted outside of school is supervised and managed in line with our curriculum risk assessment guidelines.

For your information the areas we access are:

1. Palm Beach Currumbin Aquatic Centre
2. Salk Oval
3. Currumbin Creek
4. Boardwalk along Currumbin Creek
5. Lacey’s beach (Palm Beach)
6. Currumbin Alley
7. Roads that run along Currumbin creek (not the highway).

As in any subject, maximum benefit results from maximum participation. As teachers we understand there are times when students are injured, and these injuries will impact on their ability to participate in the lesson. As teachers we are able to adapt our lessons to ensure injured students can participate safely. In the case of a student injury, please send medical advice regarding activity to enable teachers in their decisions.

HPE Uniform

At PBC, participation in HPE is dependent on correct uniform. The sports (or red) uniform is required for HPE practical lessons. This stops students having to wear sweaty or dirty clothing to their other lessons during the day as they change into the red uniform for HPE, and back into the day uniform after the lesson. If for any reason a student does not bring their uniform to HPE, they will be issued a uniform detention in line with the PBC uniform policy. Students who do not bring their red uniform are assumed to be refusing to participate in the planned curriculum and will be given work to do during the lesson. This may be copying information from a book, writing lines or cleaning the learning area. These activities are not punishment or consequences, they are simply ensuring students are working in class.

Term 1 Units

This term in HPE classes are completing the following units:

Year 7: Volleyball, developing adolescence
Year 8: Swimming or dance, respectful relationships
Year 9: Invasion games (e.g. AFL, netball), respectful relationships
Year 10: Swimming and lifesaving, respectful relationships
Year 11: PE – canoeing, sociology
Year 11: Rec – Lifesaving
Year 11: Health – Self Esteem
Year 11: Fitness – Anatomy and physiology
Year 12: PE – duathlon, training principles
Year 12: Rec – Surfing
Year 12: Health – addiction
Year 12: Fitness – fitness training

We look forward to a productive year in HPE.

Shane Roberts
HOD HPE and The Arts

Student Achievements

PBC would like to encourage parents to email us with any great recent achievements from your student. 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, photos, and/or any links to media articles that we can share.

Congratulations to Year 10 student Tristan Bullen for taking out 3 placings at the QLD State Swimming Championships, including a Bronze medal in the Boys 200m Butterfly!

Congratulations to Year 8 student Bayley Latter on being selected for the 12 and under school sport Qld Cricket team. Bayley played at the National tournament in Brisbane, qualifying as equal first in taking 10 wickets over the tournament!

Sport Excellence students Carter Brodhurst Hill and Jamie Cox, gold medallists of the Under 14 Division of the Kayak State Championships.

Sport Excellence students Kelsea Sterry and Ella Maclachlan, silver medallists of the Under 14 Division of the Kayak State Championships.

Creative Arts Excellence student Sheldon Hernandez was awarded 'The Best Actor in a Leading Role in a School Youth/Musical 2015' for his role in PBC's '13' The Musical at the Gold Coast Area Theatre Awards!

Welfare Team

Guidance Officer

The Guidance Officer at PBC works closely with several other staff to help students with:

• Careers
• Subject Selection
• Senior Schooling
• Educational difficulties
• Special programs
• Basic personal counselling (referrals are made to specialists in the community for students needing intensive counselling)

Our PBC Student Guidance Officers are Anna Willis (Middle School) and Steve Jones (Senior School) during school term.

Psychologist

Students and their families are able to access free, confidential and professional support from our school based psychologist.

For further information about acessing this voluntary service, please contact the Dean of Students office.

This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National School Chaplaincy and Welfare Program.

Nurse

Judy Nunn is our School Based Youth Health Nurse (SBYHN). Her role is to assist young people with issues affecting their health and wellbeing. Judy also provides support for the school curriculum and health promotion activities. Students make appointments for a confidential consultation with the Nurse directly through her office.

External support

Lifeline: 131114
Headspace Southport: 55095900
Headspace Tweed: 55898700
Beyond Blue: 1300224636
Tweed Hospital: 55361133
Robina Hospital: 5668600
Gold Coast Drug & Alcohol Support: 55354302

Guidance Officer News

Welfare at PBC

Student Welfare is integral to all aspects of school life and PBC aims to ensure that a safe and supportive environment and culture is created and maintained so that the experience of teaching and learning is enhanced for all students.

The provision of welfare is essential to students' sense of self-worth and the development of their identity and in the achievement of the goals of the school. It fosters the personal and social development of the individual and it is a pre-requisite for students to be in an effective learning situation. Students who have achieved a sense of belonging and acceptance are well placed to apply themselves to the learning task. (AEU 2003)

Welfare support could be required by students with:

• Attendance issues (significant absenteeism and lateness)
• Behaviour issues (e.g. history of suspensions)
• Anxiety
• Truancy
• Suspected drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Suspected physical/emotional/sexual abuse
• Isolation
• Bullying (either as victim or perpetrator)
• Poor academic record and failure to submit assessment pieces
• Family issues (bereavement, domestic violence, divorce)
• Relationship issues
• Mental health concerns

Please see link to flyer below from the Gold Coast Trades College:

Steve Jones
Guidance Officer Senior School

The Importance of Belonging

It is well established that people who have satisfying social relationships and feel cared for and loved by others are more physically healthy and live longer than those who feel socially isolated.

Key qualities to developing friendship skills and maintaining a sense of belonging include:

1. Self-control: being able to wait for what they want, using words to express their feelings rather than acting disruptively or misbehaving.
2. Welcoming: being able to approach and respond to others positively (eg with a smile and greeting such as ‘hello’).
3. Assertiveness: being able to say what they would like.
4. Consideration: being able to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, taking turns, being able to lead and follow what others want to do, being able to cooperate and share.
5. Play skills: being willing to take part in games and make suggestions for play.
6. Communicating: talking and listening to others in a friendly way, saying something to start a conversation.
7. Helping: being willing to help others.
8. Prediction: being able to understand how others might be feeling based on their behaviour, being able to predict how their behaviour might affect others.
9. Thinking: such as about alternatives when things go wrong.
10. Coping: being able to respond to rejection, disappointment or disapproval without experiencing too much distress or winning without gloating.
11. Empathy: being able to respond to others’ feelings with understanding.
12. Flexibility: being open to hearing or learning about other points of view or ways of doing things.

Parents and carers can help children develop their friendship and empathy skills by:

• Modelling good communication skills such as listening, responding and showing interest in what a teen has to say. Teenagers learn much more from what adults do than what they say so this helps them to develop the skills they need to interact successfully with others.
• Talking about everyday friendship experiences with your teen. What went well? What did not go so well? How do they think the other child might be feeling?
• Providing teens with opportunities to practise their skills, so exposing them to lots of different social situations.
• Stay close enough to support children in their interactions but try to also give them space to work out their own problems and offer help when this is not working. In this way teens will develop confidence in their skills within a supportive environment.
• Giving teens encouragement and acknowledging their behaviour when you see them using friendship skills such as sharing, being responsible and caring about others.
• Talking with teens about their progress and how they feel about the friendship skills they have been practising.

Anna Willis
Guidance Officer Middle School

School Psychologist Notes

Welcome all to the beginning of the 2016 school year!

Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Rebecca Griffith and I work as the school Psychologist and Youth Support Co-ordinator here at PBC. My role within the school is to assist our young people, as well as our families and teachers in supporting our students to get the best out of life at school through achieving and maintaining a high level of psychological health and wellbeing.

As the School Psychologist, psychological services are offered to students across all grades, whereas the Youth Support Coordinator role is directed primarily at servicing our Year 10, 11, and 12 students. Students may individually refer themselves to either of these services within the school at their own request. They may also be referred by a concerned teacher, parent/guardian/carer, or peer.

In order for your child to specifically access the Psychologist service, a Mental Health Care Plan is required. This can be obtained through your GP or paediatrician, who will complete a short assessment and prepare a Mental Health Treatment Plan. Under the Australian Government’s Better Access Initiative, students are eligible for up to 10 individual sessions with a psychologist in a calendar year. These sessions are bulkbilled through Medicare and as such, parents are not required to pay for this support.

For more information about our school Psychologist role and services, please visit our website at www.onpsych.com.au .

Rebecca Griffith
School Psychologist
Youth Support Coordinator

Pathways Centre News

Welcome back for 2016

We have a new look Pathway Centre in Y Block to start the New Year. Many exciting vacancies will be available throughout the term. All positions will be advertised in the newsletter, daily notices, assembly and the job boards in the Pathway Centre.

Gold Coast Convention Centre – Broadbeach

Looking for 6 school based trainees Cert III Hospitality, new opportunity, first time advertised.

Cert III Children Services

Head Start Child Care Currumbin applications open now for Year 10 and 11 students.

Hospitality Traineeships

Grill’d Coolangatta, Zarraffas Pacific Fair and Palm Beach, Crema Espresso The Pines and Robina, Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club, Surfers Paradise Beach Café, Crust Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach and Coffee Club Coolangatta.

Check the notices for upcoming RSA and White Card courses

Do you have an employer willing to take you for work experience? The Pathway Centre can arrange a placement so you can sample the work force one day a week over five weeks.

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

Students currently on traineeships or started new placements on the holidays should notify the Pathway Centre of their work days or any changes to avoid unexplained absences.

Please see Ms Shreeve to apply.

Sonia Shreeve
Industry Liaison Officer

Uniform Shop Update

Uniform Shop Trading Hours

Please note the following trading times for the Uniform Shop commencing Monday 1 February.

Lost Property

The uniform shop is holding a large amount of named and unnamed lost property if your child has lost something can you please ask that they come and have a look through the lost property bin.

Bucket hats/ PBC caps

Bucket hats and PBC caps are now available to purchase from Uniform Shop. These hats are a compulsory part of the uniform and are recommended for all outdoor activities. Cost is $15 each.

PBC school bags

PBC School Bags are now available from the uniform shop and selling fast.

Features include:

• Lifetime guarantee
• Padded laptop pocket
• Water resistant
• Ergonomic design
• Mesh drink bottle holder
• $70 each

Volunteers needed

If there are any volunteers who would love to spend a couple of hours each week in our very busy Uniform Shop and or Canteen we would love to hear from you!

Please contact Mandy on 07 5525 9331 for further details.

Flexischools Orders

If you have made an order for your child via Flexischools can you please ask that they come and pick it up from the Uniform Shop.

Payment methods available:

• Flexischools Online www.flexischools.com.au
• Credit Card
• Cash
• Cheques not accepted

If you are unable to come into the Uniform Shop you are more than welcome to call on 07 5525 9331 and pay for any uniform item over the phone.

Mandy Webb
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Administration

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.: 2016 SRS8 or 2016 ACEX10)

Resources and Activities Schedule

To assist parents with budgeting, detailed below are current fees and activities with due dates for payment (due to short timeframes some excursions may not be listed).

Lost Property

Please check with Student Services for items like pencil cases, lunch boxes, etc. If you have lost an article of clothing (jumpers, shoes, hat) please check with the Uniform Shop.

Student lockers available

Student lockers are available for hire at PBC.

• $6.00 for locker hire
• $24.00 for PBC approved combination lock (this will be the property of the student)
• Lockers available are located at G Block
• Payments can be made at Student Services

Please visit the facilities tab of the school website to read the locker hire agreement.

Second Hand Uniforms

If you are holding on to old or unwanted school uniforms, please donate them to student welfare.

If your uniforms are in good condition, please drop them off at Student Services.

PBC Alliance

2016 Membership and Partnership opportunities

Give your business a kick start into the New Year by becoming part of the PBC Alliance through membership or partnership in 2016.

The PBC Alliance is an initiative that has been developed to:

• Create opportunities for business promotion and networking
• Support and promote local businesses through the PBC Alliance Business Directory
• Enrich opportunities and resources for PBC students through local business support
• Attract work, apprenticeships and work placement opportunities for students
• Connect local businesses with a network of friends, parents, and the PBC Alliance business community

Members and partners are invited to attend Alliance breakfast functions which are held once a term (four times a year). These functions feature a VIP guest speaker, a local business showcase, and a beautiful breakfast catered by our hospitality students.

Please follow link to PDF below for more information about becoming a member or partner of the Alliance and the benefits this entails.

If you would like to become a member of the Alliance in 2016 and list your business in our Business Directory, simply fill out the attached forms and return to alliance@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

Please visit our website for more information, or email alliance@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

Business Directory

Help us to create a local network for businesses within the PBC community by following the link below and supporting the businesses listed in the Alliance Business Directory:

Like the PBC Alliance on Facebook!

QParents

The QParents web and mobile application provides a more convenient, easier way for parents and legal guardians to interact with the school. Parents will have secure, online access to their child’s student information, anytime, anywhere, through a smartphone, tablet or computer.

QParents enables parents to access and manage student:

• Attendance and absence details, as well as the ability to notify the school of an absence
• Behaviour details
• Academic report cards
• Class timetables
• Viewing unpaid invoice details, payment history, and making payments online
• Viewing and updating student details, including medical conditions and address
• Enrolment details

If you haven’t yet registered, visit www.qparents.qld.edu.au to register today!

Currumbin Eagles Junior Rugby League

Please follow the link to the pdf below to find out about the Currumbin Eagles Junior Rugby League registration.

Important information from Surfside Buslines

Follow the link to the pdf below to view student and parents notices from Surfside Buslines:

Nerang BM Club Come and Try Day

‘Below Average’ Comic Strip

About the Comic

High school. It's a daunting place, especially when you're at the bottom of the social ladder… where we find four friends trying to survive their final days of senior year. Join Marina, Maddison, Amy and Olivia as they embrace adolescence with a refreshing and humorous approach to daily life in this brand new addition to the Palm Beach Currumbin High School Newsletter.

Below Average is a fortnightly webcomic created by cartoonist Nicholas Cleaver in mid-2010. It follows the day-to-day adventures of four not-so average teenagers: Marina, an inventor suffering with obsessive-compulsive disorder; Maddison, a blissfully ignorant foodaholic; Amy, a sarky game fanatic; and Olivia, the kookiest member of the group.

The strip’s primary theme is humour, and focuses largely on friendship, school and the four girls’ incompatibility with established society.

ANSWER TO MATHS PUZZLE

4100
(Did you make the common error and get 5000? Any ideas why?)