19 August 2014

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

One of the greatest advantages of sending young people to a State School is that they reflect the cultural, social and religious diversity of their local communities and provide young people with the life experiences to thrive in their adult life.

In 2011 PBC introduced a comprehensive social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum which consistently gives our students the skills to enact our values, be active participants in their community and navigate some of the challenges that confront adolescents.

The topics covered in include:

• Anti-bullying
• Social Skills
• Sexuality
• Drugs and alcohol education
• Dangerous behaviours and peer pressure
• Study and self-management skills
• Careers education

Our programs are not restricted to the classroom and students are engaged in applying these skills in our day to day school life through:

• Our Code of Behaviour which sets out high expectations for personal conduct
• Student leadership programs
• Weekly year level assemblies which explain these expectations and celebrate success
• Community service opportunities such as Leos Club and Tutoring at local primary schools
• Special events such as Harmony Day and NAIDOC day
• Engaging with the International students on campus

I regularly remind my staff of our responsibility to model tolerant behaviour and work with them to ensure that we have the skills to implement our programs and systems.

Whenever I induct new students and families to our community, I explain to them the importance of families working with us to ensure our young people develop the values that will enable them to be future leaders in our community and enjoy quality relationships.

Our newsletter provides parents with regular updates on our work in these areas and I encourage you to use them to stimulate discussions with your young person.

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Newsletter Articles

Senior School Update

Unfortunately, there are times when students need strong consequences for poor behaviour, in order to learn what is acceptable in our school community. Previously, there has been no ‘step’ between afternoon detentions and suspension. Naturally, as educators, we believe that the best place for students is in the classroom and hope to avoid suspension wherever possible. For that reason, the school has introduced Saturday detentions.

A Saturday Detention is a major consequence of greater significance and length than an Afternoon Detention. Students are required to attend school in full school uniform and work silently for two hours, from 9am. Failure to attend a Saturday detention will result in suspension. We hope that very few of our students will ever need to attend.

In assembly over the past few weeks, I have been discussing the power motivation that comes from autonomy, service and mastery. Wikipedia – an encyclopaedia contributed to freely by experts around the world because they want to – is an example of the power of motivation. In the Senior School, students have much control over their own destinies by choosing subjects, pathways, how they approach assignment tasks, and goal setting. Focusing on this autonomy and making the most of the opportunities provided by it can help students stay motivated through the low point of mid-term.

Parents are reminded that it is an expectation that students attend all classes, every day. If a student is sick, a signed and dated note must be provided. Similarly, students with important appointments that cannot be made at any other time should bring a note to be co-signed by the Year Coordinator or Deputy Principal before 9am. Students must sign out at Student Services before departure, or they risk a fractional truancy and detention. Please aim to limit school-time appointments to no more than two a semester.

Assessment calendars have been on the PBC website for some time now. Students should use these to identify every assessment date this term. These can assist families to plan their time effectively to support their children in their efforts at school.

Nigel Hughes
Director Senior School

Year 12 QCS

Year 12 QCS students are in the final weeks of preparation for the Queensland Core Skills test on 2 and 3 September. It is vital that all students are present each Wednesday for their timetabled QCS classes. The QCS test will be the most important test which OP students sit this year as the class QCS averages are a critical factor in calculating student OPs. Students have recently completed a series of master classes conducted by Mighty Minds which is aimed at maximising each student’s performance on the QCS test.

Students recently received instructions regarding behaviour and materials allowed inside the QCS test. They also signed a declaration regarding these instructions and calculators allowed into the QCS. Any student who has not signed this document needs to see Mr McDougall as soon as possible. The school will provide students with stationery kits for the QCS test however students will have to supply their own calculator and correcting tape. The school will also provide the students with breakfast on the days of the QCS test.

Students who are not sitting the QCS test will not be required to attend school on 2 and 3 September.

2014 QCS test instructions are available on our school website under Curriculum / Senior School.

Exams

Year 12s will not have an exam shutdown this term. The QCS test and Maths assessment will be conducted in Week 8; all other Year 12 assessment will be completed by the end of Week 9 (September 12). Year 12 classes will all commence Term 4 work in the last week of term and students are expected to attend every day up to and including Friday September 19.

Year 11 classes will have exam shutdown in week 10 (September 15 to 19).

Year 10 classes will have normal lessons on Monday and Tuesday of Week 10 and then have shutdown exams for the last three days of term.

The 10 and 11 shutdown timetable will be published shortly be published on the school website.

Students are again reminded that they must apply for an extension or change of date with the relevant Head of Department if they are going to miss assessment. They will not be allowed to sit an exam before the rest of the cohort. Going on holidays before the end of term does not constitute a valid reason for an extension/change of assessment date.

Pathways Centre

It is very pleasing to see the large number of Year 10 and 11 students who are visiting the Pathways Centre and signing up for traineeships. This is a great pathway for students as it provides them with a VET qualification, paid work placement and a pathway to tertiary studies. Year 11 students are reminded that they should commence a traineeship before the end of Year 11 so as to allow for the number of work placement days to be completed before completing Year 12.

Michael McDougall
HOD Senior School

Middle School News

Term 3 OPTIMA Plan

As our Middle School students are currently completing their mid–term assessments it is timely to reflect on the goal setting process that we use to engage students to achieve success in their learning. PBC is very aware of the benefits of including students in their own goal setting.

Some of the benefits for students include, it:

• supports students to take ownership of their learning and reflect on efforts they are demonstrating to reach their goals
• encompasses the notion of effort to improve the chances of success
• provides a great starting point for improvement conversations with their teachers
• Parents can support our teachers in this process by discussing with their son/daughter their Term 3 subject goals and ensuring it has been correctly completed in the OPTIMA Plan at the front of the PBC student planner.

Term 3 OPTIMA Awards Ceremonies

Thank you to all of the parents/caregivers who attended the Term 3 Middle School OPTIMA Award Ceremonies in support of their student. Once again we had a record number of student award recipients and a large contingent of supporters in attendance. I would like to publicly acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Sue Murray and the respective Year Coordinators, Sandi Mlinar and Jarlath Scannell, for their organisation of this event.

How to make the most out of your learning

There are a number of key strategies that students can utilise on a weekly basis to ensure they give themselves the best chance to reinforce their learning and achieve success in their learning. These include:

• Setting a weekly study plan
• Handing in assessment drafts earlier and with more detail
• Seeking further support though the student welfare team
• Seeking more support from their class teachers
• Attending Homework Club – held in the library every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 7:45 – 8:45am
• Attending Maths and English Tutoring sessions by teachers – held in the library every Tuesday afternoon from 3:15 – 4:15pm

Blair Hanna
Director of Middle School

D Block Refurbishment

As part of the ongoing update of PBC facilities, D block has been refurbished and redesigned to support middle school precinct operations. It now houses the Middle School administrative and reception staff. Blair Hannah, Middle School Director, Deputy Principal Peter O'Brien, and HOD of Middle Schooling, Dianne Stamp.

The building is a great addition to the PBC campus and it facilitates a more streamlined communication with parents and students particularly as the school prepares for the introduction to Year 7 in 2015.

Di Stamp
HOD Middle School

From the Dean’s Office

OPTIMA Code

Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be a Learner

PBC has very high expectations with regards to students’ behaviour, both in and out of the classroom. To maintain a safe and disciplined school environment, students are expected to behave in a way that is respectful and cooperative. Our response to students when these expectations are not met is consistent and predictable. To this end, there are a number of breaches of the Behaviour Code that students know will receive a strong response. For example, physical misconduct, swearing at adults and misconduct with illicit or illegal substances are all non-negotiable behaviours and have a predictable response from the school –a lengthy suspension and/or a recommendation for exclusion.

Recent legislative changes allow schools to expand the range of consequences for unacceptable behaviour for less serious breaches. These changes include Saturday morning detention and internal suspension programs.

Saturday detention will be the response where students have failed to attend an afternoon detention, or for other misconduct as deemed by a Deputy or Director to warrant this response. Parents will be informed in plenty of time for students to attend.

Internal suspension will be used for minor behaviour breaches that disrupt the learning environment. In other words, those students who persistently disrupt a classroom and therefore stop other students from learning will be referred to member of the Admin team, who may make a decision to place the student in internal suspension. The time a student may spend in internal suspension will vary and if behaviour does not improve then external suspension will be considered.

Parents are able to help reduce the amount of Saturday detentions or internal suspensions by ensuring their students abide by existing policies and procedures that are designed to maintain a safe, learning-focused school.

Tracey Cardinal
Dean of Students

Guidance Officer News

QTAC News

QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) administers the application and offer processes for participating tertiary institutions in Queensland and a few interstate institutions. Information about the participating institutions can be found in Section 2 of the QTAC Guide.

The QTAC application is an online application on the QTAC website. Visit the QTAC website ( http://www.qtac.edu.au (click on ‘Online Services’). Year 12 students apply via the Twelve to Tertiary (TTT) application. The QTAC application opens on 5 August 2014. The ‘on time’ due date for applications is 30 September 2014. On time applications for Year 12 students cost $35. Late applications (i.e. from 1 October 2014) cost $130.

You can apply for up to six courses at different institutions on the one QTAC application (you receive one offer). It is essential that you submit one application only.

QTAC provides a number of resources to help with the application, including:

Movies (How to apply; Ordering your preferences; Tracking your application; Responding to your offer) on the website at

• A demonstration application (to practice on) on the website at http://www.qtac.edu.au/OnlineServices/OnlineServices.html

• ‘How to order preferences’ on page 56 of the QTAC Guide.

Once you have applied, you automatically have access to the QTAC Current Applicant online service, which includes three free course preference change sessions.

The full list of online services is in the QTAC Guide (page 57) and on the QTAC website at http://www.qtac.edu.au/OnlineServices/OnlineServices.html.

To begin your QTAC application you need your LUI and a PIN (day and month of your birth). At the completion of your online application you will be given a QTAC application number. You can use this number or your LUI to go back into your application to change preferences and to see if you have an offer.

Additional entry requirements for performing and visual arts courses

Some of the performing and visual arts courses you can apply for through QTAC for entry in semester one 2015 have entry requirements in addition to Year 12 subject prerequisites. It is essential to carefully read the prerequisites section in Section three of the QTAC Guide for each course in which you are interested. Also check the Fixed Closing Dates table on pages five and six of the QTAC Guide.

How are applicants selected for courses through QTAC?

Entry to many of the courses you can apply for through QTAC is competitive. Consequently institutions use specific selection criteria to select students for their courses. Selection is based on: meeting minimum entry requirements (these may include subject prerequisites, a folio; interview or audition; tests or questionnaires; the successful completion of a course; and age), and merit (based on OPs and FPs or a QTAC Selection Rank).

Through the QTAC process, eligible applicants (i.e. those who meet the minimum entry requirements) are considered in order of merit (i.e. OP or QTAC Selection Rank). In simplistic terms, the OP or Rank of the last person to get into the course before all places are filled becomes the cut-off for that course in that offer round.

Southern Cross University – STAR Program

Southern Cross University is excited to launch the 2015 STAR Early Entry Scheme

SCU is proud to support schools from across our regions to transition students with the appropriate academic ability and talent into our range of undergraduate degrees. The STAR Scheme focuses on working with schools to match individual students to a particular course based on their likelihood of success in their chosen discipline. Students can gain an early offer to study in 2015 at SCU on the basis of their school Principal's recommendation. The STAR scheme this year remains unchanged from last year using the fully online STAR Scheme Portal.

SCU Online Registrations

Online registrations open from 16 July 2014 and close 10 September 2014 via the STAR Entry Scheme website. The online student registration should take students no more than five to ten minutes to complete. Students need to nominate a first and second preference course. Please note once a STAR registration has been submitted students will not be able to change their STAR preferences.

UAC and QTAC

Students will need to match their first preference via the University Admissions Centres (UAC or QTAC) with their STAR Scheme offer to receive it in one of the following rounds only:

• QTAC Early Offer Round on 27 November 2014 or UAC Early Offer Round on 04 December 2014

*Please note the Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science is part of the STAR program and will be run at the Gold Coast campus for the first time!

Southern Cross University 20th Anniversary – Saturday 30 August

Any students who are interested in going to Southern Cross University are encouraged to attend the Southern Cross University 20th anniversary celebrations at their Lismore campus. This will be a fantastic opportunity for students, parents and teachers as there will be information regarding courses, the campus, residential accommodation and fun creative sessions.

Southern Cross will provide a bus to take any interested students or teachers. This excursion is entirely free and food will be catered for.

Please see Mr Jones if interested ASAP.

UNI Information

What Degree? Which University? Website

This website at http://www.whatdegreewhichuniversity.com/Home.aspx provides information and advice on courses, universities, lifestyle, student housing, survival skills and what to do when you finish your studies. It is a site made for students by students. From the site you can subscribe to a free fortnightly newsletter.

Aptitude for Engineering Assessment

Program Overview

N.B – This information is for those students who do not have a prerequisite course to get into engineering.

Griffith University offers students a pathway into engineering by sitting the Aptitude for Engineering Assessment examination. Successful students will receive guaranteed admission into the Bachelor of Engineering with honours program or the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (QTAC only) at either the Nathan or Gold Coast campuses.

The Aptitude for Engineering Assessment is a two and a half hour multiple choice test that assesses a candidate’s aptitude to think scientifically, solve quantitative problems, critically analyse information and display interpersonal understanding.

Registration

Registration for the AEA test (for enrolment in 2015) is now open. Registrations for the test close at 5:00pm (AEST) on Tuesday 9 September, 2014.

Registration is only available online. To register, you will need

• a computer with internet access
• a credit card (for payment)
• a valid email address

Please register online via the ACER website

Exam Details

All examinations will be held on Saturday 20 September 2014.

Dates and Locations

The AEA test will be held in ALL locations on Saturday 20 September, 2014.

Brisbane: Saturday 20 September, Griffith University Nathan Campus, 170 Kessells Road, Nathan

Gold Coast: Saturday 20 September, Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, Southport.

Eligible Students

The exam is open to current year 12 students, mature age and international applicants (please note the conditions for English language need to be satisfied) who may not have the prerequisite course or tertiary entrance score, or wish to have information about their aptitude for engineering considered with their school or documented results.

Griffith University offers a diverse range of engineering disciplines in:

Gold Coast campus

• Civil Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Sport and Biomedical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics

Nathan campus

• Electronic and Energy Systems
• Electronic and Computer Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Software Engineering

QTAC/UAC Applications

Please note: you must still apply to Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) or the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) with your preferences. If you successfully complete the AEA test, you will be notified by Griffith University and provided further information.

To receive the offer you must include the approved Engineering program at Griffith within your QTAC or UAC preferences. To receive an offer in the early offer round you will need to list the approved program as one of your first eligible QTAC or UAC preferences, otherwise you will receive your offer in the main round in January.

If you are not successful, this test will not affect your OP, ATAR or Rank score. Therefore, this will not negatively affect your chance of being accepted into Griffith University.

Maths B Bridging Course

Griffith School of Engineering offers a Maths Bridging Course to all students who successfully complete the AEA Test.

This test is run for the first three weeks of January and is strongly advised for students who have not completed a Mathmatics B prerequisite (or equivalent) to ensure success in the program. The Bridging Course is also an option for those who wish to strengthen or refresh their mathematical skills before starting an Engineering degree.

Additionally, all successful AEA applicants who enroll into Engineering at Griffith will be introduced to and supported during their first year by our Student Success team.

For more information

Please contact the Griffith School of Engineering by emailing to: aeaeng@griffith.edu.au or phone (07) 3735 3924

The Australian Industry Trade College will be holding a Trade Finder Expo on Wednesday 27 August 2014 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

Griffith University. 2015 Scholarships now open. Over 700 scholarships available

Applications for scholarships for 2015 are now open. Griffith offers more than 700 scholarships with a total value exceeding $5 million dollars. Our scholarships support and encourage students from different backgrounds, and are available across a range of categories including, academic, equity, sports, study area, accommodation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Find out about applying, key dates and eligibility for Griffith scholarships

Griffith University Early Start to Tertiary Studies Program (GUESTS)

The GUESTS program is for motivated OP eligible senior students who wish to undertake a single course (subject) at Griffith.

New semester one course offerings and requirements are now available for Architectural Design, Design, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Science. Summer semester is available in a limited range of courses.

Year 11 students interested in GUESTS for Summer Semester 2014 or Semester 1 2015, should apply by 15 October 2014. Students can apply as soon as they have their Year 11 semester 1 school report.

Find out more about the GUESTS Program

TAFE Gold Coast Information Sessions

TAFE Gold Coast will be conducting Faculty specific information sessions for students interested in both the 2015 Schools Program and Direct Entry/Post Year 12 study at TAFE. The information sessions will allow prospective students and parents/guardians the opportunity to obtain course related information, ask questions direct to the course teachers and participate in a guided campus tour.

Information sessions will be held on the following dates:

Services and Business information session

Tuesday 26 August 2014
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Southport TAFE Campus – Rooms S103 and S104, Level 1 Terraces, 91/99 Scarborough Street, Southport

Trades information session

Wednesday 27 August 2014
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Ashmore TAFE Campus – Theatre, A Block, Cnr Heeb Street and Benowa Rd Ashmore

Health and General Education information session

Wednesday 10 September 2014
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Southport TAFE Campus – Rooms S410 and S411, Level 4, 91/99 Scarborough Street, Southport

Creative Industries information session

Thursday 11 September 2014
5:00pm – 6:00pm

Coomera TAFE Campus

Main Auditorium, 198 Foxwell Road, Coomera
To attend an information session, students are to email Schools.GoldCoast@tafe.qld.edu.au including their full name, email address, phone number and information session selection.

Steve Jones
Guidance Officer Senior School

Problems Connecting with Your Teen?
Try These Three Magic Words

If you are a nurturing parent, you are probably balking at this statement. Most of us associate abandonment with physical conditions, such as inadequate nourishment, inadequate clothing, physical abuse or literally leaving our child without care. If you provide for the well-being of your kids, how could they possibly feel "abandoned"?

While we're busy providing children with the necessities, it's sometimes easy to overlook cultivating the emotional environment necessary for their development. Again, you may be thinking, "Hey, I love my kids. I make sure they're provided for emotionally and I work hard to make sure they're happy."

Here's the thing: As children get older, they often don't feel happy -- especially in the teen years. And a teen's unhappiness can make parents uncomfortable; it creates stress and anxiety for everyone in the family.

So what do we do instead of letting them suffer negative emotions? We become fixers. Unfortunately, constant fixing can spawn emotional abandonment. Let me explain.

Imagine your teen comes home from school. You ask how the day was and they say, "My day stunk. I sat alone at lunch, and my math teacher is so unfair... I think I might fail math this semester. I feel really miserable." This breaks your heart. You feel your child's pain as if it's your own, so your knee-jerk response is to launch a problem-solving campaign.

"You have nothing to worry about," you assert. "You'll find someone to sit with. Hey, what about Tommy from down the street? Or Ruby from soccer -- you're friends, right? As for math, I'll tutor you myself. Math was one of my best subjects. It'll be fun. OK? See, there's no reason to be upset."

Everything you do as a fixer is well intended. But here is what your teen learns on a deeper level: "My parents are uncomfortable when I feel bad; they don't want to hear it. I'm not sure they really get what I'm going through."

Over time, when you ask them how school is, you start hearing a disinterested "fine" in response. Over time, your teen starts to disconnect you from their world and authentic experiences. As a consequence, you may start to lose sight of who they really are during this period in their life.

So how can we connect with our teens and provide the emotional security they need to be open and authentic with us? Don't problem solve, don't offer words of wisdom, and don't dismiss. Instead, use these three magic words: "I get it." Because guess what? You do get it. You've been there before and that's what your teen needs to understand to connect with you.

Next time your teen comes to you with an issue, try this step-by-step process:

1. Pause: Pause for at least 10 seconds before responding to what your teen is saying. Allow the emotions to surface and settle in. (Note: This can be challenging! With practice, however, the pause can build the bridge that leads to a deep connection with your child).
2. Validate: Let your teen know it's OK to feel the way they do.
3. Label: Help them label their emotions. When kids experience emotions such as jealousy, rage and humiliation for the first time, they often call those emotions "sadness" or "anger." Really drilling down into the particular emotion(s) they feel can help demystify the experience and make it more manageable.
4. Empathise: Think of a time when you have gone through something similar. For example, if your teen comes to you feeling embarrassed, think of the first time you were embarrassed and relay that story. When you're empathizing, try starting with those three simple yet powerful words: "I get it."

Your children want to connect with you. They want to show you who they really are. They want to know that you understand what they're going through. Start your dialog with empathy so you can truly help them navigate emotional challenges.

Anna Willis
Guidance Officer Middle School

Art Department News

A note from the HOD…..

You will notice in the following articles, the amazing work by the students and teachers, engaging the students in challenging and current units. Being an elective, allows The Arts faculty to have students who really want to be in the class. They often strive to achieve their very best therefore, The Arts staff, push their pedagogy, to ensure they cater to all their student’s needs.

I have been so impressed by the staff and student’s commitment to this Semester and congratulate them on their efforts.….. Nil Sed Optima! Please enjoy the Term 3 articles from The Arts Faculty.

Janine Gale
HOD The Arts

The Visual Arts Department welcomes back Leoni Kent who has been the Acting Dean of Students for the past 12 months. By now, parents should have received their child’s Semester One reports which will give them an indication of their academic achievement, as well as their effort and behaviour. Please take this opportunity to have a conversation with your child about areas that you feel they may need to focus on. Semester 2 has begun and new units are being explored, the following is an overview of units that your child will be studying this term.

Year 9 Art students’ learning goal is to complete a three dimensional artwork out of clay. They will commence clay work this week, after the introduction to their unit and designing their fantasy creature. The theory component of this unit investigates the Surrealist art movement.

Year 10 Art students learning goal is to create a 2 dimensional folio with the focus on the human form. They are experimenting with a wide range of media and surface treatments. Their assessment will involve producing a folio of artworks. Last term, the students resolved their Impressionist inspired landscape paintings, and the results were fabulous

Year 11 Art students’ learning goal is to create a body of work focusing on emotion. Students will create a body of work that has an individual focus, to explore the concept of reacting to emotion. This unit is 15 weeks long and includes assessment in an art creation and a written assessment. This unit is the first opportunity for students to address the element of resolution.

Year 11 Multi Art students’ learning goal is to create an oversized sculpture out of paper mache. Students will use their visual diary to design and reflect on their art making process.

Year 12 Multi Arts students’ learning goal is to understand the elements of graphic Art. Students are creating an album cover for a music artist that incorporates a lino print. Students may also explore drawing, painting, collage, photography and computer graphics. Parents should be aware that while set nightly homework is rarely given in the Visual Arts, it is an expectation that students are working consistently in their art dairy, as it is an assessable requirement for every Visual Art class in every year level.

Paula Hall, Leoni Kent, Simon Tanke and Jen Gorman
The Arts Teachers

Creative Generation

Creative Generation – State Schools Onstage, celebrated its 10 year milestone, acknowledging how it has flourished, to be Queensland’s largest youth performing arts event.

This year we had five students from Year 10 through to Year 12, who stood centre stage and featured throughout this showcase.

• Billy Noetzel and Olivia Meskel, Year 11 Dance and CAX students, were featured dancers, often taking centre stage.
• William Perrett (Year 12 Music Excellence) and Taine Josephson (Year 10 Music Excellence (CAX) student) were successful male feature singers.
• Tamika Gillard, a Year 11 Music and CAX student, played the bass clarinet in the Creative Generation Orchestra.
• Keiran Chesebro, a Year 11 Music and CAX student, was the female feature vocalist that took the stage by storm!

These five students rehearsed more than 35 items in five months, covering a mix of musical genres such as classical, rock, pop, musical Theatre and Jazz. The 65 Arts students and staff we were so proud watching the performances on stage. When the 50 Dance Excellence students opened and closed the showed, it seemed that in 2014 PBC was centre stage!

Regardless of whether any of these students have aspirations to further their performance talents or pursue other activities, the confidence, self-esteem and experience gained from being involved with creative generation. State Schools Onstage has helped to prepare them for life beyond the school gate.

Music

The PBC music students are all studying exciting topics within their classes this term.

Year 8 TAC MUSIC are working with loops and electronic music. Students are working with Garage Band and manipulating sounds to create beats, wobble bass and riffs. Additionally, students are researching popular Australian artists and presenting information to the class. The unit emphasises on developing the aural (listening) skills of students.

Year 11 students are travelling around the world, discovering different cultures and their different instruments and influences. These students have the opportunity to draw from these different cultures, to create their own music this term. They will also get to analyse and deconstruct a piece of music that is from another culture in an exam during shutdown. The students are really enjoying getting to see and understand where the traditions of music began.

Year 12 students are looking at Innovative music this term, discovering different and interesting styles from the 20th and 21st Century. In class time they have looked at different Art Music styles, as well as a few key innovative popular music forms. They are currently writing a musical analysis about an artist or style of their choice, discovering just how innovative the music is. They also get the opportunity to either write or perform a piece of innovative music from this time.

Year 12 Music Extension are busy practising and rehearsing getting ready for their upcoming final assessment in Term 4 – their end of year concert. This concert showcases all 11 students in this class – having to prepare a number of pieces for this event. This assessment is being held on Wednesday evening the 8 October in the Theatre. The concerts kick off at 4:00pm going through the evening – we hope you can join us for this enjoyable evening of performances!

Bek Anson
2014 Subject Leader

FTV Media

As we head into semester two, the film and television department is just getting busier and busier! We have a new cohort of TAC media this term. These classes are currently engaged in learning about film language through their study of early silent films and will soon begin working in groups to produce their own silent movie. Meanwhile, the Year 9 students have been studying B-grade science fiction films. Although there is a specific focus on The Day The Earth Stood Still they have also watched the trailers for classic B-Grade films such as ‘The Attack of the Giant Tomatoes and Santa Claus V.S The Martians. This exposure to numerous cheesy special effects and cold-war propaganda stories should be inspiring as they will soon be writing and producing their own sci-fi trailers.

For our seniors, the year is winding down. The year 12 students are in the process of completing their second last film assignment, a treatment for an experimental film. Finally, the year 11s, who have been studying advertising, are finalising their film scripts and will soon be grabbing their cameras and heading out onto location to film the pilot episode of a web series. We hope to be screening some of the students’ work at assemblies soon.

Sharon Atkinson
2014 Subject Leader

Drama

Fractured Fairy tale is the unit of drama that the Year 8 TAC classes are exploring. Fractured Fairy tales have been rewritten to make the storyline funny. Students will immerse themselves in various activities depending on which class they are in. One class will be creating their own Wanted or Missing poster affiliated to a chosen fairy tale, as well as these, students will work in groups and put together a scripted fairytale play to perform.

Year 9 Drama is exploring comedy in their Commedia Dell’Arte unit. Commedia was a popular form of comedy in sixteenth century Italy. The stock characters evident in this traditional theatre form are seen today in many popular television shows and movies, including The Simpsons and Beauty and the Beast. Students will write their own scripts, as well as perform in a Commedia Dell’Arte play.

Year 10 Drama classes are currently studying Documentary Drama and preparing to create and focus upon a worthy event, issue or person to present a particular viewpoint.

Year 11 Drama are working hard this term on Physical Theatre, where they are challenged to devise an original production, using physical theatre techniques. They will choose a topic and conduct a series of interviews in order to develop a pretext which will inspire their production. This unit is one of the most imaginative, creative and physically challenging, as the students have to use their bodies in place of sets and props. To inspire them further was a recent trip to the Gold Coast Arts Centre was planned, to view the popular Australian play Ruby Moon.

Also devised around the pretext of missing person reports, Ruby Moon follows a family whose daughter has disappeared. They desperately keep the hope of solving the mystery alive, by continuing to seek answers from their neighbours. Only two actors performed the entire cast of the quiet little street where Ruby lived, and it gave a great insight into the use of symbolism and variety in performance. Students will analyse this production and take away some new ideas and techniques that they can use in their own development of Drama in class.

Year 12 Drama students are examining and implementing the theories and dramatic languages employed by Absurd Theatre practitioners. Students will be informed by the ideas of Theatre of Cruelty and be challenged by Absurd Theatre and the Avant-Garde. Students will present a scene in this theatre style as well as write their own Absurd script.

Suzanne Parker, Lynette Joubert and Trent Ivett
2014 Drama Staff

Dance

8F TAC - This term, 8F TAC are experiencing a taste of music and dance. They are currently working on a music presentation that focuses on the career and style of a popular rock band or artist, with a performance of one of their songs. In the second half of term, they will do a dance and fitness unit which incorporates a fitness test and the performance of a Jazz/Hip Hop routine, culminating in the opportunity to perform at Dance Night.

Yr 9 Dance are studying a choreography unit called Bodytalk. In small groups, they will choreograph a thematic dance. As a class, they are working on a performance for dance night which is inspired by relevant teenage issues.

Year 10 Dance are busy doing a History of Jazz unit in which they have explored the historical development of this style of dance. They are now choreographing their own group choreography, which will be recorded on film for their own video clip, as well as used to put together a dance piece for dance night next term. This sequence will be assessed at the end of this term for a performing assessment. The students are coming up with some very interesting ideas and choreography in their groups, so hopefully this will assist in them having a unique and interesting dance for Dance Night next term.

Year 11 Dance are well on their way to completing their choreography task in the Famous Lovers unit. Students have chosen famous lovers and are re-creating their love story, through movement, music and media. After researching the couple, developing ideas, choosing music and creating a visual presentation they have choreographed movement with their partners to tell the ins and outs of the love story. The students have excelled in thinking outside the square and portraying a story that will interest the audience.

Year 12 Dance are in the midst of creating their very last choreography task, which is inspired by a famous person, whose life reflects a significant political, social or historical issue. Following that, they will learn a teacher devised routine, inspired by the style of Alvin Ailey.

Madonna Hall, Janine Gale, Lynette Joubert and Abby Swanborough
2014 Dance Staff

Year 12 Griffith Business

This year 19 of our Year 12 students who study Accounting, Business Communication and Technology and/or Economics, participated in the Griffith Business program at Griffith University. Students chose to study one strand, from a choice of Business Management, Commerce or Tourism, Hotel, Events and Sports Management. They then attended the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus, for three days of lectures, study and assessments in their chosen field.

All PBC students who participated in this program, passed the course, and are now entitled to direct entry to Griffith Business Degree.

Six PBC students were awarded a university grade of 5/7 which is a ‘credit’ standard meaning, they achieved a grade point average of over 65%.

Seven PBC students were awarded a university grade of 6/7 which is a ‘distinction’ standard, meaning they achieved a grade point average of over 75%.

Six PBC students were awarded the highest university grade of 7/7 which is a ‘high distinction’ standard, meaning they achieved a grade point average of over 85%.

The students who participated in this program were Cassie Chick, Ke'ale Dorries, Annie Fisher, Morgan Mitchell, Kenji Nakauchi, Lisa Neubert, Lauren Quinn, Mitch Schneider, Daniel Shane, Darby Shaw, Jacinta Smith, Chloe Smith, Shannon Sykes, Luke Taylor, Tia Vutilolo, Tyler Wagstaffe, Jayde Ward, Sophie Webber and India Windsor.

Congratulations to all who took part. We look forward to their Griffith Business graduation ceremony on 15 August.

Ruth West
Business Teacher

Regional, State and International achievements in CAX

CAX Music are in the midst of competition season, with success already in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod (1st and 2nd placings) and also in the Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival (seven Highly Commended awards, and two out of five total Best Actor awards going to the Year 8 CAX Drama class).

CAX Dance recently opened the 10th anniversary of Creative Generations: State Schools Onstage recently. Over in Scotland, at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, our very own CAX Ambassador Drew Anthony, coordinated the handover ceremony, alongside fellow ambassadors, Anthony Ikin and Anna Johnston. Sports Excellence Ambassador Mick Fanning was also there as part of the PBC team, promoting the Gold Coast and our own Commonwealth Games campaign.

Anthony and Anna have also choreographed two of our CAX Dance class entries in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, with the majority of our participation still to come. We also have two more Drama Festival productions to present in that competition, so we look forward to more success in the near future.

Congratulations to all CAX students, both past and present, and best of luck to the many more still to compete this term.

Trent Ivett
Teacher

Griffith Business Ambassador’s Program

As an Economics and Legal Studies student, I was privileged to be offered the opportunity to represent Palm Beach Currumbin State High School, in the Griffith University’s Business Ambassador’s Program. Among the small group of students selected, we arrived at Griffith University by bus and were welcomed warmly by the University staff and Professors. The program began with an information session regarding the advantages of the Business Ambassador’s program, including the opportunity to gain real insight into university life.

We were soon honoured to be given an authentic experience of a University lecture and an introduction to the topic of International Business. The Professor provided us with her real life experience in the field and opened up a new world of knowledge. It was particularly interesting to learn about Australias’ economic future involving food production. After lunch, we were able to question several Professors at the program, regarding areas of their field, benefits of that particular degree as well as career opportunities that could be available from that degree.

Soon after we were given the opportunity to meet other students from different schools with whom share the same goals, and we were separated into different groups to work on an activity. The activity, although extremely challenging, was very enjoyable, as we were given the hypothetical role of an international business advisor, which required us to apply the skills delivered by the Professor during the lecture.

A small presentation was then given by each group, which gave us encouragement, improving each student on their oral presentation skills. Other than our academic skills, Griffith University also provided us with afternoon tea and more time to chat with the Professors and other students. It was truly an amazing experience.

Jiruo Wang
Year 11 Student

The Commonwealth Bank Foundation Teaching Awards

The Commonwealth Bank Foundation Teaching Awards recognise and reward teachers from schools across Australia, who are making an outstanding contribution to developing the essential financial literacy skills of their students. In 2014 they received more than 250 applications from teachers of Kindergarten to Year 12 students from all over Australia.

The inaugural teaching awards were in 2012. Neil Mackay, Head of SOSE, LOTE and Business at PBC was one of the winners.

This year Ruth West, Business Coordinator at PBC, won one of 15 awards presented. The monetary award will be used to invest in financial learning programs at PBC, including the creation of a Business Academy. Students in the Business Academy will collaborate with members of PBC’s Business Alumni and local organisations, gaining hands-on work experience relating to financial matters, including managing money, personal economics and entrepreneurship.

As well as giving students a good grounding in the academic study of economics and personal finance, the network of PBC’s Business Alumni and local business people, is ensuring they gain a ‘real world’ understanding of how vital financial literacy is to their lives.

The investment will also allow more students to access university level opportunities, such as the Griffith Business and Ambassadors Programs, whilst providing more business and enterprise opportunities for middle school students.

A statement from The Commonwealth Bank Foundation noted that a judging panel of education experts was impressed with the quality and diversity of applications this year.

The winners clearly communicated their financial learning program concept, the expected learning outcomes, included a prudent budget plan and well-articulated measures for sustainable success.

Neil Mackay
HOD SOSE, LOTE and Business

Sporting Recognition

The AFL program is celebrating the outstanding representative success of its leading players.

Ruckman Brayden Crossley produced a series of stunning performances at the recent National Championships to be named in the Australian school’s fifteen yrs. team.

Curtis Marsden and Bradley Scheer were QLD’s best at the National 16’s Championships and rewarded with selection in AFL’s Australian U/16 Talent Squad. Brad was also named Division 2 player of the National Championships.

Congratulations and well done boys!

AFL Triumph

Congratulations to PBC’s Senior AFL Team – AFL Queensland Schools of Excellence Cup Champions for 2014.

The boys produced a brilliant exhibition of contested footy to outclass Helensvale 55-13 in the Gabba grand final. A ruthless defence starved Helensvale of attacking opportunity and provided the platform for some fine goal kicking.

Jason Lee was awarded Best on Ground and coaches Mackay and Owens praise for their very professional preparation of their outstanding group.

U.K. Tour for Keegan

Keegan Hipgrave will tour the United Kingdom in November as a member of the Australian Open Schoolboys Rugby League Team.

Keegan was named QLD player of the National Championships and was clearly one of the brightest talents on show. Keegan is an outstanding leader of the PBC firsts and a proud contracted Bronco of the future.

Good luck Keegan!

Rod Patison
HOD Sports Excellence

Oceanic Athletics 2014

PBC recently competed at the Oceanic District Athletic Carnival at Griffith University. A large and strong team of athletes was sent to attempt to continue the dominance of PBC at these championships – and the reign continues. Despite many talented students being missing from the team due to commitments with their chosen Sport Excellence discipline at State level, PBC won their 33rd title from the past 34 years. Coaches and competitors were enormously proud of this remarkable achievement.

Over 80 athletes have been chosen to represent Oceanic at the upcoming South Coast Regional Carnival in early September – far too many to mention here. However, students who received the Outstanding Performances Awards were: Drew Younger (13G), Phoebe Robson (14G), Tom Weekes (14B), Corey Beaman (14B), Tyler Lima (16G), Kuepper Feehan (16G), Curtis Marsden (16B) and Jake Fielitz (16B). This is a VERY talented group.

The outstanding athlete of the meet was our very own, Tyler Lima, who won, and set new records in the 100m, 200m and 90m hurdles. Tyler is a beautiful and exciting runner to watch – we will hear much more about her in the future at the highest levels.

Another high point (for me at least as the sprint coach) was PBC’s winning of all its 4x100m relays – just wonderful to watch and a credit to all participants, especially those who were not there as sprinters, but ran so that we had teams. This was just one example of the team spirit that exists at this carnival from the PBC students – supportive, committed and willing to step up.

Congratulations to all students and many thanks to the teachers and parents who supported over the two days of the carnival. Look forward to reporting more success at the Regional Titles.

Tony McDonald
Track and Field Coach

School Based Youth Nurse Notes

Smiling and Laughing

Smiling and laughing has a positive effect on your well-being. Research has shown that there are a number of health benefits attributed to smiling and laughing.

Endorphins are released when you smile, the muscles in your face send triggers to your brain, which in turn releases these chemicals. Endorphins are responsible for making us feel happy. They help lower stress levels and can help in pain relief. With the increase of endorphins, the stress hormone cortisol is reduced. Cortisol is more active when we feel stressed or anxious. It contributes to the unpleasant feelings we experience, so by lowering cortisol, these negative feelings can lower too.

Laughing expands the lungs, stretches the muscles in the body and provides oxygen to all the cells in the body.

A good laugh can be an effective way to release emotions, especially those emotions that you might bottle up inside. Everything looks a little bit better after a good laugh and life can be seen from a more positive perspective.

Smiling is an attractive expression, which is more likely to draw people to you, rather than push them away. You will appear more approachable. This in turn will have a positive effect on your well-being and help build healthy relationships with family, friends and work colleagues.

Simple ways to bring more smiling and laughing into your day are:

• Smile and laugh regularly - just try it.
• Watch funny films, TV or go to theatre shows. This is an excellent way to inject some instant humour into your life.
• Spend time with friends and family that make you feel happy. Happy, fun-loving, optimistic people will bring out your happy side and their behaviour will rub off on you.
• Find things to smile and laugh about. Once you start consciously looking at all the things that are funny and uplifting, you will be more aware of them, in tune with them, and ready to engage in a spontaneous smile or laugh.

Judy Nunn
School Based Youth Nurse

Ordered your 2014 Yearbook?

Don’t miss out on having a wonderful reminder of this year at PBC. The OPTIMA yearbook is filled with photos of school happenings, sports and of course your friends from the year as well as articles. They are $30. What a great keepsake.

Order yours today! (No payment required for Year 12 students.)

Payment Options

Pay in person:

• Payment can be made at the Student Services office 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Credit Card and Debit Cards (EFTPOS), Cash, Cheques and Money Orders are accepted.

Pay by phone (by credit card only):

• Call the school on 5525 9333 Monday to Friday between 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Please have the account and your credit card details with you when you call.
• VISA and MasterCard accepted.

Pay by Direct Credit:

• You have the option to make the payment direct to the school bank account. Please quote the reference below to ensure payment is credited to your account.
• Account Name: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS General Account
• BSB: 064-404 CBA Branch Burleigh Heads
• Account No: 00090303
• Reference: Please record both your Student’s Id and the reference code 2014MAG

Lynne Riley
Student Services

Oral Health Services - Dental Van

Students in grades (10, 9, and 8 A-K) have been provided with an offer of oral health care examination card to take home

If your child is enrolled in one of the grades listed above or are new to the school and did not receive an examination card and would like to arrange for your child to receive oral health care please contact the Oral Health Call Centre 1300 300 850. Monday to Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm Excluding Public Holidays.

If your child requires disability access please identify this requirement with the Call Centre Operator.

Uniform Shop Update

Senior Jersey 2015

Year 11 students will be receiving their 2015 senior jersey order forms at their assembly on Tuesday 19 August 2014.

Payments can be made at Student Services between 20 August 2014 – 12 September 2014. Cost is $77.

Student Services are opened until 1pm Monday – Friday to take payments.

Order forms are to be left with student services and samples for sizing will be available to try on at the Uniform Shop between 8:15am – 9:30am Monday – Friday.

CAX Shirts

If you ordered a CAX Shirt they are now available to be collected from the Uniform Shop.

Extra Sport Excellence Uniforms

The Uniform Shop currently has some extra sport ex stock available for parents to purchase. Please feel free to pop in and see our friendly staff that can assist you with sizing. Also please note not all sizes are available but we will do our best to assist you and your child in that regards.

Please contact Mandy between the hours of 8 am - 2 pm Mon-Fri if you have any questions or would like to see if your student’s size is available. Also, remember you can make your payments with Mandy over the phone.

Bucket Hats/PBC Caps

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

Jumpers

Jumpers are now available and are selling FAST, You can purchase your warm knitted jumper from the uniform shop which has samples available to try on for sizing, all sizes available, and cost is $48

Trading Times:

Monday to Friday – 8:15am to 9:30am

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 give Mandy a call on 07 55259331 and pay for any uniform item over the phone.

Mandy Webb
Uniform Shop Co Ordinator

Administration

Cashier Window Operating Hours

Please be advised that the operating hours for the cashier/payment window at the school are strictly 8am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

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.: 2014 SRS8 or 2014 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).

Student Fee Excursion/ Activity	Activity Details	Amount Due	Date Due
Year 12 Formal	Year 12 students	$120	22 Aug
Ski Trip	Year 11 students	Final Instalment $862	Overdue
Excellence Program Fees	Excellence program 2014 students	Various	Overdue
Course Fees
QCS	Year 12 students	$50	Overdue
Certificate I – Furnishing	Enrolled Year 11 and 12 students	Year 11 - $200 Year 12 - $100	Overdue
Certificate I - Engineering	Enrolled Year 11 and 12 students	Year 11 - $200 Year 12 - $100	Overdue
Certificate I - Construction	Enrolled Year 11 and 12 students	Year 11 - $200 Year 12 - $100	Overdue
Please note that all students are requested to present their Student ID card when making any payments to Student Services.

Most excursions do not appear on student statements. If you have any queries please call Lynne Riley in Student Services on 07 5525 9308.

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.

Community Events

List Your Community Event with the PBC Newsletter

If you are holding a community event, sign-on day or fundraiser and want to get the word out to the community, you can list your event at the end or our Newsletter.

Go to our website at https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/Calendarandnews/Newsletters and view our current newsletter.

Look on the left side click on the View Local Events link to see what’s happening around the area.

If you would like to promote your event please email the details and any accompanying material (e.g. photos, fliers) to info@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au. Upon approval of the Executive Principal we will list your event.