25 November 2014

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

PBC will welcome Year 7 students for the first time in 2015. Including an extra year level will swell enrolments to 2400 and this will present challenges that we will need to work together as a community to overcome.

We have prepared carefully for this scenario over the last 3 years by:

• Implementing a middle schooling approach
• Spending in excess of $17 million on additional facilities
• Introducing research driven age appropriate teaching approaches
• Recruiting specialist middle school teachers

In this newsletter we have published information relating to changes for the 2015 school year. It is very important that all PBC families review this information and evaluate how these changes will impact on their current routines.

I’m very much looking forward to welcoming the Year 7’s and their families to PBC. I believe this change will be great for students because they will be exposed at a younger age to the rigour and diversity of the high school curriculum. I am confident that after we deal with some teething issues 2015 will be a highly successful year.

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Newsletter Articles

Information for 2015

Start dates for Term 1 2015

Term 1 2015 will resume for Years 7, 8 and 12 on Tuesday 27 January 2015. All students (Years 7-12) will be required to be at School from Wednesday 28 January 2015.

School photographs

School photographs will be taken in week two of Term 1, on Friday 6 February. The photo packs will be distributed to students at the start of 2015.

A follow up date in week five, on Friday 27 February, will also be available for students who were unable to have their photograph taken on the first date.

Uniform Shop

To help you get ready for the new school year, the uniform shop will be open from Monday 19 to Friday 23 January from 8am to 2pm with an additional trading day on Saturday 17 January from 9am to 4pm. Pre-ordered uniforms will be available for pick up during this week.

The last day for the uniform shop for the 2014 school year is Friday 5 December.

The uniform shop will be closed on Monday 26 January for the Australia Day public holiday.

Thrower Drive upgrade

To improve bicycle and pedestrian access, upgrades to the Thrower Drive roundabout and connecting avenues, adjacent to PBC, will be undertaken over the summer holidays.

Works include the construction of new concrete pavement, installation of bike lanes, construction of new raised pavement wombat crossing and new concrete paths will be undertaken on Thrower Drive.

Works are anticipated to be completed over the summer Holidays. Should finishing works continue into Term 1, supervisors will be in place in the road works area to assist with pedestrian safety and access.

Plans to relocate the school bus stop further away from the Thrower Drive roundabout to improve the safety of pedestrians and motorists, are currently in the design phase.

Cashier Window Operating Hours

The last day for the Student Services payment window is Friday 5 December 2014. Over the counter payments can only be accepted up until 1 pm on Friday 5 December 2014. The payment window will re-open on Monday 19 January 2015 (or alternatively payments can be made by direct credit after 5 December 2014).

Communication for Parents and Caregivers

At PBC, we believe our communication with you is of great importance in providing the best education for your child. Methods of communication are changing with new technology. This newsletter outlines the ways in which we now communicate to parents, and the information we need from you.

PBC Website

The PBC website is the main way in which we provide information about our school, including our policies and procedures. You can visit our website at www.pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

School Newsletter

Stay in touch with current events by subscribing to the school newsletter, by following the links on the PBC website home page. This fortnightly publication will then be delivered to your email inbox automatically. The newsletter includes information about upcoming events, scholarships and careers.

Assessment Calendar

Each term, your child’s assessment calendar is published on the PBC website. Go to www.pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/Curriculum/Testingandassessment

Click on the appropriate assessment calendar on the right hand side of the page.

Senior School Shutdown Timetable

About three weeks before Senior School Shutdown (exam block), the Shutdown timetable is published on the PBC website at www.pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

This enables senior students to plan their study timetables effectively.

Contacting Teachers

You may find it necessary at times to contact a teacher or Year Co-ordinator directly. All staff emails are listed on the staff contact list on the PBC website, at www.pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/Ourschool/Contactus/Pages/Staff-Contact-List.aspx

Parent Teacher Interviews

These are held in Term 2 of each year and are advertised on the PBC website and in newsletters. Bookings are made through the PBC website.

Reports

Reports are emailed to parents in Week 2 of Terms 2-4, and in Week 10 of Term 4.

Keeping information current

Please be sure that we always have current contact details for yourself and other emergency contacts. These details include your address, home, mobile and work telephone numbers, your email address, and telephone numbers of emergency contacts. Should you wish to check the information on file at present, or if you would like to update your details, please email Corinna Green at cgree192@eq.edu.au or telephone the school.

Nigel Hughes
Director, Senior School

GriffBUSINESS for Year 12 2015

Applications are still open for students in current Year 11 who are tracking toward a C4 or above in OP English and a B1 or above in Accounting, BCT, Economics, Legal Studies or Modern History to participate in the GriffithBUSINESS Program in 2015. Applications must be received by Mrs Ruth West in F Block Staffroom by the end of this academic year.

The GriffithBUSINESS Year 12 Program aims to help students make the transition from the supported framework of school, to the flexible and autonomous nature of tertiary studies.

The goal of the program is to encourage students to further business studies at university by linking the curriculum of schools and universities; fostering positive relationships between students, teachers and academic staff; and exposing students to the tertiary environment.

Students will be required to attend the Gold Coast Campus of Griffith University on three dates:

• Wednesday 25 February 2015
• Tuesday 9 June 2015
• Monday 20 July 2015

On these days students will participate in university life, attend lectures, work in teams and be assessed on the content of the day. There is no work required outside these days and there is no cost for this program.

Students who successfully complete this course and their families will be invited to a Graduation Ceremony on Friday 21 August. If these students then apply through QTAC for a course offered under the Griffith University School of Business and achieve at least a C4 in OP English and a B1 in one of the business related subjects listed above they will get direct entry into this course. This is an amazing opportunity to take the pressure off at the end of Year 12 and to meet and work with likeminded students from across the region.

Students can choose to participate in one of three strands Business Management, Commerce, or Tourism, Hotel, Event and Sport Management.

Ruth West
Teacher of Business Communication and Technology

Senior School Update

When this newsletter is published, Shutdown will have started for Years 10 and 11. During this special exam period, students are only required to attend school to sit exams, deliver assessment or meet commitments such as finalising VET competencies. We wish all of our students well for this important week, and hope that hard work and attention to marking criteria is well rewarded.

Semester 2 reports will be emailed home by Friday, December 5. It will be worth students rereading these at the start of next year, to help them set clear goals and aim for their best possible results in 2015.

Included in this newsletter is information about The Smith Family’s Saver Plus program. This is a program in which your savings are matched by up to $500 for school needs, sport and music costs and computers. Please note the eligibility criteria, and if interested, follow up directly with The Smith Family.

Sharon Hillcoat
Deputy Principal Senior School

Year 10 and 11 Exams

Year 10 and 11 students are on exams this week (24-28 November). Their exam timetables have been published on the student k drive and the PBC website under curriculum/ testing and assessment. Students only have to attend school for exams or to catch up on VET work and assignments this week.

All students studying VET subjects need to be up to date with their competencies by the end of this year. Students who are behind will have been sent a letter requiring them to meet their teacher for catch up sessions during shutdown.

All OP students are again reminded that they need to sit the QCS Writing Task test on Friday 28 November. Students who do not attend will not be eligible to sit the QCS test next year and will not be eligible for an OP.

Students should by now be well aware that they must be in full school uniform to sit exams and that it is their responsibility to ensure they are present in the correct room with all necessary equipment at least ten minutes before the exam commences.

A reminder that all drafts and assignments are due before 9am on the due date and that exams cannot be given early to students because of other commitments. Please refer to the school assessment policy on the school website for further details.

Year 10 and 11 students officially finish school on Friday 28 November.

Release of year 12 results

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) will release student QCEs, OPs and Senior Statements through student learning accounts on the Student Connect website, https://studentconnect.qcaa.qld.edu.au, from 9am on Saturday 20 December 2014.

Students must know their Learner Unique Identifier (LUI) and password to log in and check their results. Students will be able to access their results more quickly if they have previously activated their learning account.

Senior Education profiles will then be mailed out by the QCAA from Monday 22 December.

Students wishing to know their Selection Rank or Additional Rank need to contact the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) directly on 1300 GO QTAC (1300 467 822) or http://www.qtac.edu.au; as these are not automatically sent out to students.

Michael McDougall
HOD Senior School

Middle School News

News about Year 10 2015

Year 10 and senior schooling invites a new level of social challenge. In 2015, our current Year 9 students will be placed in a brand new core class. There will be some familiar faces and many new ones. This is a great opportunity for your son or daughter to make new friends and learn to work with a different set of peers.

Adolescence is a time of growth and change for young people. Part of reaching to adulthood is learning to manage increasing social complexity and challenges. Middle schooling strives to provide a supportive learning environment, in part by the formation of classes. In Years 8 and 9, students worked in the same core class for all of their subjects, but broadened their social networks through their participation in two elective classes. The change of core class in Year 10 helps prepare students for the even greater challenge of having no core class in Year 11. It supports their development towards independence and adulthood.

The classes will be announced through the timetable distribution on the first school day of 2015. It should be exciting and interesting for the then Year 10s as they settle into their new core classes.

Please note that Academic Excellence classes will continue to be organised separately in Year 10.

Sharon Hillcoat
Deputy Principal Senior School

Community Service Program Thank You Breakfast

On Friday 14 November PBC hosted a celebration breakfast to thank community organisations who host 225 students for community service in the Wednesday recreation sport time. These include:

Elanora State School
Currumbin State School
Pineshaven Aged Care
You Have a Friend
Palm Beach Currumbin Lions Club
Currumbin RSL
The Smith Family

Five students in each year level who had outstanding participation in 2014 were also recognised and received a certificate presented by Cr Daphne McDonald.

Anita Sgalippa
Deputy Principal Middle School

Griffith Ambassador Events Management

On Wednesday 5 November, ten students studying business communication and technology were selected to attend the Griffith Business Ambassador Day located at Griffith’s Gold Coast campus. Students were privileged enough to be able to listen to a lecture delivered by Dr. Millicent Kennelly, one of Griffith’s leading business lecturers titled ‘Understanding the impacts of events’. Students were then given the opportunity to ask questions to a panel of guest speakers that each have experience in coordinating and managing real world events within their respective industries. After lunch, students were divided into teams and worked on a group task with students from different schools. Each group was given the task of evaluating a particular event and was required to present their findings to other teams. Overall, the day was not only enjoyable but challenged students to understand the complex process behind event planning and the diverse study areas that exist within business.

Nikki Howse
Accounting and Business Teacher

Numeracy Plan

PBC’s Numeracy Plan (2014-2017) outlines the strategies employed to maximise student outcomes in NAPLAN, QCS and in every subject where there are numeracy demands.

As Head of Department (Mathematics) and Numeracy Coordinator I have been working closely with teachers and students to enact our plan.

The plan has four key areas:

• Comprehensive maths curriculum
• Targeted individual skill development
• Subject based numeracy
• Resources and Professional Development.

In Year 8, the core students are participating in individual numeracy lessons on a rotational basis. These lessons were designed after student data was analysed and the target areas identified. Each week students attend a different lesson with a different teacher and the focus is on a different topic. This is designed to ensure that students are getting the help they need in the areas they need it most.

In Year 9, students complete targeted numeracy lessons as part of their maths and science curriculum. Again, these lessons are designed to meet the needs of students prior to NAPLAN.

Numeracy exists in many forms across many subjects. I am currently working on part three and four of the plan to ensure that numeracy demands are met in every subject in the school and that every teacher has the resources required to explicitly teach these demands.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cathy Clipson for her work as numeracy coordinator and all the teachers involved in maths and numeracy lessons.

Fiona Scannell
HOD Mathematics

PBC Leo Club

Another successful year for the PBC Leo club and the 2014 committee members comprising of Georgia Wingett, Michelle Borg, Tamika-Grace Driscoll and Kirralee Howells have done an outstanding job of leading a youthful group of Leo members in 2014. Many thanks to the committee for your dedication and commitment to the PBC Leo club and your efforts have been greatly appreciated.

Another successful car wash fundraiser for the Leo club and their efforts raised $540 that will be used to help our community. $400 was donated to the Woodwork and craft club and two members of the club came to the weekly Leo meeting to explain how their club helped the community. Their club donates the toys made by their members to charitable organisations. Other recent donations have been to the Smith Family to support children in a reading program. The donation of $180 will help to support six children with reading difficulties. $400 was also donated to Autism Spectrum of Australia (ASPECT).

Other individual Leo members have also donated their time to help community projects. Emily Ireland, a year 9 student volunteered her time to work on the community project, The House with No Stairs. This organisation helps people with disabilities to develop life skills and Emily worked on the construction of a garden area and a volleyball court. The president of the Lioness club of Palm Beach, Glenda Myles, attended a Leo meeting to award Jake Fitriadi a Gold Award for 100 hours of community service. Well done Jake for your commitment to community service. The president of the Lioness club also inducted three new members into the Leo club, welcome to Josh Wingett, Amelia Cody-Byfield and Kaila Ryan.

The Leo club has raised over $8000 and donated $6000 this year and their efforts are commendable. Many members of the school and the wider community have benefited because of the fund raising and volunteer work done by the club. The 2014 committee has diligently led the club throughout the year and now it is time for the incoming committee to take over this responsibility. The 2015 Leo committee has been elected by the members and thank you to all members who nominated for a position. The new committee comprises of Tamika Driscoll as President, Elaine Summerford as Vice President, Jake Fitriadi as Secretary, and Tamara Gillard as Treasurer. Looking forward to another successful year and many thanks must go to the Leo club and the 2014 committee.

Pathways Centre News

School based traineeships available for Year 10:

Cert III Hospitality – Coffee Club Coolangatta, Tracey Smoothie Bar Coolangatta

Cert III Business – Subway Stores, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, 7 Eleven stores Burleigh and Palm Beach, Palm Beach Aquatic Centre, Gold Coast Rugby League, PRA Consulting mermaid, and Skinzone Broadbeach.

Indigenous traineeships – Dental Assistant and Commonwealth Bank for 2015. Dominios Pizza Mermaid Waters are currently looking for six students to work over the Christmas/New Year Period with a view to continuing onto a Cert II in Retail in the New Year when they return back to school.

Do you have a passion for golf? Certificate III Horticulture (Turf Management) school based traineeships available for the right applicant.

Tax File Number applications available in the Pathway Centre.

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.

Sonia Shreeve
Industry Liaison Officer

Guidance Officer News

QTAC Check

Time is running out for Year 12s to have their QTAC preferences organised.

Some students will not get into any of the courses they have selected because their OP or RANK score might not meet the course cut-off. Students may need to put some TAFE courses down as their 5th and 6th preference; this is still a pathway to university.

Please read the information below to help you.

Preference 1 and 2

Courses you really want, even if your chance of gaining entry is not assured.

Preference 3 and 4

Less competitive courses that provide another way to your chosen career or to a second choice career. They can be used to upgrade to your ‘ideal’ course.

Preference 5 and 6

Courses you are prepared to do if you miss out on all others. They should be courses that in the past have been easy to get into (i.e. TAFE). They can help you upgrade.

Course dates

Choosing a course starting in July may be harder to get into so please choose the earlier start month (February/March)

Prerequisites

Make sure you have the prerequisites for the course you want to get into. For example, Griffith University requires applicants to have OP English to be admitted into any of their courses. If you don’t have the prerequisites you will not get in. Southern Cross and TAFE are your best options without OP English.

I am still available to Year 12s via email sjone79@eq.edu.au or an appointment here at school.

Steve Jones
Guidance Officer Senior School

Uniform Shop Update

The uniform shop will open for extended trading hours from 10 – 28 November 2014. Opening hours are as follows:

Uniform shop trading times
Monday and Friday	7:00am to 12:00pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday	8:15am to 5:30pm
Saturday 15 November 2014	9:00am to 4:00pm

Current trading hours are Monday to Friday 8.15am to 9.30am.

Please refer to the website for all price lists and order forms.

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, please phone Many Webb on 07 55259331 to 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.: 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
Course Fees
2014 Cert I – Furnishing	Enrolled Year 11 and 12 students	Year 11 - $200 Year 12 - $100	Overdue
2014 Cert I - Engineering	Enrolled Year 11 and 12 students	Year 11 - $200 Year 12 - $100	Overdue
2014 Cert I - Construction	Enrolled Year 11 and 12 students	Year 11 - $200 Year 12 - $100	Overdue
Student Resource Scheme	2015 Fees Year 7 to Year 12	$330	1st instalment overdue
Excellence Program Fees	Excellence program 2015 students	Various	Due now
2015 Instrumental Music Program	Years 9-12	$75.00	Jan 2015
QCS 2015	Year 12 students	$50	Jan 2015
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.

Students absent or not returning to PBC in 2015

If your student is not returning to PBC in 2015, please contact administration as soon as possible to complete a leaving form.

If your student is returning to PBC but will still be on holidays or absent for any reason, please notify administration in writing or email info@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au as soon as possible.

Your early attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

The Smith Family – Saver Plus Program

Saver Plus is Australia's first matched savings program that helps people and families to establish a long term saving habit, build their money management skills and knowledge while saving for education costs. A participant can get dollar for dollar matched up to $500 for education costs.

New enrolments are possible any time from now until 31 December 2014.

Contact Jasmin Dorrington your local Saver Plus Worker:
07 5536 5613 or 0417 485 477
Jasmin.dorrington@thesmithfamily.com.au

Southport Yacht Club School Holiday Camp

School Holidays are just around the corner, and from Monday 15 December, Southport Yacht Club will be offering yet another School Holiday Camp.

Our camps cater for all children from the ages of 7-17 no matter what their sailing abilities are, experienced to beginners and everything in between! Our Yachting Australia certified instructors will be able to allocate the sailors in to appropriate groups to suit the different sailing abilities.

The holiday camp will run for three days, completing on Wednesday 17 December from 9am to 3pm daily.

If you require any further information on our School Holiday Camps please contact the Hollywell Sailing office on 5537 7030.

MAKING WOMEN WINNERS

Can you, or do you want to, play soccer?

Tweed United Football Club is looking for female players of all ages and abilities to join their under 18's, Premier Women, Division 1 Women and Division 2 Women leagues.

Tweed United Football Club is a friendly, welcoming and thriving club that has been announced as one of only ten Gold Coast clubs able to host Women’s soccer on the Gold Coast for 2015. Over the past four years, Tweed United’s Women’s league has proven a strong force in the Gold Coast football arena having reached 3 grand finals and being offered the opportunity to continue hosting women’s soccer.

With their very own personal trainer playing in the team and four coaches across all leagues, we guarantee you’ll get fit, healthy and greatly improve your soccer skills all the while having fun.

We welcome you to join in on preseason beach training sessions which are held on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm (NSW time) at Greenmount Beach to get a feel for the game (meet outside Greenmount Surf Club). Alternatively, please contact Siobhan or Armando if you have any questions or would like further information.

Siobhan: 0434 834205
Armando: 0419 859 611

School Holiday Courses

School Holiday Courses for any Year 8 – 12 student, from any School.

Each year, thousands of Australian students use ics Learning Group courses to dramatically improve their school performances. Each year many students in High School take charge of their own learning outcomes, by attending the following courses which are practical and rewarding. They are designed to enhance the school curriculum and promote better individual performance.

Course date	Course	Fee
Advanced Reading Skills for all levels of readers	12 January 2015	$165-00
Essay Writing Skills for Senior Students	13 January 2015	$135-00
Junior Study Skills for Senior Students	14 January 2015	$135-00
Senior Study Skills for Junior Students	15 January 2015	$135-00

Courses are held at St Hilda’s School; start at 9 am and conclude at 4.00pm.

To enrol or to receive additional information, please contact ics Learning Group direct on 07 3103 4956

Email: icsgoldcoast@skillscentre.com.au or
Enrol online at http://skillscentre.com.au/gold-coast-h

Currumbin Gymnastics