9 December 2014

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

This is the last newsletter for the year and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of PBC and public education.

2014 has arguably been PBC’s best year in our 32 year existence and I am incredibly proud of our talented students.

Our achievements include:

• Preparation for the introduction of Year 7 in 2015
• Introduction of the PBC Alliance
• Best ever NAPLAN scores for Year 9’s including best relative gain in reading for any State High School in Queensland
• More students qualified for direct entry to university than any other Gold Coast School
• Enrolment and demand for enrolment at an all-time high
• Exceptional Performing Arts and Sporting achievements
• Opening of new facilities

I am regularly asked for the secret of PBC’s success by other Principal’s. I tell them it is a combination of two factors. The first being our daily commitment to our motto “Nil Sed Optima” and the second being the dedication of my talented staff.

Despite these achievements, I realise we are far from perfect and need to continually strive to find better ways to nurture the potential of every student and improve the service that we offer to families.

Thank you once again for entrusting PBC with your young person’s education and for all the support you have afforded my colleagues and I.

Premier’s Anzac Prize

A huge congratulations to PBC student Emily Ireland who has been selected as one of 70 Queensland students to win the Premier Campbell Newman’s Anzac Prize.

Emily will be taking part in the historic Anzac Centenary commemoration at Gallipoli in 2015 and touring Turkey, Belgium and France with a chaperone for two weeks from 22 April 2015.

Entrants to the competition were asked to produce an original, 2-5 minute multimedia presentation exploring how the Anzac tradition has shaped Australia, why it’s still important and how future generations can keep the tradition alive.

Emily received her award from The Hon. Jann Stuckey State Member for Currumbin and the Queensland Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, and Executive Principal Stephen Loggie.

To view the Premier Campbell Newman’s media statement and full list of winners, please visit: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2014/12/5/queensland-students-keep-anzac-spirit-alive

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Newsletter Articles

Senior School Update

Year 12 Graduation

On Thursday 20 November we held the 2014 Year 12 Graduation Ceremony in the school hall. It was the first time we had held the ceremony in the hall for many years due to the Convention Centre being unavailable. It was a great night and the Year 12 students were sent off with great fanfare.

My highlight is always shaking the hand of the graduates and wishing them all the best in the future. However it would be remiss of me not to mention the great job our leaders did hosting the night and their heartfelt speeches.

Every time I witness a performance from our Preforming Arts students I am constantly blown away by their brilliance and on graduation night I was not disappointed. The Year 12 Music Excellence students one again provided a memorable performance.

Once again I look forward to following their progress in the coming years and remind them that whilst all students graduate from our school none ever leave the PBC family.

Senior School 2015

All our seniors have now finished for the year and they are starting their summer holidays. I wish them a safe and restful holiday and look forward to welcoming them all back to Term 1.

The Senior School in 2015 will include approximately 1200 students from years 10 to 12 and we have great expectations for what they will achieve. Be sure to check start dates and times to ensure a positive start. Timetables will be distributed on the first day in the same way as years before and students will start work in Period one.

The senior students finished off well in their exams and as you read this our teachers are finalising their grades for Semester 2 2014. Report cards will be emailed home this week and it is important that you take the time to discuss your child’s results and set some academic goals for 2015.

I personally wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I am very much looking forward to 2015 as I am confident that once again we can improve the results and the outcomes for PBC students.

NIL Sed Optima: Nothing but the best.

Nigel Hughes
Director Senior School

Middle School News

Our inaugural Year 7 cohort will shortly join PBC

We now only have the summer holidays left until the PBC Middle School welcomes our inaugural Year 7 cohort in 2015. I am very pleased with the plans that we have implemented to be ready for this major change in our school. All of our key initiatives such as staff recruitment, curriculum design, resourcing and facility upgrades have occurred in readiness.

Semester 2 Reports

On Friday 12 December the 2014 Semester 2 student reports will be emailed to parents/guardians. All parents are strongly encouraged to review the report collaboratively with their child, spending time acknowledging the positive aspects of the report and reflecting on areas for improvement. This self-reflection is a very valuable part of the learning experience in preparing students for the challenge of transitioning into the next year level.

End of Year Reflection

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Middle School students and parent community for their efforts in making 2014 an extremely successful year for PBC. The recent PBC Creative Arts, Sports and Academic Awards Evenings reinforced to me the huge number of high achieving students that we have in our school. I trust that our students will have a very well deserved break and return to school in 2015 with renewed vigour. Please enjoy a relaxing and safe holiday break.

Blair Hanna
Director of Middle School

Endings and new beginnings

The end of the school year is a time for reflection, a time for endings and a time for new beginnings.

To the Year 9 students who are looking at the end of their middle school adventure I say thank you and good luck with your Senior School beginnings. You are a great cohort and I expect great things of you all. As I started at PBC with you, I will be watching you on your journey into Senior School and beyond.

The end of Year 8 and the beginning of Year 9 brings many changes and opportunities. I mentioned to the Year 8 students on assembly this morning how impressed I have been with their achievements. In 2015 you will be the leaders in the Middle School and I expect and know you will be great role models for our younger students.

The end of primary school and the beginning of high school is an exciting time. I am looking forward to meeting our new cohorts of Year 7 and 8 students on the transition day. This is an exciting journey you are embarking on. High school goes very quickly, and the one piece of advice I give all new students is that high school is about preparing you for the best life possible. Always do your best and open as many doors as you can. NIL SED OPTIMA.

I wish all our Middle School students and families a safe and happy Christmas break, and look forward to working with you all in 2015.

Peter O’Brien
Deputy Principal Middle School

A successful year for Middle School

Middle school students have had an eventful year. Academically 2014 students have been one of the most successful groups to go through participating in a range of extracurricular events such as the STEM Science competition, the History Anzac Essay competition and the International Trends in Science and Mathematics Study Test and they have also been very active in a range of sporting events in which many have also excelled. Learning and achievement is a major priority for all students but not the only focus. Our Optima Code and concern for safe and respectful behaviour is the key underpinning and permeating all aspects of school life.

In addition, our Middle School Leaders for 2014 are worthy of special recognition. The leaders have demonstrated a great community spirit participating in several school and parent functions as well as open days and running several successful sporting activities at lunch time. The following leaders will now move up into the Senior School where they will be exposed to new leadership opportunities and they will be presented with certificates of appreciation as we welcome in the new Middle School Leaders for 2015.

A special thank you to:

• Corban Thorsby 9A
• Amelia Cody-Byfield 9A
• Sienna Mijares 9A
• Elaine Summersford 9A
• Bethany Clark 9B
• Isaac Graham 9C
• Eloise Fisher 9C
• Zaneeta Robertson 9E
• Logan Chesebro 9F
• Grace Parker 9M

Congratulations to the new leaders for 2015:

• Amy Cooper 8A
• Annika Danielsen 8A
• Caitlin Fowler 8H
• Hannah Maitland 8N
• Kate Walker 8M
• Millicent Limkin 8C
• Cameron Mitcherson,8C
• Yusuf Kilic 8J
• Riley Budek 8C

As the final weeks of the school term proceeds, many students in the middle school will be involved in finalising their assessments, moving into an alternative program and welcoming new students transitioning to PBC for 2015. The aim of the transition program is to allow students to get a head start by providing them with the opportunity to become familiar with PBC school facilities and teachers as well as to meet students from other schools who are potentially their classmates in the New Year. Hopefully by gaining a taste of the PBC culture that we are all very proud of and promote, new students will be impressed with their school choice, prepared and keen to return in 2015.

Dianne Stamp
HOD Middle School

Arts and CAX News

The Arts and CAX departments are ending the year in the most apt way possible – with a bang!

Arts Award Ceremony

Our annual Arts Awards ceremony was once again an amazing showcase of the range and depth of “magic” that Arts students and staff continue to create.

This evening saw the induction of the 2014 Creative Arts Excellence Ambassador, PBC alumnus and professional artist Joel Rea. Known most recently for his portrait of Aussie film and TV star Chris Hemsworth, Joel was awarded the Black Swan award and was a finalist in the Sulman Art prize, a category of the world-renowned Archibald prize. These are two of the most prestigious awards in Australia and Joel was honoured to be inducted as a CAX ambassador, to support the next generation of young artists.

The night concluded with the most diverse acknowledgement of Arts students yet, with representatives from all Arts strands nominated for the most prestigious award: The Most Valuable Creative Artist. Nominees included Courtney Monsma, William Perrett, Kira Stray, Keiarn Chesebro, Chloe Bergquist, Alice Giles and Jody Wasley.

2014 graduate (and newly enrolled Griffith Conservatorium student) Courtney Monsma took this out for the second year in a row, to top off another stellar year for her.

In addition to the top honour at Arts Awards night, Courtney has also once again been nominated for Best Actress at the Gold Coast Area Theatre Awards. Winning this award last year for her performance as Tracey in PBC’s 2013 Musical, Hairspray, Courtney has been acknowledged this year for her role as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and has also been nominated for a special encouragement award for the second year running.

Joining Courtney is Jakab Bailey, our leading man, nominated for Best Actor, Miss Swanborough for Best Choreography (special nods go to the CAX Dancers and alumni who assisted in this effort), our guest conductor, Matt Pearson for Best Music Direction (congratulations to our student-led orchestra who made his job a breeze and a pleasure!) and for the first time, PBC’s Musical has been nominated for the Best School Musical of the year!

Our six nominations are our best effort yet, and we must acknowledge everyone who contributed to this year’s show, as without you, it simply could not have been as professional and spectacular as it was. PBC are also the only State School nominated in this category, which is shared by only two other schools! We wish all nominees the best of luck with the Awards Dinner taking place at the Gold Coast Arts Centre on Tuesday night, December 16. Fingers and toes crossed!

But it is not all fanfare and gala balls to end the year, our Arts and CAX staff and students are still working tirelessly with their end of year assessments and also their end of year productions!

PBC Vocal Group

The PBC Vocal Group finished off their year with a free Christmas concert for our local elderly care homes. Kudos to Mrs Tassone for her efforts with this newly formed group this year – a first in the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and a community initiative to boot!

Theatre in Education

Ms Parker’s Drama class and the Middle School CAX Drama classes both ended their year with similar initiatives, performing Theatre in Education and Children’s Theatre performances for Currumbin Primary School and Currumbin Prep School, continuing this great tradition of mentorship and leadership through the Arts.

Mrs Atkinson’s CAX Media class showcased the inaugural PBC Film Festival, screening 14 films for an audience of parents, peers and friends, highlighting the amazing work that these quiet achievers continue to create and deliver.

Senior Music graduation performance

The Senior Music class performed the 2014 graduation song “Hall of Fame”, led by Mrs Shinn. This group produced this arrangement of instrumental and vocal performance while also completing their final assessments, and it was a fantastic way to end their year and showcase the talent of our Music students. A special congratulations to Tom Moodie (Bachelor of Music – Jazz Trumpet) and Gemma Scott (Bachelor of Music – Classical Piano) who join Courtney Monsma (Bachelor of Music – Musical Theatre) in being accepted at the Griffith Conservatorium next year. Gemma has also been accepted at UQ (Bachelor of Music – Piano) and received her AMus Associate Diploma of Music this term. Josh King has also been accepted into Griffith University of the Gold Coast (Bachelor of Popular Music).

Information and Communication Technologies

ICT students have been benefiting from a recent Professional Development day by Miss Underwood, experimenting with the latest in robotics on offer to students. This is an exciting new field for our ICT students and will only continue to grow and open more windows of opportunity for the Technological Arts here at PBC.

CAX ANZAC Project

Ms Hall is following up her incredible work this year and last year with her CAX Visual Arts students by working on another amazing partnership with the Currumbin RSL seeing us collaborate in yet another ANZAC project. Details are still coming to light but watch this space as 2015 promises to be another where PBC’s Arts and CAX departments are heavily featured around the Gold Coast community.

Farewell

On a sad note, we have to say goodbye to Instrumental Music staff Adam Owens and Tess McLennan, as they have not been allocated to PBC in 2015. While they have only been here a short time, their impact has been amazing (Eisteddfod/Fanfare/PBC Under Lights concert are testament to that!) and have both been “instrumental” in the continued development of the IM program. They will be missed greatly and we wish them well in their allocated schools.

CAX Industry Field Experience

Finally, last Wednesday and Thursday, almost 60 CAX students and staff travelled to Sydney on an Industry Field Experience which opened doors and minds to new possibilities and inspired all in their pursuit of excellence in the Creative Arts. Dance, Drama, Media, Music and Visual Arts CAX students from years 9-11 had a whirlwind 2-day trip, including tours, workshops and master classes, at some of Australia’s and the world’s most renowned and prestigious venues. A tough way to finish off the year! No doubt we will see this experience pay off in 2015, which promises to be even bigger and better for the Arts and CAX at PBC, and please allow me to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and New Year period and once again thank you for supporting Arts education at PBC.

Trent Ivett
CAX Coordinator

Sporting recognition

Astor Trophy

Congratulations to PBC student Becky Kay who has been selected to represent Australia in the Open Women's category at the Astor Trophy.

Becky will be competing as the youngest player in the team against several countries in January next year.

The Astor Trophy is a golf competition held once every four years between teams from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and South Africa.

Good luck Becky, we can’t wait to hear your results!

Geoff Eggert
Sports Coordinator

National Basketball Championships

Well done to the PBC Reds Girls Basketball team who recently competed at the National Championships in Canberra.

Some very hard fought games were highlighted by PBC’s 19 point win in the National Quarter Final over Hellyer College from Tasmania.

A fantastic result of 4th in the country!

Timothy Smith
PBC Basketball Sports Excellence Coach

Pathways Centre News

School based traineeships available for Year 10 in 2015:

Cert III Hospitality – Tracey Smoothie Bar Coolangatta, Muffin Break Burleigh.

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.

Retail – Dominos Pizza Mermaid Beach.

Butcher – School based apprentice butcher Gold Coast Organic Meats, Mermaid Beach and Benowa.

Hungry Jacks – Already working at Hungry Jacks? Turn your part time job into a traineeship. Email traineeshipsqld@hungryjacks.com.au or call 3868 1646.

AFL Traineeships – Cert III Sport and Recreation Year 11 in 2015 for those who have a keen interest to pursue a career in the sporting industry. Applications close 10 Dec. Students must submit applications ASAP to Ally Kenwood. Send in a resume and brief application letter to ally.kenwood@aflq.com.au or call Ally on 5594 5722 for more details.

Tax File Number Applications

Tax file number applications will no longer be available through secondary school in 2015. If you require a tax file number please bring your application to The Pathway Centre before 11th December for processing.

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.

Taking new Pathway Centre registrations for 2015 from Tuesday 27 January.

Sonia Shreeve
Industry Liaison Officer

Farewell to our International Students

It’s time once again to say farewell to a fantastic group of International students who have been with us since July this year.

We recently spent the morning cruising the canals of the Gold Coast and visiting Q Deck for a final view of our wonderful city. The students enjoyed their educational program at PBC and involved themselves in all aspects of school life. They have experienced the Australian culture through their Homestay families and school friends.

A special mention goes out to Anna Broemstrup who started Karate in Australia when she arrived in January from Germany. She worked through white and blue belts which normally takes up to two and a half years to achieve. She recently competed in the GKR Australian national titles in Carrara who has over 400,000 member worldwide. She also received an Academic Award for Early Childhood, and was part of the School Band who performed at several school functions including the Awards night. What a great all-rounder and a wonderful international ambassador for PBC.

We wish all our departing students safe travel home and hope they have life long memories of their time at PBC.

Corinne Van Put
International Student Coordinator

School Based Youth Nurse Notes

Holiday Season

Wishing everyone in the school community a wonderful break, sharing in this festive season with family and friends after a busy year.

Looking forward to seeing you all refreshed in 2015. Following is a list of contact numbers for support and help if needed.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 (http://www.lifeline.org.au)
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (www.kidshelpline.com.au)
Parentline: 1300 301 300 (www.parentline.com.au)
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 (www.beyondblue.org.au)
Headspace: 55095900 (www.headspace.org.au/Southport)

Judy Nunn
School Based Youth Nurse

Uniform Shop Update

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.

Term 1 trading hours:

Trading hours during the first week of Term 1 2015 (27 – 30 January) will be from 8.15am until 12pm.

Normal trading hours will continue from Week 2 for the remainder of the term.

These hours are Monday - Friday 8:15 – 9:30am and 11:30am – 12:15pm.

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

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)

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).

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.

Second Hand Uniforms

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

Save other parents/guardians from having to spend money on new uniforms and help save the earth by recycling!

If your uniforms are good condition, please drop them off to the Student Services.

School Dental Service

The Child and Adolescent Oral Health Service has completed routine oral health care for students attending Palm Beach Currumbin High School.

Please consider attending your family dentist in-between offers of care by the Child and Adolescent Oral Health Service to assist in maintaining your child’s oral health.

A pain relief and trauma service operates between offers of care to provide emergency treatment only. Contact the Oral Health Call Centre 1300 300 850 Monday to Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm excluding Public Holidays.

Smoking restrictions

From 1 January 2015

• Electronic cigarettes cannot be used in existing non-smoking indoor and outdoor areas, sold to children under 18 years of age, or advertised, promoted or displayed at retail outlets
• No smoking at public and private hospitals and health facilities, and for 5 metres beyond their boundaries
• No smoking at state and non-state schools, and for 5 metres beyond their boundaries.

E-cigarettes are not permitted on school grounds. The use of e-cigarettes can all too easily be perceived as the act of smoking especially with the new types as they actually release a vapour. The intent of any no smoking policy must also be to model appropriate behaviour and compliance to relevant requirements.

No smoking zone for schools extends to 5 metres beyond the schools fence line.

Palm Beach Soccer Club

Palm Beach Soccer Club has been successful in being awarded one of the Football Gold Coast 10 Women’s Hub Licenses for the next three years. The Hub will consist of three women’s teams competing in the local Football Gold Coast Competition, First Division, Reserves and second Division.

All girls 15 and over interested in finding out more information about the Hubs please come along to Women’s Hub Information Day which will be at the Palm Beach Soccer Club, 19th Avenue, Palm Beach on Sunday 14 December from 2pm.

If you want more information please email cross@bigpond.net.au or call Daye Rodd on 0409 761 242 or Pam Randall on 0415 897 389.

FREE Family Movies in local parks