Palm Beach Currumbin State High
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Thrower Drive
Palm Beach QLD 4221
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Email: info@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au
Phone: 07 5525 9333
Fax: 07 5525 9300

2 August 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

At PBC we are very proud of our long history of success across the Academic, Sporting and Creative Arts pursuits. More than this though, we have a clear purpose and aim to nurture the talents of every student, positioning them to succeed in their preferred careers and thrive in all dimensions of a balanced adult life including relationships, health, creativity, citizenship and recreation.

In this newsletter article I would like to highlight our Arts Program at PBC and the critical role it plays in fostering individual creativity. Research shows that a quality Arts curriculum that provides training and practise of creative skills has a significant positive effect on the overall outcome of their schooling.

PBC has many students who thrive in this endeavour and pursue specialised pathways in the Arts through extending their studies into senior school and or participating in the Creative Arts Excellence Program.

Performance is fundamental to this endeavour and for this reason our school participates in a range of Eisteddfods and competitions annually.

This year over 600 students will be involved in Fanfare, Creative Generation State Schools Onstage, Gold Coast Eisteddfod and GC Drama Festival, as well as a myriad of other school performances.

On behalf of the PBC community I would like to take this opportunity to thank our dedicated and talented staff who ensured the 105 PBC students involved in last week’s Creative Generation Performance represented our school to perfection.

Staff involved include: Annette Joyce, Madonna Hall, Abby Swanborough, Krissy Tassone, Bek Shinn, Tom Pasley and Dani McGlynn.

I wish all those students about to represent our school at both the Drama Festival and Gold Coast Eisteddfod the best of luck with their performances and recommend that anyone in a position to attend do so.

Arts education is very much a partnership between the students, the school and their parents and I would like to acknowledge the tremendous support we receive from our families. Thank you to all of our parents/guardians who invest their time and finances to support their children, our PBC students, to flourish in the Arts pursuits.

Blair Hanna
A/ Executive Principal

CRICOS Provider Name: Department of Education and Training

CRICOS No. 00608A

Senior School Update

The Senior School is back and into the full swing of semester with our Year 12’s moving into their final QCS preparation and our Year 10’s starting to prepare for their SETPlan’s and future pathways. It is at this time of year that we step back and observe the importance of every student being here every day.

At PBC we believe attendance is the primary key to a student maximising their opportunities to reach their academic and personal potential. Research shows that student attendance is directly linked to academic success. If your student is going to be absent from school please advise our attendance officer by calling 5525 9381 or by emailing absences@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au.

If your student is going to be absent for a significant amount of time we encourage parents to contact teachers to organise for school work to be sent home. The email addresses of all teachers can be found through the Staff Contact link on the PBC Website under the Our School tab.

Signing Out

Please be aware that students who need to sign out of school early must present to their respective Dean before 9am with a note signed by their parent/guardian. Students also need to ensure they sign out of school through Student Services.

Careers Day

Our annual Careers day will be conducted on Friday 5 August (9am to 12 noon) in the school Hall. A large range of tertiary institutions, training organisations and industry representatives including the defence force will be on hand to offer advice to students.

All students in years 10, 11 and 12 will have timetabled sessions to attend.

Parents are invited to attend. Students and parents can visit stalls together during morning tea from 11:30am.

Please encourage your student to actively engage in this day and collect relevant information regarding their post school pathways.

Assessment

A reminder that there are Assessment Calendars for each year level posted on the PBC Website. The calendars are found under the Testing & Assessment link under the Curriculum tab and outline the assessments for each cohort's subjects and their submission dates. This gives parents/guardians the opportunity to discuss student's academic progress and ensure they are on track in their respective subjects.

QCS

Year 12 QCS classes are conducted on Wednesday during period two and four this term. It is critical that all students are engaged and active participants in this program. Students with a poor attendance will be removed from the QCS program.

All 12 QCS students have after school masterclasses with Mighty Minds on Thursday 28 July and Thursday 4 August. These classes are in the Trade Training Centre and run from 3:15 to 5:15pm. These classes have been well attended in the past. Please encourage your student to attend.

All QCS students will be provided with a stationery pack for the QCS exams. This was included in the QCS fee. Students will need to provide their own scientific calculator for the tests. Graphics calculators used in Maths B are not permitted and students will have to sign a declaration to ensure that they are not taking prohibited calculators (with stored memory) into the exam. Please ensure that your student has access to an approved scientific calculator for the QCS exam.

The QCS exam which will be conducted on 30 and 31 August.

Predicted OPs

Year 12 will have OP prediction interviews in the coming week. Students need to be aware that improving their rungs in every class and improving the cohort performance on the QCS test will have a dramatic improvement in student OP scores.

Year 11 predicted Ops will be calculated based on Semester 1 results. These should be emailed home in week 4. Year 11 students with a predicted OP of 18 will be better suited moving to Selection Rank or completing a Certificate III to improve their likelihood of being offered a tertiary place in 2018. Please contact Senior Schooling for more information.

Subject changes

Subject changes for term 3 are now closed, they will be available in the last 2 weeks of term.

School based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs)

Year 11 students are reminded that if they wish to complete a SAT that they must commence this in Year 11 as they take one year to complete. Apart from the paid work and Certificate III gained in a SAT students also receive extra QCE points and open pathways for possible tertiary studies.

Senior School

Middle School Update

“Within our dreams and aspirations we find our opportunities” Sugar Ray Leonard

This week we have been talking to our students about aspirations which have tied in nicely with our goal setting work for Term 3. We are encouraging students to think big around their aspirations for the future. We have considered what kind of lifestyle we’d like to have as an adult and the kind of work we’d like to be doing. Simple things like would we be happy working outside or nights. Would we like to work in an active job or not? It’s never too early to encourage your child to have aspirations for their future and to talk about making small steps towards achieving them.

NAPLAN Top Achievers:

Year 9 Top 20 Overall

Year 7 Top 20 Overall

Grace Stevens

9A

Talulah Ratcliffe

7A

Abigail Houston

9A

Harvey Lennon

7D

Isabelle Richters

9B

Tuscany Barwick

7A

Nicholas Weeks

9B

Melanie Dietrich

7D

Keely Sullivan

9A

Jack O’Reilly

7B

Lauren Alderton

9B

Bella Robinson

7A

Morgan Brennan

9A

Michaela Shaw

7C

Grace Selby

9A

Zachary Morgan

7C

Nathan Beckwith

9B

Lily Norman

7I

Tom Nguyen

9B

Chloe Hofrichter

7B

Alex Fry

9A

Callum Todd

7B

Charli Hart

9C

Stephanie Farquhar

7A

Joshua Alderton

9C

Matilda Beikoff-Smart

7C

Joshua Mitchell

9C

Saskia Wells

7A

Matthew Kilgariff

9B

Austen Younger

7C

Chelsea Freeman

9C

Jayden Tapfer

7A

Regan Hickey

9B

Thomas Gilltrap

7C

Claire Moffatt

9C

Joshua Hetherington

7B

Georgia Loy

9B

Lloyd McVeigh

7C

Aaron Gannaway

9C

Patrick Curtis

7B

In the coming week we will be sending invitations out to parents of students who will receive OPTIMA awards in week 5 as a result of Term 2 work. All parents are welcome to join us for these assemblies as it’s a wonderful celebration of all our students’ efforts. I look forward to seeing you there.

Dates are:

Monday 8 August - Year 9
Thursday 11 August – Year 7
Monday 15 August – Year 8

Anita Sgalippa
Head of School - Middle School

Southern Cross University – STAR Program

Any year 12 students who would like direct entry into Southern Cross University are strongly recommended to apply through the STAR Early Entry Scheme. If recommended by school and accepted by SCU students will receive direct entry into the course of their choice (some courses unavailable). Students are advised of their outcome on 12th October which alleviates a lot of pressure waiting for OP/RANK scores.

Please use the link below for more information and how to apply:

Maths Department News - Welcome to new teachers

The Maths department are delighted to welcome four new teachers this term:

Phillipa Hyatt
Rachel Young
Kirsten McGilvray
Patrick Kearins

Year 11 Maths B Class

Year 11 Maths B class solving a quadratic equation jigsaw puzzle this week.

Middle School Deputy Report

At PBC, we value our Middle School students and aim for every student to maximise their learning potential. As part of our data cycle there are four main focus areas:

Reflection

The Middle School Semester 1 report reflects on the individual student progress towards PBC’s AIP targets and Middle School Phase Plan goals. Student goal setting is an important research backed process in our academic cycle and all students have completed their Term 3 aspirational goals in the Student Planner. The Semester 1 report provides student reflection for their actual grades and feedback by staff can help your child understand where they sit in relation to their peers and the course and what is their next step to success.

In addition, data reflection by teachers and course coordinators form the basis of the discussion between HODs and Heads of School around course improvement.

Celebration

In the Middle School we will be celebrating student success in class, at year level assemblies, in Faculty areas and at the Week 5 Optima Award assemblies. The categories include Achievement, Effort and Behaviour, Most Improved, Sport, Performing Arts and Community Service. The Middle School welcomes all invited parents to attend our Optima Awards and share in your child’s success.

Intervention

Individual student performance is monitored every term and members of the Middle school team will engage with students whose performance places them at risk through a range of strategies.

During the next week there will be interviews for any student ‘at risk’ with Year Co-ordinators, Head of Middle School, HOD Education Access Centre, Deputy Principal and Head of School. For any student requiring additional assistance Homework Club is available every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Resource Centre.

Support

We encourage all parents to have a meaningful discussion with your child on their achievement, effort and behaviour in each subject. As we do not have a formal parent/teacher/student interview opportunity in Semester 2 we encourage parents to email your child’s teacher to discuss their progress. Staff emails and Semester 2 Assessments are located on the PBC website:

http://www.pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/

NIL SED OPTIMA – nothing but the best for every student in every lesson, every subject, every day.

Head of Department Middle School Report

MAXIMISING LEARNING AT PBC

At PBC, we encourage all students to achieve their best, whatever their ‘best’ might be. Students working to improve are urged to apply the following techniques across all their subjects:

  • Set a goal for each subject
    Use the OPTIMA planner in your diary and know what you are aiming for this term
  • Know what is required
    Understand what your assessment tasks require and the criteria by which you will be assessed. Focus on these in your work.
  • Manage your time
    Know your due dates and be sure your family knows them too. Break big tasks into smaller tasks, such as researching an assignment, writing a draft or reviewing the notes of a section of a course. Set yourself regular deadlines.
  • When you need help, seek it out
    There is so much help available in the Middle School at PBC, from individual assistance from the teacher, to Tuesday Tutorials, to peer mentoring. Don’t settle at ‘I don’t get it’ – find help until you do!
  • Follow up
    Review your notes, write down your questions, do your homework, read around a topic. Such strategies will help improve your factual recall and your understanding.

ASSESSMENT CALENDAR PUBLISHED

The Semester 2 Assessment Calendar has now been published on the PBC Website. Use the drop down menus to go to Curriculum / Testing and Assessment and open the relevant year level calendar on the right hand side of the screen. In Assemblies, students have been shown how to access this information and use it to fill out the Forward Planner in their diaries with their particular assessment dates. They have been told also to make a copy of it to be displayed on the fridge or another public place in the home, so families are aware of their commitments. Please support your Middle School students to develop good habits and be an active part of our learning community.

SELECTION OF 2017 MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT LEADERS

From Week 4, we will begin the process of selecting next year’s ten Middle School student leaders. These students, chosen from the current Year 8 cohort, will prepare for their roles by attending a GRIP training conference, a leadership planning day in Term 4.

Next year, they will represent the Middle School at public events and Parent Evenings and serve as a voice of the Year 7s, 8s and 9s. They will run fundraising and community building events and constantly seek ways to improve the school for our students.

If your Year 8 child is confident, reliable and enjoys leadership opportunities, please encourage them to stay tuned at Assembly, ‘put their hand up’ when asked and complete an application form. Shortlisted students will be interviewed later in the term and the 2017 Student Leaders will be presented at the Term 4 OPTIMA Awards.

Sharon Hillcoat
HOD Middle School

International Students News

Visit by Mingdao High School, Taiwan students

For the past two weeks 15 students from Mingdao High School in Taiwan have been spending time at PBC. Mingdao is a very large school with over 7000 students. Mingdao High school has state of the art facilities with five storey buildings, over 250 classrooms including 53 specialist rooms. They have numerous basketball, badminton & volley ball courts, an impressive soccer field, rock climbing wall, swimming pool and gymnasium. To cater for the large student body they have three 7/11 stores, a bakery, cafeteria and 2 other shops on school grounds. The students have been spending time improving their English and integrating with their buddies doing cooking, sport, and indigenous activities. The students have enjoyed their time on the Gold Coast with their homestay families and shared with us many great moments. We wish them all the best for a safe return home this weekend and hope to host students from their school again next year.

Corinne Van Put
International Student Coordinator

Mingdao
VIEW GALLERY
Mingdao
Click images to enlarge

Home Ec / Industrial Arts Department News

Digital Innovation

Digital Innovation students have been exploring computers and computer languages. Year 7 students have been learning to code in HTML, using Notepad and Notepad++. They have learnt to read and understand code, writing their own code for web page development. Each student has built a webpage or ePortfolio where they will keep a copy of some of their work from all the units of study.

The students have been exploring HTML coding from scratch that will enable them to build, alter webpages as well as understanding the use of drag and drop web builders. This is an example of one of the students work and the code written by the students. We also explore CSS and JavaScript and will expand on these in future units.

Students also explored 3D drawing and have drawn such things as an iPod, a boat and have looked at drawing housing. For this unit of study students undertake a drawing challenge that can be used to export to our 3D printing unit. We have had some impressive designs produced from guitars to trains.

Rugby League Schoolboys National Under 15’s

In the first week of the June holidays six PBC students represented Queensland at the National Under 15’s Schoolboys Rugby League Carnival held in Port Macquarie. There were two Queensland teams competing at the carnival. Will Evans captained the Queensland Maroon side which also included Juwan Compain, Jed Edwards, and Nelson Grove. Toby Sexton and Kyah Watts represented Queensland White.

Rugby League
VIEW GALLERY
Rugby League
Click images to enlarge

Queensland Maroon went through the carnival undefeated to be crowned National champions. Queensland White only suffered one loss to QLD Maroon in the semi-final.

All of the boys played extremely well over the six day carnival and showed that they can match it with the best players in Australia. At the conclusion of the carnival an Australian Merit side was named. Nelson Grove was judged to be one of the best 13 players at the carnival being selected in the back row for the team.

Congratulations to all of the boys for representing PBC with distinction and we look forward to their continued development in the future.

Geoff Eggert
Sportsmaster

AFL - Melbourne

On Tuesday the AFL Sports Excellence senior team was fortunate enough to again make the trip down to Melbourne to take on Hallam Secondary College. Over the past 3 seasons this has proved to be an invaluable experience for the squad and their personal development. It’s always hard to leave the sunny Gold Coast and arrive in conditions that truly do reflect winter weather.

Aside from the football aspect the boys got to enjoy the culture of life that Melbourne offers. After staying in the YHA in North Melbourne the boys went and surveyed the streets of Melbourne before returning their focus to football.

A quick 1 hour bus ride and we arrived at a traditional Victorian Football Club. You can’t replicate that environment in Queensland. We had a sense that the boys had genuine belief that they could not only compete with Hallam but that they would win. This may seem strange considering in Term 1 they beat us by 110 points. The leadership shown within the group was of a very high standard.

From the outset of the game the intensity was at break neck speed. The conditions meant that the game was going to be heavily contested and that was what it was. Crossley, Dawson and Foster got down and dirty in the middle and set the scene for the remainder of the game. We were also able to get our outside running game going through Davidson and the back half.

The forwards worked very hard for each other and to keep the ball in our attacking zone. What impressed the most was the way the boys stuck to their game plan and withstood every attack that Hallam threw at them. It was a pressure cooker all day and the scoring was always tight. In the end the PBC Reds walked away battered and bruised but with a very satisfying victory.

It was a great turnaround from the previous game and one that should instil a lot of confidence within the group and bridge the gap between QLD and VIC. Overall it was a great trip to be a part of and we must thank the hierarchy that make these trips possible, Stephen Loggie, Rodney Patison and Neil Mackay.

Well done boys on your outstanding behaviour and the way you represented the school.

State Cross Country Championships

Tom Weeks and Tommy Campbell

The State Cross Country Championships took place at Maryborough on 16 -18 July. PBC sent 10 students who had previously qualified from the Regional Cross Country Trials and therefore were representing South Coast at the State Championships. The standard was exceptionally high and the athletes had to cope with some testing conditions but still managed to perform to an outstanding level.

All students performed exceptionally well and should be very proud of their efforts. A special Mention must go to Tommy Campbell and Jack Adams who both won their Individual races and will go to the Nationals as State Champions with their confidence sky high. Charlie Trapp and Mackenzey Ormiston will also be representing Queensland at the National Championships after coming 2nd and 4th respectively.

A huge ‘well-done’ to all athletes who competed and ‘good luck’ to our students who will be competing at the National Championships.

The other 6 athletes who competed in the State Championships were:

Sam McAuliffe
Drew Younger
Tom Weeks
Ruby Price
Charlie Frentz
Jack Evans

Parent Connect Forum

You are invited to attend ‘Wellbeing of your Teenager – Building Resilience’, with Anna Willis, Middle School Guidance Officer

Date: Tuesday 30 August 2016
Time: 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Location: PBC Trade Training Centre

Anna Willis, Middle School Guidance Officer will be discussing issues that most affect teens and strategies parents can use to improve wellness.

Please RSVP to events@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au by Monday 15 August 2016.

This Forum is for Parents/Guardians only.

Student Achievements

Congratulations to Taylah Agius who recently competed in the National Rotax Pro Tour in Bolivar, SA taking out 5th place.

Congratulations to Kytelan and Tynan Neveceral who competed at the recent Qld Athletics Sunshine Coast Winter Track & Field Carnival.

Tynan came 1st in the under 14’s 100m
Kytelan came 1st in the under 18’s 40m.

Emily Ireland Year 11 has had a big week receiving an Award for completing her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, placing 2nd in the MTAQ Composers' Competition and completing the 96km Gold Coast Kokoda Challenge in 34 Hours 54 seconds. Great effort Emily!

PBC would like to encourage parents to email us with any great recent achievements from your student. These achievements can be in The Arts, sporting, academic or community service. We would love to hear from you! Please email us at news@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au with details of your student’s achievement, photos, and/or any links to media articles that we can share.

Middle School Guidance Officer Report

Compromise, Negotiate and Mediate: Three Factors for Conflict Resolution

Peace is not absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means - Ronald Reagan

Effective communication is without a doubt one of the most important skills you can develop. In every area of life, you rely on communication to effectively translate your thoughts into words and to impart information to others. An inability to easily convey your thoughts, views, opinions, emotions, and needs can lead to errors, misunderstandings, and frustration. In many cases, it results in the dissolution of relationships with family, friends, spouses, and co-workers.

Communication is not limited to just speech and writing, although that is the primary means for expressing your needs. Communication can also be conveyed through body language, facial expressions, eye movements, and hand gestures. In every moment that you are interacting with another person, some form of communication is taking place. It can only be considered a success when both parties clearly understand what is being conveyed.

In today’s world, people have become highly focused on communicating through smart phones and tablets, which leaves a large margin for disconnection, misinterpretation, and offense. Many people will decline an incoming phone call only to send an immediate reply via text message. More and more, it seems, people are less inclined to engage with one another in real time, which can make clear and effective communication even more challenging. In an age where you rely so heavily on technology, it’s especially important that you become skilled in clearly articulating information to others. And, when communication fails, you must also be educated in how to resolve the conflicts that arise.

Conflict Happens

No matter how you approach life, conflict is going to happen. It’s part of human nature and simply cannot be avoided. However, gaining an understanding of how people best respond during difficult conversations will help to minimise communication breakdowns.

As a being that is hardwired with the “fight or flight” response, you are naturally programmed to respond to conflict either by fighting or fleeing. The psychological equivalent to the “fight or flight” response perpetuates a tendency to either be overly aggressive in these circumstances or to shy away from them entirely—you either fight with your words or you avoid the situation altogether. At the end of the day, neither approach really works and the mental-emotional fallout that occurs over time becomes detrimental to your physical health.

Moving toward conflict resolution in a direct yet diplomatic and respectful way affords you the opportunity to move beyond the confines of a limited perspective, enabling everyone involved to learn, grow, and effect positive change. In any approach to conflict resolution, it is imperative to remember that both points of view are equally valid and that there is no good, bad, right, or wrong. A resolution can always be reached providing the parties involved hold that as being their highest intention. Here are the three factors involved in healthy conflict resolution.

1. Compromise

A compromise is a settlement of differences, an agreement reached by adjusting conflicting or opposing viewpoints or positions through a reciprocal modification of needs and requests. It’s essentially a meeting in the middle.

Compromise is a critical component for any healthy relationship. Without willingness to compromise, it is nearly impossible to find a middle ground where both sides are feeling recognised, heard, and appreciated. Whenever you find yourself at an impasse with another person, this is a good time to ask yourself, “Do I want to be right or do I want to have peace?” Recognise that arguing over the minutia will only serve to isolate you further, while letting go of the little things will free up precious time and energy that is better spent on positive interaction.

A good place to start with any compromise is to listen intently to the other person, imagine putting yourself in their shoes (and vice versa). Understanding where another person is coming from will often help you gain a greater level of perspective, making compromise easier to attain. When you show empathy toward another, it helps to soften both sides. This doesn’t mean you need to agree with their perspective, but at least you can show your support by respecting their feelings.

Be open and flexible in your willingness to compromise and recognise that each person will be giving something up in order to meet on common ground. Compromise is not a sign of weakness or giving in. Rather, it demonstrates emotional intelligence, integrity, and character. Compromise helps both sides to find a “win-win” and you may even come up with creative solutions that neither of you had considered before.

2. Negotiate

In any negotiation, the first thing you want to do is make sure agreement is possible. If either party is righteous in their position to the point they are unwilling to resolve the conflict, no amount of negotiation will be successful. Set an intention for the negotiation. Have both sides state their intention at the beginning of the discussion. For example, my goal is to resolve our difference in opinion on how to raise our children or my goal is to reach an agreement on how best to market the launch of our product.

The next step is to discover the position of each of the parties involved in the conflict (the problem) and to ensure that both parties are able to make a decision. Meaning, make sure you’re negotiating with the right person. There is no point in negotiating with the manager when, at the end of the conversation, the manager then says, “Okay, now I need to talk to the Director.”

When you’re ready to begin, choose a side to start. Perhaps begin with the person who has the highest emotional charge and needs to vent first. Give them an opportunity to express their position and any strong emotions associated with the event that precipitated them. Really listen to them without interruption and without anticipating what you want to say when they are finished. Just be present with them while they speak. Then change sides.

In any conflict, it is important to avoid being passive-aggressive, which is to act out through indirect behaviours and, while it is good to be assertive, take care to refrain from being hostile or aggressive. Identify what is happening, and state your position and how you believe your point of view supports the overall intention.

Take care in articulating your concerns about a specific behaviour or plan of action and state your case in a clear, concise, and respectful way. Both parties should now be able to see that ‘big picture’, they both want the same thing (love, financial success for the organisation, the best for their children, etc.).

Once you come to a place of agreement, the next major step is to keep in mind the highest intention while calmly identifying what behaviours will move you powerfully forward toward the best outcome, and what behaviours should be avoided so as to not digress back into conflict. If at the end of the conversation, a common ground hasn’t been found or the problem hasn’t been resolved, you may need to seek support.

3. Mediate

When compromise and negotiation just aren’t happening, mediation may be the next best route to take. The legal definition for mediation is a settlement of a dispute by setting up an independent person between two contending parties in order to aid them in the settlement of their dispute.

The only real difference between negotiation and mediation is that there is now a middle person present to help facilitate the discussion, leading to settlement. This is often the best approach to take when all other options have been exhausted and yet both parties have a mutual desire to reach agreement.

Understand that nobody is perfect and learning to effectively overcome adversity and opposition is a life-long practice. Those who become skilled at conflict resolution demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence, integrity, maturity, and character. Remember, you are doing your best from your level of awareness in the moment. Practicing these steps in conflict resolution will inevitably evolve you into a well-respected, admired, and successful human being.

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present. - Lao Tzu

Anna Willis
Guidance Officer Middle School

Pathways Centre News

School based traineeships available for Year 10 and 11 students in 2016

We have many exciting opportunities in the Pathway Centre Y Block. Job boards are updated regularly with new positions.

Indigenous Year 10 – ANZ Bank traineeship at various locations
Indigenous Year 10 - Childcare Cert III Early Learning in local centres

Cert III Horticulture Traineeship – Wild Valley Propagation Tallebudgera Valley are looking for a trainee for their Nursery. Must show attention to detail.

Hospitality Traineeships:

Raw Energy - Burleigh – New store opening soon!!!
The Koffee Shack – Burleigh
Zarraffas – Coolangatta
Blackboard - Varsity Lakes
BSKT – Mermaid Beach
Burleigh Sports Club – Burleigh Waters
Hudson Café @ John Flynn Hospital – Tugun
Paradise Family Resort – Surfers Paradise
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Currumbin

Year 12 Indigenous - The Evergreen program is open solely to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and is an entry level program into the Australian Public Service in 2017. Participants undergo an 18 month traineeship where upon completion they begin a full-time, permanent position with the ATO or other federal department at the APS 3 level. Interested candidates should visit the following link for instructions on how to apply. or See Ms Wise or Ms Shreeve in the Pathway Centre for details

https://www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/Careers/Programs-for-Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-peoples/Evergreen-program/

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

Uniform Shop Update

Uniform Shop Trading Hours

Please note the following trading times for the Uniform Shop commencing Monday 11 July.

Day

Dates

Times

Monday to Friday

11 July to 16 Sept 2016

8.15am to 12.30pm

PBC Jumper

The PBC Jumper is available to purchase for $48.00

We currently have a couple of sizes out of stock. Please contact uniform shop for further information.

Lost Property

The uniform shop is holding a large amount of named and unnamed lost property including shoes, training gear and bags. If your child has lost something can you please ask that they come and have a look through the lost property bin.

Bucket hats/ PBC caps

Bucket hats are currently OUT OF STOCK.

PBC caps are a compulsory part of the uniform and are recommended for all outdoor activities and are available to purchase from the Uniform Shop. Cost is $15.00.

PBC school bags

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

Features include:

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

Volunteers needed

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

Please contact Mandy on 07 5525 9331 for further details.

Flexischools Orders

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

Payment methods available:

  • Flexischools Online
  • Credit Card
  • Cash
  • Cheques not accepted

http://www.flexischools.com.au/

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

To all of the lovely Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers and Students of PBC I just wanted to let you all know that I am sadly leaving PBC. I have appreciated looking after you all over the last three and half years and you have all brightened each and every one of my days here at the school.

Mandy Webb
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Administration

For Internet banking please use the details below:

School’s Bank Account: PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS General A/C
BSB Number: 064-404 CBA Branch Burleigh Heads
Account Number: 00090303
Reference/Details: Record both Student ID AND the reference Code to ensure your payment can be recorded correctly. (Reference Code = ITEM BEING PAID FOR e.g.: 2016 SRS8 or 2016 ACEX10)

Resources and Activities Schedule

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

Student Fee

Excursion/ Activity

Activity Details

Amount Due

Date Due

Course Fees

Student Resource Scheme

2016 Fees

Year 7 to Year 12

$340

Overdue

Excellence Program Fees

Excellence program 2016 students

Various

Overdue

New Zealand trip

Year 11 students

3rd installment:

$1,000

Overdue

Final installment: $700

8 August

Early Childhood Education

Year 11 students

$500

Overdue

Graduation

Year 12

$50 Deposit

12 August

$50 Balance

16 September

Please note that all students are requested to present their Student ID card when making any payments to Student Services.

Saver Plus

Saver Plus is a financial inclusion program with matched savings that benefits families and their children’s education. Please see link to flyer below, or click here for further information.

Student Lockers Available

Student lockers are available for hire at PBC.

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

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

Second Hand Uniforms

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

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

PBC Alliance

PBC Alliance Website

For all information about how to get involved with the Alliance, including membership and partnership information; details for upcoming events; and to view our business directory, make sure you head on over to our new website:

http://www.pbc-alliance.com/

The PBC Alliance

2016 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual state wide survey of students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 during 2015. The Early School Leavers survey is a short, confidential survey that collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school. The information from the survey helps our schools to understand the pathways young people follow after leaving school and to plan services to support transitions into study or employment for our students.

Between July and August 2016, our students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 last year, can expect to receive an invitation to complete a web-based survey or a telephone call from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office to complete the survey. Please encourage early school leavers to take part.

For more information, visit the link below or telephone toll free on 1800 068 587.

http://www.education.qld.gov.au/nextstep/

QParents

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

QParents enables parents to access and manage student:

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

If you haven’t yet registered, visit the link below to register today!

https://qparents.qld.edu.au/

Community Events:

The Combined Burleigh, Palm Beach and Elanora Police Community Consultative Committee

The combined Burleigh, Palm Beach and Elanora Police Community Consultative Committee would like to invite members of the community to its next quarterly meeting on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at the Currumbin RSL.

The Committee was established a number of years ago, to develop a partnership between the local Police and the community.

It meets every three months in an open forum, designed to:-

  • update the public on law and order matters in the community
  • give everyone in the community the opportunity to meet the senior Police at the Palm Beach and Elanora Police stations. These stations also have responsibility for Burleigh
  • discuss and air any concerns you may have regarding community safety

Everyone wants to feel safe in their community and this is a great opportunity for the public to share information and air any concerns, fears or grievances they may have therefore enabling the Police to act accordingly. This is also a great opportunity for the community to develop a close relationship with the local police and initiate ongoing cooperative communication.

We invite everyone to come along 6PM Tuesday 16 August at the Currumbin RSL, to do their bit for the community and see what a great job our police are doing!

The link below is an article in the QLD Police website relating to the Committee’s last meeting in May.

http://mypolice.qld.gov.au/goldcoast/2016/05/11/palm-beach-community-consultative-committee-welcome-new-members/

Haven Magazine Fun Night for Parents/Carers

http://www.havenmagazine.com.au/haven-hub-events-bad-moms/

Tugun Nippers - Sign On

‘Below Average’ Comic Strip

About the Comic

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

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

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