5 December 2016

Newsletter Articles

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.

2016 has been a very busy year that has presented a number of challenges and I am incredibly proud of our talented students and dedicated staff.

Our achievements include:-

• Most outstanding school at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and many other exceptional Arts awards.
• Best than ever NAPLAN results for our Year 7’s
• More students qualified for direct entry to university than any other Gold Coast School
• Exceptional Performing Arts and Sporting achievements
• Enrolment and demand for enrolment are at an all-time high

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.

For this reason there are major changes on the way for 2017.

We will introduce:-

Care classes for the first 10 mins of every day and an additional 45 mins once a week so that 25 students across 3 year levels will meet to focus on student wellbeing and success.

Orientation week, so that we can concentrate on ensuring the students have the academic skills, as well as the social and emotional awareness to be successful through the year. Keynote speakers will be utilised to ensure information is up-to-date and powerful and it includes a focus on school expectations. Parents will also have access to orientation programs so that they can be informed of the content and complementary parenting strategies.

A system of decision making so that every student will get their say and ensures students have a strong voice in the direction of our school.

An email system for parents so that any concern will be acknowledged within 1 business hour and receive a detailed response within 48 hours. This will be supported by regular parent forums where parents will assist to redesign school functions that require improvement.

A new technology platform that will ensure that parents, students and teachers will get real-time access to many of the school’s functions including student learning, assessment and school organisation.

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. Rest assured we remain committed to improving our school and I look forward to sharing these developments early in 2017.

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Senior School Update

2016 has been a busy year and as it draws to an end, it is the perfect time to reflect on all that has been accomplished and set new goals for 2017.

This week we will welcome the Year 9 students to the Senior School, a special assembly was held to mark their transition from Middle School to Senior School and the beginning of the senior phase of their education as Year 10 students in 2017.

Our newly elected 2017 Senior Student Leadership Group recently sacrificed their holidays to participate in the 3-day Gold Coast Senior Secondary Schools Leadership Camp at Runaway Bay Sports Centre. This camp features leaders from several of our local schools and students were challenged through a variety of leadership, team-building and relational activities. With the focus of this year’s camp being Innovation, students were challenged in collaborative and strategic ways. We look forward to seeing our 2017 Leaders apply their newly-honed leadership skills when they return in the New Year. Well done to all our Senior Student Leaders, have a restful and well-earned break!

Pictured are PBC Representatives: Corben Thorsby, Logan Chesebro, Connor Forbes, Eloise Fisher, Logan Chesebro, Laura Suttle, Corey Parker, Dylan Butler & Emily Ireland.

Blair Hanna
Head of School – Senior

Year 11 OP predictions

Students’ predicted OPs will be emailed out in the second week of December.

Students who are predicted to get an OP of 15 or higher will most likely not receive a university offer in 2018. These students need to consider whether their pathway is appropriate and discuss their options with Mr McDougall or Mr Kennedy. Options can include undertaking a Diploma or Certificate III pathway in Year 12 which will give them a rank equivalent of an OP of 9 and 15 respectively.

Year 12 QCS and OP students

All students intending to complete the QCS next year and hence be OP eligible will be required to attend QCS classes commencing at 8:00am on Wednesday mornings and selected afternoon Masterclasses (5 in total). All 11 OP students should have already received a letter explaining these changes however we have attached it here for your information.

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, from 9:00am Saturday 17 December 2016.

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 19 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 at the link below; as these are not automatically sent out to students.

We wish all our senior students and their families and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Mick McDougall
HOD – Senior School

Middle School Update

Year 6 into 7 Transition Day was a great success and we also thank all the parents who attended our assembly and information session.

The final week of school will see Middle School students participate in an alternate program week. There will be no normal classes in this week with current teachers; however students will work on curriculum related activities with PBC teachers. Our school values collaborative professional learning and this model of staffing our last week enables this to occur. This model allows us to release our Middle School teachers to prepare and plan for 2017 in teams. Absences will be tracked as normal with rolls marked each day however as normal class groups will not be running, the usual SMS message for absent students will not be sent. Students will need to come in school uniform and should bring lunch as although the canteen will be open it will have reduced stock being the last week. The canteen will be closed on Friday 9 December.

Our School Office and Uniform Shop will be closed Friday 9 December and will reopen on Monday 16 January. I would encourage you to check your emails after this date for further information relating to getting ready for the school year and Day One.

2017 will see us introduce a new pastoral care system based on elements of ‘Positive Education’. Students will be grouped into house based vertical classes Year 7-9 for a CARE lesson once a week. Each morning students will also check in with their CARE class to start the day. We are excited about what this initiative will add to our school culture and the improved connection it will bring between students and staff. Further information about CARE at PBC will be provided to parents and to students in our first week back which will act as an orientation week for middle school students. When students receive their timetable they will find out which CARE class they are in also. Parents should note that in Week one only there will be a 3.05pm finish each day and that the Thursday is the Australia Day holiday.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our very supportive parents and school community as well as the students of the Middle School at PBC for a fabulous 2016.

Anita Sgalippa
Head of School - Middle School

Deputy Middle School Report

I would like to congratulate Middle School students on their many successes during 2016. It was a pleasure to attend the Year 9 Graduation assembly and acknowledge the success of Year 8 and 9 students with Term 4 Academic Awards and Attendance Awards.

Congratulations to the Year 7 students receiving Academic, Attendance and Sport Awards. Following the Year 7 Assembly there was a special presentation from the Queensland Government Cybersafety Team. All students were advised to ‘Google’ their own name to see what was online. It is important our students are aware of their digital footprint both online and offline and their responsibilities with the use of social media. We ask all parents to check in with your child regularly and especially during the holiday period so we can all promote responsible and safe use of digital technologies.

A special thank you must go the Year Coordinators Mr Power, Ms Lovesey and Mr Hill for their outstanding work with their respective Year 7-9 year levels. The Deans of Students have also been extremely hard working with staff and students. Special thanks to Mr Bullpit, Ms Williamson, Ms Cardinal and Mr Peach.

Year 8 and 9 students have moved to their new playground areas in readiness for the Year 7 Orientation in Week 10. We reinforce all students to be mindful of the Optima Code ‘be safe, be respectful and be a learner’ during their Alternative Program in Week 10.

Parents are also required to update OneSchool details if necessary to enable Semester 2 reports to be forwarded to the correct address by the end of Week 10.

It is important all students have the correct uniform items for 2017 for both the formal and sport uniforms. Please view the school website for further details.

Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season. I would also like to congratulate our Middle School staff and the Middle School Optima Team on their support during my role and their wonderful contribution to your child’s learning. I look forward to working again in the Middle School in Term 1 2017.

Wendy Wise
Deputy Principal Middle School

Head of Department Middle School Report

Transition Day 2016

Monday 5 December saw PBC welcome nearly 400 enrolled students to the PBC Community. Transition Day is designed to support the 2017 Year 7s as they move from their primary schools to secondary school. Last year, we had students enrol from close to 40 different primary schools, each with its own school culture and expectations. On Transition Day, we welcome students, assign them to their classes and have them experience some lessons with next year’s teachers. The Middle School student leaders and a large team of teachers and support staff are part of this day.

Transition Day also welcomes parents to the PBC family. A Parent Meeting and morning tea will present ideas for supporting young students through the change to high school, and introduce key staff who can assist in the process.

Term 4 Reports

Term 4 reports will be emailed or posted home on Friday 9 December. This is a full report with detailed comments. Please be sure to share the report with your child, so that they can receive important feedback on their work this year and set goals for 2017.

2017 Core Classes

The current Year 7 and 8 core classes have been reviewed by teachers and senior staff. Some carefully considered changes have been made for 2017 to best support students in their learning. Coping with changes such as these are important for building resilience – a significant quality for success in life. Parents should be aware that their child will be with a very different group of students next year, and prepare to support them through this change.

Seasons Greetings

In this, the last newsletter of the year, I would like to wish all readers and the Middle School students a safe happy Christmas holiday. It continues to be an honour and a delight for me to work this fabulous, energetic and positive group of students.

Sharon Hillcoat
HOD Middle School

Maths News

Maths Bridging Course

Year 10 students attending the early morning Maths Bridging course for Maths B with Cathy Clipson and Ashleigh Hage

Maths Problem solving workshop

PBC was delighted to host a number of teachers from the Numeracy cluster to participate in a PD on problem solving in Maths this term. Teachers experienced two problem solving type lessons run by Janine Watson with her Year 10 class. In the first lesson the students were challenged to build the tallest tower that could also keep a tennis ball off the ground using limited resources which they could not purchase until they have made a proper plan for their tower in line with the cluster problem solving strategy – SEE, PLAN, DO, CHECK. The towers were judged not only on their height but also on how much they cost to build. Students worked with our guest teachers as consultants and a number adopted the strategy of extending their tower with an aerial to make it taller. Lots of fun and learning occurred. In the second session, the students were engaged in a variety of activities to revise for their exam. These activities cumulated in a relay where the students worked as a team but could only write down one line of the answer each. Quite a challenge!

Feedback from the cluster teachers was extremely positive and many were appreciative of the opportunity to see problem solving ideas in action. They left the school to plan similar classes in their schools.

The year 10 students involved in the activity represented the school to a very high standard, communicating well with our visiting teachers and behaving in an exemplary manner on their very last lesson of Year 10! A massive thank you to them and their teacher Janine Watson for the hard work put in to making these sessions a success.

You will see more SEE, PLAN, DO, CHECK activities in classes in 2017 in Maths, Science and HPE. Watch this space……

Pictured are students and staff at the workshop.

Cathy Clipson
HOD Mathematics

Dates to remember

Yearbook 2016

The PBC Yearbook 2016 is available and being distributed to those that pre-ordered.

For those that didn’t pre-order you can get your copy from Student Services for $30.00. Available while stocks last. No doubt your student will love to have this wonderful keepsake of 2016 at PBC.

Last Day of Term 4

Friday 9 December.

School remains open until Friday 9 December. Any student absences are to be reported to school as per usual.

Student Achievements

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

Congratulations to Bayley Latter (Year 8) who has been selected in the Under 13 Gold Coast Cricket A Team. Bayley will play at the State Championships at TSS in the first week of the school holidays. Good luck Bayley!

Melanie McNeilly (Year 8) competed in the GKR Karate National Championships in Coomera on Saturday. Melanie tied for third but missed out on a medal in the rematch.

Congratulations again to Tuscany Barwick Year 7, for winning third prize in the Footpath Library Short Story Writing Competition. Here is Tuscany receiving her prize at Assembly.

Senior School Guidance Officer Report

Universities

Bond University: Student for a Semester

Applications for the January intake close Friday 9 December.

Year 11 or Year 12 students may experience life as a student for a semester by enrolling in a subject, attending class, and completing assessments. Classes are offered at the discount rate of $238 per subject.

University Ratings Facebook Chat

If you missed The Good Universities Guide’s Facebook live chat about university ratings, the whole thing is online for you to watch now. They also wrote an article summarising some of the most common questions they received.

6 things to consider when choosing a university

The Swinburne University media team have a few things you should consider when you’re choosing your university. As change of preference approaches, some of these tips might be useful.

Griffith Uni Options

After you receive your Year 12 results, you may want to find out more about your study options and pathways to your preferred degree. From 17 December:

Chat online: 17 & 19 December
Phone: Mon – Fri on 1800 677 728

Talk to us on campus: 19 – 22 Dec (8:30am – 5:00pm); 23 Dec (8:30am – 2:00pm).

Tour our campus: 14 Dec, 11 Jan, 25 Jan or 8 Feb.

UQ Campus Tours

Until 28 January 2017 Campus Tours will be available on a Saturday.

Saturday tours leave at 10:00am or 11:00am from the front entrance of the Student Centre (Building 61) and take approximately 1 hour.

Saturday bookings are required at least two days in advance.

If you are a school group of over 10 students please contact school.liaison@uq.edu.au.

Please check the 'Booking Date' for availability as bookings are essential.

If you have any questions, contact us on: 07 33469872

QTAC Pathways Service

Answer the questionnaire to receive pathways information tailored to your specific situation.

TAFE & Apprenticeships

TAFE Queensland SkillsTech Pre-apprenticeships

A pre-apprenticeship program is an excellent introduction to your chosen industry of work and will improve your prospects of gaining an apprenticeship.

You don't need an employer to study a pre-apprenticeship program, you just enrol with us and study in one of our four purpose built training centres in Brisbane.

For more information and to enrol for 2017, contact Skills Tech on telephone 1800 654 447 or Schools.SkillsTech@tafe.qld.edu.au. Students living outside of Brisbane should contact their nearest TAFE campus for information about pre-apprenticeship courses that are offered.

TAFE Queensland Gold Coast Information Sessions

4 – 7pm, Thursday 1 December @ Southport.

Register online for your session time.

Skill Gaps in the Australian Job Market

This article summarises some of the gaps in the Australian job market as of October 2016.

Steve Jones
Guidance Officer – Senior School

Welfare Team News

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 2017. Following is a list of contact numbers for support and help if needed.

Take care-

The Welfare Team

Judy Nunn -School Nurse
Steve Jones – GO Senior School
Anna Willis –GO Middle School
Rebecca Griffith –Psychologist)

Lifeline ph: 13 11 14

Kids Helpline ph; 1800 551 800

Parentline ph: 1300 301 300

CYMHS ph: 56686000

Beyond Blue ph: 1300 224 636

Headspace ph: 558988700

Emergencies : Police and/or ambulance 000

BYOD – Information for Parents

We are committed to moving students and staff forward in a contemporary learning environment and the BYOD model has given parents and students a greater choice in device, functionality and budget.

The BYOD introduction to Year 7 and 10 this year was a great success. All students are encouraged to take advantage of the BYOD program in 2017.

BYOD Advantages:

• Your child will have access to school information at his fingertips. We are implementing software that will enable your child to access classroom information at school and at home.
• Your child will have secure access to a personal directory where they can back-up their homework, as well as collaborative areas within the school network.
• No need to wait for a computer to print their assignments as they can print directly from their laptop and collect from various printers across campus.
• Our library is moving to a digital environment and your child will have direct access to these resources. Devices allowed within the library during breaks and before and after school hours
• The IT department offers support to assist your child with any network issues and IT problems they are faced with within the school.
• Offers a one to one, computer to student, experience;
• School work/digital media, more readily available;
• Free download of the latest Microsoft Office package;
• More opportunity for learning to continue beyond school;
• Enhanced student engagement, and ability to keep work in one place;
• Offers a learning experience with fewer restrictions. This advantage will become increasingly important as we move towards a web based school management system;
• Lockers available for laptop storage.

Please find below a link to specifications for various devices.

The information can also be found on the PBC Website and search for the BYOD 2017

The IT Department will available 9:00am to 11:00am from the 16/1 to the 23/1 for Parents to bring BYOD devices to the IT Department so they can be connected to the PBC network so your child is ready for the first day of term.

Uniform Shop Update

Dance wear for Creative Arts Students

Dance wear is available to pre-order for 2017.

Bucket hats/PBC caps

Bucket hats are back in 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

* Special Offer * - When you spend $150 in the Uniform Shop you will receive $10 discount off the PBC School bag!

Features include:

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

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 please have them take a look through the lost property bin.

Please check with Student Services for items like pencil cases, lunch boxes, etc.

At the end of the year all unclaimed/unnamed lost property will be disposed of, so please check for your missing items before they disappear.

Volunteers needed

If you are able 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 Admin on 07 5525 9333 for further details.

Flexischools Orders

If you have placed an order for your child via Flexischools please have your student come and pick it up from the Uniform Shop.

Payment methods available:

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

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

Administration

Flashing lights now active at PBC

From Monday 5 December works will begin to install flashing light school zone signs on Thrower Drive, in front of the school

PBC was nominated to receive these new signs as part of a Queensland Government commitment to improve school road safety.

You will notice that the new signs look similar to standard school zone signs with the addition of a red flashing ring around the speed limit as well as two flashing yellow lights at the top of the sign. The installation of flashing light school zone signs is proven to improve visibility of school zones, serving as an active reminder for motorists to slow down.

So next time you’re dropping off or picking up your child, keep an eye out for the new signs and make sure you stick to the signed speed limit.

Cashier Window Operating Hours

LAST DAY OF TERM

Friday 9 December school will be open as usual however, please note that the Canteen, Uniform Shop and Student Services will be CLOSED.

The last day for the Student Services payment window is Thursday 8 December 2016. Over the counter payments can only be accepted up until 1pm on Thursday 8 December 2016. Alternatively, you can make payments via BPOINT or Direct Deposit.

The Student Services payment window will re-open on Monday 16 January 2017.

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 Lockers Available

Student lockers are available for hire at PBC.

• $20.00 for annual locker hire in 2017
• $24.00 for PBC approved combination lock. $20 of this represents a security deposit that will be credited back to student on return of the lock (in good working order) at end 2017.
• Lockers available are located at G Block
• Payments can be made at Student Services
• Link to Locker Hire Agreement document below.

Second Hand Uniforms

If you are holding on to old or unwanted school uniforms in wearable condition, please donate them to student welfare. These can be dropped off 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.

PBC Alliance

Support local businesses that support us!

Head to our Business Directory to find a local business that can help you. There are many categories of businesses that support our school community so please support them. The directory is easy to navigate and everyone listed has connections to PBC.

If you are part of a local business or organisation, a past student of PBC, or just looking to get involved in your local business community, become a PBC Alliance Member and get a listing for your business in our Business Directory.

Being part of the PBC Alliance Business directory aims to connect your business with a network of friends, parents, and other members of the PBC Alliance business community.

A link to the Business Directory is included in the fortnightly PBC parent newsletter, PBC Alliance Facebook page and the school website.

Calling for 2017 memberships!

For information on how to get involved with the PBC Alliance, including membership and partnership information and to view our business directory, make sure you head on over to the website:

Visit and like the PBC Alliance Facebook page to stay up to date with members and alumni. Click to like our Page

The PBC Alliance

QParents

The QParents app provides a convenient, easy way for parents /carers to interact with the school. Offering secure, online access to your 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!

Community Events

List Your Community Event with the PBC Newsletter

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

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

South Coast Netball Sign On for 2017

South Coast Netball will offer two competitions per week as of 2017.

One on a Wednesday evening for the Cadets & Opens - 13 years to Adult,

and the other on a Saturday morning for 5- 13 Years. (5-10 years will participate in the Suncorp NetSet Go Programme based on skills and development & modified games, 11-13 Years will play games).

For many years this has been held on a Wednesday Afternoon late. Due to growth within the Community, we feel it is now time to offer the convenience of a Saturday Morning Local competition for the Families within our catchment area.

More information will be available on our Website and Facebook page from Mid-December 2016.

Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club Holiday Training Program

Coolangatta Surf Life Saving Club are having a school holiday training program for senior students (13+).

Elanora Community Carols

Community Carols Night at Elanora Uniting Church: Tuesday 6 December at 6pm.

Surfside Bus Passes

It is time to renew your Bus Pass!

‘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.