13 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

I am thrilled with the start we have made to the 2017 school year. Despite the complexities associated with having over 2,500 students, 520 of whom are new to PBC, I am pleased to report that our students have made excellent starts to their studies.

For the first time, PBC held an orientation week where the emphasis was on building relationships that would enable them to thrive in 2017.

The house and CARE programs, which were launched through our orientation week, will fundamentally change the student experience at PBC through providing greater emphasis on positive psychology, student engagement, student leadership and positive peer relationships.

The students have been wonderful in the way they have engaged with the program and results are evident even at this early stage.

The classrooms that I have visited over the past few weeks have been busy and productive places where student conduct has been exemplary. The house activities have been characterised by high levels of engagement and energy.

I am exceedingly grateful for the way families have embraced and supported the uniform. I have been contacted by a number of community members who have complimented me on how wonderful the students look and how they wear their uniform with pride. The challenge we face is to maintain these high standards, especially as the novelty of the new school year fades.

To maintain the momentum, it is important that school and parents work together to ensure that every student:

• Knows and continues to comply with the behaviour and dress standards of the school.
  Parents please run your eye over your child’s dress and support the code.
• Has re-established a positive peer group.
  It is important that parents know the names of friends and are comfortable that they bring out the best in their child.
• Is spending appropriate time completing homework and studying what they have learnt in class.
  I am an advocate for publishing a study timetable on the fridge and all family members working to support each young person to develop the skills necessary to stick with it. The schedule should include assessment dates.
• Is attending regularly.
  Missing school has a major effect on learning achievement. As the term continues, students who experience difficulty can also experience anxiety which is often confused with illness. As a general rule of thumb, it’s my belief that a student should only be ill as often during a school term as they are when they are on holidays.

I also ask that you actively support the school’s commitment to zero tolerance to bullying and stay vigilant with supervising IT use, particularly with younger students. If your child experiences or witnesses any incident that they believe may be bullying, make sure that they talk to their CARE teacher or year co-ordinator. Alternately you can relay your concerns directly to the school by using the special email address parentsupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au or by phoning student administration.

Similarly, if you have a welfare concern or would like to alert us about any issue that we can support our young people with, please follow the same steps. Your communications will be treated as confidential and our initial concern is always the wellbeing of students.

I feel confident that if we stay ever alert to these issues, we will all be rewarded through strong student achievement at report card time, with happy and healthy students along the way.

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Senior School Update

It is my great pleasure to share with you my belief that the start of the 2017 school year has been the best in my time as a member of the PBC community. No doubt the introduction of our House and Care class system has played a big part in this. In my interactions with students via House assemblies, classroom walkthroughs and in the playground, I have witnessed a positive attitude to learning and strong ownership of our school from our senior students. I ask all parents to support us to harness this energy to ensure it has positive outcomes for your son/daughter. One way to do this is for parents to set aside some time to have discussions with their student in regards to their academic goals for this term and beyond. Our way of mapping our students’ goals, both short term and long term, is through our OPTIMA Plan in the Student Planner. Please use this document to aid your discussion.

‘Attend to your future’

This year the senior school is launching the ‘Attend to your future’ strategy. This is obviously a play on words, with the links being made to students achieving their future pathway goals and doing so through a high level of attendance at school.

The Senior School expectation is that all students attend at 95% or above. This is a very achievable when considering that 95% attendance still equates to having one school day off every four weeks of school. The links between high levels of attendance at schoolm, academic success and building emotionally resilient young people is widely researched.

In the past, we have had attendance issues from students who have chosen to attend music festivals during school time. The school will not approve any absence to attend a music festival and any truancy due to this reason will result in a formal consequence. Please support the school in ensuring your son/daughter is in full attendance at all times.

Study vs Homework

At the moment senior students should be organising their study schedules to ensure they allocate enough time to be successful in the senior phase of learning. Students need to be doing between 10-15 hours of homework/study per week including weekends. This is approximately 2 hours per subject per week.

Students will receive homework from teachers however they also need to ensure that they complete their own study. Study differs from set homework and would include activities like rearranging notes, rewriting notes, practicing questions and revising content from previous lessons.

Developing clear and set drafting habits for upcoming assessment tasks is important. Completing and handing in a draft to your teachers, prior to the formal due date is vital as part of our feedback loop, to ensure students are on track with their assessment tasks and are given the correct information to improve their outcomes.

Blair Hanna
Head of School - Senior

HOD of Senior School Update

Subject Changes

Subject changes have been finalised since the end of week 2. Students will have the opportunity to change at the end of this term however availability may be limited.

Assessment Calendars

Assessment Calendars for years 10, 11 and 12 have been uploaded to the school website. Click on the curriculum tab and then under testing and assessment. Students can also download this information from the K drive on the school’s network. This information will be useful for parents and students when planning their study timetable.

Shutdown Timetables

Shutdown timetables are currently being collated and will be placed on the school website in the next 2 weeks. Parents are again reminded that exams will be scheduled up to and including the last day of term.

Students are reminded of the School Assessment Policy which is published on the website under Curriculum/Testing and Assessment. All assignments are due at 9:00am on the due date. Teachers will make a judgement based on what has been presented by 9:00am. If assignments are late the draft mark will be used. Applications for extension are available on the school website and need to be completed and presented to the relevant HOD at least 48hrs before the due date. Similarly, if students miss an exam they must have a medical certificate and complete a change of date form and present this to the relevant HOD on their first day back at school. Students are expected to do their exam on the day you return unless they have negotiated an alternative with the HOD. No student does an exam before the rest of the cohort.

Students are again reminded that all students need to be eligible to for a Queensland Certificate of Education to remain enrolled in Senior Schooling. For students in Year 11 and 12 this means they must be passing at least 5 of their 6 subjects (regardless of whether or not they are completing a Traineeship). All students who are doing VET subjects must be up to date at the end of each term. Time will be allocated during shutdown to ensure that these students are up to date. Students who do not complete their competencies will have their enrolment reviewed.

M. McDougall
HOD Senior Schooling

Middle School Update

Over the last few weeks we have been introducing our students to the idea of character strengths. As part of the CARE curriculum students will have completed a short online survey answering 120 questions about themselves to identify a personalised ranking of the 24 character strengths.

These 24 character strengths are displayed in the image below.

We are encouraging students to know, share and build on their top five strengths. The term weakness isn’t used but more likely we would describe these as strengths that are less prominent in our character or which could be further developed in an active way to be the best version of ourselves we can be.

I would encourage you to complete the online survey yourself at and to discuss your own character strengths with your child. Lessons and personal experiences shared about how these character strengths have supported you over your life will be valuable and relevant at this time.

We will continue to build on these concepts of self in our weekly CARE curriculum lesson and transferring this knowledge to other learning areas.

Anita Sgalippa
Head of School - Middle

Deputy Principal Report

In 2017, our Middle School student attendance target is 95%. Each parent/caregiver of a child who is of compulsory school age has the legal obligation to ensure their child is enrolled and attends school, on every school day for the educational program in which the child is enrolled, unless the parent has a reasonable excuse.

‘Every Day Counts’ promotes 4 key messages:

• all children should be enrolled at school and attend on every school day
• schools should monitor, communicate and implement strategies to improve regular school attendance
• truanting can place a student in unsafe situations and impact on their future employability and life choices
• attendance at school is the responsibility of everyone in the community

As Deputy Principal, my role is to lead student wellbeing and case management. Managing absences is one priority for our team of extremely dedicated caring professionals. They will ensure your child is maximising their potential and are supported during their educational journey.

PBC will notify the parent/caregiver of an unexplained absence for their child following Period 1. Your child’s attendance is monitored daily in every lesson by the Year Coordinator. In addition, the nominated parent/caregiver will be contacted if your child has repeated unexplained absences by the:

• Middle School Attendance officer – 4 days or less
• Year Coordinator – 5 days
• Dean of Students – 10 days
• Deputy Principal – 15 days

Parents/caregivers may be prosecuted if they do not fulfil their legal obligations in regard to enrolment and attendance of their child at school, or participation in an eligible option. For further information go to the link below.

Note: If a student is absent of 10 days or more an exemption must be completed by parent/caregivers. (If travelling overseas copies of dates and travel destinations must be included with the exemption submission).

There are several ways each parent/carer can notify PBC of a student absence:

• Email the Attendance Officer directly on absences@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au.
• Phone 07 5525 9333 and dial 1 to leave a message.
• A note from each parent/caregiver explaining daily absence can be placed daily in the drop box at Student Services.
• We encourage parents to join QParents. The QParents online parent portal gives secure, online access to your child’s student information through a smartphone, tablet or computer and allows instant connection with PBC to access and manage information including attendance and absence details as well as to notify PBC of an absence.

Wendy Wise
Deputy Principal Middle school

HOD of Middle School Update

Homework happens!

By now, all Middle School students should be established in their homework routines. Students are given more responsibility for their learning than in primary school. They are required to engage in independent learning to compliment class activities.

All homework should be recorded in the Student Planner and parents are encouraged to check this regularly.

In Year 7, homework is up to but generally not more than 3-4 hours per week while in Years 8 and 9, homework is up to but generally not more than 5 hours per week. Homework may include set tasks, extension of class work, projects, assignments and research.

Should you be concerned that your child is spending more than this time on their homework, please contact their class teacher via email in the first instance. These are listed on the PBC website:

Reading logs

Students are also encouraged to read for pleasure, to broaden their literacy and their general knowledge. The Reading Log program in Middle School English requires students to read for a total an hour a week. This means that they will be reading for at least 200 hours a year, during which time they will not only improve their literacy, but their knowledge of the world.

OPTIMA Goals

By now, all students should have set their OPTIMA Goals for the term, in their Student Planners. Discuss your child’s goals with them. Are they realistic? Do they provide some challenge? Your initials in the Planner will tell your child and their teachers of your support for the student’s goals.

Sharon Hillcoat
HOD Middle School

Sports Ex News

2018 Proposed New Sports Excellence Offerings - Girls AFL and Kayak/Surf Sports

PBC is exploring the opportunity of offering two new sports excellence programs in 2018. The potential new programs would see the introduction of Girls AFL and a Kayak/Surf sports program.

Current PBC students can obtain an expression of interest form from the Sports Excellence Head of Department - Mr Mackay in E block. New students to PBC can register their expression of interest by contacting Mr Mackay on 5525 9316 or by email nmack9@eq.edu.au.

The Selective Entry @ PBC Program (formerly known as Excellence Program) Information Evening is scheduled for Wednesday 1 March at 6.30pm in the PBC Hall. This would be an excellent opportunity to find out more about Selective Entry @ PBC, how to apply, trial dates and to meet the Head of Department to ask questions.

Neil Mackay
HOD Sports Excellence

Education Access Centre Update

Welcome back to the beginning of another fantastic year at PBC. The students and staff have returned with enthusiasm and an obvious desire to get started with their teaching and learning. The EAC faculty is already abuzz with the start of another thirty week QuickSmart Literacy and Numeracy intervention program, our LAN classes have quickly settled into a routine, the next stage of Visible Literacy in our Middle School classrooms is underway and we have one of our Indigenous students in Newcastle this week attending the Indigenous Youth Summit. This year is already looking like it is going to be jam packed full of many wonderful experiences and it seems that we will have much to share together and celebrate.

Your interest and involvement in the school life of your young person enhances the positive outcomes attained in these programs. It is a delight to participate in this learning journey with these students and be part of their ongoing academic and personal development.

Elizabeth Gill
Acting Head of Department - EAC

Murri Jarjum Update

It has been my great pleasure to take over from Chris Pattison for 2017 in the role as the Murri Jarjum Indigenous Academic Liaison teacher. In this role, I am fortunate enough to be able to continue to build upon these positive relationships with our ever-expanding school community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and support these students in their academic endeavours. It is paramount that all student successes are celebrated and that all students are working to reach their full potential. So far, 2017 has seen nearly thirty new Murri Jarjum students join our Year 7 cohort, bringing with them a wealth of skills and enthusiasm, from the sporting field to the classroom and beyond. This plethora of strengths extend well into our Senior School, with an exceptional group of senior Murri Jarjum students proudly representing the school in their final preparations for life beyond PBC.

While far from an isolated example, one needs to look no further than Year 11 student Jasper Garner’s invitation to attend the NRL Indigenous All Stars Summit in Newcastle this week with 63 other Indigenous students. He has the honour of not only rubbing shoulders with some of the Indigenous NRL greats of the game, but to attend as a proud representative of our Murri Jarjum cohort at PBC. He is participating in a range of workshops, meeting influential role models and learning more about leadership, culture and further education options. Jasper was selected as he has a high level of attendance, he displays leadership skills and is making positive decisions that will help him to succeed in his life after PBC.

Braith Gausden is another Year 11 student who has also been presented with a wonderful opportunity. He flew to Adelaide for ten days during the Christmas break to attend the 2017 STEM ASSETS Camp along with 15 other indigenous students from all over Australia. The camp exposed the students to different STEM careers, opportunities and available pathways. Whilst there the group visited the University of South Australia, the Indigenous Cultural Centre, the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institution (SAHMRI) and the South Australian Museum. Most of his time was spent at SAHMRI collaborating with CSIRO Scientists about Health, Nutrition and Environmental Science. They facilitated discussions in groups to form an inquiry question which the students were then required to conduct and to subsequently present their findings to the CSIRO Scientists. This was a great experience.

The cultural activities throughout the week included having fire pit nights, meeting Eugene Warrior Snr and being lucky enough to have some aunties from Northern SA come down to cook roo tail and teach traditional dancing which he reports was a personal highlight. Overall the week was a great experience to meet other people from around Australia, gain further cultural insight and be challenged academically. Braith reports the he would, without a doubt, encourage anyone who can, to apply for the 2018 ASSESTS Camp. What amazing experiences these two students have had. They are shining examples of the exceptional Murri Jarjum students we are fortunate to work with at PBC. I speak with confidence when I say, 2017 is shaping up to be another outstanding year.

Cameron Williams
MJ Academic Liaison teacher

LAN (Literacy and Numeracy) Support lessons

As coordinators of the LAN program we are looking forward to an exciting year building the students skills in both literacy and numeracy. We are sure that the students will tackle the challenges in front of them like true champions. Their continued, or new, efforts in LAN will definitely see some serious gains not only in their number and vocabulary confidence but a rise in their results in their other core classes.

The LAN lessons will focus on deepening basic skills using repeated practice including the inclusion of technology to enhance learning via the iPads and reinforcement of core class learnings and curriculum. It is going to be a great year.

Courtney Halse and Kim O’Kane
LAN Coordinators

VISIBLE LITERACY

The tangible understanding of key literacy knowledge and skills.

In 2017, the learning of Middle School students (Years 7 to 9) will again be strengthened through ‘literacy bites’ at the start of every English lesson. These 20 minute sessions aim to build student confidence in areas of spelling, reading, grammar, punctuation and writing. By targeting specific areas of literacy, we aim to make learning visible by creating a dialogue of literacy in classrooms, where students can develop into autonomous learners.

Keep an eye out at home for those spelling lists to be studied and novels to be read – encourage a love of learning and help to foster success!

Samantha Wahlin
Visible Literacy Coordinator

Dates to Remember

Selective Entry @ PBC Information Night

An information night on Selective Entry @ PBC (formerly known as the Excellence Programs) for students entering Year 7 in 2018, will be held on:

Where: PBC Hall
Date: Wednesday 1 March 2017
Time: School Tours at 5:30pm, Presentation at 6:30pm
RSVP: to events@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au as seating is limited.

More information will be available on our website prior to the night.

School photos – Important information

School photos will be taken in the PBC Theatre on the following dates:

• Thursday 16 February - Year’s 7, 8, 9 and Year 12
• Tuesday 21 February - Year’s 10 and 11 and the remaining Year 12
• Friday 3 March as catch-up day

Students should have received their order forms in Week 2 of Term 1 via their CARE Class.

IMPORTANT - Check your order form

Please ensure that the order form your student received has their name on it.

If your student has taken home an order form of another student, please ask them to return it to Student Services immediately. If your student did not receive a form, please collect one from Student Services. Complete the form provided and ensure students bring these on the day. Ensure your online order is placed before photo day or your envelope order is completed and returned to school with enclosed money on photo day to avoid any late fees.

Have your child’s school memories captured forever.

Please take time to read the relevant information on the MSP Photography order envelopes and remember these helpful points:

• Ordering online using your student’s Unique Shoot Key is the easiest, safest and most secure way to order. If you do not know their Unique Shoot Key. Instructions for online ordering are on the order form. Please contact MSP Photography for any enquires regarding your order: phone 07 5520 2999 or email: admin.gcnr@msp.com.au
• If enclosing payment inside an envelope, please ensure the correct money is provided as no change is given. Cash, cheques and money orders are accepted.
• Don’t seal envelopes inside each other. You can pay for all students in one envelope, however each student needs to have their own envelope on photo day. Please indicate on the student’s envelope that contains all sibling payments the names of the students you are paying for.
• Spare order envelopes are available from Student Services.

Payment information:

• Parents can pay for all their student’s orders in one envelope. Please write all the student’s names on the one envelope that contains the payment. However, each student requires their own envelope on photo day to ensure their order is placed and processed (even if the payment is in a sibling’s envelope).
• Payments can be made by cash, cheque, credit card or money orders only. The correct amount needs to be put into the envelopes, as the photographers do not carry change. All credit card orders MUST be placed online using that child’s Unique Shoot Key. Unique Shoot Keys cannot be share between students.
• Orders placed after photo day will incur a $20 search fee. Parents can contact MSP to organise any late payments. Late orders are not processed until payment is received.

Uniform policy

All students are required to wear their full day uniform and adhere to the uniform policy; sports uniforms will not be accepted.

Thank you for your cooperation.

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 via our Parent Newsletter, internal communications and Facebook.

Tynan Neveceral broke the U14 QLD State Record in the 200m while at Nationals in December, what a fantastic result! Well done Tynan.

Fletcher Cremin Year 7 has been invited to join the U12 Development Squad for Rugby Union by the Gold Coast Academy of Sport held at RACV Royal Pines. Well done Fletcher!

Leo Club

Welcome to the new Leo members who joined the club at the first Leo meeting. It will be a rewarding experience working with the 2017 committee led by Leo president Emily Ireland, the vice president Clio Munro, the secretary Alisa Yamada and the treasurer Shelby Craik. Congratulations to all committee members and I am sure that the Leo club will have another successful year under your leadership.

At the end of 2016 the PBC Leo club were responsible for organising the donation of toiletries, toys and stationary to the organisation Domestic Violence Queensland. Thanks to the Currumbin Woodwork and Craft group who made the boxes for the donations. I would also like to acknowledge the Leo members who painted and decorated the boxes, your efforts were very much appreciated. The decorated boxes were filled with goods donated by the PBC school community and the Palm Beach Lioness club and many thanks to all those involved.

The boxes filled with much needed essentials were then delivered to Domestic Violence Queensland Southport by the Lions of Palm Beach again, demonstrating the community effort to provide essential items to a very worthy cause.

The Leo Club have already started the organisation of their community work and events such as Clean Up Australia Day and Relay for Life will see many Leo members give up their own time to participate in worthwhile community events.

The Leo members of Palm Beach Currumbin worked over their Christmas holiday to decorate these boxes for the charity, Domestic Violence Queensland

Denise King
The Leo Club Coordinator

Psychologist Notes

How Strength-Based Parenting Helps Young People to Thrive

Amplifying strengths helps children reach their full potential and improves wellbeing.

Parenting can be a difficult business and what often draws parents’ attention is children’s weaknesses – their faults, flaws and the tasks at which they struggle. Perhaps your child isn’t good at being patient or they find it difficult to make new friends and keep up in maths class.

While there’s no doubt that parents can help children improve in these areas, an emerging field of research reveals that focusing on children’s strengths means they’re more likely to reach their full potential and enjoy high levels of life satisfaction and wellbeing. With that in mind, the following article written by Professor Lea Waters introduces exactly what you need to know about strength-based parenting.

What is Strength-Based Parenting?

Strength-Based Parenting is an approach to parenting that prioritises children’s strengths above their shortcomings. It’s about connecting children with their inner resources – character strengths like generosity, kindness and empathy as well as talents such as musical ability and writing to help boost life satisfaction.

We often assume we don’t need to do much about kids’ strengths precisely because they are the things our children do well. However, research shows that instead of taking strengths and positive qualities for granted, deliberately amplifying and building up these qualities and skills helps children to reach their full potential and thus, higher levels of wellbeing.

Children whose parents use Strength-Based Parenting techniques have been shown to cope better with conflict, are more likely to meet homework deadlines, and also demonstrate lower levels of stress. Unsurprisingly, they also have a better understanding of their own strengths and positive qualities.

During the vulnerable teenage years, Strength-Based Parenting is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction, positive emotions and confidence in the ability to cope with stress, which is especially relevant given one in four young Australians is affected by a mental health condition.

How Does it Differ from other Parenting Styles?

Let it be said that Strength-Based Parenting is not a branch of positive parenting or much-maligned ‘helicopter parenting’.

Positive parenting focuses on praising children and helping them to always feel good about themselves. The problem with this approach is that it can lead to a child having an over-inflated ego and sense of self, as well as false expectations that everything in life should be positive.

Strength-Based Parenting is different because it helps parents get to know children for who they are – what they’re good at and what they’re not good at – and teach them how to navigate the world through utilising their strengths. Unlike the false praise often associated with positive parenting, Strength-Based Parenting focuses on real and genuine praise.

Strength-Based Parenting is helpful during challenging times such as friendship troubles or the loss of a pet because children can draw on their strengths to work through problems. In these sorts of situations, positive parenting isn’t much more than a band-aid solution.

Likewise, Strength-Based Parenting differs from helicopter parenting because it isn’t focused on clearing the pathway for children. Rather, it’s about helping children develop the inner resources and strengths that allow them to clear their own pathways.

The more parents engage in Strength-Based Parenting, the more aware they become of their children’s strengths and the less anxious they feel about children not being able to cope. Ergo, they’re less likely to engage in helicopter parenting.

Strength-Based Parenting in Action

Strength-Based Parenting comprises three main processes: Seeing Strengths, Growing Strengths and Celebrating Strengths.

Let’s say you notice your child shows an aptitude for creativity and art. You might try to create environments where your child can play to their strengths by enrolling them in an art class and making sure you’ve got good quality pencils and paint at home. You could display the artwork in your home or suggest that your child give it to a family member as a gift.

Strength-Based Parenting is particularly helpful when children are experiencing problems. Let’s say your teenage daughter is experiencing friendship issues. You might talk to her about the strengths she has that will help her navigate the problem, such as forgiveness, empathy or bravery. Discuss how she’s managed stressful times in the past – perhaps she’s a good listener, negotiator or, in a worst-case scenario, makes new friends easily.

VIA Strengths in Our School and Community

Many of our parents are now likely well aware of the targeted focus aimed at identifying and exploring student strengths through Care Classes. This week may be a great time to sit down with your child and explore with them the personal strengths they have identified through these classes. If your child is not sure, or, alternatively, you wish to explore your own character strengths a little deeper, parents and students alike can complete a short and free 15-minute survey at. Additionally, a guided exploration of signature strengths is provided on pages 20-21 of the PBC 2017 Student Planner

Rebecca Griffith
Psychologist and Clinical Registrar

School Nurse Notes

Benefits of Breakfast

Human bodies make energy from carbohydrates, breaking them down into glucose. After a night without food, the body has used up this glucose. It starts to use stores of energy from your muscles instead, like glycogen and fatty acids. This is why we need a fuel top-up before we tackle the day. Eating breakfast will give your chid energy and get their metabolism started. It will help their body use the food they eat more efficiently throughout the day. Also, children who miss breakfast don’t ‘catch up’ on those missed nutrients during the rest of the day.

Breakfast gives the energy they need to handle their busy days. Children who eat a healthy breakfast go longer without feeling hungry. This means they can concentrate on playing, learning, remembering and solving problems better. A healthy breakfast can help them perform better at school. Breakfast eaters also tend to have better school attendance than those who regularly skip breakfast, be more emotionally healthy than non-breakfast eaters ( avoid those ”Hangry Moments”) stay at a healthy weight, because they’re less likely to snack on sugary or fatty foods.

Make breakfast a time to sit and eat with your kids. Being a good example is a powerful way to change their habits. If your child says he’s not hungry in the morning, try making a healthy smoothie, with milk, yoghurt and a piece of fruit like a banana, instead of a more traditional breakfast ‘meal’. Another option is for your child to eat a small meal at home, like a small bowl of oats or a piece of fruit. Then give your child a healthy snack to eat before school starts – for example, a sandwich or some yoghurt with fruit. If a busy morning schedule gets in the way of breakfast, try setting your child’s alarm 10 minutes earlier, or even getting breakfast ready the night before. For example, put cereal in the bowl overnight and leave it on the bench or table, so your child just has to add milk in the morning. If your child is a fussy eater at breakfast, think about ways to make breakfast more interesting. For example, you could try something like low-fat ricotta on wholemeal toast with sliced banana and honey drizzled on top. If your older child refuses to eat breakfast, try not to make a big deal about this. Your child might be doing this as a way of showing independence. You could suggest your child takes a piece of fruit or a healthy smoothie made with milk, yoghurt and fruit to have on the trip to school instead.

(Raising Children Network, Better Health Victoria, Nutrition Australia, QLD Health Nutrition)

Immunisation – Year 7

Year 7 parents should have received your child’s immunisation consent form. Please complete and return by next week. Immunisation is extremely important for your child’s protection

It is requested that all parents please read the information about vaccines being provided in the Information for Parents and Legal Guardians Package before completing the consent form.

Please note: A consent form is requested to be completed for all Year 7 students even if parent’s do not want their child vaccinated at school. This assists us to confirm that the immunisation offer was received by each family

Judith Nunn
School Nurse

Senior School Guidance Officer News

Griffith University Portal for School Students

Griffith University has a personalised page for Year 12 students, enabling them to choose what degree level they are interested in as well as what campus they want to study at. The webpage also provides a pdf of the 2017 undergraduate brochure.

UQ’s Sport Science Ranks Top 5 Globally

Thinking of studying Sport Science after year 12? UQ’s School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences has been ranked 4th and 5th in the world for Sport Science in two highly respected global rankings.

QUT News and Events

Stay tuned with QUT’S weekly round-up of news and events for 2017. For frequent updates on news follow

@QUTmedia on Twitter.

HIA Apprenticeships

HIA Apprenticeships are leaders in the selection, management and training of apprentices in the home building industry. They are currently seeking applications for the following:

• Apprentice Carpenters, Brisbane
• Apprentice Wall and Floor Tiler, Gold Coast

Those interested in a HIA Apprenticeship can submit a General Application online here:

TAFE Queensland SkillsTech Pre-apprenticeship program

A pre-apprenticeship program is an excellent introduction into your chosen industry and will improve your prospects of gaining an apprenticeship within that industry.

Southern Cross Cultural Exchange

If you are considering applying for a student exchange program, students and their parents are urged to attend an information session. The sessions are designed to give students and parents a realistic overview of the process, the countries, the experience and the benefits of an exchange program.

All information sessions take place from 7:00pm-9:00pm:

Gold Coast, Southport Community Centre, 6 Lawson St
Wednesday 15 March
Tuesday 30 May

Indigenous Scholarships Portal

The Aspiration Initiative website contains a wide range of scholarships that are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The scholarships range in value from a $500 one-off payment to $100,000 paid over the duration of a student’s course.

The website features a search function which can filter scholarships by level of study, area of study, duration and institution.

Goal Setting – Visual Tricks

This video can provide some hints on how to organise and manage tasks.

The Good Universities Guide: Online and Distance Education

The Good Universities Guide offers materials for students interested in Online and Distance Education. It includes information on where and how courses are offered, flexible study options and support.

Air Force Flight Camp Applications Close

This camp is for young women aged 16–24 to experience Air Force Aviation careers and opportunities. The camp will take place in East Sale on 7 – 10 March 2017. Applications close 15 February 2017.

Army Familiarisation and Field Experience

This is a work experience activity that provides students with an introduction to the Brigade and provides information on Army careers, enlistment and training procedures. Applications close on the 20 February 2017.

Steve Jones
Guidance Officer Senior School

Middle School Guidance Officer News

Dealing With School Anxiety: Powerful Things That Adults Can Do

Anxious kids are brave kids. They are creative, thoughtful and have the potential to light the world on fire, every one of them, often in unexpected ways. When anxiety takes hold though, it’s overwhelming. It can shut down their potential, their engagement with the world and their self-belief. It feels awful and life becomes more about avoiding anxiety than it does about embracing life in ways that flourish them. This can be turned around and although anxiety doesn’t generally go away, it can be managed so that it stays in the background and out of their way. For anxious kids, the important adults in their lives are a powerful ally in helping to make this happen.

Let nothing be off-limits.

Let them know that they can come to you with anything. They don’t have to know how to start or how to say it. Let them know that it’s enough to let you know that they have something they want to talk about, but that they don’t know what to say. The next part you can do together.

1. Help them with the words for what they might be feeling.

Anything you can do to flourish their emotional vocabulary will help them to make sense of things. Name what you think they might be feeling in a way that makes it easy for them to correct you. ‘You seem angry/ confused/ sad, right now.’ Then let them know that it’s okay for them to feel what they’re feeling, and that you understand. Let them know they make sense to you. It’s a beautiful thing to feel.

2. Anxiety and courage exist together. Show them.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that brave people do what they do because they are fearless, but anyone who is pushed to the edges of themselves will feel fear. Explain that anxiety is actually a sign that they’re about to do something really brave – otherwise they wouldn’t be anxious about it. What pushes the limits is different for everyone. There will be things that are tough for them that are easy for others, and things that are easy for them (find the things they’re good at) and tough for others. Everyone feels anxiety at some point, but for kids going through it, they can feel like they are the only ones. Model self-belief and normalise anxiety by sharing the times you feel anxious and act brave.

3. Get the information you need when they’re calm.

When things are calm and happy, have a chat about what you can do to make things better when their anxiety is at full throttle. Ask them what helps and what you (or others) do that doesn’t help. Listen and try not to take it personally.

4. It’s more than likely that the anxiety didn’t happen overnight, so change won’t happen that way either.

Any progress is great progress. Anxiety is difficult to deal with, but it is manageable. There will be steps forward and steps back, but over time the forward steps will become more and the backward ones will become less. Don’t underestimate the difference you’re making by being there, believing in them, and seeing them for the amazing humans they are, not just despite their anxiety but also because of it.

Anna Willis
Guidance Officer Middle School

Pathways Centre News

School based traineeships available for Year 10 and 11

The beginning of the year brings new exciting traineeships. We have many opportunities available in the Pathway Centre Y Block. Job boards will be updated regularly with new positions over the coming weeks.

Hospitality and Business Traineeships:

Elephant Rock Café Currumbin
The Deck Café Currumbin
Jersey Mikes – Mermaid Waters and Benowa
Wendys the Pines
Grove Train Robina
The Boat Shed Currumbin
Airport Retail Enterprises
Coming Home Co. The Kitchens Robina
Burleigh Surf Club
Palm Garden Chinese Palm Beach
Crema Espresso Pacific Fair and Robina
Resort News
Coco Cubana Pacific Fair
Bettys Burgers
Coffee Club Coolangatta
Ignite Education Office junior
Man on a Bike – Tallebudgera
Oskars on Burleigh
Prouds the Jewellers
Reflections Coolangatta

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary information session will be held 22 February

Cert III Mens Barbering
Cert III Hairdressing – Local salon
Cert III Children Services Burleigh and Currumbin Centres (Term 2)

Gold Coast Art Centre – Indigenous Programming assistant Cert II or III Business

Indigenous traineeships at NAB, CBA and Westpac

Work Experience Automotive Currumbin

Robina Hospital work experience workshops taking applications now!

There are more opportunities on the job boards. Please come into Y Block to register.

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

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.

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

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 www.flexischools.com.au
• Credit Card
• Cash
• Cheques not accepted

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

Administration

Cashier Window Operating Hours

Over the counter payments can only be accepted between 8:00am and 1:00pm on Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can make payments via BPOINT or Direct Deposit.

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 the link below for further information.

PBC Alliance

2017 Membership and Partnership opportunities

Give your business a kick start into the New Year by becoming part of the PBC Alliance through membership or partnership in 2017.

The PBC Alliance is an initiative that has been developed to:

• Create opportunities for business promotion and networking
• Support and promote local businesses through the PBC Alliance Business Directory (http://www.pbc-alliance.com/business-directory.html)
• Enrich opportunities and resources for PBC students through local business support
• Attract work, apprenticeships and work placement opportunities for students
• Connect local businesses with a network of friends, parents, and the PBC Alliance business community

Members and partners are invited to attend Alliance breakfast functions which are held once a term (four times a year). These functions feature a VIP guest speaker, a local business showcase, and a beautiful breakfast catered by our hospitality students.

Please follow link to PDF below for more information about becoming a member or partner of the Alliance and the benefits this entails.

If you would like to become a member of the Alliance in 2016 and list your business in our Business Directory, simply fill out the attached forms and return to alliance@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

Please visit our website for more information, or email alliance@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

Business Directory

Help us to create a local network for businesses within the PBC community by following the link below and supporting the businesses listed in the Alliance Business Directory:

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!

Community Notices

Saturday Market Day – Pacific SLSC

Don’t forget to mention that PBC students will be performing and that around 25 nippers from Pacific attend PBC. We are the second smallest club on the Gold Coast that purely relies on public donations as we do not have pokies or a restaurant.

Thanks for this, I appreciate it so much, It’ll help us so much on the day!

NSW Transport – School Drive Subsidy

If you live a long way from public transport and need to drive a student to a public transport pick up point or to school, you may be able to get financial assistance.

To find out if you’re eligible, and to apply online, visit the link below or call 131 500.

‘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 brand 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.