17 July 2017

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

Towards the end of last term I sent an email to all parents announcing the appointment of our new Executive Principal, Mr Chris Capra. The application process has begun to replace Chris as the Executive Principal at Upper Coomera State College, once this recruitment process has been finalised Chris will commence his position PBC. The timing of this is expected to occur somewhere between Week 5 and the end of this term.

We look forward to welcoming our new Executive Principal and continuing to celebrate the achievements of PBC as one of Queensland’s leading high schools into the future.

NAIDOC Week

This week our school community celebrated NAIDOC Week with a variety of activities highlighted by a School Celebration Assembly on Wednesday 12 July. This year’s Assembly was a particularly special ceremony that focussed on the 2017 NAIDOC theme ‘Our Languages Matter’. We were privileged to have Indigenous elder, Aunty Joyce, to present her stirring message about the cultural heritage of Indigenous languages. From a school perspective, our Year 8 student, Jessica Eaton and Selwyn Apanui spoke about the cultural connections of the Yugambeh language with our local area.

At PBC, we are very proud of our dedication and support in the embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and culture in our school. At any given time our student population consists of approximately 5% Indigenous students, many of whom participate in our Academic, Sports and Creative Arts Excellence programs.

Athletics Carnival

On the final day of last term PBC hosted the largest Track and Field Carnival in recent history, with approximately 1500 students in attendance. The re-worked event was a huge success. Student engagement both on the Track, in the field and with the additional activities was a highlight with so many students being involved and participating all through the day.

In a year full of changes, the Athletics Carnival was a wonderful example of the strong Reds culture which is evident here every day. Through the Student Council fundraising BBQ over $2000 was raised to be donated to AGAPE Homeless Youth – thankyou also for supporting our student leaders.

Parent Support @PBC

Here at PBC we want to be able to effectively communicate with families in a timely manner. I will take this opportunity to remind you of our Parent Support email (ParentSupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au) which will allow you to share any feedback, issues or concerns with the school. This email address will ensure your query is assigned to the correct staff member and enable us to help families by offering solutions and/or suggestions with an aim to resolving any concerns raised.

Blair Hanna
Acting Executive Principal

Senior School Update

It is with great pleasure that we welcomed all students back to school for Term 3. Term 3 is a particularly busy one in Senior School with several major events including our Year 12 QCS test and Year 10 Set PLAN process.

Reports were emailed out to parents and caregivers on the last day of Term 2. It is imperative that time is taken for both students and their support people to sit down and work through these reports. Consideration need not only focus on achievement grades but should also be given to effort and behaviour grades along with teacher comments. Reflecting on their reports, students should take the time to set goals for individual subjects that challenge themselves and provide motivation in the coming term. If there are any questions around the reports and their contents please keep in mind that all teachers are contactable via email, at the addresses listed on our school website, and via the school phone line.

Year 12 Key Messages:

Year 12 OP predictions are currently being calculated and students will have an OP prediction interview with their designated teachers in the next few weeks. Parents will then be sent an email with details of their student’s current OP predictions. Term 3 is a crucial time for students to ensure that they are achieving the highest rung possible in each of their subjects and also ensuring that the cohort’s QCS performance is maximised; this will enable students to achieve a better OP.

Any year 12 student who has a predicted OP of higher than 15, or who is currently not OP eligible, that is interested in completing a Certificate III course which will achieve a rank of 68 (equivalent to an OP of 15) and hence open up tertiary pathways for 2018 should contact Mr McDougall asap.

12 QCS classes continue to commence at 8:00am on Wednesday mornings. Support and extension classes for identified students will also take place during Sport on Wednesday afternoons. All Year 12 QCS students will have compulsory afterschool masterclasses from 2:00 to 3:30pm on Wednesdays in Week 4, 5 and 6 of this term (2, 9 and 16 August). The actual QCS test will take place in week 8 (29 and 30 August).

All Year 12 students that are interested in tertiary study should have a QTAC book to enable them to peruse courses. Extra copies are available with the Guidance Officer Mr Jones or Mr McDougall.

The Year 12 Formal and Graduation evening will be held on Thursday 16 of November 2017 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. Students will be provided with information and payment details at the start of next week which will outline the evening, a celebration of the graduating cohort of 2017. Guest tickets will go on sale through Ticketek at the start of Term 4 once all student ticketing/payment is finalised.

Year 11 Key Messages:

Year 11 OP students will have a predicted OP calculated on their Semester 1 results and this will be emailed to parents. A reminder that the OP system places all eligible students in a rank order from 1 to 25 and that just passing classes and getting low Cs will not result in an OP which will gain University entrance.

Performance monitoring based on semester 1 results for Year 11 is currently taking place. Parents are reminded that students are expected to be passing at least 5 of their 6 classes and that they must be eligible for a QCE. Parents of at-risk students will be contacted by the Senior schooling team.

Year 10 Key Messages

PBC, in conjunction with the Gold Coast Public Health Service, has secured an opportunity for all Year 10 students to take advantage of a free vaccination against meningococcal ACWY. This service will take place at PBC on Tuesday 15 August 2017 for Year 10 students only. However, GC Health are also extending the offer of a free vaccination to all youth aged 15-19 through their immunisation provider or General Practitioner. Consent forms will be re-issued in the next week.

General Senior Schooling Key Messages:

Assessment calendars for term 3 are currently being collated and will be published on the school website next week under Curriculum/Testing and Assessment

These calendars should be used by parents and students to help plan and prioritise their study timetables for term

Senior students have the opportunity to complete a range of Microsoft qualifications during Sport in Semester 2. Each of the qualifications is awarded a QCE point; but more importantly will add to the resume of students and improve their employability. Each qualification costs around $400 in the private sector but is currently FREE for school students. Interested students should contact Mr Larter or Mr McDougall.

Year 10 and 11 students are again encouraged to consider completing a School Based Traineeship (SATs) as this will give students part time work and work skills, up to 8 QCE points and a rank pathway which may open up tertiary options. Any interested students should register with Ms Shreeve in Y block. As SATs take over a year to complete any Year 11s that are interested must commence their SAT by the end of term 3.

Alyce Cleary, Acting Head of School – Senior
On behalf of the Senior School

Middle School Update

Naidoc

On Wednesday 12 July we celebrated NAIDOC with a whole school assembly with our ATSI students performing traditional dances. This is a significant milestone in our support and embedding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and culture at PBC. We thank the teachers and teacher aides who are part of the Indigenous Support Team for their ongoing work in encouraging and developing our 73 Middle School Indigenous students.

As part of our commitment as a school to meet the needs of every student our school works hard to ‘Close the Gap’ for our Indigenous students and is proud of their efforts in attendance and achievement. Particular students were recognised at the Assembly for their efforts in these areas as well as sporting, community and cultural contributions to the school community.

The recipients of these awards were:

Attendance

Attendance is one of our key routines as we work towards a target of 95% attendance. This equates to no more than 2.5 days off a term. Our intent here is that everyday counts in the learning process. Whilst this seems like a lot of time it can quickly disappear when families extend holidays or long weekends. Please consider, when planning family time, the impact this will have on your student’s progress.

Absences of more than 10 days require a formal exemption from schooling form to be completed.

Maximising your student’s learning time will allow us, as a school, to maximise their success.

Students Leaving Early

While we know that the best place for students to learn is in class, we also understand that from time to time, students need to leave school early to attend medical or other important appointments. It is an expectation at PBC that students would do this no more than twice a term. All appointments should be made out-of-school time with the exception of specialist appointments.

If you require your child to leave early, your child must:

• Have written permission (a note or email, not a text) from their parent/caregiver, which they present to Middle School Student Services before school. This enables the Dean or Deputy to give their permission for the student to leave early.
• Sign out at Middle School Student Services at the appointed time.

Notes from Parents or Caregivers must state:

• The date
• The specific reason for the student signing out
• If it is an appointment, the time, location and professional with whom the student has the appointment
• The time the student needs to leave school
• The signature of the parent/caregiver

Further details are provided in the PBC Student Planner.

Semester 1 Reports

Every parent should now have read their student’s Semester 1 report, which was emailed late June. Should you have any concerns about the report please contact the relevant teacher, by email in the first instance. All teacher emails are listed on the PBC website:

We strongly encourage students, as well as parents, to read school reports. Reports can form the basis of positive and productive conversations between parents and students. Look for the successes – perhaps an improvement in effort in a challenging subject, or attaining a grade that was previously not possible. Celebrate wins, large and small, in a way that suits your family culture. Even if your pre-teen or teen acts like they don’t really care about their successes, almost all will quietly appreciate the attention.

Term 3 Goal Setting

Students are currently receiving feedback on last term’s assessment and should be setting goals for Term 3. These goals are recorded on the Optima Goal pages (p.4-5) of your student’s PBC Student Planner. Please know what your child is hoping to achieve this term and have conversations with them about how they might achieve their goals. Show their teachers that you have had this conversation by signing in the appropriate column in their Student Planner.

BYOD in Maths Term 3

Term 3 is a big term for all Middle School students in Mathematics. Students in Year 7, 8 and 9 will be completing a “Data/Statistics Assignment”. Much of the work of will be done at school and will require the use of Excel or an alternate spread-sheet program. This is a reminder that if the students have a laptop to bring to school, then they are encouraged to especially bring it for Maths this term. School based laptops are always available but are in limited supply with all MS classes completing the assignments at similar times.

Digital Footprint

The internet is an exciting and interesting part of modern life. We connect with friends and family via social media, research information and use it for work/study.

For young people, the internet also presents many pitfalls and perils: accessing inappropriate websites, sharing too much information about themselves, occupying too much time and taking time away from other activities such as sports and socialising with friends.

It's important for families and the school to work together to help educate our young people about being a safe and responsible online citizen.

What they post online, they post to the world. This is known as their digital footprint. Future partners, employers, workmates and landlords may view what they believe they're just sharing with their friends. Once it's online, it could be there forever!

The information provided below is from the Queensland Government's Cybersafety webpage. We encourage parents to spend time with their teens understanding the importance of having appositive "footprint"

The 7 steps to a positive digital footprint

1. Google yourself - Check your name and online usernames to make sure you're happy with what is out there. If you find any negative content, delete it or report to the website where it is hosted. If you find an old social media account, take steps to remove it. If you have lost access to these accounts, contact the social media provider and request it be deleted.
2. Privacy overhaul - Stay on top of your privacy settings, social media platforms change these frequently. Set accounts to 'private' or 'friends only' to limit who sees your stuff. The less people who see it, the less chance there is for something to go wrong.
3. Un-tag yourself - Have you been tagged in an embarrassing photo or video? Ask the person to delete it. If they won't, report the post and un-tag it yourself. Never share or tag photos and videos of others without their permission.
4. Unfriend/unfollow - Have you added a 'random'? If you don't know and trust them in your real world, delete or block them. Don't be fooled by fake profiles or mutual friend suggestions. Unfriend your randoms today!
5. Make positive choices - Stay in control of your online world. If you make poor choices while on social media or online games there may be social or legal consequences. Remember, anything can be screen captured. Keep your online interactions positive, useful and true.
6. Build your brand - What you say and post could affect your future. Use the power of social media to brand yourself and connect to professional networks. Share your achievements, talents and passions online. Your social media accounts should portray you in a positive way.
7. Remember… Treat others the way you would like to be treated. If you or a friend are experiencing a difficult time online, reach out for some offline support.

Wendy Wise, Acting Head of School – Middle
On behalf of the Middle School

Anna Willis
Guidance Officer Middle School

House Update

Athletics Carnival

PBC’s Annual Athletics Carnival was held on the final day of Term 2 – a true celebration of PBC spirit, competitiveness and student ability. Our carnival enjoyed strong participation this year, with over 1500 students taking part in Track, Field and House activities. As well as the traditional athletic Track & Field events, for the first time, students were able to partake in the impressive inflatable obstacle course, a 4-way House Tug-O-War and Bubble Soccer.

It was outstanding to see so many students representing their House with pride and enjoying what has always been one of the key events on our Annual school calendar. Congratulations to all students who participated in races, gave their all and for many, will now go on to represent PBC at a representative level in their chosen event.

A huge congratulations to Spartans House who was declared the overall winner of the event – a huge effort that rewards student participation, spirit and achievement.

Many thanks to Sportsmaster Geoff Eggert and all staff who had a hand in ensuring the smooth running of this event, and thankyou to the students for their valued contribution to a wonderful day.

World Record attempt for PBC Students

With Term 2 of our CARE program encompassing the concept of Growth Mindset, some CARE classes have been working all year toward breaking a Guinness World Record – the pinnacle of barriers. From initial brainstorms by students in class as to what record may be achievable, to gathering momentum through House Assembly – 124 students across all year levels and Houses got together yesterday to unofficially break the record for ‘Most Arm-Linked People To Stand Simultaneously’ the previous mark being 118 people. Congratulations and thanks to our staff and students who encouraged, rehearsed and celebrated student achievement. We now pass the tapes on to Guinness World Records for final confirmation of this outstanding feat!

Abbey Bryant, Krista I’Anson, Mitch Kennedy & Tim Hart
House Leaders

Humanities News

China Trip

This year’s China trip with The Advantage Program was a huge success, thanks largely to both Ms Timbs and Mr Burkhardt for putting in the countless hours to organise this wonderful excursion.

Some highlights of the trip were:

• Our students had the opportunity to visit many world class universities in China to understand how they work and to potentially gain affordable entry
• Visiting 7 leading international businesses with the opportunity to gain employment with these
• The Great Wall of China
• Tiananmen Square
• Dumpling and noodle making workshop
• The Forbidden City

Geography Excursion

Our Year 11 Geography class recently partook in a field trip to the Tallebudgera Creek Catchment where the aim was to determine the overall ecological health of the waterway. Students were treated to the educational yet comedic stylings of Mr Chris Audley from Second Nature Tours. Our students assessed the waterway by conducting: a stream and habitat assessment, biological assessment and through a physio-chemical water test. The investigation was carried out in three sites in the upper and lower catchment.

Students collected valuable primary data to complete their field trip reports and learnt valuable skills in data collection through sampling and observation.

2017 Australian Geography Competition

Over 100 PBC students from Year 7-11 have recently taken part in the 23rd annual Australian Geography Competition.

Nearly 60,000 students from around Australia have entered the Competition, which is a joint initiative of the Australian Geography Teachers’ Association and the Royal Geographical Society of Queensland.

Competition coordinator Bernard Fitzpatrick said that the Competition gave teachers an opportunity to highlight geography in their schools and challenge their students.

“In today’s society, geography is a vital subject that all young people should study. Understanding places and people, and the socio-economic and environmental interactions at local, regional, national and international levels is important to the economic and environmental future of Australia,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.

“With schools in many parts of Australia having introduced the new national geography curriculum, it’s an exciting time to be involved in geographical education, and the Competition plays its part in this,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.

Year 11 students from Queensland will be selected to take part in Geography’s Big Week Out being held on Kangaroo Island, South Australia later this year. From that event, Australia’s team will be chosen for the 2018 International Geography Olympiad being held in Canada.

Arts News

Thank you to Ms Atkinson and Mr Pasley for taking our Media Excellence students to QUT School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations on the 21 July. The AdSpace High School Advertising challenge is a day of experiential learning. Our Media students will work in team with QUT advertising student mentors to develop a campaign then pitch their ideas to a real client. The judging panel of advertising industry specialists provide feedback to the team and decide the winning presentation, Good luck!

Creative Generation - State Schools Onstage (CGEN) 2017

Congratulations and good luck to Drama excellence students Kai Johnson, Jade Bergsma, Ashlee Thomas and Ruby Gonzales-Judd. Featured Dancers Mia Beame and Alyssa Park. Featured Vocalist Laura Suttle and Orchestra and Bassoon player Amelia Cody-Byfield. Tickets for Thursday 14 July have sold out!

Ms Latter, Ms Swanborough and Mr Hart are in full swing preparing 45 Drama, Dance and Music Excellence students for their USA tour in Term 4. We are currently in the rehearsal stages designing a show to perform in Disneyland. The team engaged in team building activities this Wednesday with the “X-perience” team and enjoyed getting to know each other. We are still looking for local companies and/or businesses to sponsor our Tour jackets. Please contact me if you are interested in your logo appearing on our PBC Tour jackets.

Thank you to Ms Doherty, for taking her Vocal Group to perform at the Tweed Heads Elderly home on 2 August. These talented students also recently performed in collaboration with the Elanora Primary school choir during our NADIOC assembly.

Local company “Zeal Theatre” visited PBC and performed challenging and relevant physical theatre work called ‘Viral’ based on the effects of social media to all Drama Excellence students on Tuesday 10 July. The work was both thought provoking and inspiring. Good luck to Ms Joubert and Ms McGlynn who are currently directing work for the Gold Coast Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival. The Year 8 Drama Excellence class will be performing at Hillcrest Christian College on Friday 4 August and the Year 12 Drama Excellence students will be performing at All Saints College on Saturday 12 August. Year 9 Drama Excellence are also currently preparing for the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and Queensland Shakefest. (Shakespeare Festival Shake and Stir). Thankyou Ms McGlynn, Mr Sarasola and the Queensland Theatre Company for giving PBC Drama students the opportunity to participate in the “Scene Project”. Our Year 10/11 Drama Excellence students have gained access to a newly commissioned script and will workshop the script collaboratively as a class and perform at the Billie Brown Studio at the Queensland Theatre Company.

Our dancers have been busy as ever training and preparing for their upcoming eisteddfods at Beenleigh and Gold Coast Arts Theatre. The choreographers have been world class and the dancers have been working hard to entertain and impress Qld audiences. The Beenleigh Dance Eisteddfod will be held at Logan Entertainment Centre on 7 August and the Gold Coast Eisteddfod will be held at the Gold Coast Arts Theatre Thursday 11 August and Friday 31 August. Our Instrumental Music students, Optima Wind Ensemble, Chamber Strings and Band will also be competing all of Week 7 of this term at the Gold Coast Arts Theatre.

This year the PBC Instrumental Music Department will be hosting a new exciting event called the PBC Music Celebration Festival. This event will provide school ensembles the opportunity to come together to perform and celebrate their love of music. They will also be provided with the opportunity to play for and receive feedback from Yamaha Australia representative, Rob McWilliams. To conclude the event PBC are hosting a Jazz Night in the Trade Training Centre to dine with special guests; and be entertained by PBC Stage Band 1, Southport High School Stage Band and an Alumni Jazz trio. Thank you to Kayla Latter and her Instrumental Music Team.

Loren Skyring
HOD The Arts

School Nurse – News

I would like to advise that I am going on a secondment to Brisbane for 12 months and a new school nurse will be commencing fulltime on 17 July 2017.

Hilary Wilson will be taking over in this role, she has been working as a school nurse in Brisbane North.

Looking forward to seeing you all again in 12 months.

Judy Nunn- School Nurse

General News

Important information

PBC and the Pines Centre Management have agreed that any PBC student in school uniform will not be served at any food outlet during school hours from 9:00am to 3:00pm, unless accompanied by a parent/carer.

2017 Early School Leavers survey

The Queensland Government is conducting its annual statewide survey of students who left school in Years 10, 11 and prior to completing Year 12 during 2016. The Early School Leavers survey is a short, confidential survey that collects information about what young people are doing the year after leaving school.

Between July and August, 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 them to take part.

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

Bike Safety

Parents and students are reminded that Police and the school will be addressing the issue of bicycle helmets and road safety over the term. As a part of this, students randomly located by police wearing a bike helmet will be rewarded with various prizes and go into the draw for an iPhone 7 to be drawn during Road Safety Week. Police and the school have received a number of reports concerning bicycle safety and students in uniform disobeying the road rules. Students located without helmets will be issued with Bicycle Offence Notices. Please ensure that your children have helmets and that they wear them whilst riding their bicycles.

Kurt Foessel
Senior Constable 4007023
Officer in Charge
Elanora Police Beat

Community Service Program

PBC is committed to fostering a balanced, yet dynamic curriculum within a friendly community where all members may achieve their potential. PBC students have a strong sense of personal responsibility; demonstrate initiative and commitment to our school and our community. Our Community Service Program aims to engage students in community service participation and encourage reflection to promote service learning.

Current opportunities for Middle School students to engage in community service include:

Leo’s Club

Extracurricular opportunities offer a number of community service activities such as Cooking for the Homeless, aged care visits, the prep reader program and mentoring programs

Recreational sport such as unpaid refereeing or game official eg: water runner or timekeeper, canteen volunteer, coach/assistant coach and clinics, maintenance work of facilities or equipment and any volunteer work at a club or community event

Volunteering Gold Coast offers hundreds of opportunities each week

Making your Hours Count

Students are asked to submit a participation form which details the activity they did, the date/s, hours completed and a contact person who can verify their participation. These forms are available from Middle School Student Reception or can be downloaded from the PBC website.

Completed forms should be returned to Middle School Student Reception. Students who do so by 20 July will have their hours count towards the next round of OPTIMA Awards.

Student Achievements

We encourage parents/caregivers to email your student’s excellent recent achievements to us. 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 and include at least one photo, and/or any links to media articles that we can share via our Parent Newsletter, internal communications and Facebook.

Students vs Teachers

Each year PBC has a tradition of holding many Students vs. Teachers events where the students get to compete head to head with the teachers in a battle for supremacy. Well, the battle has begun late last term and will continue over the coming weeks. So far we have seen battles in Soccer, Basketball, Netball and in Flashcards!

Soccer – Students vs. Teachers

Before the teachers had an opportunity to think, the Year 12 team, through Regan Lowry had rattled the net to go up 1 – 0. A near post driven half volley didn’t give Tim Maccan in goal any chance. The teachers settled into the match and started to gain the ascendancy, creating a few chances but not really testing the big German international Tim Schultka in goal for the students.

After a seesaw battle the students got their reward for some swift counter attacks, again through a goal to Reggy Lukoszek. Strong performances from Liam Murphy and Levi Hughes in the engine room for the students helped them to this lead.

With the game looking all but gone the teachers were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. Up stepped Executive Principal Hanna from the spot. You could cut the tension with a knife. Unfortunately, his attempt on goal was a bit of an anticlimax, the ball dribbled past the post. Still 2 – 0 to the students. A last-minute raid saw John Costello play a beautiful 40m pass to Chris Patison on the far post who headed back across goal, Brad Davis with an open goal missed the target and buried his heads in his hands ruing his miss!

2017 saw the student regain the trophy with a dominant display. Thanks to all involved for a very enjoyable match.

1 Nil to Students

Basketball – Student vs Teachers

It was a great, really close game the whole way through. Some great plays at the end from Chad Owens and Chris Pattison reduced the gap but some great shooting from Jackson Lahina-Brown and Kyla Peacock kept the students in front. Thoroughly enjoyed by both teams. Teachers lost by 3 points.

2 Nil to Students

Netball – Student vs Teachers

The game was fast and furious with the students just tipping the teachers with a final score of 16-14. The students win again!

3 Nil to Students

Quicksmart Flashcard Challenge – Student vs Teachers

What a fantastic end to Week 1. Year 7 and 8 QuickSmart Numeracy students challenged a teacher of their choice to a 1-minute number facts flashcard challenge. Thirteen teachers were brave enough to step up to the challenge and a fast and fabulous time was had by all. Competition was heated and there was definitely not a teacher or student who wanted to get beaten. The fastest teacher and the fastest student will be revealed next week. Keep your ears and ears open for details regarding the next challenge. A huge thank you to all the participants.

3 - 1 to Students

Rugby League – Country Championships

Congratulations to Jayden Stovin on being selected in the Group 18 Team to compete at the U14’s Country Championships on the 16-18 June. Some great footy was played and overall the Group 18 team won 2 and drew 1. Well done to all the boys as this was the first Group 18 side to ever make a Cup Final at the Country Championships so that’s a remarkable effort. Their Coach Jamie O’Connor did a great job to get these boys together so quickly and get them to a Final.

Junior Touch Football - Gold Coast Tri Series

On Sunday 18 June The Palm Beach Junior Touch Football U16 girls Rep side played in the Gold Coast Tri Series. This was the third and final competition in the Titans Touch football Tri Series 2017. Seven of the fourteen girls in this team are PBC Touch Football Excellence students.

The girls had a wonderful tournament and after a 12 hour day and 5 matches they took out the Grand Final against Toowoomba 4 – 2. The girls not only won the Gold Coast Tri Series Cup but also the OVERALL Titans Tri Series Trophy. Winning 2 out of the 3 tournaments and making the semi finals in the first tournament up in Toowoomba. The girls will now have a short break before heading up to the Qld Junior State Cup in Hervey Bay 6 - 8 July. Fabulous Team Effort girls.

Dates to Remember

15 August 2017 – Year 10, Vaccination against Meningococcal ACWY
18 July 2017 – P&C Meeting
21 July 2017 – Jazz Night, Music Celebration Festival
24 July 2017 – Year 7 Optima Assembly, 9:15am in the Hall
25 July 2017 – Year 8 Optima Assembly, 9:15am in the Hall
27 July 2017 – Year 9 Optima Assembly, 9:15am in the Hall
28 July 2017 – Sports Excellence Applications for 2018 Close. 4:00pm
31 July 2017 – Year 11 Optima Assembly, 9:15am in the Hall
1 August 2017 – Year 12 Optima Assembly, 9:15am in the Hall
4 August 2017 – Year 10 Optima Assembly, 9:15am in the Hall

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).

Reminder that the second instalment of 2017 SRS fees are now due, and any other outstanding amounts on student’s accounts. To make a credit card payment or to request bank details for direct bank transfer, please telephone the school, or visit our Student Services department between 8am and 1pm for all other payments. Statements will be sent out at end of Term 1 as a reminder of students account balances.

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 below to register today!

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

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

Fundraising Auction

The PBC Alliance is currently holding a fundraising auction to raise money for the Men of Business Mentoring Program in Term 4, 2017 targeted to 'at-risk' students

Term 3 has been funded in full already, thanks to Bendigo Bank Tugun. Ms Jann Stuckey MP has also kindly contributed part of the required funds towards the Term 4 program. The total cost of the program is $2,000

We are auctioning off the below items to raise the funds that make up the difference and will ensure this amazing program goes ahead in Term 4.

ITEM 1: Gold Coast Suns Tickets!

2x tickets to the Lounge for the Gold Coast Suns home match at MetriconStadium. (valued at $585)

Gold Coast Suns vs Richmond, Saturday 29 July 2017, Game starts 7:25pm

Starting Bid is $200

ITEM 2

NRL Penrith Panthers 50th Anniversary Heritage Jersey, Signed by the 2016 team (valued at $495,)Asics NRL Authentics Official Licenced Product - Size L (with tags)

Starting Bid is $100

How it works...

Bidding opened: Friday 14 July 2017 9:00am
Bidding closes: Monday 24 July 2017 9:00am

To register your bid:

Email your bid to alliance@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au with the following information:

• Item number
• Bid amount

You will receive a confirmation email/message to acknowledge your bid.

Each bid received will be revealed as a comment in this Facebook event so you can see where each item is up to and what it will take to snap up the prize.

Winners will be announced via the PBC Alliance Facebook page. The winner will be advised via email on Monday 24 July at 3:00pm prior to the announcement being posted on Facebook.

For more information about the MOB Program please click this link.

Community Notices

Palm Beach Junior Touch Football

Nominations are NOW OPEN.

You can register as team or as an individually looking for a team and the committee will match you up . We have Under 8,10,12,14 and 16 boy and girl competitions. Games are Friday nights at Mallawa Drive Palm Beach. First Game starts 1st September.

Here is the link to our online registration

If you have any question call Sharon on 0447 085 630 or email to operations@sharkstouch.com.

‘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.