18 June 2018

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It is that time of the semester where the students are busy completing exams and assignments and the teachers are even busier marking them and creating the report cards. Just a reminder that the last week of term is just as important as the first week of term as we commence the new units of work for Term 3 next Monday.

Congratulations to the 34 PBC teams that have made the District Finals to be played on Wednesday. It is a credit to the students and teachers who have participated to the best of their ability this term in interschool sport and now they have been rewarded with places in the District Finals. All the best to the interschool Reds on Wednesday afternoon in their finals and the Rugby League Opens who play Marsden SHS in the last round of the Broncos Cup.

As we enter into winter, with the issues we have experienced around the supply, size and school rules around the wearing of the school red or blue jackets, ALL students will be able to wear EITHER school jacket as a part of the daily school uniform. Both school jackets look good as a part of the uniform and this negates the need for the students to have two jackets at school.

The school will be closed over the holidays to all members of the public (except for the usual activities such as markets and church groups). The only staff on site will be the cleaners and grounds staff who will be undertaking maintenance and cleaning in collaboration with contractors. All school offices will be shut for the two weeks of holidays.

I look forward to working with you again in Term 3.

Regards
Chris Capra
Executive Principal

Senior School Update

PBC represented at Gold Coast Junior Council Meeting.

On Thursday 7 June PBC was well represented at the Gold Coast Junior Council meeting by four outstanding students: Kaitlyn Byrne, Ella Maclachlan, Jaime Pryor and Hamish Munro. The Junior Council meetings provide the students with a chance to participate in a range of experiences:

• Collaborating with peers from both private and public Gold Coast schools
• Interact with and meet local councillors
• Gain an understanding of how the council plans for and operates during large scale events
• Discuss real issues affecting the youth of the Gold Coast and provides a platform to have their voices heard
• Learn how to access resources and work together to help the Gold Coast community
• Provides opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills

During the last meeting the students got the opportunity to participate in the official procession where Tom Tate placed the Commonwealth Walkway marker outside Council Chambers. The students also got to spend 15 minutes with their local Division 14 Councillor Cr Gail O’Neill and ask some questions. The students asked some very pertinent questions based on our part of the Gold Coast including those about the widening of the M1 Motorway, the proposed lengthening of the Gold Coast light rail system and the debate on the public walkway connecting Tugun to Kirra. Cr O’Neill gave them an insight into the decision making processes from local council through to accessing federal funding. The students learnt that as a councillor, part of the job is listening to all sides of an argument and often mediating to solve problems.

The Junior Council also heard a presentation from the Gold Coast Youth Service which highlighted the important work they do in supporting youth that encounter wellbeing related issues ranging from homelessness through to mental health concerns and anxiety.

Well done to Kaitlyn, Ella, Jaime and Hamish for representing PBC with pride.

Brad Dixon
Dean of Students, Years 10 and 11

Other Senior Schooling News

• Year 10 and 11 students complete shutdown on Tuesday 19 June and return to normal classes on Wednesday 20 June. Year 12 students return to normal classes on Thursday 21 June.
• Parents and students are reminded that all classes will be actively commencing new work during week 11 and that students are expected to attend school up to and including 29 June.
• Reports should be finalised by the end of week 11 and the senior schooling team will start the performance monitoring process. Students need to be passing at least 5 of their 6 classes to achieve the QCE. Any parents of “at risk “students will be contacted by the Senior Schooling team.
• OP predictions for Year 11 and 12 students should be finalised by the end of week 1 next term. Year 12 students will then have an OP prediction interview and parents of 11 and 12 OP students will be sent an OP prediction email. A reminder that every rung and level achievement and the QCS performance of the cohort are utilised in OP calculations. Students that are just passing (Cs) are unlikely to get an OP below 15 to secure a tertiary place.
• Any Year 10 or 11 student requesting a subject change will have to attend a meeting in Y block at 11:30am on Tuesday 26 June. Please note only limited changes will be available.
• Any Year 12 students wishing to complete a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course during the last week of school should register with Ms Shreeve in Y block. The cost of this course is $50.
• Please find attached an overview of scholarships on offer at our local Universities. Please take the time to click on the links – many of you will be eligible for a wide range of these scholarships. Please pay particular attention to application due dates as these differ between Universities.

Middle School Update

Congratulations to our Middle School students on their daily commitment to proudly wearing their PBC uniform and aspire to reach our 95% attendance target. As we approach the end of Semester 1, student reflection is important. The PBC Reds’ Pledge “did I strive to be my best self and actively support others to do the same?” is a common thread for parent/caregivers and staff to discuss with your child. Attendance, behaviour and performance are key achievement indicators and at our recent Optima Award Assemblies we challenged the middle school students to aspire to achieve ‘Excellent’ in both Effort and Behaviour for any 5 subjects for their Semester 1 report. We reinforce high expectations for students so to optimise their daily learning and wellbeing.

Middle School students have been supported with intervention programs this Semester. We have had 45 students attend the Restore Program and 20 participate in Rock and Water, led by the Middle School Dean of Students. The Restore curriculum is based on Positive Education which in turn embeds the House and CARE Program within PBC. These programs allow students to reflect on their behaviour, understand their behaviour and discover new ways to behave.

Some of the student feedback included ‘the program helped me to stay calm’, ‘I loved mindfulness’, ‘I really got to know myself’ and ‘it made me see the good things about myself’. As Restore focuses on restoration and prevention of further misbehaviours students that are ‘at-risk’ behaviourally will be identified by the Year Coordinators and Deans for group based intervention during Semester 2.

Meeting Commitments and Enjoying Well Earned Holidays

Middle School students have now completed their assessment and have moved on to their next units of work. Current class work will be assessed in the first half of next term. For this reason, please ensure that your child attends school up until the final day, so that they can meet all of their commitments and be up to date with their learning when they return to school on Monday, 16 July 2018.

Semester 1 Reports

Your child’s school report will be emailed home on Friday 29 June 2018.

The Semester Report is a detailed, written report, showing what your student has studied, their results, and strategies for improvement or consolidation. Most students have been working hard to achieve their best, so Reports should provide moments for celebrating successes, as well as setting new goals for Term 3.

As you will receive the report electronically, please check that we have your current email address recorded. If you have any concerns about receiving your child’s report, contact A Block Administration, on 5525 9333.

Unibound Program

This Wednesday 20 June, around 50 Year 9 students will visit Southern Cross University to get a taste of university life. They will experience some lectures, have the opportunity to ask questions and explore the campus. The purpose of the day is to encourage these young people to consider university as an option in the future. We wish them well for the day.

Growth Mindset

I had the pleasure of addressing our middle school students on their year level assemblies last week about the importance of embracing a growth mindset. A Growth Mindset is a concept developed by Carol Dweck, a Professor of Psychology at Stanford University. It is the belief that a person's abilities and intelligence can be developed through practice, hard work, dedication and motivation. A concept that sits firmly within our PBC motto of Nil Sed Optima, doing nothing but the best and striving to be the best. Students who have a growth mindset are more likely to:

• Learn from their mistakes
• Be motivated to succeed
• Put in maximum effort
• Take challenges head on
• Seek feedback

With most assessments now completed this is the time for your student to seek feedback from their teachers about how they can improve and set realist goals for Semester 2. I would encourage you to use the goal setting pages in the Middle School planner pages 6 and 7. This is one way for you and your student to track their progress and work towards their next achievement. By promoting a growth mindset, you can help your student to build a solid foundation for future learning. To help develop the growth mindset at home:

• Encourage effort, perseverance and resilience over fixed traits such as raw talent or intelligence
• Help your student to actively solve problems instead of reacting to problems
• Help your student to set goals
• Provide opportunities for your student to be challenged
• Emphasise the ability to grow in all areas

Just like learning to walk, there are many stumbles along the way but to reach our potential takes practice and perseverance.

Final Week Vigilance

As we head into the final weeks of Term 2 our teachers are working hard to keep students motivated and focussed on learning. Please assist us to ensure your student maintains our high PBC expectations in regard to uniform and attendance right through until Friday 29 June.

Enjoy your well-deserved holidays with your families and friends. Relax, recharge and stay safe. We look forward to seeing you all upon our return in term 3.

The Arts News

24 Hour Film Festival

The media excellence department would like to extend a congratulations to all of the students who took part in our recent 48hour film festival. As usual we launched the event at Bounce Trampoline Park where students were given the rule of the competition: to create a short film that included a line of dialogue (“Well, that wasn’t supposed to happen”), a character called Lucky and a Shoelace and the biggest challenge of all was that they only had a weekend to do it! While the films were the highest standard we’ve seen so far and it was a hard fought battle the winner of the night was the movie ‘Cold Feet’ by Gloria Hair, Ginevra Lo Giudice and Ivy Gleeson. The girls took inspiration from the directorial style of Wes Anderson to create a sweet teenage drama about meeting a friend for the first time and the film won both the Staff Choice and Audience Choice categories. Hop on over to the school Facebook page if you’d like to see the film and more photos of the event.

Optima Music Camp

In week 3, the Optima Wind Ensemble were chaperoned to Mt Tamborine to participate in their annual band camp. The students worked for up to 7 hours a day on repertoire/rehearsal and then into the night participating in team building games. The students used the time to get to welcome the newest members to the group and develop and nurture relationships. The team work all Instrumental music students display is incredible and highly evident in their performances.

Whilst on camp, students welcomed PBC alumni Danilo Allen who has the task of producing a band video which will highlight the importance of band and how being a musician and working in a team environment contributes positively to their high school experience. We look forward to presenting this video in August at our Pre-Eisteddfod Concert.

Kayla Latter, Justin Hart and students would like to thank Loren Skyring, Dani McGlynn and Chris Capra for coming along to camp and allowing us to share our joy of music with them.

Brisbane “Arts in Focus” Dance Eisteddfod

Congratulations to Abby Swanborough and the dance excellence students who competed against 38 other schools across Brisbane, Gold coast and Tasmania and achieved the following results:

• Junior Team – 2nd , 2nd and 5th
• Senior and Open Contemporary Team – 2nd, 3rd, 3rd and 5th

Fanfare

In Week 7, all instrumental music ensembles participated in the state wide competition – Fanfare. The competition uses a criteria based award system to judge the performance of each ensemble depending on their nominated level. The PBC instrumental music ensembles were nominated in all levels and categories and performed to a high level in each. Ensembles performing in Division 1 prepare music of university standard, so to receive two silver awards in this category demonstrates that students in our program are doing a fabulous job. Their hard work and dedication to practise and team work is really paying off.

One of the highlights of Fanfare, apart from performing, was looking out to the audience and seeing the enormous support crowd we had there. The Band Mums and Dads (Band MAD support group) recently invested in roadie shirts, so not only did the students look fabulous representing PBC, so did the proud parents.

• String Orchestra – Division 3 – Silver
• Infinity Wind Ensemble – Division 3 – Gold
• Synergy Wind Ensemble – Division 1 – Silver
• Optima Wind Ensemble – Division 1 – Silver
• Stage Band 3 – Division 3 – Silver
• Stage Band 2 - -Division 2 – Silver
• Stage Band 1 – Division 1 – Bronze

Grease – The Musical

Last week over 100 PBC students from all grades and disciplines worked together to present, ‘Grease The Musical.’ The students made up the cast, musicians, technical crew, backstage crew, film crew and set designers. The students were directed by Lisa Smith, artistic director of White Rabbit Theatre, Logan Chesebro a former Drama Excellence student as assistant director while being supported by the Creative Arts staff. It was a celebration of all things ‘Grease’! The practical Arts department held a diner, selling milkshakes and sliders, we had classic cars from American Auto, jukebox and canteen, all contributing to the atmosphere of Rydell High School. The students exceeded everyone’s expectations in producing countless polished performances. 6 in fact. Over 4 days. A gruelling week for the youngsters. But all of them took it in their stride and performed their socks off to bring the PBC Community together in a celebration of the Arts. Grease was certainly the word!

Loren Skyring
HOD The Arts/Creative Arts Excellence

General News

Year 12 University Coffee Morning

For all Year 12 students with an interest in attending University next year please be aware we have one more university visit from UQ this Friday 22 June in U/V Blocks from 8:00am to 9:00am. UQ representatives will be here to spread word regarding their programs, open days, scholarship opportunities and entry requirements.

Come over for barista coffee served by senior hospitality students and find out more about UQ!

Griffith University Careers in Commerce Excursion

The day provided an opportunity for high-achieving Year 11 BCT and Year 10 Business Studies and Economics students to gain valuable insights into the exciting career choices available to them as Business/Commerce graduates at Griffith University. Students heard from Griffith University Alumni who have used their qualifications to forge successful careers in the diverse areas of accounting, business law, economics, finance and financial planning. Current students also shared their university experiences and inspired students to work hard to pursue and achieve their goals. Students enjoyed delicious sandwiches, complimentary of the University whilst mingling with students from other Brisbane/Gold Coast Schools and Griffith University students on campus. The afternoon saw students get into groups to compete in highly engaging financial games against the other schools. PBC students were victorious, winning many amazing prizes for their efforts. Overall, a highly rewarding day was had by all.

2018 Staff vs Students Soccer Match

Just moments after the kick off was taken, Chris Capra was scratching around in his pocket to record the first goal of the match. Brad Davis was playing in goal for the teachers due to a late injury concern and before he found his bearings he was under severe pressure. The students started with intensity and their high pressing defensive work was rewarded with a goal courtesy of Alec Tudehope. 1-0 students. As the game progressed the likes of Kim Woodcock, CJ Walsh and Kirsten McGilvray started to combine down the left hand side and started creating some good opportunities. Strong defensive work from Will Mitrakis, Nicholas Bray, Eriq Burovski and Cassidy Ormiston kept the teachers scoreless for a period. Finally after numerous offensive raids, the teachers were awarded a corner and up stepped Ben Falvey for a clinical finish from close range. 1-1

As the conclusion of the game was looming, and the result looking destined for a draw, Chris Patison played an inch perfect throughball splitting two defenders for Dean Critchlow who slotted calmly into the back of the net. 2-1 teachers.

Thanks to all students and staff involved in the match.

Entertainment Books for Sale Now!

PBC is raising funds for our new Library precinct. Order and receive your NEW 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Membership today!

Your 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Membership expired on 1 June 2018. Please continue supporting our fundraising by purchasing the 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Membership from us today. Hundreds of great value offers are ready for your enjoyment, while also helping our fundraising! Be quick, the new Membership is selling fast!

Using just a few of these offers will cover your cost of the Membership!

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.

Thinking of our ADF on Anzac Day

PBC Care Class A5S discovered a program through “Veterans 360 Australia” on Facebook who organise packages to be sent for ANZAC Day to deployed troops through Australia Post. The students brought in a variety of food items such as; Tim Tams, 2 minute noodles, Vegemite, Caramello koalas, Allens lollies, baked beans as well as non-consumables such as a newspaper and lip balm. We were able to send four boxes of these Aussie treats from the donations the students made.

Class A5S were thrilled to receive a personal thank you in the mail this week from LT Tom Carroll. "...From everyone over here in the Middle East, I can sincerely say the packages were a welcome accompaniment to our ANZAC Day. On behalf of myself and all my soldiers, thank you for thinking of us on the day."

48 hour Film Festival Winners

Congratulations to Year 9 Media Excellence students Ivy Gleeson, Ginny LoGuidice and Gloria Hair for their phenomenal short film Cold Feet. Inspired by the works of director Wes Anderson and made in just 48 hours the project won both the Staff Choice and Audience Choice categories on the night.

Well done girls!

Dates to Remember

P&C Meeting

The next PBC P&C Meeting will be on Tuesday 19 June at 6:30pm in the Trade Training Centre. During this meeting we will be discussing fundraising opportunities. We are eager to meet with members of the PBC community to discuss ideas and to connect with anyone willing to assist with fundraising. This is a chance to support PBC for the quality education and amazing opportunities it provides to our kids!

PBC Alliance News

Support our PBC Alliance Partners

Thank you to all the wonderful businesses that are 2018 PBC Alliance Partners! The support of these amazing businesses, for our students, is hugely appreciated.

• Glowing Green Australia
• Aurora Training Institute
• Prestige Service Training
• Stone Style
• Griffith University
• Southport Sharks
• Struddys Sports
• Capital Pest Management
• Currumbin RSL
• Firewire Surfboards
• PFD
• GCU Gold Coast United
• Mighty Minds
• Trade Glass
• Tweed Sea Sports
• Tree Trunk Digital
• MSP Photography
• Retire Me Young
• Fraser Financial Services
• Wilson Haynes Solicitors
• Burleigh Bears Rugby League
• Currumbin Junior Rugby League

PBC Alliance Business Directory

If you are looking for a product or service look no further than the PBC Alliance Business Directory. All the listings in this directory are supporters of our students so please support those that support PBC.

Would you like to advertise your business in the PBC Alliance Business Directory? Membership is just $25 which includes a business directory listing, invitations to all our events and inclusion on our newsletter database so you can be kept up to date with PBC Alliance news. Head to the link below to sign up!

BYOD

Please see our website for details:

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 from your invoice or statement or Direct Deposit.

For Internet banking please use the details below:

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).

For credit card payment or to request bank details for direct bank transfer, please telephone the school, or visit Student Services between 8:00am-1:00pm.

SRS Fees

Make payments the quick and easy way using BPOINT. Visit the link below, follow the prompts or phone BPOINT on 1300 631 073.

Parents/caregivers experiencing financial difficulty can email ParentSupport ParentSupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au.

Payment plan options are available including Centrepay -a service to families whereby periodic payments can be made to the school or Direct Debit via credit card (monthly). Paperwork is available from the Student Services Office to activate either of these plans.

Saver Plus

Community Notices

Free Bike Safety Check

During the SAVE Event on 22 June The City of Gold Coast will be conducting FREE bicycle safety check-ups from 7:30am-9:00am at the PBC bike racks.

Bicycle mechanics from Topline Cycles will be on hand to conduct safety checks that include:

• Checking all bolts on the bike (handle bar, stem, wheels)
• Adjusting brakes
• Will be bringing reflectors and bells for visibility at night
• Opportunity for students to ask questions on general bike maintenance and best maintenance procedures.

First in, best dressed!

Mobile Dental Clinic – Gold Coast Oral Health Service

The School Dental Van is currently at PBC and offering FREE dental treatment. We will be leaving the school on 22 June so if you have not made an appointment yet please do so by calling 1300 300 850 as soon as possible.

If a parent is unable to attend, please get your child to collect a consent form from the van that you can sign and your child can bring it to their appointment on their own.

Defence Jobs – Female only YOU Session Opportunity

Wednesday 11 July, click this link for more information.

Camp Counsellors USA 2019

Applications are now open for Camp Counselors USA 2019. We invite your students to our Season Launch Meeting happening at Chermside Library on the evening of Monday 25 June, plus we have an Online Meeting option on Wednesday 27 June.