3 February 2015

Principal’s Report

Dear Parents,

2015 is a watershed year in Queensland Education as for the first time in our history, Year 7 has joined the secondary schooling sector. At PBC we welcomed over 430 Year 7 students, over 280 Year 8’s and I couldn’t be more impressed with their first few days at PBC.

In fact, we’ve had a tremendous start to the school year across all year levels. Collectively the students have looked fabulous, been well prepared and most importantly have made a fast start to their studies.

We have high expectations of what will be achieved at PBC this year fuelled by the following excellent results of last year’s graduating class:

• 20.4% of OP eligible students received an OP 1-5
• 92.8% of OP eligible students received an OP 1-15
• 78% of all graduating students achieved either an OP 1-15 or a cert III or higher
• 97% of students attained a QCE
• 26% of all graduates received an early entry offer for university

This data places PBC in the highest echelon of Queensland Schools and I wish to congratulate the students and my colleagues on this outstanding performance.

My colleagues and I have been invigorated by this success and we are committed to 2015 being even bigger and better. In 2015 we are:

• Introducing a whole school study skills program to ensure every student develops these essential skills.
• Opening a new eating / playground area for Year 9 students.
• Engaging a Parent Liaison Officer, Ms Brooke Morton to provide better support for parents.
• Increasing support for students who require assistance with learning.

I am well aware that PBC families make sacrifices to support their child’s education and I would like to sincerely thank you for this. Recently released research shows that providing students with the essentials for learning has a significant impact on their success.

My colleagues and I look forward to working with you to ensure your young person achieves to their potential and I will keep you informed on our progress across our key initiatives in the months ahead.

Thank you for choosing PBC for your child.

Stephen Loggie
Executive Principal

Newsletter Articles

Senior School Update

Welcome back to all our senior school students and families. I hope that you had a restful break and have all returned ready to learn. I have been very impressed with the way students have returned to school and how quickly they have engaged with their school work.

We achieved fantastic results again last year and we have set targets this year that are even more ambitious and we are all aligned to our school motto Nil Sed Optima: Nothing but the best.

It is important at this time of year to reflect on last year’s learning and results and set new targets and goals for 2015. I would expect that you are all taking time to sit down with your young person to discuss their new timetable and teachers, and that you are working together on a study timetable that allocates the right amount of time to study, socialise and play sport.

Our senior school team has included many important messages and strategies that you need to know about for your student to be successful at PBC. I encourage all parents to partner with the school to ensure that we can achieve the best possible results for each and every student.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have a query or an issue so that we can proactively work together to find a solution. Our contact details can be found via the website at www.pbc-shs.eq.edu.au

Lastly I would like to formally invite Year 11 students and parents to our Parent Information Evening for Year 11 students on Wednesday 11 February. It is a very important information night and is a must for all parents and students starting Year 11 in 2015.

Nigel Hughes
Director Senior School

New Deputy Principal of Senior School

I am Alyce Cleary, the new Deputy Principal of Senior School here at PBC.

I am extremely excited to be joining such a wonderful school community united in their goal of achieving nothing but the best for each of our young people.

My role here at PBC relates largely to the welfare of our senior students as well as working with other staff to ensure our students are achieving outstanding outcomes.

In 2015 I am setting out to raise the standards on several fronts including attendance, uniform and student aspirations. I have been delighted to have met just a few of the many people that form the PBC network so far and very much look forward to meeting more of the community as we move forward throughout the year.

Please pop by and say hello if you are in the Y block area.

Alyce Cleary
Deputy Principal Senior School

Information for Term 1

It has been great to see all of our senior students back in class and working hard on achieving their Optima goals and pathways for beyond school. Please see the following information below;

• The senior school information night for Year 11 students will be conducted on Wednesday February 11 from 6:30pm in the school hall. This session will be useful for parents of all Year 11 students and will also include a presentation on study skills.
• Assessment calendars are currently being collated and will be available on the school website and the school intranet after Week 3. Parents/guardians and students should use these calendars to plan their study timetables.
• Exams will be scheduled in the last week of school this term in Week 10 March 30 to Thursday April 2. Students and parents are reminded that according to our assessment policy, exams can under no circumstances be re-scheduled earlier than the rest of their cohort.
• Year 12 OP predictions will be mailed out this week. If your student’s OP prediction is higher than 17 they may need to consider moving to Selection Rank. This will most likely mean a change of one subject but will generally improve tertiary options available in 2016. All Op students are again reminded that every rung is important and that the student’s position in the class will affect their OP.
• Students are again reminded that they need to be eligible for a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) to complete senior. This means that all students are expected to choose appropriate pathways and pass at least five of their six subjects.
• Sports Excellence students in Year 12 may also have an opportunity to complete a Certificate II in Career Oriented participation on Mondays after school during term 1 and term 2. Please contact Ms Halford or Mr McDougall if interested.

During Special programs Wednesday period 2 the following lessons have commenced:

• Year 12 QCS students will continue with their preparation for the Core Skills Test in September.
• Non QCS Year 12 students have commenced the BRAKE Driver Education program.
• Year 11 students have commenced a unit on Study skills.
• Year 10 students have commenced a unit on Social and Emotional Learning.

Mick McDougall
HOD Senior School

2015 School Leaders

Introducing our 2015 School Leaders:

Travis Adkins
Baden Swain
Jasper Limkin
Ruben Kara-Manning
Georgia Wingett
Talisha Herden
Fletcher Harrold
Hayley Bowers
Keiarn Chesebro
Tayla Meyer
Jade Horcicka
Riley Mayne

We are all looking forward to the great work you will do as role models and ambassadors for the students of PBC in 2015.

Year 11 Parent Information Night

The Senior School Information Night for Parents and Students in Year 11 will be held on Wednesday February 11 2015 at 6:30pm in the PBC Hall.

This session will discuss Senior Schooling pathways and outcomes and provide strategies to assist parents and students through years 11 and 12.

This event will also include a presentation on Study skills.

Middle School News

With 2015 seeing the historic transition of Year 7 students into the Queensland secondary school setting, I am proud to say that the PBC Middle School has handed the intake of our new students extremely well. It gives me great pleasure to welcome the Year 7 and 8 students and parents joining PBC for the first time and our (experienced) Year 9 students and families to the 2015 school year.

The beginning of the school year has been very positive and I have been extremely impressed with the start the Middle School students have made.

There are a number of foundation principles that will enable your son/daughter to be fully engaged and successful in our Middle School. The Middle School prides itself in building success for every student. This is built by creating a caring, supportive environment that ensures a smooth transition into the Senior School. Creating supportive and structured learning environments where students have the opportunity to achieve at and beyond their potential are key principles of our Middle School. A major component is also the setting of high expectations for our students to meet whether that is related to learning, behaviour or dress standards. In advance, I would like to thank all parents for their efforts in supporting the school in meeting these standards.

Please be aware that all students have now received their Middle School 2015 Student Planner. It is vital that parents/guardians become familiar with the contents of this planner as it outlines a great deal of very important Middle School specific information and will be used as a planning tool for your son/daughter in regards to homework and upcoming assessment.

In the upcoming weeks, our Year 7 and 8 cohorts will be sitting PAT reading and PAT maths assessments. This will allow the school to analyse the data from these tests and ensure teaching practices meet the needs of our Middle School students. Our Year 9 students have completed these diagnostic tests at the end of last year in readiness for the 2015 school year.

Year 7 and 8 Parent Information Evening

In week 4 this term we will have a combined Year 7 and 8 Parent Information Evening on Wednesday 18 February. This will be a great opportunity to connect with our Middle School community. Parents will be able to meet Year Coordinators, members of the administration team and some class teachers.

Included in this evening is an information session focused on the PBC Middle School Philosophy, homework support, use of student planner and meeting assessment requirements such as preparing for exams and completing assignments; all the details you'll need to best support your son or daughter through the beginning of their high school education. Please save this date to your family diary.

Other important upcoming events include:

• Year 7 Team Building Day/s – Week 2 commencing 2 February
• School Photos (Year 7-10) – Friday 6 February
• Year 7 2016 Excellence Program Information Evening – Wednesday 25 February
• Year 8 Leadership and Problem Solving Day/s – Week 6 commencing 2 March

Blair Hanna
Director of Middle School

Middle School Optima Code

Our Year 7 and 8 students have made a fantastic start to their high school experience. Students have had the Optima Code explained to them and have commenced the year with outstanding behaviour.

For those new to PBC, the Optima Code is how we organise and communicate our behaviour expectations. The Code is based on three basic principles:

• BE SAFE
• BE RESPECTFUL
• BE A LEARNER

All our behaviour conversations with students are around these principles. Students have shown themselves to be respectful this week by the excellent way they have worn their uniforms. It is important that uniforms are worn as is written in our policies. Detentions for uniform infringements for Year 7 and 8 will begin next week. If there is an issue with the uniform please contact the school via the year level coordinator so that we can work to resolve it.

There is a new area for the Year 9 students to have their lunch and congregate at break times. This area is in front of the Library. Year 9 students now access the canteen in F block not in the Middle School canteen. It is expected that Year 9 students will adhere to this area and not congregate on the middle school basketball courts.

All in all it has been an excellent start to the year and I look forward to working with the Middle School students and families.

Peter O’Brien
Deputy Principal Middle School

Optima Goals

The Middle School students are certainly off to a wonderful start at PBC. If you turn to the fourth page of the Student Planner (each student has one of these) who will see where your son or daughter is listing the grades they are working towards achieving this term. We call these ‘Optima Goals’. This goal setting process has grown out of the research of John Hattie, a renowned education expert, whose extensive research analysed 138 different learning strategies and found this to be most effective. Do involve yourself in conversations with your Middle Schooler about what grades they hope to achieve this term, and how it is that they will work towards these goals.

In these first few weeks, some students may feel daunted by aspects of their schoolwork. Telling this to the class teacher is really important as they are best positioned to support your child. For those students who would like further help in the core subjects of Maths and English, teachers at PBC volunteer their time to provide free tutoring. These tutoring sessions are held in the PBC Library each Tuesday afternoon from 3.15-4.15pm starting from Week 3. We look forward to students joining us from Tuesday 10 February.

Sharon Hillcoat
HOD Middle School

Teambuilding and leadership day

Year 7 and 8 students will participate in a teambuilding and leadership day in the first few weeks of Term 1. The day has been designed by an Outdoor Education Teacher and is based on activities that require teamwork, good communication and problem solving skills.

Students are reminded that they wear their sports uniform and hat. A barbeque lunch will be provided in the afternoon, but students must bring their own morning tea and plenty of water.

It will be a fabulous day and both staff and students are eagerly looking forward to it.

Information for the Year 8 students will be sent home at the end of Week 2.

The Middle School has recently employed a Student Activities Officer to develop and implement programs for our younger students. Examples of proposed activities include Middle School news team, round robin sports competitions (i.e. Touch, netball, and volleyball), board games at lunch times and a disco. Students will be surveyed in the coming week about events or activities of interest to them.

Tracey Cardinal
Dean of Students

Excellence Information Evening

If you have a child currently in Year 6 and are interested in maximising their opportunities for success in high school, please come along to our information session.

When: Wednesday 25 February 2015 at 6:30pm.
Where: Palm Beach Currumbin State High School Hall

Bookings are essential for the information night, so please RSVP to Tara Gonzales-Judd on 07 55259 418 or email tgonz6@eq.edu.au

For more information regarding PBC’s Excellence programs please visit
pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/Curriculum/Excellenceprograms/Pages/Excellenceprograms

Tara Gonzales-Judd
Excellence Enrolments Officer

News from the HPE Faculty

Participating and engaging in the curriculum

Due to the varied nature of learning environments students will experience, it is important to development and achievement that they engage in all learning activities. If at any time you believe your student is at reduced capability due to injury or illness, please ensure medical advice is sought and that any such medical advice is communicated to the school and HPE teacher. In all other circumstances please assist by ensuring your student takes their HPE uniform to school on practical learning days.

Unless excused by professional medical advice, students are expected to participate in the curriculum. HPE teachers are trained to modify learning experiences to cater for injury and illness.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Head of Department (Shane Roberts) on extension 362.

Junior Secondary HPE

Year 7

HPE classes are studying two units concurrently. The practical performance unit is volleyball, although the students will begin by learning through Newcombe Ball. By the end of the unit, students will have the opportunity to develop a range of skills and game tactics. The theory unit is Social and Emotional Development. The assessment task is responding to a letter as an Advice Columnist. This task has two parts; one completed in class and the second part completed as homework. This will occur at the end of Week 9 and into Week 10 of term.

Year 8

HPE classes are studying either an Indigenous Games unit or a Nutrition unit. The Indigenous games unit explores a range of games from our indigenous heritage and seeks to understand the cultural significance of these games. In the nutrition unit students will plan a healthy lunchbox. Assessment for these units will occur in week 6.

Year 9

HPE classes are studying either the anatomical foundation of track and field events or fitness development for a duathlon. These units represent an integration of theory and practical learning as the theory is applied to the specific practical performance environment they are engaged in. Both units have a performance assessment and a written assessment. The written assessment will be due in Week 10 of term.

Senior Secondary HPE

All senior secondary courses will have provided students with a yearly overview of the units and assessment.

HPE facilities

Over the course of your student’s engagement in HPE, they will access a range of on and off site facilities. The offsite facilities include;

• Palm Beach Currumbin Olympic pool – for aquatic activities in all year levels
• Currumbin Creek – for lifesaving and canoeing in senior secondary
• Boardwalk along Currumbin Creek – for running in all year levels
• Lacey’s Beach – for lifesaving and surfing in senior secondary

Shane Roberts
HOD HPE

Pathways Centre News

School based traineeships available for Year 10 and 11 in 2015

We have some wonderful opportunities in the Pathway Centre to begin the New Year.

Apprentice Chef – School based. Coolangatta Tweed Surf Lifesaving Club and Burleigh Heads SLSC are looking for an apprentice chef school based.

CHEFSTARZ indigenous program: Want to become a chef? Open to all indigenous student’s Years 10 – 12. This is a 12 week course run in the PBC trade Training Centre starting 20 Feb.

These students will participate in the program as a direct pathway leading to an employment outcome of a School Based Apprentice Chef position at a leading hospitality venue on the Gold Coast.

Cert III Hospitality: Crema Espresso Robina and Pac Fair, Secret Deck Café Coolangatta, Zarraffas Palm Beach, Café Biaggi Burleigh, Coffee Club Coolangatta, Le Petite Pantry Palm Beach, Tugun SLSC, Paleo Café Burleigh & The Beach Café Surfers Paradise.

Cert III Business at City Beach Stores: School based traineeships, working one day a week. Australia Fair Southport.

Cert III Hairdressing: Prima Hair and Beauty Palm Beach. Must be well groomed. Work day will be Tuesdays.

Cert III Business: Bunnings Warehouse Traineeships are open to Year 11 only for the first intake in 2015. Taking expressions of interest now. Interviews in April and successful applicants will be offered trials in May/June. Offers for traineeships will begin July. These traineeships are for the Burleigh Store only. Limited positions so get your applications in early. This program will be open to year 10’s later in the year.

Hungry Jacks: Already working at Hungry Jacks? Turn your part time job into a traineeship. Email traineeshipsqld@hungryjacks.com.au or call 3868 1646.

Butcher: School based apprenticeship with Gold Coast Organic Meats Mermaid Waters and Benowa open to year 10/11 student

Cert III Hospitality: Wendys the Pines. Successful applicant will be offered a casual position before becoming a traineeship. Open to year 10/11 students. Take resume into the store to apply.

Indigenous Traineeship: Cert III Business Year 11 students only. Mission Australia offices, varies locations on the Gold Coast.

Palm Beach Pool: Cert III Business traineeship with Palm Beach Pool right next door to the school. Open to Years 10-11. Exciting opportunity great on the job training.

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary: School based traineeship positions available in Hospitality and Tourism, collect application from The Pathway Centre.

Cert II Business: The Arts Centre, Bundall. Looking for students 15 years or older to become a development assistant and interested in the arts and creative industry. This is a great opportunity and the position will fill fast.

Sonia Shreeve
Industry Liaison Officer

Homestay Families Wanted for Short Term Study Tour

Would you like to be part of a successful Homestay Program and experience a new culture?

Palm Beach Currumbin State High requires homestay families who live in the Palm Beach/Elanora/Tugun area to host students from Japan who are on an International Study Tour from 5 -19 March.

Families are financially reimbursed in return for providing a caring family environment, meals, transport to and from school and accommodation.

Students are aged 15-17 years.

For more information about this program. Please call Corinne Van Put on telephone 5525 9394 or 0438 191 637 email: cvanp1@eq.edu.au

Corinne Van Put
International Student Coordinator

School Based Youth Nurse Notes

As the school nurse I am here as a support for the students, staff and wider school community.

The following resources maybe of use to you as the teenage years are challenging.

Lifeline ph: 1300131114
Kids Helpline ph: 1800551800 www.kidshelp.com.au
Parentline ph: 1300301300 www.parentline.com.au
Gold Coast University Hospital ph: 1300744284
Robina Hospital ph: 56686000
Tweed Hospital ph: 55361133
Headspace ph: 55095900 www.headspace.org.au
Beyond Blue ph: 133224636 www.beyondblue.org.au
Paradise Kids ph: 55746853
Griefline ph: 1300845745
Gold Coast Drug Council ph: 55354302 www.gcdrugcouncil.org.au
Relationships Australia ph: 1300364277

Judy Nunn
School Based Youth Nurse

School Vaccination Program

Queensland’s School Vaccination Program provides parents and guardians with the opportunity for their child to receive free scheduled immunisations during Year 8 and Year 10 at their school. The program is offered to all Queensland secondary schools. A child is eligible for vaccine based on their Year level at school rather than their age.

2015 immunisation packs will be posted to households in the coming week. All forms are to be completed and returned by Monday 9 March either to Student Services or via mail using the enclosed paid postage envelope.

The immunisation dates for Palm Beach Currumbin State High School this year are:

• Tuesday 17 March
• Tuesday 19 May
• Tuesday 13 October

Please note that immunisations take place from 9am – 11:30am on these elected dates.

For further information please contact your local public health unit.

If you have any questions regarding the immunisations please call Helen Warren (First Aide Officer) on (07) 5525 9431.

Marnie Loxton
Business Services Manager

Study skills workshop

On Tuesday 27 January Elevate Education hosted a study skills workshop for over 200 Year 10 and 11 students. The topics covered included:

Working consistently

How to take notes throughout the term, instead of just before an exam.

Note taking

How to extract ideas from readings into an organised set of notes.

Conceptual learning skills

Breaking information into relevant parts as opposed to simply rote-learning material.

Standing out in assessment

How to distinguish themselves from other students in assessments.

Testimonials from students who attended on the day were very positive with regard to learning opportunities and engagement. Students who were unable to attend the workshop will benefit from the techniques learned on the day, through the study skills lessons in Period 2 on Wednesday throughout Term 1.

Courtney Underwood
Study Skills Coordinator

Guidance Officer News

Senior School

Welcome back to the start of the 2015 school year!

Our first article tackles the question I'm sure students will ask - what are the best careers to consider?

When considering future career opportunities much is said about the new jobs that children will have that don’t exist at present, therefore how can they decide what to study or what they want to be. This is somewhat of a furphy as this has always been the case. It’s true that new careers and jobs are created as technology develops but these ‘new’ jobs are not ones that will employ hundreds of thousands of people.

So where are the jobs of the future?

Top 5 Hottest Industries

1. Education and Training

The rate of population growth within Australia is higher now than it was for the Baby Boomers, putting pressure on Australia’s education system and driving demand for additional teachers across multiple disciplines. This growth, combined with an influx of parents striving to set their children up for academic success, is also impacting the tutoring industry in a positive manner.

2. Healthcare and Medical

The demand for healthcare and medical workers is being boosted across the country as a result of the ageing population and advanced medical treatment technologies.

3. Building Trades

It’s a great time to be in the building trades, with the construction industry expected to grow 8 per cent by November 2018. Building trades jobs are in demand across the country (and not just in urban areas), while technicians and trade workers make up more than half of the industry.

4. Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT professionals play a vital role across almost every industry in Australia as technology becomes more integral to every facet of our lives. As an enabler of productivity and innovation in the economy, ICT is unmatched with an increased need for more specialist skills.

5. Design and Architecture

Demand for architects rocketed in 2014, making the profession one of the most sought after in Australia. The recovering economy continues to stimulate a building boom which is boosting the need for these skills. Businesses are also moving towards more sophisticated online environments, growing demand for ‘new’ careers such as digital designers.

Source: SEEK Learning
Industry Projections 2018 (Dept of Employment)
Occupation Projections 2018 (Dept. of Employment)

Career in medicine, dentistry or optometry - Years 10, 11 and 12 students

Simulated UMAT Day - Brisbane
Workshop date: Saturday: 7 February 2015
Where: University of Queensland - St Lucia Campus

The National Institute of Education (NIE) will be conducting UMAT 2015 preparation workshop on Saturday 7th of February 2015.

While the Simulated UMAT Day is extremely beneficial for Year 12 students, who will be attempting the real UMAT on 29 July 2015, this workshop is also highly recommended to anyone in Years 10 or 11 and aiming for a head start in UMAT preparation.

The workshop includes an overview of the entire UMAT process - exam, scores, standardising, applications, university requirements, interviews, past experiences, professional advice, performance expectations, and more. Each student is individually assessed and fine-tuned for peak performance. Strategic problem solving and tuition in each of the three UMAT constructs. The workshop will be conducted by two highly experienced and expert lecturers who will define and explain each UMAT construct. A full practice test conducted under exam conditions, followed by a feedback session. This intense full day preparation workshop allows students to identify and explore their true strengths and weaknesses.

Cost: $249 (Food and refreshments will be provided)

For further information please contact:

National Institute of Education: 1300 974 187
enquiries@nie.edu.au
www.nie.edu.au

Steve Jones
Guidance Officer Senior School

The Tightrope between Primary and High School – Scary or Successful?

‘Orientation’ is an event, whereas ‘transition’ is a process. I have worked with students in senior years who I believe are STILL transitioning into responsible, resilient, motivated young adults.

This particular transition coincides with massive physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth and development. The adolescent brain is undergoing huge reconstruction, and the tendency towards impulsive behaviour and the expression of ‘odd’ attitudes can be confronting for both teachers and parents alike.

Adolescents in this age group vacillate between extremes of emotions; progressions and regressions in thinking and learning; swings between self-centredness and altruism; between dependence and independence; and between social behaviour and isolation (Arnold, 2000).

So how, can high school teachers and parents support the transition process with their new Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students?

Research has identified these five R’s as essential for long-term student engagement and well-being. The five R’s of Relationships, Relevance, Rigour, Responsibility, and Resilience…not just the three R’s of reading, writing and ‘rithmetic!

Here are a few key points we need to consider when preparing our students for high school and life:

Relationships are critical to this age group. New high schoolers are more interested in how they ‘fit’ than how much they know. Peer relationships are uppermost in their minds, but role models, mentors, relationships with trusted adults are also what they seek. They don’t need adult friends, they need mutual trust and respect from us as Parents, teachers, year advisers and counsellors. They need to earn our trust and we need to earn theirs (DET Vic, 1999).

“When am I EVER going to need to know this?” Sound familiar? Kids look for relevance; something that sits with their sense of reality beyond the classroom. As teachers and parents we need to frame the teaching and the learning in a real world context – not always easy. If we can engage students as co-participants in their learning… not just us telling them what to do, the results can be amazing (Pendergast & Bahr, 2005).

One of the biggest complaints of early high schoolers is that their initial excitement at the prospect of being challenged by new, “harder” work is quickly replaced by disappointment. Because Year 7 and Year 8 teachers may not yet know the capacity of their students, the inevitable ‘dumbing down’ and ‘revising’ of material already covered in primary school immediately undercuts the challenge of high school learning, and establishes low expectations and potential disengagement. We need to be rigorous and challenge our students; and have realistic and transparent expectations of the standard and quality of work we will accept.

Responsibility is not only key to success at school, but to life in general! The PEEL Project, started in Victoria in 1985, implemented hundreds of proformas, rubrics and strategies for teachers to support independent, self-regulated learners. One of the most important developmental tasks for adolescents is to learn how to take responsibility for decisions, actions and consequences (Mitchell, Mitchell and McKinnon, 2001). In terms of personal responsibility, research suggests that increased anxiety, confusion and decreased motivation are direct responses to the stripping of responsibilities from incoming Year 7 and Year 8 students. We need to provide not only opportunities for responsible learning, but also for increased leadership roles on entry to high school.

The ‘gold star for everything’ approach in schools does NOT support resilience. Student resilience levels decline from Year 5 to Year 9 (Krause et al, 2003) for a variety of reasons. We need to offer well-scaffolded academic and non-academic tasks to build self-esteem and self-efficacy. Promoting goal setting, open communication and recognising individual learning styles and learning differences are all ways we can support students to develop resilience.

Final reflection

Transition from primary to secondary school is a significant process. Some kids handle it better than others. We have a high level of responsibility to provide the kinds of learning experiences that will not only assist them in their learning, but also to become resilient, responsible adults ready to take their place in the world. What we do (or don’t do) now will affect these young people for a long time to come – both academically and, more importantly, personally.

Note: This article was taken from Angie Wilcock’s (the tightrope from primary school to high school) work.

Anna Willis
Guidance Officer Middle School

Uniform Shop Update

Uniform Shop Trading Times
Monday to Friday	8:15am to 9.30am
Open 1st lunch break	11.25amto 12.15pm

Please refer to the website for all price lists and order forms.

CAX SHIRTS

If you ordered a CAX SHIRT in Term 4 2014 they will be available to be collected from the Uniform Shop from Tuesday 3 February 2015.

SPORT EXCELLENCE UNIFORMS

If you placed an order for Sport Excellence in Term 4 2014 when the order arrives you will receive a text message and then you child can come and collect their order from the Uniform Shop.

BUCKET HATS/PBC CAPS

Bucket hats and PBC caps are now available to purchase from Uniform Shop and are a Compulsory part of the Uniform and is recommended for all Outdoor activities. Cost is $15 each.

PBC SCHOOL BAGS

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

Features include:

• lifetime guarantee
• padded laptop pocket
• water resistant
• Ergonomic design
• Mesh drink bottle holder
• $70 each

2015 SENIOR JERSEYS

Year 12 jerseys that were ordered and paid for in Term 4 2014 will be arriving soon.

If you would like to order a 2015 senior jersey we will be running another order from Tuesday 3 February to Wednesday 18 February 2015. The cost is $77 and order forms will be available from the uniform shop and payment to be made at student services.

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 give me a call on 07 55259331 and pay for any uniform item over the phone.

Mandy Webb
Uniform Shop Coordinator

Administration

For internet banking please use the details below:

School’s Bank Account: PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS General A/C
BSB Number: 064-404 CBA Branch Burleigh Heads
Account Number: 00090303
Reference/Details: Record both Student ID AND the reference Code to ensure your payment can be recorded correctly. (Reference Code = ITEM BEING PAID FOR e.g.: 2014 SRS8 or 2014 ACEX10)

Resources and Activities Schedule

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

Student Fee Excursion/ Activity	Activity Details	Amount Due	Date Due
Course Fees
Student Resource Scheme	2015 Fees Year 7 to Year 12	$330	1st instalment overdue
Excellence Program Fees	Excellence program 2015 students	Various	Overdue
2015 Instrumental Music Program	Years 9-12	$75.00	Due now
QCS 2015	Year 12 students	$50	Due now
Please note that all students are requested to present their Student ID card when making any payments to Student Services.

If your student is participating in a cert 3 or 4 subject, invoices will be sent out in the coming weeks.

Most excursions do not appear on student statements. If you have any queries please call Lynne Riley in Student Services on 07 5525 9308.

Lost Property

Please check with Student Services for items like pencil cases, lunch boxes, etc. If you have lost an article of clothing (jumpers, shoes, hat) please check with the Uniform Shop.

Second Hand Uniforms

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

If your uniforms are good condition, please drop them off to the Student Services.

Junior Basketball Club

Palm Beach Currumbin Junior Basketball Club is holding the first of our three trials on Friday 30 January 5-8pm at the Tallebudgera Leisure Centre Gold Coast Highway for upcoming winter season.

Miniball program commences Saturday 7 February at 8.45am (4yo to 10yo). Please contact Deb Brooks for more information on 0418 725 293 or email pbcmagpiesbb@gmail.com

Charity Cricket Match

Charity Cricket Match between the Gold Coast Suns and Bond Uni Rugby Club, raising funds for Autism Gold Coast, on Sunday 1 February at Cheltenham Oval Robina, 10am-3pm. Gold coin entry.

Lots of fun for all the family! There will be limited overs cricket, a jumping castle, face painting, balloon artists, pony rides, hot rod cars/racing car, and fire brigade display on display, food stalls and raffles.

Currumbin Eagles Junior Rugby League

CURRUMBIN EAGLES JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE SIGN ON

When: Saturday 31 January 2015
Where: 26 Galleon Way, Currumbin Waters
Time: 10am – 4pm

PCYC Community Open Day

Scouts Australia Sign on Day

Do your kids like:

• Camping, sailing, hiking, caving, abseiling or rock climbing?
• Orienteering, construction or knot tying?
• Learning first aid skills or geocaching?
• Open fire cooking, kayaking or learning about conservation?
• Learning survival skills, astronomy, or learning bush skills?
• Learning about aircrafts or tackling obstacle courses?
• Making new friends and experiencing new challenges?
• Earning badges to wear on their uniform?

Sign On Day / Weekend at Palm Beach Scout Group!
ADDRESS: Salk Oval, Sarawak Ave, Palm Beach
DATE: Sun 8 Feb 2015
TIME: 10AM – 2PM
For more info: call 0420 242 679 or email koala@plessius-it.com
www.scoutsqld.com.au

Sand Safari

Let the magic of this year's Sand Safari experience take you to an enchanted wonderland as the Surfers Paradise Foreshore & various locations across the Gold Coast bring Disney's magical friendships to life. This year's Sand Safari will see the coastline of Surfers Paradise fill with a dozen 10-25 tonne sand sculptures of your favourite Disney friends.

Come and admire the art of sand sculpting as each sculptor competes in this year's Australian Sand Sculpting Championships, sculpting Disney characters and scenes in sand. There'll also be a feature interactive Disney sculpture where you can have your photo taken among the display, along with sand art and bottle workshops.

Running over two weeks, there's plenty of time to grab the whole family for what is set to be an amazing outing, fun for all ages!

Price: Free
Address: The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise
Phone: (07) 5584 3700
Website: http://www.surfersparadise.com/whats-on/free-events/sand-safari/

Buskers by the Creek