Feedback 

I am really encouraged by the work that I am seeing occurring in classrooms and the level of specific feedback that students are receiving from their teachers to improve their work. This feedback and responding to it is a vital step in any individual task. 

Please encourage your young person to read any feedback on drafts or to consider feedback from any pre-tests very carefully and ask them if they understand what the teacher is telling them about their attempts. 

The other challenging step for junior secondary is being organised enough to meet those timelines. As a parent staying connected to your young person’s deadlines and coaching them to meet these is one way we can work together in their education. Please discuss with them when their deadlines are and work with them to achieve this around their other at home commitments. Assessment due dates are published in our assessment calendars on the school's website.  

It was wonderful to see so many junior secondary parents meeting with teachers across out parent teacher interview evenings. These nights are a great way to connect with your child's class teacher about their progress. If you have missed this opportunity then please feel free to email teachers for further informal commentary about how your child is progressing.  

If your child is at risk of failing the semester and there is a possibility of turning this around teachers are encouraged to reach out to the parents of these students to hopefully change their trajectory.  

All these things will allow you to extend your support role in their learning which as a school we are grateful for and value the role you play in this as parents. 

Flexible Learning Space 

This term the school has been trialing a new space where students who are facing current challenges can access their learning in an alternate room given the environment they are needing to stay engaged with schooling. Whilst it's operation has been very bespoke and small scale so far, it is hoped that this may be extended for second semester and into 2024. We are seeing an increasing number of young people who have mental health concerns some of whom struggle to engage with mainstream schooling. It is my hope that we can create a model that will help us to cater for a continually evolving and diverse student body.  

OPTIMA Assemblies 

Wonderful numbers of parents supporting Year 7 recipients at our first Optima assembly for 2023 for them. 

• Please note there were no nominations for cultural or community service in this term.

We are looking forward to celebrating with all three year levels in July. Remember that Year 7 celebrate each term and Years 8 and 9 each semester.  

Growing Good Humans  

This week each Year 7 class participated in a Growing Good Human session facilitated by Paul Bullpitt, HOD of Positive Behaviour. The key outcomes from these sessions were body awareness, emotional awareness and self-awareness. Students participated in activities that helped them to identifying situations in which they experience anxious and anger emotions. Students were able to use body clues to identify these emotions and also develop skills to improve in their general self-management in regulating their emotions. It was great to witness courageous students making a stand to be kind and be a good human. 

Year 7 CAMP  

Please ensure that if your young person is wanting to attend camp from 9 to 11 October 2023 a $80 deposit is due 16 June to secure your spot. Payments can be made by direct deposit as outlined on the permission form and in person at Finance D block. Once a deposit has been made and invoice will be generated with balance owing. Please return permission forms to A block Student Services.  

If your young person is not attending camp, school attendance is expected as normal classes will still be timetabled.  

Fight for Youth  

Fight 4 Youth is a local youth centre focused on making a big difference in our community. 

Selected PBC Junior Secondary students began the inaugural Fight 4 Youth program in Term 4 2022. Due to the success of the program there have been students in Year 9 participate at Fight 4 Youth in Term 1 and a new group again in Term 2 2023. 

One of the highlights of this program was feeding the homeless.  

Our Term 2 group recently visited the homeless to serve their dinner meal which included pumpkin soup, lasagne, pizza, vegetables, apple pie and ice-cream. The experience was very positive and beneficial to each student as they got to connect with a wide range of age groups that were homeless and listening to their challenges was eye opening to all. 

Work Experience 

All Year 9 students will be participating in Work Experience during Term 3 – Week 10.  There will be no lessons for students during this time.   

This experience may enable students to participate in Work Experience as an opportunity to trial for a school Based Certificate III Traineeship in Year 10 or 11.   

Work Experience Placements for School Student forms requires a student and parent signature. When a willing employer is found they must complete and sign the Work Experience Placement for School Students form and the Risk Assessment form.  

If any student has not received a Parent and Caregiver information form and a Work Experience information form, please see Ms Willmott in A Block.  

The completed forms are to be returned to A Block Junior Secondary Student Services office by the end of Week 5 Term 3 (11 August 2023).