Subject Selection for 2020

Over the coming weeks, PBC families will receive 2020 Enrolment Packs for each of their students currently in Years 7 to 11. 

For most students currently in Year 7, programs will continue as they have this year. 

Year 8 students:

For Year 8 students, this is a particularly exciting time as they will be choosing elective subjects for the first time. The Subject Selection form is in the Enrolment Pack, as are instructions on how to complete it. 

In Year 9 2020, all students will study English (or Advanced English), Mathematics (or Advanced Maths), Science, one semester of HPE and one semester of History. They will also study two electives. 

Year 8s have had it explained on assembly that for the sake of the form, no student is to assume they will be selected into CAX or Sport Ex next year. All students, regardless of CAX and Sport Ex, must make a selection of two electives and two reserve electives. CAX and Sport Ex will be prioritised over elective choices as we plan the 2020 timetable. 

What Year 8 students need to do:

• Read the 2020 Subject Selection Guides as soon as it is available on the PBC website.
• Talk with teachers and CARE class peers about subjects
• Think about what they enjoy and what they are good at
• Decide on which two electives they would like to study
• Pick two ‘reserve’ electives
• Discuss their choices with parents or caregivers. 

Year 9 Students:

In Year 10 2020, all students will study English (or Advanced English), Mathematics (or Advanced Maths), Science. They will also study three electives. 

No student is to assume they will be selected into CAX or Sport Ex next year. All students, regardless of CAX and Sport Ex, must make a selection of three electives and three reserve electives. CAX and Sport Ex will be prioritised over elective choices as we plan the 2020 timetable.

The Year 9 into 10 Information Night is on Thursday 12 September. All students entering Year 10 in 2020 are invited to attend.

What Year 9 students need to do:

• Read the 2020 Subject Selection Guides as soon as it is available on the PBC website.
• Attend the information night on Thursday 12 September.
• Talk with teachers and CARE class peers about subjects
• Think about what they enjoy and what they are good at
• Decide on which three electives they would like to study
• Pick three ‘reserve’ electives
• Discuss their choices with parents or caregivers.

The forms need to be returned to PBC by the final day of Term 3. However, subjects are filled on a first in – best dressed basis, so students will have the highest chance of getting into their preferred electives by returning their forms as soon as possible.

Maximising Learning at PBC 

At PBC, we encourage all students to achieve their best, whatever their ‘best’ might be. Students working to improve are urged to apply the following techniques across all their subjects:

• Set a goal for each subject

Use the OPTIMA planner in your diary and know what you are aiming for this term

• Know what is required

Understand what your assessment tasks require and the criteria by which you will be assessed. Focus on these in your work.

• Manage your time

Know your due dates and be sure your family knows them too. Break big tasks into smaller tasks, such as researching an assignment, writing a draft or reviewing the notes of a section of a course. Set yourself regular deadlines.

• When you need help, seek it out

There is so much help available in the Middle School at PBC, from individual assistance form the teacher, to Tuesday Tutorials, to peer mentoring. Don’t settle at ‘I don’t get it’ – find help until you do!

• Follow up

Review your notes, write down your questions, do your homework, read around a topic. Such strategies will help improve your factual recall and your understanding.

Assessment Calendar Published

The Term 3 CONNECT FOR SUCCESS Assessment Calendar has now been emailed to all parents and published on the PBC Website. Use the drop down menus to go to Curriculum / Testing and Assessment and open the relevant year level calendar on the right hand side of the screen. In Assemblies, students have been told how to access this information and use it to fill out the Forward Planner in their diaries with their particular assessment dates. Students should make a copy of it to be displayed on the fridge or another public place in the home, so families are aware of their commitments. Please support your Middle School students to develop good habits and be an active part of our learning community.

Selection of 2020 Middle School Student Leaders

From Week 4, we will begin the process of selecting next year’s Middle School Head Prefects. These students, chosen from the current Year 8 cohort, will prepare for their roles by participating in training in Term 4. 

Next year, they will represent the Middle School at public events and Parent Evenings and serve as a voice of the Year 7s, 8s and 9s on their House Council and the Middle School Council. They will run fundraising and community building events and constantly seek ways to improve the school for our students. 

If your Year 8 child is confident, reliable and enjoys leadership opportunities, please encourage them to stay tuned for information in the daily Student Notices, ‘put their hand up’ when asked and complete an application form. Shortlisted students will be interviewed later in the term and the 2020 Middle School Head Prefects will be presented at Academic Awards Night. 

Work Experience Year 9

This year, for the first time, we are offering all Year 9 students the opportunity to do Work Experience in the last week of Term 4. 

Work experience allows young people to experience the world of work in a supportive environment. For some, this will be an opportunity to test their commitment to a career. For others, it will be a time to practise meeting the expectations of a work environment, such as punctuality, showing initiative and displaying a willingness to learn. Finally, Year 9s will use this as a chance to trial a Year 10 Certificate III work placement. The timing of this work experience  is deliberate  as it forms part of the  transition to the Senior Phase of our students’ schooling. 

We will hold a Parent Information Night Tuesday 13 August, Week 5, in the Theatre, 6:00pm. 

Students will be responsible for finding their own placement. For this reason, we ask that parents and students put their thinking caps on.

• Is your child interested in a Year 10 Certificate III option? Have they visited the Pathways Centre in Y Block yet?
• Does your child know what you might like to do for Work Experience?
• What contacts do you as a parent have that you might use to obtain a work experience placement? 

Further information and forms will be available at our parent night. We look forward to our Year 9s having a rewarding work experience to complete their time in the Middle School.