Welcome back for 2024.

This past week we welcomed 445 Year 7 students to our Junior Secondary school plus an additional 78 new Year 8 and 9 students. I have been pleased to see the year start off very smoothly.  A big thank you to the over 500 families who responded to our Partners in Learning Questionnaire (link provided via email) by sharing something about your child and your hopes for them at PBC and in their learning. 

We always start with a clear focus on our school motto Nil Sed Optima which means nothing but the best - we ask students to set goals to be their best and we will support and assist them every step to achieve those goals.

I wish everyone the most productive and happy year and look forward to working with you as Junior Secondary Principal. I am leading a fabulous team who will support your young people in any endeavours or problems they have.  

The key Junior Secondary school team members based in A Block (Main Administration) are:

Tammy Burns - Deputy Principal Year 7 

Chris Wood – Deputy Principal Year 8 

Wendy Wise - Deputy Principal Year 9 

Cameron Williams – HOD Student Engagement Year 7 – 9 

Andrew Jordan – Head of Year 7 

Emma Norton and Amanda Parry - Head of Year 8 

Nick Hiron – Head of Year 9 

Anna Willis – Guidance Officer  

Kylie Gibson – Acting HOD Inclusion 

Natalie Johnstone - 7/8 Inclusion Co-ordinator 

Kate Fechner – 7/8 Inclusion Co-ordinator 

Guy Fitter – 9/10 Inclusion Co-ordinator 

Kylee Gelkov Moss - EAL/D Co-ordinator 

Tegan Willmott– Junior Secondary Student Services 

Yvette Whittaker – Wellbeing Student services support 

Lyn Bortolin – DP support and Junior Secondary Office support 

Natasha Eenhoorn – Executive support to Junior Secondary Principal 

Contacts can be found on the school website https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/our-school/contact-us/staff-contact-list

Enquiries and or concerns can be directed through our central email - parentsupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au as these are fielded to the most helpful person to support you.

PBC’s Junior Secondary School has commenced with energy and enthusiasm, as students were introduced to both their Care Classes and new academic classes.  

QParents – a new way of doing business with PBC 

Parents of Year 7 and families new to PBC will have received an email on 24 January from QParents with an invitation to sign up for QParents. This is how the school will seek permissions and how you can manage and pay school fees. We are slowly rolling this in this term and have started with these groups but if you have older students you can add them also. If you would like to receive an invitation, please contact the school.    

Year 7 Parent Information Evening

Year 7 Parents have been emailed an invitation to our Year 7 Parent Information Night on the 31 January. The night will include some introductions across two alternating short sessions including – laptop use at home and practical tips for parents.   Parents attending should bring their child’s Students Guide to Junior Secondary with their student timetable in it. Please refer to emailed invitation which includes the map and schedule. 

Assessment Calendar – Term 1

To help students get organised and stay organised, the Assessment Calendar will be published on the PBC website in Week 4 and emailed to parents. Parents and students can easily access this information so that they can predict the busy times and plan for them. Students should also be using their student planners to note homework and important dates.

Student Mobile Phones Reminder

Mobile phones are away for the day during school hours 8.55am until 3.00pm.  Phones must be switched off and out of sight.  Notifications must be turned off on smart watches.