Senior Secondary Update
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
Congratulations to our school community for their efforts in what has been a considerably busy finish to Term 2. We have had countless performances across our performing arts as the Eisteddfod season heats up across our range of artistic disciplines. Similarly, our sporting seasons for many of our school teams are commencing with interstate trips also being a highlight across the remaining school days.
Special mention must go to our all-conquering Senior Philosothon team who came in 1st place among a host of private and state schools at the recent UQ Philosothon. Congratulations to our academic superstars - Cayla Blakey, Sammy Brown, Ilai Comerford, Sammy Cooper, Chelsea Crossan, Cass Goyne, Pailin Hanna,
Maddy McNamara, Brad Munro, Scott Stirling, Hannah Vassiliou and Harry Zwegers.
Please remember the importance of attending every day as we head into the final exam weeks of Semester 1. Good luck to all students finalising assessment over the coming weeks. Read below for some key dates.
YEAR 10
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 06/08 – Grade 10 SET Planning Info Night (selecting subjects for Year 11 & 12).
Year 10 students will have shutdown for exams in week 10. Exams will be scheduled from Monday June 17 up to and including Friday June 21.
Students in Year 10 are again reminded that their academic performance in Year 10 semester 1 will determine which pathway they can choose in Year 11. Students wishing to complete an ATAR pathway need to achieve Bs in English and Maths. Students wishing to study a senior science course in year 11 and 12 also need to achieve a B in Year 10 Science.
YEAR 11
Year 11 students have normal classes every day for the rest of the term. They will have assessment in week 2 of term 3 for many subjects. Due to the compressed nature of the year 11 curriculum many year 11 students will have assignment tasks and exams to study for over the holidays.
End of Unit 1 subject reports will be emailed to parents this week. The Senior schooling team are monitoring the academic performance of students in this cohort to ensure that they are on track to attain the QCE.
Whilst Unit 2 has already commenced, Year 11 students can still change classes up to Monday June 10, though there is limited timetable availability. If your student wishes to change classes, they need to come to Y block as soon as possible.
YEAR 12
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 06/08 – Year 12 Pathways Evening
Year 12 ATAR students had the opportunity to a mentoring session this week to discuss their progress in General subjects and their ATAR range. Another mentoring opportunity will be offered to students towards the end of term 3.
Year 12's will have normal classes on Monday 17/06 and Tuesday 18/06 (week 10) and then have an exam shutdown commencing on Wednesday 19/06 up to and including Friday 21/06. Many subjects will have assignment tasks due in weeks 2 to 3 of next term.
Year 12 parents and students have been emailed a letter regarding the opportunity to complete a First Aid and Safety qualification in term 3. This course also attains 2 QCE points and is highly recommended for students that are at risk of failing a subject.
Year 12’s are now completing Unit 4 work and will only have 2 assessments left in each of their subjects!! At the end of Year 12 students’ results in Unit 3 and 4 are combined to award an exit grade and for General subjects a numerical value. It is imperative that students do not rest on their laurels and remain focussed for the rest of 2024.
OTHER NEWS…
School Based Traineeships
Year 10s and 11s are again encouraged to register for School based traineeships and apprenticeships (SAT) in Y block. A SAT will give students paid employment, work experience and a Certificate 3 qualification which gains extra QCE credits, but also opens up a tertiary pathway. Please contact Ms Shreeve in Y block for more information.
QCE Eligibility
All Year 11 and 12 students should by now have registered for the QCAA student portal on the myQCE website ( https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/your-qce-pathway/student-portal-and-learning-account ). They also should have completed the Academic Integrity Course in the Online Learning section. This will become a pre-requisite of the QCE.
Students are expected to pass at least 5 out of their 6 subjects to remain eligible for the QCE and to remain enrolled in post compulsory schooling. If students have been disengaged and not working appropriately they could find themselves in a position where they are ineligible for the QCE at the end of Unit 1. For more info on QCE: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/your-qce-pathway/about-the-qce
Study Techniques
The link below is an academic paper on improving study techniques amongst students, which may be useful when parents are discussing the best way to prepare for external exams. Note… late night cramming whilst listening to music has been proven as ineffective!
Shutdown Calendars
Year 10 and 12 shutdown dates are published on the school website ( https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/testing-and-assessment). Students are expected to know the date, time and room of their assessments.