The 2020 school year has commenced with 2658 students attending during the week. The staggered start has been a success with the Year 7 students having additional attention and support as they start their high school life and the senior students recommencing their studies straight away in a calmer and less rushed first day environment. 

The outbreak of Corona Virus is monitored in real time at PBC. Prior to school returning we identified the international students who might have been exposed to the areas where Corona Virus has been reported. The students were asked not to come to school and remain at home for two weeks as per the guidelines from the Queensland Government. On the first day of school we attempted to track down local students who may have been exposed to areas where the virus has been identified and we asked them to go/remain at home as per the guidelines. I would like to thank the parents who were proactive in informing the school of their holiday travels and who kept their students at home.   

Congratulations to the 32 Year 11 students who started school on Monday 20 January to complete a Cert II in Statistics and Measurement. This certificate will bank credits for our students to achieve their Queensland Certificate of Education in addition to providing a safety net for their overall academic achievement. It was great to see the commitment of the students to their senior secondary schooling during the holidays.

On the first day of the holidays we received notification about our Year 12 results for those students who undertook an OP pathway. We were extremely pleased to see five of our students receive an OP1 and 97% of students receive an OP1 to 15. 100% of our students graduated with a Qld Certificate of Education. This was a fantastic achievement by the students and the staff and parents who supported them. As we now change tertiary entrance and Year 12 exit systems from OP to ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) we had a parent information night for all Year 11 students who will progress to a tertiary career path at a university or college. More information is available inside the newsletter – senior secondary report and on our website https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/testing-and-assessment.

The new senior canteen is now fully operational together with a new menu. Early reports are that the students enjoy the quicker service. We are currently examining an online ordering system for both the canteen and school uniforms to increase the efficiency of our service to students and parents.

The new Library has opened for the students to access at break times. The Library precinct has been a huge hit with the Year 9 to 11 students who have been utilising the shaded areas to play ball games or to just sit and chat. An unexpected spin off appears to be that the students are interacting a lot more and putting their devices away. 

Year 7 and 8 students are a part of our 1:1 laptop program. As such, there is no need for them to have their own personal devices (phones) in class. Year 7 and 8 students now have an expectation placed on them that mobile phones are switched off and out of sight in the classroom environments. Year 9 to 12 students are only to have their phones in class with the express permission of the teacher as they are required for a learning program. Over the school holidays the school’s WiFi network was substantially upgraded. The upgrade has caused some problems with older devices as the new network has not been configured to support older machines relying on a 2.4Ghz frequency. I have been informed that this has impacted on about 10% of students in Years 9 to 12. We are endeavouring to find a solution for 2020.

Hilary Jacobs, the General Manager of the Elanora Pines Shopping Centre addressed the Year 7 to 10 students at their assemblies during the week. At the end of 2019 and over the holidays, a number of our students were identified in illegal, hazardous and disrespectful behaviour. Hilary outlined the shopping centre rules around bikes, skateboards, verbal misconduct and theft. Senior Constable and OIC of the Elanora Police Beat, Kurt Foessel was in also attendance (in addition to the Year 11 and 12 assemblies) and discussed, drug use and supply, social media posts including explicit images and general behaviour in the community.

As first discussed late in 2018 with 2019 being the transition period, school socks are now a part of the school uniform.  Over 250 students were consulted in 2018 about the design (including the Reds colour). The change of uniform was endorsed by the P&C in late 2018. We extended the transition period from 30 June 2019 to January 2020 after parent feedback. All students are now expected to be in full school uniform including socks.

Chris Capra,
Executive Principal