Senior Secondary Update
With the July school holidays fast approaching, the entire PBC community wish each student and family all the best over the break in what truly has been an unusual year thus far. Within Senior Secondary we look forward to COVID-19 restrictions continuing to ease in Term 3, allowing us to execute some key events impacting students across Years 10-12. With further information to come on these events, it is worth noting some key dates for your senior student:
- Year 12 Post-School Pathways Information Session - Tuesday 11 August
- Year 10 Subject Information Evening and Showcase - Tuesday 11 August
- Year 10 SET Plan Interviews – Tuesday 18 & Wednesday 19 August
All students and parents are to be reminded that there is an expectation across all students of 92% attendance, with any absence explained to our Absence Line via SMS and ongoing medical absences covered by a valid medical certificate returned to Y Block. Whilst a number of support measures have been put in place due to COVID disruptions, any relaxation of attendance expectations will cease in Term 3. If your student is having difficulty around attendance or assessment expectations, please contact the relevant Dean of Students in Sharon Hillcoat (Year 10) and Brad Dixon (Year 11 and 12).
Year 10 Exams and Assessment
Year 10 students will have timetabled exams in the last 3 days of school this term. This will be a shutdown timetable and students will only have to attend for timetabled exams. The Year 10 shutdown timetable will be published on the school website in the coming days. Year 10 students are again reminded that their academic performance in Semester 1 Year 10 will determine which pathway students will be allocated to in Years 11 and 12. Students must wear full school uniform to the upcoming exams or they will receive a detention.
Recently there has been some illness in our Senior Secondary community. You are reminded that should your student miss an exam or assessment deadline, they will require a medical certificate. Contact the school as early as possible. If a student cannot sit an exam during shutdown due to illness, they will be required to do it on the first day back at school. Students must take responsibility for making such arrangements.
Year 10 Semester 1 reports will be finalised and emailed home in the week commencing Monday 27 July.
Year 11 Assessment and Learning
Year 11 students have completed Unit 1 assessment and commenced Unit 2 work. They have timetabled classes up to the end of term Friday 26 June.
Any Year 11 student that is interested in a Certificate II in Electrotechnology or a Certificate II in Automotive at Gold Coast Trades College should register with Ms Ward in F block as soon as possible. Please note that these courses are only available for students that have not yet accessed their VET in Schools funding (VETis).
Year 11 Unit 1 reports should be emailed home on the last day of term, 26 June.
Year 12 Assessment & Learning
Year 12 students have commenced Unit 4 summative work. Due to the decrease in assessment items across Year 12 as a response to the COVID 19 crisis there is no Year 12 shutdown this term and students are expected to attend normal classes up to the end of term, Friday 26 June.
All Year 12 students should by now have logged onto their QCAA learning account in the QCAA student portal. This is accessed via the myQCE website https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/index.html. All students were sent emails regarding the details of logging into the account at the start of the year. Student results will be published by the QCAA directly into their learning account at the end of the year.
Over 50 Year 12 students successfully completed First Aid and Safety competencies recently. These competencies awarded the students 2 QCE points but more importantly will look great on their resumes as they apply for jobs in the future. Another course will be conducted early next term. To register students need to email Ms Whittaker in Y block (ywhit0@eq.edu.au ). Students then compete 3 theory modules online and complete a practical training day. The fee for the course is $70 and is highly recommended for all students.
Year 12 students that attained their Surf Lifesaving Bronze Medallion at a Surf club please check their QCAA Student portal to see if their club has added it to their QCAA learning account. The Bronze Medallion is worth 4 QCE points. Often clubs do not load this or they don't have the student’s LUI number. Any students in this situation should take a hard copy of their qualifications to Ms Ashby in Y block to get it loaded into their learning account.
Year 12 Unit 3 reports were finalised and emailed home earlier this month.
Subject Changes
A small number of Year 10 students are currently considering changing electives. The deadline for making changes is Friday 26 June. Forms are available at the E Block Office. As signatures are required, forms will need to be collected by 24 June at the latest.
Year 11 the End of Unit 1 Subject Changes have been closed.
Traineeships and Employment Opportunities
Parents and Year 10 Students are reminded that Traineeships and employment opportunities continue to be advertised in Y Block. Students may visit Mrs Sonia Shreeve in Y Block for further details. A successful traineeship is not only a way of earning money, but a Certificate III qualification, experience for the student's resume and contributes points towards the Queensland Certificate of Education qualification.
Uniform
PBC is proud to be a uniform school and most students wear the uniform well. Please make sure that in this cooler weather, your child is wearing a PBC jumper or jacket. Nose piercings should be clear or covered, and jewellery kept to one simple pair of earrings and a watch. Jewellery of important cultural or religious significance should be hidden by the uniform e.g. worn on a long chain that falls below the collar.
Managing stress
At this time of year, it is common for students to experience stress. Maintaining routines, especially around diet, exercise and sleep, can help minimise stress. Should your student need support, be aware that our OPTIMA and Welfare Team are here to help. Please contact the Dean of Students in the first instance. We also encourage all of our students to keep the finish line in sight, knowing that from 26 June, they can enjoy a restful and restorative holiday. We encourage all students to plan to do at least one thing that they will really enjoy over the holidays – even something as simple as a walk on the beach with friends.