Year 12

Our Year 12 students will have important assessment in Week 9 and 10 of this term as they attempt to maximise their results to improve their post schooling pathways. The school will conduct Mock Exams for General subjects and finalise assessment for Applied and VET subjects during this time. The schedule for these exams and plans for Term 4 has been sent by email to parents.

Students also have access to another practice exam for all General subjects on the QCAA website. This should be used in preparation for both the upcoming Mock Exam and the External Assessment. As an example, the practice External exams for General Maths and General English can be located on the following links:

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/senior-subjects/english/english/assessment
https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/senior-subjects/mathematics/general-mathematics/assessment

It is expected that all students complete these practice exams for their General subjects in preparation for their External Assessment.

Parents and students should be familiarising themselves with the myQCE website and its link to External assessment: https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/external-assessment.html.

This page is very useful as it:

• Explains the changes to assessment due to coronavirus
• Has links on how to prepare for External assessments
• States the equipment allowed to be taken into all exams and the specific equipment including type of calculator permitted for each subject
• Includes the Directions to Students document which explains the behavioural requirements for all External exams
• Includes the External Assessment timetable
• This site also has some good tips on effective study skills and preparing for external assessments in the section Preparing for Assessments.

Engineering Aptitude Test

Any student interested in studying Engineering in 2021 at Griffith University, that may not have completed the necessary pre-requisite subjects required should consider sitting this test in September. Please see https://www.griffith.edu.au/griffith-sciences/school-engineering-built-environment/learning-teaching/aptitude-for-engineering-assessment for more information or contact Mr Jones.

Year 11

Year 11 students are in the middle of Unit 2 and will finalise this Unit in shutdown during Week 10 of this term 14 to 18 September. The schedule of these exams will be finalised shortly and published on the school website.

Moving forward Year 11 students will commence the summative units for ATAR in Term 4 of this year and will have their first assessment for Unit 3 in the last week of Term 4. This will be a full shutdown in the week of 23 to 27 November.

A reminder that all students must have passed a Unit of English and Maths by the end of Unit 2. Students that do not meet this requirement will have to complete a VET certificate that meets the requirements of the QCE. This course will have a cost of $300.

Year 10

SET Planning is now well underway and we remind parents and students of two important events:

Year 11 2021 – Senior Schooling Information Evening

When: Tuesday 11 August; 4:00pm (Group A) 5:00pm (Group B) 6:00pm (Group C)

Format: Presentation in the hall followed by Subject Fair in the Library Precinct

RSVP: RSVP’ing to this event is essential so that we can ensure compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. There will be a limit on the number of people that can attend in person, we therefore ask that only one parent attend with their student to assist with compliance.

RSVP by emailing events@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au by 7 August. Please include your name (or the name of the adult attending) and your student’s name.

Year 11 2021- SETP Interviews

When: Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 August 2020

Where: Various rooms at PBC

RSVP: Interviews must be booked through the school website, with a link on the homepage, from 9:00am Monday 3 August.

Parents and Students should also watch their inbox for personalized SET Plan forms and the updated subject Selection book being sent out this week.

Year 10 students are also encouraged to apply for and commence a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SAT). Please see Ms Shreeve in Y block for more information regarding SATs.

Maximising Learning In The Senior School

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
• Don’t settle at ‘I don’t get it’ – find help until you do! Start by speaking with your class teacher, perhaps before school or during a break.
• 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.