Dear Parents and Caregivers,

The school has been an absolute hive of activity with a number of performing arts, sport, academic and hospitality activities reaching their conclusions. The School Musical was extremely successful with the students performing to the best of their ability (which is of a very high standard) in front of sold out (albeit COVID-restricted) audiences. Restaurant Week was a huge success as the Hospitality Students showcased their front and back of house commercial kitchen and servery skills to parents, staff and industry who booked out both nights.  Rugby League finals have seen three teams win or finish runner-up in their respective competitions, as well as all four AFL teams making the State finals. At the time of writing, all four MR Shield Surfing Teams either won or finished runner-up in the state surfing finals. The intermediate debating team won the Gold Coast Somerset debating competition with the senior team coming runner-up. This week sees the senior secondary students undertake their end of term assessment activities through exam and study shutdown week.

This week also sees the end of scheduled regular classes for the Year 12 students. From the start of next term, the Year 12 students prepare for their external exams for ATAR pathway subjects and for them to complete vocational competencies to ensure that they receive their certificate. Whilst regular classes have finished for Year 12, for many students learning continues in an individualised format as they study and / or finish off their certificates so that they graduate with their Queensland Certificate of Education. Please stay tuned to your emails for further bulletins from the Senior Secondary team regarding Graduation updates and External Exam preparation.

A factsheet for students and parents/caregivers on the procedures the QCAA will use to calculate students’ final subject results in General subjects was published today on the QCAA website.

Over the school holidays it is likely that the school grounds will be closed to all staff and members of the public (except for the Saturday Markets) as the air-conditioning installation into classrooms begins. With a number of the older buildings containing asbestos, installation of the air-conditioning will require the school site to be vacant. The air-conditioning project will take all of Term 4 to complete and there will be disruptions to where classes are located from week to week. We have scheduled the works so as to not impact on the Year 11 and 12 exam weeks in Term 4.

The tennis court improvements and renewal continue next week with the lighting project completed and new fencing about to commence. An online public access and booking system will be installed over the coming months.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation has contacted the school to state that they are in receipt of a complaint that Palm Beach Currumbin SHS students under the age of 18 have been consuming alcohol at Burleigh Community Club which is located at 1640 Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads. The complaint also contains information that the students have been falsely identifying themselves to the “Club Burleigh” Staff by using identification that belongs to older family members and / or friends so as not be detected as minors. We ask that parents who are aware that their children visit Club Burleigh inform them of the complaints that have been made and that it is an offence for minors to consume alcohol on a licensed premises. In addition we ask that the students are warned about and the potential harm that is associated with teenagers drinking. Finally, should underage students be identified as drinking alcohol at a licensed premises or using a false identification, fines may apply.