Welcome to all of our students back to a new year, with a special welcome to the Year 10 cohort joining Senior Secondary and to our wonderful Year 12's who embark on their final year as the Class of 2021. We enjoyed some outstanding results from our graduating cohort in 2020, as we navigated the previously uncharted waters of the new ATAR and QCE systems and we look forward to further improving the experience that is the senior curriculum for our students this year.

As students settle into new spaces, classrooms and teaching staff we have reminded students again of our OPTIMA Code - the base set of values that underpin everything we do at PBC - Being Safe, Being Respectful and Being A Learner. Students are well-versed in these values that help all of us, staff included, in working to become the best versions of ourselves everyday. It has been a pleasure to see Senior Students settle well into new environments and adapt to the rigours that a new year level always introduces.

Parents are reminded that all student notes for late entry, uniform, absences and early sign-outs are to be taken to the Y Block Senior School Office before 9:00am of the corresponding morning. We are thrilled to welcome our Senior Guidance Officer - Steve Jones and Senior Inclusion Coordinator - Guy Fitter to Y Block to complete our Senior Schooling student support hub.

Good luck to all parents, families and students in 2021, we look forward to working with every student as they become valued members of the community.

Year 10 Notices

As Year 10 students embark on their senior studies it is worthwhile to recognise at this early stage that results in Semester 1 will determine their pathway and subject availability in Years 11 and 12. To study an ATAR pathway students need to be achieving at least a B level in English and Maths. If students wish to study senior Science subjects they also need to be achieving at least a B level in Year 10 Science, (Academic Excellence students will have slightly different cut offs). We encourage every Year 10 student to do their very best in every subject.

We also highly recommend that Year 10 students consider commencing a school based apprenticeship and traineeship (SATS). These courses provide students with paid employment and work skills, 8 QCE points (equivalent of 2 subjects) and a Certificate 3 qualification which may provide tertiary options. Students that are interested in this should come and visit Ms Shreeve in Y Block.

Subject changes for Year 10 have now been finalised. Students will have the opportunity to change classes at the end of the semester.

Year 11 Notices

Year 11 students will need to have very good time management in 2020 as the units for each subject are only 7 weeks in length including assessment. It is essential that student are passing their courses at the end of each unit in order to bank QCE credit points. If a student falls behind in QCE credit points they may be required to take part in additional studies outside of regular class time to catch up. If a student needs help in keeping up with the requirements of Year 11 they should come to Y block and ask to speak with a member of the Senior School team.

Term 1 Year 11 is the last opportunity for students to start a school based traineeship. These courses provide students with paid employment and work skills, 8 QCE points (equivalent of 2 subjects) and a Certificate 3 qualification which may provide tertiary options. Students that are interested in this should come and visit Ms Shreeve in Y Block.

Subject changes for Year 11 have now been finalised. Students will have the opportunity to change classes at the end of Unit 1. 

Year 12 Notices

Year 12 students have completed their first summative assessment item from Unit 3 in most subjects at the end of last term. The final IA1’s will be complete in the coming weeks. Students should be speaking to their individual subject teachers about their performance on this assessment and how they can improve. We remind all students in Year 11 and 12 that they need to be passing at least 5 of their 6 subjects to remain on track for a QCE. All students who are doing VET subjects must also ensure they are up to date at the end of each term.

Useful websites

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website is a great source of information on the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), Senior Education Training (SET) Plan, future pathways, subjects and assessment. It also has useful study tips and strategies to help students progress in their learning.

All Year 11 and 12 students should be in the process of completing an online QCAA Academic Integrity course via this student portal (https://myqce.qcaa.qld.edu.au/).

Assessment Calendars for Years 10, 11 and 12 will soon be uploaded to the school website https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au. Click on the curriculum tab and then under testing and assessment. Students can also download this information from the K drive on the school’s network. This information will be useful for parents and students when planning their study timetable.

Assessment Calendars

Please note that Year 11 assessment will be finalised in weeks 7 and 8 of term 1 and then occur after each 7-week block of teaching. All Year 10 and 12 assessment will be finalised in the last week of each term (week 10).