Once again, I would like to thank all students and staff for a very warm welcome back to Middle School for 2019. I thoroughly enjoyed my time last year leading such a high performing team and am looking forward to future Middle School successes.

I encourage all families to connect with our staff and myself so that we can continue to ensure that every student reaches their full potential.  I look forward to seeing you at next week’s parent/student/teacher interviews. I would encourage all of you to set some time aside to meet with your child’s teachers and support our students to seek constructive feedback for improvement.

Alison Fahlbusch
Principal Middle School

 

ANZAC DAY 2019

Once again, the students of PBC proudly honoured the men and women of Australia and New Zealand who have served their countries in times of war and conflict. Our cadets and school band made notable contributions to our service, held on Wednesday 24 April. See the Principal's Report for entire photo gallery.

Flight Sergeant Spicer competently led the Honour Guard including both the Air Force and Army Cadets throughout the service. Our special guests shared their thoughts with our school community.

Mr Ian Bullpitt, one of our special guests, delivered an inspiring message reflecting on his service duties throughout his 15 years in the Australian Army Engineering Corp and working with the United Nations managing the remediation of unexploded munitions in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Cambodia.

Lest we forget.

On 25 April, PBC was proud to be represented by our Middle and Senior School students at the mid-morning march to the Currumbin RSL. The weather was great and the services beautiful. Thank you to all the students that participated on the day. Thank you to Mrs Natalie Hill for making our wreaths.

Our PBC ANZAC biscuits are popular with the Veterans and a special thank you to students involved in the cooking and packaging of the biscuits.

 

NAPLAN 2019

Year 7s and Year 9s will sit their NAPLAN tests in Week 4. These tests provide our school, parents and students with a snapshot of their progress against national benchmarks, and our teachers with valuable information on how best to support student learning.

The NAPLAN program is as follows:

• Tuesday 14 May, periods 1 and 2 only. Normal classes periods 3 and 4.
• Wednesday 15May Period 1 only
• Thursday 16 May Period 1 only

A ‘catch-up’ day for absent students is on Friday 17 May, to allow students who may have been ill during the week to complete the full program of tests.

All parents of Year 7 and 9 students were sent a letter (as an email attachment) last term concerning NAPLAN and parents of students supported by the Inclusive Practices Department should also have had separate contact from HOD Tammy Burns. 

Should you have any concerns about your child sitting NAPLAN, please contact the Head of Department Middle School Sharon Hillcoat as soon as possible (ph: 5525 9340).

 

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

If you have not done so already, please take the time to sit with your child and discuss their interim report, emailed at the end of last term. Celebrate successes and where improvements are needed, set some specific, realistic and measurable goals. Should you require clarification or need to immediately discuss your child’s progress, remember that teachers welcome contact from parents; all teachers’ emails are listed under ‘contacts’ on the PBC website.

Parent/Student/Teacher Interview bookings are now open, for interviews in Week 3. The interviews are conducted over several afternoons and evenings, to provide as many opportunities as possible for you to meet with teachers. Guidance Officers and other support staff are also available on these evenings.

Students are encouraged to attend the interviews; it can be very useful for them to ask their own questions and to receive direct feedback from teachers, with you present. Teachers are also hoping to learn more about the student, and will welcome information that will help them support each individual in their learning. We look forward to meeting with you.