Welcome back to Term 2 to all of our Senior students and their families. Term 2 is a significant term as we prepare academically for Semester 1 grades and start ramping up preparations for our sporting teams and cultural ensembles before finals in these disciplines in Term 3. All Senior Students are to be reminded of our uniform expectations at PBC, particularly as the weather cools. Students remain expected to be wearing PBC jumpers (Year 12 jersey, blue fleece or blue/red spray jacket), as well as continuing to comply with PBC sock and black leather shoe expectations.

Good luck to all families for the start of Term 2 and we look forward to seeing you in person at a range of events, commencing with our Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 4 (11-13 May). For more information on Parent Teacher Interviews and instructions for booking, please refer to our PBC website.

Year 11 and 12 Parent Study Skills Seminar

The Senior Secondary Principal invites all Parents of Year 11 and 12 students to a study skills and advice seminar being held on Wednesday 5 May, 5:30pm – 6:45pm at the Trade Training Centre (TTC).

The session will detail how integrating the strategies of retrieval practice, spaced learning and chunking and chewing information into their practice will assist students to consolidate their understanding which will support their learning and allow for greater success.

Please RSVP by email by 10:00am Tuesday 4 May to events@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au. Please be sure to state "Study Skills Seminar" in the subject and advise the number coming. Please be advised that while this seminar is primarily aimed at parents, students are welcome to attend.

Year 10

Students in Year 10 are again reminded that their academic performance in Year 10 Semester 1 will determine which pathway they can choose in Year 11. Students wishing to complete an ATAR pathway need to achieve Bs in English and Maths. Students wishing to study a senior science course in Year 11 and 12 also need to achieve a B in Year 10 Science.

A reminder that PBC will continue to schedule assessment in the last week of each term (excluding Term 2 of Year 11) and that attendance at assessment is compulsory.

Gold Coast Careers Festival

All students are encouraged to attend the Gold Coast Careers Festival at the Gold coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from Thursday 6 May through to Saturday 8 May.

Visit the following link to find more details about the festival; https://www.studygoldcoast.org.au/work/careers-festival/

Assessment Calendars

Senior school assessment calendars for Term 2 will be soon be published on the school website under the Curriculum/Testing and Assessment tab. This is a useful tool for parents and students in preparing their study timetables. https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/curriculum/testing-and-assessment

Year 11 Unit 1 Assessment

Year 11 students should be busy revising work and completing assignments for their upcoming assessment. All assessment for Unit 1 should be completed by 21 May. The timetable for Year 11 exams will be published shortly on the school website under the Curriculum/Testing and Assessment tab.  There will be no shutdown for these exams and students will be expected to attend school every day. It is vitally important that Year 11s are actively revising and preparing for assessment now as they will have numerous exams and assignments due in the same week.

Year 11 students will have the opportunity to change subjects (depending on timetable availability) at the end of Unit 1 (late May).

Year 12 First Aid and Safety Training

Over 40 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 in Week 6 of this term (26 May). To register students need to email Ms Golding in Y block (jgold61@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. Students must have completed all 3 online theory units before 25 May to be eligible to attend the practical training day. The school also intends to conduct another course in Term 3.

Share your views on new QCE system processes

Following the initial implementation of the new QCE system in 2019 and 2020, the QCAA is conducting a post-cycle review of its processes and procedures. Current Year 11 and 12 students and their parents/caregivers are invited to have their say by completing an anonymous online survey by Friday 7 May 2021. The survey can be accessed at: www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/about/initiativesreviews/post-cycle-review-qce-system .