Term One Success

We are happy to report overall a very good set of academic reports went out to families at the end of last term. Overall students in Junior Secondary attended 90.3% of the time and 94.6% of all students passed all their assessment across all subjects. We also have had over 2000 Optima postcards sent out or given to students in Term 1.

This term our focus areas are;

• supporting ongoing numeracy and literacy development of foundational skills to support all learning

• writing is a key focus in Year 8 and teachers will collaborate using a case management approach to improve student writing

• improving achievement of A grades outside of the Academic excellence program in maths, english, science and humanities.

NAPLAN

In week 4 and 5 our Year 7 and 9s will be sitting NAPLAN exams, these exam results are used by our English and Maths teachers to tailor programs to continue to build on the literacy and numeracy skills as the students move on to the next year level. At PBC we also value these tests as research has shown that they are the best indicator of future academic success. We are encouraging students to follow our motto of doing their best when it comes to these exams. Our staff and those at the primary schools have been working on building the skills needed for these exams for years but there are little things that can be done in these last few weeks. 

Exams are one of those times in life where we have to prepare for our best performance a bit like a job interview or a grand final. Yes there is stress in these moments and it’s important to talk to your child and share how you manage yourself in a situation where you have to bring your best performance. Other factors that will help that as a parent you can support them with, will be getting enough sleep, eating healthily, doing some physical activity and not over scheduling them in the lead up.

This year the four tests are spread out over two weeks from Tuesday 11 May to Thursday 20 May during timetabled English classes, with their teacher. NAPLAN this year will be completed online as adaptive tests and so there is no need to timetable them all to be done at the same time. Should your child be absent for any of the tests, they will be provided with a catch-up session on Friday 21 May 2021. Students require their school laptops charged for the day as usual and a pair of headphones. They will also need a pen or pencil for use on their scribble paper.

Parent 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 ‘Staff Contact List’ on the PBC website.

Parent Teacher Interview bookings are now open. 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 most welcome to be part of 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.