Senior Secondary Update
Study Skills Strategies – practice questions
Students typically engage in study strategies that don't allow for the greatest success and with external exams fast approaching it is important students are ensuring that the learning they engage in lasts. The recent study skills sessions run for Year 11 and 12 students highlighted the three strategies of the retrieval effect, spaced learning, and Chunk and Chew to assist them in retaining information. Additionally it is imperative that students are engaging with practice questions and tests to boost their performance. The practice of trying to remember assists in making the memory stick, which is better for recall than just re-reading information.
These are some sites/companies that have practice questions students can access/purchase to support them in their study:
Past Exam Papers
Click on the relevant subject and then the assessment tab to find last years paper and annotated responses to internal assessment.
This site links out to relevant states and territories that have external exam papers available including NSW and VIC.
Study Notes & Revision Questions for purchase
- ATAR Notes: https://atarnotes.com/product-category/qce-study-guides/qce-units-34/
- Cambridge Education: https://atarnotes.com/product-category/qce-study-guides/qce-units-34/
ATAR notes and Cambridge education are two of many companies with a growing collection of pre-written study notes that include practice questions that students can purchase.
Meningococcal Immunisations for PBC Year 10 students via GC Health
PBC, in conjunction with the Gold Coast Public Health Service, has secured an opportunity for all Year 10 students to take advantage of a free vaccination against meningococcal ACWY. This service will take place at PBC on Monday 16 August 2021 for Year 10 students only. The immunisations are delivered by the Gold Coast Public Health immunisation team.
You should soon be receiving, (or may have already) an email from admin.immunisegc@health.qld.gov.au to the email address you have nominated with the school (please check your junk mail folder). Please complete this form online to ensure your student gains permission to receive this immunisation.
If you haven’t received this email or would like some further information regarding the program you can contact the Gold Coast Public Health’s immunisation team on 1800 940 750 or visit www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au/our-services/immunisation.
PBC will also have some hard copy forms available for collection closer to the immunisation date.
Assessment Calendars
Senior school assessment calendars have been published on the school website under the curriculum 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 10 and 12 shutdown timetables for the end of term will be published soon. Please note that exams will be scheduled up to and including the last day of school (25 June).
Certificate II in Tourism
Any Year 12 or 11 student wishing to complete this certificate at school during Term 2 and 3 on Wednesdays should see Mr. McDougall or Ms McQueen as soon as possible. This course is free for students that have not used their VETis funding.
As well as improving students employment prospects this course is worth 4 QCE so is highly recommended for students that are currently not on track to achieve the QCE due to poor academic performance.
Year 12 First Aid and Safety qualifications
Congratulations to the 35 Year 12 students that recently completed the above qualification.
First Aid qualifications are a great addition to a student’s resume and obviously can also save lives. This course will also attain an extra 2 QCE points for students.
It is strongly recommended that students complete this qualification especially if they are at risk of failing a subject as the extra QCE points may still enable them to attain the QCE.
The next course is in August. Students can register by contacting Ms Golding in the Library (jgold61@eq.edu.au ). The course cost is $70.
Year 12 External Assessment Timetable
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has published the timetable for 2021 external exams. It is available on the myQCE website: