Welcome back for 2022!

Last week we welcomed 439 Year 7 students to our junior secondary school plus an additional 48 new Year 8 and 9 students. I have been very pleased to see the year start off so smoothly.

We always start with a clear focus on our school motto Nil Sed Optima which means 'nothing but the best' - we ask students to set goals to be their best and we will support and assist them every step to achieve those goals.

I wish everyone the most productive and happy year and look forward to working with you as Junior Secondary Principal. I am leading a fabulous team who will support your young people in any endeavours or problems they have.  

The key Junior Secondary team members based in D Block are;

• Tammy Burns - Deputy Principal Year 7
• Wendy Wise - Deputy Principal Years 8 and 9
• Nick Hiron – Head of Year 7
• Stacy Hooper - Head of Year 8
• Andrew Jordan – Head of Year 9
• Anna Willis – Guidance Officer
• Tegan Willmott – Junior Secondary Student Services
• Yvette Whittaker - DP and Whole School IP Support
• Lyn Bortolin – DP and Junior Secondary Office Support

Contacts can be found on the school website https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/our-school/contact-us/staff-contact-list

Enquiries and or concerns can be directed through our central email - parentsupport@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au as these are fielded to the most helpful person to support you.

Year 7 Parent Information Evening – format change

Due to current restrictions on schools with having parents on site and large assemblies, the Year 7 Information Evening will take on a different format. We will share a link to a video of our usual presentational and individual teachers will reach out with details of class routines and curriculum.

Assessment Calendar

To help students get organised and stay organised, the Assessment Calendar will be published on the PBC website in Week 4 and emailed to parents. Parents and students can easily access this information so that they can predict the busy times and plan for them. Students should transfer their assesment dates, note homework and other important dates in their outlook calendar .

Attendance Policy

PBC Attendance Target – 92%

Full Day

Parents/Caregivers must notify the school and provide an explanation of a student absence by 9.00am on the day of the absence.  

The priority for notification is: TEXT MESSAGE – (0426305728) – provide student name, year level date and reason for absence e.g. Sick

OR

EMAIL – absences@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au – provide student name, date and reason for absence

Example Text/Email – “John Smith Y8 03/06/19 Sick”

Text messages are sent out to parents by 10:00am to notify you of an unexplained absence.  If you receive a text message, you can reply to the message, providing your student name, year level and reason for absence.

2 – 10 days

If a student is likely to be absent for more than two days, parents/caregivers are to notify PBC in writing by text message or email stating the student’s name, year level, dates of absence and the reason for the absence.  A medical certificate (where applicable) can be emailed to absences@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au or a hard copy taken to the Junior or Senior Secondary School Student Services.

11+ days

If a student is going to be absent for more than 10 days, Parents/Caregivers are required to notify PBC at least 2 weeks prior to the absence taking place (where possible). An Exemption form must be completed and submitted, along with supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate, doctor’s letter).

An exemption may be appropriate in the following circumstances:

• diagnosis of terminal medical condition
• illness or hospitalisation (including recovery period at home) for a period greater than 10 consecutive school days
• ‘carer’ responsibilities
• diagnosed mental health condition
• temporary interstate or overseas relocation where the family intends to return to Queensland.

Forms are available on the PBC website or upon request at the Administration Office.

Holidays

What should I do if our family is going on a holiday in school time?

Regular school attendance will mean that your child has a better chance in life. Your child will achieve better when they go to school all day, every school day.  You are encouraged not to schedule holidays during school time. If your family circumstances dictate that your student must attend a holiday is during school time, please let the Attendance Officer know the absence dates at least 2 weeks prior to the holiday.  Email the details to absences@pbc-shs.eq.edu.au .

Late Arrivals

Any student that arrives after 9:00am must present to the Junior or Senior Secondary School Student Services with a note, signed by the parent/carer, including the reason for lateness.  This may be approved by a Head of Year. A “late pass” will be issued to the student prior to attending any class.

Non-approved notes or failure to present a note may result in disciplinary action.

Heads of Year will monitor late arrivals. Consistent late arrivals that impact engagement with school process may result in a disciplinary action.

Early Departure

Notes are to be written and signed by a parent/carer and presented to the Junior or Senior Secondary School Student Services prior to 8:45am that day.

The sign out note must specify the following:

• The specific reason for signing out (doctors, dentist, etc.).
• The time and date that you need to sign out of school.
• If a medical appointment, the time, location and professional must be included.
• Notes will be approved by a Head of Year and should then be collected prior to signing out of school at the Junior or Secondary School Student Services.
• Non-approved notes and absences may lead to disciplinary action.
• Students must show the signed note to their class teacher at the requested leaving time.
• Report to the Junior or Senior Secondary School Student Service Office with the signed note to obtain and ‘Early Departure’ pass.

It is appropriate for students to sign out no more than three times a term for an appointment or an activity during school hours.

Heads of Year will monitor early departures. Consistent early departures that impact engagement with school process may result in a disciplinary action.

If your student becomes ill at school and is sent home they will be issued with a leaving slip by the Sick Bay Officer. If they return later in the day they will need to report to the Junior or Secondary School Student Services Office and sign in. Administration Officers or Year Coordinators may contact home to query the validity/frequency of appointments during school hours.