Welcome back for 2023.

This past week we welcomed 460 Year 7 students to Junior Secondary plus an additional 56 new Year 8 and 9 students. We 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 A Block (Main Administration) are:

• Tammy Burns - Deputy Principal Year 7
• Julia Hoy – Deputy Principal Year 8
• Wendy Wise - Deputy Principal Year 9
• Cameron Williams – HOD Student Engagement Year 7 - 9
• Kate Patterson and Emma Norton – Heads of Year 7
• Nick Hiron - Head of Year 8
• Stacey Hooper – Head of Year 9
• Anna Willis – Guidance Officer (on leave until Week 6)
• Tegan Willmott– Junior Secondary Student Services
• Yvette Whittaker – DP Support Year 7 and Whole School IP Support
• Lyn Bortolin – DP Support Year 8 & 9 and Junior Secondary Office Support
• Natasha Eenhoorn – Executive Support to Junior Secondary Principal 

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.

PBC’s Junior Secondary has commenced with energy and enthusiasm, as students were introduced to both their Care Classes and new academic classes.  

Year 7 Parent Information Evening

Year 7 Parents please look out for your emailed invitation to our Year 7 Parent Information Night on 1 February. The night will include some introductions across two alternating short sessions including – laptop use at home, practical tips for parent controls and a visit to your child’s care classroom hosted by their English/Humanities and Maths/Science teachers. We will also discuss Year 7 Camp. Parents attending should bring their student's timetable. You will be greeted at the main entrance and directed to your first venue as this will vary depending on your child’s class.  Please refer to the map and schedule with the emailed invitation.

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.  

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:

1. TEXT MESSAGE – (0426305728) – provide student name, year level date and reason for absence e.g. Sick

If texting is not possible, you can:

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

If the school has not been notified of your student's absence by 9:00am, you will receive a text message from 0426 305 728 by 10:00am. If you receive a text message, you can reply to the message, providing your student's name, year level and reason for absence.

Absence of 3 or more days

If a student is likely to be absent for more than three 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, any evidence supporting the absence, e.g., medical certificate, should also be forwarded.

Approving Absences

Please note that the school will determine whether an absence can be approved based on the Department of Education guidelines. Examples of acceptable and unacceptable absences can be seen below:

Acceptable reasons for absences:

• Serious illness or medical conditions (the majority of these conditions should be accompanied by a medical certificate)
• Representative activities including sport, academic and cultural
• Serious family emergencies (these should be rare)
• Sorry Business 

Unacceptable reasons for absences:

• Holidays outside school holiday periods
• Non-essential activities (e.g., driving lessons, non-school functions during the school day)
• Medical appointments that can be scheduled outside of school hours

In the instance that a student has acceptable reasons for an extended absence (of 3 days or more) a member of staff will contact the family to make appropriate arrangements for their continued engagement with school or an exemption.

In the instance that a student has an unacceptable reason for their absence the school will not provide work or facilitate assessment. Parents and students should not contact teachers requesting work for students where the absence is for an unacceptable reason, such as holidays. Upon return from such an absence the school will determine whether it is appropriate that the student be awarded N’s on their report or be asked to sit missed assessment pieces

Partial Day Absences

Late Arrivals

• Any student that arrives after 9:00am must present to the Junior Secondary Student Services (A block) with a note, signed by the parent/caregiver, 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/caregiver and presented to the Junior Secondary 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 Secondary 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 Secondary 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 Secondary Student Services Office and sign in. Administration Officers or Heads of Year may contact home to query the validity/frequency of appointments during school hours. 

Student Mobile Phones Reminder

Junior Secondary Student Mobile phones are to be switched off and out of sight. This includes before school, during lunch time and canteen area and after school whilst on school grounds.