Optima Assemblies

Year 8 Optima Assembly Gallery

Year 9 Optima Assembly Gallery

Last week we had the pleasure of gathering to celebrate the achievements of our Year 8 and 9 cohorts, in our first OPTIMA Assemblies of the year. These assemblies recognised outstanding application to school during Semester 2 of 2022, as well as academic, sporting, community and cultural achievements. We’d like to further thank all families who were in attendance at these assemblies and to all students another hearty congratulations on your achievements.

Headspace

As part of the Year 7s first 20 days, we have organised to have HEADSPACE deliver their ‘Transitions: Primary to Secondary school’ workshop on the 14 and 15 February. The learning objectives for this workshop are:

• Understanding how transition and change can impact mental health
• How to manage stress from change
• Building resilience and healthy coping skills
• Strengthening connection and belonging

Headspace student workshops aim to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma and build the capacity of young people to understand their own wellbeing needs, support their peers and explore pathways for help-seeking.

Social Worker

PBC has extended their wellbeing team to now include a Social Worker to support young people and school families. Leigh Haigh is PBCs newly appointed Social Worker and can be found in J block from Monday to Friday. 

What is a social worker’s role, and who is able to access this service? 

A social worker is an accredited allied health practitioner who provides professional information/supports to families, individuals and communities. This support is not limited to but includes; working with the school well-being team, counselling, family functioning, relationships, school engagement/attendance, assistance to navigate welfare system, support to navigate NDIS, referrals, advocacy and linking to external agencies. Any child/young person who is enrolled in a Queensland school is able to access assistance from the social worker including families who are experiencing issues that is impacting upon family function, and the well-being of young people and family members.

Students/families/individuals who are requiring assistance may self-refer by contacting the school on Ph. 07 5525 9333 and then directing your call to Leigh. Alternatively school staff members and external agencies will be able to refer young people via a referral process. Written consent provided by parents/carers/guardians will be will be required to support young people on an ongoing basis.

From Leisa: "Having a passion for working with families and young people in various sectors, I am very excited to be a part of Pam Beach Currumbin High. My professional practice aligns with social work ethics that include respectfulness and social justice whilst following a holistic approach, exploring internal/external factors that may be impacting upon the wellbeing of individuals, communities and families." 

NAPLAN 2023 

In Weeks 8 and 9, Year 7 and Year 9 students will sit NAPLAN. NAPLAN results help our English and Maths teachers to tailor programs that continue to improve students’ literacy and numeracy skills. Teachers have carefully worked with students to prepare them for the test and we look forward to every student making their best effort. NAPLAN is now done online, with adaptive test so that every student can show what they can do, rather than what they can not.  A rehearsal is being held in Week 5, to help create supportive test environment. 

NAPLAN Dates:

• Week 4 - Thur 23 Feb – NAPLAN Rehearsal
• Week 8 – Wed 15 March – Writing Test
• Week 9 – Mon 20 March - Reading
• Week 9 – Tue 21 March - Language Conventions 
• Week 9 – Wed 22 March – Numeracy

Year 9 tests will be held in Period 1 sessions, and Year 7 in Period 3. Students will receive information at school about which room to attend for NAPLAN. All other scheduled lessons will run as usual during these days. Should your child be absent for a test, they will be provided with a catch-up session on Thursday 23 March.

Participation:

We encourage all of Year 7 and Year 9 to be part of NAPLAN, and we make special provisions for the inclusion of students with PLPs. If your child requires adjustments then please contact Jane Bell HOD of Inclusion via email jebel0@eq.edu.au. 

PBC teachers frequently use NAPLAN data to make decisions about differentiation and targeted teaching in the classroom so knowing where each child is currently at in terms of their literacy and numeracy is very important to our planning. A standardised test like NAPLAN is a great tool to help us. The adaptive tests mean that every child can complete their NAPLAN with a sense of accomplishment.

NAPLAN Equipment:

No special equipment is required. Students must bring their charged PBC laptop and a pen or pencil. Students using BYOD will be provided with a device at each test session. 

Preparing for NAPLAN:

Students can not study for NAPLAN. You might support your child to visit the Public Access Site, where they can make sure that they know how to use the online tools and answer different styles of online questions. https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site

Students are best off having a good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast to prepare for each day of the tests.

Concerns?

Contact our team in the Junior Secondary office if you have any further questions.