Principal’s Report

SHANE DUPUY

Almost there

Last Friday was the final day of formal lessons for our Y12 cohort. For most, this signified the end of a 13-year long journey where students have navigated all manner of experiences school-life presents. I must admit, receiving a call at 7am from our head of maintenance, Adam, didn’t bode well, especially when the first thing he asked me was, “Are you onsite yet? Do you want me to wait for you, or should I start cleaning up the mess?” What now? was the initial thought. Upon arrival. I was welcomed by a window full of my headshot, complete with crown, on the admin building. Walking through the grounds, there were wanted posters of staff, past and present, as well as some chalk ‘graffiti’. The new senior classrooms space was adorned with a similar ‘makeover’. Perhaps most surprising, after reviewing the college security cameras, was that the perpetrators were found to have entered the college grounds just after 5:30am to get to work. Having survived 3 of my own, I was gobsmacked that students of this age bracket surfaced before a ‘7’ was on the clock. Pleasingly, they had their fun whilst adhering to college expectations. There was more than a giggle or 2 from entering staff and I’m sure this only strengthened the high regard staff hold for this cohort.

In more recent times, aside from the standard stresses of task completion, assessment deadlines, and whether your new haircut stacks up, these students have been challenged by bushfires, floods and covid. All have come through with flying colours and it makes me immensely proud of the fine young adults we are sending off.

Beginning this week, our Y12’s will participate in 3-weeks of assessments before being farewelled by the College on Friday 17 November.

We wish them well.

More seating

Due to the hard work and organisation of our PIPS, the College have been delighted to receive 4 more picnic tables courtesy of the Coolum Men’s Shed. The tables have been welcomed by our students who happily sit on them with friends at morning tea and lunch. Special thanks must also go to Adam, Josh and Pepe who paint the tables to ensure they can tolerate the weather.

Full steam ahead

Traditionally, Term 4 is 10 weeks of chaos; it’s a real grind. Students are completing the final units of their programs, teachers are preparing and marking assessments, calculating overall achievement grades and writing reports, and administration staff are doing what they do best, helping everyone with everything! Throw in a Prep ‘Taster session’, Japan Day, Staff Literacy PD, Y12 Exams, constant training for our new LMS, ‘Daymap’ and Academy trials, it’s easy to understand why everyone is a little on edge and in some cases, ‘cooked’. After speaking to a retired principal mentor and reaching out to another former principal, hopeful of some sage advice on how to lessen the tension for all and sundry, the answer from both was scarily similar, “Strap yourself in, Term 4 is always nuts”. Forever the optimist, I take comfort in knowing it’s not an isolated, localised issue; it’s everywhere. With this in mind, may I ask that parents be patient with staff whenever communicating with them, keep an eye on your children and ensure they’re having enough ‘down time’ and remember to make time for yourselves on weekends in order to recharge for the next working week.

Bigger and better

We are currently undertaking a full upgrade of our pool chlorinators system with the pool reopening for lessons on Tuesday 30th October. Our original system has served us well, but with further increases in student numbers next year, along with the Football Academy utilising the pool for recovery sessions, the bather load will increase dramatically, requiring a system upgraded. Consequently, four new sand filters, UV control filters and a new chlorinator are being installed. This will align PBC’s pool with any of the major resorts around our region. To keep water quality at a premium, it comes with a wireless monitoring controller, which the grounds staff can navigate through their own personal devices. This package will allow us to control our water quality more consistently and always be in line with Queensland Health guidelines, keeping your children happy and healthy swimmers.

Next week, contractors will begin an install of a 40Kw solar panel system. Panels attached to 3 sides of the administration building will support the College’s mission of increasing our sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Finally, stadium works are well underway, with half the slab for the build already laid.

Long-time supporter of the College and lead contractor, Greg Henry, is working tirelessly to ensure construction continues at a rapid rate. Preparations for the next half of the slab recently commenced with a proposed blockwork completion by the holidays and steel erection early next year. Staff and contractors are working in conjunction to keep this area a safe and monitored area so the students can still enjoy the benefits of the ovals and other adjoining outdoor areas. I think it’s fair to say both staff and students can’t wait.

 

Junior School

ALITA CARPENTER

Book fair

It was absolutely wonderful to see so many of our families enjoying the book fair, during the past week. Thank you all for your support in purchasing a range of beautiful titles, and for taking time to come along and getting involved.

Pre-Prep Taster Session

The Pre-Preppies and their families were bubbling with excitement, and a little bit of nervous energy, when they arrived to meet each other on Monday morning. Some families travelled quite a distance to be a part of the morning and by all accounts the adults and children all seemed to have a great morning. The success of the morning was due to the hard work of the teachers; Ms Preston and Mrs Adler, and to the support staff. I would like to acknowledge the additional effort required to undertake these events and offer a huge thank you to the team for their commitment. This second step in our transition process has given us greater insight into class lists, teacher allocations and support requirements for 2024. We are looking forward to our Pre-Prep transition morning, which will be held on the 4th of December. Emails have been sent with further details.

Arts Week

Next week, the Arts department will be hosting an art trail during a week of celebrations regarding ‘All things ART’.  Families are invited on Wednesday afternoon from 2.00pm, to wander through the school; visiting classrooms, the art building and the library, to peruse the amazing artworks that the students have been working on throughout the year.

Exam Block – Seniors

Please remember that exam block is in process and you will need to access the right hand side of the Administration building to avoid disruptions to the Year 12 exams. There are signs and barriers in place and we are asking that these directions are followed at all times for the next two weeks.

Middle/Senior School

ASHLEIGH MORRISON

Introduction of Middle and Senior School Excellence Awards

This week I had the pleasure of awarding the first Middle and Senior School Excellence Awards, an initiative designed to celebrate and reward excellence of our middle and senior school students. As the Middle and Senior School Coordinator, I’m excited to see these awards motivate, inspire, and instill a sense of pride and belonging in our school community. They’ll also help solidify our school’s identity as a place of excellence and encourage students to become well-rounded, community-engaged individuals.

The College Excellence Awards are a small but mighty step toward acknowledging positive behaviour and students approach to learning.

Student Services

JACQUI VOS & HAYLEY CLIFTON

Grow Your Mind

WHAT ARE POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES?! 

Essentially, they are coping skills that help children go about life in a productive, resilient and engaged manner.  They are strategies that contribute to mental wellbeing. Setbacks come and go, sadness, hurt and failure. Our kids will face challenges, they may already be facing extraordinary ones. The idea is not simply teaching them to ‘bounce back’ but instead to support them to feel less overwhelmed and hopeless in the face of adversity. We want kids to be prepared in their bodies and brains for what we hope will be a long life.  

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES?! 

Strategies that promote mental fitness might look like children practising gratitude or mindful breathing. It could be kids knowing what a healthy friendship is, understanding their brain and how it learns. Perhaps they practice moving their body and seeing that it helps their mood. Or they develop an awareness of the importance of sleep.  

Positive mental health strategies look like kids making time for joy. They might learn that when we are helpful and kind we are more likely to stay mentally healthy. We want kids to see that if they can name their emotions they may find them less overwhelming. Getting kids active, outside and in nature is a key way to enable them to feel more able to cope and hopeful about the future. It’s a practice. 

Think of teaching positive mental health strategies to kids as akin to charging your electric vehicle before you head out on an adventure. And then charging it again, and again and again! If you go for a run today that is fantastic. You are not physically fit for life though simply because you went for one run. Same thing with your mental fitness, it’s ongoing, it takes work but that work can be fun. 

Students in grades prep to 6 at PBC are already learning about all of this and more through the engaging and playful Grow Your Mind  program, and we look forward to welcoming our students in grades 7-12 into the program in the coming terms. 

Library News

Dear Readers

Our Annual Book Fair was a huge success.  This is the third year in a row we have hosted a Scholastic Fair and it sparked much excitement and interest. 

The Guess the Goal competition had over 300 entries and was extremely popular.  The entry rules were simple; purchase a book and predict the number of books the fair will sell.  The winner will be announced at our Junior School Assembly next Tuesday.  Predictions ranged from 196 to 479!

I will share my favourite part of the fair with you.  This is when I observe a student umming and ahhing over the enormous decision of which book to choose which is then followed by a money count determining if there is enough in the kitty.  I love watching the children empty their wallets and purses of their hard-earned pocket money (or mum and dad’s hard-earned cash) onto my desk and then tally up how much they have.    

May I thank all families who supported the Fair.

This Fortnight’s Book Review

Kosta from Year 3 shared with me that the reason he enjoyed Power of the Pong was because it is a funny book.  He said it’s about a swamp monster and he would recommend it to his classmates.  Power of the Pong was written by Charlie Jephcott a former student of PBC.

Yours in reading every day

Miss Tania

Japan Day

SAMANTHA WILLIAMS

On Monday 23rd October, our college celebrated its second Japan Day.  It was such a brilliant day!  In the lead-up to celebrating this day, the students participated in various art activities during their Japanese lessons to express their creativity and learning.  Each year level created a different piece, Cherry Blossom Trees, Kimono Art, watercolour landscapes, fan art and more!  The students did an incredible job.

Then on Japan Day, we were visited by Byron Taiko.  A family troupe specialising in Taiko drumming, flute, singing and dance.  The Prep to Year 7 students thoroughly enjoyed their entertaining workshops and performances.

At morning tea, the Year 5-7’s and staff enjoyed sushi from Sushi Wave restaurant in Peregian Beach and at lunchtime, the Prep to Year 4’s enjoyed origami, games, and Japanese traditional toys.

It was an exciting and enriching day for all.  A delightful way for our students to connect their language learning with real-world cultural activities from Japan.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Art Walk

Year 2

Noosa National Park

Last week the Year 2 students went on an excursion to the Noosa National Park. We set off early on a drizzly morning, walking along the boardwalk to the national park.  There we were met by three park rangers, who chatted to the students while they had their morning tea. They then led us on a guided walk of the Palm Gove Circuit. The rangers taught the Year 2s all about life in the rainforest and the different ways plants have adapted to compete for light. It was a fantastic morning of learning in the outdoors. By the time we set off back along the boardwalk to the bus, the sun had come out and it had turned into beautiful day. What a great way to spend the morning!

Year 3

3G – Kindness Challenge

Year 3G have undertaken a Kindness Challenge this term. Each morning, a new task is unveiled; one for students and one for the teacher. It sure has got us thinking about a wide range of ways we can be kind to ourselves, others and our environment. One of the most recent tasks challenged students to write a submission for the school newsletter detailing why they enjoy and value school life. It was incredibly heart-warming reading the students’ responses and I’d like to share a few with you:

I love PBC because there are lot of great teachers. We also have the best principal in the district. We have two activities called Mind and Movement on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is also basketball and soccer practice. I like the way that our Art teacher is doing a great job. We go on great walks, trips and camps. It’s really the best place to be so come and join us here at Peregian Beach College.

  • Jasi W

PBC is a wonderful place with lots of activities like tennis, drama, soccer, basketball, swimming, chess, netball and more. The teachers are fabulous with lots of science experiments and they’re so nice! Also they decorate the whole classroom for you. It’s so easy to learn different things. PBC has lots of cool stuff in the year like camp, book week, book fair, learn to swim, Japan day and lots more!

  • Hugo D

Friends and family, spins and leaps, kicks and scores, hoops and scoops, laughing, learning… Together we are PBC!

My name is Estée I am a Year 3 student at Peregian Beach College. I love PBC because I get to be myself and grow. School is my happy place and I love dancing. We also have a dancing school so that’s just amazing to me! My teacher is Mrs Golding. She is really kind and caring! All my friends make it even better! School at PBC is awesome and I think it is the best school ever!

  • Estée F

Year 4

Sunshine Coast Council – Visit

Our Year 4 students recently had a visit from the Sunshine Coast Council, getting our hands dirty while setting up our very own worm farm.

The students learned about recycling and how a worm farm can be a key player in the process. Declan from The Sunshine Coast Council guided the students through the entire process, from setting up the perfect home for their wiggly companions to ensuring the ideal conditions for their well-being. They discovered the importance of keeping the farm moist, providing the right food, and protecting it from extreme weather conditions.

It was a fantastic hands-on experience that had everyone buzzing with excitement.

The experience was fun and educational, leaving our students excited about helping our school and the environment. Remember: every little bit counts when it comes to making the world a better place!

Upcoming Events

Youth Choral Workshop

This school holiday activity sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir, Hosted by the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir and will be facilitated by renowned Choral Workshop Conductor Clare Finlayson. A fun filled 1 day workshop for all singers. Monday 15thJanuary 2024 9am-3:30pm

Click image for further information:

Housekeeping

School Administration Housekeeping.

  • The email address to use for all correspondence relating to student absences is admin@pbc.qld.edu.au, this email address is accessed by all administration staff. Please add admin@pbc.qld.edu.au to your address books so that our emails to you don’t go to your junk email folder.
    You can also lodge an absence via the form on the website located here.
  • Don’t forget to order canteen through the My School Connect app – orders are to be placed no later than 8.10 am.
  • When signing students in late or signing them out early please ensure to put a reason in the text box for College records.
  • Please ensure students are in their correct uniform, we are going to be checking to make sure that the uniform policy guidelines are being followed, this includes correct footwear with formal uniforms.