Principal's Patch

Welcome back to the 2020 school year! 

What a fantastic start to the school year at PBSS and particularly warm welcome to our new students and families. We are pleased to have you join our school community and look forward to working with you. This year we have welcomed 109 new Prep students and we are so proud of how well they have transitioned into 'big school'.  The vast majority of  the 690 students have been full of smiles (a few tears), and happy to be back with their friends ... oh and of course their meaningful  learning!  In all seriousness, the students are very settled, and the PBSS staff put in a magnificent effort to be ready to commence learning from the first day last week. Rules have been clarified, our high expectations in all that we do have been set,  procedures and processes are underway, and teaching and learning is in full swing.

You may have noticed a few changes to organisational procedures such as before school waiting areas etc. This is due to our enrolment growth, and I'm sure many of these processes will continue to evolve in the coming years as we continue to grow. We will be working very hard to maintain our extremely positive school culture, and parents working together with us on all PBSS rules and policies will help to ensure the safe, supportive and friendly atmosphere we all cherish and wish to continue to flourish.

Every Student Succeeding

Whilst we educate our students across a broad scope of subjects, wellbeing and social issues, each year we focus on three - four particular areas for our Annual Improvement Plan (AIP). These focus areas are identified through EQ priorities and our school data.  Along with EQ we  follow the mantra of Every Student Succeeding. This becomes different things for different students across 13 years of schooling; however, 'Every Student Succeeding' begins with Literacy for every single student! In 2020 reading will once again be our main priority, supported with our continued 2019 focus which was on writing (which was highly successful as we attained above the Australian average in NAPLAN). The 2020 AIP will be communicated through the newsletter and published on our new school website in the coming weeks which will outline all of our 2020 priorities.

Class Changes and Day 8

At this point in time we have commenced with 690 students, and on these present enrolment numbers the current classes will remain as is, when compared to our Day 8 lodgement. Day 8 is the Education Department's official day to ratio school actual enrolment numbers vs the number of teachers across Queensland. This has been extended until Day 13 this year due to the global issues related to the Coronovirus, which may effect us if we receive more unexpected enrolments before this date. Presently, our Year 2 and 3 classes are slightly oversize, but our Year 1 and Preps are under ratio. This has been decided with staff to avoid a composite class at this time. I will keep the school community informed of any changes if they are required. 

Before School

As there is no formal supervision before school, students should arrive no earlier than 8am.

8.15-8.30am is the ideal time to arrive. Students arriving before 8am must attend PCYC before school care.  A reminder that learning commences at 8.45am! 

All students arriving prior to 8.30am are to wait in their designated area, not outside classrooms, including student's with a parent:-

- Prep students in the prep area

- Year 1-3 students in the astroturf Year 1-2 eating area

- Year 4-6 students in the tuckshop area

Students in Years 4-6 with younger siblings may bring them to the tuckshop area to sit together until the 8.30am bell rings to go to class.

In the case of a rainy day, all students may sit in the tuckshop area, or in a covered space near their classroom. Teachers will open the classroom doors as early as possible on these days. 

Traffic 

The traffic problems have started to settle a little now that the first few days are over, but schools are rarely smooth sailing at drop off and pick up time. Like you, we are all eagerly awaiting the completion of the new building on the corner of 19th Ave and the GC Hwy so that the many tradies will not be parking in the school vicinity and neighbouring roads. In the meantime, I sincerely thank you all for your patience as the safety of our students is paramount. 

KISS & GO 

I strongly encourage you all to use the Kiss & Go zone. To make this zone flow smoothly all parents are asked to remain in their cars at all times. Also, as a courtesy to everyone, we request cuddles and kisses before school be done at home and not in the zone, as this holds up others. Also, please move as far along the zone as possible before stopping. 

In the afternoons, it is strongly suggested you arrive at the Kiss & Go zone approximately 2.55 - 3pm. At this time the area is almost empty and it is usually possible to drive straight in to pick up your child. All children are fully supervised in the zone until 3pm. After this time they will be brought to the office to wait to be collected by a parent. 

Parent Class Information Sessions

We understand everyone is very busy and in an attempt to ease your life, and assist our teachers maintain a work/life balance in what is a very demanding profession, this year we are going to send home an email containing a powerpoint with all necessary class information, rather then the face to face week 3 sessions we have offered in the past.

PLEASE take the time to read these carefully from each of your children's teacher's even if you have more than one child. Whilst some information will be repeated, other information will be class specific, such as teacher communication methods. The powerpoint will include information regarding excursions etc that are already planned throughout the year to assist you with family budgeting. 

You will receive the email no later than Friday 7th February.   

Mobile Phones and GPS Kids Watches

All student mobile phones must be signed in at the office each morning, and signed out in the afternoon. Students found with mobile phones in their school bag throughout the day will have their phone confiscated. These will be returned via an arranged meeting with the student, parent and the principal or deputy principal. 

GPS kids watches (the many different varieties) must be used as a watch only, and throughout the school day they are required to be kept on school mode. Parents will be contacted  if the class teacher feels they are a distraction to  your child's learning. 

Air Conditioning

Thanks to your ongoing support of the payment of the Parent Voluntary Contribution part of the school fees, and support of P&C fundraising events, all 28 classes in 2020 have commenced the year with air conditioning! This has taken over two years to complete, and it is certainly appreciated by all staff and students. It is quite amazing to watch the concentration that occurs all day, compared to the sleepy minds that used to exist after first break on these hot days.

A reminder that 2020 school fees are now due!  We are looking at part financial support for playground extensions and student toilet refurbishment over the next few years through the parent voluntary contribution component of the fees. The fees are $200 per child ($175 for PREP) and are due no later than Friday 28th February which is paid directly to PBSS through the PBSS internet banking (not BPOINT) or through our payment window at the office (EFTPOS any day, cash Wednesday-Friday  to 11:00am only).

PBSS INTERNET BANKING DETAILS

BSB:   084 572

Account Number:  837 890 885

Account Name:  2020 School Fees

Payment description:  Child’s surname, first name & 2020-year level (e.g. SMITHJohnYr1)

 

These fees include: -

-  $25 Mathletics & Literacy Planet (Access will be terminated after March 1st if payment is not made)

-  $25 for Spelling Mastery (Years 1-6)  ***See info below

-  $50 One2One ICT Program (instead of a personal BYOD program of up to $500 per child)

- $100 Parent Voluntary Contribution (includes $20 Building fund-tax deductible) 

  ***AS ALL YEAR LEVELS WISH TO COMMENCE THE SPELLING PROGRAM BY 10th FEBRUARY, WE WOULD APPRECIATE THE $25 PAYMENT FOR SPELLING MASTERY  NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 7TH FEBRUARY. ONLY STUDENTS WHO HAVE PAID WILL BE ISSUED WITH THE SPELLING TEXTBOOK.

 

Thank you all for supporting PBSS in the way that you all do! We are all looking forward to a wonderful year. 

Your proud principal

Sandra Thompson