Principal’s Report
SHANE DUPUY
As we reach the end of what has been a truly energising five weeks, I find myself reflecting with immense pride on the many moments that make our college such a special place.
I’ve had the good fortune of spending time in classrooms across the school, dropping in on our Year 7 students on camp, and being on yard duty each day. These experiences have provided me with a wonderful window into the life of our college. I have witnessed new friendships forming, seen students challenge themselves beyond their comfort zones, and observed the genuine respect they show toward one another, their teachers, and our support staff. The way our students speak to each other, include one another, and conduct themselves each day speaks volumes about the culture we are building together. It truly has been a fantastic start to the year.
Our PBC families continue to be at the heart of this culture. Ours has always been a welcoming and engaged community, and that spirit is on display every single day. I can’t help but smile when I see parents and carers gathering at the end of morning drop-off or arriving in the afternoon and patiently waiting at the front of the College for their child. The casual conversations, shared laughter, and genuine friendships forming among our families are part of what makes PBC so special.
Importantly, our students are watching. They see positive communication in action. They observe how respectful, friendly interactions build connection and trust. These everyday moments model the habits that foster lifelong relationships, and that example is incredibly powerful.
I would also like to sincerely thank all families who have taken time out of their busy schedules this week to meet with your child’s primary teacher. These conversations are invaluable. They allow us to share insights into your child’s learning progress and celebrate growth, while also identifying areas for continued development. More than that, they strengthen the student–teacher–parent partnership that we value so highly.
Consistent, honest, and open dialogue is paramount to the success of all stakeholders in a child’s education. When we work together with shared purpose and clear communication, our students thrive.
Thank you for your continued support, positivity, and partnership. It is a privilege to lead such a vibrant and connected community.
College Coordinator Report
ALEC WAREING
Even this week, while manning lollipop duty, the cheerful “good mornings,” smiles and warm welcomes from students and parents alike were a reminder of what makes PBC. These small interactions matter. They reflect a culture of respect, kindness and community that we value deeply.At PBC, we are fortunate to have students with a wide range of skills that extend beyond the classroom. Whether competing on the sporting field, performing on stage, leading within our community or participating in co-curricular programs, our students embrace opportunities with energy and dedication. While these experiences enrich school life immeasurably, maintaining a healthy balance alongside academic responsibilities remains essential.
Academic learning remains our core purpose, and finding that healthy balance between study and involvement is something we encourage all students to work towards. It may mean using a diary more consistently, setting aside device-free study time, or learning when it’s appropriate to say “not right now.”
Primary School Coordinator Report
NICOLA KERIN
Primary School Newsletter – A Wonderful Start to the Year
It has been an exceptionally smooth and positive start to the school year, and I would like to take a moment to thank our students, staff, and families for the way everyone has embraced the year ahead. Classrooms have quickly settled into productive routines, and it has been a joy to see students engaged, motivated, and eager to learn. Our newest students have transitioned beautifully into our community, and our returning students have set a fantastic tone with their leadership and enthusiasm. There is already a great sense of energy and purpose across the Primary School, and this strong start sets us up for a successful and rewarding year ahead.
As we move into the coming weeks, we have a number of exciting events and learning opportunities on the horizon.
Students in Years 3 and 5 will soon participate in NAPLAN, and we thank families for supporting students to approach this with confidence and a positive mindset. As we did last year, a small healthy snack will be provided before school for our Year 3 and 5 students to fuel their brains and support a positive start to the day. Please ensure your child is well rested and has a fulfilling breakfast to support them during the NAPLAN testing window, as well as sending them in with the necessary equipment to access the NAPLAN test successfully.
We are looking forward to welcoming the RACQ Streets Ahead program next week, which provides valuable road safety education for our P-6 students. Over 2 days, each year level will have the opportunity to attend an engaging and informative session with the Road Safety team from RACQ.
Our much loved Grandparents and Friends Day is coming up, offering a special opportunity to connect generations and share in our learning environments. Grandparents and Friends will be invited into the P-2 classrooms before heading up to the library to enjoy story time, student Q&A, book donating and morning tea. All books will be inscribed leaving an enduring memory for students to share for years to come!
Learning beyond the classroom continues to be a highlight, with upcoming Year 4 and Year 6 excursions and the beginning of our camp program for the year. Our Year 6 students are eagerly anticipating their camp to Tunnel Ridge, which promises to be a memorable experience focused on independence, teamwork, and personal growth.
Harmony Week will be a wonderful celebration of diversity and inclusion within our community. We are very excited to welcome Undumbi Culture, who will be sharing a Welcome to Country with us and will present an engaging and educational session including dance, song and storytelling for students from Prep to Year 6.
From a sporting perspective, students will soon be participating in our P–12 Cross Country, demonstrating perseverance and school spirit. Our Primary Leaders, particularly our House Captains, are excited to lead the way on this day and will be holding House meetings in the coming weeks to practice war cries to build school spirit and excitement!
On that note, may I again congratulate our Primary Leaders who were formally inducted into their leadership roles 2 weeks ago at a special Leaders Induction Assembly. We have held our first official meeting, and they are full of inspiring ideas as we discuss ways to continue to build school and community connection through the RISE values of the college.
Finally, thank you to all parents and teachers for their time in engaging in our first Parent Teacher Interviews of the year. It is an important opportunity for us to get to know your child through you, the person who knows them best! There have been many meaningful and insightful conversations had. We value parent partnership and communication, however, please be reminded that parents are expected to respect teachers’ preparation time before school and should make an appointment at a mutually convenient time if they need to speak to a teacher.
It is shaping up to be a vibrant and engaging term, and we thank you for your ongoing support in making our Primary School such a positive and thriving environment for all students.
Secondary Coordinator Report
NIGEL MCDUFF
It has been a very hectic start to the school year with numerous school events, year level camps, timetables and subject changes, VET and pathways organisation, combined with the normal day-to-day operations of the Secondary School. This is on top of the new management system being introduced in the school controlling student admin and school logistics for both staff and students to get their heads around.
Year 12 Retreat
In a revamp of the purpose of the Year 12 Retreat, the camp was moved to the first few days of the school year. This gives our Year 12’s the opportunity to plan and discuss their goals and initiatives for their final year as leaders at the school. It was great for Mrs Schlotterbach and myself to get to know the students outside the school setting and to join them on rollercoasters at Movie World, hit balls with them at Top Golf, and compete against them at arcade sessions. We look forward to the example this cohort will set as the senior leaders of the College.
Year 7 Camp
In week three of the term, I joined the Year 7’s on their camp program at Minburi Outdoor Education Centre. Almost half of our Yr 7 cohort are new this year so it was a good chance to not only be their executive chef for the week, but also to get to know names and faces of our new students. The students participated in a range of activities including raft building, mountain biking, orienteering and also completed a one night expedition/camp out carrying their own supplies and cooking their own dinner. I know we had many students who had never previously engaged in wilderness activities like this and many of them went outside their comfort zone to complete the camp. Hopefully, they established some new friendships and got to know each other a bit better and take away some great memories….but most of all I know they will all rave about the great catering they received from their chef.
NAPLAN
This week our Year 3,5,7,9 students have completed some practice tests in readiness for NAPLAN testing in a fortnight. These preliminary tests are designed to familiarise the students with the type of questions they will be asked on the actual tests, but also to test student devices and school IT services to be able to handle the online testing platform. The “real” NAPLAN testing starts on Wednesday 11th March and runs over 4 days.
RYDER
Next week on Tuesday 3rd March, our Year 11 cohort is attending the RYDER driver education program. This program is a joint venture between police, driver training schools, racq, and emergency services to educate learner and beginning drivers about safe and lawful practices when behind the wheel or when a passenger in a young driver’s car. I attended the program with our Year 11’s last year and found the sessions delivered on topics such as new laws for L/P platers, driver distraction, speeding and risk taking to be very beneficial for our young drivers. There are no classes for Year 11’s at school that day as we are hoping all our students in that cohort attend this valuable program for the day.
Reminders of School Rules for Uniforms and Mobile Phones
As the hectic start to the year starts to calm down, I would like to remind families of two aspects staff are often reminding and reprimanding students about:
Uniforms – The college has a uniform policy regarding our formal and a sports uniform in secondary school. Some key points for students and families to be aware of are:
- A school hat is part of the uniform and must be worn at breaks when in the sun.
- School socks can be plain white or navy blue but without sports branding on them.
- Males or females with hair reaching their shoulders must wear their hair “up” at all times when at school.
- Permitted jewellery is a watch and sleeper or stud earrings. A small nose piercing is permitted. No necklaces or bangles/bracelets are to be worn.
- Sports uniform can be worn on Thursdays for movement/academy and on days students have timetabled HPE practical lessons. Some “mind” activities also require sports uniform to be worn on a Tuesday. On other days the formal uniform must be worn.
Mobile Phones – The college has the “away for the day” procedure in place for personal mobile devices. Some key points for students and families to be aware of are:
- Once students enter the school grounds (cross the wooden bridge) in the mornings, their phone must be put away either in their school bag or in their locker.
- Once the 3pm bell rings, students are welcome to access their mobile devices.
- Students should not be carrying phones on their person during the day. Not in pockets, pencil case, computer case.
Should students or parents need to contact each other during the day, this is done via student reception at the front office.
NAPLAN Test Schedule
| Wednesday 11 March | Thursday 12 March | Friday 13 March | Monday 16 March | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3 | 9am – Writing | 9am – Reading | 9am – Conventions of Language | 9am – Numeracy |
| Year 5 | 9am – Writing | 9am – Reading | 9am – Conventions of Language | 9am – Numeracy |
| Year 7 | 10:50am – Writing | 10:50am – Reading | 10:50am – Conventions of Language | 10:50am – Numeracy |
| Year 9 | 10:50am – Writing | 10:50am – Reading | 10:50am – Conventions of Language | 10:50am – Numeracy |
Catch Up Tests will be held on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th March for any students who miss any of the 4 tests.
Guidance Services
HAYLEY CLIFTON & JACQUI VOS
Looking After Our Mental Health in the Primary School
If you’re new to the PBC community, you might be hearing some curious new phrases at home like, “I’m calming my guard dog!” or “I need to wake up my wise owl!”
These are all part of our partnership with Grow Your Mind, and we’re now in our third year of implementing this wonderful, research-informed social and emotional wellbeing program.
Grow Your Mind helps children (and adults!) understand how their brains work and how to take care of their mental health in positive, practical ways. It gives our students a shared language to talk about feelings, reactions and choices.
Through the program, students learn that:
- Everyone has mental health — and everyone can learn skills to look after it.
- Resilience and emotional regulation can be strengthened — with practical tools to manage big feelings, calm their bodies and respond thoughtfully.
- Social and emotional skills matter — including self-awareness, self-management, empathy, healthy relationships and responsible decision-making.
- A growth mindset makes a difference — building courage, gratitude, curiosity and perseverance.
- The brain is powerful and changeable — and understanding it helps children see how thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected.
- Wellbeing is a whole-community effort — when schools and families share a common language, children feel supported both at school and at home.
While students participate in a dedicated Grow Your Mind lesson each week, these ideas don’t stop there. Our teachers thoughtfully weave the concepts into everyday classroom experiences so wellbeing becomes part of daily learning.
Hayley and Jacqui have also been enjoying working with our new Year 3–6 students as part of a small group imitative to introduce the program.
Thank you to our wonderful parent community for supporting PBC’s commitment to student wellbeing and positive mental health. Together, we are helping our children grow strong, capable and confident minds.
You can read more about the development of the Grow Your Mind program here.
Student Absences
What to do if my child is absent?
Please notify the College as soon as possible by:
– Emailing absentees@pbc.qld.edu.au and including the reason for the absence (e.g. illness), or
– Submitting an absence notification via the College website, or
– Phoning Administration on 5448 1722.
Marking an absence in Clipboard does not transfer to our attendance system, the above process needs to be followed.
What do I need to do if we are going away during term time?
Please email absentees@pbc.qld.edu.au to request a Student Leave Application form. The form must be completed and signed by your child/ren’s teachers before being submitted to the Principal for approval.
Library News
Hello Readers
GRANDPARENTS AND FRIENDS LIBRARY BOOK FUNDRAISER, Kelly Library
Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 – Friday 6 March 8.40-10.30am
Parents; may I ask you to please pass this information on to your parents or to a special friend of your family.
We would like to invite Grandparents of Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students to our Annual Library Book Fundraiser to celebrate the contribution grandparents and friends make to the lives of children. This event includes a visit to your grandchild’s classroom, listening to a story and an interactive poem, some fun and impromptu Q&A, marvellous reaching for the stars artworks, sharing their love of reading, shopping for the perfect library book to donate and then enjoying morning tea.
Your special donated book will be personalised with an inscription with both your name and the student’s name and will be in use for many years to come in our library.
Pre-purchase your ticket to attend. Tickets are $25 (per family). Each ticket includes entry and the purchase of one book. If you wish to purchase more than one book you may do this by purchasing an additional ticket. Booking close Monday 2 March to allow for catering.
Here is the link to book your ticket: https://www.trybooking.com/DJO…
I hope to see you there!
Yours in reading every day
Miss Tania
Year 11 Biology
Modelling the Effect of Surface Area to Volume ratio on Rate of Diffusion in Cells
This week, our Year 11 Biology students investigated one of the key challenges faced by living cells — how size affects the movement of substances in and out of a cell.
Students completed a practical experiment using agar cubes containing phenolphthalein and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to model diffusion. The agar cubes represented cells, with the volume modelling the cytoplasm and the surface area representing the cell membrane where diffusion occurs. By testing cubes of different sizes, students explored how surface area to volume ratio influences diffusion rates.
Through observing colour changes in the cubes as they were placed in a hydrochloric acid diffusing solution, students discovered that smaller cubes diffused more quickly than larger ones. This demonstrated an important biological concept: as cell size increases, surface area relative to volume decreases, reducing the efficiency of diffusion.
The practical provided students with a clear, hands-on understanding of why most cells remain small and how diffusion is essential for transporting materials needed for cell survival. It was fantastic to see students engaging in scientific thinking and applying theory to real-world biological processes.
Mrs M Moffat
🐰🐣 Easter Raffle 🐰🐣
Get ready for our Easter Raffle with some amazing prizes up for grabs! 🐣 🐰
Prizes include:
1st Prize – $100 Amazen Coolum voucher + Pour Pals & chocolate gift set
2nd Prize – Funlab passes including Mini Golf, Bowling & Archie Brothers + Pour Pals & chocolate gift set
3rd Prize – 10 x Lazerzone passes + Pour Pals & chocolate gift set
Plus lots more prizes!
Tickets:
1 ticket – $5
5 tickets – $20
Purchase your tickets using the My School Connect app, and click on the Raffle icon.
The draw will take place at 10:00am on Wednesday 1 April, with winners announced on the Peregian Beach College Facebook page.
Every ticket sold helps support Peregian Beach College projects. Thank you for your support and good luck!
Kindy Vacancies
Housekeeping
School Administration Housekeeping.
- The email address to use for all correspondence relating to student absences is absentees@pbc.qld.edu.au. You can also lodge an absence via the form on the website located here.
- Correspondence from the College will generally be sent out from admin@pbc.qld.edu.au. 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 8.30 am, alternatively feel free to visit our canteen to order with our staff.
- 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.