Junior Secondary refers to the education of students in Years 7, 8 and 9. Here at PBC we strive for the best for our students in all areas.
Statement of Intent
To be a world class school which nurtures the talents of every young adolescent student, ensuring a seamless and supportive transition from primary school into senior school.
Philosophy
Success in the Junior Secondary comes from engagement in learning and building relationships.
Junior Secondary at PBC is built around a caring, supportive environment enabling students a smooth transition into senior school. Students feel a sense of belonging and in such an environment strong teacher-student relationships are created. Shared decision-making and active participation along with a rigorous curriculum help to cultivate lifelong learners.
Curriculum
Students in Year 7, 8, and 9 study core and elective subjects. Core subjects are English, Humanities, Maths and Science. Elective subjects include offerings from The Arts, Technology, Health and Physical Education and Spanish Australian curriculum areas. Students in Year 7 and 8 will experience all elective subjects over the two years, with the exception of students enrolled in Sports and Creative Arts excellence who will not study Spanish in their program.
By the time students reach Year 9 select they can select four subjects from the elective offerings to explore their personal interests and to help them decide if they would like to study these in further depth as a senior. Each elective is studied for one semester.
All lessons run for 70 minutes and each subject has three 70 minute lessons per week.
Community Intervention Program
Fight 4 Youth
Parent information letter (PDF, 100kb)
Intervention program agreement form (PDF, 100kb)
Year 9 Work Experience
All Year 9 students are encouraged to organise Work Experience for Term 3, Week 10. All Work Experience must be arranged using the correct process and forms, so that students are covered by the school's insurance.
Students are also encouraged to consider using their Work Experience as an opportunity to trial for a Certificate III Traineeship. The advantages for students of completing a traineeship in Year 10 include:
- 8 hours a week of paid employment
- Build up your resume
- Complete a traineeship without negatively impacting on valuable time at school during Year 11 or 12
- Accumulate up to 8 points for the QCE - Queensland Certificate of Education
- For those who hope to go to Uni, a Cert III plus four General Subjects in Senior can be used as a VET Pathway to university.
Students considering a Traineeship should visit Mrs Sonia Shreeve in the Pathways Centre in Y Block to discuss employers who may be open to Work Experience and a 2023 Traineeship opportunity. The Pathways Centre is open every day before school and during Lunch 1.
All Year 9 students should:
- Be sure to collect a Work Experience Pack from the Junior Secondary Office
- Discuss options with their parents. Consider your contacts, your interests, future career options and opportunities.
- Have an initial discussion with a potential Work Experience employer to undertake Work Experience in Term 4 Week 10. If they are willing, complete the Expression of Interest form (found in the Work Experience Pack). The completed form should be returned to the Junior Secondary Office by the end of Term 3.
PBC will then make contact with the employer and start the process of completing formal agreement paperwork.
With over 400 students seeking work experience at the one time, positions will be in demand. Students are encouraged to start this process now.