No Images? Click here Dear Friend of PLC Balance for BetterTomorrow, we celebrate International Women’s Day. The campaign theme for 2019 is #BalanceforBetter. This global day not only provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women but also serves as a call to action for accelerating gender parity. To celebrate the achievements of women, CAREERSwithSTEM have compiled 150 profiles of women working in a variety of STEM disciplines. The depth and breadth of careers in STEM profiled is amazing, with nuclear scientists, music producers and global googlers, to name a few, joining the list. The career and life advice they share highlights the vital role of embracing a 'have a go attitude’, something we passionately foster at PLC.
The ability to access experts, experience real world situations and discuss your ambitions with a sympathetic mentor is such an important aspect of developing your career trajectory. Whilst it is clear that the percentages of women scientists remain disturbingly low and that a significant gender gap persists, there is unfortunately no sound data to support the best and most cohesive way forward.
Gender Gap in Science ProjectThe lack of a clear and co-ordinated data set is being addressed by the project, Gender Gap in Science - A Global Approach to the Gender Gap in Mathematical, Computing, and Natural Sciences: How to Measure It, How to Reduce It? There are three tasks in this project:
This project is aimed at not only providing evidence to support making an informed decision about science policy, but also providing access to materials which have been shown to encourage girls and young women to study and pursue further education in mathematics and natural sciences. The online database will provide materials for young women, their parents and schools about careers in science. It is an exciting prospect that in the near future we will have access to data that will inform, support and encourage young women to engage in STEM and close the gender gap in Science. - Dr Andrew Cousins, Deputy Principal International Women's Day BreakfastDate: Friday 8 March Boarders MarketDate: Friday 12 April PLC OCA Art ExhibitionDate: Friday 24 May - Sunday 26 May Please note that all parent events are listed in the Communications & Engagement section of Links. Be YourselfPeople seem to struggle with identity - who they are and whom should they be. Too often we’ll let people, magazines, fashion shows and movies dictate how we should dress and talk, what we should eat and who is the “In” crowd. Individuals differ in hair colour, body shape, giftedness, personality, etc., so why should we try and make carbon copies of some idealised picture painted for us? You are created by the Divine and called for extraordinary things. Just be yourself and impact your world every day! - Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain Make a Difference WeekNext week, students and staff have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities providing education, advocacy and support around some community issues. Click here to view the poster.
The Smith Family Student2StudentThis project supports young people in our community who could use help in improving their reading skills. PLC students in Years 8, 9 & 10 are matched with young people around WA to read a variety of books to help improve their reading. Can you help make this change in a student’s life? Date: Monday 11 March (information session) World’s Greatest ShaveStudents in Years 7-12 are invited to participate in this event. Join your friends from PLC and Scotch to cut or shave your hair, or support those who do! Date: Monday 1 April If you require any further information regarding any of these events, please contact Linda Malone linda.malone@plc.wa.edu.au, Head of Service and Community Partnerships. - Linda Malone, Head of Service and Community Partnerships Setting GoalsAs I alluded to last week, I have been completing goal-setting lessons with all the Years 2 to 6 girls over the past few weeks. SMART Goals
Students in Year 2 have been encouraged to set one academic goal and one personal goal and the Years 3 to 6 girls have set two academic goals and one personal goal. These goals are for Term 1 and/or Term 2. I have encouraged students with long-term goals to write those down somewhere else.As part of goal setting, the students also need to write down how they might achieve their goals. Most often it is to practise, concentrate or focus! Parents of Years 2 to 6 girls, you will have the goals sent home and are asked to please sign them. I'm sure you will join me in supporting you daughter/s to achieve their goals. This process has been extremely interesting for me and I have learnt a great deal about the students. It's great to hear different goals and the girls' drive to achieve them. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School JUNIOR SCHOOL EVENTSJunior School Assembly Years 1 - 6 Date: Friday 8 March Years 2 - 6 Chapel Date: Wednesday 13 March Junior School Community Tour Date: Thursday 14 March Time to say GoodbyeIt is with a mix of sorrow, satisfaction and relief (because I am seriously running out of ‘meaningful’ things to write) that I tender my last Links. I’ve had a lovely last week with the surprise assembly on the quad yesterday and so many lovely heartfelt emails. Having spent close to 30% of my entire life at this School, PLC has become part of my fabric, because I have a real sense of belonging and community. Thank YouI would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone - the girls, amazing staff (teaching and non-teaching), parents and the broader school community for the support that I have enjoyed during my tenure. I have always valued and taken seriously, the trust that has been placed in me. ReflectionOn the eve of my departure, I hope you will indulge me by allowing me to reflect briefly on my experiences and what I have learnt over my time at PLC. Paramount is being true to your values and at a recent assembly, I presented four books to the School, chosen specifically because they reflect the core values of PLC – integrity, community, learning and effort.
I have always known these things, but being part of the history of PLC has heightened my awareness of the importance of acting with integrity – of being yourself and not trying to be someone or something that you’re not; of being open to learning – when life gives you lemons, make lemonade; own your mistakes and learn from them; to make an effort, give it your all and finally, to look for the good in everything and everyone. I will be forever grateful to former leaders of the School, Beth Blackwood, Jenny Rankin and Kim Edwards for taking a chance and employing me and for the opportunities I have embraced wholeheartedly. I have lived a good life at PLC and feel a little bit like Piglet who "noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” I say farewell with the words of Shakespeare: “I can no other answer make, but thanks and thanks and ever thanks”. Study Skills for ParentsJane Genovese will be speaking to parents of girls in any Year group next Tuesday 12 March at 7.00 pm in the Drama Centre. Jane brings a wealth of knowledge to the topic and has been to work with our girls already this year. This session is highly recommended as it will enable parents to gain an insight into what works and what doesn’t so that you can support your girls on their learning journeys. Year 12 Transition Plan HandbookDownload this great recourse that includes ATAR information, tips for applying to University, University Open Days around Australia and much more. - Sharon Anderson, Head of Senior School Kapture - School PhotographyFor Parents who have ordered photos, you will receive them this week. For Parents who haven’t ordered, it’s not too late. Orders will be sent direct to your home address. Click here and use the school code, ZVC46S. Student AchievementsCongratulations to Tahlia Hanikeri (Year 11) who has been selected in the WA State Debating Squad! IB Theory of Knowledge - Parents Feedback NeededThe IBDP team would love to hear from any parents who could spare 20 minutes of their time to address how one or more of this year’s Theory of Knowledge titles might apply to their profession or academic area. The Year 12 class are just beginning the process of responding to these titles and will work on them until August. Previous speakers have provided our students with valuable insights drawn from beyond the school context and we are certainly keen to sustain this focus on knowledge in a real world context. In the early stages of this process, the girls certainly benefit from being exposed to diverse views on each of these titles. Please contact me if you feel that you could provide the group with a context with which to consider any of these titles. - Damien Kerrigan, IBDP Theory of Knowledge SENIOR SCHOOL EVENTSMake a Difference Week Date: Monday 11 March - Friday 15 March Year 7 (7.1) Outdoor Education Programme Dates: 12 March - 15 March Principal's Assembly Date: Friday 15 March PLC Proms Quarry Concert Date: Sunday 17 March Year 7 (7.2) Outdoor Education Programme Dates: 19 March - 22 March Year 12 Leaders Workshop and Afternoon Tea Date: Friday 22 March Year 11 Dance Friday 5 April PLC Parents Community Facebook PagePLC Parents have created the PLC Perth Parents Facebook Group. This is a place for PLC parents and Old Collegians to sell or trade textbooks, uniforms, sports gear or anything else school related. It is a closed, moderated group and you need to answer questions to join. Click here to join. Parent Events Coming UpPLC Boarding Parents' DinnerDate: Friday 22 March Year 8 Parents' Aperol & Pizza Night Date: Saturday 23 March 2019 Year 9 Parent FunctionDate: Thursday 4 April 2019 PLC Parents Tennis MorningDate: Tuesday 9 April 2019 Year 12 Father/Daughter Dinner Dance Date: Thursday 22 August |