Links - Term 2 Week 5 Dear Friend of PLC A Message From Principal, Cate BegbieEarlier this week, I turned over the calendar on my desk to see a quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “So often in life, things you regard as an impediment turn out to be great fortune.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg – what a role model and inspiration for young women today. Ginsburg spent a considerable part of her legal career as an advocate for gender equality and women’s rights. She was appointed to the US Supreme Court in 1993, where she has continued to strengthen her reputation for her strength of character. She was only the second-ever female justice and the first Jewish female justice. At 85, Ginsburg is an inspiration for all women, viewed as a warrior for women’s rights. Throughout her career, she has used her intelligence and voice to advocate for justice. Her small physical frame and age are known to never limit for her from standing up for what she believes in. She is a woman who was once described as being “a role model for all women to step into their power and own their ambition”. I mention this quote as this is exactly what I have seen in so many of our Senior girls in particular in the last few weeks as they have embraced online learning, completed exams and now commenced their second semester. They have shown strength, courage and commitment to their learning and they should each be proud of their efforts. Going back to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, when I saw the quote in my calendar this morning I was reminded of an article I read about her last year after I had watched ‘RBG’, a CNN documentary movie and was inspired to learn more about the life of this incredible woman. The article was “The Three Lessons You Can Learn From Ruth Bader Ginsburg About Ambition”. These three things are: 1. Know your value and purpose When expanding on owning your ambition, the author of the article writes, “I doubt that there was ever a time in Ginsburg’s career when she thought about quitting; that she didn’t believe in herself and her potential. Many women, however, struggle to embrace their talent and ambition. Their negative mindset about ambition is that it’s self-serving, ego-driven, and competitive and they’re not comfortable with it….. What motivates you to be successful? Whenever you falter and lose your way, think of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and stay connected with your value and purpose, make no excuses, and own your ambition. Strive to be your best every day and reach your full potential. That’s ambition.” Again, I commend our Senior girls on how they have approached their exam period. As they commence Semester 2, I encourage each and every girl to be their best every day and own their own ambition. I wish all families all the best for a relaxing and well-deserved long weekend. -Cate Begbie, Principal A Message From Reconciliation Captains, Sophia and AbbeyReconciliation Week - In This TogetherThe theme for Reconciliation Week is ‘In This Together’ and during this time, we couldn’t agree more. Reconciliation is the act of coming together despite our differences to build a better future for all Australians. It is a time to acknowledge our history and restore relationships between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people. Reconciliation Week runs from the 27 May to 3 June each year - these dates commemorate two significant milestones; the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. As Reconciliation Captains, we want to ensure everyone is treated with respect and can openly share their own history, culture and traditions. The Reconciliation Week theme for 2020 reinforces that we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation. You can do this by taking the time to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and participating in Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week, Close The Gap day and other events. We hope during the Reconciliation Week activities you were able to discover something new and that you continue to push yourself outside your comfort zone to learn more about our First Nation people. As Nova Peris once said “When white Australia acknowledges and respects Indigenous people, they do not lose 260 years of history but gain 60,000 years of history”. In my Blood It Runs - DocumentaryThis documentary follows the story of Dujuan, a 10 year old Aboriginal boy from Alice Springs. Through his eyes, you can see the Australia each of us knows differs dramatically according to our place and privilege. You can watch this documentry for free by clicking here (limited to 1000 views). You can also visit this website for screening details and to donate to Indigenous communities to fight COVID-19. Sharing KnowledgeAs part of Reconciliation Week, some of the Gorna Liyarn girls share what Reconciliation means to them as well as a few words from their language. - Sophia Short and Abbey Noble, Reconciliation Captains Inspiring Others“Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.” In The Cider House Rules, Dr Wilbur Larch reads the boys a bedtime story each night and then says to them: “Goodnight you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.” Since the only home most of the children know is the orphanage in Maine, this shapes their identity; they are more than their circumstances, they have a future. In the same way, God reminds us that we are more than our circumstances – we are loved and accepted by the God of the universe without us needing to do something to impress. As we spend time with children, we are constantly building their self-esteem and shaping their future. It will serve us well to remember that any negative comment we make in passing, when we’re frustrated, might have a profound impact on them. Some researchers state a 4:1 to 7:1 ratio of positives needed to offset each negative remark. In essence, we need to remember that we need multiple positive remarks to offset just one negative. This will be helpful in communicating with our partners and co-workers, also. We strive to be the very best parents for our children, and we are blessed with a supportive community and staff to work with us in inspiring them. Good night you princes/princesses of Perth and you kings/queens of WA. -Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain It has been a pleasure seeing the students working so hard as we head into the long weekend. Through the class and specialist programmes, students are engaging deeply with their learning, with their usual joy and enthusiasm. Junior School Virtual AssemblyWe are excited to share the first virtual Junior School Assembly. You will hear from our Junior and Senior School Head Prefects, our Arts Captains, the Head of the Junior School and a special introduction by our Principal. We also present Recognition Awards to some wonderful Junior School achievers. UniformA reminder that from Tuesday 2 June, all students are expected to return from the mid-term break in full Winter Uniform. Please click here for Winter Uniform information. Students in Years 3 to 6 are required to wear their blazer and beret to and from school each day. Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled, taking special note with blazers, jumpers and tracksuits. We regularly have an abundance of lost property and it is very difficult to reunite clothing with its owners if items are not labelled clearly. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School This week, the Senior School has celebrated Reconciliation Week and reflected upon what reconciliation actually means. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit for all Australians. Miss Bin Swani (PLC's Indigenous Scholarship Programme Co-ordinator) and our Gorna Liyarn students created a range of thoughtful interactive activities for students to complete during House Tutor Group. It was lovely getting to know more about Indigenous culture, language and the backgrounds of our own students. The theme for this year is In This Together, which seems very fitting for 2020 given the way in which our community has come together during the global pandemic. Reflecting the fact that we are all ‘in this together’, last week we also had our very first virtual Principal’s Assembly. This began with an amazing musical number from our Percussion ensemble who, across three different levels of our View Street building, performed a synchronised drum performance utilising classroom chairs. The performance was innovative, executed professionally and allowed the sound to travel up through the building. It has been lovely to see our students performing again and I thank Mr Chris Goff, Ms Jess Sardi and Ms Carissa Soares for all their input and guidance in making this possible. Continuing with the idea of being ‘in this together’, our Head Prefect, Ella, and Deputy Prefect, Ingrid, arranged for a lovely disco-themed celebration to welcome the Years 12 formally back onto campus. I know our Year 12s have had a busy few weeks with examinations, work experience and VET coursework. To help relieve some pressure, the girls walked the red carpet into the Common Room, enjoyed a special donut treat and then hit the dancefloor. Recently our Year 12 ATAR and IB students have also received a predicted ATAR based upon their Semester 2, Year 11 results. This has been provided to the girls in case they would like to utilise these predictions for early offer university applications. They are also able to use the predication that we will generate for them once their Semester 1, Year 12 results have been finalised. I hope that your daughter remembers that that the predicted ATAR that she has been provided with is only an estimate based on her performance in Year 11. As she continues to improve and act on feedback, she will have the opportunity increase her marks and may increase this estimate. Her performance in Year 12 and the final WACE exam also have a significant and determining influence on the accuracy of the estimated ATAR. Therefore it is important that she continues to keep working to the best of her ability. After mid-term break, we will return to our normal rules surrounding uniform. Our Physical Education teachers are staggering access to change rooms to help students practise social distancing and, of course, the girls now also have complete use of their lockers. This will allow students to safely change into their PE uniform when required. I hope that your daughter arrives at school on Tuesday wearing her uniform with pride – we will be awarding a prize to our best-dressed House Tutor Group! Please click here for Winter Uniform information. - Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Co-Curricular Dance is Back!Dance Company and Dance Collective will both commence Monday 8 June.
Both groups will need to bring sneakers. Please email Patrice Smith if you have any questions - Patrice.smith@plc.wa.edu.au.
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