Links eNewsletter - Term 3 Week 7 Dear valued member of the PLC community, A Message From the PrincipalIt is hard to believe that tomorrow will be the final school day for the Year 12 cohort of 2021. Regardless of when each student commenced their PLC journey, this week, they finish together. I will personally remember our Year 12 cohort as a strong group of young people who have not been afraid to have a voice, who have led our school with great enthusiasm and an enormous sense of fun that has rippled through our whole school. They have supported each other through challenges and have role modelled our values of community, learning, effort, and integrity. Like every person and every cohort, not every day at school has been ‘perfect’, but they are a group who have made the natural mistakes we expect of young people and have learned from them. Earlier this year, I became aware that our Year 12 cohort thought of themselves as ‘that cohort’. ‘That cohort’ being a negative, but as a staff and a community, we all very much love ‘that cohort’, and they will be greatly missed at PLC. ‘That cohort’ are funny; they are caring; they are compassionate; they are inclusive, and they are not afraid to question and give things a go. They are intelligent and driven; they are talented and very natural leaders. They are, each in their own way, remarkable. This morning I was having breakfast with our 2021 Student Council and was reminded, as I so often am when talking to students, that the future of our world is in such good hands. Again, a remarkable group who have worked hard and left an incredible legacy at PLC. They have reintroduced the PLC Roar, they have created a change in our Student Leadership Structure, they have set a fine example for everyone in our school to ‘Just Keep Swimming’. As I know many staff have, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know ‘that cohort’ and greatly respect all they have achieved individually and as a year group. I am proud of each and every one of them and look forward to farewelling them more formally at the start of Term 4. I look forward to hearing of their progress in life and hope that we will see many of them back at school in the years to come. Just as tomorrow is our final day for our Year 12 students, it will be our Orientation Day for Year 7. We have the opportunity for our current Year 6 students to spend the day with new students commencing in Year 7 in 2022 and the chance to bring them together as the class of 2027. While that may seem a long way off right now, I am sure it did for our Year 12 students and their families six years ago. We all know how quickly time flies and as our new students commence in Year 7, I really encourage everyone to take the time to embrace the opportunities ahead of them and enjoy their Senior School journey. The excitement of welcoming our Year 7s for 2022 to the Senior School as our current Year 12s attend their final day of School means the end of our school week will be one of mixed emotions for our school staff, as well as many students and families. To our Year 12s, I wish you absolutely all the best in your mock exams, and we look forward to seeing you at the beginning of Term 4 to farewell you more formally at your Valedictory Service and events. To our new Year 7s, welcome to the Senior School and the beginning of the next part of your school journey. We look forward to getting to know you all in the years to come; hopefully, 2027 will not come too quickly! - Cate Begbie – Principal Djilba Has SprungI am a proud Australian, but coming from a non-European culture, I have always tried to understand the culture of our First Nations Peoples because they seemed to know more about this great land we all call home much better than anyone else. Australia is very diverse in respect of climate and seasons, which do not fit easily into a four-part package of summer, autumn, winter, and spring, adapted from European forebears then inverted to somehow suit life in the Southern Hemisphere. Our Noongar brothers and sisters in the South-West of WA recognise not four seasons, but six, which seem to suit our actual environment much better. There is “Birak”, from December to January; “Bunuru”, from February to March; “Djeran”, from April to May; “Makuru”, from June to July; “Djilba”, from August to September; and “Kambarang”, from October to November. “Djilba” approximates Term 3 in our school’s life, and it is in this season I have been so warmly welcomed amongst you. “Djilba” is characterised by the massive flowering explosion that the rest of society calls the “Wildflower Season”, with some very cold and clear days, combined with warmer rainy, windy days. It is a transitional time of the year as new wildlife emerges, especially with nesting magpies, willie wagtails and wattlebirds. It is what makes living in our part of the world so special, so unique. This time of the year at PLC can be a tense period, especially as our senior students prepare for exams, while at the same time, pondering what the future might hold. Like “Djilba”, we are preparing for that which is to come. With such glorious rains over these past few weeks, our living environment is bursting with life and the same can be true for each one of us. Like our recent weather events, long ago the disciples of Jesus were caught in a wild storm while fishing. In deep fear, they believed they were going to drown, yet in their midst, Jesus appeared to them, saying “Peace! Be Still!” The storm calmed; the crisis passed. Jesus then said to them: “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mark 4:35-41) Jesus can be a calming influence for us as well. Crises do come to an end. Storms do pass. New life does emerge in so many glorious and unexpected ways. The same can be true for you and me. Even during turmoil, let us ask for God’s help to stay calm; to help us lose our fear; to enable us to anticipate the new life that is yet to come! - Rev Nalin Perera – Chaplain JIGSSA Cross Country CarnivalOn Tuesday, PLC hosted the JIGSSA Cross Country Carnival at Alderbury Reserve in Floreat. The team and individual performances on the day were outstanding. Congratulations to all the students who represented PLC with pride – the team PLC spirit was on full display! A special congratulations to Year 4, who came second and Year 5 cohort for winning the Year 5 pennant. Congratulations to the following students who medalled in their age groups:
A very big thank you to Mr Michael Ruggerio who organised the event. Junior School Arts DayArts Day is fast approaching, and we invite you all to join us on Thursday 23 September. The Arts Day programme can be found here, and parents and carers are welcome to attend events marked with a pink star. Grandparents or Special Friends DayWe are looking forward to welcoming grandparents or special friends to the Junior School on the morning of Tuesday 21 September. Watching the students’ faces as they welcome their special visitors into their classrooms is a pleasure and helps build the sense of belonging and connection in our community. Visitors also have an opportunity to view the Visual Art Display and hear the Deci-belles Choir perform on the day. Year 6 Exhibition Help NeededThe Year 6s have been busy refining their exhibition. What we require at this point of the process is our community’s expertise and knowledge. Here is a list of topics the students are inquiring into and will need firsthand sources. Please contact Michaela Sawle if you can assist. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Junior School Assembly – Hosted by Year 2
Early Years Sports Carnival – Pre-Kindergarten to Pre-Primary
Chapel – Years 3 to 6
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Junior School Arts Day
Junior School Arts Day (Click here for the programme)
End of Term 3
Final Principal’s Assembly for Year 12sWe held a Principal’s Assembly for our Year 12s last Friday. The assembly showcased the talents of many of our students, allowed us to acknowledge multiple achievements and recognised the PLC Lifers. Our future Lifers (the current Year 1 students at PLC) presented a special gift to each of the 2021 Lifers. Our Lifers reflected on their time at PLC telling their favourite stories and memories from the Junior School. It is clear that they are a tight group of girls who will have friendships that will last them a lifetime. During the assembly, we also celebrated Languages Week. While there were many highlights from this presentation, including musical performances and video recordings, it was touching to see the way our school community supported our Year 7 students who bravely recited poetry in languages other than English. Well done to all involved! Stage 3 LeadersDuring the Principal’s Assembly, we were also able to announce our latest leaders. Congratulations to the following students who will be undertaking formal leadership roles in Year 12. Year 10 Examinations and QuestNext week, our Year 10 examinations begin. These exams are designed to introduce our Year 10 students to the process of preparing and sitting examinations in preparation for future study in and/or beyond school. In the final week of term, we wish our Year 10 students on Quest an enjoyable experience. The remaining Year 10s will have an extra week of well-earned holidays after completing their Quest experience during the holiday period earlier in the year. - Rebecca Watts – Head of Senior School IGSSA Athletics Carnival
End of Term 3
Boarder of the Week:
Rooms of the Week:
What Happened This Week in the Boarding HouseFarewell But Not GoodbyeThere was not a dry eye in the Boarding House last Sunday as our students and staff farewelled our beautiful Year 12s. The Year 11s did such a magnificent job of creating an atmosphere of fun, community, and love at their Olympic-themed farewell. It was so apparent just how well all our girls get along, no matter their age, as they not only played, laughed, and cried together, but worked together to put on a fantastic evening for our Year 12s. To top off the celebrations, we introduced a new Boarding House tradition of 'sock tag' which is an all years, in-house competition where each girl is assigned a target to be eliminated by tagging them with a sock. The purpose of this game is to bring girls from across all year groups together, build memories and talk to someone they haven’t spoken to before. - Katherine Hazlewood – Deputy of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care External Volunteer Opportunity - Boab NetworkThe Boab Network is a volunteer group based at the Uniting Church Floreat that supports young people each school holidays from the Mowanjum Community near Derby. PLC has been supporting Boab Network for three years and this year, along with other volunteers, we will be supervising and accompanying twelve students from Mowanjum as they explore activities around Perth. It is likely that the students from the community have never visited Perth before. Volunteers over 18 years of ageare required to hold a Working with Children Check.
Please click here for detailed information. To register, complete this application form (specifying which day/s you would like to volunteer for) and return to Boab Network directly. Birthing Kits Service Opportunity Years 7 - 11This is the third year PLC is participating in Birthing Kits for Australia (BKFA) Project led by IB CAS students. In 2021, it will be led by Year 11 students Antigone and Alice. What is it?Birthing kits are small packages containing seven fundamental items for women in developing countries, to have a safe and sanitary birth. The not-for-profit NGO offers volunteers to either donate or build birthing kits, which BKFA then sends to particular countries around the world that are less economically developed and have high maternal mortality rates due to unsanitary births. The organisation’s goal aligns directly with the UN’s Goal #3: Good Health & Wellbeing - By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. Since their foundation in 1995 by Joy O’Dazy and the Adelaide Hills Zonta club, they have been very successful in their efforts, distributing over 2 million kits in 2019. Purpose and goalThe reason why Antigone and Alice chose to host this service project at PLC is because they are passionate about empowering women all around the world and advocating for equality, whether it be supporting women and their rights or aiding those who do not have the same privileges we do. Their aim is to create 200 birthing kits altogether as a PLC community, with the overall objective to create and spread awareness about this severely overlooked global issue. What does the activity consist of?During the service activity, there will be a brief presentation about the project, then stations will be set up where students will be able to each have a role in the assembly process of putting together the kits and be able to have a go at the different roles. Students will learn how valuable and essential each element of the kit is, what its purpose is, and how each can drastically increase a woman’s and her baby’s survival during labour. How you can help?Antigone and Alice are offering a very rare and unique service opportunity whereby your actions will have a direct visible impact on the lives of many women around the world, especially during our current circumstances with COVID-19. This service activity will not only serve as proof of how much impact teamwork and collaboration can create, but also how small steps can lead to big change. If you are interested in getting involved in this project:
There are only 40 spots available, therefore it’s a first-in, first-served basis! Additional notes: If you do not manage or are unable to take part in this project, but you still want to get involved with the organisation, then you can either donate directly to BKFA or arrange your own Birthing Kit Assembly Day at home. - Chonny James – Director of Wellbeing PLC Open Garden Day Tickets Now On SaleThe 2021 PLC Open Garden Day showcases five of Peppermint Grove’s most spectacular gardens as they blossom in spring, over 40 incredible local market stalls, entertainment, activities and more!
OGD Secondhand Book Stall - We Need Your Books!This year at Open Garden Day, the Year 6 parents are running The Book Nook – a secondhand book stall – and are calling for adult and children's books in good condition, DVD's children and documentary only. No magazines, please. Please drop off books into the collection boxes located at the Junior School Reception, View Street Reception, and McNeil Street Reception. Alternatively, collection is possible in the local area by calling Althea on 0435 244919 or Caroline 0414 061 895. Thank you for supporting the PLC Open Garden Day Book Nook. PLC OCA Bursaries - Applications Now OpenEvery year, the PLC Old Collegians’ Association Inc. awards three bursaries:
PLC Perth Inspiring Old Collegian AwardsNominate An Outstanding PLC Old Collegian for 2021The PLC Perth Inspiring Old Collegian Awards celebrate the diverse and outstanding achievements of our alumni and provide the opportunity to inspire others through their recognition. The PLC Perth Inspiring Old Collegian Awards are named in recognition of two outstanding Old Collegians and Western Australians who devoted their lives to improving the lives of others and giving back to the community. The Dr June Jones Award and the Dr Patricia Kailis Award are both presented at Speech Night and have different award criteria. To find out more and to nominate, click the button below. Pre-orders Are Now Open for 2021 Edition of PastichePastiche is the PLC student's Creative Writing magazine and is yours to own for only $6.95! |