Links eNewsletter - Term 4 Week 1 Dear friend of PLC, From the PrincipalThis week is always a very special week in any school and, this year in particular, we farewell an extraordinary group of young women. We have already had a few occasions to celebrate the Year 12 cohort of 2020 at the Final Assembly (photos are available in the Gallery here and watch the highlights video here), the Year 12 Breakfast (photos are available here), and the Year 12 House Lunches (photos are available here) – and we look forward to continuing these celebrations at tonight's Valedictory Service and Dinner. On countless occasions, we have talked about what an unusual year this has been and as our Year 12 cohort complete their schooling, I cannot thank them enough for their resilience and leadership through what has been an incredibly difficult year. To the Year 12 cohort, as I said to them on Tuesday, their strength has not gone unnoticed, and not unappreciated. Before our Year 12 cohort move on, I encouraged them to consider how it has shaped them for the better. Perhaps more accurately, I encouraged them to consider how it has allowed them to shape themselves for the better. I don't think that we can look at something like a virus, or a natural disaster, as necessarily being able to "shape" us, because it's not sentient. It doesn't think, it doesn't discriminate. It is not doing what it's doing to us, because it doesn't do what it is doing for any reason at all. I think it's far more accurate, as well as being far more productive, to concentrate instead on how we react to situations like this. Instead of looking at how COVID-19 shaped 2020, I think we are better off looking at how we shaped 2020; how our Year 12 cohort shaped 2020. Our Year 12 cohort will always be the cohort that graduated in 2020. They have earned the right to remember that in any future challenges they face; that they were able to do one of the most difficult things: finish high school with integrity and dedication! Our Year 12 cohort will always carry with them that they can face the toughest of challenges. I have absolutely no doubt that each of our Year 12 students will go on to make the PLC community very proud as they move on to the next chapter of their lives. It has been an absolute pleasure and a privilege to watch the girls rise to incredible challenges, and I wish each and every student all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. We are also excited to welcome the following new staff commencing in Term 4:
- Cate Begbie, Principal Cooking for a Cause - Years 7 to 9Cooking for a Cause is an opportunity for Year 7, 8 and 9 PLC families to be involved in a Family Service Project as part of PLC’s commitment to community and service. Further information, as well as how to sign up, is available below.
Share the Dignity – Years 11 and 12The Family Service project for Years 11 and 12 students is supporting Share the Dignity's It’s In The Bag campaign. They are collecting sanitary items, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, and toothpaste provided in a good quality handbag. Collection drop-off points are at McNeil Street and Lighthouse Receptions until Friday 23 October. - Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing Welcome Back and Amazing Junior School UniformIt was wonderful to see the students back at school on Tuesday. We started the term with a brief welcome assembly, during which, I commended the students for their amazing uniform presentation on the first day. As Ms Begbie wrote last week, I have been giving House points for the correct uniform and on Day 1 of Term 4, the largest number of students (Years 3 to 6) came in full uniform! Thank you for the support of the entire community, as I know parents and guardians play a significant role in this. Also, please remember to name and re-name all items of uniforms as they do wear off. Vernita JaquesIt is with mixed emotions that I congratulate Mrs Vernita Jaques on her appointment as Deputy Head of the Junior School at Wesley College. Mrs Jaques has added so much to our school community and programme. She has led pastoral care, wellbeing, and the operations of the Junior School in an exceptional manner. Her leadership at the beginning of this year, around COVID-19 restrictions and procedures was peerless. We will farewell her formally at the end of the year, however, we can take the coming weeks to thank Mrs Jaques for what she has given us all. A Surprise for the Junior School On Wednesday morning, Junior School staff dressed up as their sporting heroes to surprise the students. Tim Winton Award for Young Writers Congratulations to sisters Isla Barker (Year 4) and Isobel Barker (Year 6) on their entries in the Tim Winton Award for Young Writers. Isobel received a commendation for her story Fields of Gold and Isla took out First Place for her short story Do Friendships Fade at a ceremony on Monday where she was able to meet Tim Winton! - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Junior School Upcoming EventsChapel Years 3 to 6Date: Wednesday 21 October Junior School Assembly - Years 1 to 6Date: Friday 23 October JIGSSA Athletics Carnival – Years 5 & 6Date: Tuesday 27 October Chapel - Years 3 to 6Date: Wednesday 28 October Year 6 ExhibitionDate: Wednesday 28 October JIGSSA Athletics Carnival – Year 4Date: Thursday 29 October A Week of New BeginningsThis week we welcomed back our Senior School students to Term 4. Our Year 10 students have officially become Year 11 students, and our Year 11 students are embarking on their final year as they have now entered Year 12. I would encourage all parents of our new Year 11 students (the Class of 2022) to attend our Support Your Daughter evening next Wednesday 21 October where we will be providing you with important information to help make your daughter’s year a success. Your daughters are receiving the same information in their Year Meetings and we hope that this helps them settle into the rigour of their courses – whether they be ATAR, General, IB, or TAFE certifications. Our new Year 12 students (the Class of 2021) have their Support Your Daughter Evening on Wednesday 4 of November and again I encourage all parents or guardians of this cohort to attend what will be an informative evening. The Year 12 Class of 2020This week, we have focussed our attention on the Class of 2020 who have been involved in our House Lunches, Final Assembly, Year 12 Breakfast, a special surprise today, and tonight they will be formally farewelled at our Valedictory Service and Dinner. I would like to thank all the staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure that these events run smoothly. We wish the Class of 2020 the best of luck as they embark on the next chapter of their journey, particularly those students who will be sitting their examinations. 2021 LeadersWe also welcome our new leaders with the Induction Service for our Prefects and Captains occurring on Monday 19 October. Invitations to this event have been sent out to all parents and guardians of those students who will be individually acknowledged during the service. - Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior SchoolSenior School Important DatesYear 12 Valedictory Service and DinnerDate: Thursday 15 October 2020 Induction ServiceDate: Monday 19 October 2020 Quest Information Launch (for current Year 9 parents and students)Date: Monday 19 October Year 11 Support Your Daughter EveningDate: Wednesday 21 October Creative Arts and Technology Exhibition Opening NightDate: Thursday 22 October Year 10 DanceDate: Friday 30 October Student AchievementsSwimming ChampionsInez Miller (Year 8) recently took part in the State Swimming Championships where she placed second to Olympian Brianna Throssell in a time of 26.22 seconds for the 50 m freestyle. Congratulations Inez! Ruby Bell (Year 7) took part in the State Junior Short Course Swimming Championships and finished with four gold medals and two state records! From The Boarding HousePassing over of the Prefect baton! Parent Events Coming UpYear 4 Parent Coffee MorningDate: Tuesday 20
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