No Images? Click here Dear Friend of PLC Six-Period DayDuring the last couple of weeks, I have had the pleasure of spending some time with a number of House Tutor Groups in Years 7 to 10, to talk about the six-period day. The purpose of these discussions was to answer any question the girls might have about the transition, but also to use the questions they generated as background for the Years 7 to 10 FAQ. This complements the Years 11 and 12 FAQ distributed to the girls earlier this term. One of the great strengths of the new structure of the day is that it makes the most of the best learning time in the morning by delaying recess slightly, allowing the girls to get the greatest benefit from having arrived at the school well rested and ready to learn. At PLC, we are fortunate to have a whole-school timetable, rather than timetables created within sub-schools. One of the great strengths of a whole-school timetable is that our incredible teaching staff can teach across the whole campus. This provides the opportunity for teachers with specialist knowledge and understanding to support the girls in their learning across the whole school. It also provides the opportunity for staff to grow and develop as they provide instruction at a variety of Year levels rather than being restricted to one section of the school. One of the organisational challenges is, however, meshing this whole-school timetable with the benefit of starting a new academic year for Years 11 and 12 at the beginning of Term 4. A by-product of the Year 11 and 12 Term 4 start, is students at all Year levels are annually issued with a new timetable at the beginning of Term 4 as well as in January. This is not something new for PLC. New timetables have been issued to all students at this time for almost ten years. The only variation this year is that we are combining the issuing of a new timetable with the move to a six-period day. In the Senior School, in most instances, the girls' subject teachers will remain the same for all Year levels, except Years 11 and 12, as they are starting their new academic year. The time and day when different subjects occur will, however, change. Students will be issued their new timetables in the coming days, so they are ready to commence Term 4. It is important to note that the changing timetables in the Junior School will not result in a change of the classroom teacher. Some key aspects of the six-period day for the Junior School are:Chapel and Assembly
Lunchtime/Recess
Finnish Time
- Dr Andrew Cousins, Deputy Principal Friday 14 September - Monday 17 SeptemberCreative Arts and Technology Exhibition - Collective Ground, Senior School View Street Friday 14 SeptemberPLC Orientation Day for current Year 6 students and new Year 7 - 12 students entering PLC in 2019. Friday 26 October Open Garden Day, click here to book your tickets Friday 16 NovemberPrincipal’s Thank You Sundowner, 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm Saturday 17 NovemberYear 12 Parents End of Year Drinks Evening, save the date Thursday 6 DecemberSenior School Speech Night, save the date
(Matthew 21:28-29) ‘Afterwards’ (later or after a period of time) is such an important word in this passage. In the story of the two sons, there are two very different ‘afterwards’. A father asks his son to do some work on their farm. The first son is just rude. ‘Forget it Dad… no!’ But afterwards, he feels bad. This is no way to speak to your father; so he goes into the vineyard and does the work that his father asked him to do. Later, the father also asks his younger son to do some work on their farm. ‘Sure dad’, says this son, but he has no intention of obeying. Whereas afterwards, the first boy feels bad, there is no afterwards for the younger son. How easy it is to do or say something that we later regret; we lash out, cause hurt, then wish we had not. Afterwards, as we reflect on what has transpired, it is sometimes possible to apologise, to make amends, to begin again. Sometimes, again and again. In so doing, we can repair strained relationships with others and renew our relationship with God. Thank God for second chances. What an incredible gift. RSPCA Cupcake DayDuring lunch on Monday 17 September, Year 9 students, lead by Ella Harrison, will be holding a Bake Sale on the Quad to raise funds for RSPCA. The RSPCA runs 40 shelters and employs around 1,000 staff. It costs more than $100 million each year to deliver all of these services which help improve the lives of Australian animals. Click here to view the poster. - Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing PLC NIDA and Dance Tour 2019An eight day/seven night Drama and Dance Tour to Sydney has been planned, leaving Perth on Saturday 20 April and returning on Saturday 27 April, 2019. The Tour is offered to selected WA Schools and is open to Years 11 and 12 Drama and Dance students studying these courses in 2019. Click here for more information. Events Coming Up
Taking ActionTaking action is an integral conclusion to a Unit of Inquiry and incorporates students making connections to what they have learned, applying a variety of real life skills, demonstrating an enduring understanding through concepts and reflecting on the attributes of the learner profile and attitudes. Action is best grounded in a student’s concrete experiences and can be a small thing which arises from a genuine concern and commitment. It is also noteworthy to understand that as action happens, it may not be witnessed by the teacher, frequently after a unit of inquiry has been completed and often takes place beyond the classroom. Action can take a variety of forms, Direct, Indirect, Advocacy and Research. Many Junior School students regularly take action to benefit others in and beyond our community by fundraising and raising awareness for charitable organisations. Other students take action to pursue their passion for writing and music by entering competitions and performing for the community. Our Year 6 students have just commenced their journey toward Exhibition – another avenue for students to take action. We, in the Junior School, look forward to supporting the girls on their journey. Holiday Workshops (Gifted and Talented students)During the next school holidays, Perth College is offering a variety of workshops. More information can be found here. Camp AustraliaJoin in the fun these school holidays! Holiday Club includes a variety of incursions, excursions, and in-programme theme days. We will be performing Science experiments, going to the movies, cuddling some furry friends at the zoo and many other fun activities! You can come for one day, every day or anything in between.
JUNIOR SCHOOL KEY EVENTSTeam Games (Years 1 - 6)Date: Monday 17 September Junior School Assembly – hosted by Year 5Date: Friday 21 September Last Day of Term 3Date: Friday 21 September Cambodia Service TourI am excited at the prospect of sharing the experience of the Cambodia Service Tour with a group of Year 10 girls and their parents across next week and part of the holidays. Having read widely in the lead up to this tour, I know this will be an eye-opening and probably a heart-wrenching experience. I remember listening to the news as a child, but not understanding what was truly going on. What has struck me is the way that much of the western world turned its back or closed its eyes at the time. As a school, having an outward looking perspective – offering tours and other service experiences, promoting social justice and environmental awareness is crucial. At the same time, I hope our girls can take a good look at who they are on the inside, and make small adjustments from time to time to ensure they act in accordance with their own moral compasses so that atrocities such as that which occurred in Cambodia are never again allowed to happen. NAPLANMany parents would have seen the news recently about the latest NAPLAN results now being out. Our staff have been very busy collating all of the information about our results and talking with both parents and girls if we feel we may need to. At PLC, we have an incredible learning support team, and we work very closely with parents, to progress learning and help our girls to achieve to the best of their abilities. NAPLAN is a very small part of the girls’ learning journey, however, we understand the girls can get anxious about their results and that parents are keen to find out their daughters’ results. We are yet to receive the individual reports, however, the expectation is they will be sent to parents in the near future. Speech NightThis is a very special occasion when we come together as a community to celebrate the successes of peers. As such, all girls are required to attend. Aside from the expectation, it is actually a really amazing night showcasing delightful music, drama and dance items. Please note that Speech Night is on Thursday 6 December from 6.00 pm. - Sharon Anderson, Head of Senior School Student AchievementsLucinda Blunt (Year 8) and Isobel Wake (Year 8) competed in the WA Schools Mountain Bike Championships last week, where they got extra muddy! Both girls did extremely well, with Lucinda placing 4th and Isobel placing 7th in the Junior Girls Category. Morven Johnston (Year 8) competed at the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing World Championships in August and did extremely well in all categories. Morven came 1st in the Bute Championships, the Commonwealth Championship, the Scottish Open Championship and was placed 6th in the world at the World Juvenile Final! Kasey Osborne (Year 8) competed in the WA Trampoline Judges Invitational Competition last week. Kasey received a Bronze in Tumbling and a Silver in Synchronised Trampoline. She has also qualified for the State Competition in October. Congratulations, girls. Career NewsFor upcoming open days and information sessions, download Career News below. Boarding House NewsThe Year 12 Farewell, held on Sunday 2 September, was a fabulous event. Read more in Boarding House News. SENIOR SCHOOL KEY EVENTSYear 12 Original Solo Composition / Original Solo Performance EveningDate: Thursday 13 September Principal's AssemblyDate: Friday 14 September PLC Orientation Day |