Links eNewsletter - Term 2 Week 6 Dear valued member of the PLC community, A Message From the PrincipalDespite being best known for writing fairytales, Hans Christian Andersen was a prolific author, playwright and poet. He also understood the value of music. He is the man responsible for this well-known quote:
Clearly, words did not fail Mr Andersen when he wrote these five. He knew that music is a medium that allows us to communicate thoughts and feelings. On Monday this week, we celebrated the start of construction on our new Music Centre with a sod turning ceremony – an exciting milestone for our School. The new three-storey building will house 12 teaching studios, two large ensemble rooms, staff and storage amenities. We have an amazing Music in Everyday Life programme that offers music classes every day through singing and movement to all students between Pre-Kindergarten and Year 2. Also in the Junior School, our Suzuki Strings programme continues to enrich the lives of students and foster a partnership between teachers, students and parents. The Year 5 Band programme was selected by 55 per cent of the cohort and there were 49 Year 7 students out of a total of 106 who chose to commence learning an instrument through our Year 7 Beginner Instrumental programme. There are currently 400 students learning an instrument or 33 per cent of the total school population and 500 instrumental/voice lessons occurring, taking into account that some students learn more than one instrument at school. We have 24 ensembles featuring bands, choirs, pipe bands, orchestras and chamber groups. Thirty eight per cent of Junior School students and 20 per cent of Senior School students currently participate in one or more of these ensembles. These are amazing statistics for a school that does not have a purpose-built Music Centre. Last year I sat at Speech Night in absolute awe of the talent of our students and the inspiration provided by our staff – I was in awe of the standard of music being created in our temporary demountable music classrooms. I sat there and I wondered what might be possible with a purpose-built facility – I am extremely excited that in about 45 weeks from now, we will know. The Music Centre is expected to be completed around April next year. I would like to thank the many people who have helped us to get to this point of the project including our PLC School Council, the Master Planning and Infrastructure sub-committee of Council, led by Fiona Crow, architects Parry and Rosenthal and our project manager Mark Kepplinger from Encon. Future-Proofing PLC - A Community WorkshopFor those who have registered for the series of three future-proofing workshops with educational consultant Greg Curtis, we kindly remind you that the first of these workshops commences today. The workshops will be held from 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm on today, Wednesday 2 June and Thursday 10 June. There are still some places available for families to attend and if you would like to attend tonight, please email Neil Walker at neil.walker@plc.wa.edu.au. Alternatively, should you only be able to attend the Wednesday 2 June and Thursday 10 June sessions, you are welcome to only attend these. - Cate Begbie – Principal Shaped by GraceAs I studied Jesus’ life, I noticed that all of his stories seemed to make the wrong person the hero: Lazarus and not the rich man, the prodigal son and not the responsible older brother, the Samaritan and not the Jewish rabbi and, disregarding the culture of the day, in many stories women played a leading role. I have heard people say that mercy is not getting what you deserve whilst grace is getting what you do not deserve. If that is true and the Divine treats us with grace, it provides a whole different lens with which to view the world and other people. Grace will shape society built on expecting the best in others and seeking to catch them in the act of doing something right, rather than identifying and amplifying their shortcomings and flaws. Perhaps this is what God expects of us, rather, whom God calls us to be. - Manie Strydom – Chaplain The International Baccalaureate starts in the Junior School – Discover WhyThe power, richness and depth of learning achieved in the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is visible when you see it, when you experience it, and when it’s explained to the uninitiated. To that point, PLC and Scotch College are co-hosting a PYP information evening, titled: The International Baccalaureate Starts in the Junior School – Discover Why. This is for those who want to know the benefits and advantages of the PYP. Both School Principals will speak, as will the Teaching and Learning leaders from PLC and Scotch. Maria Hodges (Head of Junior School at Scotch) and I will conduct a question-and-answer panel of students, ex-students, and parents. Children are also invited to attend and will be involved in a hands-on mini inquiry in parallel to the adult session. I encourage all parents who know anyone who has questions about the PYP to recommend this evening.
Parents as Learners Session – Maths in a PYP ClassroomIf you were unable to make the session, you can watch the recorded session by clicking the play button on this video. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Parents as Learners Session – ICAS
Years 3 to 6 Chapel
Mid-term BreakFriday 4 June – Monday 7 June Uniform UpdateWe have had a cooler start to Term 2 and want to make sure that all our students feel warm. In previous communications, we had indicated we would change to our winter uniform after Mid-term Break, however, if your daughter is feeling the cold and would like to wear her winter uniform next week, please do encourage her to do so. A reminder that the winter uniform consists of the following items:
Outdoor Education ProgrammeThis week, I have been reminded about how wonderful WA is, by having the opportunity to join some of our Year 8s on their Outdoor Education Programme. I look forward to welcoming all the Year 8s back on campus when they return and have been impressed with how they have challenged themselves and supported each other throughout this experience. My sincere thanks to our wonderful Outdoor Education staff and Mrs Soni Bailey who have expertly organised this for our girls. - Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Boarder of the Week:
Rooms of the Week:
What Happened This Week in the Boarding HouseWe have had a weekend full of enthusiasm, joy and energy despite the miserable weather. The girls are still loving fitness in the Lighthouse, not to mention the various spontaneous trips made to Kings Park and Cottesloe. The Year 7s also made a conscious effort to express their gratitude to the Boarding House staff over the weekend which was greatly appreciated by all. It brings great joy to the staff to see our girls so engaged in the activities we provide for them. Reward systems play a huge role in our Boarding House with most year groups participating in their own unique programme designed by their Year Co-ordinator. We reinforcing positive behaviours and motivate girls to do the right thing consistently. We have introduced a raffle system in an effort to ensure our girls are getting to school on time and presenting their best. The more tickets they receive throughout the week, the greater chance they have of winning the prize of a voucher to Bev’s Café. This Sunday, our Year 12 students will head to the Curtin University Open Day. For many of our boarders, it is not just about choosing which pathway to take post high school graduation but where to live. We will continue to have many productive conversations and information sessions about residential colleges and other possible options. This weekend, our Year 7 and 8 students look forward to a trip to the cinema to watch Cruella and our Year 10s will be excited to go bowling with Aquinas in Melville. The Year 11s will be heading on a tour of the Leederville Café strip on Friday night. This is part of our “Out and About” series aimed at getting our older girls out to explore some of the lively neighborhoods in Perth at night time. - Katherine Hazlewood – Boarding House Deputy (Wellbeing and Pastoral Care) Senior School Reconciliation Assembly
Bread Bag and Tag RecyclingBeth (Year 6) has demonstrated incredible student agency by co-ordinating a bread tag and bread bag collection box to recycle these plastic items previously destined for landfill. Beth is calling out for the PLC community to collect their 100% plastic bread bags and plastic bread tags (ties) and place them in this box located in the corridor outside the Junior School STEM Room. Fair Game for Free Dress – Thursday 3 JuneThe theme for Term 2 Free Dress for Junior and Senior school is: Your favourite sporting hero or sports club! In addition, this term PLC is partnering with Fair Game – an Australian charity that provides unique health and fitness programmes and recycled sports equipment to under-serviced communities (usually within WA) and promotes healthy lifestyle choices. PLC is collecting clean and in good condition items at both campuses in the Fair Game bins. If your family has outgrown or no longer uses the following items please consider donating them:
The Junior School gold coin fee for Free Dress will help deliver the donated items to regional areas. - Linda Malone – Head of Service and Community Partnerships Music, the Brain and a Lifetime of BenefitThe Scotch College Music Department is delighted to invite you to a free event to join leading WA neuroscientist Professor Alan Harvey as he explores the fascinating relationship between music, the brain and memory on Monday 31 May.
Professor Harvey is one of Western Australia’s leading neuroscience researchers with over 200 major publications and a history of significant funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council. He is the author of Music, Evolution, and the Harmony of Souls and has appeared on ABC’s Science Show and TEDxPerth. 2021 OCA Art Exhibition SuccessAward WinnersFrancesca Nelson Award
Highly Commended
People Choice Award
PLC OCA Art Exhibition RaffleCongratulations to the winners of the 2021 PLC OCA Art Exhibition Raffle:
2021 Dance ShowcasePLC's 2021 Dance Showcase is set to stun audiences with students across the Senior School ready to deliver their Raison D’etre (Reason for Being) with the title of the show of the same name.
PLC Open Garden Day 2021We are so excited that Open Garden Day will be back in 2021! We are now on the search for some gardens to be part of the day. If you are interested in entering your garden, or if you know of anyone who would be interested, please contact the OGD Garden Co-ordinator, Emma Tongue, by email or phone at 0408 339 400. Conversations at PLCHear how PLC Perth and NIDA graduate Caroline Brazier followed her acting dreams. Twice nominated for an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award for her work on ABC TV series Rake, Caroline has graced our big and small screens, as well as the stage. She has featured in 'Home and Away', 'Packed to the Rafters', 'Offspring' as well as performances for Bell Shakespeare, Melbourne Theatre Company and Black Swan. Caroline has recently finished filming on the Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson’s 'Blacklight' and is currently working on 'How to Please a Woman' here in Perth.
We respectfully suggest this is an adult-only event and bringing children is not encouraged. International Baccalaureate Information EveningPLC Perth is proud to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme in the Junior School and the IB Diploma in the Senior School. Please extend this invitation to anyone considering a PLC education for their daughter so they may find out more about the IB.
Our Golden GirlA huge congratulations to Sienna (Year 11) who won the WA All Schools State Cross Country last Friday. This is the fifth consecutive year that she has won this event representing PLC. She will also be flying to Leonora during the Mid-term Break as she has been invited to run in the Golden Gift Elite Mile. Congratulations Sienna. Pipe Band Members Bag SuccessIt's been a whirlwind of amazing achievements by our PLC Pipe Band members recently. Here are some of their amazing achievements: World Online Solo Championships
Both girls competed against pipers and drummers from around the world with The World Online Solo Championship attracting 1,100 participants from 28 different countries. Fremantle Highland Championships
Highland Dancing Success
Day Students and Staff Who are UnwellWA Health advice remains constant: If you are suffering from a cold and flu-like illness stay home. Recently we have had several boarders with cold-like symptoms. Under health guidelines, we have had to ask their parents to come and collect their girls from boarding. For many, this means driving great distances and finding alternate accommodation in Perth while their daughter recovers It is important that we work together to avoid the spread of colds and flus within the School and as such we ask that all staff, parents and students to be mindful of who they are exposing to seasonal infections by coming to school. Also remember to:
Future-proofing PLC Workshops
Conversations at PLC - Caroline Brazier
Mid-term BreakFriday 4 June – Monday 7 June |