Links eNewsletter - Term 1 Week 6 Dear valued member of the PLC community, A Message From the PrincipalAs I reflect on the last ten days, I am filled with such a mix of emotions. First and foremost, absolute pride. Last Thursday we welcomed back Old Collegian Ms Donna Shephard (Chair of World Vision International) for our inaugural Conversations at PLC. I have no doubt that everyone who attended was impacted by Donna’s humility and kindness, and in awe of the significant impact that she has had on the lives of so many people. On Friday and Saturday night, I was extremely proud of our Year 11 and 12 students in how they approached their Dinner Dance and Ball. In my years of teaching, I cannot remember a year where I have had so many venue staff come and comment on the manners of our students and also had so many students take the time to come and say ‘thank you’ at the end of the night – small things that speak volumes for the personal character of your children. Saturday morning, I was incredibly proud of the positive culture that exists within our rowing community at the Handing Over of the Oar, and Sunday evening just as proud as I sat watching the sun go down and listened to the amazing quality of music at the Proms Concert at the Quarry. I often find myself in awe of the talent of our students and the musical talent on display on Sunday evening was no exception. I was also very proud of the team of staff who had worked so hard to help prepare the students. The fact that Year 7 students were able to perform to the standard that they did just five weeks into a new school year is a credit to all involved. Following a busy few days, Monday morning saw us celebrate International Women’s Day and the opportunity to welcome Old Collegians Dr Kate Langdon, Dr Maryellen Yencken, and Ms Erika Correira to share their experiences and thoughts as women working in the health profession during COVID-19. Inspiring words from inspiring women; incredible women who are each making their mark and having a positive impact on the world around them. Reading through that list of moments that left me feeling incredibly proud, you might wonder where my mixed emotions come from? Over the last ten days, I have had the privilege of being able to be a part of wonderful and memorable events, opportunities where I saw our students shine. As I attended these events though, like so many parents I would imagine, in the back of my mind were the media reports of sexual assaults, bravely being shared by women and girls across our country during this time. Whilst I have read many articles over the last two weeks, News Limited papers on the east coast printed an opinion piece by Loren Bridge, Executive Officer of the Alliance of Girls Schools. The article begins:
Bridge continues:
The full article is available here. As a Principal, I take incredibly seriously my responsibility to child safety and in educating our students about protective behaviours, including sexual consent. From our Early Years Programme through to Year 12, we teach students about consent. We implement the Keeping Safe child protection curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten and supplement this programme throughout their school years. This includes experts and utilising evidence-based resources in sexual consent and drug and alcohol use. Interested parents can view our full Protective Behaviours Scope and Sequence here. Our new Ripples & Waves programme (to be piloted in Year 9 this year) is also designed to support our girls’ capacity to have a voice, to believe in themselves and to have the strength to stand up for themselves and others. As I reflect on Bridge’s article, we face a significant societal problem that requires a collaborative approach and a commitment to change. With the aim to better inform parents of the discussions had in classes at school, in Term 2 we will provide information sessions that parents can attend with our Lead Psychologist, Daleen Engelbrecht, Director of Wellbeing, Chonny James, and key teaching staff, to go through the information covered with students. We are currently working on dates and will communicate these with parents before the end of Term 1. In the last week, I have met with local independent school principals to discuss the issues and our values expectations of all students. We are also exploring further opportunities for students from PLC and Scotch, in particular, to develop more shared understandings of respectful relationships. If parents are seeking additional resources to support conversations at home, SchoolTV has advised that a free-to-access video on consent and sexual assault has been prepared for parents, featuring Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. The video includes tips for parents on how to initiate a conversation with their children on consent. An article posted by Curtin University Research Fellow Jacqueline Hendriks may also be helpful for parents. PLC has long had a reputation for being a leader in student wellbeing and we will continue to review, evaluate and adapt our programmes to ensure that we are making every effort to educate your daughters and prepare them for life beyond school. It is timely that the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was #Choosetochallenge. As a society, we have a choice right now; we can choose to stand up and challenge the state of our society. We can choose to face the harsh reality that there is a problem that must be addressed. We can choose to work together, as schools and parents and the broader community to help both our young boys and girls better understand respectful relationships as they grow into young adults. As Ms Bridge said in her article:
On its website promoting International Women’s Day, the organisation says a challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge. - Cate Begbie – Principal Blossom Where You Are PlantedI enjoy the coincidental discussions with students, parents, and staff while moving about the campus and find there are often recurring topics people raise. One of the topics reminds me of a short story I read many years ago – I, unfortunately, don’t know the name of the author.
The story reminds me of the importance of being true to myself, as it is the only way to be truly happy and content. May we strive to be the best version of ourselves every day and allow our children to follow their dreams. May we blossom where we were planted. - Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain Physical Education at PLC - Staffing ChangesPhysical education and sport are such an important aspect of our school and imperative to a child’s development. Children learn so much about themselves and others through sport and their cognitive development is enhanced by this physical activity. This year, the staffing in Health and Physical Education in the Junior School has changed and I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce the Health and Physical Education teachers who are new to working in the Junior School in 2021. Michael Ruggerio has come to the school as the 2IC of Health and Physical Education and Sport and teaches the Year 5 and 6 students with Ms Harris. Mr Ruggerio is also the main contact for Junior School families about Physical Education and carnivals. Michael Ruggerio has come to the school as the 2IC of Health and Physical Education and Sport and teaches the Year 5 and 6 students with Ms Harris. Mr Ruggerio is also the main contact for Junior School families about Physical Education and carnivals. Emily Harris remains in the Junior School and will be able to address specific queries regarding the Junior School Physical Education programme, morning co-curricular programmes and netball. The Minkey contact is Anna Turseck-James, Head of Health and Physical Education/Head of Sport. Year 4 PE is being taught by Mr Jacob Johnson and Ms Harris. Ms Tegan Maffescioni teaches Year 3 PE. Kindergarten to Year 2 students are taught by Ms Harris and Pre-Kindergarten is taught by Mr Matt Donaldson. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Junior School Assembly (Hosted by Year 6)Date: Friday 12 March JIGSSA Swimming Carnival Years 4 to 6Date: Thursday 18 March Activities Galore!This week many of our girls have been involved in activities on and off-campus. Year 11 Dinner DanceOn Friday night, our Year 11 students danced the night away at their Year 11 Dinner Dance. My thanks to Deanne Pedersen for organising the wonderful decorations for the event and to Ms Jones, Year 12 Academic and Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, and Melinda Hayes, Community Relations Co-ordinator, for their organisation of the event. Handing Over of the OarsOn Saturday morning, our rowers participated in the Handing Over of the Oars. Photos from this important age-old occasion can be found on our Facebook page. Year 12 BallOn Saturday night, we had our long-awaited Year 12 Ball. The venue looked absolutely fantastic with the girls and their partners transported to the 1920s. A huge thank you to the Parent Ball Committee and especially the Head of Committee, Sarah Flanagan, and Emma Hann, and Rebecca Grace, who kindly provided all of the decorations. As well as Ms McPhee, Year 12 Academic and Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, who invested many hours in making sure the night was one that the Year 12s wouldn’t forget. Proms Concert at the QuarryOn Sunday, we had the Proms Concert at the Quarry. Our talented musicians wowed the crowd with a varied repertoire of songs. My thanks to all the staff and students involved in this wonderful event. Senior School PhotographsDue to COVID-19, our Senior School Photographs have been postponed to Thursday 18 March. We want our Senior School girls to look their best for the photographs. The girls will be provided reminders of this through the Daily Notices. If you would like your daughters to have a sibling photograph, they are to attend the Hugh Baird Sports Centre between 8.00 am and 8.30 am. Please see below for the uniform requirements for the photograph.
- Wristwatches Support Your Daughter EveningsThis term, we have had our Support Your Daughter Evenings for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. It was great to see so many parents who were able to attend these informative events. If you were unable to attend the event a recording of each evening can be located here: - Miss Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Boarder of the Week:
Rooms of the Week:
What Happened This Week in the Boarding House |