Links eNewsletter - Term 3 Week 6 Dear valued member of the PLC community, A Message From the Deputy PrincipalHappy Father's DaySunday 5 September is a very significant day this year. Many of us will spend time showing gratitude to our fathers, or the father figures in our lives, for their guidance and support. It is also a day that will encourage us to reflect on those who give so much to us and to our community. Thank you to all of those special fathers and father figures who attended this morning's Father's Day Breakfast. For some, Sunday will be a time to reflect on our memories. Not a day goes by when I do not think of my own father. Sadly, he never met his grandchildren, but I actively try to share my memories of him with them so that they understand who he was, what he stood for, and why they would have loved him. For me, Sunday, as well as being a day to share with my children, will be a time to reflect with gratitude on my own father’s love and care, but also his selflessness and kindness. He and my mother would often put themselves second in the interests of providing for my brother and me, or for other family members, friends, or members of our community. They lived out their values every day, providing me with excellent examples of how to treat others. It is fitting, then, that Sunday is also the United Nations International Day of Charity, creating another opportunity to reflect on selflessness and kindness and how we can make a difference in our community. The UN website comments that “Charity…contributes to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies”, going on to say that it spreads the message of humanity, promoting the rights of the marginalised and underprivileged. Kindness, tolerance, and love are things we can all practise, things we see demonstrated by the role models around us. I am grateful for fathers, father figures, and all who show charity in our society, and hope Sunday provides everyone with an opportunity to celebrate them. Rev Nalin's InductionWe celebrated the induction of Rev Nalin this week and this made me reflect on just how much of a father figure he has already become for the PLC community. It is almost impossible to come away from a conversation with Rev Nalin without a smile on your face and somehow feeling better about the world. His kindness, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in others is infectious and he, too, demonstrates a generosity of spirit for us to emulate. Celebrating 40 Years of the PLC Pipe BandOn Sunday afternoon, we celebrated 40 incredible years of the PLC Pipe Band with a special ceremony where Rev Nalin conducted a blessing, a life-like drum and pipes cake was cut and enjoyed, the current Senior Pipe Band performed, and past and present band members joined in for a mass piping of 'Scotland the Brave'. It was an emotional and heart-warming celebration of the rich history of the PLC Pipe Band with many inaugural members and tutors in attendance. The 40th anniversary commemorative history book of the Pipe Band 'Proud to be PLC' was also launched and is still available for purchase here. Spring ConcertOn Monday night, the Hazel Day Drama Centre was filled with the beautiful melodies of some of our talented musicians at the 2021 Spring Concert. We enjoyed performances by the Concert Band, Deci-belles, Pipe Band 2, Petite Chorale, Young Voices, and Stravinsky String Orchestra. - Neil Walker – Deputy Principal Remote Learning UpdateGiven the ever-evolving COVID-19 environment across the country, I would like to update families on the status of our online teaching strategy in the event we find ourselves facing any further full school lockdowns. Since the 2020 lockdown, which included schools, our teachers and ILT team have continued to work to refine our Remote Learning programme. Our Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Department, and Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinators have also spent time scenario-testing different responses depending upon the timing of any lockdown announced between now and the end of the 2021 school year. These have taken into consideration all major exam periods. I am confident both our staff and our students are prepared to move to Remote Learning should it be required once again. After some requests for clarification of the School’s timeframe to implement Remote Learning, I can confirm the following: It is our intention that if a lockdown was called, Remote Learning would commence on the second school day of the lockdown for Pre-Kindergarten to Year 10. This will allow families, students, and staff the opportunity of a day to prepare themselves and ensure they have all of the necessary resources available at home to move to Remote Learning. Further information will be provided at the time. For our Year 11 and 12 students, access to Remote Learning would commence on Teams on the first school day of any lockdown. A more detailed letter will be sent to Year 11 and 12 students and families tomorrow. Like everyone, I sincerely hope none of the contingency plans will need to be enacted. As always, the School will communicate with families as quickly as possible and will be directed by the advice of the WA Government and the Health Department. If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact me. - Cate Begbie – Principal Instrumental and Vocal Lessons - Term 4Congratulations to all students for another term of hard work and dedication to their music study. Please note that any cancellations of instrumental or vocal lessons for Term 4 should be received by the Music Department via music@plc.wa.edu.au by Monday 13 September, otherwise students will automatically be timetabled for Term 4 lessons and tuition fees applied. Showcasing LearningWhat an exciting week we have had in the Junior School. Our Year 4 Science Fair, Year 3 Learning Journey, Year 6 Shark Tank for Exhibition, and two Outdoor Education Programmes, have provided the students with amazing opportunities to show their learning and thinking, and demonstrate resilience and open-mindedness. The Science Fair, Learning Journey, and Shark Tank gave me an opportunity to question the students and test their depth of learning and understanding. I was not disappointed - the students knew their stuff! Whether asking the Year 4s about scientific nomenclature or process, the Year 3s about different cultures and religions, or the Year 6s about the concepts they wanted to drive their Exhibition, in all those cases, the students demonstrated the supreme depth of learning and understanding that is provided by the PYP. We also hosted the Year 3 boys from Scotch College this week in a PYP Math Relay! It was great to see the mathematical knowledge on display and competitive spirit and teamwork between teams, comprising of both PLC and Scotch students. Bracelets for Allergy ResearchFlorence (Year 2) has teamed up with her big sister to raise funds for Telethon Kids’ Institute allergy research. Florence has had an interest in allergy research since she was diagnosed with allergies herself, so when she saw her sister, Sophia (Year 4), and the success she was having making and selling bracelets as part of Kidpreneur, she knew they could help. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School JIGSSA Cross Country Carnival (squad members)
Chapel Years 3 to 6 – Hosted by 4S
Junior School Assembly – Hosted by Year 2
Early Years Sports Carnival (Pre-Kindergarten – Pre-Primary)
Grandparents & Special Friends Day
Junior School Arts Day
Activities GaloreThe Senior School students have been busy this week with lots of activities in place. On Friday, the School was filled with literary characters, purple, and rainbows, in celebration of Book Week and Wear It Purple Day. It was great to see so many staff getting into the spirit of the event as well. Over the weekend, we had many students participating in the Pipe Band anniversary celebrations, on Monday we had our Spring Concert, Tuesday was our Debating semi-finals and we will finish off the week tomorrow with selected students participating in the Scotch College production of The Outsiders. I am always amazed by the many talents of our students and the way in which they balance their commitments and academics to make the most of all the opportunities at PLC. ExaminationsYears 10, 11, and 12 IB students and Years 11 and 12 ATAR students will be having their examinations at the end of this term. In the lead-up to these examinations, their Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinators will be speaking to each cohort about the expectations and rules relating to their exams. We encourage each student to put their best effort in and to remember to keep the examinations in perspective by seeing the feedback they will receive as a good learning experience. - Rebecca Watts – Head of Senior School Boarder of the Week:
Room of the Week:
What Happened This Week in the Boarding HouseBoarders Saying FarewellOver the past few weeks, our girls (most notably the Year 11s) have been very industrious as they prepare for our Year 12 Boarders' Farewell this Sunday evening. The farewell is always a night to remember, with themed decorations, a special dinner, games run by our Year 11s, an array of performances and awards, thoughtfully chosen gifts for our Year 12s, and emotional video and photo reels. It is always a special surprise and there are many happy and nostalgic tears. The Year 12s return from their Boarders' Retreat to a night of love and celebration. The Year 11s are the key leaders in planning this special event and we have been most impressed with their commitment and participation in the weeks leading up to the farewell. We look forward to sharing some special photos next week. Other than the farewell, this weekend our girls can look forward to ice skating, bowling, a trip to the Fremantle Markets as well as fitness in the Lighthouse. Tianna’s hair workshop was enjoyed by many last Friday evening, with our younger girls parading the most magnificent hairdos. Ice skating and rollerblading have been very popular as the girls enjoy the opportunity to socialise with boarders from other schools. The Year 9s were most appreciative of being taken to Get Chunky in Mount Lawley as part of their rewards programme and the Year 7s are loving impromptu painting sessions. Students across all year groups thoroughly enjoyed a trip to Kings Park on the weekend and climbed the DNA Tower. With the weather improving, we hope to get outdoors more and get back to enjoying beautiful Cottesloe Beach and the Matilda Bay Foreshore. - Katherine Hazlewood – Deputy of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Trillion TreesCongratulations to the Lighthouse Leavers and Environmental Committee who have been nurturing native seedlings (Marri, Robin Red-breast bush and Black Wattle) this year. With the support of Janine Nicholson, students have been planting along Guildford Meadows, located on the banks of the Swan River in Guildford, a site of significant environmental importance both because of its diverse population of native flora and fauna, and its role in protecting the river. The 360 plants PLC has grown were planted last weekend and will revegetate 34 hectares of land. Within four years, these plants will remove 4.3 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere each year. In 14 years, it is estimated to increase to 86 tonnes of carbon being removed per year. We invite Senior School students interested in supporting the growth of seedlings at PLC in 2022 to please contact the Environmental Committee or lighthouse@plc.wa.edu.au Uniting WA – IB CAS SleepoutCongratulations to all the students who participated in the CAS Sleepout for Homelessness organised by Year 11 students Morgan and Bonnie. Students were encouraged to pick their level of discomfort. People at risk of homelessness are people who may be couch surfing or staying with friends and family, to sleeping rough outside in the community. The sleepout raised over $2,500 towards Uniting WA Tranby Crisis support service. The Junior School also recently collected 443 pairs of socks and two pairs of pink Crocs, being the most requested item from people at risk of homelessness, to support Uniting WA in their Winter Sock appeal. - Chonny James – Director of Wellbeing Senior School Pocket/Lifers Assembly
Music Showcase Concert
Theatre Arts Showcase
PLC OCA Bursaries - Applications Now OpenEvery year, the PLC Old Collegians’ Association Inc. awards three bursaries:
PLC Parents Minutes and FinancialsPlease click here for the Term 3 minutes and financials for PLC Parents. Year 11, Year 12 and Diploma Programme 2022 Resource ListsThe Year 11, Year 12, and Diploma Programme 2022 resource lists are now live on home.plc for families to place resource orders. Scotch's Annual Manure DriveGet your garden ready for spring and support the Scotch College Pipe Band by purchasing high-grade; weed-free, 70L bags of sheep manure for just $18 a bag! 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. The OutsidersThere are only three more nights to be able to experience Scotch College and PLC's The Outsiders - a Years 9 and 10 production about tough teenage gangs in 1960s America. |