Links eNewsletter Term 4 Week 6 Dear friend of PLC, This week, I participated in a webinar entitled The World is Transforming – So Are Our Students. It was delivered by Professor Keitha Dunstan, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) at Bond University and it was thought-provoking as well as affirming of our practises here at PLC. One of Professor Dunstan’s central points was that we are moving into a new age where the acquisition of cross-functional skills will be essential to graduates’ success in the workplace. She challenged us to think about how we can equip our students with strong emotional and connectional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and cognitive skills. She also advocated for collaboration, adaptability, and persuasion to be taught in our schools as well as analytical and evaluative skills, strong judgement, and decision-making. Undoubtedly, many of these capabilities are developed in a PLC education. In their daily interactions with each other and with their teachers, we see our students demonstrating their empathy and communication skills as well as their ability to adapt to a range of situations. We pride ourselves on this holistic development and students are regularly challenged to explore their creativity and to develop strategies for resilience. While subject content and curriculum are obviously important in developing students’ knowledge base and understanding, Professor Dunstan asserts that it is these transferrable skills that will distinguish one graduate from another. Indeed, in the 2015 publication, Australia’s Future Workforce, by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, it states:
Bond University wants its graduates to be capable individuals, effective collaborators and global citizens. As educators who wish to stay at the forefront of developments in teaching and learning, we continue to strive to deliver the curriculum in a way that upholds and models our values and also inculcates transferrable skills in our students to equip them for the real world. We know that many of our students will pursue careers that have not yet been invented. This being the case, we have a responsibility to our students to help them to accrue the strongest set of transferrable skills we can, so that we have given them the best possible tool kit to draw upon. The next step for us is to be able to measure how we are developing capacity in our students in the area of these essential 21st century skills. - Mr Neil Walker - Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning) Instrumental and Vocal Music Lessons 2021All instrumental and vocal music lessons will conclude on Friday 27 November. Congratulations to all students on their musical development and achievements throughout the year! Students who wish to continue with their instrumental or vocal tuition in 2021 do not need to re-enrol. Current enrolments will automatically roll over to next year. Parents are asked to notify the Music Department via music@plc.wa.edu.au by Friday 4 December if they do not wish to continue lessons in 2021, or need to change their current enrolment details. New enrolment applications for 2021 are welcome by completing the 2021 music enrolment form and sending it to the Music Department by Friday 4 December. Orientation DayTomorrow, the Junior School community look forward to welcoming 30 new girls to PLC. Our students are eagerly awaiting to greet their new classmates and will make them feel welcome at their new school. The new students will get an understanding of what the expectations are for the next year and I know everyone will have a wonderful day. MilestonesNext week, we mark two significant milestones in the journey through the PLC Junior School. On Wednesday, we will celebrate the Pre-Primary Nativity, an event that brightens everyone’s day and one which we cannot wait to see. The second milestone next week is the Year 6 Final Assembly. This marks the transition from Junior School to Senior School as we celebrate our Year 6 students of 2020. Milestones are very important in the journey through a school like PLC, whether receiving an iPad, embarking on an Outdoor Education Programme, competing at JIGSSA, or wearing a blazer, they are something that students and parents look forward to and celebrate as our girls mature. End of Term 4 – Early FinishPlease note that on the last day of Term 4, Thursday 10 December, school finishes at 1.00 pm. To avoid traffic congestion, there will be a staggered finish at the Junior School from 12.45 pm to 1.00 pm. Further details will be provided on the PLC App. Mr Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Junior School Upcoming EventsJunior School Orientation DayDate: Friday 20 November Pre-Primary NativityDate: Wednesday 25 November Year 6 Final AssemblyDate: Friday 27 November Chapel Years 3 to 6Date: Wednesday 2 December Junior School End of Year AssemblyDate: Monday 7 December Science WeekThis week, the focus of the Senior School has been on Science Week! The week started with students hearing the incredible journey of past PLC student Trini Reynolds (2015) who spoke about her love of marine biology and where this has taken her in her career. Another highlight involved all Year 9 students being a part of the 'Mission to Mars Challenge'. Students needed to design and construct a rocket which will transport supplies via the Earth’s orbit to astronauts on Mars, as well as building a system to transport their rocket to the launch site for testing. It was fantastic to see the girls working in teams to complete the challenge and presenting their results to the cohort and judges. Inter-House Academic CompetitionDuring the week we have also been holding our Inter-House Academic Competition. Our Academic Prefect has done a spectacular job of arranging a series of lunchtime Kahoots to test the knowledge of all our students. Uniform ReminderAs we move closer to the end of the year, it is important that all students continue to maintain high standards in uniform and focus on their academic learning during their classes. If you haven't already done so, please familiarise yourself with our Uniform Policy Handbook. - Miss Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior SchoolSenior School Co-curricular SportIGSSA Trials - Tennis, Volleyball, CricketStudents in Years 6 to 11 (Years 7 to 12 in 2021) received information on how to register for IGSSA Tennis, Volleyball and Cricket trials being held this term. Registrations to attend the trials close Wednesday 25 November 3.30 pm, with trials commencing in Week 8. Students new to PLC in 2021 will have the opportunity to be assessed at Trial 3 being held in Week 1, 2021. Draft training/game schedules will be available before the end of Term 4 for download from the PLC Senior School Sports page. For further information, please contact Ms Anna Turnseck-James, Head of Sport/Head of PE, via email anna.turnseck-james@plc.wa.edu.au. IGSSA RowingStudents in Years 8 to 11 (Years 9 to 12 in 2021) received information on how to register for Term 1/Term 2 2021 IGSSA Rowing. No prior experience is required – ie Learn to Row is not a pre-requisite. Students will require a parent/guardian to be with them when registering, as there are questions requiring parental/guardian input. A draft training/regatta schedule will be available before the end of Term 4 for download via the PLC Senior School Sports page. For further information, please contact Mr David Milne, Head Rowing Coach, via email david.milne@plc.wa.edu.au or Ms Chantelle James, Head of Rowing via email chonny.james@plc.wa.edu.au. Other SportsTerm 1 non-IGSSA sports include Swim and Run training. Students can attend any of the sessions and registrations are not required. Information will be emailed to students in Week 1, 2021 advising days, times, and venue. Schedules for these sports will be available towards the end of Term 4 and can be downloaded from the PLC Senior School Sports page. PLC/Scotch January Holiday Swim ProgrammeA combined PLC/Scotch Holiday Swim Programme will be held during the January school holidays and is available for students who will be in Years 7 to 12 in 2021. Training schedules for 2021 will be available on the PLC Senior School Sports page before end of Term 4. For further information on this holiday swim programme, please contact Mr Ryan Steenkamp, PLC/Scotch Head Swimming Coach, via email ryan.steenkamp@plc.wa.edu.au. If you have any questions in relation to Co-curricular Sport at PLC, please email Ms Anna Turnseck-James, Head of Sport/Head of PE via email anna.turnseck-james@plc.wa.edu.au. Senior School Upcoming EventsYear 9 PLC and Scotch SocialDate: Thursday 3 December Performing Arts ShowcaseDate: Thursday 26 November From The Boarding HouseThe Year 10 boarders jumping for joy on their Quay 2 Quay. Parent Events Coming UpYear 11 Parent DrinksDate: Thursday 3 December Argyle Club AGMAll rowing parents are encouraged to attend. Date: Wednesday 25 November Year 6 Family CelebrationDate: Friday 27 November Year 5 Family Festive CelebrationDate: Sunday 6 December |