Links - Term 3 Week 9 Dear Friend of PLC From the PrincipalThe Junior School have been busy celebrating their Arts Week, and it has been a joy to share in the many events and activities throughout the week. It has certainly been a week that has highlighted the ways in which young children can experience and express creativity. University of South Australia’s Professor David Cropley’s latest research shows that creativity is a core competency across all disciplines, not just the Arts, and that being creative is critical for students’ future job prospects. Cropley, along with visiting PhD researcher, Kim van Broekhoven from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, found that creativity in STEM fields is very similar to creativity in the Arts, suggesting that a holistic approach to teaching creativity at school is beneficial.
Cropely said that his research has shown that creativity is a skill transferrable from one domain to the another.
We have certainly seen many new ideas, examples of divergent thinking and a sense of flexibility in the Junior School this week. I would like to thank the efforts of all staff who contributed to putting together the events and activities. The girls’ enjoyment has been evident throughout the week and I have no doubt that they have had a wonderful time. Thank you to all involved! This week I have also been incredibly impressed with our Year 10 girls as they embarked on their Quest Week. We made the decision to run an internal Quest this year, quite a different approach to that taken in previous years. This week has been facilitated by a number of organisations who have encouraged the girls to reflect on their own ‘quest’ and to learn more about themselves and each other. While the girls had every opportunity to be disappointed and spend time thinking about what they were ‘missing out’ on, I was so impressed with their willingness to engage in the opportunities provided. Again, such events do not happen without staff who are willing to go the extra mile in preparing and organising such events, and I would to thank all staff who were involved in organising this week. Again, I would like to thank the community for your support and engagement this term and wish everyone a relaxing two weeks ahead. Have a lovely break and I look forward to seeing everyone back for Term 4. - Cate Begbie, Principal Life Is A JourneyIn Biblical times, God promised the Israelites that He would take them to the Promised Land – a land of plenty/abundance! They had to leave Egypt with its certainties (food, shelter, water, gods) and follow Moses as he followed God. They struck out into the desert with its dangers and extremes. God lead the Israelites using a cloud by day and a fire column by night, so they would not get lost and God fed the Israelites with fresh manna and quail every day, and gave them water as needed. God even fought on their side as they faced strong foes in battle. They spent 40 years in the wilderness before arriving in the promised land. They could have completed the journey in 3 weeks! Why did they need 40 years to complete the journey from Egypt to Palestine (the Promised Land)? They didn’t...they needed the 40 years to lose the Egypt (slave) mentality – a whole generation had to be replaced! In his poem “The Road Not Taken”, Robert Frost wrote “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” There is something to be said for taking the easy route because it makes us feel safe, but there is something profound in taking the road less travelled, even though it is longer, windier and more dangerous. Steven Covey uses the analogy of an aeroplane flying to a destination and points out that, measured against a compass direction, the plane is off course 95% of the time. In spite of this, it still reaches its destination, as the pilot or autopilot makes constant corrections to get it back on course. This is true for our lives: being off target regularly and needing to make adjustments/corrections. We find that the more we stretch ourselves and, perhaps intentionally, choose to take the road less travelled, the more we learn about ourselves and those around us. May we always remember that the Divine has plans for our lives and may we feel God’s presence at every challenging junction we reach. - Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain Share the Dignity – Years 11 and 12Share the Dignity works to make a real, on the ground difference in the lives of women experiencing period poverty. It’s In The Bag is a collection of sanitary items, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste provided in a good quality handbag. Collection drop-off points are at McNeil Street and Lighthouse Receptions. - Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing Celebrating The ArtsA considerable body of research supports the assertion that the Arts should be playing an important role in education.
Junior School Arts WeekTo celebrate the Arts, the Junior School hosted Arts Week this week! The week's festivities started with Grandparents and Special Friends Day, where we welcomed a number of students' grandparents and special friends to experience the wonder and beauty of the PLC Junior School. Students exhibited their latest projects and what they have learnt so far this year. Those I spoke to were amazed with the many opportunities and depth of learning in the PYP inquiries. Arts Week ramped up with today's art rotations, busking and House Choirs! I would like to thank all of the staff involved in making this week so incredible. My thanks to Mrs Garland, Mrs McAwley, Ms Brady, Ms Price, Ms McDonald-Burns, Mr Goff, Ms Sardi, Ms Suguri, Ms Mulcahy, Mrs Coughlan, PLC Maintenance and Tech Centre, Mrs Jaques, Ms Holmes and Mrs Sofield. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Junior School Important DatesEnd of Term 3Date: Friday 25 September Year 10 QuestathonThe Year 10s have been absolutely fantastic participators and leaders in their week-long ‘Questathon’. The week is designed to challenge the girls to step out of their comfort zone and to discover what her ‘quest’ might be. We began with an inspirational talk from our very own Principal, Cate Begbie. Ms Begbie spoke about her time growing up on a remote island; the challenges she has faced in life (including surviving the Boxing Day Tsunami) and her community service work in India. Ms Begbie talked about her own ‘quest’ and how she had discovered purpose in her life. As the week continued, the Year 10s had the opportunity to engage in public speaking, bond with their House Tutor Group, learn more about Noongar culture, discover what it meant to be an ‘upstander’ during the Holocaust, and have further drug aware education. Parents - I encourage you to speak to your daughter about the activities and for her to speak to her key support staff at school if she would like to discuss any of the aspects of the week further. A reminder that Year 10 students are not required to be at school tomorrow. Early Finish TomorrowFor students in Years 7 to 9, Term 3 finishes at 1.00 pm tomorrow afternoon. If students require further supervision, the Library will be open until 4.00 pm. Please also be aware that we are unable to have the Traffic Warden supervising traffic on Stirling Highway for our School finish time tomorrow. However, we will have PLC staff assisting the girls to cross safely. Class of 2020Parents and Guardians of the Class of 2020 have been sent information about the activities that have been planned for the Year 12s. Over the holidays it is important for the 12s to have a look over their uniform, let down the hems of their skirts if needed and polish their shoes, ready to put their best foot forward for their special Valedictory Service and Dinner. - Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Senior School Important DatesEnd of Term 3 (Years 7, 8, 9, 11 & 12)Date: Friday 25 September Year 7 OEP Parent Information EveningDate: Monday 12 October Year 12 Final AssemblyDate: Tuesday 13 October Year 12 BreakfastDate: Wednesday 14 October Year 12 Valedictory Service and DinnerDate: Thursday 15 October Year 10 Parent DrinksDate: Friday 30 October 2020 Student AchievementsAlliance Française Poetry CompetitionCongratulations to all of the students who participated in the ‘grande finale’ of the Alliance Française Poetry Competition. We are particularly delighted to announce that the following winners have been invited to the awards ceremony, which will take place at the Alliance Française on 30 October. Year 4:
Year 5: Karrinyup Shopping Centre Fashion CampaignLeila Braddock (Year 11) recently completed a project for a spring fashion campaign at Karrinyup Shopping Centre. Leila was commissioned to create over 500 origami butterflies on custom-printed paper, to deliver on the concept of ‘renewal’. The colourful campaign involved a fashion shoot, advertising, and a large-scale chrysalis installation that displays over 300 origami butterflies in a beautiful rainbow pattern. The average speed for Leila to make one perfect butterfly is about 60 seconds. Congratulations, Leila! From The Boarding HouseAn action-packed term! From TransperthThere are Transperth service changes that might impact PLC students commencing Monday 12 October. Click here to find out more. From The PLC Old Collegians’ AssociationDo you know an outstanding PLC Old Collegian who embodies our School’s values? Nominate a PLC Old Collegian for our new Inspiring Old Collegian Awards! These awards celebrate the diverse and outstanding achievements of our alumni and provide the opportunity to inspire others through their recognition. |