Links - Term 3 Week 7 Dear Friend of PLC From The PrincipalLast week at our Senior School Assembly, I shared the story of Eddie Jaku with our students. I explained to the girls that I came across Eddie when walking through a book store recently. I was just browsing when I saw a title that took my attention. Whilst it was the title that initially drew my attention, I couldn’t help but smile when I looked at the face on the cover that was looking back at me. It was a smile I could not walk past. The book I had come across was “The Happiest Man on Earth”, the memoir of 100 year-old, Eddie Jaku. Eddie Jaku is a Holocaust survivor who shares through his amazing story how, despite seeing some the darkest parts of life and the worst side of humanity a person can see – he has chosen to live a life shaped by gratitude, kindness and hope. After I read the book, I googled Eddie Jaku to learn more about his story. I came across a TedX talk that he gave in Sydney just last year, at the age of 99! It is hard to believe that it is almost 75 years to the day (7 September 1945) that Eddie made his way to Belgium to experience freedom and to start rebuilding his life. I believe it is one thing to find yourself at a point in time where you have to reshape or redirect your life; it is a whole other thing to find yourself completely alone and needing to rebuild your life, having experienced the level of trauma and loss that Eddie had during those years. He faced and survived what seemed a certain death on more than one occasion; survived horrendous conditions and the loss of his immediate family. I shared with the girls the last 5 minutes of the video below. Whilst I have never met Eddie Jaku, I believe he is an inspiration to all of us. A man who has every reason to be bitter, angry and resentful of the challenges life presented him, but is the complete opposite of each of these things. As he says: “I do not hate anyone – hate is a disease – which may destroy your enemy but will also destroy you in the process.” “I am doing everything I can to make this world a better place for everyone and I implore you all to do your best too.” “Happiness does not fall from the sky, it is in your hands.” “One flower is my garden, one good friend is my world.” “Tomorrow will come but first enjoy today.” “For me when I wake up I am happy because it is another day to enjoy.” “I was at the bottom of the pit so if I can make one miserable person smile, I am happy.” And his final words: “Please do not walk in front of me, I may not be able to follow. Please do not walk behind me, I may not be able to lead. Just walk beside me, and be my friend.” Every one of us has people beside us right now. The reality is we all probably have people in front of us and also behind us. I guess the challenge for all of us is how we can maneuver ourselves to be beside as many people as possible. This is something I will reflect on as we recognise R U OK Day. As our Senior students prepare for their upcoming exams, I wish them all well. I know you have all worked hard through a disruptive year and I know you each will continue to give your best. As you prepare for your exams, I encourage you to make sure you still find some time to go for a walk, read a book, whatever it is that allows you the time and space to rest, relax and reset. It is important that you still find time for yourself. Please know that your teachers and our team are all here to support you in any way we can. I know you have worked hard. You’ve got this! - Cate Begbie, Principal From Wellbeing Captain, ErinR U OK? Keep The Conversation Going2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, to be willing to support those around us. R U OK?’s vision is a world where we’re all connected and are protected from suicide. Their mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life. Find out more about their mission here. Check In With Yourself Before you can look out for others, you need to look out for yourself. And that’s ok. If you’re not in the right headspace or you don’t think you’re the right person to have the conversation, try to think of someone else in their support network who could talk to them. I recently had a discussion with PLC’s Lead Psychologist, Mrs Engelbrecht. She had one overwhelmingly clear message – ‘before we check-in with those around us, we need to check-in with ourselves first’. When you fly, the flight attendant instructs you to “put your oxygen mask on first,” before helping others. Why is this an important rule for ensuring survival? Because, if you run out of oxygen yourself you can’t help anyone else with their oxygen mask. We can be better friends, teachers and parents if we look after ourselves first. Keep The Conversation Going It’s not always easy to keep the conversation going when a friend says they’re not OK, but it could change a life. ruok.org.au have released an interactive conversation role play video to help you learn what to say after R U OK? Click here to watch. The first step is always to listen and try avoid saying things such as, ‘I know what you’re going through’, instead, opt for things like ‘you’re not alone’, reminding them that they don’t have to go through this on their own. The next step is to ‘encourage action’. Sometimes, self-help strategies or talking to family and friends isn’t enough and that is OK. There are adults and professionals who can help, such as our amazing PLC Psychologists in the Lighthouse. You can find their contact details here. - Wellbeing Captain, Erin Living In HarmonyRomans 15:5-75 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Paul addresses the Christians in Rome in a letter and prays that the community in Rome would be unified – then he adds another layer: people should live in harmony with one another. Harmony is a term used in music. It refers to different people singing/playing the same song, but singing/playing different parts. This requires that they adjust their pitch and tone to co-ordinate with one another, while also performing their individual parts. In order to excel at harmony, we need to listen to one another. Using harmony as a metaphor for life, we are reminded that we should regularly check on one another and ensure that we’re able to listen with our undivided attention, not only during R U OK week. In life’s performance we have Jesus as our conductor and tutor. He showed us how to love others, how to forgive those who wronged us and how to remain hopeful when faced with adversity. Through Him knowing us exceptionally well, He can bring out the best in us. He is also the one keeping us focussed on the task at hand. In this performance, it is never about the individual success, but the whole group functioning in unity, and as such we’re appreciative of one another’s gifts and the part each of us play. As we listen to music, may the harmony we hear serve as a reminder that we are not alone. - Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain Sports and physical activity have lots of cognitive and physical benefits, which is why we introduced the Daily Fun Fitness programme! Initiatives like the Daily Fun Fitness programme, as well as team sports, teach children countless skills and lessons such as supporting others, emotional regulation and resilience. The Years 3 - 6 girls proudly represented Team PLC at the JIGSSA Cross Country this week. Every student tried their hardest, participating fully throughout the morning. When students' weren't competing, they cheered from the sidelines. A special congratulations to Madeleine (Year 4), who came first in her Year group! Sophia (Year 3) placed second in the Year 3 group and Amberly (Year 5) came third. My thanks to Ms McGurk and Mr Maxwell for their outstanding work too. Next week we look forward to the Years 1 – 6 Athletics Carnival on Tuesday at McGillivray Oval at the UWA Sports Park. Students are to be dropped off at the venue by 8.00 am. More information can be found in the letter on the PLC App. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Junior School Upcoming EventsJunior School Assembly - Years 1 to 6 (hosted by Year 2)Date: Friday 11
September Early Years Sports Carnival (PK to PP)Date: Monday 14 September Inter-House Athletics Carnival (Years 1 to 6)Date: Tuesday 15 September Chapel Years 3 to 6Date: Wednesday 16 September Grandparents & Special Friends DayDate: Tuesday 22 September Junior School Arts DaysDate: Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 September R U OK? DayToday we recognised R U OK? Day in the Senior School. This year, our focus has been about self-care; making sure that we are in the right space to listen and actively support people to seek help. Students have had the opportunity to listen to our Lead Psychologist, Mrs Engelbrecht, speak about R U OK? Day via PLC Radio and were invited to the Quad at lunchtime to meet our Psychologists. The Senior School was also awash with yellow ribbons, which the girls wore in recognition of the day. Year 10 Small BusinessAt lunchtime today, our Year 10 Small Business students delivered their products to some very happy customers. The girls have designed, manufactured and marketed a range of products including stickers, minimalist bracelets, eco-friendly candles and homemade body scrubs. What a talented group we have! The ArtsIt continues to be a busy time for our students involved in the Arts. The Year 10 Drama Masterclass gave a performance of Animal Farm on Monday night and we also had a large number of students involved in the Senior School Showcase. Both nights were fantastic and it has been wonderful to see what our students are capable of. Nearing The End...The Years 10, 11 and 12 students are moving into their final examinations or work experience. The girls have been given clear guidelines for their examinations and have a copy of the exam timetable. In the final week of Term 3, our Year 10 students will participate in the first ever Questhathon! Activities will run from Monday to Thursday, with the Year 10 students finishing Term 3 on Thursday 24 September. All activities are designed to bond the Year group together and help them transition into Year 11. Activities include tai chi, pilates and yoga. We also have guest speakers, including Jordon Foster from ySafe, who will be discussing how to manage online media and your digital footage. Boorloo Aboriginal Cultural Experiences will be running an education and cultural awareness session. Courage to Care will be examining the holocaust and speak about the power of the upstander. Sessions focused on drug and alcohol awareness will also be included in the week's events. A lot of time and effort has gone into shaping this fantastic programme and we look forward to full attendance from our Year 10 students. End of Term 3Term 3 ends on Friday 25 September at 1.00 pm. There will be Library supervision until 4.00 pm if required. Cottesloe Circle BusFrom Monday 14 September, the Cottesloe bus picking up students from the Cottesloe train station will leave at 8.15 am. This is the latest the bus can leave to ensure students arrive to school on time. Years 11 and 12 2021 Resource-listsA reminder that the cut-off date for the guaranteed delivery of resources by Campion for Term 4 is tomorrow Friday 11 September. Orders can still be placed after this date but delivery by Friday 9 October cannot be assured. The resource-lists can be found on home.plc.wa.edu.au. - Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Senior School Upcoming EventsYear 9 Outdoor Education Parent Information EveningDate: Monday 14 September Years 7 - 12 IGSSA Athletics Carnival (selected students only)Date: Tuesday 15 September Years 7 - 9 Surf WeekendDate: Saturday 19 September - Sunday 20 September End of Term 3 (Year 10)Date: Thursday 24 September End of Term 3 (Years 7, 8, 9, 11 & 12)Date: Friday 25 September Boarding House NewsFrom The Music Department 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 14 September, otherwise students will automatically be timetabled for Term 4 lessons and tuition fees applied. From The IT Teame-Smart WeekThis week we have been exploring a range of cyber safe topics as a result of eSmart Week. To celebrate eSmart Week, we have had discussions on password use, surveys on screen time and a daily staff quiz on cyber related topics. This is all on the road to us becoming an eSmart School. For more information please visit eSmart. From The PLC Old Collegians’ AssociationPLC OCA Bursaries - Applications Now OpenEvery year the PLC Old Collegians’ Association Inc. awards three bursaries:
Click here for more information. Inspiring Old Collegian AwardsDo 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. Parent Events Coming UpFriends of Pipe Band MeetingAll Pipe Band parents are welcome and encouraged to attend. Date: Wednesday 15 September Junior School Community Conversation – Social & Emotional ProgrammeAt PLC, our Evidence-Based Wellbeing Programmes teach the skills to prevent mental illness, support learning and cultivate wellbeing. For parents and caregivers that would like to learn more about these programmes, we invite you to attend a Community Conversation. The session will cover the sharing of the social and emotional programmes and strategies that are used, so that you can join in the conversation at home with your child. Date: Thursday 17 September |