From The Deputy PrincipalThis week, we are spotlighting a member of PLC’s Humanities Department who models internationalism and exceptional teaching. Bilal Halim was born in Lahore, Pakistan and grew up in international schools around the world due to his father’s work as a chemical engineer. He was schooled in Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
He didn’t speak a word of English until kindergarten; he now speaks fluent English, Urdu / Hindi, reads Arabic and understands Punjabi. At the age of 23, and with no university qualifications, he taught at a primary school in a village in Southern Punjab for two years. This experience was Bilal’s first indicator that teaching was his vocation.
Without any formal training, his students’ marks improved and he instinctively knew how to differentiate and make lessons accessible to different skill levels.
Attracted by Perth’s physical isolation (and low rent!), he relocated here in 2004 and completed a Bachelor of Arts in History and English at UWA. After working at John Willcock College and Nagle Catholic College in Geraldton, he started at PLC in 2016. Bilal infuses his classes with the skills he has acquired through his international background, engagement with other cultures and facility with languages. He gets his students to care about their learning and the world around them. He is able to transport their minds beyond the classroom walls, deep
into the humanity of the past and into the lives of others. The breadth of his subject knowledge means he makes connections across contexts and disciplines to demonstrate the interconnectedness of past, present, local, and international. He is known for his strong rapport with his students and his subject naturally exposes his personality and values. From his students: “What I love about Mr Halim’s History class is his ability to intertwine a plethora of historical knowledge with humour, making all our classes enjoyable.” “What I enjoy most about Mr Halim’s class is that he encourages us to be worldly thinkers and challenge our own comfortable understandings of the world.” “Mr Halim’s class never fails to teach you something new and interesting, whilst also including funny anecdotes which help us engage throughout the lesson.” “Mr Halim is always considerate of his students, he encourages all his students to have faith in themselves and inspires us all to reach our
potential.” - Chris Robinson, Deputy Principal
UniformWe have been discussing the respect we show for our School, each other, our community and ourselves by wearing our uniform with pride. The PLC uniform is, in my opinion, the most impressive school uniform that I have seen. When our Years 3 to 6 girls wear their full uniform, they are a sight to behold! The Year 6s wore their full uniform on Monday’s excursion and they looked fantastic. A uniform demonstrates the pride and feeling of
belonging our students have to our School. I have recently been giving House points to those students (Years 3 - 6) who enter the doors with the correct uniform, including blazer, beret and ribbons, or a navy scrunchie. I have noticed a significant improvement with this small act. As someone who has been buying the PLC uniform since 2010, I know the cost involved. Therefore, can I please ask you name and rename all pieces of clothing so if they are lost, they can be returned to you.
Father's Day It was wonderful to see so many Junior School dads at the School Father’s Day Breakfast this morning. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads on Sunday!
SlipwayWith the weather so variable at present, it is important our slipway works as effectively as possible. Can I please ask all members of the community not to park in the slipways and to not block the exits. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School
Junior School Upcoming EventsOrientation Day - Current Year 6 Date: Tomorrow - Friday 4 September
Time: 8.45 am - 3.00 pm
Venue: PLC Senior SchoolEarly Years Sports Carnival (PK to PP)Date: Monday 14 September
Time: 9.00 am – 10.00 am
Venue: PLC Oval and Sports Centre (Senior School campus) Inter-House Athletics Carnival (Years 1 to 6)Date: Tuesday 15 September
Time: 8.00 am – 2.00 pm
Venue: McGillivray Oval, Mount Claremont Grandparents & Special Friends DayDate: Tuesday 22 September
Time: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm
Venue: Junior School Junior School Arts DaysDate: Wednesday 23 & Thursday 24 September
Time: various
Venue: Junior School
Click here for more information
PLC/Scotch RelationshipAt PLC, we value the relationship we have with our brother school, Scotch College, and this term we further this relationship through a range of different activities across different Year groups. Last week, a group of our Year 12 leaders travelled to Scotch College to verse the Year 12 boys in a friendly game of netball. After a hard-fought competition, the girls emerged victorious with a 10 – 9 win over Scotch. This Friday at
lunchtime, the Scotch boys will be invited to PLC for a second game. In the coming weeks, our Year 8 students will also be attending Scotch for a Year 8 Social. During this evening, Humphrey’s Dance Studio will be teaching the group a series of dances. It is sure to be a fun night and a great way to build on the relationship between the two schools. The Year 10s also have a Social with Scotch that is planned for 18 September. Permission notes for this event have been provided to parents and we ask that they are completed by Friday. Currently, we have had a low level of interest from the girls in this event and unfortunately this may mean we
will need to cancel the social. Please encourage your daughter to hand in her permission note tomorrow if she is intending on going to the social. I do think it is a great opportunity to get to know other students and should be a fun night of dancing. Principal's Assembly At tomorrow's Principal’s Assembly, we will be announcing the Stage 3 Leadership positions. It has been very impressive to be able to read over the leadership statements and resumes of all the girls who have applied. The class of 2021 are definitely a highly capable group with
a diverse range of talents. Unfortunately, this does mean that we will have some fantastic students who will miss out on this formal opportunity. I know that this can be disheartening, but again, I would encourage them to pursue other leadership options within the school, whether these are formal or informal positions. Parents are most welcome to attend this assembly and we ask that in line with the Phase 4 COVID 19 guidelines for schools, that you socially distance. Year 10 Small Business Course'Small Business' is a semester-long course, where students work in
small groups to research and develop a suitable product for sale and apply appropriate business strategies to ensure its success. Products being offered for sale include bracelets, candles, body scrubs, stickers and more - click here to make your purchase by tomorrow - Friday, 4 September! You can collect your products at our Market Day next Thursday 10 September. All profits are being donated to Blue Tree Project.
- Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School
Senior School Upcoming EventsSenior School AssemblyDate: Tomorrow - Friday 4 September
Time: 8.55 am
Venue: Hugh Baird Sports Centre Orientation Day - Years 7 - 10 2021Date: Tomorrow - Friday 4 September
Time: 8.45 am - 3.00 pm
Venue: PLC Senior School
Year 12 PJ PartyDate: Tomorrow - Friday 4 September
Time: 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Venue: PLC Lighthouse Community Room Senior School Music Showcase RecitalDate: Saturday 5 September
Time: 5.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Venue: Hazel Day Drama Centre Theatre Arts ShowcaseDate: Thursday 10 September
Time: 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm
Venue: Hazel Day Drama Centre
Click here to book Years 7 - 12 IGSSA Athletics Carnival (selected students only)Date: Tuesday 15 September
Time: 8.30 am - 2.00 pm
Venue: WA Athletics Stadium
We can't wait to welcome the new 2021 boarders and their parents to the school community and the Boarding House tomorrow!
From 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 PLC Old Collegians’ AssociationPLC OCA Bursaries - Applications Now Open Every year the PLC Old Collegians’ Association Inc. awards three bursaries: - The Olive Cusack Bursary: This bursary recognises a boarding daughter, grand-daughter or great grand-daughter of an Old Collegian currently in Year 9 for Year 10.
- The Dr Vera Summers Bursary: This bursary is awarded to a daughter, grand-daughter or great grand-daughter of an Old Collegian currently in Year 10 for Year 11.
- The Heather Barr Memorial Bursary: This bursary is open to all current Year 11 students for Year 12 and recognises participation and contribution to PLC.
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. Find out more and nominate here.
Parent Events Coming Up PLC/Scotch College Parent Sundowner Date: Saturday 5 September
Time: 6.30 pm - 10.00 pm
Venue: Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
This event is now sold out. Junior School Community Conversation – Social & Emotional Programme At 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
Time: 9.00 am - 10.00 am
Venue: Junior School Library
Please book here.
Send Us Your PhotosIf your daughter has participated in events outside of school and you have photos, please send them to cande@plc.wa.edu.au.
We love celebrating the achievements of our PLC students!
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