STEM in the Junior School One of the many reasons we choose PLC for our children is the wide variety of experiences they are exposed to through the journey. I believe most of the future workforce will be engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers and that is why we are focused on exposing our students to these subjects. Recently, I watched the Pre-Kindy and Pre-Primary students code a ‘bee-bot.’ On one day, on one walk around, I watched the Year 2 students build a circuit for a ‘fairground machine’; the Year 4 girls were hearing from Janice Lim, an epidemiologist researcher, who was discussing water-borne diseases;
the Year 5 students were coding robots; and the Year 6 girls, were learning in the Senior School Science labs. There is a great deal of STEM learning that occurs every day, and the quality of the learning is critical for our students’ futures. The integration (or transdisciplinary) nature of the PLC programme allows the students to make connections across the entire curriculum, i.e. how do science concepts relate to maths concepts, and relate to geography concepts, and so on. We know in our adult lives that we generally do not live and work in one domain at a time. Inter-relating domains need to be accessed, reviewed and employed. When links are made across the curriculum, rich learning takes place and the students have the opportunity to manipulate their skills and knowledge, and engage their higher
order thinking, to truly problem solve and create. Children's solutions to problems are more creative and effective than most adults could ever devise.
Like all foundation skills and knowledge like phonics or timetables, the teaching of the STEM ‘basics’ is an important part of our children’s education. For example, the Year 4, 5 and 6 students working in the Senior School labs, with Senior School science specialists and their class teacher, provides the students with the opportunity to learn the skills and make connections. They will be armed with the skills they need when entering Senior School, but more importantly, they will have the skills, confidence and thinking that is required to succeed in the future. - Mr Richard Wright, Head of Junior School
IGSSA Rowing Regatta Date: Saturday 15 June
Change of Venue: Canning Bridge. View map here.
Dance ShowcaseDate: Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June
Venue: Hazel Day Drama Centre
Time: 7.00 pm
Find out more and book: Click here
Head of the River Rowing RegattaDate: Saturday 29 June
Venue: Champion Lakes School HolidaysDate: Saturday 6 July - Monday 29 July Term 3 CommencesDate: Tuesday 30 July
Please note that all parent events are listed in the Communications & Engagement section of Links.
Senior School Winter Warmer - Term 2 AppealPLC’s culture of supporting our community and those less fortunate, continues in Term 2 as we support various projects in partnership with the Australian Red Cross. The deadline for donations has been extended to Friday 28 June. Donations will be collected in House Tutor groups.
Live Below the Line Live Below the Line is in its sixth year at PLC. This is an opportunity for students to experience first-hand what it is like to live below the poverty line on $2 per day for two days, whilst fundraising through sponsorship for Oaktree. This year, it will be happening on Monday 1 July and Tuesday 2 July. There will be an information session in the PLC Lighthouse Studio 1 at Lunchtime on Thursday 20 June, with recipe ideas on how you can stretch your $2 further. For information on Oaktree, and to
register for Live Below the Line, click here and return the permission slip to the PLC Lighthouse reception by Monday 24 June.
Tanzania Immersion 2020 Every two years, a cohort of Years 11 and 12 students from PLC and Scotch College, travels to Tanzania for a combined service, cultural and physical immersion tour. In July 2020, students will have the opportunity to travel to the Tanzanian village of Mattipwilli with a service project, climb little Mt Meru and share in cultural experiences unique to the Country.
An information session will be held later this month, with students interested in going on the tour encouraged to attend with a family member. Tanzania Information NightDate: Monday 17 June 2019
Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: Scotch College Memorial Hall - click here to view map Tour details will be made available after the Information Night for students and families unable to attend the session. Formal/Dinner Dance Dress and Accessory DonationsDo you or someone you know, have a ball gown, formal dress or dinner dance outfit? Is it currently collecting dust in your wardrobe? Do you wish there was another opportunity for
someone to wear it? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, we need your help! A PLC Year 8 Parent is co-ordinating donations of dresses, accessories, shoes and handbags for the Balga Senior High School girls to wear to their upcoming Year 12 formal. In the past, some girls haven't attended because they didn't have anything to wear. All sizes and styles are welcome. Any dresses not used by BSHS will be sent north to Roebourne District High School. If you have anything to donate, please drop it into the PLC Lighthouse by Friday 14 June. "Carry out a random
act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."
- Princess Diana
Lighthouse Café – Winter Opening Hours
The Lighthouse Café's new opening hours are 7.30 am – 2.00 pm. To help everybody keep warm, Café operator, Kirkwood is offering a $7 coffee and muffin special.
The Café is open to our wider PLC community and we invite parents to enjoy the fresh produce and homemade baked goods after drop-off or before pick-up. Family meals are also available to take home. Please click here to see the full menu. Strapping and Taping WorkshopJoin us at the PLC Lighthouse, on Monday 17 June, 1.00 pm - 1.30 pm, for a strapping and taping workshop
with Lighthouse Physiotherapist, Jo Norcott. Be taped FREE, ready for the Inter-House Athletics Carnival on Tuesday. Click here for more information.
- Linda Malone, Head of Service and Community Partnerships
Nurturing and Developing Leadership at PLCWe know that it is important for students to experience leadership opportunities during their schooling; to learn the art of building relationships within teams, defining identities and achieving tasks effectively. It also provides an opportunity to learn to identify and display effective communication and interpersonal skills. Research informs us that through co-operative learning activities, conferences, kindness challenges and service learning projects, educators can build on these skills and empower students of all ages to embrace leadership and serve as positive
role models for their peers. At PLC, we believe that leadership skills, such as goal-setting, problem-solving and sound decision-making, are not just necessary for leaders, but skills that are required for 21st Century learning and for success in today's world. Over the past semester, we have seen the growth in all our Year 6 students in their personal leadership journeys through growth in their confidence, their communication of ideas and personal reflections and sense of responsibility. Further Leadership opportunities are provided for those students who stand as the Year 6 nominated leaders. These are selected each semester and the students undergo a process of nomination, voting and election. Over the semester, the elected Year 6 leaders have worked tirelessly in their
areas of passion and have grown immensely. Here are some of their reflections: “I have really enjoyed being a leader of our Junior School this semester. I feel that my communication skills, confidence and social skills have improved massively over the last two terms. I have got to know so many of the Junior School students that I didn’t know before. I have had the chance to extend myself and take on a welcome challenge”.“We have learnt so much about ourselves and each other, strengths that we didn’t know we had, and spaces for improvement. Looking back, I can see
how much my confidence and self-esteem has grown and I am so glad I decided to nominate all the way back in Term 1. I hope others would agree that I have helped make our Junior School a better, comfortable, kind, happy environment”.“Being a leader was one of the biggest milestones of Year 6 and has taught me so many skills that will be important for my future”. “This has been such an incredible experience and it will be very helpful as I continue through school and even as an adult”. “I’ve learned that being a leader doesn’t mean you can always tell people what to do, or make them do something, you try and make life or activities more easy or suitable and fun for everyone, guiding them so one day they can be leaders as well”. “It has taught me more about being organised and resilient when things don’t go to plan and how to be an effective leader to my peers”. We encourage all of our students to see themselves as leaders and to recognise that there is leadership potential in everyone. Furthermore, students in Year 6 have the
opportunity to be nominated for the Semester 2 positions. After all, Leadership is one of the Strategic Pillars of our school and we encourage and inspire our students, no matter what age they are, to lead and be proud of who they are as individuals. In closing, based on the words of Sir Bob Geldof, “All it takes is courage, intellect and a little bit of magic”, to make a difference in the lives of others. As a school, we know our students have the courage, we know they have the intellect, and we look forward to seeing the magic that they can make in leading others.
- Ms Vernita Jaques, Deputy Head of Junior School, Pastoral Care and Operations
Junior School Assembly (hosted by Year 4) Date: Friday 14 June
Time: 8.40 am - 9.15 am
Venue: SRC JIGSSA Winter Games (Year 4) Date: Monday 17 June
Time: 8.30 am - 2.30 pm
Venue: St Mary's Anglican Girls School Chapel Years 2 - 6 Date: Wednesday 19 June
Time: 8.40 am - 9.00 am
Venue: Heather Barr Chapel JIGSSA Winter Games (Year 6) Date: Thursday 20 June
Time: 8.30 am - 2.30 pm
Venue: Various location Parent / Teacher Interviews Date: Monday 1 July - Wednesday 3 July
Time: TBC
Venue: Junior School
Booking and Information: Click here
Year 10 Course selectionIt has been a very busy time with our Year 10 students and their families over the last week or so. Most families have taken up the offer to have a one-on-one interview with Ms Fleay - Head of Careers and Pathways, or Ms Garbenis - Head of IB Diploma, or in some cases, both. The process that is offered at PLC to assist both parents and students to make sound selections for their Senior School studies, is the most thorough and comprehensive that I have seen in my 30 years of teaching across a number of schools, systems and countries. The information that is made available from the initial information sessions, to
the first interviews, to this final one-on-one, is truly remarkable. I advise all our parents to take on board the breadth of information that is sent to the students and have honest and broad-ranging discussions with their girls. If they then combine this with the advice offered by subject teachers and the final interview, it will enable each girl to make informed and confident choices. Unwell studentsI read an article in The West Australian this morning that outlined the very high number of students who have been struck down by viruses, colds and the 'flu, that seems to be sweeping through our population this winter. At PLC, we have
certainly been aware of an increase in the number of students who are absent because of illness. It seems that this year is living up to the promise that was broadcast before the 'flu season began. As always, we are concerned for the welfare of all of our girls. To try to mitigate the spread of these illnesses, I would ask parents to be cautious in sending your daughter to school if she is unwell. When we have a number of girls in close confines in a classroom, the chance of the spread of these illnesses is compounded. Inter-House Athletics CarnivalOur Senior School Inter-House Athletics Carnival will be held at HBF stadium, on
Tuesday 19 June. This is an exciting day, with an early start for the whole school community. It is expected that ALL our girls will attend, even if they are not competing. There are numerous opportunities for the girls to act as helpers to staff on the day. Parents are invited to come along to spectate and support their daughters. Girls are expected to wear their sports uniform, with their house shirt, and the school tracksuit to ensure they stay warm across the day. They would be well advised to bring a spray jacket, just in case the weather is not kind to us. There is no access to the on-site shop at HBF, rather, girls are expected to bring their own food and drinks. Further information will be sent out to families prior to Tuesday. I look forward to seeing you all there.
- Jennifer Crisp, Head of Senior School
IGSSA (WA) - Changes to Senior School Match DaysIn response to a recent review and vote by the IGSSA (WA) Executive, the following changes will be made for IGSSA (WA) Senior School Match Days in 2020 and beyond. IGSSA (WA) Senior School Match Days will now move from Wednesday afternoons to Thursday afternoons. The many benefits of this new schedule are: - Enable the expansion of the Year 7/8 competition. Students will have further
access to available facilities and a greater capacity for additional student participation can be achieved.
- The change will also provide consistency with Match Days from Year 9 onwards. All Junior (Years 9 & 10) and Senior (Years 11 & 12) teams will now play their matches on a Thursday.
- Junior and Senior students now have the opportunity to coach and/or umpire Year 7 and 8 teams, thus providing further development potential.
IGSSA Match Days 2020 and beyondYears 7 & 8:
Wednesday afternoon
Years 9 & 10: Thursday afternoon
Years 11 & 12: Thursday afternoon For any queries, please contact: Head of Sport
Annette.pearce@plc.wa.edu.au or IGSSA WA Executive Officer
Louise Carson
0416 007 456
Louise@igssa.org.au
AMC Maths Competition 2019This competition is designed to test mathematical thinking rather than focus on calculations themselves, thus such questions are designed so that they can be answered just as quickly without a calculator, as with one. The problems get more difficult through the competition, so that at the end they are challenging to the most gifted students. This year, the competition will be completed online. Sitting Date: Thursday 1 August
Year Group: 7 to 12
Sitting Time: After school 3.45 pm – 5.15 pm
Closing Date to apply: Friday 28 June
Cost: $6.50Further information can be found here. If you would like your daughter to participate, please advise Ms Shelley Stewart by email no later than Friday 28 June. Costs will be added to the school fees. Late entries cannot be accepted.
Instrumental and Vocal Lessons - Term 3Congratulations to all students for their hard work and dedication to their music study throughout Term 2. Please note that any cancellations of instrumental or vocal lessons for Term 3 should be received by the Music Department via music@plc.wa.edu.au by Friday 28 June, otherwise students will automatically be timetabled for Term 3 and tuition fees applied. Ticketing for Concerts and ShowsAs with all productions held at the Hazel Day Drama Centre, there are certain guidelines we must adhere to. One of these is ensuring that theatre capacity regulations and requirements are complied with. We manage this through the ticketing system to ensure that safety requirements are met. All ticketed events require you to provide a copy of your ticket(s), either printed, or on your phone, to gain admittance to the performance. Those without a ticket(s) will not be admitted, so please ensure you have yours with you to avoid being disappointed. Congratulations to Performing Arts Showcase Participants and Junior School Musicians The Performing Arts Showcase was a delightful evening of Dance, Drama and Music from students in Years 7-10. The opportunity to perform acquired skills from the Performing Arts Curriculum for family and friends is invaluable to students. Congratulations go to teachers and musicians in the Junior School for a marvellous Junior School Winter Concert, held on Wednesday evening. The variety of performances and the quality of the music was outstanding.
- Ms Kathleen Plastow, Director of Performing Arts
Boarding House NewsOur Year 12 boarders before presenting at the Principal's Assembly! View their video here. Find out more in Boarding House News.
Career NewsFind out about upcoming University information sessions, intern opportunities and much more.
EXTEND NewsThis week is all about setting up a student-run Post Office! Activity Schedule- Monday: design your own biscuit parcel
- Tuesday: fabric mailbag making
- Wednesday: fancy stamp creations
- Thursday: biscuit baking fun and giveaway parcels
- Friday: mailbox inventions
Enrol and book into EXTEND After-School Care here.
Senior Vocal Recital Date: Wednesday 19 June
Time: 7.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Venue: Heather Barr Chapel Principal's Assembly Date: Friday 21 June
Time: 8.45 am
Location: Hugh Baird Sports Centre IGSSA Cross Country Carnival Date: Friday 21 June
Time: 1.00 pm - 5.00 pm
Venue: Alderbury Reserve, Perry Lakes Dance Showcase Date: Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June
Time: 7.00 pm
Tickets can be purchased from Monday 3 June. Click here.
PLC Parents MeetingsPLC Parents meetings take place every term and all parents and carers are invited to attend. The next meeting is on Friday 16 August at the PLC Lighthouse Community Room. Meetings will commence at 8.45 am, with morning tea to follow. Click here to see the minutes from the Term 2 May meeting.
Parent Events Coming UpYear 4 Parent DrinksDate: Friday 21 June
Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: The Cottesloe Hotel Front Bar
Year 6 Parent DrinksDate: Friday 28 June
Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
Book: Click here Year 12 Father/Daughter DanceDate: Thursday 22 August
Bookings close Friday 28 June.
|