No Images? Click here Dear Friend of PLC It's All About STEM This WeekIt never ceases to amaze me how much fits into a school day, a school week and a school year. As we come to the end of our 2019 school year, I have enjoyed the opportunity to share in so many varied experiences throughout the semester. STEM WeekThis week, the Senior School have been celebrating STEM Week. During the week, there have been a number of opportunities for students to engage in STEM challenges, including the use of virtual reality goggles to design sustainable houses and provide global solutions for communities in Nepal. The challenges have inspired students to be innovative, whilst promoting creative ways of thinking and learning. Yesterday's Faraday Challenge presented a unique opportunity for our Year 9 girls to collaboratively work in teams to design and construct a rocket to transport supplies, via Earth’s orbit, to astronauts on Mars. They were also required to build a system to transport the rocket to the launch site. Throughout the Challenge, the girls had to use their design skills to develop prototypes to withstand manufacturing quality testing. Students were also evaluated for their use of innovation and creativity when constructing their prototype rocket. Five winning groups presented their findings from the day to a panel of judges, including Old Collegian, Emily Quinn (2005), who, after leaving PLC, went on to study Mechanical Engineering. Governer's STEM AwardsYou may have seen that PLC was named a finalist in the Senior School Division of the Governor’s STEM Awards, which were presented by Governor Kim Beazley earlier this week. While I had the privilege of going to accept the award, it was the efforts of our hard-working staff that led us to receiving the award. I would like to thank Mrs. Anna Hu, Mr. Doug De Kock, Mr. Chris Scholten, Ms. Lesley Kaye, Mr. Greg Jones, Mrs. Christine Koopman and Mrs. Kelly Curran for their efforts in inspiring our girls to explore their interests in this field. STEM in the Junior SchoolI would also like to acknowledge the work that the Junior School staff do in incorporating STEM into their Units of Inquiry and promoting the design thinking process. It has been really exciting this year, as the Junior School students have had the opportunity to engage with Senior School Science teachers and have some of their Science classes in the Senior School. This project has assisted in supporting the great work that is being done in the Junior School. Jobs in STEMAt a time when STEM jobs are growing faster than any others, it is critical that we provide students with as many opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and understandings in this field. While women make up nearly 50% of the workforce in non-STEM occupations, they represent just under 40% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related jobs. As I have no doubt all parents do, I appreciate the efforts of staff in providing opportunities for our girls to experience and explore STEM-related activities and it was wonderful to see their hard work formally recognised this week. - Cate Begbie, Principal Junior School End of Year AssemblyDate: Monday 9 December Senior School Speech NightDate: Thursday 12 December Peppermint Grove Carols by CandlelightDate: Sunday 15 December Please note that all parent events are listed in the Communications & Engagement section of Links. The Smith Family Student2Student Reading ProgrammePLC has a strong involvement with The Smith Family Student2 Student Programme. This year, 31 PLC students completed the programme and supported young people who needed help with their reading and comprehension. Over the 18 weeks that PLC students supported their readers via phone or online contact, the readers improved, on average, 14 months as indicated by pre and post testing. Congratulations to all the girls involved! You have made a real difference to the lives of young people in WA. We will be offering this opportunity again in 2020 for any students who would like to be involved. Ethical Fashion – Clothing SwapSenior School students are invited to an Ethical Fashion Swap on Tuesday 3 December at lunchtime. Any clothes in good condition that you no longer wish to wear, but are happy to swap for something else, should be brought to the donation box on the Quad, prior to next Tuesday. Students should record their names, and the number of articles donated, on the list provided next to the box. This initiative is led by Madeleine Grist – Civics & Social Justice Captain and Claudia Tedjasaputra – Environmental Captain. - Linda Malone, Head of Service and Partnerships Pre-Primary Nativity PlayThis week, the Pre-Primary students performed a fantastic Nativity play, bringing a feeling of Christmas to the School! I would like to congratulate the Pre-Primary students on their hard work in preparing for the performance, as well as staff members, Mrs Hayes, Ms Firkins, Mrs Lucioli, Mr Castiglione, Mrs Coughlan, Ms Hodson and Ms Phillips. Year 4 Outdoor Education ProgrammeYesterday, the Year 4 students embarked on their first off-site Outdoor Education Programme. Students enjoyed two days of fun activities and a night at Lake Leschenaultia. Thank you to our very organised Outdoor Education team who make every programme a memorable experience for the girls. Year 6 Final AssemblyTomorrow's Year 6 Final Assembly will mark a significant milestone for our Year 6 students! Join us from 1.45 pm in the SRC to celebrate the girls as they get ready to transition from Junior School to Senior School. My thanks to the Year 6 staff - Mrs Creswell, Mr Castiglione, Mr Graziotti and Mrs Raths for the work they have invested in preparation of the Assembly. Kidpreneur MarketKidpreneur is one of our many Junior School co-curricular programmes providing a real-life application of curriculum learning in business, economics and mathematics. Run every Thursday after school, Kidpreneur teaches students how to successfully open and run their very own small business! From personalised pet bowls and bandannas, to decorated bags and tie dye shirts - students are challenged to create, market and sell their unique products. The Kidpreneur Market, held Thursday, 5 December, will present the girls with an opportunity to sell their products to staff and students. Students are encouraged to bring money with them on this day if they wish to purchase items from the market. Find the prices of various products below:
- Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Year 6 Final AssemblyDate: Friday 29 November Suzuki Strings Christmas ConcertDate: Monday 2 December Chapel - Years 2 to 6Date: Wednesday 4 December Junior School WINGS ConcertDate: Thursday 5 December Kidpreneur MarketDate: Thursday 5 December Junior School End of Year AssemblyDate: Monday 9 December End of Term 4 – early finishDate: Thursday 12 December
Years 7, 8 & 9 Assemblies Coming UpWe would like to invite parents to the presentation of the Academic Awards, Subject Excellence Awards and the Effort Award assemblies. Please see dates below.
Year 12 Common RoomYesterday, the OCA Committee warmly welcomed the new Year 12s to the Old Collegians' Association Year 12 Common Room, with a delicious home-baked morning tea. There has been a buzz of excitement permeating the reception area from the girls enjoying their access to this space. Jenny Crisp, Head of Senior School Music NewsInstrumental and Vocal Music Lessons 2020All instrumental and vocal music lessons will conclude tomorrow, Friday 29 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 2020 do not need to re-enrol. Current enrolments will automatically roll over to next year. Parents are asked to notify the Music Department at music@plc.wa.edu.au by Friday 6 December if they do not wish to continue lessons in 2020, or need to change their current enrolment details. New enrolment applications for 2020 are welcome by completing a 2020 music enrolment form and sending it to the Music Department by Friday 6 December.
The Performing Arts ShowcaseDate: Tonight - Thursday 28 November Principal's AssemblyDate: Friday 29 November Up-cycle Clothing Swap & Ethical Fashion ShowDate: Tuesday 3 December and Wednesday 4 December Parent Daughter Abseiling and Caving WeekendDate: Saturday 7 December Music BreakfastDate: Tuesday 10 December Last Day of SchoolDate: Thursday 12 December Senior School Speech NightDate: Thursday 12 December Farm2Fork 2020Farm2Fork will be taking place next year on Saturday 14 March, and planning is well underway. Should any parents, or wider PLC community members wish to participate as a donor, volunteer or cook/chef, please contact Michelle Barrett via the details below. Michelle Barrett, Chair - PLC Parents |