No Images? Click here Dear Friend of PLC What a wonderful way to end the week. Arts Day this year did not disappoint with its colourful mix of fun and festivity, where we see the fusion of creative arts, dance, drama and music. I think that the House Choirs are always such a highlight of the day. As the PLC community came together in healthy competition it highlighted the power of music to enrich our lives. Not only does it draw whole communities together and enhance our cognitive development but it also provides a means of communication. Music has the capacity to calm us when we are stressed and build us up when we need a boost. Whether singing, composing, playing, creating or responding - music can be very impactful. It is very pleasing to see the girls participate in the musical elements of Arts Day and show off the results of their hard work individually and in House teams over recent weeks. As a musician, I understand the practice and dedication required to achieve this feeling of accomplishment and, as a parent, the source of conflict this daily music practise can provide. The pleasure can quickly turn into nagging as an electronic device is more frequently sighted in hand during the week than the instrument. In a recent article 'How to stop nagging your child to practise their musical instrument' by Professor Timothy McKenry drew together some practical tips from multiple studies conducted by musicians, teachers and educational psychologists. 1. Start young and keep it fun. We are so blessed at PLC to have such a vibrant music programme driven by a team of passionate musicians. Days such as Arts Day provide the opportunity to showcase the amazing things which are going on in lounge rooms every day. I hope that you manage over the weekend to come together as a family to enjoy music and we look forward to doing it all again after the mid-term break with Junior School Arts Week. A big congratulations to McNeil House, who won the overall Arts Day trophy today! Click here for the overall Arts Day results. - Dr Andrew Cousins, Deputy Principal Friday 17 - Monday 20 AugustMid-term Break Saturday 25 AugustFarm2Fork, click here to book Thursday 30 AugustElizabeth Quay Regattas School Alumni Sundowner, 6.30 pm Friday 31 AugustFather’s Day Breakfast, click here to book Wednesday 12 SeptemberParents@PLC Country Day Trip to New Norcia, click here to book Friday 14 September - Monday 17 SeptemberCreative Arts and Technology Exhibition - Collective Ground 'Creativity is why I get up in the morning', save the date Friday 26 October Open Garden Day, save the date Meet the Producers - Farm2ForkGet a sneak peak into the producers appearing at Farm2Fork on Saturday 25 August. Linton and Kerry Batt: Black Label Berkshire PorkBerkshire pigs are the true celebrities of the pork industry. Known as the wagyu of pork, the produce from Black Label Berkshire Pork, located in Beverly, is 100% WA, including the grain the animals consume. Linton and Kerry Batt "We are very proud of our herd pedigree which includes bloodlines from world famous pigs. These bloodlines have consistently won champion ribbons at Royal Shows around Australia and even England, including Supreme Exhibit at the 2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show and 2014 Royal Adelaide Show". The Berkshire pigs are grown on straw in large open sheds and are not fed hormones or prophylactic antibiotics at any stage of production. The pigs are processed in small batches at the family-owned abattoir an hour away to minimise stress and maximise meat quality. "We pride ourselves on being able to control and monitor all stages of production from ‘Paddock to Plate' which guarantees our customers a consistently delicious, premium pork product". Black Label Berkshire Pork is one of the gourmet offerings available at the Farm2Fork this year, including quince glazed pork ribs and spiced pork belly with bone broth, apple & kohlrabi and kimchi. Hungry yet? Farm2Fork is on Saturday 25 August, commencing at 5.30 pm and includes a degustation of over 20 gourmet dishes showcasing WA produce. ‘Listening is the highest form of love’ At chapel on Monday, 16 Year 9 students were acknowledged for completing the first Peer Skills Workshop at PLC. Peer Skills is based on research that suggests that while many young people share their problems with their parents, they often first turn to their peers and friends. As research suggests, young people can successfully help each other. This workshop aimed to provide students with the confidence and skills they need to respond as best they can when a friend turns to them with a concern and/or problem. In order to respond to a confidence, a significant part of the workshop dealt with listening and listening skills, possibly some of the most difficult skills to learn. May we possess that gift of spirit, the gentle art of listening: both to our own inner voice and to the voice of the person beside us. To hear what the other person is saying is a work of love, of acceptance, of wisdom. God of deep quiet, (With thanks to Peter Millar, Scottish theologian and author) Environmental Fashion SwapStudents in Years 7 to 12 are encouraged to bring in their pre-loved clothing to take part in the Environmental Fashion Swap, led by the Environmental Committee, Environmental Captain Sacha Winter and Year 9 student, Eliza Zagar. Collections will be exchanged for a token at recess on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Wednesday 5 September. The fashion swap will take place at lunch time on Thursday 6 September. Click here to view the poster. Themed Dress Day – Thursday 23 AugustThe Term 3 Free Dress Day will be held on Thursday 23 August with the theme “Strong Women in Literature”. The optional fundraiser supports our two World Vision sponsored children and the many projects organised by UnitingCare West to support those most vulnerable in our community. Students who opted in to participate, donated $10 in Term 1 for the privilege of wearing themed dress across three free dress days this year. Coinciding with Book Week, students who opted in, may dress as their favourite strong female character. Click here to view the poster. Unite for HomelessAt lunch time on Tuesday 21 August, Year 8 PRS students will lead an initiative to develop teamwork and raise awareness for people living without shelter in our community. Funds raised will be used to purchase starter pack items to fill 100 orange UnitingCare West bags that will be distributed to support transition of people who are homeless back into work and stability. Click here for further information. - Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing Junior School Arts WeekThe Junior School is abuzz with preparations for Arts Week, which commences on Tuesday with our Book Day parade in the SRC at 8.40 am. The theme for Book Week this year is “Find Your Treasure” and students are invited to come to school dressed in costume. Please take the time to read the Junior School Arts Week Overview attached here to ensure you are aware of the opportunities for parent attendance. Grandparents and Special FriendsOn Wednesday, we welcome grandparents and special friends to join us for a morning of engaging arts and wellbeing activities. Arts DayArts Day will take place on Friday 24 August and students will be involved in a variety of music, dance, drama and visual arts activities across the day. Parents and friends are welcome to join us over the course of the day for student performances and to view the Art displays. Please click here to see the schedule. The Great Book SwapDuring Arts Week, a stall will be established in the Junior School Library and students and parents are invited to come along and purchase a book in support of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation’s Great Book Swap. We are still seeking donations of good quality second hand children’s books for the sale. Please drop donations to the Junior School Library or Reception. Camp AustraliaThank you to those parents who expressed an interest in accessing Camp Australia during the mid-term break. Unfortunately, we were not able to reach the minimum of number to operate a programme. Walk for Water Challenge - Friday 31 AugustDid you know 6 km is the average distance people in developing countries have to walk to access water? PLC and Scotch College Junior School students aim to take on the challenge and walk 6 km that symbolises the daily process of accessing water. Please read and return the information letter attached here and indicate transportation pick up details on the permission slip. Basketball TrialsYears 3 - 6 basketball trials commence next week:
If you require further information please click here or email sports@plc.wa.edu.au. Year 6 SwimmingStudents in Year 6 are invited to attend swim training sessions on Tuesday afternoons, 3.45 pm - 5.00 pm with the Years 7 to 12 students. The training is designed to help students transition to Senior School swimming, in preparation for 2019 Swim Carnivals. This is not a learn-to-swim programme and students should be able to swim 50 metres continuously, with a view to completing an overall distance of 1 km to 1.5 kms during the session. For further information, please email sports@plc.wa.edu.au. Start date: Tuesday 7 August We hope that you and your family have a relaxing mid-term break this weekend. - Louise Peyton, Head of Junior School JUNIOR SCHOOL KEY EVENTSMid-Term BreakDate: 17 – 20 August Junior School Arts WeekBook Day Celebrations: Tuesday 21 August 2019 Student LeadersThe announcement of our Student Council for 2019 this week was the culmination of a big lead in to the process, with CVs and cover letters, Speakers’ Corner for some and interviews for all applicants. I want to commend all girls who applied for positions – all those who applied but didn’t receive reward for their efforts as well as those girls who were ultimately successful. We have an exciting year ahead with a team of fabulous new leaders and from the authenticity of the cheering when the positions were announced, the new leaders undoubtedly have the backing of their peers. Click here to see who the 2019 student leaders are. It takes bravery to put yourself forward, it takes bravery to bounce back when things don’t turn out the way you plan, bravery to cheer for your successful friend even though you really wanted that position, bravery to take on a position of leadership, too. Right now, some of the girls might be feeling, in Winnie the Pooh’s words, “not very okay at all”! Piglet has some valuable words of wisdom in this regard. In fact, when Pooh comments that he is surprised to know that Piglet has days when he doesn’t feel great, Piglet tells Pooh that even though some people are better than others at hiding their feelings, like disappointment, it is okay to feel “not Very Okay At All.” He says “It can be quite normal, in fact. And all you need to do, on those days when you feel Not Very Okay At All, is come and find me, and tell me. Don't ever feel like you have to hide the fact you're feeling Not Very Okay At All. Always come and tell me. Because I will always be there." For those girls who might “Not Feel Very Okay At All” after the intensity of the lead in to the leadership process, who may have tasted disappointment, be reassured that feeling ‘not very okay at all’ is normal. Equally, remember that there are many of us who have experienced that bitter pill before too and know just how you feel. Look out for each other and know that there is help at hand. To quote Christopher Robin, you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think, which you proved by putting your hands up and putting yourselves forward! Peer Skills WorkshopFurther to what Rev Gary discussed in this edition of Links, research has shown that when young people experience difficulties, their first ‘go to’ is their friends. However, often their friends are not quite sure what to do to help. Last term, a group of Year 9 girls undertook a full day’s training in a programme designed to give them the skills they need to support their peers with challenges. This is part of our Everest Leadership Programme and this week the girls were officially inducted as Peer Supporters. I extend my congratulations and thanks to the following girls: Jasmine Barrett Harriet Gilmour - Sharon Anderson, Head of Senior School Student AchievementsSienna Hanikeri (Year 8) won a gold medal in the WA Little Athletics Cross Country State Championships under 13 girls on the weekend. Lucy Jarrett (Year 11) has been chosen to participate in the National Youth Science Year 12 Programme in January 2019. Congratulations, girls! Year 10 girls, Nisha Whittome, Tahlia Hanikeri, Stella Vanderzanden, Laura Bailey, Eva Coulson and Isabelle Hamer are travelling to Melbourne today to compete in the Global Round of the World Scholar’s Cup. Good luck, girls! Career NewsFor upcoming open days and information sessions, download Career News below. Boarding House NewsIt was a big weekend in the Boarding House! The Year 11 Dance and a Year 10 Boarding House Social was a great success. Download Boarding House News below. SENIOR SCHOOL KEY EVENTSCreative Arts and Technology ExhibitionDate: Friday 14 September to Monday 17 September Year 7 Scotch/PLC Quiz NightDate: Tuesday 16 October Upcoming Parent EventsYear 3 Wine and Cheese NightDate: Friday 24 August Year 10 Parent Drinks and Coffee MorningDrinksDate: Friday 10 August Year 5 Parents Tapas EveningDate: Friday 31 August Parents@PLC Country DayTrip to New NorciaParents@PLC invites all PLC Parents! Date: Wednesday 12 September
|