No Images? Click here Dear Friend of PLC Wicked Problems‘Wicked problems’ are issues which are complex and dependent on many factors. It is hard to grasp what exactly the problem is, or how to tackle it. These problems are essentially a tangled mess of thread and it is difficult to know how to start unraveling. Examples of ‘wicked problems’ include increasing antibiotic resistance, food security and global warming. ‘Wicked problems’ is not new terminology. It first emerged in 1973 from a group of Berkeley professors. What has, however, become apparent over time, is that new technology research and development cannot solve these problems alone. What these problems require is the input from multiple academic disciplines and collaboration with the end-user to ensure that the solution is both practical and sustainable. Solving Problems Through Interdisciplinary Learning at PLCComing together to solve problems, whether they are wicked or not, is not new at PLC. Interdisciplinary learning is a key aspect of our curriculum delivery. It provides the opportunity for students to explore and understand that all knowledge is connected. There are many examples across the School where the girls explore this connection, from the PYP Units of Inquiry, through to the IB Diploma Extended Essay. One recent example has occurred in Year 8 Science and Humanities classrooms. Girls in Year 8 have been immersed in a cross-curricular STEM-focussed project, with the opportunity to address a real-world issue. This Under Pressure project was a GoSpaces design, where students explored sustainable cities, population growth, green spaces and energy efficient housing, eventually creating a sustainable housing designs through a virtual reality platform. Projects such as this are only possible through the curriculum leadership of our Heads of Department and the support provided by our integration specialists. The ongoing commitment and leadership provided by the Head of Science, Lesley Kaye and Head of Humanities, Geetha Nair continues to ensure that our girls understand the power of collaboration and the critical role that it plays in solving the big problems. Kelly Curran, one of our ILT Integration Specialists, played a big role in supporting the Science and Humanities departments during this project. Yong Zhao et. al. have argued that deciding what happens in education assessment is also a wicked problem. They suggest that it is crucial to continue the development of what should be measured in education and ultimately how we should measure it. Head of English, Narelle Lange and Head of Mathematics, Greg Jones expend a great deal of time and energy pondering the measurement of student learning. Throughout the year, both these school leaders have not only formalised the support which is offered within their disciplines, but have continued to lead the way in how we process and analyse student data at PLC. In English, this has included the development of an additional year-long support programme for our Year 12 English students, where the girls can access additional ‘in timetable’ support sessions each fortnight and an optional holiday study school. These systems and processes ensure that the literacy and numeracy programmes offered at PLC are responsive, progressive and focused. Farewell and Thank YouThis is not only my last article for 2019 but also my last article at PLC. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to be part of the PLC community. I feel very privileged to have had this opportunity, not only as an educator, but also as a Dad. I hope that each of you manage to have a wonderful festive season. - Dr Andrew Cousins, Deputy 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. Home At LastChristmas is the story of God coming into the world – unexpected, without fanfare, grandeur or majesty. Jesus was born humbly in a stable. This makes a wonderful statement: God loves the world, loves each and every person enough to become vulnerable, to become like us. Choosing to be with us, born like us, live in this world like us, dream and hope, laugh and love like us, and even die like us. In Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, we are safe and secure, we have a sense of being home. It tells of a light shining in whatever darkness might surround us this Christmas season. It tells of hope and a future. The story tells of a humble birth and a newborn infant who grows into being fully human. We realise we are loved by God, and we are safe and secure, alive and challenged to live as fully as we can, as we are home at last. - Manie Strydom, Chaplain International Volunteer DayInternational Volunteer Day (IVD), mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December to acknowledge and thank volunteers that contribute to the development of communities. The 2019 theme #IVD2019 "Volunteer for an inclusive future", highlights Sustainable Development Goal 10 and the pursuit of equality – including inclusion – through volunteerism. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the volunteers within our community who contribute to the life of PLC and the wider community. Volunteer roles across the School community vary widely, but include parents sitting on the School Board, parents who accompany students on excursions and camps, parent representatives for Year groups, parents who share their expertise and skills in the classroom and at events, family service co-ordinators and families who spend time, skills and energy providing services to others outside of PLC. Thank you! Book Donation and Bake Sale for Bali School – Year 9 Innovation ProjectJust over a year ago, a devasting earthquake struck the small community of Gili Meno, an island off the coast of Bali and directly next to the island of Lombok. A group of Year 9 students have decided to start change in this community, specifically geared towards children’s educational needs. Their team, Suara, hope to give children a voice through quality education, no matter their socio-economic background. As part of their innovation project, the students are holding a bake sale on the Quad at lunchtime on Tuesday 10 December and will also be collecting donations of pre-loved picture books or low-level English books to donate to the new library in Gili Meno, Bali. Further information on the lunchtime event can be found on their poster, or for information on their project, click here. Stationery Collection – End of Year – Year 9 Innovation ProjectAnother group of Year 9s are looking for donations of school supplies in good condition to send to children in South Africa through Living Hope. Donation stations are located at View Street, McNeil Street and Junior School Receptions until Thursday 12 December. - Linda Malone, Head of Service and Partnerships Junior School End of Year AssemblyWe are looking forward to the End of Year Assembly on Monday evening. Our Years 1 to 6 students will be performing on the night, along with special videos from our Early Years classes and video highlights of 2019. With the presentation of Prizes, the awarding of the inaugural House Cup and announcement of our 2020 Year 6 student leaders – this assembly will have it all. I hope to see our entire community there. The SRC will open from 5.30 pm and we request that all guests are seated by 5.50 pm. The Assembly will commence at 6.00 pm. The Junior School Concert Band will be providing musical accompaniment as our guests arrive. This year we have introduced Prizes from Year 3 and Merit Awards for each Year group from Years 3 to 6. Merit Award are presented to students who have given the best of themselves across all aspects of school life. This may include outstanding reflection of the values of the school, endeavour and resilience toward her learning or excellence across the curriculum. Three Merit Awards per class, in the Year group, will be presented. The Endeavour Prize will no longer be presented as these traits may be acknowledged in the Merit Awards. A reminder that if you require after-school care for the early finish on the last day of school, please ensure that your child is registered with our provider, Extend. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Junior School End of Year AssemblyDate: Monday 9 December Chapel - Years 2 to 6Date: Wednesday 11 December End of Term 4 – early finishDate: Thursday 12 December
Junior State ChampionshipsOne of our Science Teachers, Mrs Justine Spencer has had the pleasure of managing a girls Open Touch Football team for the Junior State Championships last weekend! There were four PLC girls involved: The girls lost the final, but played with huge heart and great sportsmanship. Congratulations! Academic Award AssembliesA huge congratultions to all the Year 8 students who recieved an Academic Award this morning. Your hard work and dedication is evident. Year 7 Academic Award AssemblyDate: Friday 6 December Year 9 Academic Award AssemblyDate: Monday 9 December Year 7 and Year 9 parents are welcome to join us at 8.30 am in the Hazel Day Drama Centre. Final Day of SchoolThe final informal assembly will be held on the last day of school - Thursday 12 December at 12.30 pm. Following this assembly, the girls will have their Kookaburra Magazines distributed. Students will be able to leave for the day immediately after this. School buses have been rescheduled to 1.00 pm to accommodate the earlier finish time. We will then look forward to your attendance at the final event of the year – Speech Night! Jenny Crisp, Head of Senior School 2020 BooklistsThe Years 1 to 10 PLC booklists for 2020 have been published on home.plc.wa.edu.au. You might notice that PLC have changed provider to Campion Education. Year 11 and Year 12 lists will be moved to Campion at the end of the 2020 academic year. The online process for making purchases remains much the same. Full instructions are on each resource list. Please remember to use your daughter’s email address in the format studentnumber@student.plc.wa.edu.au especially when making eBook purchases. This protects her identity and is also a requirement to populate the Campion eBook Library MyConnect. Sales enquiries can be directed to: Music NewsInstrumental and Vocal Music Lessons 2020All instrumental and vocal music lessons concluded last Friday. 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 tomorrow, 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 tomorrow, Friday 6 December. Sport NewsJunior School Holiday Swim ProgrammeA Holiday Swim Squad programme for students in Years 3 - 6, is being held by Ryan Steenkamp, PLC/Scotch Head of Swimming. This would be a great opportunity for students to further develop their swimming ability over the holidays in a swim squad environment. This is not a learn-to-swim programme and students must be able to swim 50m lengths. Sessions will be held on Monday 6 and 13 January, 8.30 am - 9.15 am; Wednesday 8 and 15 January, 8.30 am - 9.15 am and Friday 10 and 17 January 8.15 am - 9.00 am. If you would like further information regarding the programme, please email Ryan Steenkamp - ryan.steenkamp@plc.wa.edu.au. Senior School Holiday Swim ProgrammeStudents in Years 7 - 12 2020, are invited to attend the combined PLC/Scotch Holiday Swim Programme being held in the Scotch College pool (76 Shenton Road, Swanbourne). Ryan Steenkamp, PLC/Scotch Head of Swimming will be in attendance at these sessions. Please check the swim schedule for training days and times as Year groups have been split to allow appropriate space in pool lanes. We encourage students to attend a minimum of two sessions per week in preparation for Term 1 Inter-House and IGSSA Swim Carnivals. A training camp has been scheduled, with a session on Thursday 23 January being held at North Cottesloe Beach at 7.00 am - 9.00 am. For those that would like to attend the North Cottesloe session, please register here. For any questions regarding Swimming at PLC, please contact Ryan Steenkamp - ryan.steenkamp@plc.wa.edu.au.
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 Year 8 End of Year Family PicnicDate: Sunday 8 December Boarding Families - if your girls would like to join us, please contact kristi.barden@hotmail.com or louisecash0@gmail.com 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 |