Links - Term 1, Week 5 2020 Dear Friend of PLC A Message From Principal, Cate BegbieParents' Influence Over Children’s LearningIn 2015, Kate Perkins (Senior Research Fellow in ACER’s Educational Policy and Practice research programme at the time) wrote that “Research clearly demonstrates the significant influence of parents over their children’s engagement with learning, and over their children’s educational achievements”. Kate Perkins goes on to write that meta-analysis of relevant research have identified clear, measurable benefits for children when their parents are actively engaged in their learning. “These studies demonstrate that children are more likely to develop positive self-esteem, be motivated to learn, be positive about school and achieve good grades. Adolescents are less likely to have discipline issues, get involved in substance abuse or drop out of school. Young people are more likely to maintain high aspirations and plan to go on to further education and build a career.” Keeping Families EngagedIn our efforts to personalise student learning, schools continue to explore ways to support parents in their engagement with their children’s learning, and to support parents and teachers to work collaboratively, rather than in parallel or at cross purposes. As the research demonstrates, the benefits – for all – can be significant. At PLC, one process to promote parent engagement and to keep families informed of their daughter’s progress is Parent Teacher Interviews. One of the many things I value within our community at PLC, is the active interest parents show in their daughter’s education and I do hope that parents have found the Parent Interviews, in both the Junior and Senior Schools, this week of value. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn more about your daughter’s progress at school and make plans with teachers about how we can work together to support your daughter’s learning at school. I would like to thank all parents and family members who were able to attend the interviews, as well as our staff for the time and effort that went into preparing for these interviews. Wishing You a Relaxing WeekendAfter a busy start to the new school year, I have no doubt that all members of the community are looking forward to the mid-term break this weekend. I wish everyone a relaxing and restful weekend ahead. - Cate Begbie, Principal International Women's Day BreakfastDate: Monday 9 March Make A Difference Week Movie Bushfire FundraiserDate: Wednesday 11 March Farm2Fork | A Community Food EventDate: Saturday 14 March End of Term (Junior and Senior School)Date: Thursday 9 April New Starts and New LifeThis week, churches and schools throughout the world celebrated Ash Wednesday. At PLC, we focussed on new starts and new life. The cross that was drawn on the forehead or back of the hand of some students and staff reminds us of our capacity to make a fresh start. The devastating bush fires are a stark reminder of the destructive impact on the environment, with animals and vegetation destroyed. Fortunately, there is more to this story, as shortly after life-giving rain fell on the scorched earth, the first sprouts of life started to appear. There is still life after one of the darkest hours for our environment in Australia. In the same way, humans are resilient and able to overcome huge challenges. People of faith might credit the Divine for guiding them through difficult times, but everyone has the ability to start afresh with family, friends and to recover after sickness, injury and emotional or financial difficulty. May Ash Wednesday remind us that it is never too late. - Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain The Smith Family Student2Student Information SessionDate: Monday 17 March The Smith Family Student2Student Buddy Programme supports young people with their literacy. PLC students in Years 7 -10 are matched with young people around WA, helping them read a variety of books, with the aim of improving their literacy. Overall, a commitment of 20 minutes, three times a week, is required for 18 weeks, beginning in May or June. The programme is conducted over the phone or via digital media. The application form and position description can be found here. If you are unable to make the information session, but are still interested, please contact linda.malone@plc.wa.edu.au. World’s Greatest ShaveSenior School studentsDate: Monday 30 March Since 2016, PLC, together with Scotch College, have raised over $264,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation and donated hair to make wigs and other environmentally sustainable solutions. If your daughter is interested in participating in the event, please return this signed permission form and register to join the PLC Team online here. Junior School studentsDate: Monday 30 March If you are unable to cut your hair or have it shaved, you can support your friends by sponsoring a friend on the PLC fundraising page. For more information, please contact Linda Malone - linda.malone@plc.wa.edu.au. Bushfire Movie FundraiserRaising funds for Farmers Across Boarders - Hay from WA, PLC will hold a movie night on Wednesday 11 March. Come along and watch the gripping documentary, 2040. Award-winning director, Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film), embarks on a journey to explore what the future could look like by the year 2040 if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet and shifted them rapidly into the mainstream. Date: Wednesday 11 March Year 10 Family ServiceRonald McDonald House helps families living in Perth who are supporting loved ones affected by illness. Often the families are far from home and having a breakfast prepared for them is a wonderful kind act. Year 10 Family Service is offered twice per term to cook for up to 50 families staying at Ronald McDonald House. - Linda Malone, Head of Service and Community Partnerships A Great Term So FarThank you for your support and participation so far this year! It is unbelievable that we are at the end of Week 5 already. It was wonderful to see the community at the Parent/Teacher Interviews on Monday. I hope parents and guardians found the trial of the new format of the interviews successful. Parent ForumsAlong with changes to the format of our Support Your Daughter Evenings and Parent Teacher Interviews, there are some exciting developments happening in the Junior School, in particular the OCA-funded STEM Room. I would like to provide parents with an opportunity to hear about the plans for the STEM Room and also to talk about feedback about the SYDE changes along with other issues pertinent to your daughter’s Year group. This will begin with a Year 6 Parent Forum on Tuesday 17 March from 5.00 pm – 6.00 pm in classroom 6P. It is always hard to find a time that is convenient to everyone, however, I do hope Year 6 parents can make it on this occasion. World’s Greatest ShaveWe invite Junior School students and staff to braid their hair to raise funds for the Leukemia Foundation. Ongoing participation in this event was inspired by one of our former students, Kate Sinclair, who graduated in 2016 whilst facing her own Leukemia challenge. The Junior School event is being held on Monday 30 March from 1.00 pm – 1.30 pm in the SRC. Colour My WorldColour My World Art classes in the Lighthouse commence on Monday 9 March. To register your daughter, please complete this enrolment form and return it to the Lighthouse or Junior School receptions by Thursday 5 March . - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Playgroup@PLCPlease note there is no Playgroup session tomorrow, Friday 28 February, due to the Boarders’ Weekend. Playgroup@PLC sessions are open for parents attending with their 0-4 year old children on Friday mornings during school terms. Details of the session are below. New members are asked to register by email to Playgroup Liaison, Sally Howard, at playgroup@plc.wa.edu.au. Session Days: Fridays (during school terms only) The School wishes to acknowledge this is a parent-led initiative supported by PLC Parents. Sessions will be facilitated by dedicated volunteers and supported by Playgroup WA. JUNIOR SCHOOL KEY DATESMid-Term BreakFriday 28 February - Monday 2 March Chapel Years 2 to 6Date: Wednesday 4 March Junior School Assembly (hosted by Year 6)Date: Friday 6 March International Womens Day BreakfastDate: Monday 9 March Year 6 Parent ForumDate: Tuesday 17 March JIGSSA Swimming Carnivals – Years 4 to 6Date: Thursday 19 March Junior School Assembly (hosted by Year 4)Date: Friday 20 March Have a Wonderful Long WeekendWith the long weekend fast approaching, I wanted to wish all our families well for the mid-term break. We have had a big start to Term 1 in the Senior School and I hope that our new students are all settling in well. This week saw the Senior School students enjoy a range of fun and engaging activities, including the Ash Wednesday Service and Parent Teacher Student Evenings. Our IGSSA Swimming Team have been training hard for the upcoming big event. Good luck, girls! I hope our students are able to have a good rest this weekend and come back to school next week feeling refreshed. For our more senior students, there may be the need to revise schoolwork and get on top of academics, however, I hope all our students take this weekend to recharge. - Head of Senior School, Rebecca Watts SENIOR SCHOOL KEY DATESMid-Term BreakDate: Friday 28 February - Monday 2 March Year 11 Dinner DanceDate: Friday 6 March Proms Quarry ConcertDate: Sunday 8 March International Womens Day BreakfastDate: Monday 9 March Student AchievmentsNCA All-Star National ChampionshipNatalie Davis (Year 7) and her Cheerleading team,TNT All Stars, are currently in the United States, representing Australia at the NCA All-Star National Championships! WA Athletics State Championships
These girls have qualified for the Australian Athletics Championships to be held in Sydney in March. Somerset National Novella Writing CompetitionHelen Lovegrove (Year 11) is a Shortlisted Winner of the 2020 Somerset National Novella Writing Competition, with two entries making the shortlist: The Town-Savers and Full Moon Figs. State Debating SquadTahlia Hanikeri (Year 12) has been selected for the State Debating Squad for the third time! Gymnastics WAGeorgia Chin (Year 12) was recently awarded the Senior International Rhythmic Athlete of the Year at the Gymnastics WA Annual Awards Night. Music NewsPipe Band Camp was held last weekend, with both, Senior Pipe Band and Pipe Band Two in attendance. The girls had a great weekend and were visited by two guest tutors – Tenor Drummer from Perth Metro Pipe Band and W.A Police Pipe Band, Julia Christensen and Bagpiper, Robyn McKay, who has recently arrived from Scotland. Robyn has been playing for one of the world champion grade 1 bands and holds a degree in Bagpiping. PLC Foundation Scholarships Now OpenThe PLC Foundation offers a scholarship each year to a student who would otherwise be unable to attend PLC due to their family’s financial circumstances. The PLC Foundation Scholarship is offered to students commencing in Year 7 and provides full tuition until graduation in Year 12. Application closing date: Monday 27 July 2020 For further information, please contact Suzanne Pelczar, Executive Officer, PLC Foundation - Suzanne.Pelczar@plc.wa.edu.au. Parent Events Coming UpYear 6 Parents Sunset SoireeDate: Friday 20 March Year 5 Parents DrinksDate: Friday 3 April Year 7 Parent DrinksDate: Friday 3 April PLC PartnersThis term we are very pleased to launch PLC Partners – a directory promoting businesses owned and operated by PLC Parents. It is another way our PLC community can support each other. PLC Partners is accessible via the PLC App, which can be downloaded on both Apple and Android devices. When you download the App you will be asked for your username and password. This is the same username and password you use to access SEQTA, the Gallery or other password protected sites on home.plc.wa.edu.au If you have forgotten your username or password please click here to reset it.
Add Your BusinessFamilies who would like their businesses added to PLC Partners, please provide the details by filling out this online form. Old School Shirts WantedA PLC parent is collecting any old school shirts to be sent to a developing country where they can use them for uniforms. Shirts can be dropped off at the PLC Uniform Shop or the Boarding House. |