Links eNewsletter - Term 2 Week 5 Dear valued member of the PLC community, A Message From the DeputyThe Smartphone GenerationSince first launching the iPhone in June 2007, Apple has sold more than 1.3 billion iPhones worldwide and its exponential sales represent the fastest adoption of any new technology in all of human history. Dr Jean Twenge recently delivered a presentation on iGen (the smartphone generation) and presented the most recent research on generational trends and digital media usage. Strikingly, while the generation born between 1995 and 2012 is engaging in far fewer 'adult activities' (like drinking alcohol) than previous generations, they are spending an average of 6 hours a day texting and on social media. This screen time is particularly associated with a lack of sleep; according to the data, between 1991 and 2019, the percentage of high school students getting less than 7 hours of sleep doubled going from 25% to 50%. Phones keep both your brain and your body active when you’re trying to sleep; messages and updates cause psychological stimulation while the blue light of the screen suppresses melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep). This lack of sleep is directly linked to lower levels of wellbeing. While there are many things in our lives we can’t control, one thing we can control is how we spend our time. Dr Twenge recommends turning off devices at least one hour before bed and instead, spending this time in a non-screen activity like reading or socialising with family. We should also charge our phones in rooms other than our bedrooms and use glasses that cancel out that blue light. Some of our Year 10 students will be putting these above habits into practice when they embark upon the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Quest programme in July. The girls’ five days at sea on the STS Leeuwin II will be entirely technology-free and we very much look forward to hearing their feedback on how they managed without their phones and social media. Ultimately, a bit less screen time shouldn’t be viewed as a punishment or a hardship but as something beneficial that supports sleep and wellbeing. I would encourage each of our students to reflect on their phone habits and how they could make more positive choices in their lives. I would be interested to hear from students who have developed strategies to control their screen time. Dr Twenge is a Professor of Psychology at San Diego State University and the author of iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy — and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. Future-Proofing PLC - A Community WorkshopWe warmly invite PLC families to attend three future-proofing workshops for current parents, staff and students with educational consultant Greg Curtis. The outcomes from these workshops will guide our priorities and decision-making over the coming years. The workshops will be held from 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm on Thursday 27 May, Wednesday 2 June and Thursday 10 June and attendance at all three sessions is required. We remind families that places are limited and if you would like to register your interest in the workshop, please click here. Please note, these places will be filled in a first-in, first-served basis. - Chris Robinson – Deputy Principal Inter-house Cross Country CarnivalAfter reviewing the Inter-house Cross Country Carnival, we have decided to make a couple of adjustments to enhance the experience and minimise disruption to the Junior School academic programme. Therefore, the Cross Country Carnival this year will be held at Alderbury Reserve in Floreat (the same location as the JIGSSA Cross Country event). This will be great preparation for those aiming to make the PLC Cross Country Team. The Carnival will run from 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm on Friday, 30 July (Week 1 of Term 3). The Carnival will also be held in the afternoon so that the students’ academic programme continues in the morning uninterrupted. I know in previous years, with variable weather conditions, learning was often compromised in the afternoon. Logistically, we will bus the students (Years 1 to 6) to Alderbury Reserve. Parents will have the option to pick students up directly from the venue at the end of the carnival. Alternatively, students will return to school on the bus for a 3.25 pm dismissal (please note this is later than usual for our Years 1, 2 and 3 students). My thanks to Michael Ruggerio for planning this carnival. ICAS CompetitionsThis year, we will be offering students in Years 2 to 6 the opportunity to sit ICAS assessments in some or all of the six areas, namely: Digital Technologies, Writing, English, Science, Spelling Bee, and Mathematics. ICAS assessments are designed for recognising academic excellence for high potential students and are an additional opportunity for students to gain external testing experience. Following the assessment, parents will be able to access a comprehensive report of test results. ICAS assessments are optional and there is a cost involved. If you would like your child to participate, please click here for an ICAS Registration Form. Copies of the forms will also be available from the Junior School Reception. The closing date for registrations is Friday 18 June. Michelle Clayton will be conducting an ICAS Parents as Learners Series (PALS) session on Thursday 3 June at 8.45 am in the OCA STEM Room. Please click here to register for this PALS session. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Junior School Assembly (Hosted by Year 4)
Parents as Learners Session – Maths in a PYP Classroom
Chapel (Hosted by Year 3)
Art ExhibitionThe Senior School is looking very different at the moment with the PLC Old Collegians’ Association Art Exhibition being set up in the McNeil Street Reception area. It has been wonderful to see the space filled with artwork and our students have enjoyed getting a sneak peek at the artwork as they move between their classes. Thank you to all involved in setting up this wonderful event. Big SisterThis week ou Senior School/Junior School Prefect, Anna van Heerden, has begun our Big Sister programme. This programme sees students across Years 7 to 12 connect with each other in House Tutor Group to complete a series of activities in the lead up to the much anticipated Arts Day. Today’s activity saw our students join in on some fun dancing together. Check out some of the dancing on our Facebook stories. It is lovely to see the girls connecting across year groups and coming together as a community. Regatta 2 This WeekendThis is the second Rowing Regatta and the PLC community is invited to attend and cheer on our champions!
Click here for more information and for the programme of races. The Argyle Club is also calling for the PLC community to consider making a fully tax-deductible donation here just in time for tax time to the PLC Rowing Programme as part of the Boat Replacement Programme. This programme ensures our girls have the best possible boats which all have significant names. Watch the video above for more details. - Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Boarder of the Week:
Rooms of the Week:
What Happened This Week in the Boarding HouseThis week in the Boarding House we dedicated Monday to all things positivity and wellbeing, making it a very ‘Happy Monday.’ We focused on spreading positive vibes throughout with music after school, lots of smiles and laughter, and even some relaxation techniques before bed. We hope to make this an ongoing theme in the Boarding House as a reminder to all, that actively being positive builds resilience and generally makes for a better day. With this focus in mind, we planned a spontaneous party in the Senior School Gym on Saturday night. This was mostly led by our Year 11 students with fun games and music, reinforcing our belief that simple and spontaneous activities are sometimes the most wholesome. We have another busy weekend ahead with more regattas, roller-skating, a trip to the cinema, an adventure to Hillary’s Boat Harbour, AQWA, and some shopping. Thank you to our amazing Deputy of Operations, Kirsty Nugent, who does such a brilliant job in planning such a diverse and meaningful range of activities. We truly are so lucky. Part of the trip to Hillary’s will be ensuring all of our Year 7 and 8 girls who are in the Boarding House Sunday morning will be participating in our ongoing 'Look Up' programme aimed at getting out of the Boarding House and outdoors, staying off technology, and taking in the beauty of our North Coast. - Katherine Hazlewood – Boarding House Deputy (Wellbeing and Pastoral Care) Rowing Regatta 2
Senior School Reconciliation Assembly
Fair Game for Free Dress – Thursday 3 JuneThe theme for Term 2 Free Dress for Junior and Senior school is: Your favourite sporting hero or sports club! In addition, this term PLC is partnering with Fair Game – an Australian charity that provides unique health and fitness programmes and recycled sports equipment to under-serviced communities (usually within Western Australia) and promotes healthy lifestyle choices. PLC is collecting clean and in good condition items at both campuses in the Fair Game bins. If your family has outgrown or no longer uses the following items please consider donating them:
The Junior School gold coin fee for Free Dress will help deliver the donated items to regional areas. - Linda Malone – Head of Service and Community Partnerships 2021 Dance ShowcasePLC's 2021 Dance Showcase is set to stun audiences with students across the Senior School ready to deliver their Raison D’etre (Reason for Being) with the title of the show of the same name.
Blackwatch 2021 Edition One - Out NowThe latest edition of PLC's magazine Blackwatch is out now in two great formats. Read all the happenings across the School and beyond in either a traditional magazine style or an interactive version with videos and galleries. PLC Open Garden Day 2021We are so excited that Open Garden Day will be back in 2021! We are now on the search for some gardens to be part of the day. If you are interested in putting your garden in, or if you know of anyone that would be interested, please contact the OGD Garden Co-ordinator, Emma Tongue, on email or phone at 0408 339 400. Conversations at PLCHear how PLC Perth and NIDA graduate Caroline Brazier followed her acting dreams. Twice nominated for an Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award for her work on ABC TV series Rake, Caroline has graced our big and small screens, as well as the stage. She has featured in 'Home and Away', 'Packed to the Rafters', 'Offspring' as well as performances for Bell Shakespeare, Melbourne Theatre Company and Black Swan. Caroline has recently finished filming on the Hollywood A-lister Liam Neeson’s 'Blacklight' and is currently working on 'How to Please a Woman' here in Perth.
We respectfully suggest this is an adult-only event and bringing children is not encouraged. OCA Art Exhibition 2021With the Opening Night Cocktail Party sold out, this Saturday and Sunday will be your only chance to view some of the amazing art on display and available for purchase with part proceeds going to the Old Collegians' Association.
Please join us throughout the weekend with entry by raffle ticket purchase or gold coin donation. There will be the OCA Café on site all weekend so bring yourself, family, and friends along for a delicious morning tea or afternoon tea and admire the beautiful artworks. Foundation Scholarship Now OpenDue to the generous support of the PLC community, the PLC Foundation is delighted to announce that the 2022 PLC Foundation Scholarship applications are now open. Each year, the PLC Foundation offers a scholarship to a student who would otherwise be unable to attend PLC due to their family’s financial circumstances. This scholarship is offered to students commencing in Year 7 and provides 100% tuition fees from Year 7 to Year 12. Applicants must provide a sound academic record, a commitment to community service, and participation in Co-curricular activities. If you know of a worthy candidate, application details and forms are available here. For further information on this scholarship or the Foundation, please contact Suzanne Pelczar at foundation@plc.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9460 6534. Jumping to New Heights in GymnasticsCongratulations to Amberly (Year 6) for recently representing WA at the 2021 Australian Gymnastics Championships in Trampoline and Double Mini Trampoline. Sailor of the YearFrancesca (Year 9) recently won thr prestigious title of WA Junior Sailor of the Year from the WA Tasar Sailing Association. Congratulations Francesca! OCA Art Exhibition
Future-proofing PLC Workshops
Conversations at PLC - Caroline Brazier
Mid-Term BreakFriday 4 June – Monday 7 June |