Dear Friend of PLC

There is a growing body of research indicating how important informal learning is in the development of scientific literacy. The partnership between the formal setting of the classroom and the informal opportunities provided to students enables them to develop their scientific identity. Providing students with experiences outside the classroom; hands-on activities which are flexible, develop collaborative skills and provide the opportunity to commutate their findings, are vital. This relationship to real world applications makes learning visible and allows students to see how applicable these skills are to every day life. The positive experience which occurs in these informal learning settings, subsequently influences learning in the classroom and thereby enriches the students’ formal learning experience.   

Science Blast

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to attend Science Blast, in Limerick. Science Blast is a wonderful initiative, where informal and formal learning meet. It is a programme in Ireland which is focused on developing scientific literacy through a non-competitive educational programme. In this programme, students conduct a whole-class investigation to solve a problem through questioning, and come together in a fair environment to share their findings with scientific experts from the community. The investigation framework they use is as follows:  

1. What is your class question?
2. What is your class prediction?
3. How will your class gather evidence to answer the question?
4. How will your class organise information?
5. What do your findings mean?
6. How can you piece all your information together to answer your class question?

The types of questions the Junior School students were investigating at the event I attended were ‘Can algae purify water?’, ‘What natural products can we use to clean our school desks?’ and ‘Which shape – square or triangle – expands kinetic energy more effectively?’. Rather than the typical science fair project (where students struggle to come up with an idea, parents find it consumes the whole weekend, and teachers juggle 25 pieces of cardboard), this initiative develops students' skills as a class. This initiative requires them to collaborate, investigate and then communicate their findings. The learning was visible in the hall of projects as the students excitedly shared their findings with the scientific community.  

- Dr Andrew Cousins, Deputy Principal

OCA Art Exhibition Opening Night Cocktail Party

Date: Friday 24 May (tomorrow night)
Time: 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm
Venue: PLC Senior School 
The evening includes champagne, Flametree wine, canapes, entertainment and a chance to preview, and be the first to buy the works of more than 80 artists.
Book Now 

OCA Art Exhibition Weekend

Dates: Saturday 25 May and Sunday 26 May
Time: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Venue: PLC Senior School
Cost: Gold coin donation 

Tartan Lawyers Legal Breakfast

Date: Thursday 13 June
Venue: Clayton Utz Law Firm
Time:  7.15 am - 9.00 am
Find out more and book: Click here

Senior School Farewell Assembly/Afternoon Tea for Principal, Dr Kate Hadwen

Date: Wednesday 29 May
Time: 1.35 pm
RSVP: Click Here 

Dance Showcase

Dates: Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June
More information soon 

Please note that all parent events are listed in the Communications & Engagement section of Links. 

A Change of the Guard

"Ends are not bad things, they just mean that something else is about to begin. And there are many things that don't really end, anyway, they just begin again in a new way. Ends are not bad and many ends aren't really an ending; some things are never-ending."
-C. JoyBell C.

The PLC community is in the process of saying goodbye to current Principal, Dr Kate Hadwen, and at the same time, looking forward to a new chapter with Ms Cate Begbie.

Whenever a great leader leaves a position, the essence of their leadership lingers and impacts not only the culture, but also the day-to-day running of the organisation for quite some time. This will be the case when Dr Hadwen leaves PLC. 

Furthermore, PLC is fortunate to have a hard-working team to make the change of the guard as seamless as possible. We are in good hands!

Dr Hadwen, we thank you for your commitment and leadership during your time as Principal. Ms Begbie, we’re looking forward to working with you and continuing an era where PLC Perth’s reputation is highly regarded wherever our girls and Old Collegians may go!

- Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain 

This Week is National Volunteer Week 

“Volunteering is time willingly given for the common
good and without financial gain”
​- Volunteering Australia 

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all the people who support and volunteer in the PLC community and other charities in our local and global communities. 

HBF Run for a Reason: Run for Humanity

On behalf of our Year 11 IB girls, Madeleine Grist, Salma Grono and Scarlett O’Grady, we would like to thank everyone who ran under the PLC banner and for donating to the Australian Red Cross. Over $800 was raised!  

Family Service Projects

PLC Parent/Daughter teams are invited to sign up for the following Community Service experiences through their relevant Family Service Project Co-ordinator. Details below.

• Year 8 Crafting for a Cause
• Year 9 Cooking for a Cause

- Linda Malone, Head of Service and Community Partnerships 

Times Tables Challenge

Building on Crucial Skills 

Students showed positive risk-taking behaviours by entering the competition, as well as persistence when the ‘answer-block’ occurred. Skills like the times tables are crucial for mathematical development and I see it as one of the foundation skills built on in Senior School mathematics. There are a number of techniques, strategies and tricks for the tables and, as with all things, some will find it a fast process, while others might find it more difficult.

Persistence 

Being a father of three, I have seen this in living colour! When it is tough, persistence and repetition go a long way, as this is a skill our children need as part of the Junior School journey. 

Junior School Farewell to Kate Hadwen

Yesterday, the girls conducted a beautiful assembly to farewell Dr Kate Hadwen. They spoke about the impact that Dr Hadwen has had on each of them and thanked her for her faith and positivity.

Our Head Prefects presented Dr Hadwen with a beautiful piece of art, unique to the PLC Junior School. Thank you to Vernita Jaques for organising the assembly, Colleen Garland for organising the art work and all the girls who spoke and performed on the morning. 

- Mr Richard Wright, Head of Junior School

JUNIOR SCHOOL EVENTS

Chapel

Date: Wednesday 29 May
Time: 8.40 am - 9.00 am 
Venue: Heather Barr Memorial Chapel

Mid-Term Break

Date: Friday 31 May – Monday 3 June       

Exams

We welcome back to class our Year 12 WACE and IB students, and our Year 11 WACE girls. They worked hard over the exam period and hopefully had a chance to de-stress last weekend. 

The Year 12 girls marked the end of their exam period with a Pyjama Party in the Lighthouse. They enjoyed Pizza, icecream and a movie; a great way to ease back into the next term of work. 

NAPLAN

Although there have been some issues with the online access of NAPLAN, the girls have coped extremely well. The issues with the Writing Test have already been identified, and parents have been informed of the re-sit options being offered on 28 May. I want to congratulate the girls on their resilience, and their willingness to work through these issues. 

Bond University Mooting Competition 2019

Last week, PLC sent two teams to Bond University to compete in the National Mooting Competition! The girls who attended were Grace Lauder, Brenna Orrock, Alice Warner, Charlie Baddley, Chelsea Graham and Holly Culloton. While neither team progressed to the next round, both had a wonderful experience. 

- Jennifer Crisp, Head of Senior School ​

Performing Arts News

Fremantle Eisteddfod

On Friday 17 May, The Deci-Belles and PLC Petit Chorale performed at the Fremantle Eisteddfod. The girls performed beautifully under the guidance of Ms Hodson and Ms Price. They have come away with very valuable feedback which will ensure they continue to improve their singing.

Congratulations to Aurelia Qaqish (Year 5), who won the Grade Six String Section of the Fremantle Eisteddfod. She received a score of 96 and an AMEB Award. Well done!

An Interesting Read 

Today’s reading is about the benefits of playing music to help your brain. Click here to view the article. 

Music Trivia Night

The annual Music Trivia Night will be held this Friday at Scotch College. The night is shaping up to be a great event for all students attending.

Suzuki Graduation

Congratulations to the students who achieved their Suzuki Graduation last weekend. Solo concerts were held in the Lighthouse, with all students performing very well.

Cello Graduation
Level I – Ivy Downes
Level II – Auretta Qaqish
Level II – Amelie Slaughter
Level III – Olivia Lambo

Violin Graduation
Level I – Georgia Fleay
Level II – Anastasia Paradis
Level II – Natalie Row

Sports News 

IGSSA Golf Competition 

Date: Friday 31 May (Friday of mid-term break)
Time: 8.00 am (aim to arrive at 7.15 am for warm up)
Venue: Royal Perth Golf Club
Cost: $45 per player (includes balls, green fees and lunch)
Nominate: Click here (all IGSSA players must be familiar with golf play and have an understanding of the rules and etiquette of the game in order to nominate). Nominations close Tuesday 28 May. 

Students Achievements

Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected for the 2019 School Sport WA 16s Girls Hockey team; Charlotte Fairweather, Eliza Murray, Clare Shine, Anna van Heerden.

Career News

Find out about upcoming University information sessions, intern opportunities and much more.

SENIOR SCHOOL EVENTS 

Principal's Assembly

Date: Friday 24 May
Time: 8.45 am 

Chamber Concert

Date: Monday 27 May
Time: 7.00 pm
Location: Christ Church Grammar School

Year 12s and Boarders Kapture Photo Day  

Date: Wednesday 29 May
More information will be emailed to you soon.

Mid-Term Break

Date: Friday 31 May -  Monday 3 June

PLC Parents School Fee Draw 

Congratulations to Dina Northend, parent of Isla (Year 8) and Paige (Year 6) , who is the lucky winner of the Term 2 PLC Parents School Fees Draw. She will have $6,897 credited to her school fees account.

Net proceeds will be used to enhance literacy outcomes for Junior School students by supporting the 'Talk to Writing' programme, and part funding for the Junior School 'Festival of Science'. 

Thank you to all who participated.

Parent Events Coming Up

Year 7 Parent Coffee Morning 

Date: Friday 24 May
Time: 8.30 am
Location: PLC Lighthouse Café

Year 12 Parent Event - Afternoon Tea Catch Up