No Images? Click here 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:
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 ExhibitionAhead of tomorrow night's Cocktail Party, this week the exhibiting artists added the finishing touches to their artworks and delivered them to the School! If you would like to be one of the first to preview and purchase these incredible artworks, book your ticket online for $40, or at the door for $45. OCA Art Exhibition Opening Night Cocktail PartyDate: Friday 24 May (tomorrow night) OCA Art Exhibition WeekendDates: Saturday 25 May and Sunday 26 May Tartan Lawyers Legal BreakfastDate: Thursday 13 June Senior School Farewell Assembly/Afternoon Tea for Principal, Dr Kate HadwenDate: Wednesday 29 May Dance ShowcaseDates: Friday 21 June and Saturday 22 June 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." 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 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 HumanityOn 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 ProjectsPLC Parent/Daughter teams are invited to sign up for the following Community Service experiences through their relevant Family Service Project Co-ordinator. Details below. - Linda Malone, Head of Service and Community Partnerships Times Tables ChallengeThis week the Junior School leaders ran a Times Tables Challenge for students in Years 1 - 6. The Challenge grew from basic number facts to 20 and 50 times tables questions, depending on the Year group. Building on Crucial SkillsStudents 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. PersistenceBeing 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 HadwenYesterday, 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 EVENTSChapel Date: Wednesday 29 May Mid-Term Break Date: Friday 31 May – Monday 3 June ExamsWe 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. NAPLANAlthough 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 2019Last 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 NewsFremantle EisteddfodOn 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 ReadToday’s reading is about the benefits of playing music to help your brain. Click here to view the article. Music Trivia NightThe 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 GraduationCongratulations 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 Sports NewsIGSSA Golf CompetitionDate: Friday 31 May (Friday of mid-term break) Students AchievementsCongratulations 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. Boarding House NewsSmiling and happy at the Black and White themed social. Find out more in Boarding House News. Career NewsFind out about upcoming University information sessions, intern opportunities and much more. SENIOR SCHOOL EVENTSPrincipal's Assembly Date: Friday 24 May Chamber Concert Date: Monday 27 May Year 12s and Boarders Kapture Photo Day Date: Wednesday 29 May Mid-Term Break Date: Friday 31 May - Monday 3 June PLC Parents School Fee DrawCongratulations 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 UpYear 7 Parent Coffee MorningDate: Friday 24 May Year 12 Parent Event - Afternoon Tea Catch UpDate: Thursday 30 May Year 12 Father/Daughter DanceDate: Thursday 22 August |