Links - Term 3 Week 4 Dear Friend of PLC From The PrincipalThis week has been a very special one in our School’s rich history. I am very grateful for this week for so many reasons. It was not that long ago that we were not even contemplating that we would be in a position to have students on campus, let alone host major events and invite guests back to campus to share those experiences with us. This week, we were fortunate enough to be able to celebrate both our Founders’ Day and Arts Day at a time when my colleagues in schools in eastern states are working with Year 12 students who will not experience the rite of passage of a Valedictory Service; students are not able to attend their schools and students, staff and parents have had to return to online learning. Beyond that, many continue to spend each day wondering whether or not their schools will remain open tomorrow. 105 YearsThis year, we celebrate the School's 105th birthday and also the centenary of our Old Collegians’ Association; it was a special day, indeed. Our guest speaker this year was Old Collegian Donna Shepard AM. Her words were such a reminder that we are part of a much bigger picture and also of the need to start every day with a positive and purposeful attitude. As Donna said, regardless of how bad a day or situation may seem, we are all in control of how we approach that situation or day. Listening to a woman who has experienced and seen so much of the harsh reality of the lives lived by so many people around the world, speak of her hope and positivity was truly humbling. A woman who has worked with a mother to encourage her not to accept a dowry for her young daughter to enter a child marriage, supported parents who were forced to flee their home as refugees, only to lose their youngest child in a fire – yet she focusses on hope and is driven by her sense of service. Donna was an inspiration and she certainly left me feeling grateful for every challenge in my life, for my challenges, when put in perspective and in contrast, are nothing compared to those of millions of others. I would like to thank the 60 Old Collegians who joined us on Tuesday, all of who finished school 50 years ago or more. It was such a privilege to have these women join us. This year’s Founders’ Day included:
It was a privilege to have the time to share their memories of school. These memories ranged from students who completed school 50 years ago in 1970, to an Old Collegian who finished school in 1939. In celebrating the 100 years of our Old Collegians’ Association, we also took the opportunity on Tuesday launch two Old Collegians’ Awards, each recognising and celebrating Old Collegians who, through their life’s work, have made a significant contribution to the wider community. The first award will be named in honour of Dr June Jones, a champion of girls’ education who was herself an Old Collegian. She went on to become a long-serving Principal at St Hilda’s, however, her ties to PLC continued because she sent all three of her daughters here. The Dr June Jones Inspiring Woman Award will recognise Old Collegians whose professional or volunteer accomplishments demonstrate a significant positive impact – locally, nationally or internationally. The second award is in honour of Dr Patricia Kailis, who sadly passed away in April this year. Dr Kailis was a former Chair of Council and Honorary Old Collegian who dedicated her life to others, particularly in her services to medicine and genetics. The Dr Patricia Kailis Inspiring Woman Award celebrates achievement in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship for alumni aged 40 years and younger. Dr Jones and Dr Kailis both exemplify what it is to be a PLC graduate and these awards are a small way of acknowledging and thanking them for their significant contributions not just to PLC, but on such a great scale. In my short time back at PLC, both of these women have been mentioned to me as women of positive influence and inspiration. I feel very honoured that their families have allowed us the privilege of naming these two significant awards in their names. The recipients of these awards will be announced each year at Speech Night. Nominations for the 2020 awards are now open. Arts Day - The Best Day Of The YearAfter such a beautiful day on Tuesday, we end our week with our annual Arts Day and I would like to thank all of the staff involved for the time and effort put into organising such a wonderful day for the girls. In a year that I have no doubt will go down in history, defined by terms such as unprecedented and unpredictable, we are so fortunate to be in a position to be able to run such a day. At a time when I believe human connection and relationships are more important than ever, I am very grateful that we are in a position to bring our community together. A big congratulations to this year's Arts Day winners - Stewart! Visit PLC's Facebook or Instagram pages to see photos and videos from today. Have a Restful BreakIt has been a busy but wonderful first half of Term 3 and I wish all families and staff a relaxing Mid-Term break. - Cate Begbie, Principal From The Arts CaptainWhy is Arts Day the best day of the year?It’s a time for everyone to express their creativity in multiple ways! It brings an opportunity for collaboration - a time to get together and create, to laugh, to share and compare ideas. Friendships are formed across all Year levels through teaching new dances and listening to each other’s ideas. For me, Arts Day represents a day that we come together to support one another. While there is a serious level of competition, there is not one dance, one performance, one cake that isn’t being celebrated by everyone. The Arts are known to act as a vehicle that brings people together and Arts day encourages and celebrates nothing less. Be your best, have fun – all united as PLC. - Emma van Schouwen, Arts Captain Senior School Free Dress DayFree Dress Day will be held next Friday 28 August! Student Free Dress Day contributions support a local charity, Trillion Trees, whose mission is to bring people together to plant and grow trees and to achieve healthy, productive, sustainable landscapes. They also sponsor our two World Vision children, 10-year-old Josephine from Zambia and 13-year-old Lucy from Kenya. Free Dress Days are non-compulsory. Students who wish to participate will need to have made the $10 contribution which covers all three Free Dress Days. Trybooking tickets are still available here for anyone who was unable to contribute in Term 1 or Term 2. Further information on the theme can be found here. Founders' DayI had the privilege of speaking to many of our Old Collegians who joined us for Founders' Day on Tuesday. The varied lives these women have led and their achievements were impressive. As the father of a PLC student, it was inspiring to speak with generations who had achieved so much, often against the odds and societal norms at the time. Grandparents’ and Special Friends Day and Arts WeekWe are looking forward to hosting our Grandparents and Special Friends Day on Tuesday 22 September. As with many events this year, the occasion will be a little bit different than usual. In the interests of everyone’s health and safety we have decided against hosting morning tea on the day. This is in line with our Phase 4 COVID-19 social distancing requirements. We believe the big number of guests we traditionally attract to the event and our space limitations make morning tea too difficult to deliver safely. For the same reasons, there will be no parent morning tea after the Arts Week Assembly on Wednesday 23 September. At both events, hand sanitiser stations will be available and we respectfully ask guests to practice social distancing. Thank you for your ongoing support as we navigate through the current Phase 4 restrictions. UniformAs it is Mid-Term break, I would remind parents and guardians that this is an appropriate time to re-name uniform items. I would also like to thank parents and guardians for ensuring the girls have the correct uniform. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School Junior School Upcoming EventsBook Day (Pre-Kindy to Year 6)Date: Tuesday 25 August Chapel - Years 3 to 6Date: Wednesday 26 August Junior School Assembly - Years 1 to 6 (hosted by Year 3)Date: Friday 28 August Fathers' Day BreakfastDate: Thursday 3 September Orientation Day - Current Year 6Date: Friday 4 September
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