Links eNewsletter - Term 1 Week 4 Dear valued member of the PLC community, It seems incredible to me that we have already reached the Mid-term Break but when we think of all the many things that have happened this term already, from our unconventional start to the year and the whole School community showing such resilience and collegiality to the passion and energy of last week’s Inter-House Swimming Carnival, it’s quite exhausting! The Mid-term Break comes at a very timely juncture for everyone to take a breath, rest, and enjoy time with family and friends and of course, it is an opportunity for many of our boarding community to reconnect with their lives at home. I really hope that everyone in the PLC community has the opportunity to recharge and relax but would also suggest the long weekend is an excellent time to take stock. Our senior students will have assessment work to reflect on and, as the Year 11 and 12 girls edge closer to the Semester 1 Examinations, it would be a good time to take half an hour to plan their approach to the coming weeks. This will help them to feel the task ahead of them is manageable and help them to establish priorities for their study in the coming weeks. All students can take stock at this point and think about how their start to the year has gone. It is a great opportunity to set some goals and refocus. I do hope everyone takes full advantage of the Mid-term Break and I look forward to seeing everyone back next week, refreshed and revitalised. - Neil Walker – Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning Connection
In 2020, West Australians were fortunate not to be mandated to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike many other parts of the world, we could more easily gauge one another’s reactions and emotions and react timely and appropriately. We could breathe unrestrained and didn’t feel as if we were wearing a warm jumper on a 38-degree day. All of this changed at the drop of a hat a few weeks ago. Suddenly we could empathise with many of the world’s population. We relied on the connection made through our eyes: I am worried, I appreciate your kind gesture, I laugh with you, I am so sorry! Some people commented that they felt disconnected and felt masks were adding a layer or barrier in their communication and interaction with others. The sense of relief and freedom West Australians once again experienced as restrictions were eased, could serve as a reminder that we are social beings and we long to be loved, accepted, and valued. When we remember that people were created in the likeness of the Divine, we strive to truly listen to one another, to understand rather than to be understood, and to forgive others when they do the wrong thing. May we appreciate one another as being gifted and worthy of our time and attention. May we all seek true connection. - Rev Manie Strydom, Chaplain Parent/Teacher InterviewsThank you to members of the community who took the opportunity to attend Parent/Teacher Interviews on Monday. Attending such events sends such a significant message to our daughters: their education is very important to us all. If you were unable to attend, please contact your teacher directly to organise a meeting time or phone call. Inter-house Swimming CarnivalThis morning, our Years 1 to 6 students swam with great enthusiasm and House spirit. In what was a great morning for a swim, I must congratulate all who participated, from champion swimmers to those who swam to have fun and earn points for their House – well done! House Champion:
Individual Champions:Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Mid-term BreakA quirk of the calendar has resulted in the Mid-term Break falling at the end of Week 4. With Remote Learning in Week 1, it seems we are at Mid-term after only just starting the year! I would normally agree with this assertion, however walking around the School, I have a sense that this year has already been quite taxing on the students. Likewise, the staff, who adjusted their start of year plans to facilitate Remote Learning, then quickly phased to face-to-face teaching are equally in need of a small break. This week especially, the staff have had a lot of after-hours involvement. From Parent/Teacher Interviews extending well into the evening to today's Swimming Carnival in the scorching heat – we believe that everyone is thoroughly deserving of this break. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Mid-term BreakDates: Friday 26 February – Monday 1 March Chapel Years 3 to 6Date: Thursday 4 March Junior School Assembly (Hosted by Year 6)Date: Friday 12 March Whole School AssemblyOn Friday, we had our first Whole School Assembly (minus our Year 6s who were enjoying their Outdoor Education Programme). The Assembly featured a Welcome to Country to acknowledge the importance of our Indigenous culture and as well as a wonderful celebration of Chinese New Year. We also heard from our Head Prefect, Monet Edwards, who encouraged us all to make the choice to have an optimistic outlook, along with our Year 1 students who shared what they love most about PLC. Mid-term BreakI would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the community a restful and relaxing Mid-term break. Next week we have a busy week in the Senior School with the Year 8 Support Your Daughter evening, Conversations at PLC, the Year 11 Dinner Dance, the Year 12 Ball, and the Proms Concert. Study HelpIn the last Links, I mentioned the Homework Help that is available each week in the Library. I would also like to remind students that there is additional help available through the following Study Club, Maths Help, and special sessions organised by Mr Hickmott for the boarders too. More information about this is featured below. - Miss Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Boarder of the Week:
Room of the Week:
Last Week in the Boarding HouseLast Wednesday was our annual Senior School Swim Carnival and the new Year 7s were able to experience their first carnival. The final event was the student vs staff freestyle relay. The support and cheer coming from the Boarding House was definitely a sight for all the staff and day girls, as our roar was exceptional! Everyone got involved in our boarding chants and it was a great moment for the whole school. On Friday night, some of the prefects and Year 12s organised a fun night where we had girls from all year groups come down and enjoy games filled with lots of screaming and laughing. On Saturday, the Year 7s and 8s headed to Kings Park for their first All Schools Social. On Sunday, a group of students took a trip to Cottesloe Beach to enjoy a swim and friendship in the sun. We hope everyone has a safe and happy long weekend. - Boarding House Prefects Cooking for A CauseYear 7, 8, and 9 Family Service Projects support vulnerable members of the community who are at risk of, or experiencing homelessness by providing meals to St Patricks Community Support Centre. If your family would like to be involved, further details are provided in these letters.
If you cannot make the dates in Term 1, new dates will be available each term. World's Greatest Shave (Hair Braiding) - Junior School
More information and the permission form can be found here. World’s Greatest Shave - Senior SchoolStudents in Years 7 to 12 are invited to participate in this event supporting the Leukaemia Foundation and the important blood cancer research work they do for families affected. Join your friends from PLC and Scotch to cut or shave your hair or support those who do!
If your daughter is interested in participating in the event, please return this signed permission form and register to join the PLC Team online using this link. 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. If you need any further information, please contact Linda Malone via email at linda.malone@plc.wa.edu.au. Smith Family Student2Student Programme - Years 7 – 11This project supports young people in our community who could use help in improving their reading skills. PLC students in Years 7 – 11 are matched with young people around WA to read a variety of books to help improve their reading. Can you help make this change in a student’s life? Further information on the programme can be found here and a questionnaire can be found here. For your convenience, a privacy policy on this programme can be found here. Please complete and return this permission form to the PLC Lighthouse, no later than Friday 5 March 2021. Training will be provided later in the term. Please direct any questions to lighthouse@plc.wa.edu.au or phone (08) 9460 6333. Year 7 Support Your Daughter EveningDate: Tuesday 23 February Mid-term BreakDates: Friday 26 February – Monday 1 March Year 8 Support Your Daughter EveningDate: Tuesday 2 March Year 11 Dinner DanceDate: Friday 5 March Year 12 BallDate: Saturday 6 March Proms Quarry ConcertDate: Sunday 7 March International Women’s Day BreakfastMembers of the PLC community, including students, staff, parents, and Old Collegians are invited to spend the morning enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast on the Senior School Quad while listening to a Q&A session which will be run by members of the Student Leadership group. Guest Speakers: General Practitioner, Dr Maryellen Yencken (Class of 1982), Paediatrician, Dr Katy Langdon (Class of 1982), and Member of the Covid Network Nursing Team at Perth Children's Hospital, Erica Correia (Class of 1990). Calling All OCA ArtistsWe are thrilled to announce that the PLC OCA Art Exhibition will be returning in 2021 and running from Friday 21 May to Sunday 23 May. As always, we need our wonderful PLC community to get involved. If you are an artist and would like to register to be part of this years’ Exhibition, please click here to register your interest. More information about the Exhibition and our Opening Night Cocktail Party will be communicated in the coming weeks. Conversations at PLCTickets are selling fast!
All members of the community are invited to attend the event, at which refreshments will be served, to hear Donna’s incredible journey. We respectfully suggest this is an adult-only event and bringing children is not encouraged. Ticket sales will be donated to World Vision International. Parent Events Coming UpConversations at PLCDate: Thursday 4 March International Women's Day BreakfastDate: Monday 8 March PLC Parents Welcome Sundowner - NEW DATENew date: Friday 19 March If you have already purchased a ticket, it is still valid. If you would like a refund, please contact melinda.hayes@plc.wa.edu.au. State Track and Field ChampsCongratulations to the following girls who achieved some amazing results at the WA State Track and Field Championships last weekend.
The Australian Track and Field Championships will be held in Sydney in April and all three girls have qualified. Rottnest Channel SwimCongratulations to all who participated in the Rottnest Channel Swim on the weekend including:
Above: Isabelle Early (Year 9) second from the left with teammates who swam a time of 4 hours and 59 minutes! Golf ScholarshipCongratulations to Sophie Graham (Year 9) who was awarded a scholarship with the Australian Golf Foundation by the Cottesloe Golf Club. Her scholarship includes a full membership for one year and 24 lessons, with hopes to start a girl’s golf pennants team in 2022. Court Orders and Parenting PlansSo that we can best support each individual student at PLC and communicate with the appropriate members of their family, it is important we are kept up-to-date with any changes in family arrangements. This is particularly important if there are Court Orders or Parenting Plans in place. Please email any changes or updates to registrar@plc.wa.edu.au. |