Dear Friend of PLC A Message From The Principal
As we find ourselves in the middle of a challenging time, I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of our School community for their support and patience over the last few weeks. Whilst it remains difficult to know what the time ahead will bring, please be assured that the School continues to be guided by the advice of the experts at the Department of Health and our advisers within the Department of Education.
Last night, in reflecting on our current situation, it took me back to thinking about my experience in the 2004 tsunami. Whilst the situation itself was very different, and please don’t think that I am making comparisons between the two situations, it did remind me of one particular lesson that I personally took from that situation. The day of the tsunami was a long one, and my memory of many sections of that day is a bit fragmented. Starting on the beach, as the first of the waves rolled in, I ended up on a road and being crammed into a car with other travellers. It is interesting to observe what people do in times of panic – we sat in that car with no
driver and no keys. At that point in time, I was following the people in front of me, only to find myself in a situation where I wasn’t going anywhere. Getting back out of the car, I continued to move inland and was eventually picked up by a complete stranger who was carrying so many people in his van that some just lay flat on top of each other. We continued inland and ended up at an elephant ride hut, where we waited out the rest of the day. Eventually, panic spread again and we were moved (in the back of a tip truck) to a quarry. We climbed the quarry and were told that it was as far as we could be taken. I was in my swimmers, had one bottle of water, my passport (I thought of the important things to grab!), a small amount of money, an iPod and my
phone – but the networks were all down. It was night time and we had been told there was still an even bigger wave to come. Some people were calm, some were panicked. There were parents who could not find their children and children who could not find their parents. When people ran from the beaches, they just ran, and many people had lost contact with their families and loved ones. It was a very surreal situation. I tried to take the advice I had been given and I just remember that the night seemed to last for an eternity. The greatest challenge that night and the most frightening part was the ‘waiting’; it is the only time in my life
that I have ever moved beyond ‘thinking’ about my mortality to ‘accepting’ it. I remember getting to a point where I knew I had done all that I could physically do and taken control of all that I could control. It was an incredibly difficult time to remain calm and people did different things. I listened to music. I listened to ‘Three Little Birds’ on repeat until my iPod battery went flat. It really helped me to get through the night. As I said, I am not being flippant and I am not comparing the situations (I know we have a long road ahead and I
know that our situation is changing daily) but I do encourage all families to continue to do the things that help you at the moment – whether it is music, or reading, or exercise, or art – or anything. In all of the worry at the moment, please don’t forget to do the things that help you switch off, help you stay calm and help you continue to live life. This was my one lesson. At times of great stress and uncertainty, find the things that help you find some peace and some calm. After that very uncomfortable and long night on the top of a quarry, the sun did come up and I did make it home. I also know that (as with the tsunami) people will be impacted differently by this situation, and for some, the sun may not come back up as brightly for a while. I
know that it may take some time for us, as a School, to adjust, and we may have to consider different avenues as to how we function in the coming months, and how we provide learning to our students. We will continue to follow the advice we are given and as best prepared for any changes as we can be. We will also approach this situation knowing that, at a point in time, this will pass. I would also like to share with you a prayer that a colleague sent me earlier this week. Please take care and if there is anything that we can do to support you or your child(ren) in the meantime, please contact us. May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.
A Message From Environmental Captain, Claudia
From Little Things Big Things GrowWhen I began to compost at home, it didn’t start well...I couldn’t get a composter, so had to dig deep holes in the garden. It was inconvenient to say the least! Over time, my family and I started seeing the long-term effect that composting was having in our household. The plants in our garden were being fertilised and our rubbish bin waste had
decreased.
Things don't happen overnight; but making small, consistent, impactful changes can make a real difference.
Waste-Wise at PLCThis year, our focus as a community is to become waste wise, and in five years’ time, to become a carbon neutral PLC community. Through our waste-wise initiatives at PLC, we have substantially reduced our non-food waste, but have unfortunately increased the amount of food waste. To combat this, we have established a composter programme around the School to reduce food waste and have embraced a circular system of turning our waste into nutritious fertiliser flakes.
Waste AuditLast Tuesday, we held a waste audit to determine how much and what type of waste we produce as a School. We are currently processing the results and will share them with you soon.
A Community GoalBeing waste-wise is a whole community goal, with students, parents and staff all doing their bit for the environment. One of PLC's staff members, Ms Franco, has shared with me how she embraces environmental action at home. Click here to read. Thank You A special mention to the Environmental Committee, Head of Service and Community Partnerships, Ms Malone, Assistant Head of Science, Ms Earsman, and everyone else involved in PLC's environmental initiatives! - Claudia Tedjasaputra, Environmental Captain
World’s Greatest ShaveSenior SchoolSometimes life throws us curve balls and we have to readjust our sights! In light of the current recommendations around social distancing, we are trialling cutting or shaving hair on Monday 30 March from 4.00 pm until 5.30 pm, with supervision provided at home. If you would like to help us promote PLC's World's Greatest Shave, please send a before and after photograph, or short video (no longer than 30 seconds) to the Communications and Engagement team. Junior School Unfortunately, the Junior School braiding will not go ahead this term, however the Junior School will support The Leukaemia Foundation with a crazy hair fundraising day on Wednesday 25
March. International Day of HappinessTomorrow, Friday 20 March, is International Day of Happiness!
This year's theme is Happier Together, focussing on what we have in common, rather than what divides us.
Please take some time to think about our common humanity and, if you can, reach out to your neighbours and friends who might need a friendly wave, smile or a chat on the phone – or even the ‘birdy’ dance by way of greeting to keep everyone smiling.
We all have the power to make a difference.
- Linda Malone, Head of Service and Community Partnerships
Supporting Our ChildrenI have been writing for school ‘newsletters’ for over 13 years - celebrating student and staff successes, announcing initiatives, or raising awareness of issues. When I reflect on all I have written, the most common theme has been around the challenge of parenting. The challenge we're faced with at the moment is supporting our children during these anxious times. During this challenging time with the COVID-19 pandemic, parents should discuss news of the virus with their children in an open and honest way. Try to relate the facts without causing alarm, and in a way that is appropriate for their age and temperament. It is important to listen to any questions they may have, to let them know that they are safe and that it’s normal to feel concerned. If the media or the news is getting too much, encourage them to limit their exposure. This video has some useful tips for talking to young people about scary stuff in the
news. When parents and caregivers deal with COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parenting is always challenging, but at times like these, our children need us - their parents - more than ever. PLC AppWe urge parents to download/update the PLC App if they have not done so yet. Junior School updates and notifications are being posted on the App daily.
- Richard Wright, Head of Junior School
Working Together During Challenging TimesKeeping our school community safe and happy is our main focus during these trying times. This has included daily reminders and strategies relating to hygiene and social distancing. I know many of our girls might be disappointed that certain activities have been cancelled. I want to reassure them that we are working hard to come up with alternatives to allow this year to be an enjoyable and memorable one
– particularly for our Year 12 students. I thank the Student Council for their input in finding these solutions. Our teachers have also been working hard trialling new technology and it has been great to see the speed at which our girls have adapted to this. These trials will continue over the coming weeks. We look forward to continuing to focus on teaching the girls and making sure that their learning is not interrupted. I also encourage our girls to look after themselves by making sure that they continue to exercise, eat well and get enough sleep. Co-CurricularSome Co-curricular activities have been cancelled. The decision to cancel these activities is based on the risks associated with each activity, in terms of hygiene and social distancing. At the same time, where we can continue activities, we are endeavouring to do so in the interests of the girls’ wellbeing and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy. Below is a list of Senior School activities that have been cancelled and those that will continue, at this stage.
Continuing- Art Club
- Bartok Orchestra
- Body Ride
- Boxilates
- Chorale
- Concert Band
- Dance Club
- Drone Flying Squad
- Expressions Dance
- Fitness Training
- Flute Ensemble
- History of Western Civilisation
- Intermediate Guitar
- Percussion / Saxophone Ensemble
- Piano Trio
- Pipe Band 1 & 2 / Pipe Band 2 Bagpipes
- Sailing
- Senior Brass Ensemble
- Classical Guitar Ensemble / Senior Guitar Ensemble
- Speech and Drama
- Stage Band
- Stravinsky Orchestra
- SUP
- Surfing
- Vocal & Wind Ensemble
- Yoga
Cancelled- Badminton
- Bouldering
- Cross Country Training
- Da Vinci
Decathlon
- Dance Collective
- Dance Company
- Mock Trials
- PLC Sportslink
- Rowing
- SCRAM
- Tennis Games
- Tennis Training
- Volleyball Games
- Volleyball Training
- Tech Tips for Seniors
- Colour My World
- Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School
Student AchievementsIndigenous Boarding AwardsSahara Clarke (Year 12) was announced last night as the joint winner of the Exceptional Contribution to the Community Award at the Indigenous Boarding Awards. The award recognises an Indigenous boarding student who actively engages in their community, be it their home community or the
community in which they are resident whilst boarding, and has made an exceptional contribution. We congratulate Sahara on this amazing achievement! Floorball WA State TeamMatilda Burton (Year 7) and Tessa van de Viere (Year 7) were selected in the Floorball WA Under 12 Girls Team and were to compete at the Junior Singapore Floorball Open 2020 in June. Due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation, the event will not go ahead, however Floorball WA are hopeful there will be an opportunity to compete later in the year.
Congratulations on your selection, girls!
Boarding House NewsFarm2Fork was a roaring success for the PLC community!
Farm2ForkLast Saturday the School cafeteria and quad were transformed into a foodies heaven for Farm2Fork. Guests were treated to tastings from over 30 WA producers and entertained by the band, Trip fronted by Old Collegians from 2019, Holly Dowling and Danée Bairstow.
Thank you to PLC Parents Chair and Farm2Fork Co-ordinator, Michelle Barrett, as well as the incredible producers, chefs and volunteers, who all helped make the night such a huge success.
PLC Foundation Scholarships Now Open The PLC Foundation offers a scholarship each year to a student who would otherwise be unable to attend PLC due to their family’s financial circumstances. The PLC Foundation Scholarship is offered to students commencing in Year 7 and provides full tuition until graduation in Year 12.
Application closing date: Monday 27 July 2020 For further information, please contact Suzanne Pelczar, Executive Officer, PLC Foundation - Suzanne.Pelczar@plc.wa.edu.au.
Order Your Kapture PhotosFollowing our recent school photography by Kapture, you can now view and order any special photos taken this year. When visiting, you will need to enter our school code, RRXSJX, under the Sports and Event tab to access the gallery.
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