Links eNewsletter - Term 1 Week 8 Dear valued member of the PLC community, A Message From the Deputy PrincipalStudy TipsWhile the end of Term 1 will signal holiday relaxation for our younger students, work will not entirely cease for our Years 11 and 12 students who will be starting to prepare for the Semester 1 exams, commencing in the second week of Term 2. While exams can be stressful, thinking about them more positively can improve the chances of success. For the Year 11s, this first round of exams is fundamentally an opportunity to learn – to learn what exams are really like and how to prepare and study effectively. Some of this will come in the form of trial and error, but that’s all part of the learning journey. For the Year 12s, it’s an opportunity to put months of knowledge and skills into practice to yield some really strong results. Success in exams is not just about being 'smart' – any student can do well in exams if they study better rather than harder or longer. Click here to explore the 'Traffic Light Method' of studying. An essential part of this is 'Active Learning'. While 'Passive Learning' involves distant activities like looking at a PowerPoint, reading a textbook, or watching a video, Active Learning is interactive and engaged. It's annotating, drawing, converting, creating, colouring, highlighting, practicing, teaching, and testing. This yields a deeper understanding of the content, better memory retention, and a greater ability to apply knowledge flexibly to unfamiliar situations (like never-before-seen exam questions)! Studying in this dynamic and challenging way is also more interesting and empowering. Click here to learn more. Here are some other tips for how to manage your exam revision effectively:
Emilia Opens TonightIf you haven't already purchased your tickets for the highly-anticipated Senior School production of Emilia, you can book them here – but hurry as tickets for some shows are nearly sold out! - Chris Robinson – Deputy Principal
That’s what friends are for…Henri Nouwen, a well-known theologian, learned that life is more than knowledge, more than a bank balance, fame, or comfort. Life is about making friends and sharing memories – often in unexpected places. Nouwen spent the last 10 years of his life at L’Arche Daybreak taking care of someone in need: feeding, dressing, and washing him and insisted, “It is I, not Adam, who gets the main benefit from our friendship.” In Biblical times, travellers needed to wash their feet, hands, and face often, as they travelled along dirt roads wearing only sandals. Before the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples – an act which one of the lowest ranking persons would normally perform. Jesus didn’t treat his disciples as subjects but as friends. He often challenged society during his ministry by redefining roles and accepted behaviour, and this was no exception. In the lead up to Easter, we celebrate that the Divine loves us, reconciled the relationship with us, and even served us. Easter is a time to reflect on God’s gifts and service to us and it invites our selfless service. - Manie Strydom – Chaplain SwimmingWhat a wonderful week of swimming we have had. Our Years 4 to 6 swam last Thursday at the JIGSSA Swimming Carnivals and on Tuesday a team, selected from our Inter-house Carnival, represented the School at the JIGSSA Twilight Carnival at HBF Stadium. The girls swam with great enthusiasm and spirit and we were all proud of their achievements. Term 2 Lighthouse Co-curricular – Expanded ProgrammesThe enhanced Lighthouse Co-curricular offering this term has been very successful. We have had excellent enrolment in all of these programmes, with attendance peaking at 20 students on some days. Due to this demand and positive community feedback, we will be expanding the Lighthouse Co-curricular programme for Term 2. These programmes will now run five days a week. We will have our regular Lighthouse programmes running until 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, plus a second programme, based on Mindfulness and Positive Psychology, running from 5.15 pm to 5.45 pm Monday to Thursday (student pick-up by 6.00 pm). I am so pleased the girls have been enjoying the Lighthouse Co-curricular programmes so much this year. Term 2 Parents as Learners – New Topic AddedAs mentioned in last week’s Links, our Parents as Learners (PAL) series will be recommencing next term. I am pleased to be adding a new session conducted by our Senior Psychologist, Daleen Engelbrecht, titled Navigating the Changes that Occur in the Pre-Teen Brain, which is aimed at the parents of girls in Years 5 and 6. This session will be held on Friday 14 May at 8.45 am in the Junior School Library. We will endeavour to record these sessions for those parents unable to attend but would like to learn more about how to support their daughter and learn more about the School and our programmes. The full list of Parents as Learners sessions can be found here. - Richard Wright – Head of Junior School Junior School Assembly – PYP Learner Profile
Free Dress Day – Colours of the Rainbow
Last Day of Term (early dismissal)
Emilia Opens TonightTonight we are excited to have our opening night of the Senior School production Emilia. This is the first time the play has been performed in Australia and our students have been working hard over numerous months to perfect their roles. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to their rehearsals has been very impressive. A big thank you to our committed staff in the Drama Department and in particular Oliver Craze for leading this production. If you haven’t already purchased a ticket, click here to avoid missing out. End of Term Early Finish SafetyNext week we will be finishing the term on Thursday at 1.00 pm following our Easter Service. Due to this early finish, our traffic warden on Stirling Highway will be unavailable. We will have staff observing students crossing Stirling Highway, however, they will not have the authority to stop traffic. I ask that, where possible, parents assist by stopping their vehicles to help allow our girls to cross safely over the highway. We want everyone to have a relaxing and well-deserved Easter break. Uniform ReminderAs we begin looking towards Term 2, I would like to remind our students that they are expected to keep wearing their summer uniform until Mid-term break. We have found that there are often still very warm days at this time of year and want to make sure that the girls are comfortable and wearing their uniform with pride. On cooler days during this period, students always have the option of wearing their jumper and blazer to help keep them warm. Parent Teacher Student InterviewsOver the next few months, we will have Parent Teacher Student Interview Evenings occurring for all students in the Senior School. Year 11 and 12 families should have already received communications about this, with the remaining year groups due to receive these communications shortly. In all instances, our boarding families will be given the opportunity to book first as we understand they have travel arrangements to consider. We encourage your daughter to attend the interview with you and her teachers. This helps build her independence and allows her to have a voice in managing her academic progress as well. Years 7 – 12 Co-curricular SportTrials for Term 2 IGSSA Hockey and Netball will be held in Week 9 this term. Students have received an email with information on how to register for the trials and the trial dates. The information is also available on the PLC App (including draft training/game schedules). If you have questions relating to Sport at PLC, please email Ms Anna Turnseck-James, Head of PE/Head of Sport anna.turnseck-james@plc.wa.edu.au. - Miss Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Boarder of the Week:
Rooms of the Week:
What Happened This Week in the Boarding HouseFrom the Boarding House PrefectsThe PLC Boarders have an array of activities organised for them each week. Some activities are organised with other schools, while others are for particular year groups from PLC. Every weekend there are activities for students in every year group to join, including sporting activities, shopping excursions, arts and crafts, and social outings. The boarders had a jam-packed weekend last week. Girls across a range of years took a scenic drive out of Perth to the Swan Valley to visit the Margaret River Chocolate Factory where they enjoyed a free tasting of lots of chocolate goodies. On Saturday evening, the Years 11 and 12 girls went down to Cottesloe Beach to enjoy the sunset, view the Sculptures by the Sea and catch up with some Scotch boys. The girls ate fish and chips while the sun set. Some of the Year 12s were extra spoilt with a late-night trip to San Churros for hot chocolate, sharing chats, and bonding over time spent together. On Sunday, the Years 9 and 10 girls went to the South Perth Foreshore for a picnic and games with other schools. Often, year groups will also go on a 'look up' activity with their Year Co-ordinator which is an impromptu activity to get students out of the Boarding House and exploring the world around them. Our other Boarding House challenge is to complete the Quay2Quay, a walk from Elizabeth Quay in Perth, to Victoria Quay in Fremantle, in sections between Years 7 to 12. These positive experiences and activities are often the most memorable moments in a boarder's time at PLC. This week, the Boarding House Prefects interviewed last week’s Boarder of the Week, Tatum Ryan, which included one of her memories from Quay2Quay. - Boarding House Prefects Interview with Tatum RyanTell us about yourself
What do you love about boarding?
What is your favourite memory about boarding?
Years 11 & 12 Share the Dignity - Final Day Friday 19 MarchThe National Dignity Drive provides necessities for women experiencing period poverty through homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, and those living in crisis. Unopened packets of pads, tampons, menstrual cups, period undies, reusable pads, incontinence pads, and maternity pads can be donated in the boxes located at Senior School McNeil Street Reception and the Year 12 Common Room until this Friday. Free Dress Day Tomorrow - Fruit & Vegetable ThemeFree dress days are non-compulsory with the first of three scheduled for tomorrow. Students who wish to participate in all three free dress days will need to make the $10 contribution here by tomorrow, Friday 26 March. The contributions will support two World Vision children: 11-year-old Josephine from Zambia and 11-year-old Margaret from Kenya, with any surplus going to other PLC-supported charities. Year 10 Parent Daughter Service Project – Ronald McDonald House BreakfastThe Year 10 Family Service Project is supporting Perth Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House's 'Big Breakfast' programme. PLC’s session at Ronald McDonald House commences at 7.30 am and is offered on the following dates for Term 2:
Further information on the programme and how to register can be found here. RSL ANZAC Day – Years 10 to 12 Volunteer OpportunityRSL Claremont is having a ‘tin rattle’ collection for ANZAC Day and has registered to collect at Cottesloe Train Station. They are looking for volunteers over the age of 16 to help during the school holidays on Friday 16 April. Further information on how to register can be found here. - Chonny James - Director of Wellbeing Free Dress DayDate: Friday 26 March World's Greatest ShaveDate: Monday 29 March Small Business Market DayDate: Tuesday 30 March Easter ServiceDate: Thursday 1 April Last Day of Term (early dismissal)
Last Day of Term 1
PLC Boarders' Market - All WelcomeThe PLC community is invited to attend the PLC Boarders' Market on Thursday 1 April from 7.30 am. Emilia - Opening Night TonightPLC Perth invites you to Morgan Lloyd Malcolm's Emilia. The play tells the story of England's first woman to assert herself as a professional poet; a feminist who paved the way for many. This play is an amateur production by arrangement with Origin Theatrical, on behalf of Nick Hern Books.
This production contains themes and language not appropriate for younger audiences. It is strongly advised that audiences under the age of 14 are accompanied by an adult. Congratulations LibbyCongratulations to Libby Hutton (Year 10) who competed in the WA Little Athletics State Championships last weekend. Libby came home with two silver medals in the U15s Girls Discus and the U15s Girls Shotput. What an outstanding achievement! |