No Images? Click here Dear Friend of PLC Funding UpdateBiannually, the Australian Heads of Independent Schools, the CEO of which is our own Beth Blackwood, and the Independent Schools Council of Australia join forces to offer a one-day national update. It’s generally quite a political gathering and this year was no different with Education Minister, Simon Birmingham, Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten and Shadow Minister for Education and Training, Tanya Plibersek addressing the gathering. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young was a very late apology. With changes afoot regarding Federal Government funding (the primary source of funding for the Independent schools sector), delegates were looking for some form of assurance at least for the short to medium term. To abbreviate and generalise, it appears we have assurance regarding Federal funding for 2019 with minimal changes to our current level of funding. It would seem from 2020, regardless of who wins the next Federal election (or who is PM after this week!), our funding model will change. This is likely to result in less funding for schools like PLC. We were informed future changes will come with an adjustment period of perhaps up to six-ten years; excuse my skepticism but I’m not holding my breath on this becoming the reality. Funding is just one of the many aspects of running the business arm of the School. During these somewhat uncertain times, I’m particularly grateful that careful financial management sees PLC much better placed than other like schools who are carrying significant debt to weather the storm of changes to funding, both Federal and State. You can read the Education Minister’s speech to the conference here. Tweet tweet…Having a background working as a Senior Research Fellow on some of Australia’s largest cyber intervention projects, along with my continued involvement as an Adjunct Research Fellow at both Telethon Kids and at ECU’s Child Health Promotion Research Centre, keeps me abreast of updates in thinking regarding how young people engage with technology. If there is one piece of literature that has not changed over time it is the advice for parents encouraging them to get involved in their children’s online life. This will mean different things to different people, however, having an understanding of how social media works, allows us to be better informed when having discussions with our children regarding their use of social media. I was inspired at the national update by one of my NSW peers who was successfully using Twitter as a window into the daily operations of the school. As parents, we often have limited time with our children, especially as they get older and become consumed in sport, drama, music and all other endeavours. As the Principal of PLC, I have the true pleasure of spending my days immersed in the wide array of PLC activities; this is an absolute privilege. To this avail, I’ve decided to launch a new Twitter account @plc_principal, where I can share with you everyday activities our girls are involved in, along with commenting on areas of interest from time to time. I’ve invited the girls to be part of the first tweet at morning tea on Friday morning on the Quad. I warmly welcome you to follow along as I share with you a unique insight into the daily operations of the School. Our media team informs me I need to start using my own Twitter account @kate_hadwen more readily; while it feels a little like another job to do, I’ll endeavour to beat the zero tweets I have posted since joining in 2015! - Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal Saturday 25 AugustFarm2Fork, click here to book Friday 31 AugustFather’s Day Breakfast, click here to book Wednesday 12 SeptemberParents@PLC Country Day Trip to New Norcia, click here to book Friday 14 SeptemberPLC Orientation Day for current Year 6 students and new Year 7 - 12 students entering PLC in 2019. Friday 14 September - Monday 17 SeptemberCreative Arts and Technology Exhibition - Collective Ground 'Creativity is why I get up in the morning', save the date Friday 26 October Open Garden Day, save
the date Farm2Fork - Saturday 25 AugustGet a taste of the country in the city at Farmk2Fork this Saturday, 25 August! This gourmet food event showcases produce from across WA, connecting producers and consumers, and providing greater understanding of primary production, life in regional WA and food wastage. Farm2Fork is a Zero Waste event with all wastage being re-used, recycled or composted. All excess food from the event suitable for consumption will we distributed by OzHarvest to those in need. All serve ware and food scraps will be collected for compost and student ‘Trash Talkers’ will be available on the night to talk with attendees about recycling and food wastage. What's on the menu?The menu will include chargrilled octopus, green hummus, pickled onion and legume flowers by Chef Dean Wood of Taylor Street Quarters; Fremantle sardines, tomato, olive and focaccia by acclaimed chef, Aaron Carr of Yarri in Dunsborough and so many more mouth-watering dishes.
Environmental Fashion SwapStudents in Years 7 to 12 are encouraged to bring in their pre-loved clothing to take part in the Environmental Fashion Swap, led by the Environmental Committee, Environmental Captain Sacha Winter and Year 9 student, Eliza Zagar. Collections will be exchanged for a token at recess on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until Wednesday 5 September. The fashion swap will take place at lunchtime on Thursday 6 September. Click here to view the poster. 40 Hour Famine Backpack Challenge - Saturday 25 AugustWe encourage you to take the challenge and live out of a backpack for 40 hours. The purpose of the challenge is to empathise with the experiences of refugees. Click here for the information pack. An additional option to this activity is to sign up and fundraise to provide support for World Vision. Join TEAM PLC - Chevron City to Surf Fun RunWe wish all students, families and staff for an enjoyable walk or run for the City to Surf Fun Run on Sunday 26 August. You can choose to participate in either:
To register to join Team PLC, click here. Although you may select a range of charities to donate to, we encourage proceeds to go to this year’s PLC One School, One Cause Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Wear it Purple Day – Friday 31 AugustWear it Purple Day is an annual LGBTI+ awareness day specifically for young people, where supporters wear purple to celebrate diversity and show LGBTI+ young people that they have the right to be seen and heard in their world. Next Friday, Senior School students are invited to wear a purple ribbon in their hair to show acceptance and support for the diverse community that we have at PLC. - Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing Junior School Arts WeekWhat a wonderful Junior School Arts Week we have had so far! The Book Week costume parade on Tuesday morning showcased both the creative and the colourful. Many depicted a character from their favourite book, while others took on an aspect of the Children’s Book Council of Australia theme, “Find Your Treasure”. The staff certainly looked more like the motley crew of the Black Pearl rather than Junior School teachers! On Wednesday morning, we welcomed Grandparents and Special Friends to the Junior School. The children delighted in the opportunity to share a small part of their school life with their special guests and there was certainly a joyful atmosphere throughout the halls and classrooms. Thank you to the many parents who catered and managed the morning tea, transported Grandparents and Special Friends to our event and also to our fabulous Senior Suzuki Ensemble and Year 5 and 6 Choir who performed for the guests. We are all looking forward to Friday’s Junior School Arts Day. Please click here for the programme. Next week, many of our Early Years classes will be hosting Father’s Day celebrations and we look forward to welcoming the Dads to school for these special events. Walk for Water Challenge - Friday 31 AugustDid you know 6 km is the average distance people in developing countries have to walk to access water? PLC and Scotch College Junior School students aim to take on the challenge and walk 6 km that symbolises the daily process of accessing water. Please read and return the information letter attached here and indicate transportation pick up details on the permission slip. - Louise Peyton, Head of Junior School JUNIOR SCHOOL KEY EVENTSJunior School Arts DayDate: Friday 24 August Chapel Years 2 - 6Date: Monday 27 August To assist with forward planning, please note that Term 4 resumes for students in Years 7 - 11 on Tuesday 9 October. Year 12s will return in Week 2 for their final week at school, which will include return of exam papers and the end of year farewells and celebrations. - Sharon Anderson, Head of Senior School World Scholar's Cup Global RoundSix PLC students competed in the Global Round of the World Scholar's Cup in Melbourne over the mid-term break along with approximately 1,600 students from around the world. The Senior Team, comprising Nisha Whittome, Stella Vanderzanden and Tahlia Hanikeri, finished 39th out of approximately 250 senior teams (Years 10 - 12). The Junior Team of Madeleine Robins, Jacqueline Wu and Angelique Parker finished 7th in the Skittles subcategory (Year 7 and below) and came 76th out of over 350 teams in the Junior Division (students up to Year 9). Both teams qualified for Tournament of Champions to be held at Yale University in November. The PLC girls were outstanding in representing the School against academically talented students from around the world. They also participated in social events such as the scavenger hunt and the Ball as well as the Cultural Fair. A lot of fun was had by all! Both individual and team efforts competing against over 800 students from around the world in each division, and their efforts as ambassadors for PLC Perth are to be commended. A special thank-you must go to parents who travelled with, and supported the girls in Melbourne.
Boarding House NewsFarm2Fork is on this Saturday evening from 5.30 pm - 9.30 pm. Get your tickets here. To get you excited, the photos in this edition of Links are from last year’s event. SENIOR SCHOOL KEY EVENTSReconciliation WeekDate: Tuesday 28 August - Friday 21 August Creative Arts and Technology Exhibition Date: Friday 14 September to Monday 17 September Year 7 Scotch/PLC Quiz NightDate: Tuesday 16 October Upcoming Parent EventsYear 5 Parents Tapas EveningDate: Friday 31 August Parents@PLC Country DayTrip to New NorciaParents@PLC invites all PLC Parents! Date: Wednesday 12 September PLC Pipe Band - Entertainment FundraiserThe PLC Pipe Band is selling the Entertainment Book as a fundraiser this year, and would appreciate your continued support. 2017 | 2018 Entertainment Memberships expired on Friday 1 June 2018 so you may need a new one! Purchase your 2018 | 2019 Entertainment Membership from the PLC Pipe Band today. |