Dear Friend of PLC Lighthouse

Make Moments Matter This Holidays

At PLC, the school year is jam packed full of moments; there are moments of struggle, moments of connection and moments of pride that, as a community, bond and unite us all in different ways.

I encourage you to use the break from school life to engage in moments; that re-energise your body and your mind, that deepen connections with those people you care most about and that occasionally stretch you to remind yourself that you are always capable of more than you know.

- Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing

Gift Yourself a New Password This Christmas

Despite being aware of the security risks of weak passwords, many of us still tend to create the weakest possible passwords (and use them for more than one account), unless forced to do otherwise. This is often because the increased security benefits can be perceived to be outweighed by the mental burden of having to recall more complex passwords, regularly changing passwords, and having more passwords overall.

During the last school holiday break, a number of student accounts were compromised, resulting in the accounts being temporarily disabled until the beginning of the next term.

This highlights the need to change passwords regularly (every 6 months is recommended to students), and to use different log in details for different software and website accounts. 

Did you know... automated software can guess up to 350 billion passwords per second?

The good news is that there are some easy things you can do to make your passwords stronger and safer.

Stronger Safer Passwords

• Use "passphrases" - the longer a password is, the stronger it is, and phrases can be easier to recall
• Avoid using personal information (eg nicknames, pets, street) or single dictionary words
• Use two-factor authentication where possible for high risk accounts e.g. banking, online payments, social media
• Log out of accounts when not using them

Christmas Self-Care

For example, go for a run, do a meditation, have a nap, read a book, take a long bath, sit on the beach and watch the sunset, go for a walk along the river or sleep in.

Check out this cool website made by Helping Minds for some more ideas of how you can look after yourself this festive season.

- Emily Lockhart, Head of Lighthouse Curriculum

Media Smart

Our Year 9 girls had the opportunity to participate in the Media Smart Program in Term 3. They learnt how to be critical of what they see in the media (including social media) by examining the authorship of the media piece, the audience the piece was intended for, the purpose of the images and language chosen, the format and the content presented (particularly what has been edited and is not real).

75% of the cohort reported that the program helped them to think more critically of images and messages presented to them in the media. Girls commented that “rather than believing everything I see; I will put it into context to evaluate”. This shows they are using this learning in their lives and it is making a difference, with girls reflecting “you can't take anything that the media posts at face value”, and “I will not be deceived by unrealistic images on the net and in magazines”.

One of the key aims of this course is for girls to develop a positive sense of self and acceptance of their body and all they have to offer the world. This has been achieved in this programme as many girls commented “To not be discouraged by fake pictures which promote unhealthy messages but to care for myself by only accepting true messages”, “I will use my knowledge to not put pressure on myself and become more smart about what I see on the media and basing my decisions on this”, and “always remember my self-worth”.

- Emily Lockhart, Head of Lighthouse Curriculum

Ethical Fashion 

The Christmas period is often a time associated with a lot of spending. Yes, we spend time with our families and friends, but we also spend money... perhaps a little too much! This year, when buying presents for others (and possible ourselves!), take some time to consider where your purchases are coming from.

- Linda Malone, Head of Service & Community Partnerships

Getting to Know... Sahara

From Olympic dreams, to swimming with sharks, her Aboriginal identity, and her new role as Boarding House Sports Prefect... there wasn't much we didn't cover when we sat down with Sahara Clarke, for our final Meet The Team interview of 2019! 

You have a pet shark?!
Lena – she’s a four-metre tiger shark. I’ve grown up with her. Originally we took her in when we worked at the aquarium as kids, and we’d used to swim with her to make sure she was okay, because she was attacked by a larger shark. After she got released from the aquarium she just decided to keep hanging out with us. I know that tiger sharks are dangerous animals, but because I’ve grown up with them in a different environment, I don’t see them that way. And yes, I actually do swim with her! 

Rest, Reflect, Replenish, Reset

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed as Christmas approaches. Just when we need to rest, reflect, replenish and reset, it seems there is an endless list of things to be done. Sometimes we can lose sight of what really matters and get caught up in the fervour and frenzy, in what we think we should be doing.

I can think of no better advice. Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, the end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on what is important, to rest, replenish and reset for the year to come. We need to remember to simply be as well as do. Less fervour and frenzy, more heart and soul. Fewer shopping malls, more fresh air. Less consumerism, more spirit. Less wanting, more wonder.

- Sue Tredget

PLC Lighthouse - School Holiday Closure

The PLC Lighthouse will be closed over the school holidays, re-opening at the start of Term 1, 2020.