Examination Period For students in Years 10, 11 and 12, your attention should be firmly fixed on the upcoming examination period. Year 10 Examinations The Year 10 examinations can be used to complement the ongoing feedback which has been delivered and provide a wonderful opportunity to confirm subject choices for Year 11. Our longitudinal data indicates, especially in English, that the results from these Year 10 examinations provide a very useful insight into
their areas of strength and opportunities for growth as they head into their chosen WACE ATAR, WACE General or IB Diploma pathways. Year 12 Mock Examinations The upcoming mock examinations for the Year 12 IB Diploma and ATAR WACE girls and the final industry placement for the Year 12 WACE General girls, signal the start of many lasts. Sitting the last piece of school-based assessment, the last opportunity to gain feedback about an assessment task and the last timetabled class of school. Whilst the journey is coming to a close, it's a time when the energy, drive and focus needs to move into top gear. As it has been
discussed with the girls, the final stages of the race can have a very positive impact on your overall performance. Useful Reminders I recently came across the Learning page in the Student Services section of The University of Queensland website. Whilst this site is obviously aimed at tertiary students, the messages are very applicable to our girls at all Year levels, and provide some useful reminders about getting the most out of their studies and ensuring they are well
prepared for the upcoming examinations. This site provides some useful tips on the following topics: - Study Timetable
- Problem Solving Skills
- Studying effectively
- Exam Day Tips
- Multiple choice exams
- Short answer exams
- Open book exams
- Take home exams
Whilst many of these tips have been covered during study skill sessions with the girls and discussed through sessions with the Learning Co-ordinators and Deputy Heads of Senior School, they provide a useful summary for reflection. I was particularly drawn to the simple points offered about Exam Day Tips, which are listed below. So often we forget that ‘how we show up’ to the examination room can have either a positive or negative impact on the final result. The Day of the Exam- Ensure you get a good nights sleep the night before
- If your exam is in the morning, wake up early and ensure you are wide awake (take a walk if needed)
- Eat a good breakfast
- Avoid last minute cramming
- Know the location and time of the exam
- Arrive in plenty of time - aim to be early
- Avoid the pre-exam buzz
In the Exam Room- Listen carefully to the supervisor’s instructions
- Read through the entire exam before you start to write
- Determine the option you will choose, if there are choices
- Use the marking scheme to allocate your time
- Circle the key words in questions
- Answer the easy questions first
- Hand in rough work too
- When you have finished, take a break (if time permits), then re-read your work for any errors or omissions
- Cross out work rather than using white-out, as it is faster
- Attempt all questions
(The University of Queenland, 2019) I wish all the girls in Years 10, 11 and 12 good luck in their preparations for the upcoming examination periods. - Dr Andrew Cousins, Deputy Principal
PLC/Scotch Parents SundownerDate: Saturday 21 September
Time: 6.45 pm
Venue: Cottesloe Golf Club
Tickets for this event are limited and selling quickly. Book here. School HolidaysDate: Saturday 28 September - Monday 14 October Open Garden DayDate: Friday 25 October
Time: 10.00 am - 2.00 pm
Book your tickets here. Please note that all parent events are listed in the Communications & Engagement section of Links.
Open Garden Day - Friday 25 October
Open Garden Day is fast approaching and this year’s event promises to be bigger than ever! We have seven beautiful gardens open to the public and there are double the amount of market holders this year. The Committee has approval to close View Street from 9.00 am, so there will be a street festival type atmosphere!
Open Garden Day Volunteers & Donations NeededVolunteers are essential to the success of this fabulous event and this year we need 200 volunteers. If you can help out for a couple of hours, the whole day or anything in between on Friday 25 October, we would love to hear from you. Please click here to sign up. If you have any books lying around, gathering dust, we would love them! The book stall at Open Garden Day is
calling for any (good-quality) book donations. Please leave your books at the Junior School or Senior School receptions. If you would like any further information, please contact plcogd2019@gmail.com.
Living the Dream“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.”
- Oscar WildeMany people struggle with their work-life balance and how to be a good parent/husband/wife, a loyal employee, or an inspirational employer and leader. When people are asked about their dreams when they started working, it is interesting how it often differs from how they spend their lives. Some state that they currently have no dreams apart from surviving, just “paying the rent.” Do you have a dream? Could you still remember it, or has it faded into obscurity? Could it be that you just exist? What would it take for us to learn to dream (again)? May we be remembered as people who live to the full and who love without reservation. May we remember
to dream and to live the dream! - Rev Manie Strydom
13 Reasons Why Season 3You may have noticed that the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why, recently released its third season. This is a fictional drama series about real-life issues experienced by young people, including sexual assault, homophobia, child abuse, suicide, termination of pregnancy and more. Given that people may be upset and adversely affected by the content as well as the very candid portrayal of serious issues, below you can download a helpful resource developed by Headspace. It includes a discussion guide for young people and one for parents. It provides information about important points to remember,
tips to watch the show safely and where to get help. Please bear in mind that PLC does not encourage any parent or student to watch this series. It is likely though that students may talk about the series and it is important to be respectful and informed, as it can be a very emotional experience for some people. Discussion Guide for Parents Service Events Coming Up World Vision 40 Hour Backpack ChallengeThe World Vision Backpack Challenge is being held this weekend! Join Team PLC and help support young refugees. Click here to join Team PLC or to donate. Support PLC Cambodia House Building at Grill’dGrill’d Cottesloe are supporting us through their Local Matters programme for the month of
September. Make sure to pop in for a bite to eat and place a token in our jar to help us take out first place.
Fun and Engagement in the Junior School The Junior School Arts Week offers so much to our students. The fun and engagement on Book Day, Grandparents and Special Friends Day and Arts Day make the week quite an extraordinary experience. However, speaking to the students as they return to their ‘regular’ schedule, the levels of fun and engagement have not dropped at all! Year 2 Students Discovered OobleckDuring the week, I visited the Year 2 students
as they learnt about oobleck, a substance that can mimic the qualities of a solid or a liquid. Students, along with Mrs Fraser, got the chance to physically walk through the oobleck! Thank you to Miss McGurk, who came to Mrs Fraser's rescue when she got stuck in the liquid. Year 6 Exhibition A reminder that the entire community is welcome to attend the Year 6 Exhibition on 30 October from 6.00 pm. Year 6 Quiz Night My apologies to the Year 6 cohort regarding the Quiz Night with Scotch College. There were some misunderstandings regarding the date and I understand this date is not ideal for our students, however, we have passed on the invitation and expect it will be a wonderful night. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School
An Update by the Gifted and Talented Co-ordinatorTournament of Minds Regional Finals Clad in black t-shirts and leggings, our Junior girls represented PLC with pride and enthusiasm, and contributed to what was an overwhelmingly celebratory atmosphere at the annual Tournament of Minds (TOM) Regional Finals at Edith Cowan University on the weekend. TOM’s provides an opportunity for students to develop their problem-solving skills, communication, team work and critical
thinking skills. These are skills which employers value and contribute to making students ‘world ready’ for an exciting future. Over a five-week period, our two teams of Year 3 and Year 4 students were required to solve a demanding, open-ended challenge from either the Arts, STEM, Language Literature, or Social Sciences. They also had to solve one spontaneous problem which required quick problem-solving and creative thinking. Both teams performed extremely well and should be delighted with the feedback they received from the judges. We look forward to competing next year, perhaps in greater numbers! A special thank you must go to the parents who dedicated so much time and energy to this opportunity. AMT Maths Challenge 2019A number of students in the Junior School participated in the AMT Maths Challenge in Term 2. This is a problem-solving activity organised by the Australian Maths Trust (AMT), which is aimed at stimulating mathematically interested students through complex problem-solving. Congratulations to all students who participated. Particular congratulations goes to Phoebe Salom (Year 4) who received a Distinction! IPSHA Spelling BeeMany girls from Years 4 - 6 entered the School Spelling Bee Challenge, hoping to represent the PLC at the IPSHA Spelling Bee held at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School. The following students were successful: Year 4: Stevie Dyson and Anastasia Paradiss
Year 5: Isobel Barker and Aurelia Qaqish
Year 6: Livya Siford and Kaitlyn Sin The girls studied hard and represented the School with pride and enthusiasm at the finals, which saw Kaitlyn Sin (Year 6) finish in the top 5 in the Year 6 Division. - Ms Michelle Clayton, Junior School Gifted and Talented
Guest Speaker – Ash Nelson RU OK? Day Ambassador (Years 5 and 6 parents welcome)
Date: Monday 9 September
Time: 2.00 pm – 3.00 pm
Venue: SRC JIGSSA Cross Country (Year 3-6 teams) Date: Tuesday 10 September
Time: 9.15 am (bus leaves PLC) – 11.50 am
Venue: Alderbury Reserve Chapel Years 2 to 6 Date: Wednesday 11 September – hosted by Year 3
Time: 8.40 am – 9.00 am
Venue: Heather Barr Chapel Year 5 OED Programme Depart: Wednesday 11 September at 9.00 am
Return: Friday 13 September at 2.30 pm Year 6 Scotch/PLC Quiz Night Date: Thursday 12 September
Time: 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Venue: MacKellar Hall, Scotch College Junior School Assembly – hosted by Year 2 Date: Friday 13 September
Time: 8.40 am – 9.15 am
Venue: SRC
The Myth of Multi-taskingI recently read the following from Dr Nancy K. Napier in Psychology Today. ‘Much recent neuroscience research tells us that the brain doesn’t really do tasks simultaneously, as we thought (hoped) it might. In fact, we just switch tasks quickly. Each time we move from hearing music to writing a text or talking to someone, there is a stop/start process that goes on in the brain. That start/stop/start process is rough on us: rather than saving time, it costs time (even very small micro-seconds), it’s less efficient, we make more mistakes, and over time it can be energy sapping.’ Our teenagers are very quick to offer the explanation of their combined use of laptops with multiple sites, social networking on the phone and scrolling through music choices whilst they are studying as ‘multitasking’. Unfortunately, research is showing overwhelmingly that ‘multi-tasking’ is a myth and what is really happening is ‘switch tasking’. Our Advice The best advice that we can offer our girls is to work in short and efficient bursts on one activity, then have a short break before another efficient burst, rather than trying to cover a number of activities at less than 100% efficiency. Students should try to use only one device to work with at a time. For example, if you are using a laptop, then don't use your phone at the same time. If you are revising notes and wish to listen to music, we suggest the music does not have lyrics. Studies have shown that lyrics can interfere with recall. Reward yourself for short intense study periods, with down time to access your phone or other devices, before heading back for another study
period. Finding balance is the goal, but multi-tasking is unfortunately not the answer! Year 12 Farewell Events Tuesday 15 October- 12.00 pm - House Lunches
- 1.35 pm - Year 12 Final Assembly
Wednesday 16 October- 7.30 am - Year 12 Breakfast
Thursday 17 October- 5.30 pm - Year 12 Valedictory Service and Dinner
- Jennifer Crisp, Head of Senior School
Instrumental and Vocal Lessons - Term 4Congratulations to all students for their hard work and dedication to their music study throughout Term 3. Please note that any cancellations of instrumental or vocal lessons for Term 4, should be received by the Music Department via music@plc.wa.edu.au by Wednesday 18 September, otherwise students will automatically be timetabled for Term 4 and tuition fees applied.
Student AchievementsMorven Johnston (Year 9) recently competed at the Highland Dancing World Championships in Scotland. Morven won the 14 Years Scottish Championship and placed third in the world for the 12 - 15 Years Juvenile World Championship, making her the highest placed overseas dancer in the world.
Find out about upcoming information sessions, open days, courses and programmes.
A big weekend for the gorgeous boarders of 2019!
Principal's Assembly Date: Friday 6 September
Time: 8.40 am
Location: Hugh Baird Sports Centre Senior Showcase Recital Date: Saturday 7 September
Time: 5.00 pm - 6.30 pm Year 10 Quest - Kalbarri – 22 – 30 September
- Karijini 1 – 22 September – 1 October
- Karijini 2 – 22 September, 25 September – 3 October
- Walpole – 3 – 11 October Year 12 Farewell Events Tuesday 15 October- 12.00 pm - House Lunches
- 1.35 pm - Year 12 Final AssemblyWednesday 16 October- 7.30 am - Year 12 Breakfast Thursday 17 October- 5.30 pm - Year 12 Valedictory Service and Dinner
PLC Old Collegians’ Association BursariesApplications Now Open Every year the PLC Old Collegians’ Association Inc. awards three bursaries. - The Olive Cusack Bursary: This bursary recognises a boarding daughter or grand-daughter of an Old Collegian currently in Year 9 for Year 10.
- The Dr Vera Summers Bursary: This bursary is awarded to a daughter or grand-daughter of an Old Collegian currently in Year 10 for Year 11.
- The Heather Barr Memorial Bursary: This bursary is open to all current Year 11 students and recognises participation and contribution to PLC.
Each award recipient will receive $5,000 towards tuition fees in 2020. Applications close: Tuesday 15 October at 2.00 pm Click here for more information. Parent Events Coming UpCity Country LunchAll PLC parents are invited to the 2019 City Country Lunch at Dandaragan Organic Beef Farm. This is a lovely opportunity for city and country families to come together in a relaxed environment.
Date: Thursday 12 September
Time: Meet at 8.30 am for a PLC Bus departure at 8.45 am from the PLC Lightouse Cafe. The Bus will return by 5.00 pm.
Cost: $50 per person (includes transport on PLC Bus, morning tea, lunch, and tour of the Farm).
Book now Year 11 Parent's Social EventA night with Jazz singer, Cathrine Summers.
Date: Friday 13 September
Time: 6.30 pm drinks for 8.00 pm show.
Location: Cottesloe Beach Hotel
Cost: $25 + food and drinks available for purchase.
Book here (on the booking page, reference 'PLC') Year 9 Mum’s DrinksDate: Thursday 19 September
Time: 7.00 pm
Location: Venue change - The Unicorn Bar, 210 Nicholson Road, Subiaco
Please email stephanie.home@gmail.com to RSVP. PLC/Scotch Parents SundownerDate: Saturday 21 September
Time: 6.45 pm
Venue: Cottesloe Golf Club
Tickets for this event are limited and selling quickly. Book here. PLC Parents Term 3 MeetingThe Term 3 PLC Parents meeting was held on Friday 16 August. Click here to see the minutes from the Term 3 meeting.
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