Dear valued member of the PLC community,

A Message From the Deputy Principal

Year 9 Service Leadership Programme

Yesterday, our Year 9 students began their Service Leadership programme with a whole-day workshop. As part of the day, I facilitated a workshop on the Challenge Based Learning Framework and advocated that the students needed to formulate guiding questions to allow them to explore their area of interest as fully as possible, guarding against assumptions. We all make assumptions, based on what we think we know but we must try to challenge ourselves and our understanding if we are to have open minds that allow us to develop creativity and originality.

World Shakespeare Day

Last Saturday was World Shakespeare Day, celebrating the 458^th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth. Although many revere him and appreciate the skill of his work, many make the assumption that his language is too convoluted and academic and his work is too archaic. When it comes to Shakespeare, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I know, however, that many would rather catch a cold than study, read, or watch his work. Many believe they would find themselves in a pickle rather than in stitches if they watched one of his comedies. Others would say that the thought of Shakespeare sets their teeth on edge to the point where they would like to send him packing or see him vanish into thin air. If these are your initial responses to Shakespeare, please be aware you have been quoting The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Henry IV, and Othello!

Fair play to him (The Tempest) Shakespeare is widely credited with contributing over 1700 words to the English language and so many of his phrases are still in everyday use. Some may give this short shrift (Richard III) and think that it is neither here nor there (Othello). Some may even dismiss my thoughts as the ravings of a blinking idiot (The Merchant of Venice), sticking to their assumption that Shakespeare is out of their reach, but I would hope that others would look further into his work, his words, and his legacy.

In Act V of The Tempest, the character Miranda, who has grown up on an island isolated from society with only her father for human company, expresses her delight and amazement on meeting more of humanity:

“Oh Wonder!
How many goodly creatures are there here!
How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world
That has such people in it!”

If we look at this quotation as expressing optimism at the opportunity of learning more, it can inspire us to move beyond assumptions of what we think we know about the world to see the possibilities and opportunities for our own learning and growth. As we move through the new term, I hope we can all adopt this approach.

- Neil Walker – Deputy Principal (Teaching and Learning)

During the break, I spent time in personal reflection, initially about the Easter journey, with its themes of suffering, death and resurrection; then last Monday ANZAC services of remembrance, large and small, which took place throughout Australia and New Zealand.

This year, in Easter sermons and prayers; even more so in ANZAC addresses; the very real, haunting reality of the war in Ukraine was front and centre, as parallels were drawn with past conflicts and wars of attrition.

It is difficult, however, for us to contemplate adequately the unbelievable carnage, heartbreak and suffering that resulted from these past conflicts. In trying to understand what people experienced, we become fascinated with century-old letters to loved ones, from those who thought each word they wrote would be their last; or with grainy old black and white photographs, reflecting life lived in another time altogether.

As our nation has once more paused to recite stories of the sacrifice of so many to the horror and madness of war, it is somewhat poignant to contemplate that those who lost their loved ones all those years ago would have regarded themselves as blessed if they had possessed but one small image of those who never returned.

Today, we stand at a crossroads in the life of our society. The old tired war drums that have cost countless millions of lives - the dead, demand from their graves we choose a better way. A way that no longer treats people as disposable commodities, whether it be a political dictator, a corporate vulture, or the perpetrator of unworthy business practices.

The Risen One of Easter calls us to a new way of being, best expressed in the prayer of St Francis of Assisi: 

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy...grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying of the self that we are born to eternal life.”

May it be so! 

- Rev Nalin Perera – Chaplain                                                   

Meredith Beer Returns

Start of Term 2

How lovely it is to have the students back with us in school again. The sound of the children's laughter and chatter filling the air as they excitedly shared news of their holiday adventures was joyous. It was also uplifting to hear that many families and friends were able to cross borders and be together again over the Easter holiday break.

We are looking forwards to welcoming parents back onto the school campus for events in the coming months and I am particularly keen to meet you all, but in the meantime, I will be out on slip-way every morning before school, so please do say hello and introduce yourselves.

- Meredith Beer – Acting Head of Junior School

Mother's Day Breakfast 

• Date: Friday 6 May
• Time: 7.15 am
• Venue: TBC - invitation to follow

Year 6 Winter Games - Session 1

• Date: Friday 20 May
• Time: 12.00 pm - 3.30 pm 
• Venue: TBC 

Inter-House Cross Country Carnival - Friday 29 April

New Venue

Tomorrow we will be holding the Inter-House Cross Country Carnival. The event will be occurring at a new venue this year, UWA Sports Park (McGillvrary Oval).

Students will be transported to UWA Sports Park at 1.15 pm.

Participation

We would love to see all students participating and representing their Houses, whether they are a competitive runner or just participating at their own pace. We are in need of student helpers, which is a great job if your daughter is unable to participate due to medical reasons. If for any reason your daughter is required to leave early from the event, is unable to attend, or is required not to participate in her race, please communicate this to either myself, your daughter’s Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator, or her House Advisor.

All students are required to stay for the duration of the event and the presentation of awards. At PLC, we value community and celebrate each other's achievements.

Returning to PLC

Students received information regarding the carnival this week, including a link to book transport back to PLC after the carnival if required.

Boarders (and any day students who wish) will return to PLC on buses. Students who booked return transport to PLC, will leave UWA Sports Park at 3.35 pm, arriving back at PLC by 4.00 pm.  All other students are to be collected from UWA Sports Park by 3.30 pm. Students who have not been picked up from UWA Sports Park by 3.30 pm will also catch the buses back to PLC and should be collected from outside the Boarding House at 4.00 pm. Students can sign up for the bus back to PLC using the link sent via email. 

What to Bring and Wear

Students have been asked to wear their House shirts with appropriate PE gear to school for tomorrow. They will have the opportunity to eat lunch before they depart for the carnival, though, we do ask that students ensure that they are prepared for all weather conditions and bring a hat, wet weather gear, spare clothes, water bottles, sunscreen etc.

Race Times  

Race start times are in 5-minute intervals and races may start earlier than advertised. Spectators should arrive 10 minutes earlier to accommodate a possible earlier start time. 

Schedule

• 2.05 pm Year 9
• 2.10 pm Year 8
• 2.15 pm Year 7
• 2.20 pm Year 10
• 2.25 pm Year 11
• 2.30 pm Year 12

Presentations commence at 3.15 pm, with students dismissed at 3.25 pm.  

If you have any questions regarding the carnival, please contact Ms Turnseck-James, Head of Health and Physical Education. 

Rowing Season Commences

The first IGSSA Rowing Regatta, hosted by PLC, will take place on the Saturday 7 May at Champion Lakes Regatta Centre from 8.30 am. 

The rowers would love to see the entire PLC community supporting them. It is a great day of fun and excitement with the Argyle Club selling an array of food including bacon and egg burgers, North Street Bakery cinnamon rolls as well as cakes and biscuits. We hope to see you there supporting the School as the rowers do their best to defend their rowing title.

Lucy Loxton Rising Star 

For the full article, stay tuned for the next edition of the Black Watch magazine. 

- Rebecca Watts – Head of Senior School

Inter-House Cross Country Carnival

• Date: Friday 29 April
• Time: First race starts at 2.05 pm
• Venue: UWA Sports Park (McGillvrary Oval - 10 McGillivray Rd, Mount Claremont )

Mother's Day Breakfast 

• Date: Friday 6 May
• Time: 7.15 am
• Venue: TBC - invitation to follow

IGSSA Rowing Regatta 1 - PLC Hosting

• Date: Saturday 7 May 
• Time: 8.30 am
• Venue: Champion Lakes Regatta Centre

Year 11 Dinner Dance

• Date: Friday 20 May 
• Time: 7.00 pm
• Venue: Coast Port Beach

IGSSA Cross Country Carnival 

• Date: Friday 20 May 
• Venue: UWA Sports Park (McGillvrary Oval - 10 McGillivray Rd, Mount Claremont )

Year 10 Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

• Date: Wednesday 1 June
• Time: 3.45 pm to 7.00 pm
  Further information including how to book will be sent out later in the term.

Welcome Back Girls

It is with much anticipation and excitement that we welcome our girls back this week. We are ready to launch into our theme of 'Navigating Friendships' in the Boarding House for our wellbeing programme this term.

Also this week, we are conducting our first year group leaders meeting with the Prefects. In the coming weeks, with restrictions easing, we also plan to jump into our Buddies programme and have activities planned for the girls to enjoy.

This weekend, we look forward to the Year 7s' first Quay2Quay as well as MYO pizza nights and shopping in the city and Fremantle for the rest of the girls.

The boarders will be very busy as we launch into winter sports this week with various girls headed off to Netball and Hockey fixtures.

We will also be making a conscious effort to create many quiet spaces in the Boarding House for our Year 11s and 12s to prepare for their upcoming exams. We wish them all the best with their revision and will be keeping an extra special eye out for them during this time. 

- Katherine Hazlewood – Boarding House Deputy (Wellbeing and Pastoral Care)