Dear valued member of the PLC community,

A Message From the Principal

In the last two weeks, I have had a number of conversations with students, staff and family members about the overwhelming nature of watching the news at the moment. It has left me reflecting on how, as a school, we support your children at school and also how we can support families to assist children and young people at home. 

I have spoken to students who are genuinely concerned for their future – with the impact of COVID-19, the recent floods over east, and the current situation in Ukraine and Europe. Research has shown that one of the greatest concerns for young people today, is their future and what that future might look like. 

I have spoken to staff who are concerned about their students and their own families, and PLC family members who are unsure of how to best support children and young people through such a challenging time in our world. 

I personally remember being in high school when the Iraq war commenced, and I remember even then the fear it instilled in me and my friends that the world as we knew it was about to change. That was in the early 1990s and well before social media existed and before news was reported at the speed it is now. It also wasn’t complicated by a global pandemic and flooding to the extent that we have just witnessed. 

I have tried to think back to myself as a child and a young person, to think about how I think I would have responded if I were a young person in the world right now – and I think there would be times when I would have been scared and times when I would have felt completely overwhelmed. I think that both of these would be very normal emotions to experience. 

I know I am a person who tends to look for the positive in situations and I would hope that my glass is always half full, but at the same time, I am always conscious of the impact of my words on students and making sure that I try to always acknowledge how a situation might individually impact them. In the last two weeks, I have seen the impact that the current global situation and the related media is having on many in our community and in particular in leaving many feeling a little overwhelmed and unsure. 

I thought this week it may be of value for families to share a Special Report that was released on SchoolTV in relation to Managing Overwhelm. This report provides current information as well as ideas to support children and young people. 

As the related article states: 

“Willingly or not, we have all been exposed to a piece of bad news that has lingered in our thoughts for days afterwards. This seems to be more common in the current environment than ever before. Due to the pandemic, the world we now live in is a very different place, so it is easy to see why we might feel impacted. It can often seem like there are many stressful events occurring simultaneously, and the hyperconnected nature of our environment means we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. It is therefore important for children and parents alike, to consciously and intentionally learn good wellbeing strategies.”

We do live in a challenging time and it is important that we acknowledge the impact that the current events are having on our school community, our country, and our world. My glass half full self would also tell me that this time will pass. As a global community, my hope is that it will become a time that we learn from in order to create a better world for our children and young people as they grow up. 

The efforts of our Year 12 students charged with organising our Make a Difference Week last week would be a clear indication of the prospect for a positive future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students who were involved and Ms Linda Malone for the work that she did to support them. 

If your child is experiencing any challenges at the moment or you would like to seek some additional support from the school, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can contact myself or other key staff at any time. 

- Cate Begbie  – Principal

Early mornings are valuable for me as a time for personal reflection in the Heather Barr Memorial Chapel before I greet staff and students arriving for a new day of activity and learning. 

One of the first things I do is reflect on a passage of scripture to find focus; to help ground me in reality, not only for my life but also for the diverse lives of those with whom I interact daily and who form the exciting family that is PLC.

During such times of reflection and prayer, I often find myself wondering if I am living in a parallel universe. I know I have had a good life; I am surrounded by a loving family; I am supported by trusted friends; I live in a very safe and secure environment; I have food on my family’s table. There is nothing more I could wish for.

Yet I am also a creature of a much wider community of humanity. Along with people everywhere, I am beside myself in seeking to understand the reasons behind the misery; destruction of life and culture; and the senseless devaluing of human life, whether it be in Europe, the Middle East, or any other part of the world.

I have lived the experience of watching the nation of my birth torn apart by war, from which it will never fully recover. It is horrible beyond belief.

Like many of you, I have watched students, just like our own, studying to be doctors, engineers, architects, now wearing military uniforms. I have shed tears as these young people openly confess to the camera their fear for their future; the agony of destroyed dreams and livelihoods; now replaced by a basic core desire to simply stay alive.

What can you and I do? In this Lenten period we are shown again and again that in the midst of untold suffering, acts of holiness do emerge; a gentle tune from a violin played by a musician who has been dubbed Ukraine’s ‘cellar violinist’ is a lullaby for a child sheltered in the dark basement of an apartment building in the besieged Ukrainian city of Kharkiv; a stranger offering a place of refuge. Lent is about introducing love, where only hatred has been, for love is all that is left.

At some point in our lives, we will all experience suffering. It is part of growing into a mature, functioning adult. However, are we prepared to suffer for something worthwhile, as Jesus did, even though it may be very costly?

Because the Lenten journey is about pursuing a new life direction, we turn to those whose lives have inspired and uplifted others, yet often to their own detriment. Their sacrifice becomes our inspiration.

Thus, my prayer is that as we look at life around us, let us choose to seek the good in others. For this will ultimately guide us to a true and abiding joy for living, no matter what life might throw at us.

Let it be so!

- Rev Nalin Perera – Chaplain          

The Health of the Community

My sincere thanks to all the parents and guardians who have supported the staff and each other by being cautious when deciding whether children can attend school. If you are unsure if your child is unwell, keep them at home. These actions have resulted in our students being overwhelmingly well, and at school!

Remote Learning

For those who have children isolating or in quarantine, the staff have been wonderful in providing Remote Learning programmes for these students. It is very important to note that the Remote Learning programme is not for unwell students – they should be resting and recovering.

The current Remote Learning programme is for the duration of the student's quarantine/isolation period. We all know the social and emotional benefits of face to face learning. The adjustments teachers are making in lessons, fine-tuning to the needs of the students is important and can best be realised when the students are present. 

JIGSSA Twilight Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to the team who represented us at the JIGSSA Twilight Swimming Carnival last week. In the current climate, we needed to make quick decisions and changes on the spot. Ms Tench, Mr Donaldson, and Mr Matheson moved quickly and got our team together and competing. My thanks to them.

Correction in the Junior School Recognition Awards

In last week's Link, there was an error in the Junior School Recognition Awards. Please find the amended version here. 

- Richard Wright – Head of Junior School 

Morning Maths Help

Morning Maths Help with a Maths teacher is now available for all students from Year 7 to 12. You do not need to book to attend these sessions, just turn up on the day.

• When: Every Monday to Thursday
• Time: 8.00 am – 8:30 am
• Location: Senior School Library

These sessions are for students seeking help with particular questions including homework problems, test revision questions, etc. 

Uniform

As we begin looking towards Term 2, I would like to remind our students that they are expected to keep wearing their summer uniform until the end of term. 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 Interviews

Over the next few months, we will have Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews occurring for all students in the Senior School. In line with current COVID-19 guidelines, we will be having these interviews online. More information will be provided closer to the scheduled dates.

Calling all Equestrians

The 2022 WA Inter-School Equestrian State Championships are being held from 21 to 23 April at the State Equestrian Centre in Brigadoon. Riders choose from Combined Training, Dressage, Show Jumping and Show Horse events to enter at their level of competition. Riders must qualify to compete in these events and must have their own pony/horse and make their own arrangements to attend the event.

If you are interested in competing at this year’s event, please see Ms Lange in the English Office (M1 15).

Further information can be found here.

- Rebecca Watts – Head of Senior School

Boarder of the Week:

• Saadiah (Year 9) - For being happy, positive and taking everything in her stride. Saadiah can always be relied upon to do the right thing in the boarding community.

Room of the Week: 

• Suzie (Year 10) - For her fabulous room. 

Always Having Fun

As we continue to adapt our recreation programme in these changing times, our weekends in the Boarding House prove to be just as busy and fun.

There were also a number of trips to Fremantle for our older girls, where they were able to get fish and chips and ice cream on the harbour as well as take a scenic tour through Fremantle with Geoff. We are looking forward to some more creative activities to do with our Boarding House community this weekend.

- Katherine Hazlewood – Deputy of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care

From the Psychologist 

Following the Mid-term Break, I was struck by a simple comment from my young daughter as I reminded her to wear her mask to school.  She queried, "Is that still a thing?" which I took not only as a sign of a truly relaxing break, but also as a marker of likely ‘COVID-19 fatigue’ evident amongst many of us, no matter what age. 

While we can all keep hope for the future, I am sure recent global events have had a significant impact upon the sense of the ‘safe world’ we once knew and could be reasonably sure of. If adolescence is a time of uncertainty, there is no question our current environment is likely to only compound this for our students and their mental health. As such, I’d like to share the following links you may find helpful in navigating the path ahead with your daughters: 

• Instilling hope in uncertain times
• COVID-19 fatigue special report

Furthermore, the Kids Helpline provides relevant, helpful advice for young people over the phone as well as through a webchat function available 24/7. Feedback from our students is always particularly positive. With our number of students in isolation increasing, this link has some helpful coping strategies for anyone impacted. 

These are timely reminders to take care of ourselves and each other.

- Nicole Agar – Senior School Psychologist

World’s Greatest Shave – Updated

• World’s Greatest Shave – 21 to 25 March

• Year 12 students – Wednesday 23 March

Supporting the Leukaemia Foundation, the World’s Greatest Shave has been an annual event at PLC since 2016.

Due to current restrictions, we are asking students and staff to be involved by cutting or shaving their hair from home and returning hair in ziplock bags to the Lighthouse from the week beginning Monday 21 March until Friday 25 March.

Ziplock bags are now available to collect from Lighthouse Reception to take home for the cut or shave. Please read this information on requirements for donated hair and return this permission form by 9.00 am Monday 21 March at the latest.

Often, the Year 12 cohort wait until their final year to be involved in the World’s Greatest Shave. After school next Wednesday, Year 12 students will have the opportunity to cut or shave their hair at the PLC Lighthouse. Please read this permission form for further information and return to lighthouse@plc.wa.edu.au by 9.00 am Monday 21 March at the latest to participate.

To make a donation to the PLC WGS team or to register your fundraising page, please click the button below. 

Our Service Captain, Indah Jenkins, recently teamed up with Scotch's Service Captain to interview Harry who has recovered from Leukaemia. Watch the interview below. 

- Chonny James – Director of Wellbeing

Bright Young Things - Live Streamed Performance

The live stream for Bright Young Things begins Thursday 24 March at 7.00 pm so get your popcorn ready!

Thought-provoking and laugh-out-loud funny, Bright Young Things is centered around a group of young individuals struggling against the pressure to succeed and the manipulations of TV. Set in a television production studio, the performance will follow the young individuals as they compete to be crowned the cleverest child in the country. As they battle it out round after round, the pressure mounts, the spotlight gets harsher, and each is faced with questions they were never expecting.