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From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR
PRINCIPAL

The refrain of ‘community’ is one often quoted in my Lion’s Roar articles or assembly messages. A community by definition is the coming together of people often according to shared purpose, mutual interest or physical need. In our very individualistic, self-sufficient and independent age the notion of community can at times appear outdated, irrelevant and unnecessary.

That is, until tragedy strikes nearby or the effort of long hours and strenuous rehearsals is rewarded with Opening Night. These are times when the strength, camaraderie and kindness of community shines through.

This week, our school has dealt with both simultaneously. Our thoughts and prayers are with the TAS community as they deal with the sudden and tragic loss of their Headmaster. We have sought to express this on behalf of the PLC Armidale Community through word as well as deed and will continue to do so. Our prayers are with Joanne, Annaliese and Harry Guest during these difficult days ahead.

This week the much awaited opening night performance of Matilda the Musical was a highlight, the cast and crew rewarded with a standing ovation from a very appreciative audience. It was a very visible demonstration of community and brought much joy to those in attendance. The support of members of the TAS community in the cast, crew and audience in such a challenging week for them was especially poignant.

We were not created to live alone, God’s plan for His people is to live in close connection with others. The family unit so clearly demonstrates this. We don’t always get it right, the fabric of relationships is delicate and easily damaged. The responsibility to look out for the needs of others, to mourn loss and celebrate accomplishment is joint and several.

When envisaging schools, Roland Barth founding director of the Harvard Principals’ Centre wrote … "The school will be a community, a place full of adults and youngsters who care about, look after, and root for one another and who work together for the good of the whole, in times of need and times of celebration. Every member of a community holds some responsibility for the welfare of every other and for the welfare of the community as a whole.”

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Dates for the Diary

Senior School News

MRS ANNA CALDWELL
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Stage 6

We are now midway through the HSC Exam schedule. It has been lovely to see our Year 12 girls in school and taking each exam in their stride. 

Once these exams are completed, Year 11 will move into the Year 12 Study Block and will commence their HSC studies. 

Year 10 Peer Support Leaders Training Day and Coffs Coast Camp in Week 6 

Year 10 will participate in a Peer Support Leaders Training day on Monday 18th November, in the AAC. This training day will focus on:

*Leadership skills
*developing connections
*responsibilities
*Personal strengths and characteristics
*Decision making

This training is part of the College’s Pastoral Care program. It provides our senior students with the opportunity to develop and practice leadership skills within a supportive environment and all skills will help prepare them for the demands of Year 11 and 12.

After undertaking this program, the girls will have the opportunity to apply to be a Peer Support Leader to support our Year 7 class of 2020, which is an important component of our transition to Senior School Program. 

Year 10 will then head to Coffs Harbour on Tuesday 19 November for their PDHPE/STEM Coffs Coast Surfing and Leadership camp. 

Hawkesbury Canoe Classic

This year we had two crews participate in the 43rd Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. Lilly McCook and Sophia Grant, and Lucinda Caldwell paddled with her dad, Will Caldwell. Both crews trained hard throughout Term 3, enjoyed the Grafton night paddle at the end of the school holidays and were well and truly ready to tackle the 111km challenge head on. 

Both crews finished in great time, with Lucinda and Will finishing in 14 hours 45mins and Lilly and Sophia finishing in 13 hours and 12 minutes, which may equal the HCC race record time set by Ella Atkin and Grace Lehman last year. We await the official results! 

PLC combined with NEGS for the first time to create a very strong Armidale Girls Team who achieved a 100% success rate. 

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is not just a physical marathon event, that one can chalk up to say they have done. It is much bigger than that. It is an event that is organised by a team of over 400 volunteers to raise funds and awareness for Arrow, The Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation, which gives hope to people suffering from diseases treatable by bone marrow and adult stem cell transplants. With our girls having such strong social service centred hearts, this is not lost on them. When the going gets tough and they feel uncomfortable and sore, they know that their discomfort pales into insignificance compared to those who are suffering from these diseases. They find their inner strength and they paddle on with grace and determination. Well done crews for all that you raised and thank you to everyone who sponsored them. 

Thank You! 

An enormous thank you to Penny and Doug Lehman, Sandra and John Grant, Sally and Peter McCook and Charlotte Caldwell, and all the fabulous Landcrew who worked together brilliantly to make the event such a success and so much fun too! 

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