From the Principal
MRS NICOLA TAYLOR
PRINCIPAL
As the 2019 HSC Examinations concluded this week,
our Year 12 girls were among 75 000 students in NSW who will now await
their results - due for release in mid-December. With examinations over,
NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority) released the following ‘fun
facts’.
Over 150 courses were offered by NESA. Seven were English courses (PLC
Armidale offered five of these), six were Mathematics courses (four
offered by PLC Armidale) and six were Science courses, (four offered to
our students). Of the top fifteen most popular courses of study,
thirteen were offered by the College, along with the most popular VET
Course (Hospitality) and the second most popular language (French).
None of our girls bore any of the top 10 most popular names of HSC
Students. Only two of them were girls’ names (Emily and Jessica) despite
there being more girls completing the HSC in 2019 than boys! Of the 985
sets of twins sitting their HSC, two of these were students at PLC
Armidale with twin brothers at TAS.
None of our students were amongst
the sixteen sets of triplets whose families had the pleasure of
supporting three adolescents towards the completion of their schooling
simultaneously!
We are very proud of our Class of 2019 who, having completed the HSC
Marathon have been finalising their signing out of the College this
week. We were also delighted to receive notification that the work of
two of our students has been nominated for possible inclusion HSC
showcase events. Congratulations to Mackenzie Constable whose Design and
Technology major project has been nominated for Shape 2019 and Mia
Tindale whose Visual Arts major body of work has been nominated for
ARTEXPRESS.
As the 2019 HSC Examinations conclude, NESA has made available the
Interim Report for the NSW Curriculum Review. This is the first major
review of the entire school curriculum since 1989. A key finding of the
Interim Report is that change is required. The current curriculum is
crowded, teaching and learning in the Senior School is perceived to be
overly focused on examination preparation and that a more integrated and
broader approach to the curriculum is required.
A consultation meeting is being held in Armidale at the end of November.
PLC Armidale will have a range of staff in attendance. It is
acknowledged in the review that proposed curriculum reforms are seen as a
long-term agenda, possibly up to a decade or more - if adopted.
As an Independent School, one of our strengths is the ability to focus
our energies on teaching and learning. With literacy and numeracy as our
core academic pillars across each stage of the curriculum our focus is
on the Learning Journey at PLC Armidale.
Informed by the data we are capturing, we don’t need to wait a decade
to decide on our strategic projects or future directions.
In fact, our results - our graduate outcomes, along with tracking of
student performance over time against a range of measures, some formal
and others not, indicate that this is a more effective and efficient
approach than waiting a decade for the results of a state-wide review to
be available.
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Dates for the Diary
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Senior School News
MRS ANNA CALDWELL
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
We are now more than midway through Term 4 and have
only three more weeks left of the academic year. Congratulations to our
Year 12 students who have now completed their HSC examinations. Enjoy
the next few weeks of rest and travel and we look forward to celebrating
your results with you in mid December.
Examination Week
Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 have now completed their end of year examinations. I
would like to commend all the girls for the way they embraced the
challenge and approached their examinations with focus, they worked hard
and maintained a positive attitude throughout the week. As results are
released, we encourage our students to adopt this same approach and to
work on building their resilience, particularly if results don’t go the
way they would have hoped. I encourage all girls to seek feedback from
their teachers and to take these examinations as part of their learning
journey rather than as a definitive sign of their knowledge and ability.
Year 11 Transition Program
This Term started with our Prefect Induction Service followed by a
Leadership Training Day for all of Year 11. Preparation for
transitioning into Year 12 has continued throughout this term in
Pastoral Care. The girls will soon move into the Year 12 study block.
Important Dates and Information
-
18 November Year 10 Peer Support Leadership Training Day
-
25 November Activities Week Starts
-
30 November Year 10 Celebration Dinner
End of Year Activities
With the end of term fast approaching, we are looking forward to our
Activities Weeks in Weeks 7 & 8. To assist you with your
organisation, please see the program below for all students.
This year we are going to be holding our Lifesaving at the Monckton
Aquatic Centre, Armidale.
Week 7
Week 8
We hope your daughters enjoy the end of year activities. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the school.
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Junior School News
MRS FIONA WAKE
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Welcome to Week 5
The Junior School has been busy wrapping up their term, celebrating their Integrated Learning Projects and presenting to their peers their findings after a busy term of learning. The Bee Motel is open – the estate will continue to grow as landscaping and attractive vegetation will see the bees hard at work, doing what they do best – making honey.
Time to Shine
Junior School Presentation evening will be held next Friday, we would love to see you there to celebrate your daughters learning. We will commence the evening with refreshments in the Astra Arts Centre Foyer at 5:00pm. There will be artwork on display for you to view and enjoy the company of our Junior School Community. Uniform for this occasion will be full summer uniform, clean blazers please, green hair ribbons and shiny black shoes. If your daughter plays in an orchestra (Junior Strings and Silver Strings), please ensure she arrives at the Astra Arts Centre at 4:45pm on this evening.
Hydroponics
Stage 2, Years 3 & 4 have been exploring hydroponics and despite the drought and some clever sustainable practices, we have a healthy crop of mixed lettuce to be sold for your favourite summer mixed salad, at the gate each afternoon for a gold coin donation. There are also numerous eggs, the hens are in full swing, laying up to seven eggs each day.
ANimal shelter donation
Hi! My name is Maggie Zhen and I’m currently in Year 6. Soon I will be moving to Cairns in Queensland. On Sunday the 3 November I had a farewell party and instead of bringing a gift for me, I asked the girls in my class (and my teachers) to bring some pet food to donate to the animals at the shelter. When we took the gifts to the shelter, they said that it was the biggest donation they had ever received. They were very grateful. The shelter appreciate any donations they receive for the animals and if you would like to take something to them, they are out near the airport.
Junior School Sport News
MRS LUCY DONALDSON
JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS COORDINATOR
Congratulations Sophie Bailey!!
Sophie competed at the NSW PSSA State Athletics Championships in Sydney
last week in the 1500m. This is the second State Championships that
Sophie has qualified for this year - an outstanding effort.
Sophie
finished 26th overall in the State.
PLC Junior School Fun Run Team - WINNERS!!!
Our Junior School little champions took out first place in the U12’s 2km
team event at the Armidale Fun Run. Congratulations Flurina Dettwiler
(Year 6), Sophie Bailey (Year 5), Anais Dettwiler (Year 4) and Kate
Loxley (Year 4) on your amazing running! Sophie Bailey was also the
first female over the line in this event. Another great effort by our
students.
Indoor Hockey
An excellent start to the indoor hockey season for all of our teams. We
have 6 teams entered into the competition this season so each Friday is
a sea of blue and green at the varying venues!!
Junior School Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser
It is very exciting to announce that our amazing Junior School girls
raised $3366.42 for the Heart Foundation!! We may only be little, but
we have big hearts! A special congratulations to our top 5 fundraisers:
-
Polly Turnbull (Year 5) $486.20
-
Rebecca Sung (Year 1) $468
-
Jennifer Sung (Year 5) $451.68
-
Lola Ferguson (Year 2) $410.63
-
Evie Donaldson (Year 1) $$343.99
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Sport News
MR PETER LE-SURF
DIRECTOR OF SPORT
Starry Night of sport
Thank you to everyone who attended our Starry Night of Sport. It was a wonderful evening where we had a chance to celebrate the girls' wonderful achievements. We also got to thank those who help make sport what it is at PLC Armidale. We are proud of everyone who received awards but we are equally as proud of those who have tried their best throughout the year. Below is the full list of awards presented on the night.
Reeve Cup - Recognises a student’s dedication & consistent effort to PLC
Armidale Hockey
Mia Emanuel
Lawton Trophy - Recognises a student’s dedication & consistent effort to PLC
Armidale Netball
Ruby Beatty
Youman Shield - Acknowledges a student’s dedication and commitment to training and the
encouragement and development of team spirit in Swimming
Heidi Martin
Tom Award - Recognises a student’s loyalty, reliability, dependability, leadership,
quiet persistence and achievement in sport at PLC Armidale
Lily Graham
Mullen Award (Soccer) - Players’ player, acknowledges the player who made the most effort
throughout the year
Kate WIlliamson
Student coach/s of the year - Acknowledges the time and effort applied by a student to develop skills
of the younger members of PLC Armidale
Lucinda Caldwell & Chelsea Waters
Spirit in sport - Acknowledges the all-round participation in a wide range of sporting
areas at PLC Armidale whilst displaying a high level of sportsmanship
& encouragement
Lilly McCook
Most improved team of the year
PLC 5 Netball
Junior Team of the year – Sisson Trophy - Recognises the most successful junior sporting team at PLC Armidale
PLC
Thunder - Hockey
Senior Team of the year - Recognises the most successful senior sporting team at PLC Armidale
PLC 1 Netball
Year 7 Rookie Award - Acknowledges a Year 7 students’ consistent performances across a wide
variety of sports
Scarlett Loxley
Diebold Shield - Recognises the fastest crew in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic
Lilly McCook and Sophia Grant
Supporter’s award - Recognises the interest displayed in PLC Armidale sport through
attendance, support and encouragement at various sporting events
Mrs Sandra Grant
Service to sport - Invaluable contribution made by a student or parent to sport at PLC
Armidale
Mrs Sally McCook
Junior sports shield - Acknowledges a Year 7-9 students' all round achievement and contribution
to sport at PLC Armidale
Emma Thompson
PLC Armidale Athletics and Cross Country Cup
Chiyo Brown
Years 7-9 Sportsmanship Award
Junior student who goes to training, gives their best turns up, doesn’t
give any grief to coach, referee or other player, and gives their all
Sarah Waters
Years 10-12 Sportsmanship Award
Senior student who goes to training, gives their best turns up, doesn’t
give any grief to coach, referee or other player, and gives their all
Mia Tindale
UNE Spirit in Sport Award
Mackenzie Constable
Senior Sports shield - Acknowledges a student all round achievement and contribution to sport
at PLC Armidale
Charlotte Caldwell
Junior Sportsperson of the Year - Recognises the individual achievement of a student in Years 7-9 in or
outside of the schools’ pathway
Pip Constable
Most outstanding individual achievement in sport - Recognises the highest achievement in sport outside the schools’
pathway
Mia Emanuel and Pip Constable
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Performing Arts News
MATILDA THE MUSICAL - PRODUCTION TEAM
Matilda the musical
The PLC Armidale Production of Matilda the Musical
was a great success! With 6 sold-out shows over 4 action packed days,
our cast danced, acted and sang their hearts out for the Armidale
community, and the community loved it and showed their appreciation.
The
cast of students from Year 5 through to Year 12, along with our very
talented orchestra, came together to perform a show that was a joy to
behold, and truly brought Matilda to life on the Arts Theatre stage.
The experience was a positive one for our students, and gave them the
chance to develop new skills, to make new friends, and to push
themselves out of their everyday comfort zone to try something new. The
Production Crew of teachers, parents and friends who worked with these
students all commented on the dedication of this group of students, and
their commitment to what was an outstanding show.
Many thanks go to the following PLC staff for their work on Matilda: Jo
Wysel, Kate Clynch, Matthew Minter, Jan Patterson, Sam Jacometti, Connie
Dunhan, Helen Templeton, Susanne Dowling, Julie Flanagan, Danika
Blackburn, Amy Chiu and Chris Estriech. Special thanks also to Millie
Graham, Shane Moffitt, Michael Cornford for being such an integral part
of our team.
Thank you to our entire school and community for your support of our
musical - we couldn’t have done it without you all.
If you missed out on a Program, there are a limited number available for
purchase from Senior School reception - get in quick for a last chance
for a Matilda souvenir!
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Pathways News
MR CHRIS SPENCER
DIRECTOR OF PATHWAYS
The adventure continues!
One of the things we have observed the most from our international students is, due
to the pressure of study in Asia, they are not used to having
co-curricular activities as part of their learning. It took us a while
to establish the concept and to help them to build up the habit to
participate in sports and music.
This term, we have seen a significant difference. Girls got to choose their
preferred sport and music even before we asked them to! It has been a
pleasure to see them getting up early for park run, changing to sports
uniforms for indoor hockey training during the day, being on time for
basketball at night, and getting familiar with the preparation and pack
up procedures while doing horse riding!
Some of our girls have been doing horse riding for almost a year. They
started from walking, trotting to cantering, and now they are learning
how to jump! It is incredible to see how brave and willing to try they
are. It is also great to see these city girls enjoying the unique
country life in regional Australia.
Christina Xing (Year 8) learning to jump.
Bon voyage to our Year 12 girls!
As we come to the end of HSC, our International girls have completed
their time in Armidale and are headed back to their home countries. It is
really sad to see them fly out at the airport but is also making us
proud that these girls have done so well in almost 3 years since they
started Pathways with us in 2017. We will always miss them and PLC
Armidale will always be a home for them to come back for a visit.
Helen Zhou (Year 11) and Beem Niamthong (Year 11) seeing Angel Cheung
(Year 12) off at the airport.
What's next?
Pathways students from Bathurst are coming up to Armidale in Week 5 to
sit the AEAS test. We, the Pathways Team, are very grateful for how
accommodating the school members are to these variations of activities
we run at school. Thank you to the students who make our Pathways
students welcome, thank you to staff who make our Bathurst staff feel included and thank you to the wider community for your understanding
for the slight changes at school for the week.
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Co-curricular News
MS JUDY MILLER
CATTLE TEAM COORDINATOR
Lion’s Roar Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza
The varying weather conditions in Scone recently, found four of the team
members having to deal with heavy rain, hot weather, a dust storm and
howling winds. Nevertheless, they managed to bring home some ribbons
from the various Paraders’ competitions.
-
Liberty Cook – highly commended in her 12 -13 years heat.
- Lucy Crowley – highly commended in her 13 – 14 years heat.
- Paris Whibley – overall 2nd place in the 16 years paraders’.
Four PLC steers were also entered in to the Hoof and Hook competitions
with the best result being with Rissole who took out 5th place in the
carcase competition from (heavy middleweight) Class 16.
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Community News