From the Principal
MRS NICOLA TAYLOR
PRINCIPAL
Welcome to our final term for 2019, which although only eight weeks long is one characterised by a diverse range of learning experiences. Teaching and learning will be transdisciplinary (across subject areas), collaborative (across year groups), outward focused (social service), academic, creative, active and pastoral.
Teaching and learning will take place both within and outside of the classroom. Students engage with key concepts, theoretical frameworks, core content and acquire skills which are applied through a range of practical, hands-on, interactive experiences. Many of these are highly engaging and shared with peers, with the learning taking place in the doing.
Attendance on all scheduled school days is compulsory, irrespective of what is planned for that day. Attendance is monitored actively by the College and parents or guardians are asked to notify reception in either the Junior School (via Emma Young) or in the Senior School (via Sandra Grant) of any unplanned or unforeseen absence due to ill health or family circumstance. Permission for any planned absence of five consecutive days or less must be sought from the Head of Junior School or the Head of Senior School, with requests initially coming through the Receptionist in each area.
Permission for an absence of five consecutive school days or more must be sought from the Principal. The appropriate forms for making this request are to be found on the College website. Please note, that requesting a leave of absence from school for a non-essential reason does not automatically mean the request will be granted. If a leave request is not granted by the College, it will be recorded by the school as unauthorised leave.
Boarder’s seeking leave approval for school days must seek this approval initially as above before seeking an exeat through Boardingware.
Students completing the ROSA Years of school (Year 10, 11 or 12) are required as a condition of this award to have ‘applied themselves with diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks and experiences provided by the school’. Absences without valid reasons make fulfilling this expectation difficult.
Students holding or aspiring to leadership positions in both the Junior and Senior School are required to lead by example, demonstrating a genuine commitment to abide by the spirit not just the letter of attendance expectations. Teachers will, as far as practical seek to provide work or assistance to students who miss school due to unavoidable circumstances, however this may not be feasible or possible for planned absences and should be requested when leave approval is sought.
At our Term Four Commencement Service the Senior School student leadership team were inducted. They were challenged to consider their leadership as an opportunity to serve, rather than be served. Leadership success won’t be a solitary attainment, it isn’t about them as individuals, it is corporate and relational. Strengthening relationships with peers, younger girls, staff and the wider school community will characterise their success. Great leadership will be others centred. The key to successful leadership is influence, not authority. Serving others is preparation to lead others. We wish our Class of 2020 well as they commence the HSC Program of study this term.
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The PLC Armidale P & F Association would like to advise that our AGM and next general meeting are being held in Week 2. The details are as follows:
Date: Thursday 24th October 2019
Time: 6.00pm
Venue: PLC Armidale Boardroom
We would like to invite all Parents and Friends to attend this meeting. If there is anyone who is interested in being involved on the P & F Executive or as a Liaison Parent for your year group, please contact us via the email pandf@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au and one of the current Executive will contact you with more information.
We look forward to working with all the families to continue to strengthen the College community.
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Dates for the Diary
EVENT
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DATE
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HSC commences
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17/10/2019
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OGU Weekend
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18/10 to 20/10/2019
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K- 2 Pyjama Party & Movie Night
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18/10/2019
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Boarders' Chapel
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21/10/2019
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College Council Finance Meeting
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21/10/2019
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P&F Meeting
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24/10/2019
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Hawkesbury Canoe Classic
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25/10 to 27/10/2019
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AHIGS Festival
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26/10 to 27/10/2019
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Boarders' Church Service at St Paul's
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27/10/2019
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College Council Meeting
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28/10/2019
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Boarders' Chapel
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28/10/2019
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Matilda production
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30/10 to 2/11/2019
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Senior School News
MRS ANNA CALDWELL
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
WELCOME TO TERM 4
I trust that you enjoyed a relaxing, happy and healthy holiday and are ready for another action packed term.
Our girls have been very busy over the school holidays with Service Learning Trips to Thailand and Fiji, competing at the Athletics NSW All Schools Championships, competing in Equestrian events and playing for the New England Rugby 7’s in Foster…just to name a few of their amazing experiences.
UNIFORM
All students are to wear the summer uniform in Terms 4 & 1.
This includes the tartan summer dress (knee length), green or red jumper, blazer, hat, white ankle turnover socks and black school shoes. Green or red hair ribbons and regulation jewellery.
HSC EXAMINATIONS
The HSC has now started so whilst in and around the school and especially near the Year 12 Study block, please keep noise to a minimum. We wish our Year 12 students all the best in their exams.
STAGE 4 & 5 EXAMINATIONS
Years 7 - 10 will sit their End of Year Examinations in Week 5 this term.
HAWKESBURY CANOE CLASSIC
After months of training, our courageous crews will be setting off at lunch time on Friday 25th October, heading to Windsor for the start of the 111km marathon paddle.
This years paddlers include: Lilly McCook and Sophia Grant and Lucinda Caldwell and Will Caldwell.
I wish all the paddlers and their land crew, all the best for the event and look forward to seeing their tired but smiling faces at the finish line at Brooklyn on Sunday morning.
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Junior School News
MRS FIONA WAKE
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
welcome to term 4!
I hope you have enjoyed time with family over the past fortnight, a slower pace, and embraced the recent rain that put a smile on many faces and some welcome relief.
It has been wonderful seeing the return of students, so full of happiness and excitement to see their friends and teachers as they welcome in a new term of learning. The term calendar reflects a busy schedule with many events that will wrap up another school year.
Term 4 consists of six weeks of formal learning, assessment and reporting followed by two weeks of organised activities, service leadership, swim and survive sessions, before finishing with Guild Drama, a highlight for all!
Pre-K will perform their annual Nativity Play, Junior School Time to Shine Presentation evening will take place on 22 November and we will farewell our Year 6 students with a formal Year 6 dinner in the Astra Arts Centre on 28 November. Matilda the Musical will feature, String Soiree and In-house concerts are all scheduled and will be communicated prior to each event.
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.
Enter photo of Sophie ) already sent through to you for social media posts
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.
Enter photo of JS Fun Run team - already sent through
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
Welcome back to another busy term of sports!
There are many sports on offer this term and most will start in the coming days. Please ask your daughters to check the sports noticeboard for updates on draws for the various sports. Not all draws are finalised yet.
Monday
Tennis - beginners class 4-5pm at PLC Courts
Volleyball - 5-7pm UNE
Tuesday
Swimming - 6am
Pilates - 7-7:45am
Twilight Soccer - UNE
Basketball - The Den
Futsal - DKC
Wednesday
Strength & Conditioning - 6:30-7:30am
Tennis Squad Training - 4-5:30 pm at PLC Courts
Futsal - DKC
Basketball -The Den
Thursday
Swimming 6am
Indoor Hockey - various venues
Friday
Indoor hockey - for Junior School
Armidale Fun Run
On Sunday 3 November, the streets of Armidale will be filled with runners, competing in either 2km, 5km or 10km Fun Runs.
For more information on this event you can head to the
Run NSW website.
Concussion workshop
On Tuesday 29 October, 5:30-6:30 pm, there will be a Concussion Workshop for coaches, parents, athletes and teachers being held at 214 Rusden St (MB - Move Better for Life).
This workshop is being run by exercise physiologists and physiotherapists. This is a free workshop and is open to anyone interested in attending.
I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines during this term.
Performing Arts News
MR MATTHEW MINTER
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Holiday achievements!
During the holidays several PLC Armidale students had very exciting experiences as part of elite programs run by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Griffith University.
Jennifer Sung was selected to perform at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellows Workshop and Concert in Sydney. Jennifer also was selected for a masterclass with Dr Evgeny Sorkin.
Gabrielle Cotterell was selected for the State Honours Ensemble Program in Brisbane at the Griffith University.
Emily and Abigail Thompson were selected to be part of the Australian Honours Ensemble Program at Griffith University.
In Brisbane Emily had the special honour of being selected to perform the Vivaldi Concerto for Two Violins alongside Rose Light from Coffs Harbour. Emily was violin 1 and she led the entire orchestra as the soloist (no conductor). It was an amazing and thrilling experience and Emily gave an outstanding performance.
Here are their reports!
By Emily Thompson
"During the holidays I travelled to Brisbane for the Australian Honours Ensemble Program at the Griffith Conservatorium (University) in Brisbane. The camp was several days of intensive rehearsal with a concert at the end. The orchestra played selected works by Britten, Vivaldi and many more. I had the privilege of being one of the soloists for the Vivaldi and it was an experience that I will never forget."
By Jennifer Sung
"During the term break, I had a fantastic experience of being selected for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellows Workshop at Parramatta. I played alongside lots of young talented musicians and mentored by Sydney Symphony Orchestra players. We presented a brilliant concert conducted by Roger Benedict. This workshop allowed me strengthen my sight reading and orchestral skills.
Another highlight for me was being selected for a master class given by Dr Evgeny Sorkin who was my previous teacher when I was living in Sydney. Dr Sorkin and I worked on one of my current pieces and refined some bow strokes and techniques."
By Gabrielle Cotterell
"From October 3 to October 6 I attended the State Honours Ensemble Program (SHEP) at the Griffith Conservatorium for young musicians across Australia. I was in the Peter Sculthorpe Orchestra, we played three pieces in the concert: Bolero by Ravel, Mars The Bringer of War by Holst and Hoe Down by Aaron Copland. It was a very beneficial and exciting experience and I highly recommend it."
By Abigail Thompson
"Last holidays I was part of the Australian Honours Ensemble Strings Program (AHEP) at Griffith University. Our conductor was Mark Sullivan and we performed works by Benjamin Britten, Soon Hee Newbold, Vivaldi and Brahms. I absolutely loved the AHEP program. It was so much fun and it was inspiring playing with such amazing musicians."
PLC Armidale production of Matilda the Musical - Coming Soon
EXTRA ‘PREVIEW’ SHOW ADDED!
The cast and production crew have been working hard and rehearsing for months now, and it is almost time to share with you what we have been working on! We are already sold out for our 4 main shows, but due to demand we have added an extra ‘Preview’ show on Wednesday the 30th of October at 7pm. As this is a Preview, tickets for this show are just $20 per ticket. There are still some seats left for this performance, so head to Trybooking to secure your seat. Tickets will not be available at the door for any performances.
The PLC Armidale P&F will have drinks and snacks for sale during the interval, so please support them in this.
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Pathways News
MR CHRIS SPENCER
DIRECTOR OF PATHWAYS
Welcome back to term 4!
Some exciting things are happening in the following 8 weeks and here is a snapshot!
In week 1, some new Pathways girls are joining us to start their new adventure. This is the first time they will be learning immersed in English in a foreign country. It takes a lot of courage and willingness to step out of their comfort zone. Please make the new girls welcome.
In Week 5, we will run another AEAS test for Pathways students as well as some of our International students. A day trip to Coffs Harbour will be organised as a reward for their hard work this year.
In Week 8, some of our Pathways students are moving on to their next stage of learning and a warm farewell will be held to conclude their language study with us at PLC Pathways.
During the school holidays, some students went back to their home country while some chose to stay to experience the Australian lifestyle with our local families. A big thank you to the welcoming and caring hosts that provided the students a home away from home.
(Left) Girls who stayed in Armidale had a day trip to Coffs Harbour and (right) Helen Zhou- International Prefect.
Four of our international students are commencing the HSC this week. It is the first cohort to have begun their journey with Pathways, continued on into mainstream studies and then concluded their schooling with us. It is exciting and sad for us to be so close to seeing them go, but we wish them all the best for the upcoming examinations.
Last but not least, congratulations to our newly elected International Prefect - Helen Zhou. She is to be the representative of the international students across the College. We look forward to seeing her representing and leading the other students in embracing school life, community and learning.
Community News