Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 2| Week 1 | 2023

From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR

PRINCIPAL


This week saw our nation come together to remember and pay respect to those who, through service and sacrifice, have contributed to the peace and security we enjoy as Australians. Although all who served at Gallipoli are no longer alive, there is a national determination that the memory of the campaign, bravery displayed and lessons learned not be forgotten through this annual act of remembrance. Thank you to all girls who represented the College in the ANZAC Day marches around the area, with an impressive number of girls and staff taking part in Armidale and other regional centres. 


Remembering and calling things to mind is an important part of how we make sense of the world. Shared memories and experiences connect people when time and place bring separation. Any PLC Armidale Old Girl gathering testifies to this, especially as some of our more senior Old Girls remember and share about their time over fifty years ago...

... continue reading here


Each year, our Year 12 students remember and reflect upon their time at the College, inevitably it will be experiences had at camps, eisteddfods, Duke of Edinburgh hikes, IGSA Sport trips to Sydney that are shared. As much as we might like students to remember each English, Mathematics or Science lesson taught, these memories become more clustered and general in nature, whilst those of camps, trips and excursions become more vivid and detailed in the recalling. 


Creating memories, rites of passage, events for students to look back and reflect on as well as experiences and adventures that younger students look up and forward to are part of each girl’s PLC Armidale journey  shaping culture and strengthening community along the way. 


Girls and young women can't be what they can't see - teachers, as significant adults in the life of a young person (after parents and close family members), seek to model and instruct in academic learning along with social-emotional learning. Shared experiences outside of the classroom provide a natural place where theory is tested by practice.


The findings of an OECD report released recently indicated that despite record spending on Australian education, outcomes for both teachers and students continue to decline. The common denominator? Increasing disruption and disorder in classrooms. Australia now ranks 70th out of 77 countries on the 'disciplinary climate index' - placing us  among the least orderly classrooms and schools in the world.


There is no surprise in the strong correlation between disruptive classrooms and poor learner outcomes and teacher morale. 


The writer of the article, Glenn Fahay - the program director in education policy at the Centre for Independent Studies, comments that both students and teachers have been let down by a progressive and permissive approach that is reactive, rather than progressive to address student behaviour. 


According to Fahey, "It is far more effective and empowering for teachers to proactively and explicitly teach behavioural standards, practices and expectations. It can't be assumed students will simply know what is expected of them without clearly being shown and having it explained to them."


Why am I sharing this? 


We don't have classrooms highly disrupted by student behaviour,  we have a supportive parent community and we have a wealth of experienced, talented staff who work hard to create worthwhile lessons and learning activities maximising student engagement. However, we know from experience that what may appear to be calm in the classroom can mask a more turbulent time for girls as they navigate their social world and traverse the journey of young girls to young women. 


It is times like this when clearly stated values and expectations, along with instruction, modelling, and shared experiences, become the PLC Advantage, with the girls developing grit and grace along the way.

Congratulations to

All those who represented PLC Armidale at Anzac Day ceremonies across New England.

Congratulations to

Our Cattle Team, who represented the College at the Sydney Royal Easter show throughout the Easter Weekend, with Elsie and Macey Wake, along with Georgia Whibley and Libby Cook taking part in the state judging finals representing New England.

Below is an outline of the events currently scheduled. You can view the school calendar via the College App or Parent Portal.

Senior School News

MR MITCHELL CLENDINNING

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL


Camps

Thank you to the staff that made the camps such memorable experiences this year. Your dedication and care of the students was exceptional.   


Our Boarding Students Parent-Teacher Conferences (via Zoom) will be held on Wednesday,  May 3 from 4pm-7pm. 


Year 8-11 Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, May 10 from 4pm to 7pm.


Parents are also encouraged to contact the College if they have concerns about their daughter’s academic progress. 

Canberra excursion

At the end of Term 1, as part of the ‘Explore, Serve, Journey’ program, our Year Ten students undertook an educational tour of our nation’s capital, Canberra. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. Students encountered some incredible opportunities and people along the way, and had both an educational and enjoyable time.


The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government contributed funding of $45.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate was paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.


To start the capital journey, the group travelled to Mount Ainslie for a sunset view of the city of Canberra. Unfortunately, the rain clouds had descended, and the views were limited, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of our intrepid travellers. On the following days, we were taken on a guided tour of Canberra by our incredible driver, Ralph Alley, whose knowledge was a special addition to our experience. At each destination, there was something new to discover, whether it be where the Prime Minister of 1975 stood when he was dismissed, or the courageous stories of the World War II nurses. Students were given the chance to explore the National Botanic gardens, and the Australian War Memorial, as well as the Museum of Australian Democracy, Parliament House, the Australian Electoral Commission, the National Film and Sound Archive, and the National Portrait Gallery, all of which included wonderful tour guides who heightened our experience. 


We were also lucky to be in Parliament House during a sitting week, and had the chance to meet with our local member, Hon Barnaby Joyce. The experiences shared will be remembered for a long way into the future.


Thank you to the members of staff that joined us in Canberra, Mrs Clynch and Mr Patrick, along with our ESJ leaders Ms Leahy and Mrs Burney, who continually supported us every day, and encouraged us to interact, and make the most of the journey. 


School Photo Day is on Tuesday,  9 May 2023. 

An order form will be sent home with your daughter this week. All students are to wear full winter uniform, including polished shoes.

Sibling order forms will be sent home with the eldest sibling. Spare sibling order forms can be collected from the Junior or Senior School Office if required.

Junior School News

Welcome to a busy term in Junior School.. 

Fiona Wake

Head of Junior School


I do hope the Easter break was relaxing, and provided family time and a change of pace.  


We now begin a busy term with the following events taking place:


● Eisteddfod - commences June 5

● Author Visit -  April 26 Oliver Phommavanh

● Gymnastics - commences May 1

○ PreK gymnastics is Mondays between 12-1pm

○ K-2 gymnastics is Wednesdays between 12-1pm

○ 3-6 gymnastics Thursdays between 2-3pm


● College Photos - winter uniform May 9

● Athletics Carnival

○ ½ Day 4th May

○ FULL Day 5th May


● Stemgineers (commences April 26, Week 1 of Term 2) each Wednesday


● Whole School Mother’s Day Breakfast  Thursday, May 11


● PLC Performs Thursday, May 11


● Years 5 and 6 PLC Armidale team competes at the daVinci Decathlon competition - TAS May 16


● Stage 2 Thalgarrah excursion - May 30


● Winter sport


● Semester 1 Reports


● Last day Term 2 - June 22


Winter uniform

Thank you for making every effort to ensure the College uniform is worn correctly, is clean and in good repair. In order to assist in ensuring our uniform is worn correctly, uniform slips have been introduced as kind reminders of an element/s that may need attention to ensure a high standard is upheld. These slips will be attached to your daughter's student diary for you to view.


Note:

● K-2 Winter tunic is worn with the bib plate in place

● Years 3- 6, skirt only (the Bib removed)


Before School Extension Classes

Two before-school classes will run and be taught by myself,  across Term 2. These classes will run off the timetable to avoid students from being taken out of class during a busy Eisteddfod and Reporting term. You have already been sent a letter communicating your daughter's selection to be part of either the Maths Olympiad or 20% Project enrichment group/s. Participation is optional.


The following times indicate sessions times;

Maths Olympiad – Wednesday 8:15 – 9:00 am each week on May, 10, 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 14, 21.


The 20% Extension group – Tuesday 8:15 – 9:00am every second week on May 9, 23 and June 6, 20.


Social Media Management


Being on social media can mean connecting with friends, sharing pictures, and keeping up-to-date. But it can also mean big-time distractions, social pressures, and may lead to strained relationships and hurt if inappropriate exchanges take place on digital platforms. Our students at PLC Armidale, are active participants in learning relating to acceptable online behaviour, responsible digital citizenship and respectful relationships. Our college psychologist Penny Kempton facilitates such conversations, and each classroom teacher delivers core content from the curriculum that addresses such topics, largely through the Common-Sense Media program and by following NSW Personal Development and Health syllabus outcomes.


From this learning, a PLC Digital Technology Contract has been established. This contract seeks to provide a protocol and set of guidelines for the acceptable use of devices. The aim, to promote positive and responsible digital citizenship and the effective use of technology, in a language that is easily understood by students. Students, with the support of parents/carers, are encouraged to follow the recommended rules set within the contract. There is an expectation that whilst using digital technology to communicate, the core values of the College will be upheld; Humility, Integrity, Respect and Self-Discipline. A copy of the contract guidelines is presented in your daughter’s student diary.


Network Access

At school, classroom supervision and controlled network systems ensure a safe and supported environment, the system can be monitored at all times. (However, not when using device specific apps, such as Apple messages, using Apple IDs set up on privately owned devices). Our IT department monitors summary reports, and anomalies are investigated, whilst students are connected to the College network. Most home network access is unfiltered and open. While sensible and appropriate digital literacy is taught at school, good care and supervision from parents is strongly encouraged. The regular monitoring of devices, boundaries around their use, appropriateness of place and assisting with the age-appropriate set up of messenger profiles is encouraged and is the responsibility of the device owner. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and helps to ensure consistency between school and home environments.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact myself, Fiona Wake, or Ms Emma Pracy.


Recommended sites – Cyber Safety

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice/parental-controls

https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship/lesson/chatting-safely-online


Assessment and Reporting

Soon you will receive your daughter’s Semester One school report. 


A standards-referenced approach is used to report student achievement in NSW. Achievement standards are based on what students are expected to learn and how well they have achieved. The NSW syllabuses state the intended learning for students by the end of each stage. A to E grade scales

describe how well students have achieved. Teachers make professional on-balance judgements to decide which grade description best matches the standards their students have achieved at a particular point-in-time.


These decisions are based on evidence of achievement and information teachers have collected during the teaching and learning.


Teacher Judgement

Teacher judgements about student achievement should be based on quality evidence. The evidence used by teachers to make that judgement can include results from formative (information collected throughout the unit of work/concept being addressed) and summative (end of the unit or after the teaching is complete) assessments as well as teacher observations.This professional judgement is done at key points in the learning cycle.


The Common Grade Scale shown below is used to report student achievement in both primary and junior secondary years in all NSW schools. The Common Grade Scale describes performance at each of five grade levels. The A to E grade scale summarises the standard (or quality) of achievement associated with each grade. 


The scale describes:

● the depth of knowledge and understanding and

● the range of skills that students working at that standard typically show.

Grades are given for individual achievement. Students will get the grade that best matches the standard of their achievement. Teachers consider all evidence gathered and are not limited to a set number of children allocated to each grade within their class or school.


Grades are one aspect of school reporting to parents. Other important tools include:

● teacher comments

● parent-teacher-child interviews and

● ongoing communication to share information about student effort and application.


About the Common Grade Scale

Grade Description


A (Extensive) The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and skills and can apply these skills to new situations.


B (Thorough) The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills to most situations.


C (Sound) The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in the processes and skills.


D (Basic) The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content and has achieved a limited level of competence in the processes and skills.


E (Elementary) The student has an elementary knowledge and understanding in few areas of the content and has achieved very limited competence in some of the processes and skills.


Students with disabilities may require adjustments to assessment activities to enable access to the task and equitable opportunity to demonstrate what they know and can do.

School Photo Day is on Tuesday,  9 May 2023. 

An order form will be sent home with your daughter this week. All students are to wear full winter uniform, including polished shoes.

Sibling order forms will be sent home with the eldest sibling. Spare sibling order forms can be collected from the Junior or Senior School Office if required.

Music News

Mr Mathew Minter
Director of Music

MUSIC NEWS 

The Eisteddfod commences with the composition evening on Wednesday, May 10. Congratulations to the many PLC girls who have been selected as finalists and will perform their compositions at the prize-giving ceremony. More than 50 per cent of the composition finalists are from PLC Armidale and include: 


Years K-6 : Sophia Craig, Emily Christian & Rose Hopkinson, Poison Ivy; Stella Thomas & Pippa Notley, Creeps by the Creek.  Year 9: Emily Adams, Somewhere; Molly Chard, Pointless; Binudi Vithana, Bakemono. Year 10: Arlie Bragg, Stuck; India Smith, He told her; Tianbei Sun, Music assignment. Year 11 Music 1: Andrea Brown, Folksong; Zoe Chen, Deep Ocean. Year 12 Music 1: Catie Alcorn, Little Kid; Phoebe Imberger, Apricity; Zoyara Kelly, Sail to the sea. Year 12 Music 2: Kaylee Swick, Aurora Borealis.


HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS 

This term is shaping up to be an extraordinary term for Music, with a very busy calendar and so many exciting performances and events to look forward to. 


Firstly though, I would like to congratulate three Year 10 girls, Arlie Bragg, Teya Catterall and India Smith, for being selected to perform Benjamin Britten’s Requiem in a collaborative concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Gondwana Voices at the Melbourne Concert Hall during the holidays. Three of the 37 school-aged choristers from across Australia were from Year 10 at PLC Armidale. We are really proud of this achievement and so delighted that the girls were able to have this opportunity. See more details in Arlie Bragg’s report below. `

Bridie O’Neill attended the Australian Suzuki Festival at Abbotsleigh. Bridie is currently studying Book 9 Suzuki Cello, and this places her with the most Senior Orchestra of the festival. They were tutored by Sally Anne, a renowned Suzuki specialist from New Zealand, who was trained by Dr Suzuki himself.  “It was an amazing opportunity to be surrounded by so many Suzuki players, and particularly to perform alongside players of the highest calibre from across Australia," Bridie said. "I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.” 


Amelie Van der Werf, Ashlee Yu and Tiko Lay attended a five-day Sydney Youth Orchestra Camp. All of the students from the Sydney Youth Orchestras and students from across Regional New South Wales came to Armidale for an Orchestral Music. It was a great opportunity to meet musicians from across the state, and perform a variety of fine music. There were four different orchestras who toured the region giving concerts in Gunnedah and Werris Creek.


PLC Armidale was well represented at the Armidale City Anzac Service in Central Park. Congratulations to Lauren Williams and Kaylee Swick for singing vocal solos in Flanders Fields, to Gabrielle Cotterell for a beautiful rendition of the New Zealand National Anthem and Phoebe Imberger for a moving performance of the Australian Naval Hymn. Congratulations girls for representing PLC Armidale so well at this most important community event. 


Congratulations also to Gabrielle Cotterell, Khushi Aila and Jiya Aila for singing as soloists in the Vivaldi Gloria at the opening concert for the Armidale Bach Festival with the Armidale Choral Society at the Uniting Church on Sunday, April 23. 



UPCOMING EVENTS


Arlie Bragg, India Smith, Bridie O’Neil and Amelie Van der Werf have been selected to perform alongside the London Symphony Orchestra in concert at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, May 3. The girls were provided this opportunity through the New England Conservatorium of Music as part of the New South Wales Regional Conservatorium Youth Orchestra Program. 


I will be conducting the premier of my composition The Wanderer, a concerto for piccolo and orchestra with the Armidale Symphony Orchestra and one of Australia’s most eminent flautists, Sydney-based Lamorna Nightingale, at the Mother’s Day Armidale Ssymphony Orchestra concert at 3:00pm at the Old Teacher’s College in Armidale. I took one year of leave from my position as Director of Music role at PLC Armidale in 2022  to write this work. For this score, I was awarded the degree of Masters of Music with High Distinction at the University of Queensland. The concert will also include the much-loved classic, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, narrated by Armidale’s own Gareth Rickards. Here is the link to the trybooking site if you wish to attend. 


EISTEDDFOD AND UPCOMING SCHOOL CONCERTS 


The Term 2 In-House Concert will be held on Wednesday next week (May 3). There will be two concerts, the first at 5:00pm and the second at 6:15pm. These performances will be held in the Music Room and are specifically for students performing solos or duets in the Eisteddfod. If you would like your daughter to perform please complete this google form.

                        

Our Annual PLC Performs, the showcase and dress rehearsal of our Eisteddfod items, will be held on Thursday, May 11 from 5:30pm at the Astra Arts Centre. All girls from Kindergarten to Year 8 will be involved in this performance, as well as all girls in the Senior Choir, Senior Dance and Drama, Senior Strings, Cello, Flute and Jazz Ensembles. There will be a Senior Choir rehearsal on that Thursday afternoon (May 11) commencing at 4:30pm. All other students are required to attend the Astra Arts Centre no later than 5:10pm for a 5:30pm start.


In Week 4, the Senior Choir, Jazz Ensemble and Senior Strings will travel to Sydney to participate in PLC Sydney’s 135-Year Anniversary Celebrations culminating in an International Concert at the Sydney Town Hall on Wednesday, May 17. This is a particularly exciting event to be performing in such an iconic venue alongside PLC Sydney’s other sister schools from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan and Tasmania. Renowned didgeridoo player William Barton will be performing in concert with the PLC Sydney Senior Choir and PLC Sydney Symphony Orchestra in a commissioned work by PLC Sydney’s composer-in -residence Ella Macens. 


The Eisteddfod commences in earnest after the Sydney excursion commencing with the keyboard sections followed by vocal solos and Choirs in Week 5, with strings, winds and other ensembles in the weeks following leading up to the Gala concert on June 18.

Term 2 has such a busy calendar, particularly with the Eisteddfod, so please check your emails and PLC Armidale App notices carefully and don’t hesitate to contact Mr Minter or other members of the Music team if you have any questions. 


The dedication of the girls is appreciated, and we would like to sincerely thank and commend all of our musicians at PLC Armidale for their fine efforts and wish everyone the best for the busy Eisteddfod season. 

Please RSVP so we can cater for you

REPORT FROM MELBOURNE 

My classmates Teya Catteral, India Smith and I travelled down to Melbourne on April 9 to sing in Gondwana National Choirs. We auditioned for this prestigious choir last year, and out of 37 choristers chosen nationally, we were selected! 

We had a really insightful and enjoyable week learning Britten’s War Requiem, written for the fallen in WW1. 

The learning process involved analysing the lyrics of the Requiem, learning the music, visiting the shrine of remembrance and interviewing poets and musicians and composers. We performed Britten’s War Requiem for two nights with the Melbounre Symphony Orchestra and Melbourne Chorus. 

It was a very magical, insightful and rewarding experience and we recommend it to any girls who are interested in choral singing. 

Arlie Bragg

On Sunday 23rd April, Gabrielle Cotterell (Year 12), Khushi Aila (Year 10) and Jiya Aila (Year 6) sang with the Armidale Choral Society at the Society's first concert for the year. 

The concert was held at the Armidale Uniting Church and featured two chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach and the entire Vivaldi Gloria, conducted by Mr Robert van Gend. 


The three girls were invited by President of the Choral Society, Dr Inge Southcott to sing for this event. Khushi and Jiya were invited to sing the popular soprano duet, 'Laudamus Te' and Gabrielle was invited to sing the beautiful soprano solo 'Domine Deus'. All three girls sang beautifully and were much admired by the audience members. 


To be invited to sing solos with the choir is a testament to the girls' talent, effort and musicality and they should be very proud of their achievements. 


Congratulations on such a beautiful performance Gabrielle, Khushi and Jiya, we are very proud of you! 

CAPA News

Mrs Joanne Wysel

Head of Creative and Performing Arts. 

Term 2 is ramping up to be a very busy and exciting term in the Creative and Performing Arts Department. Please see below for information on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory auditions, the Shakespeare Carnival, The Dance Eisteddfods and PLC Performs. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jwysel@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au.



PLC Armidale Musical Auditions this week!


There is a buzz around the school at the moment with students preparing for their auditions which began this week. There was also a song run-through on Thursday at lunchtime for those who wanted some help with the songs. 


An email has been sent to those students who have put their names on the audition sheet. If you have not received a confirmation email of your audition time and date, please let Mrs Wysel or Mrs Clynch know.

‘Chookas!’


The School’s Shakespeare Carnival 

Next Tuesday - Week 2


The School’s Carnival - *change of date* The School’s Shakespeare Carnival will now be held on Tuesday, May 2 in the Astra Centre and in the DKC. We will commence during lunchtime and go into period 5. 


Regional Shakespeare Carnival -  Those selected to represent PLC Armidale at the Regional Carnival, will travel to St Columba Anglican School in Port Macquarie. We will leave early on Friday, May 12 and return later that day.


New England Dance Eisteddfod and The Inverell Eisteddfod


The Junior School and Senior School Dance Ensembles will be performing in both the New England Dance Eisteddfod and the Inverell Eisteddfod on the following dates.


New England Dance Eisteddfod

Wednesday 31st May 11:30am session


The College will be providing transport to and from the Ex-Services club on 31st May. A small fee to cover the cost of dance costumes, entry fee and transport will be charged to your account. A note with more detail will be coming shortly.

Saturday 3rd June, 6:30pm session 


Inverell Eisteddfod

Tuesday 23rd May, 11:00am session


The Senior Dance Ensemble will be performing their contemporary dance work in the Inverell Eisteddfod on Tuesday 23rd May in the 11:00 am session. The students will be accompanied by Miss AIsha Kliendienst. We will be travelling in the 11 seater bus and will require more seats for our dance ensemble.

We are asking for some parent/s to help with transport to Inverell on 23rd May. If you have a 7 seater vehicle and would be willing to transport some dancers to Inverell, please contact Mrs Jo Wysel on jwysel@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au.


PLC Performs - Thursday, May 11

As part of our preparation for the Armidale Eisteddfod, our Performing Arts groups will feature in a pre-eisteddfod dress rehearsal concert, ‘PLC Performs’, which will be held on Thursday, 11 May at 6pm (warm-up from 5.30pm) in the Astra Arts Centre. 

Dance Ensemble groups from both Junior and Senior School will feature their performances as they prepare for the New England Dance Eisteddfod and the Inverell Eisteddfod,  along with Drama groups both for the Speech and Drama Eisteddfod and the Shakespeare Carnival. Silver Strings, Cello Ensemble, as well as the Jazz Ensemble and our Choirs will be among the Music items performing.

There will be a warm-up for all dancers, drama students, and students in the Choirs and Instrumental Ensembles at 5:30pm the night of the concert.

This will be held in the DKC with Mrs Wysel, Mr Minter, Mr Azon-Jacometti and Mrs Dunham. 

Please find below summary information about PLC Performs:

When: Thursday, 11 May

Venue: Astra Arts Centre

Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm (warm up at 5:30pm) 

What to Wear: Full school uniform with blazers and polished shoes. Long hair is to be tied up with a PLC ribbon. 

What to bring: All students are to bring a water bottle; instrumental players will require their instruments, and drama and dance students will need their costumes.  


Speech and Drama Eisteddfod

The Speech and Drama Eisteddfod is coming up on May 26 and 27 at NECOM (Old Teacher’s College). 

A reminder that if you are performing in the eisteddfod, you must request leave from Mrs Taylor regarding your absence from school. All transport to the venue is arranged by parents for this event. The program for Speech and Drama should be online this week, so look out for that!

Art in the Afternoon - *change of day*

A reminder that Art in the Afternoon will run on a Monday afternoon this term with Mrs Schaeffer from 3:45pm - 5:00pm.

Please RSVP so we can cater for you

Sporting News

Congratulations to all our 2023 Cross Country Age Champions

 Junior School - 6 Years: Lisa Blake; 7 Years: Anneliese Azon-Jacometti; 8 Years: Amelie Wysel; 9 Years: Isabella Wyatt; 10 Years Maria Ugwumba; 11 Years Evie Donaldson; 12 Years Lola Ferguson.

Senior School - 12 Years: Olive McFarlane; 13 Years Evie Matthews; 14 Years Trista Dorrian; 15 Years Maggie Wicksteed; 16 Years Scarlett Loxley; 17 Years Chiyo Brown; 18 Years Jenna Marquardt.

You can find many more photos in our photo gallery on the Parent Portal, including those of the runners-up by age group.

Athletics Carnival

Our Athletics Carnival Events will be held next week. Please remember to bring the appropriate uniform to change into on Monday and Thursday.

The 1500m race will take place for students on the following days. Please be aware this event is for students 8 years and up, and it is a competitive race for students capable of completing the distance. 

1500m Pre-Carnival Events

Students are to bring their PE uniform to change into on the day

Thursday, May 4 - Carnival begins from 1pm - wear Guild uniform to school

Friday, May 6 - Carnival all day - wear Guild uniform to school

The official program will be sent out early next week.

International and 'Pathways' News 

Amy Chiu

Pathways Administrator

Welcome back to Term 2 2023!


I had the privilege to tour a couple of our partner agents around the school this week. We visited the Trade Training Centre, Science Labs and the Pathways classroom. It was a  very proud moment for me to see how well-behaved and polite the students were. 


The highlight of the tour was the visit to the Pathways classroom. Mrs Perez Gracia’s Learn English through Story Telling lesson was eye-opening. The whole class worked as one brain, providing various verbs and adjectives to build up a story about a starved puppy living in the forest. It was great to see how the students’ pronunciation, verbal expression and ability to extend and connect sentences improved so much since I interviewed them before they came. The visitors were impressed with Mrs Perez Gracia’s teaching method and commented that it was such a great way to help students naturally engage in the classroom activities.


As we proceed to the second term of the year, several Pathways students are at the end of their full-year program while some are approaching their half-year mark. This is a crucial moment for the students as they settle in quicker (than Term 1) and build their language skills based on what they learned last term. We look forward to seeing them grow throughout Term 2 and helping them proceed to their next phase of schooling plan in Australia.

Health Centre News

MISS TIFFANY CUNDY & MISS AMY CHIU

COLLEGE NURSES


As we go into winter, it is crucial that we are protected from the flu virus. Vaccination is a great way to help our immunity. All staff and students are encouraged to have the flu vaccination (based on individual’s circumstances) as we resume school.


FLU VACCINATION

A flu vaccination clinic will be held at school offering staff and boarders an opportunity to receive the vaccination on campus.


Date: Tuesday 2nd of May

Time: 8am-9am

Location: Austin front common room

Payment: Please make your payment via My Student Account > Online Order

The registration has been finalised. Please contact the Health Centre ASAP if you would like to have one but missed completing the form.



P&F News

Judi Sheedy

President PLC Armidale P&F


The PLCA P&F have been busy working on a number of projects.


Reorganising the P&F Athletics Canteen and Storage Room

A huge thank you for Tillney Webb and Alex Notley for bringing some order to the P&F supplies and resources.  There are still a few soft drinks, water etc available at a greatly reduced price.  Please contact Tillney Webb 0407 189 320.


PLCA Athletics Carnival Friday,  May 5

Committee: Year 7 & Year 8


PLC Armidale P&F are looking forward to hosting the sports carnival canteen again next Friday.

For sale will be: 

We are seeking sweet donations to add to offering similar to the swim carnival. Please bring your plate to the Canteen on the day, include all ingredients please 😊.


If you happen to have a moment to help out in the canteen, that would be much appreciated.  


Please select the best time slot for you here, and as always, we are flexible if you wanted to pop out quickly to do some serious cheering. 


P&F Exec & Liaison Parents Dinner Meeting


The PLCA P&F has two main objectives:  fundraise and friendraise.  We decided to try something new with a dinner meeting at the Railway.  Unsurprisingly, we didn’t draw breathe during the 1.5 hours, however, we did have a great time brainstorming ideas and connecting.  


Please don’t feel you need to wait for a meeting to bring up any ideas.  Either your years’ Liaison Parents or any of the P&F Executive would love to hear from you.


One of the exciting ideas that we formulated was to include Senior school mothers in the wonder of a PLCA Mother's Day breakfast.  We are delighted that PLC Armidale agreed and has run with it.  


We look forward to celebrating Mother's Day with many Senior school mothers this year.


Term 2 P&F Meeting. ****Change of Date*******

Date:  Week 4 Thursday,  18 May

Time:  5:30 - 7:00pm 

Venue:  PLCA Boardroom or Zoom


2023 P&F Fundraising Project  

Goal $25,0000 - Flexible Stage


GREEN TARTAN 

ALUMNAE NEWS

Send us your news!

We love to hear about what our alumnae have been doing - so please let us know what has been happening in your life. 

Births, marriages, milestone celebrations - whatever you feel like sharing with the other Old Girls, please tell us so we can include it in this section of the  Lion's Roar each fortnight.

Our PLC Armidale alumnae are a stellar group of women who excel in a diverse range of areas, leading lives of significance.

Success looks different for everyone, and we like to celebrate it all - not just that which is in the public eye.

Email your news to: communications@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

Congratulations to

Fiona Simson (Class of 1981) who has been announced as the Rabobank's 2023 Leadership Award winner.

Isla Biffin (Class of 2019) who recently won first prize at the Chief Musician Competition held in Wales, a significant International Harp Competition.

PLC Armidale Foundation

PLC Armidale is appealing to members of our community to consider a financial contribution to the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund.

This year we introduced regular giving into the school's tax-deductible scholarship fund options.

This fund has significant potential in assisting the school to provide funded scholarships to a recipient from around the state whose life would be changed by the opportunity to access a PLC Armidale education.

Even just a small amount donated regularly can quickly add up to an impressive total.

The PLC Armidale Foundation Committee has set a target of $100,000 through regular giving (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) from our parents and staff.

We believe this figure is attainable with the current number of members within our school community.

Donations can be made by clicking here.

Donations will provide scholarships and bursaries from as early as the 2024 school year. In addition, gifts over $2 are tax deductible*, and donations made before the end of the financial year are eligible for deduction immediately.

As many families within our community have directly benefited from the recent fee restructuring, it is our hope that you can consider making a contribution to support the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund. 

If you would like further information about the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund or know of a young girl who you believe would benefit from this opportunity, please contact (02) 6770 1727 or email our enrolments team on enrolments@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

A gift to the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund will open the door for many more exceptional young women to attend PLC Armidale. 

You can make a difference by donating today. Thank you, and please give generously!

Community and General College News

 ICAS Assessments

PLC Armidale would like to offer your daughter(s) an opportunity to participate in the ICAS Assessments.

The assessments will be run throughout August, and students will be absent from their usual classes to complete the tests.

The ICAS assessment tests are optional, and the costs will be put into your daughter’s school account. Once the registration is completed, no refund will be available if the student misses the test window specified by ICAS.

Dates and pricing are as below. To learn more about the ICAS Assessment, please visit 


Please complete the 2023 ICAS Assessment Registration Form by Thursday 22nd June 2023 (end of Term 2 2023).

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Mitchell Clendinning mclendinning@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Fiona Wake fwake@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

All lunch orders online from Week 3

Ordering lunch via Google form will no longer be available, and all orders are to be placed via My Student Account. 

On your CONNECT page, click "My student account" and click "Online Order".

A list of lunch options is available for each day. Follow the prompts to place your orders.

This will be charged to your My Student Account or can be paid by credit card.

Students that still have lunch vouchers can return these to Senior School reception and a credit will be issued onto your account.

Step-by-step instructions can be accessed on the Student Intranet.

Armidale Eisteddfod Attendance

The Armidale Eisteddfod commences on 16 May and concludes with the Gala Concert on 19 June 2023. As with every year, PLC Armidale has a significant number of students participating in various competitions and we wish them all the very best.

As with previous years, please fill in the 2023 Armidale Eisteddfod - Absences registration form. If your daughter has registered to participate as an individual (not part of a school organised ensemble), please complete the form at least ONE DAY before the event is held.

This form will be the official notice to the College for the absence and you are not required to contact the school reception, Heads of Schools or the Principal.

Please note the College is NOT providing transport services for students to attend individual events during school hours.

Transportation for boarders to attend events as an individual outside of school hours (8:40am - 3:30pm) will be organised by the Boarding House.

Transport may be available for students who are representing PLC Armidale (i.e. ensembles) and any arrangements will be communicated to students.