Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 2| Week 5 | 2023

From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR

PRINCIPAL

PLC Armidale students held their own at the recent International Student Science Conference(ISSC) held for the first time in New South Wales, hosted by our sister school, PLC Sydney. 

Founded in 2005 with an initial six member schools, the ISSC seeks “to bring together students from around the world in a shared science and cultural experience”. 

Over the course of five days, eight of our high-performing Year 10 and 11 Science students were selected to join with students from Germany, India, Italy, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the oldest all-boys school in Tasmania, The Hutchins School, to explore the theme Bright Minds Shine a Light. 

The theme so aptly depicted in the ‘Vivid’ style sound and light show the delegates enjoyed at the PLC Sydney 135th Anniversary Fair.

Along with some obligatory sightseeing, our girls toured Sydney to take part in a series of animal conservation sessions led by zoologists at Taronga Park Zoo, a lecture on sustainable materials research and technology from the University of NSW, a hands-on workshop at the Biomedical Engineering Faculty at the University of Sydney, an opportunity to design build and race solar cars,  along with a visit to the Institute of Marine Science at the beautiful Chowder Bay...

... continue reading here

Complementing the workshops presented by leading scientists and researchers, each an expert in their respective fields, the students also had the opportunity to learn with and from each other as a delegate from attending schools presented their own research projects and findings to a supportive, attentive audience. 

Presentations covered wide-ranging topics, including 'Ultraviolet ray-inducing light damage on zebrafish retina', 'Autonomous Vertical Farming on a Small Scale', 'An Investigation into Triboluminescence', ‘Bringing to light: from Galileo to Venice'' ‘The Bouncy Ball' and PLC Armidale, Year 10 Science student Nevada Guiance who presented her research findings into 'Toxic Vapours: Determination of the Composition and Toxicology of E-cigarette using ICP-OES. 

It was a privilege to accompany these students to Sydney and to see the easy way in which they interacted with other delegates forming connections through shared experience that transcends language and cultural backgrounds. 

The character and confidence of PLC Armidale students were evident also as our Jazz Band, Senior Choir and Senior Strings took to the stage at PLC Sydney and the Sydney Town Hall, delivering performances of a depth and quality, at least equal to performances from other schools participating. 

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mr Jonathon Shumack, Head of STEM, for facilitating the participation of PLC Armidale in the International Student Science Conference and his support of the girls throughout. Equally, Mr Matthew Minter, Director of Music, with Mr Sam Jacommetti, Jazz Band leader and Ms Li Ling Chen, Accompanist, are to be congratulated and thanked for their efforts to enable so many girls this rich music experience. 

A special thank you to those parents who attended the Sydney Town Hall concert; Dr Paul Burgis, Principal of PLC Sydney, was also touched to hear of this support from our families.

Whilst many students travelled to Sydney to represent the College, we were also well represented in the local da Vinci Decathlon competition held at TAS with teams from Stage 3, Stage 4 and Stage 5 competing, achieving some outstanding results across a range of categories. 

Another display of the valuable learning experiences we seek to provide students outside of the formal classroom, which support and strengthen those within.

Congratulations to `

All the girls who recently qualified for Duke of Edinburgh Awards 

Silver Award - Kaitlin Mungall

Bronze Awards - Amelie van der Werf, Teya Catterall, Emily Blake, Holly Sheedy, Daisy Sheedy, Tiko Lay, Zoe Webb, India Smith

All those who represented PLC Armidale so well in Sydney recently - including the families who attended some of the events.

You can find a gallery of photos from the event on our Parent Portal here

All the PLC Armidale students and staff currently participating in the Armidale Eisteddfod.  

We will have a summary of PLC Armidale results and a photo gallery at the end of term.

Our da Vinci Decathlon teams

For representing us so well during the recent completion.


Below is an outline of the Term 2 events currently scheduled. You can view the school calendar via the PLC Armidale App or Parent Portal.

Senior School News

MR MITCHELL CLENDINNING

HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL


Winter sport and Eisteddfod season are truly upon us at PLC Armidale. 

It is fabulous to see and hear the various training sessions and rehearsals around campus. The levels of participation and the support of parents and staff are truly exceptional qualities that epitomise the PLC Armidale advantage. The College appreciates the work that has gone into student preparation.


The representation of PLC Armidale at the PLC Sydney Science Conference, PLC Sydney Celebration Concert, and the Regional Shakespeare Carnival was impressive and demonstrated the quality of education possible in regional settings. Thank you to the staff that accompanied and supported our students.


Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea

PLC Armidale will be participating in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Monday 29 May in the Senior School from 10:30am - 11:00am in the Rose Garden in support of the Cancer Council. Parents are welcome to attend. Girls are asked to donate some baked goods (please bring them to the Dining Hall before school) and some gold coins on the day.  


Save the Date:

Fathers, and father figures, play a vital role in children's lives. The evidence demonstrating fathers’ potential to positively influence their daughter’s health and mental health, social success and academic achievements is now robust, indisputable, and compelling. The Fathering Project is an evidence-based organisation that aims to promote positive fathering behaviours and fathers’ engagement with their children. 


In 2022 we held our first Fathering Project State of Origin night when more than 40 of our fathers joined me for pizza and refreshments while we watched all the action on the big screen.  I look forward to seeing all our dedicated dads in the Astra Arts Centre again this year.


Find a full gallery of photographs and videos from the PLC Sydney 135 Year Celebration trip on our Parent Portal here

Junior School News

FIONA WAKE
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL


WOW! The Armidale Eisteddfod is an opportunity for the commitment shown by the students, tutors and parents to be showcased in a more formal setting. It has been a wonderful opportunity for myself and staff to be in the audience, watching the way the girls conduct themselves, perform and how proud they are to be team ‘PLC Armidale’! 

The perspective shared by the adjudicators is always helpful to reflect upon and for the students to set goals for their future across the ‘Arts’. 

Equally important for the girls are benefits such as; 

This is why students are encouraged to be active participants across the numerous co-curricular offerings our College facilitates, and why our College has invested in the specialisation of subjects, on our timetable in; Music, Choir, Dance, Speech and Drama. Sport and Languages also are included in these offerings creating a well-rounded complementary curriculum.

Our Junior School representative Armidale Eisteddfod SUCCESS so far…

K-2 Choir, highly commended through feedback in a non-competitive section of the Choir Eisteddfod

Treble Makers Choir - 1st place and recipient of the Ex-Services Club Perpetual Shield

Years 3-6 Choir - 3rd Place in unison 1st Place in two part singing and Overall Champions and the recipient of the  Paul Lamb Memorial Shield.

Cantilena Choir - 2nd in their section, with JS students participants of this ensemble.

A huge congratulations to Constance Dunham, Sam Jacometti and Mathew Minter for their success and commitment to the girls. There are many other ensembles and individual performances yet to perform across this Eisteddfod season; please share experiences and successes as we welcome the opportunity to acknowledge, commend and celebrate!

The Calendar:

Armidale Eisteddfod - continues

Stage 2 Thalgarrah excursion - 30th May

Year 6 Excursion to St Mary’s Cathedral - June 7th

Long Weekend - 12th June

Armidale Eisteddfod Gala Concert - 18th June

PreK - Year 6 Gymnastics

Stemgineers

Guild Song Battle - Thursday, 22nd June

Semester 1 Reports

Last day Term 2 - 22nd June

Winter Uniform

Thank you for making every effort to ensure the College uniform is worn correctly. This has been especially noted and commented on across the course of the eisteddfod when we have been out in the community. Uniform reminder slips will continue to be added to your daughter’s student diary as a kind reminder of an element of her uniform that may need attention.

Before School Extension Classes

Two before-school classes will run and be taught by me across Term 2. These classes will run off the timetable to avoid students from being taken out of class during a busy Armdale 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. These sessions are a delight to teach. The girls display self-discipline, application and enthusiasm. This prepares them well for their Stage 4-6 years of learning and beyond.

Assessment and Reporting

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: 

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.

Year 3-6 Choir

 Recipient of the  Paul Lamb Memorial Shield in the Armidale Eisteddfod

From Mrs Emma Pracy 


Year 6 is enjoying a busy and eventful Term 2. 


The Armidale Eisteddfod this week has been a wonderful experience for the girls to showcase their many talents and a fun variation to routine. 


In class, they have been reading the ‘Bridge to Terabithia’, exploring the theme of friendship whilst also developing their persuasive writing skills.  


Many of the girls are enthusiastically working on their home project to construct their own imaginative world. The ideas they have submitted so far are amazing, so it will be exciting to see the finished product at the end of the Term. 


In Science, the girls have been collaborating with Year 5 to investigate matter. 


They have been enjoying engaging in hands-on investigations to develop their understanding of solids, liquids and gases, having most recently tested the viscosity of various liquids. 


Having access to their own devices this year has been a wonderful privilege that the girls are enjoying. They continue to build their skills in this area and are delving deeper into strategies to stay safe online in our Personal Development and Health lessons. 


Year 6 have embraced their role as leaders within our school community. 


Whilst they’ve found that it’s not always easy, they have shown grit and persistence in overcoming some of the challenges leadership presents and grace in the care, support and encouragement they have shown to their peers. Across the semester, they have participated in official positions such as playground patron, selling ice poles as a fundraiser, sport shed manager and presenting at our weekly assembly. The girls identify leadership as leading by example, helping others, acting with integrity and being responsible.


Keep up the wonderful effort Year 6!

Radio star!

To help us promote our upcoming Kindergarten Playdate and Parent Workshop on Friday, June 9 we asked Vivienne Schaefer to come in to the local radio studio and record a line for our radio commercial. Vivienne proved a natural and got it in one take! 

You can hear Vivienne on FM100.3 now. 

And if you know of someone considering sending their daughter to PLC Armidale for kindergarten , please tell them to pop Friday, June 9 on their calendar and to register themselves here.

Vivienne Schaefer with Mrs Wake in the studio

Music News

Mr Mathew Minter
Director of Music


On Monday, 15 May  38 excited PLC Armidale girls, Mr Minter, Mr Jacometti and Ms Chen boarded the train headed for Sydney. 


We stepped onto the platform at Strathfield into the busy rush of the suburban commute and joined the crowds on the local train from Strathfield to Croydon where we were met with a warm welcome at the gates of PLC Sydney by our billet families. In no time at all the girls met up with their families and disappeared to private homes across Sydney. The whole experience of billeting was just extraordinary and really positive. Strong friendships were formed between the PLC Armidale girls and their host sisters and families from PLC Sydney. For many girls the billeting experience was the highlight of their trip, and several families from Sydney have invited their billets to return and visit in the future. This has formed meaningful ties between PLCA and PLCS families. 


On Tuesday, we spent the day at PLC Sydney at an intensive music camp style day of rehearsals and performances. We rehearsed with the strings, the choir, the combined PLCS and PLCA wind orchestra and the jazz band. It was during the second choir rehearsal, sitting in our little green room, that we scrutinised and polished every entry and every phrase of our choir repertoire and our pieces were transformed. Having the space to focus in extended rehearsals on every detail of the repertoire was so beneficial and led to a superb performance the next day at the Sydney Town Hall. In the afternoon, the Jazz Band delighted the audience of the PLC Sydney community and visiting students from schools in Hong Kong, Japan, Tasmania and Taiwan, in a concert in the extraordinary PLC Sydney Performing Arts Theatre. It was great to see and hear select items from the concert programs from the different schools.


On Tuesday afternoon, the girls all headed out for a taste of Sydney life. Some host families took their guests out to the opera house and around the city, others joined busy family schedules of travelling to music lessons and sports training, and others enjoyed meals in restaurants or quiet time in homes. 


Wednesday was the big day at the Sydney Town Hall, culminating in the concert in the evening to celebrate PLC Sydney’s 135-year anniversary. There were two complete dress rehearsals on the stage, and we took some time in deciding how to arrange the choir, trying out the front of the stage first, before finally settling on performing up in the choir stands near the giant organ. The choir and strings both performed superbly in the concert. The concert concluded with an extraordinary commissioned work titled World of Wonder by PLC Sydney Composer in residence Ella Macens written for combined PLC Sydney Choirs and the PLC Sydney Symphony Orchestra with didgeridoo soloist, renowned Australian performer William Barton. It was a moving and extraordinary piece with lyrics written by the students capturing the magic of what their school means to them. Altogether World of Wonder was a fitting tribute and finale and was received by standing ovation. 


On Thursday morning, the girls said goodbye to their billet families and boarded the train for the long trip home. Altogether it was a really meaningful, inspiring and memorable event and brought the choir, strings and jazz ensembles closer. 


The PLC Armidale musical ensembles are working so well together, with a high level of trust, commitment and musical expertise. This experience contributed greatly towards our Eisteddfod preparation.

Find a full gallery of photographs on our Parent Portal here

You can watch a video of our String performance here and our choir performance here

CAPA News

Mrs Joanne Wysel

Head of Creative and Performing Arts. 


Regional Shakespeare Carnival 

Congratulations to all girls who performed and competed in the Regional Shakespeare Carnival. 

It was a long day, with our trip to Port Macquarie taking us 5 ½ hours due to an incident on the Motorway making us 1 ½ hours late to the carnival. The girls showed incredible resilience, and while they didn’t have the warm-up and time on the stage that other schools had, they performed proudly and confidently. There was a short workshop with Mr Chris Tomkinson (Director and actor) and Ms Emily McKnight (director and actor) that was beneficial to the students.

The results are in:

Rachel Mungall and Kimberley Blake

Macbeth Duologue

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Teya Catterall, Bridie O’Neil;, Emily Blake and Arlie Bragg

Ensemble Scene - A Midsummer Night’s Dream

RUNNER UP

Molly Chard and Lucy Ward

Hamlet - Dance

RUNNER UP

Jess Macmahon and Navita Maher

Othello - Physical Theatre

RUNNER UP

Arlie Bragg

Music Composition

FIRST PLACE AND OFF TO STATE!


Congratulations to Arlie Bragg, who won her section in Music Composition and is off to represent PLC Sydney at the State Shakespeare Carnival. Arlie won the State Carnival last year with her composition on Helena from A Midsummer NIght’s Dream. I wonder if she will bring back the crown for her composition on Juliet from Romeo and Juliet.


New England Dance Eisteddfod - 31st May and 3rd June - NEXT WEEK!

Here is a reminder of the dates coming up in week 6:

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.  The bus will leave PLC at 10:30am and return by lunchtime. 

Saturday 3rd June, 6:30pm session 


Inverell Eisteddfod

Congratulations to our performers who competed in the Inverell Dance Eisteddfod last weekend. Molly and Lucy performed a duet, Navita and Jess performed their duet, and Charli and Bella also performed a duet.

Thanks to Aisha Kliendienst who travelled with the girls to Inverell and supported the girls as they performed.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Rehearsals are going Whipple Scrumptious Fudge Fantastic with lots of fun and lots of chocolate happening each week. We are meeting the Gloops, the Beauregardes, The Teavees, The Salts and of course Charlie Bucket and her family.

Our cast are enthusiastic and excited to be participating in the school musical.

It is very important to continue to come to rehearsal each week. We have only three Sunday rehearsals left this term! Just like a team sport, the musical team works the best when all cast members are there. We are et to have a rehearsal with everyone there yet!



Boarding News

Ms Jen Leahy

Head of Boarding and Chaplain 

Week 4 was National Boarding Week. 


The Boarders Representative Council (BRC) organised a range of 

activities throughout the week. 


Boarders Day was celebrated with a PJs and Parmi Night, and the girls enjoyed one of their favourite dinners while wearing their pyjamas in the dining room. There were also surprise chocolates throughout the week after prep. 


For Parents Day, the girls created Parent Portrait cards (keep an eye out for them in your mailboxes) and also reflected in chalk writing about why they were thankful for their parents. It was lovely to read how much the girls appreciate their parents driving many kilometres to visit them, for being just a phone call away and for their wisdom in different situations. 


The Year 9 BRC reps baked Cupcakes for all the staff members on Staff Day, which everyone enjoyed. Our Boarding Prefect also organised a 'Kindness Angel' activity in which every boarder randomly selected the name of another boarder who they needed to complete a Random Act of Kindness for, all while making sure they were not noticed. The girls were very creative in their Kindness Acts- in writing cards, collecting flowers, assisting with other Boarding House tasks and giving small chocolates. 


The Year 7 BRC reps concluded National Boarding Week with a movie night complete with popcorn.


Thank you to the BRC for organising a very successful National Boarding Week.


Sports News

Mrs Lucy Donaldson

Head of Sport

Congratulations to:

Mia Montgomery for being selected into the U18’s Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Rugby League Representative

To the PLC Armidale Cross Country team who competed at the IGSA Cross Country Carnival in Mittagong on Friday, 12 May. Congratulations Daisy Sheedy, Holly Sheedy, Trista Dorrian, Evie Matthews, Maggie Wicksteed and Olive McFarlane , on your efforts. A special mention to Olive, who has successfully qualified to go on to compete at the CIS carnival in June. Well done!

Jenna Marquardt, our 2023 hockey captain who, competed at the NSW State Championships in Narellan last weekend, representing the New England region. Her team made it through to the grand final, which came down to penalty shootouts to decide the winner. Jenna’s team were the Division 2 runners-up champions.

To the following girls who have been selected in the U15’s Hockey New England Representative teams to compete next month in Grafton.

U15s A Team - Elsie Wake and Macey Wake

U15s B Team - Mila Vanzella and Amelia Webb


Important Dates for your diary:


Hockey Stars Jenna Marquardt (above) and  the Hockey New England players below. 

Our PLC Armidale IGSA Cross Country Team

Health Centre News

International and 'Pathways' News 

MISS TIFFANY CUNDY & MISS AMY CHIU

COLLEGE NURSES


Cold/Flu


Cold and flu symptoms have been increasing recently. Staff and students are encouraged to practise hand hygiene, avoid close contact and rest at home when feeling unwell. 


The below is an infographic from the Australian Government providing key information about cold and flu.

More information can be found on the Health Direct website: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/colds-and-flu




Amy Chiu

Pathways Administrator



Some may know that Ethan and Jasper, who are the two younger brothers of Mary and Belle in the Senior School, have been part of the Pathways program from Term 3 2022. Last week, Ethan and Jasper moved to Scots All Saints College and started their boarding life with their fellow Year 8 students.


Before COVID-19 closed the borders, PLC Pathways was also run at Scots All Saints College providing the same learning opportunity and experience as the girls have at PLC Armidale for boys. Unfortunately the program in Bathurst was paused in the past couple of years while it was held online for Armidale students. With the International students starting to return after borders reopened, we have been getting interests for boys to the Pathways program. 


The pandemic changed the staffing structure in the Pathways program and we are fortunate that our Pathways Head Teacher, Mrs Sennett, who is based in Bathurst and was teaching on zoom, has been willing to travel between Bathurst and Armidale streamlining the program in a hybrid mode since we started to welcome students back on campus.


Ethan and Jasper’s commencement at the Scots All Saints College marked an important step for the Pathways program resuming the connection with the partner school. I visited their Head of Senior School, Enrolments Manager and Head of Boarding and felt the hope and the encouragement of how the partnership can resume and develop with keen interests in helping International students settle and prepare for the Australian education learning journey.


We look forward to seeing Ethan and Jasper becoming our ambassadors of the Pathways program, building up connections with other boarders and expanding their experiences in Australia.


P&F News

Judi Sheedy

President PLC Armidale P&F



PLCA Mothers Day Morning


How delightful it has been to see so many mothers proudly wearing hand-crafted and designed badges, made with love from our daughters! 

 After suggestions from the P&F, this years Mother’s Day celebration was expanded to include Senior School mothers - and was a huge hit.  


I have received rave reviews from the Senior Schools mums who thoroughly enjoyed catching up with other mums and seeing first hand all of the fabulous learning opportunities our girls embrace each day.  Another great example of how PLCA & P&F work so well together!



Athletics Carnival

I continue to hear such great feedback from the yummy offerings available at the Athletics Carnival.  A huge thank you to the subcommittee:  Liaison Parents Kylie Marchant (Year 7) and Tillney Webb (P&F Exec Member & Year 8 LP); Ben Carruthers (P&F Exec Member) and all of the other wonderful parents and careers who volunteered to help on the day.  


PLCA Performs Bar

Thank you to Janelle Tisserand, Tillney Webb, Kylie Marchant and Alex Nottley who joined me in meeting and greeting parents for the PLCA Performs.  


The combined profit raised from these two events was $1500!  Thank you, PLCA Community!


Future fundraising

Movie Night

Our K/1/2 & 11 Liaison Parents (Anne-Marie Paul, Amy Azon-Jacometti, Shilli Wang, Suzanne Kable and Steven Gully) are busy coordinating a movie night for our girls during Term 3.  Keep an eye out for more details!


Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Not only are rehearsals beginning for this years performance, but also the organising for the catering for the event.  


For our new parents, the bi–annual music performance is one of the highlights of the PLCA calendar and the P&F’s! We provide refreshments for the performances so welcome as many helpers as possible. 


 If you are interested in helping out on the nights please contact Judi Sheedy (details below).


Dates: Wednesday 25 October (school performance)

Thursday 26 October (night performance)

Friday 27 October (night performance)

Saturday 28 October (matinee & night performance)


Change in P&F General Meeting dates


At our recent P&F General Meeting, it was moved to change our meeting days from Thursday to Tuesday of the third week of the term.  This will enable us to be consistent in our dates, and Tuesdays are less likely to clash with all of the wonderful PLCA events!


In addition, we aim to provide the minutes and financials in the first Lion’s Roar after each meeting.  There are many exciting items discussed, so I invite you to read these documents and come and join the fun!


Upcoming meetings:

Term 3 Week 3 Tuesday 1 August 5:30 - 7:00 pm

Term 4 Week 3 Tuesday 24 October 5:30 - 7:00 pm.



2023 P&F Fundraising Project  

Goal $25,0000 - Flexible Stage




Judi Sheedy

President

PLC Armidale 

E: pandf@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au 


Term 2 Minutes18.05.2023 P&F General Meeting Minutes.docx (2).pdf

GREEN TARTAN 

ALUMNAE NEWS

Meet alumna  Amanda Johnson - Class of '98

Amanda grew up in Taree and was a boarder at PLC Armidale from 1996 until she graduated in 1998. She now lives in Spain with her two children.

Amanda says her journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster since leaving school, and she wouldn't change a thing!

"When I left in 1998, I spent a gap year in Wales, and it was honestly one of the best years of my life," she said.

"I highly recommend doing a GAP year after school, you have the rest of your life to study and work, so having the opportunity to travel and spend a year abroad is so incredible."

Amanda then studied a double Bachelor of Law and Commerce at the University of Newcastle, before starting as an insolvency analyst at Deloitte´s in Sydney. 

"I then jumped over to a law firm, Clayton Utz where I worked as a securitisation lawyer, before moving to Perpetual Limited in Sydney where I was a Senior Lawyer in the trust and fund services division," she said.

It was then Amanda decided that law was absolutely not for her.

"But I had no idea what I wanted to do," she said. 

"So I decided to travel around the world for a year on my own backpacking...and again it was the BEST decision and most amazing experience of my life."

Amanda travelled to 33 countries, and to this day has best friends around the world.

"And  the most phenomenal memories," she said. 

"From hiking to Base Camp in Nepal, waving to the King of Bhutan outside his palace (before security came and deleted the photos I had sneakily taken of him!), to sleeping in the same room as tarantulas in the Amazon Jungle, to becoming a ¨local¨ in Sicily where I ate prawns straight from the fisherman arriving at the dock, to surfing down a volcano on a snowboard (on the black rock!) in Nicaragua, to encountering a brown bear and a GINORMOUS moose in Canada...every day was an adventure."

Although she was supposed to head home to Australia after one year, Amanda ended up in Spain and has been living there ever since, now with two beautiful children, Ruby (6) and Jack (2). 

"When I arrived in Spain in 2015 I still didn´t know what I wanted to do, and I didn´t speak a word of Spanish, so I decided to study a Chartered Governance Professional degree," she said.

"Basically as soon as I finished, a job popped up on LinkedIn, and I was fortunate to obtain a job as a Board Governance Officer at Banco Santander, the largest bank in Spain, where I was working with the the Board of Directors, including Ana Botín, who has been voted the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine."

Whilst working at Banco Santander Amanda managed the Board Responsible Banking, Sustainability and Culture Committee, and that was where her passion for sustainability was triggered.

"So I decided I wanted to learn as much as possible about sustainability as I could," she said. 

"And I was incredibly fortunate to be accepted onto the Masters of Sustainability Leadership at Cambridge University, and here I am in my final year of my degree, loving every single second of learning about something that is so critical, and I have made 50 new best friends in the process.

"We are at a turning point, every decision we make, every dollar we spend, every thing that we consume is having an impact on ours and future generations. 

"My inspiration and passion for sustainability came particularly from my little children, and knowing that it is possible to ensure they have healthy, fulfilled lives provided we make responsible decisions and what I can do personally to contribute to that.  "

Amanda is particularly interested in supply chains and helping large organisations transition their suppliers to more sustainable practices. 

"This includes social and environmental practices, such as human rights, fair labour practices, carbon reduction, biodiversity protection," she said.

Amanda says she had no idea what shewanted to do when she finished school.

"But trust me, everything will work out, and if you haven´t already, you will eventually find something that brings you purpose," she wants to advise our current Year 12 students.

"You don´t need to know exactly what you want to do when you leave school...I was like a frog bounding all over the place (and world) until I actually found something that I was truly passionate about. 

"So if you are feeling a little lost, that is totally okay, be assured that whatever you do end up doing after school, you will eventually find something that you love doing...and you will most likely have an amazing adventure on the way.

"Being a PLC Armidale girl  absolutely gave me the confidence and knowledge to set me off in my own direction. 

"And you can´t underestimate the importance of the friends you make at PLC. I still have the closest friends from PLC, and I still miss the days when we used to all sit under the trees outside talking about the TAS boys 

If you have the opportunity, travel is the best advise according to Amanda.

"It is life changing," she said.

"When are you 90 years old, sitting in your rocking chair, are you going to tell your grandchildren about the day you lost an important work document on your computer, or the day someone ate your sandwich from the work fridge or are you going to tell them about sleeping under the stars in a roofless bungalow in Sri Lanka, riding in a 50´s car through the streets of Cuba and swimming in piranha infested waters in Peru... I know what I´d prefer!"

Can you help Amanda next month?

To complete her Masters in Sustainability Leadership at Cambridge University, Amanda needs to interview 30 NSW farmers.

If you know  someone  who would be willing to participate in a 30-45 minute zoom call in JuneJuly, in relation to regenerative agriculture, please email Amanda at amandaajohnson81@gmail.com

"I need all farmers, those who know nothing about regen ag, those who think it is complete hogwash, and those who implement some practices - so anyone and everyone basically," she said.

We hope to see you soon...

PLC Armidale is delighted to be hosting another OGU Reunion Weekend on October 27/28 to coincide with the College's biennial musical production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

Following the success of last year's IGSA drinks for parents and alumnae at Sydney Olympic Park Stadium, we will be holding another evening on Friday, July 28.

More details on these events will be in the next issue of the Lion's Roar.

Want to get together with your class?

If you are interested in joining a milestone reunion group during the Reunion Weekend in October, please get in touch with us at enquiries@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au


And if you were part of the class of '93....


Belinda Humphries is holding a reunion weekend in Brisbane on the 8th & 9th of September. Mel Fletcher-Covill has generously offered the use of her Function Centre https://smokedgarage.com.au/ for the event.

Options for communicating with the group or Belinda are

Joining in on the Messenger Chat

Email her at binhumphries@gmail.com

This year, PLC Armidale will be attending the 2023 Boarding Schools Expo event in Narrabri on July 21&22. This is a free event, so please drop in and say hello to us if you are in the area and have the time.

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

PLC Armidale Foundation

Regular Donations

A big thank you to those who have jumped on board with our regular giving initiative. 

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 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!