Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 3 | Week 1 | 2023

From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR

PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Term Three,


Schools are very lonely places without students on campus adding life, colour and interest. The mid-year break however was filled with students coming and going as some took part in HSC workshops, especially those completing major project subjects, not to mention the cast and crew who attended the Charlie and the Chocolate Production camp, affectionately known as the “Chocolate” camp. I’m not sure if this was just an abbreviation of the musical title or a reference to the food of choice which energised the girls and teachers to accomplish so much in a relatively short space of time!


A huge thank you to those students who took part, and special thanks to Kyanna Ping Kee who worked with Mrs Schaeffer making sets and props, along with Sophie Young who assisted Madame Perez-Garcia making costumes. Creative Arts Prefect, Catie Alcorn and Dance Captain Annabel Kaberry provided valuable assistance to the younger girls throughout, especially with learning dance routines and individual parts...

... continue reading here


The willingness of staff to provide such a worthwhile camp experience for the girls indicates their commitment to see our school musical productions provide rich and valuable learning experiences outside of the classroom. A huge thank you also to Creative Director and Choreographer Mrs Jo Wysel, Producer Mrs Kate Clynch, Stage Manager Mr Greg Cotterall, Vocal Coach Mrs Connie Dunham, Costume Designer Madame Perez-Garcia, Sets and Props Designer Mrs Emma Schaeffer along and Mrs Clare Robertson who assisted both cast and crew.  


As announced in the last issue of Lion's Roar - after nearly 20 years of faithful service to PLC Armidale, Mrs Sarojni Kumar has retired from her position at the College relocating to be closer to family. We have all appreciated Sarojni’s tireless work ethic, servant-heartedness and delicious food prepared over so many years. We wish Sarojni the very best for the years ahead.  


After a much shorter season at the College, Ms Indea Moffitt has resigned from her position as Administrative Assistant in order to be closer to her family also. 


A much-loved teacher, initially in the Junior School and more recently in the Senior School, Mrs Catherine Creagan informed me over the break of her intention not to return to teaching following a period of extended maternity leave. She will be taking up a position with the Armidale Regional Council. We are appreciative of Catherine’s many and varied contributions to the College over the years, especially her passion for well-being.


I am delighted to welcome the following staff who join the PLC Armidale staff team this term. Mrs Melissa Killen, Administrative Assistant (Communications and Marketing).  Mr Barry Pawsey, who will be working in the Hospitality Centre with our Stage 5 Food Technology and Stage 6 Hospitality classes. Ms Frances Muggeridge, College Librarian replacing Mrs Catherine Goldzieher. Mrs Judi Sheedy, Pathways teacher and Study Tour assistant.  While Ms Briony Looker will continue her work with the Agriculture Practical classes, including a Year 7 Agriculture experience his term as an option within the mandatory technology course.


From this week, Mrs Dina Floros will move into the position of Senior Administrative Assistant working closely with Mrs Louise Butterworth who has been appointed as the  Executive Assistant to the Principal and the Senior Executive team.


At a time when staff recruitment in regional NSW can be challenging, I am very thankful for the quality and capacity of the staff taking up roles with us,  along with the fabulous staff across every area of the College working with the common purpose to provide a quality experience for our students.


We also welcome many new students and families to PLC Armidale with new enrolments across the Junior and Senior Schools this term as well as in our Pathways program. Thank you to our current families who have been such great advocates of a PLC Armidale education for girls - your support in this way is invaluable.


Term Three is shaping up to be another busy one, especially as it is the Valedictory Term for our Year 12 students. Girls of all ages have been encouraged to be organised and keep on top of their work. Honouring commitments to others, especially to sporting teams, ensembles and interest groups is important as these all provide opportunities for connection.


Likewise, staff have been encouraged to note and notice girls who may seem not quite themselves, separate from peers and in need of extra assistance with their school work and wider responsibilities.  


Our pastoral care and well-being resources include the class and pastoral care teachers, our Chaplains, Ms Leahy and Mrs Repp, our College Psychologist  Ms Penny Kempton, along with our Heads of Junior and Senior School, Mrs Wake and  Mr Mitchell Clendinning.  


When girls are known, cared about and cared for, they do well and they learn well.

During the break PLC Armidale girls were busy taking part in competitions and programs aligned with their areas of interest and talent.  

It is good to recognise this at our whole school Commencement Service each term. Following are some that I was aware of.  If your daughter has achievements to share please let our Communications and Marketing Manager, Mrs Vanessa Arundale know so that these can be celebrated with our community. 

Congratulations to ...

Lillian Meredith, who was awarded Supreme Champion Stock Rider at the recent Australian Bushmen’s Campdraft and Rodeo Association (ABCRA) annual Glowalman Junior Rodeo.  The event takes place at three consecutive venues and caters for five age groups, starting at eight to under 11s, then right through to under 21s. More than 200 competitors saddled up for the 2023 competition which is jointly organised by the Gloucester Junior Rodeo, Nabiac Junior Rodeo and Wingham Junior Rodeo and is held in the second week of the July school holidays. .Lilly beat all age winners from all three events to take home the shield - what an accomplishment! 

Mia Montgomery, who was part of Rugby League History when the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League broke new ground this winter school holidays with the introduction of the under-18 girl’s championship to their long-standing (and formerly boys-only) event. This inaugural tournament included teams from NSW Combined High Schools, NSW Combined Catholic Colleges, NSW Combined Independent Schools, Queensland Secondary Schools, ACT, Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Shortened 20-minute games played across two days in a lightning format made up the first half of the girl's competition which then moved to 50-minute matches for the finals.  Mia was part of the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) NSW Girls Under 18 team and was the only girl from our region to be included.

Our Tennis Captain, Lauren Williams, who attended the inaugural Tennis Australia Learn2Lead Tennis Camp last month.  Lauren was one of only 12 players from NSW to take part, having been asked to apply for the program by two-time Olympian and Grand Slam Mixed Doubles champion Casey Dellacqua, who also mentored the attendees.

Georgina Arundale-Fuller, Evie Donaldson, Jess MacMahon, Elise Tisserand, Hope Stoltenberg and Jess MacMahon who competed in the NSW Gymnastics Country Championships held in Armidale. A special congratulations to Jess MacMahon who also judged in the Rythmic Gymnastics section.

Gabrielle Cotterell, Phoebe Imberger and Nathea Ping Kee, who all featured in the cast of the Armidale Drama and Musical Society's production of Into The Woods. It was great to also have the cast of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory join the audience on Saturday evening to support the PLCA girls in the cast.

Everyone involved in the 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' Camp. In particular,  Jo Wysel, Kate Clynch, Emma Schaeffer, Margarita Perez-Garcia, Greg Cotterall, Connie Dunham, and Clare Robertson who demonstrated teamwork to the cast and student crew throughout the weekend.

SCAM alert 

We have received notification from the Commonwealth Bank of a scam involving parents of schools banking with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and like financial institutions. 


PLC Armidale’s protocol for any discussion about fees and fee payment is as follows:


Term 3 Events 

You can view the school calendar via the PLC Armidale App or Parent Portal.

Senior School News

Junior School News

Mrs Fiona Wake

Head of Junior School

What's On this Term...

Reports and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Term 3 will provide the opportunity for you to reach out to your daughter’s teacher to discuss her recent report and her areas for future focus. Parent Teacher Interviews on the 1st and 2nd of August will provide this opportunity. Please be sure to check your email inbox for the online booking system. As always if any of the suggested times do not suit you, you are always welcome to make time outside of this scheduled event. Connection is important and conversations around grades and performance are always more valuable with context provided by the teacher.

WAES Study tour 

It has been some time since our visitors from the Wuhan Aoxin Elite School (WAES) school in China visited the College for an Australian educational and cultural experience. 2023 will see the return of students along with their teachers who will visit our Year 2-6 classrooms during weeks 2, 3 and 4 to observe how our curriculum is taught, how our students connect with each other, their educators and the curriculum. 

This Global connection is a benefit to both PLCA and WAES, and I look forward to writing further with regard to this experience.

Uniform

In order to maintain a standard of uniform, reminder slips may appear in your daughter’s diary to suggest attention to certain elements of the PLC Armidale uniform. It is becoming apparent there requires a constant reminder regarding missing ribbons, the correct ribbon, ankle socks and ensuring the correct uniform is worn each day suggested on your daughter’s homework sheet. Your assistance is appreciated.

Kindergarten Playdate #2 – Parent Workshop, ‘Kindergarten - Mechanics and Milestones ‘

Become a student for a morning .....the workshop will give you an insight into our bespoke approach to learning at PLC Armidale in the K-2 Years.

Reading – the importance

 One of our strategic priorities is the instruction of reading – it is a skill that is not intuitive and every child is different, ‘one size does not fit all’. The important thing is that the teaching of reading should be explicit, and systematic, and consider each child's different abilities. Time should be provided to practise and for children to choose books that are of interest to them (importantly, a combination of fiction and non-fiction). The new Australian Curriculum is compatible with these views, as is the new NSW curriculum, mandatory in 2024.

 It is a subject that has been highly studied, with much data on the effectiveness of numerous approaches. At PLC Armidale we hold the position of a balanced view of reading, increasingly favoured across the world. As a staff, we are confident such an approach can make a difference to the effectiveness in which we design reading instruction and how students learn to be both fluent and comprehensive readers. This approach is later presented as an infographic, Scarborough’s Rope explains it simply and effectively.

 How were you taught to read? Reading in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s to NOW; it seems is constantly changing, evolving, reverting and being questioned.

The teaching and learning of reading are complex, with many threads needing to be taught to be woven together, resulting in skilled reading. You can help by reading broadly to your child, exploring new vocabulary you encounter and building background knowledge – answering those ‘why’ questions. Continue to talk about the text, the events and characters in stories, how characters behave or make certain choices, the moral of the story, the villain and hero and the motive for their choices.

 Keep up the THRASS work; decoding will assist fluency, and so will mastering those sight words. These skills, whilst addressed in isolation, slowly combine and become increasingly automatic resulting in the execution of fluent, comprehensive reading.

 Make reading enjoyable, a special time – developing a love of reading is transformational …

LEARN to READ to then later READ to LEARN!

The below infographic developed by Scarborough (2020), is a simplified representation of the learning-to-read process, and I hope will assist you in understanding a little more about the teaching of reading and the links between certain elements commented on in your daughter’s latest report.

CAPA News

Mrs Joanne Wysel

Head of Creative and Performing Arts. 

CAPA Term 3 

This term will be a busy term again, mainly for our HSC students. Pop these dates in your diary.

Week Two

HSC Dance Performance in DKC

Wednesday, July 26 @ 6pm

Week Three

HSC Music Performance Night- Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension - 

Monday, July 31 in G31 @ NECOM 

HSC DANCE TRIAL  (please note this is not a public performance - it is just for the dancers)

Wednesday, August 2 during periods 1 and 2 At the New England Dance Theatre Studio

HSC DRAMA TRIAL - 

Friday,  August 4  in the Drama Room @6pm

Refreshments for friends and family will be served from 5.30pm 


Week Four & Five -  Trial HSC exams

HSC Dance Practical Examination - at New England Dance Theatre

Thursday,  August 17 and Friday, August 18.


Week Six

DRAMA HSC INDIVIDUAL PROJECT SUBMISSION DATE 

Monday, August 21 @ 3:00pm

HSC MUSIC TRIAL - 

Thursday, August 24, at NECOM 

Week Seven

HSC DRAMA PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS - date TBC

HSC ART MAJOR WORK SUBMISSION DATE

Monday, August 28 @ 3:00pm


Senior School Drama Club

Starts this Wednesday at lunchtime in the Drama room. Come along for some Theatresports fun!


Dance Ensembles 

Start again this week


Junior School Dance Ensemble - note the slight variation of time.

Monday, 4:00pm - 4:30pm - Pre-k - Year 2

Monday, 4:30pm - 5:15pm - Years 3 - 6


Senior School Dance Ensemble

Tuesday lunchtimes in the Dance Studio.


Senior School Art in the Afternoon

Due to the musical and HSC major works, Art in the Afternoon is taking a break for term 3.

Chocolate Camp

Our cast and crew of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had a fabulous musical camp last weekend. After meeting in our boarding house on Saturday morning, we yodelled with Augustus Gloop, Veruca performed her famous ballet steps with some squirrels, Mike TV hacked into Wonka’s computer to get a golden ticket and the Gum-Chompin’ Divas grooved to the Queen of Pop. Meanwhile Charlie Bucket, the inventor whose only wish is to see inside Wonka’s factory had her dream come true! Almost - we’re not quite up to that scene yet :)

The cast and crew worked tirelessly and had fun doing it! When we weren’t rehearsing we went to see the ADMS production of Into the Woods and on Sunday evening, we were treated to a fabulous talent show from some of the members of our cast. Everything from Bog-Horns and comedy sketches, to rewrites of the Titanic and original songs, our PLC girls are just amazing! 

I am always amazed at how productive we can be on camp! 

Props and costumes are well on their way with the help of Mrs Schaeffer, Mrs Robertson, Madame Perez-Garcia and Mr Cotterell. They are looking fantastic! Thank you too to the students who have volunteered their time over the camp to help with the costumes and props. A big shout out to Catie Alcorn (Creative and Performing Arts Prefect) and Annabel Kaberry (Dance Captain) who worked with the ensemble on Saturday and Sunday polishing and rehearsing Mrs Wysel’s choreography.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is going to be a fabulous show ! Tickets to our community will go on sale at the end of August and to the general public in September.

Bravo to all our Chocolate Campers !!

Sports News

Mrs Lucy Donaldson

Head of Sport

Welcome Back to what is going to be another very busy term of sport! 

It is great to see the girls enjoying the numerous sports they are playing and the improvement that they have made throughout the season. 

Please remind your daughter/s of the importance of attendance at training and games and the commitment they have made when they signed up for the sports they are playing. Any absences need to be communicated to the teacher in charge with plenty of notice and an acceptable reason.

Strength and conditioning will resume in Week 2. It is expected that all girls who are in representative teams attend one session a week. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday mornings form 6:30am-7:30am.

Important Dates for your diary:

IGSA Hockey and Netball

Trip 1: 27 - 29 July

Trip 2: 31 August - 2 September

IGSA Athletics 24 - 25 August

IPSHA Athletics 30 August


The holidays proved to be very busy for many students ...

Lily Donaldson represented Hockey New England at the U13’s Hockey State Championships held at the Central Coast in the holidays.  Her team made it to the semi-finals but unfortunately went down to Metro West. 


Evie Donaldson, Mary Notley, Pippi Notley and Lucie Stephen who represented Hockey New England at the Kim Small Shield in Tamworth over the holidays. This is a development competition focussed on developing skills and providing an enjoyable experience. An excellent opportunity for these four girls who played some great hockey and displayed excellent sportsmanship on and off the field.


Charlotte Thomas (U14s), Isla Brennan, Laura Butterworth, Nylah Webb and Sharni Webb competed at Netball State Titles through the holidays. And two of our wonderful senior girls who were at the State Titles umpiring - Charlotte Baker (Year 12 & 2023 Netball Captain) and Bridie O’Neil (Year 10). It is wonderful to see you giving back to the sport you love.


Well done to you all. 

Health Centre News

MISS AMY CHIU - COLLEGE NURSE


Welcome back to Term 3.


It has been great having the students back healthy and happy! I trust that staff and students have had a restful break during the holiday.


EDUMATE MEDICAL DETAILS


If your daughter has an updated treatment plan, new diagnosis or medical needs, it is important that parents update the Edumate Health Conditions of your daughter to ensure that the school is providing the best care.


Edumate Parent Portal can be accessed through the CONNECT page


If your daughter has regular medications to take during the excursion period, please provide the medication with instructions and clear labels with her name on the day of the excursion. 


Please also complete the Authorisation Form  at least ONE WEEK prior  to the excursion to ensure that the information is prepared for the lead teacher of the excursion.


The Health Centre is contactable via 

Email: health@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

Phone: 02 6770 1741


P&F News 

Mrs Judi Sheedy

PandF President

Next Annual General Meeting Term 3, Tuesday August 1, at 5:30pm

Welcome back everyone!  

I hope that everyone has had a lovely relaxing break with their families in readiness for the busy term ahead.

We welcome all parents and friends of the College to join us for our P&F meeting held each term.  We have changed the meeting day to Tuesday.

We hope to see you there to enjoy some great company and refreshments.

Term 3 P&F General Meeting

Date: Term 3 Week 3 Tuesday 1 August 2023

Time: 5:30 - 7:00pm

Venue: PLC Boardroom or 

Zoom: For those unable to join in person, please join us via zoom 

https://plcarmidale.zoom.us/s/89159031702

Passcode:  919789


International and 'Pathways' News 

Amy Chiu

Pathways Administrator


Term three is proving to be a very busy one in the Pathways program right from the first day!


We welcome five new full-time Pathways students commencing their Australian journey at PLC Armidale. New students always pull a more diverse social and academic interaction in the program, and we are excited to see what new sparks we are having this term. It has been great seeing the current students helping and guiding the new students through a brand-new routine with kindness and enthusiasm.


We also welcome four short-term students. These students gave up their summer school holidays and came to Armidale to keep learning! Within the first week, we are seeing friendship building, engagement and interest in all different things. We hope that the four weeks' experience will provide them not only a great memory, but also a bond with the staff and students at PLC Armidale.


In Week 2, we welcome the staff and students from Wuhan Aoxin Elite School (WAES) to have a three weeks study tour at PLC Armidale. With the long-lasting partnership between WAES and PLC Armidale, it is our great pleasure to welcome the study tour group back after the pause during COVID.  We wish that the learning, living and touring experience PLC Pathways, PLC Armidale, and Armidale as a town are providing would be valuable and memorable for the group. 


Please make the visitors welcome!

GREEN TARTAN 

ALUMNAE NEWS

Isla Biffin (Class of 2019) to play in Armidale

Don't miss this opportunity to see one of the world's best harpists (and Class of 2019 alumnae) Isla Biffin at the Armidale Playhouse on Saturday, 19 August 2023 - 5pm to 7pm. Tickets available through TryBooking 

Currently studying at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, Isla recently won the Wales International Harp Festival competition. She will return to her hometown only briefly for this gorgeous harp recital.

The 'Whispers of the Harp' concert program features some of the classic works for harp that showcase the virtuosity and delicacy of the instrument: Hindemith Sonata for Harp, Spohr Fantasie, Granados Spanish Dance and Ernie's Legend. 

Isla is also featured in the current issue (July) of Country Style Magazine where she talks about her time at PLC Armidale and how it inspired her to 'reach for the stars'.

We can't wait to see Isla in concert next month and hopefully back on our campus before she returns to Europe.

Can you help Amanda?

In our Term 2 Week 5 issue of the Lion's Roar we caught up with Class of '98 Old Girl Amanda Johnson (You can read the story here)

To complete her Masters in Sustainability Leadership at Cambridge University, Amanda needs to interview 30 NSW farmers by mid-August at the latest and she is finding this difficult from Europe - where she now lives. 

If you know  someone  who would be willing to participate in a 30-45 minute zoom call in July,/ early August 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, September 1.

Details will be emailed out soon...

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

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

Save the date - Details to come soon

PLC Armidale Foundation


Can you make a regular financial contribution to the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund?

In 2022, the College made a considered decision to restructure fees for students in Kindergarten to Stage 4 to expand accessibility to a PLC Armidale education.

The provision of scholarships on merit will extend the opportunity for even more young women of character and purpose to receive an outstanding education at PLC Armidale, the region’s pre-eminent school for young women.

The PLCA Foundation Committee is focusing its efforts on raising funds for scholarships, with the intent of raising $130,000 for the school to allocate immediately in the next round of scholarship assessment.

As many families within our community have directly benefited from the recent fee restructure, we ask that you consider making a contribution to support the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund. 

Your gift will help the PLC Foundation Committee to offer these scholarships. We require significant and ongoing funding to ensure there is a continual capital base to support the program.

Donations will provide scholarships from as early as the 2024 school year. In addition, gifts over $2 are tax deductible. You can also subscribe to make a small regular automatic donation which will quickly add up over the years.

The generosity of the PLC Armidale community has enabled us to maintain and provide an excellent learning environment for generations of young women.

Giving makes a real difference to every student who attends PLC Armidale now and into the future. We thank you for your continued support as we foster and build a community that stands together. 

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, don't hesitate to call us on (02) 6770 1700 or email us at enquiries@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 and be equipped to lead a life of significance. 

You can make a difference by donating today.

Donations can be made by clicking here.

General News

Alinta announce PLCA Uniform Price Increase

Having conducted their yearly assessment of CPI and external factors our school uniform partners Alinta have announced a price increase ( see below).

The new price list will be effective from September 4, 2023.   However, families will have the opportunity to layby uniforms at the current prices before this date. 


The PLC Armidale Uniform Shop opening hours

Tuesday 8:30am to 11:30am

Thursday 1:00pm to 4:30pm 

Phone: 02 6770 1703


Or you can also order via email

PLCA@alinta.com.au