Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 3 | Week 5 | 2023

From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR

PRINCIPAL


In the last edition of the Lion’s Roar, I outlined the four pillars of the PLC Armidale experience: Academic Endeavour; Creative & Performing Arts; Leadership & Challenge; and Sport & Outdoor Education. 


As an Independent school, we enjoy freedom and take responsibility to ensure quality and consistency in the education we provide. As an Independent school we are required to comply with the regulatory framework of both NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority), and relevant government legislation.


A change in government often signals a change in education policy or practice. Ben Jensen, education researcher and CEO of Learning First wrote recently in The Australian  newspaper of the knowledge gap widening between student groups across many schools.


Jensen was commenting on the current Federal Education Minister's commitment to reduce education inequality. An expert panel has been convened to "inform a better and fairer education system" by providing a report at the end of October which will inform the next National Schools Reform Agreement. In turn this which will "determine school funding and related policies." A focus of the panel is on "inequality and students who are at most risk of falling behind."


Jensen’s research has identified a  gap between Year 3 students from high and low socio-economic backgrounds equivalent to two years of schooling with this gap widening to five years by Year 9.  Jensen's analysis of this focused not on policy, nor funding, but the practice of curriculum design and implementation... 



... continue reading here


Research has identified a key factor contributing to student inequality was the variance in background general knowledge and understanding between children from low and higher socio-economic circumstances and how this contributes significantly to the development of comprehension (reading and general) as students progress through the years of school.


Jensen argues that a way to reduce the performance gap is “through a content-rich curriculum enabling all students to have learning experiences which enable them to bridge the knowledge gap.  In school, students access knowledge through the curriculum. A high-quality, content-rich curriculum builds knowledge in a clear, sequential manner. This enables students to comprehend increasingly complex texts.


When comparing the  Australian Curriculum to the curriculum of high-performing countries, Jensen identified a lack of depth, specificity and a reasoned learning sequence. When teachers pick and choose from large and varied banks of resources, the critical connections and sequencing of content are often lost.


In 2017, The Learning Journey at PLC Armidale was launched. Whilst not addressing content specifically, it does outline a sequence of learning experiences, developing skills and competencies in girls from Early Stage One to Stage Six. In addition,  we have focused on developing greater consistency across instruction programs and how these are accessed within and across year groups. As an Independent School, we have chosen this focus way before the findings of this latest research were published. However, our purpose aligns with the research findings, to support each learner and create effective learning routines in a clearly structured sequence to equip girls to move from information to knowledge, from knowledge to understanding and in time for this understanding to become wisdom which equips our learners for life.  


Education should not be a competition resulting in winners and losers. Education should be a competition against ignorance, and all should be encouraged to win. KA Brill 


Congratulations to ... 


Our Year 10 boarder Lily McCosker who received a highly commended in the Grain Young Judges section at EKKA.

Our Year 9 student Stephanie Blake who seized the opportunity to participate in a masterclass with the renowned Russian concert pianist Konstantin Shamray at NECOM recently. Stephanie was one of only four students of Grade 8 AMEB standard and above who had 30mins each with Mr Shamray, greatly assisting her in polishing pieces for her AMEB examination. Stephanie said when they watched him perform in a  full auditorium, she was: "absolutely blown away; at some points, his hands were a blur!".

Our HSC Languages Students who have completed their Oral Examinations in the past weeks, and best wishes to those who will be taking their exams in the coming weeks. HSC Oral exams in French, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish are all being undertaken this term.

Our HSC Dance Students who completed their Performance Examinations this week 

All Year 12 for undertaking their HSC Trial Examinations with diligent application and focus.

Our Pathways Team and Junior School Staff for hosting a very successful Study Tour with students from the Wuhan Auxin Elite School, enriching our global connections

All our Senior School students who recently sat the Speech and Drama AMEB exams - special mention to Elise Tisserand - AMEB Grade 5 (Honours with High Distinction).

All six Year 11 students who received their Certificate of Voice and Communication Australia(CVCA), with each girl attaining an A+ award: Caitlin Kable, Scarlett Loxley, Mia Montgomery,  Anviti Sinha, Bella Waters and Alannah Williams.

An outstanding result reflective of the connection between teacher and student. Mrs Jan Patterson, supported by Mrs Kylie Alcorn, worked tirelessly despite ill health to ensure the girls were ready for their examinations. The collective results attesting to Mrs Patterson’s recognised expertise which PLC Armidale has benefitted from over many years. 

All the Junior School students who undertook their Speech & Drama AMEB Exams some for the first time taught very ably by our 2022 Head Prefect, Ms Sarah Waters with four A+, three A, and two B+ results attained. Sarah did a wonderful job in her first year of teaching. Special mention to our Primary AMEB Grade Three students:  Jiya Aila (High Credit), Eddie Clynch (Honours), and Lola Ferguson (Honours with High Distinction) and Primary AMEB Grade Two students: Georgina Arundale-Fuller - Grade Two (Honours with High Distinction),   Khadija Shaikh, Maria Ugwumba and Annabella Wysel & (Honours).

Our Year 7 students and their form teachers, Mr Sam Azon-Jacometti, Mrs Marilyn Faithful and Mrs Emma Schaefer who organised a lunchtime FUNdraiser Fair for 'Support the Girls', a not-for-profit that aims to empower vulnerable, disadvantaged and isolated women and girls through access to essential products and support to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Together, our girls from Year 3 to Year 12 donated $450 in 45 minutes.  See the gallery HERE

Our Year 9 girls for their exemplary behaviour when they attended the Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Festival at Coffs Harbour last weekend. Thank you to Mrs Amanda Burney and Miss Jen Leahy who led the excursion as part of our ExploreServeJourney program in preparation for an intensive residential month-long series of outdoor adventures next term.

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

Congratulations to......


Our Semester 2 Junior School School Representative Council (SRC) Leaders pictured above (absent Harriet Minter) 

Laura Butterworth,  2023 Junior Creative Arts Prefect (pictured below)

I would like to say how proud our community were on Monday and Tuesday morning as the girls presented their speech for the Creative Arts leadership position in front of their peers and staff. They capably and confidently shared their view of what leadership looks like in practice. 

In success and disappointment, there is growth and experience that can never be understated, as it prepares the girls for future opportunities. Being brave and vulnerable underpins the characteristics of a fine leader.

What's On this Term...


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

Friday saw a buzz in the air as we welcomed Pre K, K and Stage 1 students into new classrooms in preparation for 2024. 

Pre K, K and Stage 1 teachers hosted experiences that were engaging and fun and our Year 6 leaders embraced the opportunity to lead by assisting their younger peers and ensuring each felt connected. What was on display was a marvellous display of community and kindness.

I would also like to thank all of the parents who attended the ‘Milestones and Mechanics for Kindergarten’ workshop in the JS Library. 

This was a wonderful opportunity for the College to share our approach to learning in Early Stage One. The level of attendance and commitment throughout the workshop was impressive, what fine students you all made! 

A great show of community, and testament to the shared role we play in providing a quality education for our students.

Spotlight on Stage One - Mrs Susanne Dowling

Stage One have had a wonderful first half of Term 3. 

Can you believe that ‘half-way through term’ is something we are saying? Time flies so quickly when you are having fun. The zest and love of learning in the Stage One classroom is so visible, and the girls have especially loved having Miss Georgie Ostenfeld join us to do her 4-week teaching prac. 

In class, we have been exploring many concepts this term. To start the term, in Mathematics, the girls enjoyed exploring equivalence through games and challenges, then moved to graphing data they collected and finding out more about the likelihood of events (they wondered about the possibility of their teaching coming to school with green hair the next day).

More recently, the girls welcomed four friends from the Wuhan Aoxin Elite School into our class to learn more about education in Australia. We compared and contrasted weather, located countries and continents on maps and the globe, and made art to explore wattle trees. Stephanie, Yuki, Mavis and Cherry even tried to teach us how to teach to 10 with one hand!

During Week 3, we celebrated 100 days of learning in 2023. What an exciting day, and it was wonderful to see the way each student celebrated the number 100. To give you a snapshot of just some of the amazing costumes … we had a butterfly with 100 colours, 100m sprinters, someone who is 100 days brighter (with 100 different colours on her outfit), skirts and dresses with 100 sparkles, the 100 th element on the periodic table (fermium), a 100-year-old granny and a Chinese princess who had been ruling for 100 years.

Isn’t it a brilliant thing to be 100 days smarter?!

CAPA News

Mrs Joanne Wysel

Head of Creative and Performing Arts. 

CAPA Term 3 

HSC Dance

This week, our HSC Dance students undertook their practical HSC Dance Examinations.

Markers from NESA arrived bright and early on Thursday and examined their Core Performance dances and Core Composition works. Thank you to Molly, Daisy, Jess, from PLC and Tilly, Shanae and Luka (from visiting schools) who are performed Core Compositions for our HSC Candidates. 

Being the only school in the Armdale Region offering Dance for the Higher School Certificate, we also accommodated another student from a neighbouring school who was examined with our students.

On Friday those who  chosenMajor Study Performance performed their Major Work. 


Dance Performance Evening Photos

You can find a complete gallery via our Parent Portal HERE


Pop these dates in your diary...


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 - Monday, August 28

HSC ART MAJOR WORK SUBMISSION DATE

Monday, August 28 @ 3:00pm


Senior School Drama Club

Owing to Charlie and HSC Drama rehearsals Senior School Drama Club is taking a break. 

Come along next term for some Theatresports fun!


Dance Ensembles 

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.

Rehearsals

Keep watch for the rehearsal schedule each week. 

We are getting close and it is important now to make it a priority to come to rehearsal every week. We are in a great place and it is looking great. You are a fabulous cast and we value each and everyone of you - we can’t do it without all of you there!

Music News

Sydney Youth Orchestra Camp

During the Winter Holidays, Allegra May (Year 3) and Phila Wang (Year 2) were selected to attend a week-long music camp in Sydney hosted by the Sydney Youth Orchestra. Below are two accounts of the experience from Allegra and Phila: 

"In the Winter Holidays I went to Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO). We played Themes from Harry Potter, Arabian Overture and Country Hoedown. My favourite song was Themes from Harry Potter! We performed at the UTS Great Hall. We did very well and everybody clapped so much." Allegra May (Year 3). 

"I had lots of fun because I had two new friends, Allegra and Misaki. We had three songs: Strawberries Ice Cream, Lotus Dance and Gap of Dunlone." Phila Wang (Year 2). 

Health News

Miss Amy Chiu

School Nurse

As the Health Centre is seeing more cases across day school and boarding, here is some helpful information from Health Direct for parents and students.

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 access through the CONNECT page connect.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au 

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 hONE 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

Judi Sheedy

P&F President


It was delightful to see so many parents at the last P&F meeting.  


Minutes of the meeting are below.


A few items to note:

P&F will be running the catering for the Charlie & the Chocolate Factory musical at Armidale Town Hall.  This will occur on Thursday, Friday, Saturday matinee and night.  We will need volunteers to help staff it, both with RSA and those without.  A big thank you to Sam Notley and Ben Carruthers for volunteering to organise this wonderful friendship raising event again.  Communication will be forthcoming asking for volunteers.  Tickets for the event will become available shortly.

The P&F AGM will be held in Term 4 Week 5, at which time all positions will become vacant.  I will not be standing for re-election as President.  I have had the privilege of working in this role for three years, during which time I have not only been part of a strengthening group who has executed many successful events including the 135 year ball, I have grown and developed personally - so thank you all for the opportunity.  I will still be available as a resource or mentor in the Past President role for 2024. In 2025, when my daughters undertake their HSC I will be able to contribute to the general P&F committee, as I help support them through this year.  In making this decision, I hope that it will provide support for a smooth transition within the P&F.  I encourage parents to consider contributing to the school in this positive way.

Term 4 P&F AGM  & General Meeting

We invite everyone to join us for a P&F AGM & General Meeting.  The date for the Term 4 meeting has been pushed back to allow for the musical.  

Date: Tuesday, 7 November 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

Term 3 Meeting Minutes

GREEN TARTAN 

ALUMNAE NEWS

IGSA DRINKS - Friday, September 1

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. All current and past parents along with our alumnae are invited. 

We hope to see you there. Bookings via Huamitix HERE

Second Concert announced at the

Armidale Playhouse

Friday, 25 August 7pm - 9pm

Tickets via Trybooking

Isla Biffin (Class of 2019) to play second concert in Armidale 

Following a sold-out concert on Saturday, don't miss the opportunity to see one of the world's best harpists (and Class of 2019 alumna) Isla Biffin, at her encore performance in the Armidale Playhouse on Friday, 25 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 back on our campus before she returns to Europe. We think our girls might be in for a treat!

Congratulations to Sarah Scott Paul (nee Gray), class of 2001. 

Sarah has been shortlisted for the 2023 B&T Women in Media in the "Mentor" category. 

Sarah joined Enero as Learning & Development Manager and has been promoted four times in 10 years. 

Currently the Global Head of Learning & Development / Head of People & Culture Australia she champions professional development for 600+ people across 13 global cities and seven businesses.

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. 

More details to come...

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

Save the date - Details to come soon

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


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.

Pathways - International Students

Amy Chiu

Pathways Coordinator

Wuhan Aoxin Elite School (WAES) Study Tour

The three-week 2023 WAES Study Tour concluded last Saturday. The 40 students and 5 staff members gave Mrs Sennett a big hug before they jumped on the bus to Sydney with tears.

The students participated in a wide variety of experiences during their time in Armidale and the surrounding region. They learned about Australian animals, culture and songs with Mrs Cavanagh and Mrs Sheedy. They worked on their reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary through the Little Blue story written by Mrs Perez Gracia, taught by Mrs Sennett. The students also had a chance to meet Mrs Miller’s pet lizard and had a really special memory touching and being licked by a blue tongue lizard! After school, they spent 1.5 hours with Mr Brennan, a 3rd-year Education student at UNE, playing sports and learning new skills. 

The students not only spent time in the Pathways program, the girls had a wonderful time joining lessons with Junior School classes, while the boys had the opportunity to join classes at The Armidale Waldorf School, Drummond Memorial Public School and Calrossy Anglican School. The learning experiences in the mainstream classes broadened their understanding of how an Australian classroom operates and the expectations the school has for the students.

On the weekend, they enjoyed their time on several excursions. The students learned what life was like 100 years ago in Australia at the Beardies Museum in Glen Innes. They visited the UNE Natural Museum doing fun science experiments, SportUNE for indoor climbing, Aboriginal Keeping Place for cultural experiences and bushwalking at the Gara Gorge and Pine Forest.

A weekend at the coast was a big hit! The students ran into the ocean, enjoying the waves and the sand. Some said that it was the first time they were at a beach. They explored their senses through the Sensing the Rainforest activities at Dorrigo National Park and saw a lyrebird! They learned kayaking at Coffs Harbour, experienced Tree-top activities, whale watching on Muttonbird Island, enjoying fish & chips at the beach, and standing really close to the waterfalls at Danger Falls.

A huge thank you to all staff for being so understanding of the group being here and the limited capacity I had during that time. Thank you to the maintenance team, especially James and Nick, for being so supportive with bus transport for the group. Thank you to the boarding house staff and boarders for welcoming the study tour kids and for bed making! Thank you to the dining hall staff for the extra time and effort providing the kids nutritious and yummy meals during these weeks. Thank you to the teachers who stepped in and taught the Pathways classes as the original Pathways teachers were doing the study tour teaching. Thank you to all Junior School staff for providing the opportunity for the girls to join the classrooms. A final thank you to Mrs Sennett, Mrs Cavanagh, Mrs Sheedy, Mrs Miller for providing a great learning experience to the students!

The success of the study tour is a result of all the hard work from every corner of the school, and we are grateful and really appreciate the support and resources available at PLC Armidale.

General News

For Sale

Tables, chairs , coat cupboards, bed bases and drawer units are surplus to Boarding House requirements. Need to be sold, contact enquiries@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au if interested.

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