Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 3 | Week 7 | 2023

From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR

PRINCIPAL

The advantage of the all-girls, whole school continuum of learning was on display at 'oeuvre', the showcase evening for our 2023 Year 12 major independent project subjects.

These are a cluster of HSC subjects which require students to undertake a major work under the guidance of the teacher as a substantial component of course completion.

In the 2022 HSC across the state, the most frequently studied of these subjects were Visual Arts, Society and Culture, Design and Technology each with a student population of less than 10 000 students out of the total HSC candidature of approximately 76 000 students. Less frequently studied courses also offered by PLC Armidale include Dance (886), Science Extension (660) and Music Extension (356).

Our showcase evening featured culinary delights prepared by our Hospility students and ten major independent project subjects undertaken by our Class of 2023; Dance, Design and Technology, Drama, English Extension 2, History Extension, Music Extension, Science Extension, Society and Culture and Visual Arts.

... continue reading here

An impressive range of subjects providing opportunity for the creativity, skill, insight and expertise of the student to shine. Equally impressive was the diversity and quality of student major work on display showcasing not just choice and diversity, but the quality of relationship developed between teacher and student throughout the completion of these works.

The student work is not just a Year 12 phenomena but a whole school cumulative process where each year skills, knowledge and understanding are acquired and honed as part of the learning journey at PLC Armidale.

We endeavour to host a Community Forum every year, our focus indirectly on the children and young women of PLC Armidale, our audience parents, extended family members and those working with children and young people not just in our school but across the region.

This year, we are privileged to have Dr Jenny Brown, an experienced clinical psychologist whose work and research interest has focused on child and adolescent mental health, especially the role of parents in optimising this.

Dr Brown has been working in the area of child, adolescent and family health for over 35 years. After completing initial training as a social worker at the University of Sydney, Jenny undertook post-graduate family therapy training with Relationships Australia then headed to Columbia University, New York where she received the Dean's Award for Academic & Field Work Excellence.

Drawing upon this research evidence, along with field experience in New York and London, Jenny brought this expertise back to Australia, establishing the Family Systems Institute, from which a dedicated Family Systems Practice also commenced.

Apart from her research and academic publications, Jenny is also the author of two recent works, "Growing Yourself Up...How to bring your best to all of life's relationships" (2012) and "Confident Parenting" (2020). Most recently, Jenny has established the Parent Hope Project https://parenthopeproject.com.au/about-jenny-brown/ including a podcast series by the same name.

Dr Jenny Brown is also a member of the PLC College Council. Jenny has presented to the PLC Sydney community, and her message was well received as she shared an evidenced-based perspective on issues all parents face.

We are privileged to have Jenny join us on Monday, 11 September, in the Astra Arts Centre to share her insight into Adolescence: independence on steroids.

This is not just an evening for parents of Senior School girls; it will provide a helpful reference point for parents, grandparents, carers and support workers of children and young people of any age.

Your assistance is sought not just in attending this evening, but promoting it widely across the local and broader regional community this week. A ‘zoom’ ticket is available for Boarder families or those not able to attend in person. One complimentary ticket is available for each PLC Armidale family as well.

It takes a village (community) to raise a child - this evening is designed to provide an opportunity for this village to connect.

"Changing behaviour and thoughts is in the realm of choice in a way that feelings are not. To make changes takes courage, ownership of choices and a sense of hope that there is a way forward." Dr Jenny Brown PHD

Congratulations to ...

Our IGSA Athletics Team

who competed at the Independent Girls Schools Association Athletics Carnival and represented our College with grit and grace. Some outstanding results were achieved.

Steph Blake came 2nd in the Junior 400m with an incredible P.B of 1:00.96 (just 0.00.19 behind the 1st place winner ) 5th in the 14 years Long Jump, and made finals for the 200m finishing 7th overall.

Molly Chard made the finals of the 15 years 100m and 200m and placed 7th and 8th overall, while.

Mary Ugwumba achieved 4th place in the Junior Discus.

Our IPSHA Team

who competed against students in Years 3 to 6 from across the State at the Sydney Athletics Centre at Olympic Park, Homebush.

Our IGSA Hockey & Netball teams

who have had a stellar season with many continuing into the finals.

Our Year 12 students

who have ( or are) currently completing HSC performance examinations and major works.

Everyone involved in Oeuvre

It was a wonderful example of what our College Community can achieve together.

Whole School Father's Day Breakfast

On Thursday, 1 September we held our second Whole School Father's Day breakfast in the grounds of our Junior School

A barbecue breakfast was followed by a father/daughter soccer match and Chapel Service.

As it was Daffodil Day, dads and daughters were invited to wear a yellow ribbon or yellow clothing and asked to make a gold coin donation. To the Cancer Council and those affected by cancer, the daffodil represents hope for a cancer-free future.

See all the gorgeous father/daughter photos on our Parent Portal HERE

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:

Only the following staff from the College would contact families directly for fee payment and financial matters - Nonni Bunn (Accounts Manager), Rita Brissett (Group Accountant)
The fee schedule published annually specifies the school tuition fees payable.
The Finance team would not offer a substantial discount if fees were paid immediately. We would never ask for invoice details or credit card details over the phone to make such a payment. The College does not use BPoint for fee payments.
In the event of any fee overpayment, Nonni Bunn would contact the family by phone and follow up in email from a PLC Armidale email address to confirm.

Term 3 Events

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

Senior School News

Oeuvre 2023

On Wednesday, August 30 we held an evening to experience the talent of our 2023 HSC cohort as they shared their major works with us in the areas of: Dance; Drama; Design and Technology; English Extension 2; History Extension; Hospitality; Music 1, 2 and Extension; Science Extension; Society and Culture; Visual Arts and Hospitality.

See the full gallery of photos on the Parent Portal HERE

Junior School News

Mrs Fiona Wake

Head of Junior School

Book Week 2023

We had such a fun morning in Junior School yesterday celebrating Book Week! Our Pre-Kinder to Year 6 girls dressed up in some *FABULOUS* costumes and paraded them with pride! (Our teachers looked amazing too!) A big thank you to all our parents and carers for joining us to watch and for your help in creating the costumes for the day.

And congratulations to our Book Week Children’s Book Council of Australia Shadow Judging team led by Mrs Robertson (pictured above) who came in early every Thursday morning for weeks in advance to judge this year's crop of nominees along with other children across Australia. They also stood up and shared some reviews with the school on the day.

You can find a full gallery of photos on the Parent Portal HERE

What's On this Term...

Year 7 Experience Day – 1.09.23
Thalgaragh Excursion (K-2) – 05.09.23
Thalgaragh Excursion (K3-6) – 06.09.23
Grandparent’s Day and Starry Night CAPA – 07.09.23
Term 3 concludes – 21.09.23

CAPA News

Mrs Joanne Wysel

Head of Creative and Performing Arts.

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.

CATCF 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

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our Year 12 music students on their extraordinary accomplishments as they finalise their Higher School Certificate programs.

This week, our Music 2 students recorded their major composition works in preparation for submission and marking on Monday. Gabrielle Cotterell composed a moving and captivating piece for solo soprano, piano, and choir, based on the poem 'Corpse Flower' by Vanessa Angélica Villarreal. Thank you to pianist Li Ling Chen for her input and skilled playing, to the Senior choir for rehearsing and performing the work for the recording, and to Mrs. Dunham and Mr. Jacometti for their involvement in singing and audio engineering, respectively. It is truly wonderful to witness a fantastic team coming together to support our talented Year 12 students.

Kaylee Swick also created a skillful work for string quartet, titled 'Auora Australis', which was inspired by the view of the sky, including the Milky Way galaxy that she can see so clearly from her house as well as the southern lights (Aurora Australis) The piece features vibrant rhythms and intricate textures, reflecting Kaylee’s deep understanding of string instruments and the string quartet genre. This composition was recorded with the assistance of professional musicians from the Conservatorium.

Main photo: Kaylee Swick was very happy after her HSC recital on August 18. Photo (from left) Music Teacher, Director of Music Mr Matthew Minter, Kaylee's mother Cindy Swick, Kaylee Swick, Kaylee's father Bob Swick, Kaylee's piano accompanist Robyn Bradley and Kaylee's violin teacher of 10 years, Sofia Debus from Heartstring Studios in Armdale. Scroll through to see more...

Congratulations to all Year 12 students for their exceptional performance in the HSC Music Trial exams on August 24. The consistently high standard presented was evident, with several students achieving full marks for multiple pieces within their programs. The students have shown great dedication to practising and honing their performance skills.

Zoe Kelly and Kaylee Swick had the privilege of performing at the Armidale Music Teacher’s HSC Feedback evening on August 28. Additionally, Catie Alcorn and Gabrielle Cotterell are set to perform at the annual Hymn Fest event, at the Presbyterian Church on September 3.

Moreover, Kaylee Swick, Phoebe Imberger, and Catie Alcorn showcased their talents at the Oeuvre HSC Showcase on August 30. As part of her musical journey, Kaylee Swick successfully held a recital of her program for friends and family on August 18. This is indeed a busy time for our students, and I am immensely proud of their courage, dedication, attention to detail, and hard work.

A special mention goes to the PLC Armidale String Quartet for their splendid performance at the Rotary’s 90-Year Anniversary dinner recently. The guests thoroughly enjoyed the delightful classical music, which created a pleasant atmosphere for their arrival. The students' skilled playing and generous spirits truly reflected their credit.

Looking ahead

We have the much-anticipated 'Starry Night of Creative Arts' event scheduled for Friday. All students are required to be at the Astra Arts Centre by 5:00pm, and the show will commence at 5:30pm. We look forward to your presence at the event!

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

&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

Sports News

Lucy Donaldson

Head of Sport

Congratulations to

the 14 girls who were part of our Junior School representative athletics team, who travelled to Sydney to compete in the IPSHA athletics carnival. This year, there was a total of 55 schools competing at this carnival!

Our girls ran, jumped and threw their best, achieving heat ribbons and many, many PB’s. It was a joy to watch them compete and represent our school so well. They are keen to keep training and be there again next year.

Well done Isla, Emma, Harriet, Edie, Evie, Mary, Pippi, Georgiana, Maria, Phoebe, Isabella, Lana, Lucinda and Viv.

We also appreciated the parents, aunties, uncles, cousins and grandparents who came to cheer our girls on. Thank you!

PLC U11 Hockey Lions - for winning their semi-final 4-2. This win puts them straight into the grand final match on Saturday, 9 September.

Our Under 8's Hockey Team who have now finished their season - for many it was their fist time playing.

PLC 1 and PLC 4 Netball teams who won their first finals games and are now through to the preliminary finals next weekend.

PLC 2 and PLC Blue Netball teams who both played in their final this weekend, and PLC Blue is now in the grand final.

Ad Astra girls!

Our PLC Representative Netball and Hockey teams are in Sydney this weekend for their second rounds of IGSA games. We look forward to sharing how these amazing 46 students go!

Important Dates for you diary:

IGSA Hockey and Netball Finals: Friday 15/9 (semi final) and Saturday 16/9 (Grand finals)

Hockey Grand finals : Juniors Saturday 9/9 and Women’s Sunday 10/9

Netball Semi-Finals: Saturday 2/9; Finals: Saturday 16/9; Grand Finals Saturday 16/9

GREEN TARTAN

ALUMNAE NEWS

Isla Biffin (Class of 2019) at PLC Armidale Assembly

We were blessed to have Isla Biffin come to a special PLC Armidale assembly last week to play to our girls from Year 3 to Year 12.

Currently studying at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria, Isla recently won the Wales International Harp Festival competition. She returned to her hometown only briefly to perform two sold out harp recitals.

At our assembly, Mrs Taylor interviewed Isla on stage and asked about her career to date, her time at PLC Armidale and how it inspired her to 'reach for the stars'.

Isla then played two pieces for us, and it was a glorious way to start the day. She is a truly talented young lady.

Elinor Warwick, Class of 2019

Elinor Warwick (pictured with voilin) is undertaking Honours in Classical Performance at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide under Dr. Elizabeth Layton and recently performed Beethoven’s Romance No. 2 in F Major as a solo with the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra.

Elinor's sister Clare, Class of 2020, (pictured without a violin) shared this news with us. Clare is working as a medical receptionist in a doctor's surgery in Newcastle.

Thank you for sharing Clare!!

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

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

This week, we welcomed Mrs Cartwright from Macarthur Anglican School to PLC Pathways.

Macarthur Anglican School is a valuable partner school to PLC Pathways. Since 2019, Macarthur Anglican School has been requesting their International students who need additional intensive English learning before commencing their mainstream program to come to Pathways. Throughout the years, we have supported many boys and girls through the partnership achieving their goal of higher education. We look forward to continuing the partnership and to give more students an opportunity to start their Australian education journey.

Thank you to all staff and students who welcomed Mrs Cartwright to the College. It’s been heartwarming seeing how our visitor was being cared for during the day.

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.

PLCA Uniform Price List

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

The PLC Armidale Uniform Shop opening hours

Tuesday 8:30am to 11:30am

Thursday 1:00pm to 4:30pm

Phone: 02 6770 1703

September/October School Holiday appointments are now available

Tuesday, 3 October 9:00am - 1:00pm

Thursday, 5 October 11:00am - 3:00pm

Half-hour appointments are available to book online via the Alinta website.

https://www.alintaapparel.com.au

Or order via email

PLCA@alinta.com.au

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Lion's Roar Newsletter Term 3 | Week 7 | 2023