Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 1 | Week 9 2024
From the Principal
MRS NICOLA TAYLOR
PRINCIPAL
Immediately after the Easter break, our Pathways and Year 10 students will journey to Canberra to explore how the interests of our nation are served through the democratic parliamentary process.
This week, the Australian Information Security Association gathered in Canberra for CyberCon. The keynote speaker Frances Haugen called upon the Australian Government to exercise its power under the "News Media's Bargaining Code" to compel large social media platforms to pay for Australian News Content.
Frances, a former Meta employee and Facebook Product Manager turned whistleblower in 2021. At CyberCon she shared her experience and insight into Meta, its culture and potential harm of social media platforms to a largely unsuspecting audience. At the conference, Frances spoke of the use of Artificial Intelligence applications to replace verified paid news content with news generated by large language models that can make ‘fake news' very believable.
Frances Haugen also spoke of a movement she has founded in America, 'Wait until 8th'. This is an online forum encouraging parents to delay introducing their children to smart phones until the end of the Eighth Grade (14years)...
... continue reading here
Based on her knowledge of social media platforms, Frances attributes the rise of sleep deprivation, addiction, anxiety, and poor mental health to the algorithm and metrics that drive social media. She also speaks of girls being more adversely affected than boys.
Frances commented..."These devices are quickly changing childhood for children. Playing outdoors, spending time with friends, reading books and hanging out with family is happening a lot less to make room for hours of snap chatting, instagramming, and catching up on YouTube."
As a school we seek to limit the girls’ access to social media throughout the school day. Phones are not to be visible or used (unless permitted by a teacher for learning) from 8:30am to 3:30pm, sessions are presented around responsible digital citizenship across the College, our wifi-network enables us to prevent or limit access to sites and platforms. Years 3 to 11 will enjoy a ‘digital detox’ as they head to camp in the final week of term, with very limited access to technology throughout.
We seek your support in this regard. Valuable school time is spent unravelling the mess created when girls act online towards others, in a way they would almost never act or speak in real time and place. Very few girls are financially independent or fully autonomous, phones and devices are usually provided by parents. This enables parents to be aware of how much time their daughter may spend ‘online’ and what platforms or programs. Technology is a wonderful tool for learning but can be a terrible tyrant when the skin-fluencers, thin-fluencers and influencers girls spend much time following online make them feel they are not ‘enough’.
The celebration of Easter reminds us that as people made in the image of God we are ‘enough’.
Our Junior School chapel today focused on the reality of the cross. A symbol of death, resurrection, eternal life and hope.
I trust that the Easter weekend will provide an opportunity to connect with your girls in real time and space, reminding them of how unique, precious and valued each one truly is.
Congratulations
Throughout the year, we want to acknowledge and celebrate the various interests and accomplishments of PLC Armidale girls. We will be aware of the experiences girls undertake to represent the College. We may not know about experiences and achievements in areas of interest outside of school. Please let our Communications and Marketing Manager, Mrs Arundale know. Mrs Arundale greatly enjoys telling the story of the quality and achievements of our PLC Armidale girls.
Congratulations to ...
Our Livestock Team members ( Lily McCosker Year 11, Elsie Wake Year 10, Mila Vanzella Year 9, Macey Wake, Year 10, Charli Milton Year 9, Amelia Webb Year 9 and Izzy Macrae Year 8 ) who have achieved another great result preparing and parading the Schute Bell Charity Steer ( bred by Murray & Michelle Power at Walcha ) that raised $20,000 for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute at the Sydney Royal Easter Show last Friday. This unprecedented third year in a row for one school to take on the Schute Bell Charity Steer role reflects the high standard our girls have achieved.
Arlie Bragg, India Smith, and Shiloni Katta who all participated in the Australian Strings Association (NSW) New England String Performers Festival Concerto Competition at NECOM .The event gives young string players the opportunity to perform a concerto with piano accompaniment in a friendly and supportive environment. A special shout out to Arlie, who placed third with her cello recital.
Our Year 4 students Allegra May and Shiloni Katta who both attended the Sydney Youth Orchestra Summer Camp during the school holidays.
Steph Blake who achieved the following results at the Hart Little Athletics NSW Championships in Sydney last weekend. Under 15 - Bronze in the 800m (PB) 5th in the 400m (PB), 9th in the Long Jump & 13th in the 200m
Hope Stoltenberg (Silver), Elise Tisserand (Silver) and Georgina Arundale-Fuller (Gold) who all competed in the Rhythmic Gymnastics competition in Armidale last weekend.. A special congratulations to Jess McMahon, who was one of the artistic judges for the competition and also gave an amazing display performance of her new Level 6 routines - wow!
Everyone who performed in our Term 1 InHouse Concert and Shakespeare Carnival - see the CAPA section for more details
Our March Duke of Edinburgh recipients
2024 Student Leaders
Lunch Orders
Our new caterers, the Trippas White Group, have served some delicious food this term...with lots more to come!
The full week's menu can be seen on your My Student Account via CONNECT
The deadline each day for ordering a hot meal is 10:50 am, after that cut off, both salad bar and make-your-own-sandwich options are available until 1.15 pm.However, there will be no spare hot specials available.
Junior School families are asked to contact Mrs Creamer for assistance on the day.
Senior School students will need to use their Student ID card for an on-the-spot purchase and all salad bar or make-you- own-sandwich pre bookings need to be marked off on arrival to the Dining Hall.
Please note: All 2023 issued Student ID cards remain valid until new cards are issued.
You can book online via CONNECT by clicking the My Student Account tile.
Junior School News
Mrs Fiona Wake
Head of Junior School
With less than three weeks remaining of the term, a period of reflection has been warranted. What a fantastic journey it has been so far! It has been heartwarming to witness the girls settling into their learning environments and embracing their routines with enthusiasm.
This term, we've been particularly impressed by the exemplary leadership displayed by our Year 6 students. They have not only been focused on their own goals and aspirations but have also taken the initiative to support their younger peers.
In Week 6, the Leadership team were invited to present their own proposal for leading the Junior School in unique, creative ways - ideas brought to action establishes confidence, fosters teamwork, peer-connection and growth. Each proposal put forward has been considered, accepted, and now future work will see the planning and scheduling of ideas. How the College is served by those within will become visible. This leadership team has displayed their sincerity and dedication to fostering a supportive environment. This is reflective of the values we strive to instil in our students.
In celebration of Harmony Day, it was inspiring to see our girls come together to promote inclusivity and celebrate diversity within our school community. Their participation and support truly embody the spirit of Harmony Day. Moreover, we cannot go without acknowledging the impeccable behaviour demonstrated by our students on various occasions. Whether it's during school assemblies, visits to the local elderly home to spread cheer through song, or their day-to-day interactions in the classroom, our girls consistently exhibit kindness, respect, and politeness. Their exemplary conduct reflects positively on our school community as a whole.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Chelsea Creamer, our new Junior School Assistant, who has seamlessly integrated into our team and is doing a fabulous job. We also appreciate Dina for her assistance one day a week. Your dedication and hard work are invaluable to us.
Last but not least, we express our deepest gratitude to our parents/carers who work with us to ensure the care for our students' well-being.
Your connection and open communication truly make a difference in the lives of our students, both academically and pastorally. As we continue through the remainder of the term, let us cherish the progress and achievements of our students and look forward to more wonderful moments ahead.
Dates for the Calendar
Years 3-6 Camp Lake Ainsworth: 8 - 11 April
Last Day Term 1 Thursday, 11 April
Term 2 resumes: Tuesday, 30 April
Congratulations to ...
Maria Ugwumba
our FISH Christian Studies Group Leader for 2024
Our Week 8 Birthday girls and all our Ad Astra Award recipients
Stage 2
Our Year 3 and 4 girls have had a very positive start to 2024. They are thoroughly enjoying every aspect of their learning this term. The girls have loved reading ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’, ‘Iceberg’ and ‘The Thing about Oliver’ in our English units, eagerly awaiting each lesson to continue reading. They’ve also enjoyed developing their mathematics skills through hands-on activities, embracing new learning enthusiastically.
In HSIE, the girls have been learning about all the wondrous places Australia has to offer and are now excitedly finalising their research on an Australian place of interest. We’re looking forward to their range of presentations, and judging by the research we’ve seen so far, we will surely be inspired to visit some new locations soon.
Our Science learning has seen the girls exploring heat energy by conducting experiments to test heat transfer, conduction and insulation; we even enjoyed a hot chocolate in the process! They are applying their knowledge to design and test their insulative container to keep an ice cube cool.
Stage 2 wishes everyone a wonderful Easter break and a safe and restful holiday. We look forward to finalising our projects next week and heading to camp in Week 11. We’re excited for our learning to come in Term 2!
Bell Time Reminders
Before School
The morning bell rings at 8.40am and all children assemble in the courtyard before going to class. Children should arrive after 8.30am. Children who arrive earlier will be supervised from 8.15am. Children in the Pre Kinder class must be “signed in” and “signed out” each day. The “sign in” book is held in the Pre-Kinder classroom where the teacher will welcome students from 8.30am.
After School Care
Students are dismissed at 3.30pm and wait at the front of the school building on Crest Road to be collected. A teacher is on duty until 3.45pm. Any child not collected by 3.45pm is taken to “Homework Centre”, phone 0402 474 415. The Homework Centre is operating out of the Junior School Library Monday to Thursday.
Dates for the Calendar
Easter 29 March to 1 April
Years 3-6 Camp Lake Ainsworth: 8, 9 ,10 and 11 April
Last Day Term 1 - 11 April
The Cub's Roar
Miss Georgina Arundale -Fuller
Junior Head Prefect
HARMONY DAY
Last week the Junior School at PLC Armidale celebrated Harmony Day, which celebrates the country’s cultural diversity. Girls were encouraged to bring in any cultural clothes or accessories that were significant to them and their family heritage. On Thursday, March 21, the weekly JS chapel service was held and before concluding Mrs Kennedy invited any students who had remembered to bring in their item of choice to come up to the front of the chapel and explain what they had brought in and why. It was a great experience for the teachers and students, and we all had an AMAZING time!
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
Earlier this month the PLCA Junior School participated in Clean Up Australia Day, we collected more than 6 bags of rubbish! Two weeks later the SRC (Student Representative Council) sorted through all the rubbish, we found tuna cans, icy pole wrappers, paper, cement (how did that get there??) ,lunch order bags and much more.
Thank you to all the wonderful students and teachers who popped on their yellow gloves and got cleaning!
Junior School Easter Egg Hunt
Our Junior School enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs, which had been hidden by our Year 6 girls. As well as chocolate, they also collected Guild coloured eggs and opened them to discover the real meaning of Easter. 'He isn't here; he has been raised from death' Luke 24:6
Senior School News
Mrs Kate Clynch
Head of Senior School
Science Behind the Lesson: It's a Bird! It's a Plane!
Our Year 11 biology class had fun while learning about the biomechanics of flight and why birds are so good at it ( unlike some paper planes).
Mountain Biking Madness
Many of our senior girls had a blast hitting the flow trails at Wedding Bells State Forest recently. Thanks to our fabulous Outdoor Education expert, Ms Amanda Burney, our new PLC Armidale fleet of Specialized bikes and the Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club for the amazing trails.
Visual Art Adventures
Many of our visual art students have enjoyed the current Wynne Prize 2023 exhibition at NERAM, which is touring from the Art Gallery of New South Wales for the first time since it began over 125 years ago. So much so that more than 20 of them have been inspired to enter the NERAM Young Wynners landscape artwork competition !! You can find a gallery of the entered work HERE on our Parent Portal
For more than two decades, our Livestock Team has been one of the most rewarding features of our College, and this year we would like to celebrate what has become one of the most successful and respected agricultural teams in the region. Join us to watch a parade, learn more about our team's plans for the future, and enjoy a presentation and dinner with our guest speaker (and alumna) Dr Amy Tait. BOOK HERE
A SPEAKER NOT TO BE MISSED
Dr Amy Tait has travelled an adventurous career path around the world since graduating from PLC Armidale in 1995, and it has always involved livestock welfare observation in some shape or form.
For the last five years, she has been leading a project at the University of New England focusing on various welfare aspects of the live export market. At our inaugural Livestock Team Celebration dinner she will give us some insight into her work and explain how science helps us to remain impartial and be guided by research results rather than led by emotion, particularly when working in contentious areas - something everyone working in the livestock industry can relate to.
Dr Tait's extensive knowledge and engaging, down-to-earth manner will bring this hot topic to life.
"How we provide the best care for our livestock and how they interact with their environment are research and teaching areas which inspire me to dive deep to find answers.
This drive to understand animals, especially cattle and sheep, has directed me towards working on many livestock properties across Australia and also in the United States all while gaining a tertiary education through The University of Queensland, including a Certificate in Animal Husbandry, Associate Diploma in Animal Production, Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Studies) with first-class honours and last but not least, my PhD.
Over the last decade I have been more involved with research specifically looking at animal welfare in intensive housing systems. My PhD investigated ways to alleviate heat stress in intensively housed cattle and I am now continuing in this area of research focusing on various welfare aspects of sheep and cattle that are exported live.
I have recently been appointed as a Lecturer in Animal Science at UNE, where I teach animal physiology, feedlot management, animal handling, and reproduction."
Dr Amy Tait
NAPLAN 2024
Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. Thank you to all who participated between 13 and 25 March.
Semester One parent teacher interview dates
Boarder parents - Week 1, Term 2
Monday 29th April from 2pm to 4pm (Staff Day)
Location: Senior School Library
Year 8, 9, 10 and 11 - Week 1, Term 2
Wednesday 1st May from 4pm to 7pm
Location: Senior School Library
These interviews are a great way to connect with your child’s teachers, and are an important part of the relationship between home and school.
The booking links for these events will be sent out closer to the dates, and bookings will be via the ‘School Interviews’ online booking system that we used in 2023. If you are unable to attend a scheduled session, please contact Steph Fahy at Senior School Reception (seniorschool@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au) to discuss an alternative option.
We are currently conducting our ‘Pastoral Care Phone Calls’. Our aim with these calls is to touch base with each family in the Senior School to get feedback on how the year has started for your daughter. If you have a missed call from the school, and would like to speak to a Pastoral Care team member, please call us back on (02) 6770 1700.
The Year 12 Formal Committee is encouraging parents and guardians to book accommodation at Peterson’s Guesthouse.
The guesthouse has been reserved for parents and guardians for Friday, 23 and Saturday, 24 August.
Room types and prices are listed here. Peterson’s Winery and Guesthouse have a policy stating events must finish at 9.30pm unless the Guesthouse accomodation is fully booked by event guests. If accommodation is fully booked the formal can conclude at 10.30pm.
Please call Peterson’s Winery and Guesthouse on 02 67720422 to book and mention you are attending the PLC Year 12 Formal.
For any enquires please call Susanne Kable, Year 12 Liaison Parent on 0427255251 or skable8@bigpond.com
Room Types & Rates
Room 1 - $240.00 per night
A luxurious suite with a king sized bed in the bedroom. A beautiful claw foot bath & separate
shower in the heritage style ensuite bathroom. Rate includes full breakfast for two people. Sofa bed
available at extra cost. (max occupants 4 guests)
Room 2 – $220.00 per night
A lovely suite that has a queen-sized bed and an ensuite bathroom with a pampering shower. Rate
includes full breakfast for two people. (max occupants 2 guests)
Room 3 - $270.00 per night
A beautifully appointed suite with views of the Heritage Gardens, this suite contains a king sized bed
and large spa bath in the ensuite bathroom as well as separate shower. Rate includes full breakfast
for two people. (max occupants 2 guests)
Room 4 - $270.00 per night
A beautifully appointed suite with views of the Heritage Gardens and Cellar Door, this suite contains
a king sized bed and large spa bath in the ensuite bathroom as well as separate shower. Rate
includes full breakfast for two people. Sofa bed available at extra cost (Max occupants 4 guests)
Room 5 - $300.00 per night
This two room suite consists of a large bedroom with king sized Bed, a separate lounge area with a
double fold out sofa and an ensuite bathroom with separate shower and a luxurious oval spa
bath. Rate includes full breakfast for two people. Sofa bed and single bed available as extra cost.
(max occupants 5 guests)
Room 6 – $240.00 per night
A luxurious suite with a king sized bed in the bedroom. A beautiful claw foot bath & separate
shower in the heritage style ensuite bathroom. Rate includes full breakfast for two people. Single
bed available at extra cost. (max occupant 3 guests)
Room 7 - $220.00 per night
A lovely suite that has a king sized bed and an ensuite bathroom with a pampering shower and
separate bath. This room is suitable for disabled access. Rate includes full breakfast for two people.
(max occupants 2 guests)
Boarding Life
Sam and Amy Jacometti
Heads of Boarding
Happy Easter from Boarding !
This week our wonderful year 12 boarders created an Easter egg hunt with cleverly hidden treasures throughout the Rose Garden. Safe to say that all boarders had an “egg-cellent” time both finding and eating their haul.
BRC this fortnight was a great time of hearing from the girls about what matters to them and how we can keep shaping the program. It has been wonderful to see this term’s cohort of BRC representatives grow into their leadership roles, showing increased skill in communicating with their peers and with staff for this forum.
As we have moved through the final weeks of term, there is always a greater number of assessment tasks that are due. Our Boarders have been diligently working on their assessments, creating models, typing up essays and composing music. For our boarding parents, If you are speaking with your daughter and she is unsure about any of her school work, Boarding staff are available to help and give support.
Reminders
At the end of the term all boarders will need to pack all of their belongings into their cupboard. Please encourage your girls to take this opportunity to prepare for this by bringing any summer or excess items home this weekend.
We also have Boarding Parent Teacher Interviews on Monday, 29 April. Please put this into your calendar. On top of your usual meetings with Academic Staff, Amy and I will also be available for time slots to meet with parents about Boarding. Please keep an eye out for the sign-up link in your inbox.
As a first port of call, please reach out to the house mother on shift with any concerns or updates about your daughter. You can contact the boarding house reception on (02) 6770 1716 or the mobile on 0417 033 424.
For any casual boarding enquiries or updates, please email boarding@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au
If you haven’t already, please join our closed instagram page @plcaboarding for regular updates and pictures of boarding life. We welcome your feedback on what you’d like to see more of on this page.
You don't have to be a full or weekly boarder to experience PLC Armidale Boarding Life
CASUAL BOARDING $80 - from 3.30pm to 3.30pm - includes afternoon tea, dinner, breakfast, morning tea and lunch.
This opportunity is regularly taken up by PLC Armidale day students when families are travelling away from Armidale. This enables girls to continue to participate in school and their regular co-curricular commitments during this period of time and enjoy the boarding experience for a short while. The Boarding House welcomes this opportunity, even if only for a short period, as the time is helpful in developing stronger bonds through shared experiences. Those girls who are repeat casual boarders with set days on a regular basis will be given a personal space to decorate and stay in each term, just like weekly and full boarders.
EXTENDED STAY $25 - from 3.30pm to 7.30pm - includes afternoon tea and dinner.
The Extended Day Program allows PLC Armidale students to access a range of learning opportunities after school hours under the supervision and care of our experienced Boarding and Academic staff. The program also enables our students to participate in their PLC Armidale extra-curricular program (this does not include attendance at appointments such as the dentist or doctor). After participating in the approved activity, students return to the Boarding House and attend dinner with the Boarders. The students will then undertake their homework during prep time with the boarders.
You can find the Casual Boarding request form HERE and the Extended Stay request form HERE on our Parent Portal. We require 48 hours' notice if possible.
CAPA News
Mrs Joanne Wysel
Head of Creative and Performing Arts
PLC Armidale School’s Shakespeare Carnival
I was truly astounded by the remarkable displays of talent and enthusiasm showcased at our recent school's carnival.
With over 60 participants gracing the stage of our Astra Arts Centre, we celebrated the timeless works of the Bard with great fervour. Across seven categories (Duologue; Ensemble Scene; MashUp; Physical Theatre; Dance; Music Composition; Smart Phone), we witnessed performances of exceptional quality, making the task of our judges all the more challenging as they deliberated on which act to advance to the Regional Carnival in the upcoming weeks of next term.
A big thank you to our esteemed judges, Kylie Alcorn, Aisha Kliendienst, Matthew MInter, and Jo Wysel. I will announce the items that will be going on to the Regional Carnival very soon, so keep a look out for the announcement!
You can find a gallery of photos of these fabulous performances HERE
Introducing our Creative and Performing Arts Captains
This week, we meet our Drama Captains Teya Catterall and Emily Blake
What about Drama makes it a great art form?
Drama is such an amazing art form because, similar to all other CAPA areas, it is a way of creative and free expression. It is also so much fun and a great way to release stress. Our favourite thing about it however, is how it can deeply impact not only the audience but also the performers and can show another point of view on life.
What other CAPA disciplines are you involved with or like to watch/experience?
We also do Music, both as a subject and an extracurricular. We love watching and experiencing music, but also art because of all the different forms and ways it can be interpreted.
In your opinion, what makes a good CAPA captain/leader?
What makes a good CAPA leader is not only someone who is a good role model and supportive, but someone who is willing to give up their time to help others. As a drama captain we are here to help others in their drama endeavours, whether that be helping them memorise scripts, block scenes or just give constructive feedback on their performances.
Emily and Teya in action at the Shakespeare Carnival
Eisteddfods for Music, Dance and Speech and Drama - Some Dates for your Diary!
Armidale Eisteddfod: Monday, 20 May - Tuesday, 21 May Individuals as well as some PLC Armidale groups in Shakespeare and Space Jump.
Gala Concert - Sunday, 16 June 16 (by selection after eisteddfod)
New England Dance Eisteddfod: Wednesday, 29 May during the school day - we have several groups who will be entering this eisteddfod:
Pre-K - 2 Junior School Dance Ensemble
Years 3-6 Junior School Dance Ensemble
Senior School Dance Ensemble A
Senior School Dance Ensemble B
Tamworth City Eisteddfod - Thursday, 6 June (week 6 Term 2).
Senior School Dance Ensemble A
Senior School Dance Ensemble B
Music Excursion - Army Band concert
Our Jazz Band was on show when they joined the Australian Army Band, a 15-piece show band, including vocalists, bagpipes, rhythm section and winds for a concert at NECOM.
Congratulations to ...
... all those involved in our Term 1 InHouse Concert
Our first InHouse Concert for 2024 was amazing! We had more than 60 performances spread across two programs with a multitude of instruments played. The finale was particularly spectacular with our Senior Strings led by Robert van Gend.
The accompanist for the program was Dr Robert Manley
Sport News
Mrs Lucy Donaldson
Head of Sport
Congratulations to ....
Hamlin!!!
who won our 2024 Cross Country
we will have a full photo gallery in the next edition of Lion's Roar
IGSA Swimming Team
On Thursday the 21st of March, 11 PLC girls travelled down to Sydney to represent PLC Armidale at IGSA. All the girls were very excited about the trip.
Once we got to Sydney, we dropped our bags at Quest our accommodation, we put our bags down and went to get dinner at the Maquary shopping centre.
There was lots of variety and we all thoroughly enjoyed some yummy food and shopping. After dinner, we returned to the hotel where Mrs Donaldson gave us some breakfast for the morning and got ready for an early night.
Friday morning with an early start we were eager to leave our hotel to travel to Homebush. We made our way to Olympic park, where we got to swim at the Olympic facilities, here we did our warm-up. As the races were about to begin everyone was feeling a bit nervous. But once the swimming commenced it did not stop, and it was race after race for the rest of the day. Most girls beat their personal bests and PLC was represented in almost every category, which is a huge achievement. It was a great day, and everyone had lots of fun.
Once the day was done we left Sydney at 3pm, we had a well-deserved stop at Maccas at Singelton then smashed out another few hours and made it home at 11 pm. Overall it was a great trip and we all had lots of fun, it was a privilege to represent my school, and being able to hang out with friends.
Poppy McLaren - Swimming Captain
Lilly Meredith has been busy since the start of this year attending ag shows, drafts and ash shows with two of her horses
Uralla Show
Riverglen Dreams
3rd led mare, 2nd youth rider, 1st youth hack, Reserve champion youth hack/rider, 1st hsh mare hack, Champion hsh hack, 1st youth working, 2nd mare working, 1st hsh mare, Champion working
Meridias Echo Moon (2yo first outing)
1st hack 3yo & under, 1st working 3yo & under, 1st open pleasure
Glen Innes show
Meridias Echo Moon
1st 3yo and under novice hack, 2nd 3yo and under hack, 1st 3yo and under working
Riverglen Dreams
1st station horse, Supreme champion working
Bendermeer campdraft
Riverglen Trinity 3rd juvenile
Inverell show
Riverglen dreams
1st youth hack, 1st youth working, 4th rider, 2nd led open mare, 2nd open hack 15.2-16hh
Meridias Echo Moon, 1st 2yo hack, 1st 2yo working
Barraba show and draft
Riverglen Dreams
2nd youth working, Reserve champion working, 5th juvenile draft, Final in the novice with an 88
Meridias Gunman
1st youth hack, 1st youth working, Champion working
New England branch ash show (Guyra)
Riverglen Dreams
2nd hsh led, 1st led mare over 15hh, Champion led mare, 2nd handler, 1st youth rider, 2nd youth hack, 1st pleasure hack, Champion pleasure, 1st youth working, 1st youth station horse, Reserve champion station horse, Supreme youth of the show
Meridias Gunman
1st 4yo working, Reserve champion working, 2nd pleasure gelding, 3rd station gelding, 1st ashla junior, 2nd youth working
Lilly then presented Meridias Echo Moon at the epic horse sale and her horse was sold.
Introducing our Sports Captains
This week - meet our Swimming Captain - Poppy McLaren
Introducing our Sports Captains
This week - meet our Swimming Captain - Poppy McLaren
What is it about Swimming that makes it a great sport?
Swimming is a great sport that is beneficial for everyone.
It involves more muscles and movements than land sports can do. While it is
an individual sport, it can kind of be both because you can have relays; they involve the whole team and can be social or competitive.
I love swimming because I find that it is a good break where I can shut down.
I don’t have to think about anything, but I’m still playing sports and getting exercise. I also think it is a great sport because it requires you to move a wide range of muscles and is great for building fitness and strength. I think
swimming can also be a “backup sport”; you can go swimming while you are training or playing another sport, it will only get you fitter.
What other sport do you like to play/watch?
I love playing many different sports; I have tried and played a wide
range of sports, such as hockey, basketball, netball, soccer, tennis,
and more. I have always loved watching the PLC Armidale
netball matches. I love trying different sports but have always found that
swimming is the best sport for fitness and enjoyment.
In your opinion, what makes a good captain/sport leader?
I think that a good captain should be able to play the sport well. I think that they should be able to win and lose because that’s going to happen in sports. I think the captain should be someone the
team can look up to.
I also think that one of the most important factors of a good captain is that they enjoy the company and can have fun with younger years. They should not act like they are better than everyone because of age or skill. I think that a captain should know how to lead but have fun and welcome everyone and their opinions.
Personally, I think that a good captain and team is what makes the sport fun, whether it is swimming or any other sport.
Coming up in Term 1:
IPSHA Cross Country - Saturday, 6 April (Junior School)
Winter Sports (Term 2 and 3)
This week, the Winter Sport choices will be sent out to students (senior school) and parents (junior school). Please take the time to discuss these with our daughter and the commitment involved. We encourage all girls to participate in sport.
Please, at any stage if you are unsure of anything or need clarification, send me an email ldonaldson@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au and I will endeavor to get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, Mrs Stephanie Fahy at the Senior School Reception senior_school_administration@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au will be able to assist as well.
Health News
Miss Amy Chiu
School Nurse
Head Lice Alert
It is recommended that parents please check all their children at home and treat them if needed.
Signs of lice infestations include finding yellowish or white eggs that are the size of sesame seeds. They are not easily brushed away. Black or brown eggs are dead. There may be a red rash or red bite marks at the back of the neck or behind the ears.
If head lice are found, do not be alarmed, it is easily treated with head lice treatment from the chemist.
Any articles that come in close contact can harbour lice. Examples are clothes, towels and bed linen. All items need to be washed in hot soapy water or head lice soaking solution and then sun dried.
A five-step process can control head lice:
1. Detect: head lice and their eggs
2. Treat: with a head lice treatment
3. Prevent: use a lice comb to remove eggs
4. Repeat: the process after seven days
5. Clean: any articles in close contact.
As head lice are contagious it is suggested that you treat all members of the family at the same time.
Medical details, Medicare details and medications in Edumate
To ensure a good run of the 2024 school year, it would be much appreciated if all parents/carers can check your daughters' Edumate details, especially for any medical updates, current medications and their medicare details. Please update the Edumate data to notify the school for any changes, or simply email us with any updates.
The Health Centre opening hours for 2024 are as follows,
Monday to Wednesday 8:30am to 3:30pm - Emily
Thursday to Friday 8:30am to 3:30pm - Amy
Contact number: 02 6770 1741. Email: health@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au
Year 7 and Year 10 Vaccination Day - Thursday 30 May 2024
Each year, Year 7 and Year 10 have their scheduled vaccinations done on Thursday, 30 May 2024.
Year 7 – HPV (Human Papillomavirus) a single dose and Boostrix (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) as a single dose.
Year 10 – Meningococcal ACWY as a single dose.
Year 7 and Year 10 parents are required to complete the online permission form via https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage or through the QR code (see below) prior to the vaccination day.
A separate email will be sent to Years 7 and 10 families with further information as well.
Please contact the Health Centre should you encounter issues with completing the permission form online.
P&F News
Sarah Yassine
P&F President
Hi everyone,
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter with your family and friends.
It will not be long until the school holidays, and then, in the first week of Term 2, the P&F will be running a bar for the Livestock Team Celebration on Saturday, May 4.
We are still looking for volunteers with an RSA to help out between 4.30 and 8.30pm. You won’t be expected to work the full four hours, but any time you can contribute would be greatly appreciated. Please let me or your year group liaison parent know if you can help.
Thanks for your support of our P&F
Next Meeting:
Tuesday 14 May, 5.30-7.00pm
PLC Boardroom
For those unable to join in person, please join us via zoom
https://plcarmidale.zoom.us/j/82575310137?pwd=NTNic0prbHJCcVBDaVU4OHhqQkJtdz09
Passcode: 193083
GREEN TARTAN
ALUMNAE NEWS
Save the Date - Old Girl's Reunion Weekend and AGM and PLC Armidale Signature Event (Saturday night) 18/19/20 October
Old girl Tina Jowett (Class of '81) appointed Senior Counsel (and mentor)
Our alumna Tina Jowett SC is a preeminent native title barrister who specialises in complex trials, advice work and appeals across Australia. Appearing in a large number of native title and land rights proceedings. She is skilled in drafting complex submissions and advices regarding native title connection and extinguishment. Ms Jowett has an high level of expertise in legal writing, alternative dispute resolution, litigation and advices for applicants, government and proponents.
Late last year Ms Jowett was appointed Senior Counsel.
As our guest speaker at our 2020 Speech Day, Ms Jowett met our 2020 Dux Thurkka Jeyakumar, who has now just commenced as an Intern in her office. She says of the connection following Speech Day, "It has been another enriching experience for me from PLC Armidale".
Below, Thurkka explains how the opportunity came about and what it means to her.
I was first introduced to Tina after she wrote to us in support of the ultimately successful proposal to change the guild names which I wrote and led as Head Prefect in 2020. I was fortunate to be able to meet her following her speech at Speech Day in that year, and she has been a cherished mentor for me throughout my university studies since.
With 20 years’ experience as a barrister, Tina is amongst the leading native title lawyers in Australia, appearing regularly before the Full Federal Court and the High Court in native title matters. Given her seniority and eminence, she has recently been appointed to the highly prestigious rank of Senior Counsel. It is a career achievement, reserved for only the most distinguished practitioners. In the year of 2023, only 6 practitioners were appointed as SC and she is one of the only 2 women in that list. Tina has been categorically ranked as a pre-eminent counsel in Doyle’s Guide (including as of last week in the 2024 iteration as a Recommended SC) and as a leading junior counsel in the Chambers and Partners rankings. Her expertise in native title issues is exemplified in her position as the General Editor of Australia’s only native title quarterly publication: LexisNexis’s Native Title News. Tina also regularly presents at Legalwise seminars and trains practitioners at the annual Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies legal workshop. In 2009, Tina was recognised by the NSW Women’s Lawyers’ Association as the ‘Woman Lawyer Advocate of the Year’. She was also member of the NSW Equal Opportunity Tribunal from 1993 to 2003.
It has been an honour to be able to work for Tina. At present I am a Sydney and Dalyell Scholar in my fourth year of my Bachelor of Laws at the University of Sydney. I am also serving as Australia’s Youth Representative in the Governance Committee of Amnesty International as an advisory to the National Board. After receiving the Vice-Chancellor’s scholarship to study in London in 2023, I began work for Tina earlier this year, and am perpetually in awe of both the work she undertakes, and her as an individual.
Amongst the many cases in Tina’s impressive arsenal is an ongoing landmark compensation claim in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Fortescue Metal Groups (FMG) and its CEO Andrew Forrest developed an iron-ore mine on the sacred land of the Yindjibarndi people, without permission and in violation of their native title rights. The Yindjibarndi are seeking unpaid royalties upwards of $500 million, plus damages, for the destruction of both their country and their community as caused by FMG. The case is unprecedented and will set a benchmark for compensation claims in native title, and I am in constant reverence that I am able to make even a small contribution to Tina’s inspiring effort. She and her team are creating history. Coincidentally (and serendipitously), whilst we were at PLC, we had both been a part of ‘Forrest’ (now Dixon), a house named for the controversial inaugural Western Australian Premier John Forrest – who is also the great-great uncle of the CEO Andrew Forrest!
I am incredibly grateful to have met Tina and I have eternal respect and admiration for her as a person. Her presence in my life has been a gift of immeasurable worth.
Calling all '74, '04 and '14 alumnae - are you ready to celebrate your milestone reunion?
Let us know if you would like to be part of our reunion weekend on 19/20 October. Or if you would like us to help promote your reunion. More details regarding the October Reunion Weekend will be in the next edition of Green Tartan.
It looks like our Class of '84 alumnae will be staying in the Hilton Boarding House on the October OGU Reunion weekend- what fun!!!!
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, deaths, 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
Want to get together with your class?
If you are interested in joining or organising a milestone reunion group during the Reunion Weekend in October 2024, please get in touch with us at enquiries@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 for the 2025 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.
General News
On Saturday, 6 April, we will be participating in Armidale Regional Council's Autumn Festival Parade.
We would like as many of our students as possible to participate in this special event, which will represent PLC Armidale within our community. We will gather at 11.45 a.m. in the marshalling area in Tingcombe Lane between St Peter's Cathedral and Central Park. Parents are asked to collect their children at the parade's end in Civic Park at approximately 1.15 p.m.
This year, we would like all girls to wear the following full uniforms.
Junior School: PLC Armidale Guild Uniform, including Guild Hat. If the weather is cold, the girls will need to wear their PE rugby-style jersey or light blue hoodie. Please note our Pre-K and Kindergarten students will be riding in the PLC Armidale bus as part of the parade. All other students will walk.
Senior School students (except Year 10, who will be on ESJ): Full PLC Armidale Summer uniform. The blazer must be worn unless the temperature is more than 28 degrees Celsius, and the PLC Armidale hat must be worn during the march. The hats may need elastic to keep them secure if the day is windy.
Everyone should apply sunscreen before the march and bring a water bottle.
Our PLC Armidale Jazz Band will perform on the stage in Civic Park at 3.20pm as part of the festival. We encourage you to enjoy the stalls and entertainment until then so you can watch and support them. We hope you can attend this significant community event with us
Keep your children safe online
We have signed up with the team at Safe on Social to give our parents a 20 percent discount on the new eReady Kids program.
Simply use the code plcarmidale24
Which will reduce the cost of the program to only $38 per year. The school will also get $5 for every family who signs up.
For more information about the program and to purchase, please visit: https://www.safeonsocial.com/ereadykids
PLCA Uniform Shop
Opening hours
Tuesday 8:30am to 11:30am
Thursday 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Phone: 02 6770 1703
