Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 2 | Week 1 | 2024
From the Principal
MRS NICOLA TAYLOR
PRINCIPAL
As Term Two commences, we look forward to opportunities to explore, serve and journey that lie ahead.
This is a nine-week term, characterised by learning experiences both in and outside of the classroom.
The annual Armidale Eisteddfod sees PLC Armidale field numerous entrants across a range of Music, Dance, Speech, and drama sections.
These provide purpose for practice, opportunity to succeed, and grace in defeat.
We are proud to support our students' participation in the Armidale Eisteddfod, a platform for showcasing talent and creativity.
However school attendance should be prioritised over Eisteddfod participation...
... continue reading here
Consistent school attendance ensures that students can fully engage in learning experiences, form meaningful relationships with peers and teachers, and develop skills essential for their future.
Whilst we support participation in the Eisteddfod it is important that girls maintain regular school attendance and complete any work missed in their own time. SeeSaw or Google Classroom in the Junior School and the Learning Outlines on CANVAS provide clarity about the work to be done. If your daughter is participating in the Eisteddfod as part of a College ensemble or dance troupe individual notification of absence will not be required,
However, if your daughter is entering an individual or small group section which is not an ensemble entry organised by the College, please complete the Notification of Absence form located on the College Intranet HERE
Our school community thrives on the active involvement of parents, students, and staff .
Throughout this term, you are invited to attend a range of events such as the Whole School Athletics Carnival, In-House Concert, Mother’s Day Breakfast, PLC Performs, and more.
We look forward to hosting the regional finals of the Shakespeare Carnival as well as an author visit and have senior school students participating in the prestigious IGSA Archdale Debating program for the first time.
These events not only foster a sense of belonging but also provide opportunities for students to showcase their skills and talents beyond the classroom.
Please join us for our Whole School Mothers’ Day breakfast which has been a signature event in our Junior School for many years and more recently extended to be a whole school celebration of girls, young women and the most significant woman in their life.
We welcome mothers, grandmothers, aunts or the mother-like women who have such a positive impact on our girls to attend this special event. Breakfast will be served from 8:00am in the Dining Hall followed by a Whole School Chapel service in the Astra Arts Centre to which all are welcome.
To assist with catering we would appreciate an RSVP via humanatix BOOK HERE
Families new to PLC Armidale provide us valuable feedback about the positive impact the change of school has had on their daughter and often, in turn the whole family.
We know from experience that a girl who feels safe, known, valued and understood engages in learning and is willing to be challenged, stretched and grow. As the financial year draws to a close we are aware of many talented and worthy girls who would like to be part of the PLC Armidale community however are unable to do so without the support of a scholarship.
For more than twenty years, the PLC Armidale Foundation has sought to provide funds to the College to supplement the provision of scholarships.
The Foundation's annual giving campaign provides an opportunity for donations to be made to either the Scholarship or Building fund with a tax-deductible benefit to the donor along with the less tangible but equally beneficial investment in the life of a young girl of promise.
Later in the Lion’s Roar, our Chair of the Foundation Committee, Mr Trent Donaldson, has put forward a suggestion worthy of consideration. I commend this article to you.
I look forward to connecting with you throughout the term whether at sport, Eisteddfod or the many events which will feature throughout the term.
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 ...
All those who participated in Anzac Day representing our College in Armidale and across the region.
2024 Student Leaders
Lunch Orders
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.
School Photo ordering information has been sent home with students
Senior School News
Mrs Kate Clynch
Head of Senior School
Introducing HSC Access: Extended Day Program for HSC Exam Excellence
We are thrilled to share with you an exciting new initiative that aims to further support our Year 12 and Year 11 students in their HSC journey: HSC Access.
HSC Access is a PLC Armidale developed pilot program designed to build greater student capability and preparedness while reducing anxiety and stress levels associated with the HSC examinations.
The program will facilitate supervised study sessions with a range of our Stage 6 teachers on a weekly basis every Monday afternoon.
Key Details:
Weekly Sessions: The program will run on Monday afternoons from 3:45 PM to 5:15 PM.
Supplement to Self-Directed Learning (SDL): HSC Access will supplement the existing SDL component of Stage 6 courses.
Focus on Examination-style Responses: The emphasis of the program will be on students formulating examination-style responses and receiving direct support and feedback from teachers.
Format: Each session will consist of two 45-minute parts, with students spending time on two of their courses each week.
Teachers: The teachers on these sessions are subject specialists, but may not be your daughter’s current teacher for that subject. This gives students a wide range of perspectives on the course materials, and on preparation for the HSC.
These sessions are strongly encouraged for Year 12, and will be opt-in for Year 11. If Year 12 students have any conflicting prior engagements, they should discuss these with the Year 12 Pastoral Care team.
The program will commence in Week 2, providing timely support and guidance to our students as they progress through their HSC studies. The first session will start at 3.45pm on Monday, May 6 2024.
Our dedicated team of teachers will not be teaching content in these sessions; instead, they will focus on supporting students to work through examination-style questions suitable for their course progression.
We believe that HSC Access will play a crucial role in empowering our students to excel in their HSC examinations while fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment. We encourage you to speak to your daughter about her participation in these sessions.
There is no cost associated with participation in this program.
Should you have any questions or require further information about the HSC Access program, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your continued support as we strive to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.
Pacer Program
The Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program
As part of our Explore Serve Journey program Year 10 have recently undertaken an education tour of the national capital. Students were given the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage, and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.
To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $45 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.
Congratulations to .....
Our PLC Armidale Citizenship Award recipients
These young women are respectful towards others and always give their best and were presented with their award at our Term 2 Commencement Assembly on Tuesday.
Senior School students receive these once they achieve three Merit Awards in a single term.
Merits are given to students when they demonstrate the College's values either inside or outside the classroom.
Elise Tisserand (Year 9) who was selected by Gymnastics NSW to travel to Sydney during the holidays to attend the 2024 Ignite leadership camp (a residential program held at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation in Narrabeen).
With over 30 gymnasts attending from across the state, topics included: leadership, planning and goal setting; nutrition and injury prevention; strength and flexibility; and dealing with difficult people.
Duke of Edinburgh Award news ...
Completing their four-day Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award practice hike in the Warrumbungles last Monday was a school holiday milestone for of our girls working towards their top tier of the program.
The group enjoyed spectacular weather throughout their journey, but the highlight was a 4.30am start to summit The Bluff for sunrise.
How blessed we are to have this spectacular wilderness on our doorstep and our outdoor education specialist, Ms Amanda Burney, to lead us through it!
KYCK 2024
During the holiday break, Mrs Repp and Miss Leahy took a group of students to Katoomba Christian Youth Convention (KYCK).
This is a conference held in Katoomba which gathers young people from all over Australia to be encouraged and taught from the Bible.
This year the talks were on Genesis Chapter 1 to 3 and explored what it means to live in God's world, to understand what it means for humanity to be made in the image of God and how do we care for the world He created.
The girls all had a great weekend, and the talks raised lots of discussion about different topics.
Our girls enjoyed getting to meet other young people as they swapped friendship bracelets with messages based on the different Bible talks.
The students also volunteered to cook a BBQ on the Saturday night working along side another young group from Sydney. The girls have returned with a suite of new songs for chapel which I know they are looking forward to teaching during Term 2.
They even managed to win the most creative photo from 'The Bridge' and were very excited about their prize pack.
It was a great weekend valued by all.
Boarding Life
Sam and Amy Jacometti
Heads of Boarding
Welcome back to Boarding in Term 2
It’s great to see our boarders return with cheer and excitement to see their friends and settle back into the academic year.
It sounds as though all boarders had a great time on their break, reconnecting with home and friends. Winter is well on its way in Armidale, and the leaves look gorgeous at this time of year.
Diving straight back into the term, we had our first Boarding Representative Committee (BRC) meeting for Term 2 this week. Many great ideas were raised at BRC last term, and this term, we’re keen to see those ideas translate into events to look forward to.
A quick reminder about uniform—in Terms 2 and 3, all boarders are required to wear the full PLCA Winter Uniform. Please reach out if there are any questions or needs around this.
Winter sports are up and running, which means a busy schedule of getting girls to games and the weekly training sessions. As we are coordinating transport for everyone, please be patient and mindful of staff. This also means being organised and ready on time so that trips can be as efficient as possible. Saturday mornings will be busy!
We have National Boarding Week coming up in Week 3 this term and have started with some discussions and brainstorming at BRC about some of the activities we might run. We love working in Boarding and are looking forward to making it front and centre of the College.
We will also be heading to the Dubbo Boarding Expo next week so if you are in the area, please feel free to come and say hello. It will be a great opportunity to speak with prospective parents about Boarding at PLC Armidale.
Finally, 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 697 638. 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, and it is also lovely to hear about the secondary conversations that this page is creating.
CAPA News
Mrs Joanne Wysel
Head of Creative and Performing Arts
Welcome back to Term 2
We have a very exciting (and busy!!) term ahead of us.
PLCA to Host Regional Shakespeare Carnival - May 15th (Wednesday, week 3)
We're delighted to announce that PLCA has been selected to host the Regional Shakespeare Carnival on May 15th, Wednesday of week 3. More than 100 students from 7 schools, stretching from Tamworth to Ballina, will gather at our school to compete.
Parents and carers are encouraged to attend and support our young actors. Following the carnival, students will engage in masterclasses with industry professionals and participate in warm-up sessions to prepare for their performances.
You can find a gallery of photos of our fabulous School Shakespeare Carnival performances HERE
Dance Eisteddfods:
New England Dance Eisteddfod: Wednesday, 29 May during the school day - we have several groups who will be entering in 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, June 6 (week 6 Term 2).
Senior School Dance Ensemble A
Senior School Dance Ensemble B
Stage 5 Dance
More information is coming soon.
Speech and Drama Eisteddfod - May 20th and 21st at The Teacher’s College.
Contact Mrs Alcorn or Jo Wysel for more information.
PLC Performs - Save the Date
Thursday 16th May ! More information coming soon.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Excursion
On Saturday, June 1st, Year 8 English, Stage 5 Drama and Stage 5 Music will be travelling to Tamworth to see Bell Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
When: Saturday, June 1st (end of week 5, term 2)
How Much - Approximate $55 per student for ticket and transport to Capitol theatre. (plus own money for dinner in Tamworth before the show).
Time: We will be leaving PLC at 4:30pm on Saturday 1st June to arrive in Tamworth for dinner at 6:00pm.
While attendance is not compulsory, we highly recommend joining us for this excursion, especially for Year 8 students preparing to delve into the play in Term 3 English classes. It's also a fantastic opportunity for our Stage 5 Drama and Music students, fresh from their Shakespeare unit, to immerse themselves in a live production of one of the Bard's most delightful comedies.
Please fill out the google form to give your permission for your daughter to attend the excursion. I will be finalising numbers by May 17th (Friday, week 3).
Wynnspiration
And in Visual Arts, Daisy Donaldson was busy during her school holidays creating this fine landscape artwork. She was inspired by her recent visit to NERAM; in particular the work ‘Wombarra’ by Guido Maestri at the recent Wynne exhibit.
Congratulations to …
Our Visual Arts Teacher Emma Schaeffer for encouraging students to take a risk with their learning , especially art-making to enter the NERAM Young Wynners competition.
At our commencement Assembly on Monday, Lucy Wall the Education Officer at NERAM announced five of the top six awards were taken up by PLC Armidale girls:
13-15yrs = Ella Jenkins (1st) Rachel Mungall (2nd), Tess Schmude (3rd)
16-18yrs = Poppy McLaren (1st), Daisy Donaldson (3rd)
Kithmi Jayaratne (Yr 7) who participated in the inaugural IGSA Festival of dance during the school holidays.
Music News
Mr Mathew Minter
Director of Music
It is that time of year again!
The students and staff at PLC Armidale are very busy preparing for the upcoming Armidale Eisteddfod. We have an extraordinary number of entries at the College from class ensembles, to compositions and through to Junior and Senior school choirs, bands and string ensembles!
Could we please remind families that they are to advise the College of any individual entries and times that students will be out of school.
This includes music, dance, speech and drama.
Congratulations to...
Margot Greatrex (pictured) , along with Lydia Yuan, Zoe Yuan and Phila Wang attended the inaugural Autumn Piano School at NECOM during the holiday.
The In-House Concert will be held in Room 17 next Wednesday. For those performing please remember school uniform is required. There will be two concerts, the first at 5:00pm and the second at 6:15pm. Please monitor email for further information for those performing.
Please note the PLC Performs concert involves all students from Kindergarten to Year 8, as well as older girls in specific music, dance or drama ensembles. Girls will need to arrive at the Astra Arts Centre in full school uniform at 5:30pm ready for this concert.
Here is a brief outline of the upcoming major events for your calendar.
WEEK 2
Wednesday May 8 - In House Concert at Room 17
WEEK 3
Wednesday May 15 - Shakespeare Festival (All day 10:00am - 3:00pm)
Wednesday May 15 - Composition Night (NECOM - 5:00pm - 7:00pm)
Thursday May 16 - PLC Performs 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Friday May 17 - Ken Thompson Lodge Jazz Band Performance (Periods 3 and 4)
Friday May 17 - Keyboard sections commence at the Eisteddfod (Evening)
WEEK 4
Wednesday May 22 - Choirs at Lazenby (JS choirs during the day and SS Choirs - evening)
Thursday May 23 - Choirs at NECOM (Junior School Choirs during the day)
WEEK 5
Wednesday May 29 - String Ensembles (Junior School and Intermediate Strings)
Thursday May 30 - String Ensembles (Senior Strings, Cello Ensemble, Chamber Music)
WEEK 6
Tuesday June 4 - Class Ensembles (Year 7, Year 8, Stage 5 and Stage 6)
Tuesday June 4 - Band Night (Flute Ensemble, Jazz Band, Senior Strings)
Sport News
Mrs Lucy Donaldson
Head of Sport
Congratulations to ....
Steph Blake
who was awarded the prestigious ‘Club Person of the Year’ trophy at the recent Armidale Athletics Club presentation evening.
‘Our younger athletes and parents thought Steph was such an inspiring role model, her dedication, her successes, and Steph just being a beautiful and positive person made her our Club Person of the year.’ said club president Angela Goodare.
Ad Astra Steph and we totally agree !!
Sophie Bailey
who was recently named as FM100.3 's Junior Sports Star of the week and received a $20 voucher from Heresville Connetic and a trophy.
Sophie was featured in the station's radio commercial on FM 100.3 from and also on their social media.
This also makes her eligible for the 2024 Sports Awards, which will be held at the Armidale Bowling Club on November 14.
Elsie Wake
who was part of the NIAS Girls Hockey team and played at the Academy Games in Wagga Wagga on the first weekend of the holidays. The NIAS team won the competition!
Winter Sports (Term 2 and 3)
This Winter Sport choices have been sent out to students (Senior School) and parents (Junior School). Please take the time to discuss these with your 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
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.
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
P&F News
Sarah Yassine
P&F President
Hi everyone,
I hope you all had an enjoyable and restful break! Our Whole School Athletics Carnival is fast approaching on Friday, May 10.
Every year, the P&F provides a canteen and BBQ for hungry athletes, parents and teachers. Please show your support of our P&F if you can with donations of cakes, snacks or your time by helping out at the canteen or BBQ on the day.
Like the Swimming Carnival, you will be able to watch your daughter at her events even during your shift.
We welcome those who haven’t had the chance to volunteer yet, and promise you’ll enjoy being involved! You will receive a message from your Liaison Parent asking for volunteers, and you can use this link
Or go to https://signup.com/go/XcmWOfu
to register for your shift.
Any baked goods/other food items can be delivered to the canteen on the day of the carnival.
Our term 2 P&F meeting will take place on the 14 th of May from 5.30. Anyone is welcome to attend in person or via zoom, and if you can’t make it, please let me or your LP know if you would like to add anything to the agenda.
Thank you for supporting our P&F, we hope you have a great term!
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
Autumn Green Tartan - out now !
Our dynamic Old Girls Union Committee is publishing a seasonal edition of Green Tartan (see the intro below) and find the autumn issue HERE
Calling all '74, '04 and '14 alumnae - are you ready to celebrate your milestone reunion?
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
Reduce your tax and make a financial contribution to the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund before July
As we approach the end of the financial year, we have just eight weeks left to make a significant impact through PLC Armidale's Annual Giving program.
This is a crucial time to consider making a difference, whether it's through one substantial donation or smaller contributions spread over the remaining weeks.
Directing your donation to the Scholarship Fund ensures that future generations of students can access the invaluable opportunities provided by PLC Armidale. By investing in their education, you're giving tangible support and fostering a community that thrives on generosity and support.
Please take a moment to reflect on how much you can afford to contribute each fortnight until June 30.
Remember, every dollar counts. If each current family donated an average of $500 over the next few weeks, we could raise more than $125,000, making a significant impact on the lives of future students.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support our school community.
General News
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)
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
