Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 1 | Issue 3 2026

From the Principal

MRS NICOLA TAYLOR

PRINCIPAL

This weekend marks International Women’s Day (IWD).

Originating from the women’s movements of the early 1900s which advocated for fair working conditions, voting rights and political participation, IWD is now recognised globally.

“Balance the Scales” is the theme for 2026, a call to ensure fair, inclusive and accessible justice for women and girls.

Despite decades of progress, the scales remain uneven. One in three women globally will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, yet most will never seek formal justice. Marginalised women face particularly complex injustice, including disproportionate rates of domestic violence and systemic barriers to safe legal support. “Balance the Scales” is more than a slogan, it is a call to courageous action. It is a call not only for legal reform, but for cultural courage, the willingness to confront inequality, amplify unheard voices and pursue fairness with integrity.

As an all girls school, we have the opportunity daily to nurture young women with the courage to stand for what is right and the character to help shape a more just and compassionate world. Courage is required to confront uncomfortable truths, to stand with those whose voices are unheard, and to advocate for justice even when change is slow. Character is revealed in how we treat others, how we pursue fairness, and ...

... continue reading here

... how we steward influence for good.

This year's International Women’s Day theme reminds us that balancing the scales is not only a legal or political task, it is a moral one. It begins in schools like ours, in homes, and in the daily choices we make to cultivate young women of courage, integrity and compassion who will shape a more just world. The training ground for this is often in the small things, girls having the courage to speak up against when a friend is in need, or to call out the poor behaviour of peers; the integrity to be the same person interacting with peers online as they are interacting with adults in real time and place; the compassion to reach out when someone appears isolated or left out by the insensitive actions of others

At PLC Armidale we are also proud of the many women in our community who contribute to the pursuit of justice through their professional lives. With many PLC Armidale alumnae pursuing notable careers in the law, along with those current PLC Armidale mothers who practice law in our own community- these women demonstrate that the law can be a vehicle for justice, advocacy and reconciliation, that courageous leadership and strong character are essential in helping to balance the scales.

“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”

C. S. Lewis

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. Below is the news we know so far from the holidays....

Email us your news: communications@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

Congratulations to ...

... to the PLC Armidale leaders who representated us at the Quota Armidale Branch International Womens Day breakfast.

...our successful 2026 Armidale Show participants

every PLC Armidale artwork won a prize - both collective and individual with our College winning the Pavillion Perpetual Trophy.

Thank you to our amazing staff who support our girls with their entries.

... Molly Chard, Ella Jenkins and Tash North who represented us along with our Head of Sport Mrs Lucy Donaldson in the Seven News interview about our partnership with UNE to support Oskar Staniucha deliver his young female focused ACL Research PHD project which helps fill a gap in global knowledge.

ACL TRAINING STUDY - Don't miss the chance for your daughter to be included.

ACL Training Study - Expressions of Interest close on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Please note - filling out an expression of interest is not a commitment, and the UNE team will be in touch to get your final consent, as participation requires parental permission.

We invite your daughter to be part of a unique project conducted through an exclusive PLC Armidale/UNE Research Partnership. All costs will be covered, and there is no charge to you.

If your daughter is aged between 8 and 15, we ask that you submit an Expression of Interest for her to participate in this crucial research on effective and safe female athletic training, which begins next week. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of something designed to fill the gap in global knowledge on female-specific training.

Oskar Staniucha is a dedicated strength and conditioning coach, researcher, and performance specialist, and he is completing his PhD project: Optimising Youth Female Athletic Performance and Injury Prevention Strategies.

With experience working alongside elite teams like the Sydney Kings, he specialise in GPS tracking, data analysis, and performance monitoring. His expertise in athlete development and injury prevention has driven his passion for supporting athletes at all levels.

The partnership between the PLC Armidale and the University of New England (UNE) aims to reduce serious knee injuries among young female athletes and fill a gap in global research.

ACL Training Study for girls aged 8-15 years old

Participation requires parental permission. You can find more information and the sign-up form on our Parent Portal

https://sites.google.com/plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au/sport/sports/strength-conditioning

Debating Club - Permission forms have been sent to the parents of those girls who have expressed an interest in debating this year.

Senior School on Fridays @ lunch time

Junior School on Thursdays @ lunch time

Debating is a fantastic way to develop skills in public speaking, argumentation and teamwork. With a record number of teams and outstanding results in 2025, it was a remarkable year for debating at PLC Armidale, and we look forward to building on this success in the year ahead.

PLC Armidale will be participating in the following debating competitions this year:

Tri Schools Debating (v NEGS & TAS) - Stage 3 and Stage 4 teams
Archdale Virtual Debating - Independent Girls' School Association (IGSA) - Stage 4 teams
Australian National Virtual Debating Competition (ANVDC) - Stage 5 teams

Preparation is underway for the competitions, which all begin in Term 2. No previous experience is required, so this is a great opportunity to try it and see if debating is for you.

Tri Schools and ANVDC competition rounds take place during the school day.

The Archdale Competition takes place on Tuesday afternoons starting in Week 3, Term 2. Junior Division (Year 7 and 8) teams commence their preparation time at 4:30pm and debate at 5:15pm. If your child is unavailable on a Tuesday in Term 2 or 3 (e.g. Armidale Eisteddfod sessions), please let us know so that a replacement can be organised.

Parents will receive an online permission form to complete when debates are hosted offsite at TAS or NEGS. All other debates will be at PLCA or via Zoom.

Students are to wear full school uniform for all debates (in-person and online) and bring planning paper, pens and palm cards to each debate.

The cost to be part of the PLC Armidale Debating Team for the entire 2026 debating season is $60 per student, including training sessions, competition entry fees and local excursions. If a team qualifies for the Archdale final, it will mean a trip to Sydney in Term 3 at an additional cost.

If you would like more information on debating at PLCA, please contact our Head of Humanities, Mr Mitchell Clendinning at: mclendinning@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

Saturday, 21 March, 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. Addy Astra has been practising and is very excited about the parade aspect of the Autumn Festival.

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.

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.

We hope you can attend this significant community event with us.

Please Note: Our Whole School Cross Country Carnival is now on Tuesday 24 March.

Senior School News

Mrs Kate Clynch

Head of Senior School

Congratulations to ....

... our 2026 Student Representative Council (SRC) Members

... our 2026 Science and Engineering Challenge Team who came third in the region

at the Armidale Challenge Day Armidale this week. A fun, hands-on STEM competition for Year 9 and 10 students, where they competed against other schools from across the region in activities like building towers, bridges, or hovercrafts.

...our Year 12 girls who cooked up Purple Pancakes for everyone to celebrate International Women's Day

CAREER INSPIRATION: New England Superintendent (and PLC parent) Chris McKinnon recently came along to speak with our Stage 5 girls about the range of career possibilities in the law enforcement industry from forensic detective work to community service.

See all the photos HERE

Wellbeing Wednesday

In 2026, as part of our pastoral care program our Senior School students are participating in Wellbeing Wednesdays, starting with Year 8 in Term One.

Renowned artist Paula Jenkins will lead small groups in rotation as they participate in an artmaking program designed to proactively equip girls as they navigate their social world and the feelings, thoughts, and emotions that middle adolescence brings.

The program provides students with the opportunity to engage in themed wellbeing sessions tailored to their developmental stage.

In Week One, students visually represented their short-, mid- and long-term goals. Research suggests that articulating and visualising goals can increase motivation and the likelihood of follow-through. Therefore, by drawing these out, and giving thought to these during the process, there is a higher likelihood of them achieving their goals.

Sessions are conducted in groups of 4–5 students to encourage meaningful discussion and connection. Each session begins with a guided conversation, followed by a creative art-based activity that reflects the topic explored.

Topics this term have included Goals, Hopes & Dreams; Challenges, Worries & Resources; Friendships & Relationships; and Identity & Self-Acceptance.

The girls enjoy being creative in a manner that doesn’t require artistic skill. The art activities are process-focused and designed to support self-expression and emotional regulation. Engaging creatively allows students to reflect more deeply on ideas discussed, strengthening insight and personal meaning

Lunchtime Clubs - have your tried one?

ART CLUB - Monday lunchtimes in the Visual Arts classroom with our Visual Arts Captain - Ella McKinnon and Visual Arts teacher Mrs Emma Schaeffer. No set agenda everyone is welcome to come and get creative in a relaxed and supportive environment.

DRAMA CLUB - Come along to the Drama Studio on a Wednesday lunchtime to learn how to confidently standout- both on and off the stage - and play theatre sports with our Creative Arts Prefect Navita Maher and Co Drama Captains Rebe Cunningham and Elise Tisserand

University Showcase

Our Stage 6 girls enjoyed a session in the Astra Arts Centre with four universities (Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross, University of Newcastle and University of New England) to learn about: How to apply to university including early entry; Costs associated with university; Student life and Accommodation options.

NAPLAN

Each year, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is sat 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.

NAPLAN will take place from Wednesday 11 March to Monday 23 March 2026.

NAPLAN is just one part of our school’s learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school, so the best preparation is their everyday classroom learning. Our school will also undertake activities to help students become familiar with the types of questions and tools available in the online tests.

The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available for you to see the format of the online tests.

Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website

(https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/naplan) and the NAP website

(https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/for-parents-carers).

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact your child’s teacher.

Library Extended Hours Term 1, 2026

Our Senior School Library will be open for some extended hours this term, and will be staffed by our academic staff.

Senior School teachers will be rostered on in our library each afternoon till 4.30pm, offering additional academic support for any senior school students who would like to take advantage of this opportunity.

2026 in the Senior School

Key Senior School Staff

Principal - Mrs Nicola Taylor

Head of Senior School - Mrs Kate Clynch

Academic Leadership Team

Director of Studies - Ms Julie Flanagan
Head of Humanities - Mr Mitchell Clendinning
Head of STEM - Mrs Kate Fittler
Head of Creative and Performing Arts - Mrs Joanne Wysel
Director of Music - Mr Matthew Minter
Director of Sport - Mrs Lucy Donaldson

Co-Heads of Boarding - Mr Sam Jacometti and Ms Margaret Latham

College Chaplain - Ms Jennifer Leahy

Pastoral Care Staff

The purpose of the Pastoral Care model at PLC Armidale is to ensure that every girl is known and nurtured and that parents have a member of staff they can contact regarding any well-being issues that may arise.

Where possible, our Year Mentors remain with students on their journey throughout from Year 7 through to Year 9, and then with a new Mentor and Pastoral Care team from Year 10 to Year 12.

In addition, a Year Specialist has been allocated to assist students in each year group, and this person generally stays on this same year group for a number of rotations. Mentors and Specialists are also ably assisted by their Pastoral Care team members, under the oversight of the Head of Senior School, the College Chaplain, and our School Psychologist.

Year 7 - MENTOR: Yvette Ballard
Year 7 - Specialist: James Haggerty (Compass Program)
Year 7 Pastoral Care Team: Ruth Patrick

Year 8 - MENTOR: Grace Baker
Year 8 - Specialist: Jennifer Leahy
Year 8 Pastoral Care Team: Brian Shumack

Year 9 - MENTOR: Margarita Perez
Year 9 - Specialist: Amanda Burney
Year 9 Pastoral Care Team: Alasdair Hey

Year 10 - MENTOR: Emma Schaeffer
Year 10 - Specialist: Mitchell Clendinning
Year 10 Pastoral Care Team: Roxanne Shumack

Year 11 - MENTOR: Matthew Minter
Year 11 - Specialist: Jo Wysel
Year 11 Pastoral Care Team: Mr Tim Pears

Year 12 - MENTOR: Kate Fittler
Year 12 - Specialist: Julie Flanagan
Year 12 Pastoral Care Team: Greg Cotterell

Pathways Pastoral Care - Kirsten Hey, Angela Priebbenow

Mobile Phones

Students are not required to have a mobile phone at school. If one is brought, it must be switched off and not accessed during the school day.

Limited-function phones, or phones with low/no data for students in Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7 - 10) are preferred. If a mobile phone is brought to school, it is to be stored in the student’s locker, not pocket or bag. Students are required to secure their lockers with their own padlock.

Progressive Reporting in 2026 (Edumate and Reports)

Ongoing feedback and student reflection on learning are essential to measure understanding, strengths and areas for growth.

The engagement of parents in this process is a way to enhance communication between the College and home, providing an opportunity for parents to follow up with teachers regarding their child’s progress.

By logging regularly into Edumate, you will be able to see your daughter's assessment test results, teacher feedback on the task and upcoming tasks to put on the family calendar.

To access your daughter’s results, once into Edumate, you will see a tab titled ‘Progress’. From there, click on Past Tasks. You will also be able to see Upcoming Tasks and previous Academic Reports.

You can also access information on our school app ‘Carer Orbit’ here: Using the Carer Orbit APP

If you have forgotten or misplaced your login details for Edumate, please contact helpdesk@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

You can also find more information on the Parent/Carer Intranet via CONNECT HERE

The Senior School Handbook also contains details of requirements for stationery for students, as well as details for uniform, IT requirements and general information about life in the Senior School. You can find the Senior School Handbook on the Parent/Carer Intranet via CONNECT HERE

PLC Armidale Pockets

A PLC Armidale 'pocket' refers to embroidery on the blazer pocket that recognises students’ achievements throughout the year across four key pillars: Academic Endeavour; Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) ; Sport and Leadership and Service.

Each pillar has four levels of attainment: Blue, Silver, Gold, and Outright Gold Star, allowing students’ accomplishments to be displayed in a practical and lasting way on their uniform.

Boarding Life

Margaret Latham and Sam Azon-Jacometti

Heads of Boarding

Congratulations to...

... our 2026 Boarders Representative Council (BRC) team who were inducted at a recent assembly - Ad Astra girls !

Our girls enjoyed an outdoor cinema evening with pre-dinner games, followed by pizza, fairy floss, popcorn and ice cream under the stars recently. All was enjoyed with a day-girl guest of choice, followed by a sleepover in the common rooms - although we hear sleeping was not a top priority ! See the photos HERE

We encourage parents to keep in contact with the Boarding House Staff.

The phone number for the House Mother front desk is 02 6770 1716.

There will be a House Mother on duty at the desk:

Weekday mornings 6.45am - 9am

Weekday afternoons/evenings 2.30pm - 11pm

Saturday 8am - 11pm

Sunday 8am -10.30pm

The House Mother's mobile number during normal Boarding House hours: is 0417 033 424

We also have a landline phone for boarders to use to ring home if they don't have a mobile phone. Parents can also ring this number to speak with their daughter: 02 6770 1739.

Junior School News

Mrs Fiona Wake

Head of Junior School

2026 Junior School Leadership Team

Staff News…

Mrs Chelsea Creamer has decided to move on from her current position at PLC Armidale. We have appreciated Chelsea's warmth and kindness to the Junior School girls and their families during her time at the College, and wish Chelsea and her family well for the future.

During the recruitment phase, the Junior School receptionist role will be covered by Mrs Delphine Faulkner. You can reach Mrs Faulkner via email : juniorschool@plcarmidale.nsw.edu and phone 6770 1726

Congratulations to our Semester One Junior School Student Representative Council (SRC) members

IPSHA Swimming Carnival 2026

A report from our IPSHA swimming team

On Monday, we set off on our adventure, braving an 8-hour bus trip down to Sydney. The journey flew by as we chatted with our friends, and before we knew it, we had arrived at Sydney Olympic Park. That evening, we enjoyed our beloved tradition of heading to Cold Rock for a delicious ice cream. The excitement was buzzing, but it was particularly special for our Year 6 girls, as this was their very last IPSHA carnival.

The next morning, we made our way to the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre and what a sight it was! The venue was a hive of activity, filled with the buzz of excitement and nerves as students, coaches, and family members from schools all across our region, particularly Sydney, poured in. Seeing so many schools together in one place was amazing.

When it came time to compete, we took a deep breath, faced our nerves, and gave it everything we had. Cheering each other on from the stands was just as exciting as racing. There is nothing quite like the feeling of your whole team behind you as you push off the wall. It was amazing to watch our teammates race and many of us achieved personal best times which was a pleasing achievement.

It was a wonderful experience enjoyed by all, and well worth the 16 hours of bus travel over two days. After the thrills of these two days, needless to say, it was a quiet bus ride home.

PLC Armidale/UNE Research Don't miss your chance to be part of this unique opportunity.

Applications close Monday 9 March.

All students may opt into a fully funded extension opportunity through a PLC Armidale / University of New England research partnership led by Oskar Staniucha.

This optional extension supports Oskar’s PhD research into female-specific athletic training and injury prevention and includes muscle strength testing (ages 8–17) and an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) training study (ages 8–15). Students who choose to participate will take part in additional sessions and testing as outlined upon submission of an Expression of Interest via the 2026 co-curricular activity selection shared by email. Parental permission is required, and all costs are covered.

You can find more information on our Parent Portal

https://sites.google.com/plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au/sport/sports/strength-conditioning

Chinese New Year

Our Junior School International Prefect Happy Cai led craft sessions for our girls to celebrate Chinese New Year in the Junior School and explained some of the traditional elements of the holiday.

Wow! Stage One has started the 2026 academic year with great gusto!

It has been fantastic to welcome the Year One students to our classroom, with the Year Two students effortlessly stepping into the role of classroom leaders.

We have been examining some fabulous texts, including ‘Go Home, Cheeky Animals’ and ‘A Monster Wrote Me a Letter.’ The students have been focusing on text structure and self-editing to ensure that they have the correct punctuation, grammar and spelling.

In Week 4 we visited the Life Education Van and were so excited to catch up with Healthy Harold. Healthy Harold helped us to participate in the program ‘Ready, Steady Go!’ and Stage One spent some time discussing the benefits of physical activity, as well as behaviours that promote health and wellbeing.

Our class is composed of many budding artists, and so, we have put our talents to good use by creating some incredibly cute bees. Our artworks have made us consider who we wish to ‘bee’ in 2026 - will we ‘bee’ creative, courageous and kind? Absolute-bee!

Stage One has also been discussing what it means to respect one another and we successfully completed the challenge of moving a ball from one side of the classroom to another, only using a piece of paper and kind, encouraging words!

In Science and Technology, Stage One has been examining the senses. So far, our favourite has been taste and last week we were able to do some taste testing. Some of us enjoyed the sour taste of lemon, whilst others agreed that the sweet honey was the best!

We are looking forward to what 2026 has in store for us and hope you enjoy our photos of Term 1.

As part of our Senses Unit of Inquiry, our Pre-K learners explored the sense of smell through an engaging “mystery scent” investigation. Carefully prepared paper bags concealed a range of familiar fragrances, inviting the children to pause, inhale thoughtfully, and reflect on what their noses were discovering.

The room was filled with rich descriptive language as the girls shared their observations — “lovely,” “nice “fresh,” “yucky,” “like my garden,” and “like my kitchen in the morning.” They compared scents, debated whether they were pleasant or unpleasant, and justified their thinking with growing confidence. Some changed their minds after a second smell, demonstrating flexible thinking and curiosity.

This sensory provocation sparked authentic problem-solving as the girls drew on memory, made connections to prior experiences, and used reasoning to identify each fragrance. Through collaborative discussion, they refined their ideas, listened to differing perspectives, and celebrated the joy of discovery.

This hands-on exploration strengthened not only their understanding of the sense of. smell, but also their vocabulary development, critical thinking, and confidence in expressing ideas.

See the photo gallery HERE

Weaving with Nature

Here are some photos of the making of one of Pre-K's entries for The Armidale Show. A lot of time was spent collecting materials, carefully weaving and tying knots to create this masterpiece.

Ad Astra Awards

Each week in our Junior School Chapel Service we award our students for achievement in academic, leadership and service pursuits.

Congratulations girls!

You can find all the photos on our Parent Portal HERE

Junior School Handbook

Please take the time to thoroughly read the Junior School Handbook, which contains essential information regarding the daily operations of the Junior School. This resource will assist in ensuring a smooth and informed start to the year.

Uniform Standards and Digital Technology Expectations

Uniform slips will be placed in student diaries as gentle reminders about maintaining our uniform standards. Additionally, digital technology protocols and expectations should be reviewed with your daughter. A signature panel is provided in her student diary, and we ask that it be signed to indicate that these guidelines have been read and understood, ensuring a shared commitment to safe and responsible technology use.

Homework Expectations

Homework for all students will be distributed every Monday and should be submitted each Friday. Repetition and mastery play a vital role in deep learning, and at our school, we strongly encourage students to embrace these practices.

Key Dates and Upcoming Events

Please refer to the School Calendar and your daughter's Diary on the PLC Armidale Orbit App and Lion's Roar for upcoming events. Additionally, schedules will be attached to the weekly homework sheets to assist families in staying organised, followed by a message through the PLC Armidale App with urgent or reminder messages via SMS. We are trying to reduce the amount of emails appearing in your inbox, so using these alternative platforms is our approach.

Celebrating Learning - Class Features!

Each edition of our Lions Roar newsletter will showcase a different class on rotation, providing a wonderful opportunity to celebrate student learning and achievements. This newsletter also serves as a platform to highlight our students' activities outside of school, fostering a strong sense of community.

After-School Collection and Safety Protocols

For safety reasons, after-school collection at 3:45 pm will be from the front gate only. The side reception area is designated for bus boarding, so keeping it clear is appreciated. This also applies to morning drop-off. The front curb is a designated drop-off point. If you need to speak with staff, please use the parking areas to avoid disrupting traffic flow. Students attending Homework Centre should be collected from the side gate if the front reception is locked.

Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) News

Mrs Joanne Wysel

Head of Creative and Performing Arts. (CAPA)

Congratulations to ...

...all our girls who attended the annual Armidale Youth Orchestra Camp at NECOM last weekend

... Elise Tisserand in Year 11

... who will be part of the Gondwana National Choir Asia Tour through Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore where they will be part of the prestigious Voices of the World International Choir Festival in July. Ad Astra Elise!

Stage 6 CAPA ENCORE Excursion

Congratulations to our Class of 2025 alumna Tiko Lay for an outstanding performance at the Sydney Opera House in the ENCORE HSC Showcase of 2026.

Tiko, Matthew Minter, Arlie Bragg, Teya Catterall, Mem Lay, and Ruby Crothers… performed Tiko's HSC composition, “Lessons From Birds” on the stage of the Opera House Concert Hall for an audience of over 2600 people on Monday 2 March.

A group of Stage 6 music students traveled to Sydney to support Tiko and watch the inspiring show featuring 24 of the finest HSC 2025 performances and compositions from across NSW, Tiko’s work being one of only four compositions selected for the program. “Lesson from Birds” was inspired by and dedicated to the late Jan Patterson, a much loved teacher at PLC Armidale who inspired many girls.

Mrs Patterson loved collecting recordings of native bird calls and some of her favourites were used to create the musical motifs in Tiko’s composition for piano, flute and vocal quartet. The musicians have been rehearsing steadily and delivered a stunning performance of Tiko’s work, leaving the audience in silence for moments after the final note as if all had been on a journey together. It moved many people and the story behind the composition stirred the heartstrings.

Thank you Mrs Nicola Taylor, Ms Li Ling Chen and Mr Sam Jacometti for accompanying the girls on the trip to Sydney and making this experience possible. It was very inspiring for our Stage 6 Music students to watch the concert featuring a diverse range of jazz and rock bands, classical musical compositions and virtuosic instrumental and vocal solos.

The standard of the performances was truly outstanding. It was an evening to celebrate young talent and to inspire a generation.

The school's Shakespeare Carnival is coming up in Week 8 - Friday 20 March in the Astra Arts Centre!

We currently have participants from all year groups who are entering in a variety of categories. If you are interested in participating and haven’t let me know yet, please email me as soon as you can! Parents/carers are welcome to attend the Carnival commencing at 12:15pm.

Categories: Duologues; Ensemble Scenes; Group Devised; Dance; Physical Theatre; Music; and Smartphone Short Film

Students will extend themselves as performers, creators and collaborators.

This is not simply about putting on a scene. It is about:

* Developing real confidence through disciplined rehearsal

* Strengthening your ability to work as an ensemble

* Thinking critically about text, intention and performance style

* Taking creative risks

* Representing your school with integrity and ambition

Students selected for Regional and State levels work with respected industry professionals who offer detailed feedback to refine and deepen your work. If you are committed to growing as an artist, this is a serious and worthwhile challenge.

Key Dates

School Carnival:

Friday 20 March (Week 8)

Regional Carnival:

Friday 15 May – PLC Armidale

State Carnival – Grand Final Weekend:

20–21 June 2026

Seymour Centre, Sydney

IGSA Dance Festival – Reminder

Students and families are reminded that nominations are now open for the 2026 IGSA Dance Festival, presented in collaboration with Sydney Dance Company.

This highly regarded program offers selected students the opportunity to participate in two intensive workshop days working with professional choreographers across four different dance styles. Students rehearse alongside dancers from other IGSA schools, experience the pace and discipline of a professional rehearsal environment, and culminate the experience with a series of performances showcasing the work developed during the intensive.

Key dates:

Workshops: Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 April 2026

Performance: Sunday 19 April 2026

Please note that these dates fall during the school holidays, so families are asked to check availability carefully before committing. Our school may nominate up to three students, with nominations submitted in order of ability should the festival be oversubscribed.

Nominations close at 5.00pm on 16 March 2026.

The IGSA Dance Festival is consistently one of the most inspiring and professionally enriching experiences available to our dancers, and I encourage students who are ready to embrace this challenge to consider nominating.

Our school may nominate up to three students. Nominations must be submitted in order of ability and strength, as the Festival may be oversubscribed. If additional places become available, we will be notified and may have the opportunity to nominate further students.

Further details regarding the exact workshop timetable and performance schedule will be shared once confirmed.

If your daughter is ready to embrace an intensive, high-level training opportunity and represent the school with professionalism and commitment, I strongly encourage her to consider nominating.

Armidale Eisteddfod 2026

The Armidale Eisteddfod is fast approaching and remains one of the most significant cultural events in the New England calendar. Each year, the festival provides students with valuable opportunities to perform, develop their craft and receive professional adjudication in a supportive and inspiring environment.

The Eisteddfod offers a wide range of performance categories, allowing students to participate across many areas of the performing arts.

These include: Speech and Drama; Vocal and Choral; Instrumental Music; Bands and Ensembles; Music Composition

Participation in the Eisteddfod allows students to gain important stage experience, build confidence and refine their performance skills while sharing their work with the wider community.

The 2026 Armidale Eisteddfod will commence on Wednesday 13 May with a Music Composition Presentation and Workshop, and will conclude with the Gala Concert on Sunday 14 June, where selected outstanding performances from across the festival will be showcased.

Entries close at 5.00pm on Friday 20 March 2026.

Students are warmly encouraged to explore the many performance opportunities available and consider participating in this longstanding and celebrated community event.

The 2026 syllabus can be viewed here:

https://armidale-eisteddfod.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Eisteddfod-syllabus-2026-Final.pdf

Term 1 InHouse Concert Applications now due

In Week 8 of Term 1, we will hold the first In House Concert for the year on Wednesday 18th March. There will be two concerts, one at 5:00pm and the second at 6:15pm (Please note time changes back to our normal concert times).

APPLICATIONS CLOSE SUNDAY 8 MARCH

If you would like to perform in this concert, or would like your daughter to perform, please complete this google form.

Robert Manley is the accompanist provided by the College. Please indicate if you require his services. If you have made a prior arrangement with another accompanist please also indicate here.

Please note, Robert Manley would like two weeks notice for all advanced pieces and ten days notice for all pieces so he can be properly prepared and find time to rehearse with the students. To help facilitate this, if you require Dr Manley's services, you must attach a scanned copy of your music to this form. You will be unable to submit your application unless you do this.

Details about how to book a rehearsal for Junior School and Senior School girls will follow once applications close.

Performers are encouraged to memorise their pieces. While students may apply to perform on multiple instruments/voice, space constraints may necessitate that they choose only one for performance at the In House Concert. You will receive an email if this is the case.

Due to time constraints, there will need to be a maximum of 20 standard performances for the 5:00pm concert and 25 for the 6:15pm concert, so please make sure you complete this form early to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately this limit must be adhered to, so late entries cannot be accepted.

Don't forget, dress code for the performances is full summer uniform (minus hats).

Please contact Mrs Constance Dunham cdunham@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au or Mr Matthew Minter mminter@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au should you require additional information.

To sign up for this concert, please click here: https://forms.gle/FoyhFgk7MfibZafE9

Senior School Term 1, 2026 CAPA Schedule

Private Music Tuition

The PLC Armidale Private Tuition program allows girls to take part in instrumental and vocal lessons at the College. Lessons are offered on an individual and rotational basis by highly qualified teachers who are experts in their field. Most students have a 30-minute lesson; however, advanced students may negotiate a longer lesson time. Instruments on offer include violin, viola, cello, double bass, trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, euphonium, bassoon, flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, piano, voice, guitar, recorder or drums.

If you are interested in these lessons for your daughter, please email the Director of Music at mminter@plcarimidale.nsw.edu.au or complete the Google form sent to girls and families.

2026 In House Concert and other major musical dates:

18 March: Term 1 In House Concert
29 April: Term 2 In House Concert
8 May: PLC Performs
29 July: Term 3 In House Concert
4 September: Starry Day/Starry Night of CAPA/Grandparents Day
21 October: Term 4 In House Concert
20 November: Junior School Time to Shine
24 November: String Soiree

If you have any questions about Music at PLC Armidale please do not hesitate to contact the Director of Music at mminter@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

SPORT News

Mrs Lucy Donaldson

Head of Sport

Congratulations to ...

... Trista Dorrian in Year 11

who has been selected for the Country Athlete Performance Program (CAPP), created by Tennis Australia and Tennis NSW, where only 8 girls from all age groups across NSW get picked based on improvement, commitment and their Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) which promotes fair and competitive play across the global tennis world. Trista, who is the current U16 Girls NSW champion, told local media on our courts, "Right now, life is all about tennis and school, but I'm definitely looking ahead to US colleges". The CAPP program selection is based on international athlete potential and provides financial aid and a performance camp - the perfect pathway to fulfil US College tennis dreams. Ad Astra Trista!!

2026 Independent Girls School Association (IGSA) Swim Team

Best wishes to our 2026 IGSA Swim Team who head off this week to Sydney to compete at the Olympic Swimming Centre on Friday 13 March. Jess Wellings, Evie Matthews, Lola Ferguson, Georgia Scanlon, Rosie Woods, Flic Adams, Isabelle Scanlon and Xiaoxiao Zhang. Ad Astra girls !

Tildesey Tennis Shield 2026

Best wishes to our Tildesley Tennis Shield PLC Armidale representative teams who will compete at Australia's longest-running tennis tournament from Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 March in Sydney. To get match fit - in addition to their personal tennis training sessions, these girls have been training hard at early morning squad sessions on our courts twice each week this term - Ad Astra girls!

2026 Tildesley Tennis Doubles Teams - Carla Mazzella/Isabelle Scanlon and Ariela Brown/Katie Rizzi

2026 Tildesley Tennis Singles Team - Trista Dorrian and Sophie Bailey

Winter Sport

Once again, we are offering a comprehensive range of activities for our girls to enjoy.

Playing sports isn't compulsory at PLC Armidale; however, it is highly encouraged, and we are delighted with the consistently high participation rates across the College.

Sign-up forms for the sports below were emailed to students and nonations received las week. Final costs and contracts will be emailed to parents for approval once all girls' choices have been collated. Most sports cost around $100 per term, plus relevant association annual registration fees.

By selecting a sport, students are required to maintain their commitment to that sport for the entire term. Only choose the sports that girls are willing to commit to.

Students have been asked to submit their forms by no later than Monday, 2 March, so teams can be formed and sports contracts issued to parents/carers to confirm selections and be ready for the sports to commence.

For any questions or concerns, please email me at ldonaldson@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

2026 Terms 2&3 Winter Sport Choices

Athletics

Regular weekly athletics training sessions in Terms 2 and 3. Further details TBC once numbers are confirmed.

Approximatley $100 per term.

Badminton

Social badminton games: Tuesday afternoons 3:45pm-4:45pm @ PLC DKC

FREE

Basketball

Tuesday afternoons 4:00pm - 6:30pm @ The Den (Armidale Secondary College)

Approximate cost $80/term plus registration fees

Football (soccer)

Soccer training: Wednesday afternoons at PLC

Games: Friday evenings (Opens Comp)

Approximate cost $100/term plus registration fees

Hockey

Hockey training: Thursday afternoons at Sport UNE hockey fields

Games: Saturdays

Juniors (14s & 16s) - mornings

Seniors (Womens) - afternoons

N.B. Some teams may be scheduled for mid-week games on occasion.

Approximate cost $100/term plus registration fees

Netball

Netball training:

Thursday afternoons @ PLC for Junior and Opens Representative teams

Monday afternoons @ PLC for all other teams

Games: Saturday afternoons either 12pm, 1:20pm or 2:40pm

Approximate cost $100/term plus registration fees

Rugby

Rugby Training: TBC

Games: TBC (possible Wednesday and/or Friday evenings)

If you choose to play rugby, you are strongly encouraged to attend at east one strength and conditioning session each week.

Approximate cost $100/term plus registration fees

Strength and Conditioning

Maintains fitness and increases muscle strength and endurance.

* Mornings 6:30am - 7:30am @ PLC Monday, Wednesday, Friday

* Afternoon 3:45pm - 5:00pm @ PLC Wednesday

(you can do 1, 2 or 3 sessions per week) - select your days on the sign-up form

Flat Rate of $60/term

If you have been selected for a PLCA Representative team to compete at IGSA, you must attend at least 1 Strength and Conditioning session each week.

Swimming Squad Training with Sport UNE

Squads will resume in the second week of each term and run for 8

weeks. Tuesday mornings 6:00am to 7:00am

Monday and Wednesday afternoons 5:00pm-6pm

Approximate cost:

$148 per term for 1 session/week

$240 per term for 2 sessions/week

$300 per term for 3 sessions/week

Please select which session/s you are interested in on the sign-up form.

Tennis Squad Training

Friday mornings 6:25am-7:25am @ PLCA

Approximate cost $100/term

Junior School coaching opportunity

There is the opportunity to any Senior School girls who would like to help coach our Junior school girls.

This may also be counted towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award service.

If your daughter is keen to potentially coach a Junior School sporting team, and she has not already done so, please ask her to let me know.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS HERE

Pathways International Student News

Mrs Kirsten Hey

Director of Pathways

Pathways Camp

In Week 8, the Pathways students will travel to Queensland for an exciting visit to the Gold Coast. We will be staying at Treasure Island Holiday Resort and enjoying a range of engaging activities, including visits to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Aussie Outback Spectacular dinner and show, and an outdoor adventure day featuring kayaking, snorkelling, and bushwalking as we work together to solve the Mystery at Wave Break Island.

This excursion strongly supports our Ecology unit this term, as well as our study of the novel Storm Boy. Students will have the opportunity to observe Australian native animals in real-life settings and develop a deeper understanding of their habitats and ecosystems.

We are looking forward to a rich learning experience that combines environmental education, teamwork, and outdoor adventure.

Read on to find out about some other things we have been doing lately ...

Reaction to reading Impossible Parents

Impossible parents is my first book in the Reading Marathon in Pathways. As its name suggests, it described a pair of different parents to reality. At the beginning of this book, it explains why these parents are strange, which is because they always wear some strange clothes that no one else wears. Then it tells us that all the students were boasting about their parents, meanwhile two main characters said ‘Our father is a firefighter and our mother is a ballet dancer.’ But actually, their mother is a BELLY DANCER!! They lied! Unfortunately, the teacher informed them that the parents meeting was coming soon, everybody seemed upset…...But finally, all of them were happy. This book is really funny, meanwhile I learnt some new English words from it.

Iris W Y8

My weekend plans

I have an older brother who is much older than me, about five years older. He's 19. We have a very good relationship. One of the reasons I came to Australia is because of my brother. He's a very good student, especially in math. He's studying engineering. My brother and I studied in Shanghai for two years. Later, he got into a university in Australia. My parents asked me, "Do you want to go to the same country as your brother?" So, that's how I came to live with my brother in a country more than 10,000 kilometres away from our hometown.

My brother and I go to schools 500 kilometres apart. This weekend, I'll be visiting him to spend this short weekend. And because of a school event, I can extend this short weekend by one day! How wonderful is that?

I'm really looking forward to it, so I started making a plan on Monday to motivate myself for this perfect weekend. There aren't many convenience stores near my school, unlike in China. We usually go down to town from Monday to Friday to buy our necessities for the week. But this week is different. This weekend, I can easily find a supermarket or a large shopping mall on an electronic map, so I can easily get what I want. I plan to take my brother to the market on Saturday, even though he doesn't really like going out on weekends. For him, video games seem to be more interesting. But on Monday, my mum told me that if possible, I should definitely take my brother out more. Of course, this is also part of my "weekend trip." This is definitely the most fun weekend.

Julie Y8

About my birthday visit

This week is my birthday, on March 7th. I'm going to Sydney to see my sister and celebrate my birthday with her. I'm very excited because we haven't seen each other for a long time, and this time we can celebrate my birthday together.

In China I always celebrated my birthday with my family and friends. This is the first time I've celebrated my birthday in another country without many friends to celebrate with me. I miss my family and friends in China. Sometimes I think back to the times we spent together.

I really want to go back to China and be with my friends. I really want to go back, but I can't. This birthday celebration definitely won't be as lively as usual. But I'm also happy to be with my sister.

We're planning to go to the city on my birthday and we will eat at a Greek restaurant. That restaurant is beautiful. There's a big tree inside, like a treehouse and the food looked especially delicious. I'm really looking forward to my birthday.

Rise Y8

Maths class

Maths class is one of my favorite lessons. Every time I have math class, I am happy and excited. My maths teacher is a very kind and patient person. He always explains everything clearly and always helps me when I don't know what I can do. And always makes difficult problems easy to understand.

In the class, I learn many significant and interesting things, such as how to calculate the area and how to convert units. Sometimes we study maths problems together, and play mathspace. These things make math easier and more exciting.

I like thinking and finding answers in maths class. When I do my own research, I get addicted and I can't stop it. And maths helps me to become more careful and smart. I think maths is very important in our daily life. I want to study hard and get better at maths.

Penny Y8

Coffs Coast

What attracts me the most about Australia is the beaches and the ocean. In the second week of this term, we went camping on the Coffs Harbour coast. That trip has remained in my memory ever since.

After having lunch on Friday, we went back to the boarding house and then got on the bus to the coast. That journey took a lot of time. We got recess halfway. After about four hours, we finally arrived. When I was getting off the bus, my face could feel the salty wind and we went to dinner. After that, we went to the beach and I could see the setting sun that made the sky turn into orange. At that time, I didn't know we would go to the beach after dinner because it was too late when we arrived there. I was still wearing my sports shoes, so I took them off. I enjoyed all of this on the beach: the wind, the clouds, the sand and the sea. In the following days, we went to the beach several times. I built sandcastles with my friends on the beach and swam in the sea together. I looked at the traces left by the waves on the beach, also some shells and little stones.

Time passed by quickly at the seaside, and soon it was time for us to leave. I felt a little bit upset that I didn’t have more time to enjoy all of this. But I will, during the days that I live in Australia in the future.

Yutong Y8

Communicating with Foreign Friends

I've been in Australia for almost a month now. At first, I only talked to my Chinese friends. I was always envious of how well they could get along with foreigners and communicate with them so easily. Later, I slowly tried to greet them, and they always responded warmly. Some of the girls were so enthusiastic that they would even give me a hug. My roommate Hannah and I take math class together. She said she'd be happy to help me. I told her she's a great English teacher for me, and I think my English will improve quickly if I have more chances to chat with her. Now I can chat with her about everyday life and studies. She always uses simple words and speaks slowly to help me understand. Hannah is really lovely and always smiles when she sees me. I've also gradually made more foreign friends, sharing snacks from my hometown with them and learning more about Australia. They're also happy to meet Chinese friends.

Although we have different languages and cultural backgrounds, our love for a good life is universal. I also realise that the most important thing in communication is sincerity. Even if my spoken language is not perfect, as long as I dare to express myself, I can overcome obstacles.

All in all, I also hope I can be more courageous in approaching foreign friends, improving my spoken English while having more fun.

Leona Y9

Storm Boy

To be honest, this was the first English storybook I ever read. At first, I was stumped by the unfamiliar vocabulary, because it is very scary for me to face many new words and unfamiliar grammar. Even at the beginning of reading, there were many strange sentences after I translated them to my first language. But later, by analyzing the characters and key plot points, I gradually understood the story. I met Storm Boy, Hideaway, Fingerbone, and the three pelicans. Their friendship deeply touched me, but the overall tone of the book also left me with a touch of sadness. I was happy to witness their story again decades later in this book; they showed me that such a harmonious relationship between humans and animals still exists in this world.

Luna Y9

Overcoming my fear

I try to have a conversation with Australian girls these days. But at first, I was scared about chatting with them. Even though I stayed in PLC for 2 terms and I could understand the class teachers’ words, I couldn’t understand the words that Australian girls said and they couldn’t understand what I was saying sometimes.

But this term I told myself again—I was going to be a Year 9 student soon, I must speak more English anyway. So I started to chat with some girls at morning tea time and lunch time. It was hard to say that I wanted to join your chatting. Luckily, I had some friends in year 7 whose English was good, Xiao Xiao and Nyka. I always saw them chatting with their friends. I went to them and asked if I could join them. They were kind and friendly. I was allowed to sit with them. At the start, I didn’t say anything, I just watched them chatting. Then I asked about how I can be friends with them. They said if I wanted to chat with them, just find them and sit with them.

I thought it might be a good start. Because I was always afraid and we didn’t have the same classes I thought that maybe we can’t be friends. But in fact, I still can have many comfortable conversations with them and now I have many conversations with Hansali and Ava who are in Year 9.

Finnley Y9

Maths class

I have had Maths class for 3 terms. This is an interesting class, I think. Maths is my favourite subject. This is very interesting and fun. In the Maths class, we do many exercise questions. At first we are not going to learn new knowledge. We need to review knowledge from the last class. Mr Hey talks about some questions that the students can’t understand. He is a very responsible Maths teacher. Before solving these questions, we may learn about this chapter first. After that, we should do some exercise questions. When we do exercise questions, he walks around the classroom to help students who can’t understand the questions and helps them solve it. Yesterday, we had a test in the class. I hope I can get a good result.

Iris Li Y10

Reading Marathon

In this term, Pathways started a new project called Reading Marathon. At first, I was confused about this project, I wasn’t sure how the project would work. And I didn’t know what it would affect. But now, I understand it when I start reading. Books are arranged from simple to difficult. If you keep reading, you will have a sense of advancement. After you finish a book, you need to write a comment about what you read. It’s beneficial for the next person to choose the book. It’s a very interesting project. It makes you discover the fun of reading.

Danika Y10

P&F News

Shili Wang

P&F President

You can find these and more on our Parent Portal HERE

GREEN TARTAN

ALUMNAE NEWS

Congratulations to our Class of 2025 alumna India Smith who was with us at PLC Armidale from Pre K to Year 12. We are so proud of the young woman she has become - Ad Astra India!!

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 August, 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?

Donations will provide scholarships for the 2027 school year. In addition, gifts over $2 are tax deductible. You can also subscribe to make a small regular automatic donation which will quickly add up over the years.

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

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

If you would like further information about the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund or know of a young girl who you believe would benefit from this opportunity, don't hesitate to call us on (02) 6770 1700 or email us at enquiries@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

A gift to the PLC Armidale Scholarship Fund will open the door for many more exceptional young women to attend PLC Armidale and be equipped to lead a life of significance.

You can make a difference by donating today.

Donations can be made by clicking here.

General News

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Lion's Roar Newsletter Term 1 | Issue 3 2026

From the Principal

... continue reading here

Congratulations

Congratulations to ...

... to the PLC Armidale leaders who representated us at the Quota Armidale Branch International Womens Day breakfast.

...our successful 2026 Armidale Show participants

every PLC Armidale artwork won a prize - both collective and individual with our College winning the Pavillion Perpetual Trophy.

Thank you to our amazing staff who support our girls with their entries.

... Molly Chard, Ella Jenkins and Tash North who represented us along with our Head of Sport Mrs Lucy Donaldson in the Seven News interview about our partnership with UNE to support Oskar Staniucha deliver his young female focused ACL Research PHD project which helps fill a gap in global knowledge.

ACL TRAINING STUDY - Don't miss the chance for your daughter to be included.

ACL Training Study - Expressions of Interest close on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The partnership between the PLC Armidale and the University of New England (UNE) aims to reduce serious knee injuries among young female athletes and fill a gap in global research.

Debating Club - Permission forms have been sent to the parents of those girls who have expressed an interest in debating this year.

Senior School on Fridays @ lunch time

Junior School on Thursdays @ lunch time

If you would like more information on debating at PLCA, please contact our Head of Humanities, Mr Mitchell Clendinning at: mclendinning@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

Saturday, 21 March, Armidale Regional Council's Autumn Festival Parade.

We hope you can attend this significant community event with us.

Please Note: Our Whole School Cross Country Carnival is now on Tuesday 24 March.

Senior School News

Congratulations to ....

... our 2026 Student Representative Council (SRC) Members

... our 2026 Science and Engineering Challenge Team who came third in the region

...our Year 12 girls who cooked up Purple Pancakes for everyone to celebrate International Women's Day

CAREER INSPIRATION: New England Superintendent (and PLC parent) Chris McKinnon recently came along to speak with our Stage 5 girls about the range of career possibilities in the law enforcement industry from forensic detective work to community service.

Wellbeing Wednesday

Lunchtime Clubs - have your tried one?

University Showcase

NAPLAN

Library Extended Hours Term 1, 2026

2026 in the Senior School

Key Senior School Staff

Pastoral Care Staff

Mobile Phones

Progressive Reporting in 2026 (Edumate and Reports)

PLC Armidale Pockets

Boarding Life

Congratulations to...

... our 2026 Boarders Representative Council (BRC) team who were inducted at a recent assembly - Ad Astra girls !

We encourage parents to keep in contact with the Boarding House Staff.

The phone number for the House Mother front desk is 02 6770 1716.

There will be a House Mother on duty at the desk:

Weekday mornings 6.45am - 9am

Weekday afternoons/evenings 2.30pm - 11pm

Saturday 8am - 11pm

Sunday 8am -10.30pm

The House Mother's mobile number during normal Boarding House hours: is 0417 033 424

We also have a landline phone for boarders to use to ring home if they don't have a mobile phone. Parents can also ring this number to speak with their daughter: 02 6770 1739.

Junior School News

2026 Junior School Leadership Team

Staff News…

Congratulations to our Semester One Junior School Student Representative Council (SRC) members

IPSHA Swimming Carnival 2026

PLC Armidale/UNE Research Don't miss your chance to be part of this unique opportunity.

Chinese New Year

Wow! Stage One has started the 2026 academic year with great gusto!

Weaving with Nature

Ad Astra Awards

Junior School Handbook

Uniform Standards and Digital Technology Expectations

Homework Expectations

Key Dates and Upcoming Events

Celebrating Learning - Class Features!

After-School Collection and Safety Protocols

Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) News

Congratulations to ...

...all our girls who attended the annual Armidale Youth Orchestra Camp at NECOM last weekend

... Elise Tisserand in Year 11

Stage 6 CAPA ENCORE Excursion

Congratulations to our Class of 2025 alumna Tiko Lay for an outstanding performance at the Sydney Opera House in the ENCORE HSC Showcase of 2026.

The school's Shakespeare Carnival is coming up in Week 8 - Friday 20 March in the Astra Arts Centre!

We currently have participants from all year groups who are entering in a variety of categories. If you are interested in participating and haven’t let me know yet, please email me as soon as you can! Parents/carers are welcome to attend the Carnival commencing at 12:15pm.

Categories: Duologues; Ensemble Scenes; Group Devised; Dance; Physical Theatre; Music; and Smartphone Short Film

Key Dates

IGSA Dance Festival – Reminder

Students and families are reminded that nominations are now open for the 2026 IGSA Dance Festival, presented in collaboration with Sydney Dance Company.

Armidale Eisteddfod 2026

Term 1 InHouse Concert Applications now due

Senior School Term 1, 2026 CAPA Schedule

Lion's Roar Newsletter
Term 1 | Issue 3 2026