MRS NICOLA TAYLOR
PRINCIPAL
Courage & Character in Action
The end of a school term provides opportunity to pause and reflect, not only on what has been achieved, but on how it has been achieved. This year’s theme of Courage & Character has not simply been a phrase spoken about; it has been evident in classrooms, on the stage, on the sporting field, and in the quiet, unseen moments of persistence and growth.
Courage is often imagined as something bold and visible—and at times this term it has been. Adventurous Journeys experienced by Years 3-6, 10 and 11 requiring girls to take risks, be brave and embrace challenge. Courage to take to the field for the touch football grand final, to lead a Guild Gathering, to contribute to the da Vinci Decathlon team. Yet perhaps the most powerful expressions of courage have been quieter: a student persevering when learning a challenging concept , another choosing integrity when it would have been easier not to, and many continuing to show up each day with commitment and resilience.
Character is formed in these moments.
Our College values of humility, integrity, respect and self-discipline have been evident in the way girls have supported one another, welcomed new friends, approached learning tasks and responded to success and setback. These experiences reinforce that choice has consequence...
... , that character is not formed in a single moment, but in the accumulation of many small decisions over time.
Across the four pillars of the PLC Armidale experience—Academic Endeavour, Creative & Performing Arts, Leadership & Service, and Sport & Outdoor Education—our staff and students have worked with professionalism, energy and care. I extend my sincere thanks to our staff, both teaching and non-teaching, whose expertise and commitment continue to create an environment where girls are both challenged and supported to grow.
Earlier this term, I spoke to the Senior School about Katherine Bennell-Pegg, recognised as the 2026 Australian of the Year. Her journey reminds us that courage and character are rarely accidental. Her pursuit of excellence in a field, Aeronautical Engineering (Space) still developing within Australia speaks to a willingness to step into the unknown, to prepare diligently, and to persist even when the pathway is not clearly defined.
As a product of a loving, supportive family and her all-girls education at a school in Sydney, what stands out most is not simply the achievement itself, but the preparation behind it—the habits formed, the discipline sustained, and the confidence nurtured over time. In environments where girls are encouraged to lead, question, and take intellectual risks, they develop both the courage to pursue ambitious goals and the character to sustain that pursuit.
Katherine’s story and her qualification as Australia’s first female astronaut serve as an important reminder that the path to meaningful achievement is rarely straightforward. It requires commitment, resilience, and a willingness to keep going when progress feels slow. It also requires a strong sense of self—something we seek to cultivate in each girl at PLC Armidale.
Thank you to our students, staff and families for the way you have contributed to a term marked not only by achievement, but by growth in what matters most. I wish you all a restful and restorative Easter break.
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....
Senior School Teams: Year 9 - 3rd overall of all schools, 1st in Ideation, 1st in Engineering, 1st in Legacy and 2nd in English; Year 8 - 1st in Ideation and 3rd in Cartography; Year 7 -2nd in Creative Producers 3rd in English and 3rd in Legacy;
Junior School Teams : Year6 - 3rd in Cartography and Year 5 - 2nd in Creative Producers.
Anneliese Azon-Jacometti, Annika Ballard, Kimberley Blake, Lisa Blake, Phoebe Butterworth, Sophie Clendinning, Evie Donaldson, Maddison Elbourne, Ava Greatrex, Chloe Hoad, Yethumi Horathalge, Jessica MacMahon, Sanvi Madankumar, Willow McKern, Katie Rizzi, Isabelle Scanlon, Matilda Shearim, Elise Tisserand, Kate Ward, Lucy Ward and Elouise Westermarck.
As with every year, the annual commemoration of Anzac Day is an event to look forward to, and PLC Armidale have again been invited to participate.
This year, the event falls on the first weekend after our students return to the College for Term 2, and we would like there to be a strong representation of students participating in the march and service.
Many of our alumnae served in the armed forces, and a visible show of support from the PLC Armidale community—particularly from our 2026 student leadership team—would be a fitting tribute to their legacy.
The march commences at 10:30am followed by the Commemoration and Wreath Laying Service in Central Park. PLC Armidale will be laying a wreath as part of this service.
Students are asked to assemble on Faulkner Street adjacent to the Post Office by 10:30am.
Full College winter uniform is to be worn, including the summer straw hat and polished school shoes, which will add to the sense of ceremony and presence.
Should the weather be inclement, the service will be conducted in the Town Hall. Such changes will be announced over the local radio stations.
Mrs Kate Clynch
Head of Senior School
who is commended for her strong leadership and candidacy in the Lion's Youth of the Year competition and reaching the regional level.
Last weekend, Molly and her family travelled to Tamworth for her to compete in the regional round of the Lions Youth of the Year competition where she competed against the three other area winners from Maclean, Quirindi & Nambucca.
Each sudent had a 45 minute interview before a panel of six judges along with their prepared speech and two impromptu speeches.
The first impromptu was: What wisdom would you share with adults to enhance their understanding of today’s youth? Molly spoke on youth’s struggles with social media and how they were born into this generation and, rather than seeing technology as negative, seeing the potential for good.
The second topic was: That we should look after our own backyard. Molly acknowledged this could be an easy option for Australia given world turmoil yet spoke passionately about how we can make a better world by looking out for others less fortunate and shared her experience at the Agape Orphanage in Thailand and how it has impacted her and others back in Australia.
Molly was a wonderful ambassador for herself, her family and our College but was unfortunately narrowly defeated by the entrant from Quirindi who will now compete at the state final.
Members of our Livestock Team are having a successful time at the Sydney Royal Show with our Livestock Team managers, Briony Looker and Tim Light.
Results so far: Charli Milton 3rd in the Schools' Parader competition; Supple Basil (our Schute Bell Victor Chang Foundation charity auction steer donated by the generous Rumbel family) was selected in the Hereford Stan Hill Team of Three and was 4th in the lightweight School Steer category; Emmie Birnie - 4th in Intermediate RAS Youth Show competition heat.
While our sequence of Explore Serve Journey programs spans Kindergarten to Year 12, peak experiences occur in the middle years of schooling. These are part of our curriculum and included in your tuition fees.
This is a particularly challenging time for girls in terms of dealing with change, developing identity, and navigating social relationships. The following programs assist students in moving through this turbulent stage with courage and character.
More information on each will be sent closer to the time.
ESJ in the Senior School
Year 7 - 4 days in Term 3 Connection and Belonging (3-6 August). See 2025 photos HERE
Year 8 - 5 days in Term 3 - Flourish or Flounder (3-7 August ). See 2025 photos HERE
Year 9 - 28 days in Term 4 – Every girl’s a boarder (25 October to 21 November ). See 2025 photos HERE
Year 10 - 13 Days in Term 1 – A Journey from the highest city to the highest mountain (21 March to 1 April). See 2025 photos HERE
Year 11 - 6 Days in Term 1 Rock and Rope – ‘Hanging Out’ in the Blue Mountains (15-20 February). See 2025 photos HERE
Service Learning Trips
These are optional peak experiences for our girls - costs will be quoted when you are invited to submit an expression of interest.
Years7/8 Central Australia Cultural Immersion Experience
Years10/11 Thaliand Agape Orphanage
Tuesday 21 April 2026, 6:00-7:00pm in the Astra Arts Centre
The session will provide parents with important details about the 28-day program taking place in Term 4, as well as an understanding of the required clothing and equipment.
It is important that parents attend this session to ensure students are properly prepared for the ESJ program.
The session is for parents and carers only - no students. Students will be provided the information during Pastoral Care sessions in Term 2.
A recording of the session will be made available for Year 9 Boarder parents who are unable to attend.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Boarder Parents on Monday, 20 April
Years 8-11 in Week 2 of Term 2.
To make a booking, please follow the School Interviews link below.
https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/qhdj2
If your daughter has a teacher for more than one subject, please only schedule one interview if possible. This will help with teacher availability for other appointments on the night. If you have specific concerns or need additional time, there will be opportunities for follow-up appointments. If a teacher is not available on the night, a phone call can be arranged with individual teachers.
If your daughter is in Year 12 and she has a teacher for multiple subjects, you are welcome to schedule two time-slots if you would prefer.
Step 1. Fill in your details, please enter all fields (entering an email address will allow you to receive a confirmation of your bookings).
Step 2. You are required to enter in all subjects and teachers.
Step 3. Select the available time-slots. Where possible please book the earliest time-slot available.
On completion of your booking, please expect a confirmation email, which will include your booking times.
Before the interviews, you may like to look at your child’s results and feedback on any individual assessment tasks for Term 1. To access your child’s results, log into Edumate via a PC (not available via a phone). From there you will see a tab titled ‘Progress’. Then click on Past Tasks. You will also be able to see Upcoming Tasks and previous Academic Reports. You can also access this information via the PLC App - Carer Orbit
If you have forgotten or misplaced your login details for Edumate, please contact enquiries@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au
If you encounter any issues whilst scheduling interviews or you require assistance to make your bookings please contact Senior School Reception at: seniorschool@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au or via phone on: 02 6770 1786.
**issue 6 - pop in Year 12 Gold NZ presentation slides/notes and link to video?
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
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
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.
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
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.
Margaret Latham and Sam Azon-Jacometti
Heads of Boarding
Among the highlights was our outdoor cinema and sleepover earlier this term, which provided a fun and memorable evening for all involved. It was a lot of fun playing some Minute to Winnit games in the afternoon, pizza and ice cream for dinner before settling into a sea of blankets and pillows for the movie. We had popcorn and fairy floss and it was very special to share this with a number of day girls who were guests of the boarders. Events like this continue to play an important role in building friendships and creating a supportive boarding environment. Our Sunday barbecues have also remained a popular tradition, offering a relaxed space for boarders to come together at the end of the weekend.
A key milestone this term was the voting and installation of our 2026 Boarding Representative Council members. We congratulate all students who nominated and took part in the process, and we look forward to seeing the positive contributions this group will make to boarding life.
We were also pleased to welcome a number of experience girls into the boarding house this term. It has been wonderful to have them as part of our community, and we hope their time with us has been both enjoyable and rewarding. Additional improvements, including the installation of a new ice machine and the introduction of boarder shorts, have been warmly received by students and have added to the comfort and enjoyment of daily life.
A reminder that the boarding house will reopen from 2:00pm on Monday 20 April. With winter approaching, students are encouraged to bring additional warm clothing. We also look forward to connecting with families at the Boarder Parent Group meeting, Tuesday 12 May, Week 4 next term.
As the term concludes, we wish all families a safe and happy Easter break.
Mrs Fiona Wake
Head of Junior School
Our Junior School girls from PreK to Year 6 enjoyed Easter crafting, Christian Studies and an Easter egg hunt in the lead up to the holidays.
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
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Mrs Joanne Wysel
Head of Creative and Performing Arts. (CAPA)
who performed at Season's of New England following their success at the Armidale Open Mic Night at The Welder's Dog Brewery recently.
It was lovely to see so many of our girls taking part in the orchestra, wind and string ensembles.
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.
29 April: Term 2 In House Concert
8 May: PLC Performs
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 winter 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/8gciEokd2wmEBBny6
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.
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
Mrs Lucy Donaldson
Head of Sport
who have been selected for Central North Rugby Representative Teams.
Evie and Isabelle also flew to Hawaii this week to compete in the Hawaiian International 10's, representing Australia as part of the Australian Raptors Academy touring team. The Australian Raptors Rugby Academy creates meaningful pathways within rugby, across Australia and internationally. Ad Astra girls!
who were selected to play in the Netball NSW Regional League North West Tournament last weekend.
Year 12 Touch Footy Support Team
Tuesday 28 April - Half day - 1:00pm - 3:30pm
Wednesday 29 April - All day 8:40am - 3:30pm
Girls in year 5&6 as well as Senior School need to register for PLC Armidale Netball to play.
Girls interested in playing netball this season are invited to register using the link below.
Please complete the registration if you would like to play netball this year. This helps us organise teams, and competition entries for the upcoming season. All girls who wish to play in te local ADNA comp as part of a PLC Armidale team are able to do so.
Training will be on Monday afternoons for most PLC Armidale local teams and Thursday afternoons for the PLC Armidale representative teams.
Sign-up link:
https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/50b8cd
If you have any questions or experience any issues with the form, please contact Greg Cotterell at gcotterell@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au.
We encourage all interested students to register so they can play.
Mrs Kirsten Hey
Director of Pathways
Pathways students have taken their learning beyond the classroom, immersing themselves in rich, real-world experiences to deepen their understanding of the novel Storm Boy. Through a series of thoughtfully planned excursions, literature has truly come to life.
Our journey began locally at Dangars Lagoon, where students observed water birds and pelicans in their natural habitat. Watching these birds up close provided a meaningful connection to the text, allowing students to better understand the environment and relationships explored in the story.
More recently, we returned from an exciting camp on the Gold Coast, where adventure and learning went hand in hand. A highlight of the trip was the challenge of solving the mystery of Wave Break Island. The girls kayaked to the island and snorkelled in its surrounding waters, exploring marine biomes and gaining a deeper appreciation for coastal ecosystems, an experience that strongly echoed the themes of connection to nature found in Storm Boy.
The learning continued with a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, where students encountered native Australian animals and strengthened their understanding of unique wildlife. This was complemented by an unforgettable evening at Australian Outback Spectacular, where students gained insight into Australian history, culture, and life in the outback.
These experiences have not only enriched our studies, but have also inspired curiosity, built confidence, and created lasting memories. By stepping beyond the classroom, students are developing a deeper connection to literature, the environment, and the world around them.
Shili Wang
P&F President
From the excitement of our welcome barbecue and swimming carnival to classroom achievements, our in-house concerts, camps and Armidale Autumn Festival, students have embraced each opportunity with enthusiasm and pride. It has been wonderful to see our community come together in support and celebration. As the term concludes, we wish all families a safe, restful and happy Easter break, and we look forward to another fantastic term ahead.
will be held on Thursday, 23 April 2026 at 5:30pm, and we warmly invite all members of our community to attend.
You can join us in the Boardroom or via Zoom:
https://plcarmidale.zoom.us/j/83693966811?pwd=pQ05LaCNn71WLSOrRFpB9dVugd3HdI.1
Meeting ID: 836 9396 6811
Passcode: 896847
We have an exciting and busy term ahead, with many opportunities to get involved, connect with fellow parents, and support our school community. Please keep an eye out for communications from your year group Liaison Parent regarding upcoming events, including the Whole School Athletics Carnival. Your support and participation in these events are greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at pandf@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au
Thurs 2nd April 1-4:30pm (day before Good Friday)
Friday 17th April 9-12 Appointment only
Saturday 18th April 9-12 Appointment only
Monday 20th April 1-4pm
For appointments: https://www.noone.com.au/school/plc-armidale/stores (it's the same as the website to buy online).
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
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
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.