PLC Armidale Green Tartan Autumn 2017

P LC AR M I DAL E M AG AZ I NE V O L U M E 17 A U T U M N 2017 Presby terian Ladies’ College Armidale NSW 2350 • w w w.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

C E L E B R AT I N G 1 3 0 Y E A RS I N 2017

girls

Member of the Alliance of Girls' Schools Australasia (AGSA) Member of the Association of Heads of Independent Girls Schools (AHIGS) Member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA)

DIARY DATES FOR 2017 MAY

5 6 7 19/20 20

Whole School Athletics Carnival PLC Armidale 130th Celebration Ball Whole School Mothers’ Day Brunch Boarding Schools’ Expo - Dubbo Armidale Eisteddfod commences

JUNE

2

Boarding Schools’ Expo – Coffs Harbour

JULY

19 Starry Night of Languages 28/29 Boarding Schools’ Expo - Tamworth 28/29 IGSSA Hockey & Netball – Trip 1 to Sydney

Alison Dare

Peter Le Surf

Kirsten Hey

Stephanie Belson

Michelle Power

Suzanne Dowling

Gerry Vanzella

AUGUST

11/12 11/12 16/17 22-24 25/26

Colin Buchanan Concerts College Council weekend IGSSA Athletics - Sydney Agquip - Gunnedah IGSSA Hockey & Netball – Trip 2 to Sydney

SEPTEMBER

1 1 2 8

Grandparents’ Day Starry Night of Music Year 12 Formal Year 7 Experience Day

In addition, PLC Armidale welcomes Kylie Nyssen as the new Executive Assistant, and Nonni Vasiliev as the new Administative Assistant in the Development and Enrolments team. Kylie commences her role on 1 June, and Nonni on 19 June. We also welcome new Boarding House Mother, Mrs Alison Spencer and duty mistresses: Amy Chiu, Cara Fang, Tanea Bower, Joanne Anugerah, Desiree King, Lydia Kelly and Olivia Freeman.

We warmly welcome all new staff!

OCTOBER

10 12 20-22 21 21 30

HSC commences ISHE event in Tamworth Old Girls’ Weekend Celebratory “Long Lunch” at PLC Armidale 130 year Anniversary – combined event AHIGS Speech & Drama Starry Night of Drama

NOVEMBER

4 9-11 28

Starry Night of Sport PLC Performs production of The Sound of Music Annual String Soiree

DECEMBER

5 6 7

Carols Service Annual Speech Day Guild Drama

For further information regarding these events, please contact Mrs Shona Eichorn, Director of Development on 6770 1733 or email development@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au For all other significant dates, please check the PLC Armidale website www.plcarmidale. nsw.edu.au or our Facebook page.

Congratulations

to Lucy (Old Girl and Staff member) and Trent Donaldson on the birth of Thomas Jock on March 23.

From the Editor The PLC Armidale Green Tartan is produced bi-annually by PLC Armidale. Any interesting articles or relevant information are always most welcome. For further information regarding events or other significant dates, please contact Director of Development, Mrs Shona Eichorn on development@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au or phone 02 6770 1700.

Photography: School staff, parents and students have taken most of the photos featured in this publication, along with professional photographers David Doyle and Stephane L'hostis.

Design: Bronwyn Grills Cover Photo: L to R: Junior School students Elsie Wake, Isabella Mackay and Lily Person ejoying UNE 'Science Discovery Day' at PLC Armidale in Term 1.

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL Good stories inspire but great stories about real people and real accomplishments are truly inspirational. In any organisation, a milestone year provides an opportunity to tell its story. For PLC Armidale, 2017 sees us commemorating 130 years of all girls, quality education in the New England region.

The story is well told of Mrs Spashatt, the young widow whose doctor husband died leaving her with four little girls to take care of.

With few other options before her, Mrs Spashatt decided to open a “Ladies School” which with various changes of ownership, name, location and leadership has become what PLC Armidale is today, a leading school for girls from Pre-Kinder to Year 12.

As an all girls school, we celebrate the uniqueness of women and the contributions they make and have made over generations.

Telling the story of pioneering women, their struggles and successes provides inspiration for girls to overcome challenge, pursue a big idea, or simply have a go. Habits of mind we are actively seeking to instill in our PLC Armidale girls.

Some stories are well known of women who led the way. Stories such as that of Emmaline Pankhurst who led the suffragette movement securing the vote for women, scientist Marie Curie Nobel Peace Prize Winner for her work on radiation or Amelia Earhart, the first women to fly solo across the Atlantic.

Other stories are lesser known but of importance and impact such as Dr June McCarroll who 100 years ago campaigned successfully for centre lanes on roadways, or Victoria Woodhull the first women to open a Wall Street brockerage firm and run for President of the United States, or Christine Lagarde appointed managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

PLC Armidale has its own stories to tell of inspirational women.

We do this each year through the Valedictory Address and Inspire program, both of which allow Alumni to return to the College and connect with our current inspirational students. In 2017 we are celebrating the past, but also shaping and influencing the future.

PLC Armidale is not afraid of doing hard things, of pioneering and taking the lead. Of holding securely to its traditions, whilst being innovative and strategic in planning for the future.

Mrs Nicola Taylor Principal, PLC Armidale

PLC Armidale Year 10 girls kindly assisted PLC Past Parent and Staff Member, Nannette Peatfield with the Legacy Torchbearers recent fundraiser at the Belgrave Cinema earlier this month.

L to R: Laris Cleal, Ella Atkin, Finn Barr, Isobel Harris, Grace Lehman and Gracie Martin.

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OUR EVENTS

Speech Day 2016, with special guest speaker, Catherine Armitage, Fairfax journalist and PLC Armidale Old Girl (1979).

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SPEECH DAY 2016 PRIZE LIST YEAR 7 Georgia DONOGHUE Academic Distinction

Eva GOSWELL

Academic Distinction

Julia CHAMBERS

Academic Distinction

Gabriella PARSONS Academic Distinction

Lucy QUAST

Rachael KENRICK

Verna Stewart Community Service Award

Annabel SEVIL

YEAR 11

Academic Distinction Academic Distinction

YEAR 8 Lucinda BALL

Academic Distinction

Thurkka JEYAKUMAR

Middleton Public Speaking Award Years 7-10 Academic Distinction

Aaliyah JOHNSTON

PLC Staff Association Prize for SRC Representation

Jessica LI

Academic Distinction

Chloe VANDERWOLF Academic Distinction

YEAR 9 Isla BIFFIN

Academic Distinction

Holly BUTLER

Academic Distinction

Ria KEALEY

The English Faculty Poet Laureate Award

Gracen MOORE

Taylor Routley Memorial Prize for Fiction - Junior Secondary Academic Distinction

Emma PEARCE

Academic Distinction

YEAR 10 Sarah ASKEY

Blanch Cup for outstanding ability and contribution to Sport in the Junior Secondary School Academic Distinction

Georgia BRECKENRIDGE

Rao Year 10 All Rounder Award Australian Defence Force Leadership Award Year 10 Academic Distinction

Darcy CAMPBELL

Zonta Prize for Excellence in Mathematics, Science or IT Year 10 Jean Mitchell Year 10 History Prize Armidale Quota Club Prize for Citizenship Taylor Routley Memorial Prize for Fiction - Senior Secondary Academic Distinction

Emma BARNIER-MERZLIAKOV

Lifesaving Award (Sponsored by Alyssa Goode)

Kate BIDDLE

Academic Distinction

Jessica CHAMBERS

Armidale Regional Council Citizenship Award (Senior School) Academic Distinction

Alison CHAPMAN

Academic Distinction

Anna FINNEY

Academic Distinction

Georgina HEBBLEWHITE

The University of Newcastle Faculty of Science and Information Technology Year 11 Highly Commended Award for High Achievement in Chemistry and Physics Academic Distinction

Alex HISCOX

Academic Distinction

Ragavi JEYAKUMAR

Prize for Mathematics Extension 1 Prize for Mathematics Extension 2 Beattie Prize for Research Skills in Modern History The University of Newcastle Faculty of Science and Information Technology Year 11 Excellence Award for Excellence in Chemistry and Physics Academic Distinction

Gabriella PARSONS

Award for Excellence and Creativity in Visual Arts and Design Professor John Burton Memorial Prize for Science

Emma RANCK

SportUNE Spirit in Sport Award

Brianna ROBERTSON

Treadgold Award for Public Speaking

YEAR 12

Zoe SWAN

Clare ASKEY

Prize for Economics Prize for PDHPE Feros Cup for All-round ability Academic and Sporting Academic Distinction McIntosh Cup for Most Consistent Effort in Sport

Madeline ATKIN

Prize for Design and Technology Zonta Club of Armidale Prize for Leadership Birida Cup for Deputy Head Prefect

Sophia BOHLSEN

Prize for Visual Arts (shared)

Georgina CORNALL

Beattie Prize for Critical Thinking Skills in Modern History University of New England ViceChancellor’s High Achievement Prize Academic Distinction

Sophie GIBSON

Rosemary Leitch Language Prize

Syrana GLENN

Prize for Music Extension

Annaliese HARRINGTON

Prize for Geography Prize for Mathematics Prize for Physics (Gift of Professor C Sholl) Reuben F Scarf Award for commitment (for consistent effort and desire to improve Academic Distinction Dorothy Seaton Sports Prefect Award

PLC P&F Prize for a Boarder who has made a significant contribution to the Boarding House Bonnefin Cup for Consistent AllRound Effort

Jessica TAN

Prize for Music 1 Alexandria Ada Lam Prize for Choir – Senior School Presbyterian Church of Australia, NSW for Christian Leadership in the Senior School Strahle Award for significant contribution to the School

Laura TINDALE

Prize for Biology Prize for Mathematics General Armidale-Dumaresq Lion’s Club Award for commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme

Genevieve WALSH

Prize for Ancient History Prize for English Advanced Prize for English Extension 1 Prize for Modern History Caltex All-Rounder Year 12 Award Tregurtha Prize for Leadership Australian Defence Force Leadership Award Year 12 Academic Distinction Morse Cup for the Head Prefect

SPECIAL AWARDS Year 10

Social Service Award

Rebecca MARQUARDT

Forrest Guild

Emma O’DONOGHUE

Madison MOAR

The Guild Debating Cup

Prize for English Standard Prize for Chemistry Stanton Science Prize for Special Ability University of Newcastle Year 12 Award for Academic Excellence Academic Distinction Purkiss Cup and Prize for Dux of School (Gift of PLC and Hilton Old Girls’ Union)

Dorothy Knox Prize for the best HSC result for 2015

Emma O’DONOGHUE

Purkiss Cup and Prize for Dux of the School (Gift of PLC & Hilton Old Girls’ Union)

Sara PERRY

Prize for Business Studies Prize for English Extension 2

Isabella POST

Prize for Music 2 The Hutton Family Award for the girl who demonstrates courage, determination, perseverance and resilience

Mimi RAYMER

Prize for Visual Arts (shared)

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OUR EVENTS & COMMUNITY

Autumn Festival The inclement weather at this year’s annual Armidale Autumn Festival parade certainly didn’t dampen the spirits nor enthusiasm of the PLC Armidale girls and staff. In fact, PLC Armidale was by far the largest school contingent represented in this year’s parade, many others even withdrawing from participating due to the rain.

PLC Armidale hosts

Colin Buchanan A LIVE CONCERT

FOR CHILDREN

Friday 11 August 2pm TICKETS $8 EACH PLC ASTRA ARTS CENTRE / GYMNASIUM

BOOK AT: HTTPS://WWW.TRYBOOKING.COM/QFQK ENQUIRIES: development@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

OUR PATHWAYS

PLC PATHWAYS

If you lived amongst the relentless energy and busyness of an Asian megacity, where else would you send your daughter to learn English in a premium quality environment but PLC Armidale? The benefits are evident; we have a spacious, beautiful and safe physical environment and a long history of delivering high quality education in a girls-only environment.

Our Pathways program is a specially developed course of intensive English for overseas students specifically tailored to prepare girls to thrive in an Australian school setting by targeting both the academic language required for success in study as well as a deep cultural understanding of the way Australians view the world. At the start of the year, we launched this program with our very first international students, and the numbers have quickly increased as overseas families become aware of this unique opportunity for their daughters.

We have also been richly blessed by the willingness of our Pathways’ girls to get involved and share their culture and experiences with us. There will be ample opportunities in the future to experience some of the insights and talents that these girls bring to our community.

Chris Spencer Director of PLC Pathways

Colin Buchanan

Calvary Road Singer/Songwriter Show

Saturday 12 August 7pm A ticketed concert for the New England community

TICKE

TS: [pri ce] Type tim TICKETS $20 PER PERSON (light refreshments available) e here, T ype d

PLC ASTRA ARTS CENTRE

1 st line ve

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nue, 2 nd 3 rd line ve line venue, nue

BOOK AT: HTTPS://WWW.TRYBOOKING.COM/QFQR ENQUIRIES: development@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au G R E E N TA RTA N • AUT UM N 2 017

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AROUND OUR SENIOR SCHOOL

Celebrating International Women's Day at PLC Armidale!

UNE Science and Engineering Day Years 9 and 10 students attended the UNE Science and Engineering day last term, where they divided into eight groups that each participated in a different STEM activity. Two hundred high school students from around the region also participated in the activities which included bridge building, catapults, helter shelter, flat pack, confounding communications, grasping at straws and mission to Mars. PLC Armidale came second out of all the schools ‌ a great achievement.

Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs Award Congratulations to Jessica Chambers and Alison Chapman who received the Zonta Young Women in Public Affairs award. Jessica received 1st place in the Armidale District and Alison Chapman runner-up. The award was based on a combination of participation in Community Service, Youth Leadership and Advocacy for Women's Rights.

As a part of the application process, the girls were required to respond to questions about their leadership experience, involvement in school, local and international communities, social service involvements, personal merits and their thoughts on women in the wider world.

They were then both interviewed by members of Zonta.

Jessica and Alison were invited to attend a Zonta meeting where they were asked to deliver a short presentation on a topic of their choice inspired by their applications. Both girls spoke on equality topics that have personal meaning to them.

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2017 Lions Youth of the Year District Final Win for Ragavi PLC Head Prefect Ragavi Jeyakumar has won the overall prize at the District Final of the 2017 Lions Youth of the Year contest, from a strong field of contestants in Coffs Harbour in March. Ragavi spoke with poise and gravitas in front of an audience of over 80.

Having already won the local Club Final, Regional Final and now the District Final, Ragavi then participated in the NSW State Final in Forbes in the holidays, and whilst she did not come first, she performed exceptionally well. Congratulations Ragavi, you are the pride of PLC!

AROUND OUR JUNIOR SCHOOL

Colour for a Cure

PLC Junior School hosted a Colour for a Cure fundraising event in Term 1 which was a very colourful and fun event for all and raised almost $1000 to assist Camp Quality and the Cancer Council.

UNE Science Discovery Project – launched at PLC Armidale Junior School

Science Discovery UNE designed and delivered engaging, hands on experiences for our girls last term in subjects relating to STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). The Junior School Library was transformed to allow students from each grade to participate in lessons facilitated by trained educators based on the following topics: Ants; Pollination, and Palaeontology.

National Primary Games

During the April holidays, the Year 5/6 Hockey team participated in the annual National Primary Games conducted by the Northern Inland Academy of Sport in Tamworth. This was an opportunity for the girls to play against teams from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney. The team included: Chelsea Waters, Keira Peet, Alice Bourne, Holly Dauparas, Neve Daugherty, Laura Smitham, Catherine Alcorn, Jenna Marquardt and Maggie Ryan. The team played eight games at the Tamworth Hockey Centre, winning four and displaying exemplary sports-womanship and team spirit in each and every game.

Myuna Bay Excursion

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OUR DRAMA

GUILD DRAMA Guild Drama is heralded as the highlight of the year and the all student scripted, choreographed, produced and performed drama performance involves every single student from Kindergarten to Year 11 in each of the four Guilds: Wentworth, Macquarie, Gregory and Forrest.

For the uninitiated, each Guild is provided the same topic, which in 2016 was “The Time Machine Doesn’t Work”.

During Term 4, the students then craft a script, organise the set, the props, the music, the choreography and each girl is allocated a role in the twenty- minute performance. Each Guild’s performance is watched by a packed audience of students, parents, staff and family, is judged by independent adjudicators and the winning Guild is awarded the special Guild Drama trophy, which in 2016 again went to Forrest Guild for the third consecutive year.

Guild Drama at PLC Armidale was established in 1977, so in 2017, the College’s 130th year, the Guild Drama event will celebrate forty years of showcasing girls’ talent and innovation. It will be an extra special event! So why not put that special event in your diary – Thursday 7 December!

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OUR EXCURSIONS

we

our school excursions!

Year 7

You're invited to a

Experience Day

FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2017 Your opportunity to see for yourself how girls flourish at PLC Armidale

BLOSSOM FOR A DAY, FLOURISH FOR A SEASON OF SCHOOLING RSVP enrolments@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au by Friday 1 September 2017

OUR SUCCESS H S C R E S U LT S I am pleased to present to you a summary of our Class of 2016 Higher School Certificate results. The results reflect the unity and uniqueness which characterised this small, yet very capable cohort. The achievement of the girls both individually and collectively within each course exemplify the culture of learning at the College where girls are encouraged to strive, achieve, excel.

Each year, a leading Sydney newspaper publishes a list of the top 150 schools in the State. Inclusion on this list is based upon the ‘success’ rate of individual schools. In turn, success in this context is defined as the number of high scores (Band 6, mark over 90 or equivalent) expressed as a percentage of the total number of examinations sat at the school (not including subjects studied through combined lines or Distance Education).

A search for PLC Armidale on this ‘Honour Roll’ list would prove futile – not because of a lack of high scores, but because the list only includes schools where more than 150 individual examinations have been completed. Our small Year 12, 2016 cohort size meant that 126 examination papers were sat at the College. Of this, 15 were high scores yielding a success rate of 11.90% placing PLC Armidale within the top 130 schools in the State.

A comparative search of this site would show that this success rate of 11.90% was the highest by far of the Secondary schools in Armidale, with the next closest school having a success rate of 5.19%.

In summary, the high score results (Band 6 or equivalent) were achieved by 36% of our cohort across eleven separate courses taught at the College. In addition, 80% of the Class of 2016 achieved a Band 5 (mark over 80) result in at least one subject.

You may be aware that ATARs (issued by the University Admissions Centre) are not made directly available to schools so we are still hearing back from the girls. However, we are delighted to announce the following.

is very proud of a cohort of well-rounded individuals who have enriched the school community enormously with their vitality, dedication and consideration of others, attributes which will serve them well in the years ahead.

On behalf of the staff, I would like to wish all members of the College community a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs Nicola Taylor Principal

PLC Armidale students achieving in these bands (%)

Students in State achieving in the same bands (%)

Ancient History Band 5

43

30.68

Chemistry Band 5

57

40.94

Design & Technology Band 5

50

40.80

English Advanced Bands 5 & 6

69

61.92

Geography Bands 5 & 6

100

40.93

Mathematics Extension 1 Bands E4 & E3

100

79.37

Mathematics Extension 2 Bands E4 & E3

100

85.34

Modern History Bands 5 & 6

83

40.84

Music 1 Band 6

100

18.41

Music 2 Band 5

100

89.53

Music Extension Band E2

100

99.55

PDHPE Band 6

29

11.1

Physics Band 5

50

29.94

Visual Arts Band 5

100

54.48

Congratulations to Annaliese Harrington who achieved an ATAR of 96.45.

Huge congratulations to the following students who also attained an ATAR over 90: Emma O’Donoghue, Genevieve Walsh, Georgina Cornall and Clare Askey.

Congratulations also to Syrana Glenn whose independent performance was selected for inclusion in a showcase of HSC Music major works at the Glasshouse, Port Macquarie early in 2017.

Recording high bands of achievement is one measure of success. However, at PLC Armidale success is defined not just by high marks, but also the academic growth of each student, consistent application yielding a personal best or persevering through adversity, which for some is a measure of lasting success.

The course results are a credit to the Class of 2016 and their consistent effort throughout the HSC program. The support of family and friends is invaluable throughout the rigours of the HSC marathon. Thank you also to the PLC Armidale teaching staff for their commitment to creating a strong culture of learning and student engagement across all the years of school which provides invaluable preparation for Year 12.

The Class of 2016 will be remembered for their generous contributions to the wider life of the College and their connection to students across the various year groups. They have shown exemplary leadership skills and honed their individual talents to achieve very pleasing results. The College

Anneliese Harrington

12

Emma O’Donoghue

Genevieve Walsh

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Georgina Cornall

Clare Askey

Subject

OUR BOARDING

our

BOARDING From participation in weekly Park Runs, a weekend at the Beach, to Master Chef competitions, school socials with TAS and NEGS, going to the movies, exhibiting at various local shows and competing in musical and sporting competitions, our Boarders have not been idol.

Our 2017 Boarders' Representative Council includes: Pollyanna MacIntyre - Coonamble (Year 7); Annabel Sevil -Willow Tree (Year 8); Paris Whibley – Moree (Year 9); Katie MacDougall- Scone (Year 10); Gabrielle Parsons – Deepwater (Year 11); Isobel Moore - Deputy Boarding House Captain - Coolah (Year 12); and Boarding House Captain, Lucy McDonald–Yamba (Year 12).

The group has been instrumental in initiating numerous activities and initiatives for Boarders, including our growing number of Pathways girls and International students.

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OUR SPORT

Whole School Athletics Carnival

Whole School

SWIMMING carnival

The sky was blue and the grass was green and a light breeze blew across the grounds – we could not have asked for a better day for the Whole School Athletics Carnival, despite the late change to the venue at Harris Park.

AGE CHAMPIONS FOR 2017

13 years Isabella Watts

AGE CHAMPIONS FOR 2017

8 years

Anais Dettwiler

14 years Imogen Dellow

9 years

Sophie Young

15 years Charlotte Caldwell

Name

Age Guild

10 years Scarlett Loxley

16 years Gracie Martin

Isabella McKay Abigail Thompson Maggie Ryan Emily Thompson Cecilia Greig Heidi Martin Lilly McCook Lucy Martin Mia Emanuel Helen Waters Anna Finney

9 10 11 12 Junior 12 Senior 13 14 15 16 17 18+

11 years Sienna Dellow

17 years Mackenzie Wood

12 years (Junior) Lucy Young

18+ years Emma Barnier Merzliakov

Forrest Gregory Wentworth Gregory Wentworth Gregory Wentworth Gregory Macquarie Wentworth Macquarie

The winning Guild for the event was Wentworth, who also won the War Cries.

12 years (Senior) Cecilia Greig

It was an enjoyable day of competition with records falling both on the track and in the field.

Final Guild Points included: 1st Macquarie

1512

2nd Wentworth 1382

3rd Gregory

1181

4th Forrest

1177

Congratulations Macquarie Guild, and congratulations to Forrest Guild for winning the traditional March Past which was an absolute spectacle as always.

Whole School

Cross Country Carnival

– what a wonderful way to end Term 1.

The courses were set and the children were excited. The conditions allowed the girls to compete at their own pace.

The serious runners could run without the possibility of heat exhaustion while the walkers could enjoy a pleasant day out.

SENIOR SCHOOL

JUNIOR SCHOOL

12 years - Maddison McCook

4-5 years – Evie Donaldson

13 years – Isabella Watts

6 years – Eleanor McKnight

14 years – Lily McCook

7 years – Kate Loxley

15 years – Isabelle Taylor

8 years – Anais Dettwiler

16 years – Safina Ireland

9 years – Macey Wake

17 years – Sarah Tremont

10 years -Chelsea Waters

18 years – Tara Price

11 years – Sienna Dellow 12 years – Poppy Broun

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Soccer A very enthusiastic PLC Armidale Football (Soccer) team took to the pitch in the NCIS Football competition played at TAS in very wet conditions last term, under the guidance of coach, Mr Brian Shaw.

They all played admirably, finishing second in their Pool, after a convincing win over the TAS girls, and a narrow loss to Emmanuel College from Ballina.

The girls were complimented on their fine display of football skills, sports-womanship and passionate play. The team are now participating in the main Armidale District Football Association competition. The team placed third overall at the Carnival.

OUR SPORT

Winter Sports are now in full swing, with nine Hockey and ten Netball teams in the respective local competitions. The Junior and Senior representative Hockey and Netball teams are training hard at skill development, team play and fitness, to be ready to compete in the IGSSA competition which commences in late July, in Sydney.

Representative Sport Athletics

Year 7 student Bella Watts is making her mark in her first year at PLC Armidale, not only is Bella a member of the PLC Soccer team and Chess team (featured on this page), but she is also a talented track athlete. Last month, Bella competed at the National Athletics Championships where she came 21st overall in the 200m and 16th overall in her more favoured 400m event. An amazing accomplishment.

She, along with Year 10 student from Glen Innes, Gracie Martin had also competed earlier in the year at the NSW Track & Field Country Championships in Dubbo, then at the NSW Junior Athletics Championships.

Year 6 student, Sienna Dellow, is another fine up and coming athlete to watch out for! Sienna, is one of a growing number of PLC Armidale girls who are members of the Armidale Athletics Association, who train with Jay Stone, in the Vipers Squad. She has also been setting and breaking records in practically every Athletics meet she attends.

Tildesley Tennis In March, a representative tennis team competed in the Tildesley Tennis Competition, one of the longest running IGSSA competitions and possibly one of the largest participation tournaments in Australia. The girls are not playing for prize money or national ranking points, they are just playing for school pride, as clearly evidenced by our mighty PLC Armidale team.

The team consisted of: Kiera Shaw (Captain), Emma Ranck, Tara Price, Sarah Miron, Charlotte Caldwell and Mackenzie Constable. The girls had trained hard and played exceptionally well, showing great sportsmanship and fighting spirit against some very tough opposition, but did not unfortunately progress past the third round. A very admirable achievement.

This Term, a number of girls participated in the IGSSA Cross Country held at Frensham in the Southern Highlands and a much larger contingent will compete in the IGSSA Athletics to be held in Sydney in Term 3.

NEWSFLASH... After a lengthy selection process, involving

Hockey

Five PLC Armidale students are among the many ADNA Armidale & District Netball Association representative teams this year.

Congratulations to Amber Vickery, Sharnika Hammond, Sophia Grant, Madelaine George and Lucy Young. Year 7 student, Lucy Caldwell is also representing Glen Innes Netball.

Mia Emmanuel (Year 10), Sarah Askey (Year 11) and Chelsea Thornton (Year 9) are names synonymous with representative Hockey both at PLC Armidale and the wider region. During late April, Sarah and Mia competed in Hobart at the National Under 18 Hockey Championships with the NSW Blues team. Having one PLC Armidale girl selected in this hotly contested team is fantastic; having two in the team was absolutely brilliant. The team finished third in their pool at Nationals in Hobart. Both Sarah and Mia have been part of the Hockey NSW Accelerated Athlete program this year and both have now been selected as members of the Hockey NSW Performance Squad to participate in an elite athlete training program. Despite being one of the youngest members in the Under 18 team, Mia was also named as the Goal Keeper in the CIS Hockey side to compete at the All Schools Carnival on May 21.

Year 9 student, Chelsea Thornton played for the NSW U13 team at the National Indoor Hockey Championships in Wollongong last term. She then also participated in the U15 Blues NSW Hockey side (Outdoor) who competed in the National Championships, held in Moorebank Sydney last holidays.

CHESS tournament at TAS

For the first time in a long time, PLC Armidale gathered a Chess team which then participated in the Chess Tournament held at TAS. The girls certainly held their own, competing against schools from all over Northern NSW.

IGSSA trials, CIS trials and All Schools trials, Mia was selected as the goalkeeper for the NSW All Schools hockey team to compete at the Pacific Games in Adelaide in December. An outstanding achievement.

Congratulations Mia!

Netball

PLC Armidale also has students in the 2017 NIAS Netball Squad – Year 10 student, Mia Tindale and Year 8 student, Sophia Grant.

Congratulations girls!

Swimming

PLC Armidale sent a team of girls to compete in both the highly competitive IGSSA and IPSHA Swimming events at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre in Term 1. It was an exciting experience for all, with a lot of Personal Bests achieved. Special congratulations to Mia Emmanuel, Cecilia Grieg and Lily McCook on their efforts at IGSSA.

Gymnastics

Year 12 Student Emma Barnier-Merzliakov, who has participated in many Gymnastics representative competitions in her time at PLC Armidale, last holidays competed in the State Gymnastics Championships in Sydney, finishing with a very admirable 5th in the Floor event.

NIAS / PLC Armidale Community Partnership

It is not often that PLC Armidale coaches have the opportunity to hear from, and workshop with, High Performance Coaches across a variety of sports. As part of the benefit of having a community partnership with the Northern Inland Academy of Sport, PLC Armidale Sports Coaches and staff were invited to attend a specialised Coach Education Workshop event, held at PLC Armidale last term.

There was a series of small discussion group with experts in the fields of: Nutrition, Sports Psychology, Physiotherapy, Coaching expectations, as well, Daniel Burgess, from Melbourne, who presented on Leadership and Adrian Grey on Clinical Testing. This expert knowledge is now being passed on to our other PLC Armidale coaches and students.

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OUR MUSIC tion of

Produc

T h e Sound of Music The Sound of Music is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. It is based on the memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.

Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun.

She falls in love with the children, and eventually their widowed father, Captain von Trapp. He is ordered to accept a commission in the German navy, but he opposes the Nazis. He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children.

PERFORMANCES

Thursday 9th November 2017 7.30pm Friday 10th November 2017 7.30pm Saturday 11th November 2017 2.00pm, 7.30pm VENUE UNE

Arts Theatre

Music Achievements Congratulations to all the girls who were involved in Gondwana National Choral School in the holidays. The two-week intensive event brings together about three hundred of Australia’s finest choral singers to work with Australian and International leading conductors. To have eight girls from PLC Armidale at this event is remarkable, and reflects the high standard of choral singing in both our College and the wider community.

Congratulations to the following girls: Isabelle Taylor, Lucy Quast, Jessica Hughes, Sarah Hughes, Dakotah Love, Gabrielle Cotterell, and past students Jessica Tan and Lily Nielson.

In January, Year 10 student Isla Biffin attended the prestigious Australian Youth Orchestra National Music Camp.

This camp is something of a rite of passage for emerging professional Australian Orchestral musicians. Most of the students are at University studying full time degrees in performance. It is an absolute honour for Isla to be selected for this extraordinary event and we are very proud of her impressive achievements. Isla is one of Australia’s leading young harpists.

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Our

Music The Eisteddfod is here!

PLC Armidale has entered 34 ensembles competing in the Armidale Eisteddfod this year across three weeks of competition. All elective students are competing in the composition championships, and many students are performing individually and in duets. It will be a busy time for many families! For those who were fortunate enough to attend this term’s PLC Performs concert, which was a preview showcase of the musical performances (a warm up for the Eisteddfod), the calibre, depth and variety of musical talents at PLC Armidale was simply outstanding. Our Senior Strings will also be competing in the Sydney Eisteddfod on 1 June. We wish all girls the best of luck and success in their preparations and performances throughout the competition.

Put these dates in your diary!

More details will be available soon.

OUR ADVENTURERS

Duke of

Edinburgh Life is a lot like hiking at night. You need to keep your eyes on the trail and focus on the direction that you are going. It is important to check your map and if the conditions are challenging, just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will make it through anything. Your head torch is like your goal and leads you along the path to the end.

I am always impressed at the strength of character our Duke of Ed girls display when on their expeditions. Being away from the comforts and security of home, out in the bush without any technological connection to the rest of the world; carrying heavy packs with all the equipment, food and water that they need for multiple days of hiking and camping; soldiering on with incredible blisters and aching muscles and managing to laugh and look after everyone else; digging deep to find an inner strength that they didn’t know they had when the going gets tough and the easy option would be to quit. I know that having gone through these challenging experiences that they will have the courage to step outside of their comfort zone and achieve anything they set their heart and mind to and will be able to cope with anything that life throws their way.

Congratulations to Dakotah Love, Sarah Evans and Alex Hiscox in Year 12 and Sarah Tremont in Year 11 on completing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh adventurous journey, following the Great North Walk expedition last holidays.

Congratulations also to Aisha Kliendienst, Emma Pearce, Mackenzie Constable and Gracen Moore in Year 10, who made an enormous leap from their last expedition to their first Silver hike (actually being Gold in length and challenge level)!

Anna Caldwell, Duke of Ed Co-ordinator

AND … A very hearty congratulations to Mrs Anna Caldwell, Head of Senior School and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award leader along with all our Duke of Edinburgh award participants. PLC Armidale was recently recognized as being in the top 100 of nearly 1000 registered providers internationally. This outstanding result is determined by the number of girls registering and receiving awards through the College. Well done to all.

In print & online. ( 0 2 ) 676 6 3 6 27 w w w.newenglandliving.com.au

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OUR CLUBS & TEAMS

Cattle Team

Throughout Term 1 our dedicated Cattle team members, along with Co-ordinators, Tim and Briony, participated in a local agricultural show almost every weekend - Tenterfield, Guyra, Glen Innes, Armidale, Walcha, Warialda, Inverell. The enthusiastic team consists of: Laura Hayes, Emily Peet, Lucy Wright, Isabelle Leitch, Molly Trindall, Annabel Finemore, Temicka Seagrave, Lily Coleman, and Paris Whibley. Throughout the Show circuit they showed, judged, lead, paraded and cared for the cattle, as well as judged sheep meat, wool, and stock horses, winning quite a number of ribbons along the way. The girls are now preparing to take on the Ekka (Qld Royal Agricultural Show) in Brisbane, in mid August where they will spend a week at the exhibition. Good luck girls!

Equestrian Team

Our Equestrian team – watch out for our girls again participating in the North-West Equestrian Expo at Coonabarabran, in one of the largest PLC Armidale Equestrian teams ever assembled. Their competition runs over a number of days with various equine disciplines commencing on Friday 2 June. A number of the girls will also be participating in the ISHE (Interschools Horse Extravaganza) event in Tamworth in October. Watch out for them at the ALEC Arena.

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th

our

OUR ANNIVERSARY

year

Celebration Ball PLC Armidale shone in Diamonds, Pearls and Rubies (ie. 60 + 40 + 30 = 130 years) in more ways than one! Around two hundred past, present and prospective families enjoyed the delicious meal provided by PLC Armidale parent, Amanda Kennett and her team from Food Sense, and danced the night away to our sensational band from Sydney, Whooshka!

Celeb ry r ato

TH E

LONG LUNCH [along Parker Ave, the College main drive]

Saturday 21 October 2017 from 1pm

enjoy a 3 course feast by PRONTO CATERING

and complimentary glass of champagne

$65 per person

CASH BAR AVAILABLE

A combined Friendraising & Fundraising event of the Old Girls' Union, P&F, Foundation and College

BOOK AT trybooking.com using the code: https://www.trybooking.com/PKXE For more details, please contact: Shona Eichorn, Director of Development development@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

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OUR ALUMNI / OLD GIRLS

OLD GIRLS …

WE NEED YOU! In the College’s 130th year, what an outstanding legacy it would be, to be able to offer increased opportunities for girls to attend our amazing school. At a recent lunch of PLC Old Girls, the really strong message I walked away with, was the very passionate conviction of those in attendance about supporting other prospective girls to have the same educational opportunity they had had. This would be by way of a meaningful Scholarship which significantly makes a difference, such as “Adopting a PLC Girl” and contributing substantially toward the cost of their tuition at the College. An increasing number of Old Girls are now sending their own daughters to PLC Armidale, and it would be wonderful to be able to increase the support we provide them too. In so doing, create a legacy and further build a culture amongst the current girls of ‘giving back”. I would love to hear your thoughts and encourage you to email me on: kyliemarjoram@gmail.com

Four generations of the Clift Clan!

L to R: Jill Barber (nee Clift) - graduate, Emily Barber - 2014 graduate, with daughter Grace, Matriach - Helen Clift, Jessica Barber - 2008 graduate, Jodie Maunder (nee Clift) 1981 (Year 10), Rosie Maunder - 2015 graduate.

Commemorative Book – Photos, Recipes and Stories

This book will offer so much more than just another cook book and will be a celebration of the 130th milestone of PLC Armidale.

There is currently an enthusiastic and experienced Committee of four people working on this exciting opportunity for the College, including past parent Lynne Walker (a feature writer), current parent Sarah Burrows (former writer for Vogue Entertaining & Travel magazine), Old Girl Bronwyn Grills (and current PLC Armidale graphic designer) and myself.

The book will showcase a collection of favourite stories and recipes from past and present day, and we are endeavouring to capture the diversity of representation (day/boarding; ages; staff/students; young and old; different cultures) which makes PLC Armidale so culturally rich and unique. It is our aim to have this hard cover book published ready in time for Christmas sales this year, or at least close to it, so time is of the essence now. We understand that through your involvement at PLC Armidale, you will have an item to share and we would love to include it.

So, we are appealing to your sense of adventure, your sense of PLC Armidale pride and your sense of willingness to be involved in something that will be a lasting legacy for the College as it takes centre stage on the coffee tables and kitchens of families in our past, present and future community.

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Please email Shona ASAP at development@ plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au with photos, history, stories recipes.• AU T U MN 2017 GRand/or EEN TARTAN

PLC Armidale Old Girls, together with OGU President (and College Council member) Kylie Alcorn met over lunch at NERAM earlier this year.

PLC Armidale 2017 Reunions Reunion Graduating Organiser/s Year Year

Phone/Email

5 Year

alyssa.goode@hotmail.com

2012

Alyssa Goode

0422 023551

abrissett@plcarmdiale.nsw.edu.au

Millie Brissett

0401 668 387

10 Year

2007

Mika Langdon

m-langdon@hotmail.com

20 Year

1997

Alison Stuart

mrs.a.stuart@gmail.com

25 Year

1992

Danielle Slade

plasticsalmon@yahoo.com.au

0410 523 444

30 Year 1987 Stephanie Lewis

aromaticsbeautytherapy@gmail.com 0418 201 130

(NB. This reunion to be held on September 9/10. Contact Stephanie for all details).

40 Year

1977

TBC

50 Year +

1967 +

Christine Perrott

rahandc@hotmail.com

OUR ALUMNI / OLD GIRLS

VALE Marjorie Dawson (nee Allingham) – 1943 graduate.

Marj passed away peacefully at Ken Thompson Lodge in Armidale in mid-December, 2016.

She had been a stalwart of the PLC Armidale Old Girls’ Union and a big supporter of the College for many years.

Wanda Patch (nee McCallum) – Left in Year 10 (1948)

Wanda passed away in Brisbane on December 21, 2016 after a long illness with cancer.

This is an summary from her eulogy which was delivered at her funeral service on January 13,2017 by her brother-in-law, Graeme Hollands: In 1945, at the age of eleven, Wanda and her twin sister, Nesta, went off to Boarding School at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Armidale, as there was no secondary schools in the Tabulam vicinity. It was at PLC that they became accomplished pianists and tennis players. Wanda excelled academically.

Many of the friends Wanda made at that school literally lasted a lifetime, such was her loyalty to her friends. Wanda described these years as the best years of her life!

Once schooling was completed in 1948, the family moved to Toowoomba, as it offered more opportunities for employment and to further their Tennis careers. Both Wanda and twin sister, Nesta, went on to greater tennis success, culminating with both playing out the final of the Queensland Under 17 Girls’ Singles Championship, where Wanda was defeated by her sister, Nesta.

Wanda’s first job was with the AMP in Toowoomba, and then AMP in Lismore, where she met and made close friendships, including Glenva Blok (nee Noble) (and mother of current PLC Armidale Director of Development, Shona Eichorn, nee Blok) who was later to become her bridesmaid.

Wanda and husband, Gordon, moved to Brisbane after their wedding in Lismore,

where they had three children – David, Benny and Angela. Wanda very much enjoyed people and enjoyed spending time with her children and then three grandchildren.

She was always drawn back to the New England tablelands, and her birthplace, Tenterfield, and visited when she could over the years, including visits to her old school, PLC Armidale.

Editorial Comment: For me, Wanda Patch, was and will always be, “Aunty Wanda”. Growing up, I loved the visits her family and mine shared in either Brisbane or Lismore, and then in the later years when I moved to Armidale to work for NIAS, “Aunty Wanda” and daughter Angela, would call in for a coffee when they wanted to spend time in the Tablelands. I loved the stories about old school days and particularly about her time at PLC Armidale.

So, I have heard stories about PLC Armidale pretty much all my life (along with stories from Mum’s other friends, Helen Allen (nee Larsson – 1964 graduate) and Nancy Stivano (nee Smith, 1962 graduate) ! To me, “Aunty Wanda” has always embodied what my perception of a PLC Armidale girl was ie. humble, caring, loving, genuine, honest, hard-working, friendly, embracing, grounded, community minded with a generous, giving and kind spirit. To think that I now work in the very school which meant so much to “Aunty Wanda” is very special and I will always feel that sense of connection.

I am truly blessed and privileged to have known such a beautiful soul, a woman of true substance and character as my Mum’s friend and mine, “Aunty Wanda”.

Former PLC Armidale Principal, Mr Roderick West Mr West passed away late last year.

In a copy of Mr West’s memoirs, in a work spanning his entire life and very rich career in education, it is impressive that some four pages are given to his reflections of a six month ‘tour of duty’ at PLC Armidale in 2002.

Mr West describes his time at PLC Armidale as being “ a very happy six months where the strength of character of the girls and their parents more than made up for the vagaries of the climate and wool clip. We were greatly impressed by the mothers who would come to fundraising meetings at the school after a morning dipping sheep... Not to mention the heroism displayed in excellent HSC results, fine musical concerts and sporting triumphs”.

Recollections

The Whole School Swimming Carnival held last term carried on the PLC tradition of healthy competition and Guild Spirit. PLC Old Girl, Miss June Mitchell (Class of 1953) remembers in 1949 school swimming at the town pool and ‘house’ competitions which were contested in the spirit of doing your best and having a go.

PLC Armidale was also a regular participant at the Annual Swimming Carnival which was an inter-schools event commencing in 1944. In preparation, swimming practice was held at the town pool every Friday morning before school, including courses in life saving.

The official history of PLC Armidale, “The Common Task” records the school introducing Sporting Colours in 1944 which were awarded each year for Basketball, Athletics, Tennis and Swimming. In 1962, the perseverance and prowess of the PLC Armidale swim team was clearly evident when they won the inter-school swimming carnival for the first time in history, setting four new inter-school records along the way.

Old Girls... where are you?

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OUR P&F

P&F

trivia night

The P&F Committee held their Trivia night fundraiser in Term 1. The night was very successful and made a profit of approx. $5,700. The night couldn’t have been the success it was without the support of many of our wonderful school community donating their time and prizes.

The P&F Committee welcomes any suggestions for events or activities that can help continue to foster our strong school community. For any suggestions please email: pandf@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

HELLO TRAVEL BANK

Go on a holiday and help your school at the same time

helloworld Armidale is pleased to announce a special promotion with PLC P&F Association called Travel Bank. Everytime a member of the School Community (parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, old girls, staff ect) books travel* with helloworld Armidale the PLC P&F Association gets a donation equal to 1% of the total cost (excluding taxes). You’ll recieve the most professional travel service and the best possible holiday value and the school receives extra cash!

helloworld Armidale (02) 6772 1177

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Shop 10, Centro Armidale, 225 Beardy St, Armidale NSW 2060 (02) 6772 9636

armidale@helloworld.com.au

OUR FOUNDATION

Annual Giving 2017

Why give to PLC Armidale?

•

Because you believe in making a difference now and into the future.

•

Because you believe in our mission of educating the successful women of tomorrow in a Christian environment.

•

Because you believe that more girls in regional Australia should be able to access PLC Armidale’s dedicated teachers, life-changing opportunities, and inspiring experiences.

How Giving Benefits our Students Look around our school – everywhere you will see the legacy of generosity and forward thinking. For 130 years PLC Armidale students have benefitted from the time, expertise and financial generosity of others. It shows in our culture of learning, achievement and care for others, in our thoughtfully planned and nurtured school grounds and in the accomplishments of our alumni.

Ways to Give Giving to PLC Armidale through the Foundation is easy. You can make a tax-deductible contribution by cheque, credit card or electronic funds transfer.

You have the option of supporting the capital needs of the school, through the Building Fund, or enabling more high achieving girls to access a PLC Armidale education, through the Scholarship Fund.

Either way you will be making a difference in the lives of PLC Armidale students.

PLC Armidale Foundation Officially established on 20 December 1999, PLC Armidale Foundation exists to support the goals of the College, such as improving building facilities and growing enrolments of high achieving students. It does so by providing a tax-effective entity through which donations to the Building Fund or the Scholarships Fund may be tax deductible for donors. Management of Foundation activities and funds is conducted by a Board of Management elected from the Foundation membership.

Foundation’s strategic priorities for the next 5 years include: •

​continuing to raise funds that support scholarships for high achieving girls;

•

improved communication channels between Foundation and donors; and

•

meeting the needs of donors for connection, friendship and involvement in College life​.

Giving to PLC Armidale is a gift that will last a lifetime.

Name: ________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your Gift!

All donations over $2 are tax deductible. If you would like your gift to be anonymous please tick here ❑ For receipt purposes please mail this form to PLC Armidale, Locked Bag 5, Armidale NSW 2350

I would like to give to the:

❑ Scholarship Fund ❑ $100 ❑ $250

❑ Building Fund ❑ $50 ❑ $500

❑ $350

❑ $ another amount ____________

My payment method is…

❑ EFT ❑ Cheque

BSB 032 607

Scholarship Fund Account Number: 223426 Building Fund Account Number: 128584

Please enclose and return to PLC Armidale Foundation, Locked Bag 5, Armidale, NSW 2350

❑ Credit Card

❑ Visa

❑ Master Card

❑ Amex

Card number: _________________________________ Cardholder’s Name: ____________________________ Signature: ____________________________________ Expiry date: ____ /_____ G R E E N TA RTA N • AUT UM N 2 017

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SUE OF S I T X E N

n a t r a t n gree/ S U M M E R 2017 SPRING

VISIT US AT THE: Boarding Schools’ Expos: COFFS HARBOUR 2 June TAMWORTH 28 & 29 July

and AGQUIP @ Gunnedah 22-24 August Please contact Enrolments Manager, Mrs Sally McCook on 6770 1727 or enrolments@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au

Board ing and A

ll Rounder Scholarships available

ALL GIRLS PRE-KINDER TO YEAR 12 BOARDING FROM YEAR 5

In alliance with PLC SYDNEY