12 minute read
Guild Drama
from Green Tartan
by PLC Armidale
AS THINGS CHANGE
Mrs Nicola Taylor
Advertisement
Principal AFTER THE RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS THAT CHARACTERISED 2020, THE SEMESTER ONE EDITION OF THE GREEN TARTAN IS A SHOWCASE OF PLC ARMIDALE DOING WHAT IT SEEKS TO DO BEST TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES, EXPERIENCES AND CHALLENGES THROUGH WHICH GIRLS GROW AND FLOURISH.
One lesson learned through this season of Covid-19 is the importance of community and the connections forged through shared experiences. Another is the opportunities that arise from challenge and change. Beyond 2020 some change has become the new norm, hygiene and handwashing, sign-ins and screening. Beyond 2020, one thing is certain, change is the new normal.
One of the first changes you may notice in this edition of the Green Tartan, is our brand refresh. A College with a history as lengthy as PLC Armidale, does not let go of its traditions lightly so the features of our logo remain intact - the rampant lion, a symbol of strength and courage, the St Andrew’s Cross signifying the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church, the three stars depicting the College motto “Ad Astra - To The Stars”, the open book uppermost in the shield highlighting the centrality of the written word, the Bible, of truth, of learning. However, some tweaking to colour, line, tone and placement strengthens the significance of the logo and all it represents to the future of the College as well as to its past.
Welcome to our new Head of Senior School, Mr Mitchell Clendinning whose insight, experience commitment to the education of girls matches that of our Head of Junior School, Mrs Fiona Wake.The pages of this Green Tartan highlight once more the collaboration between Junior School and Senior School as staff and students work together to strengthen students learning through the academic endeavour, creative arts, leadership, sports and adventure. Enjoy seeing more of the PLCAdvantage!
Brand Refresh
New Strategic Direction You may have noticed that the PLC Armidale logo is looking slightly different. In 2020, we looked at our brand from all different perspectives and it was decided that a little Brand ‘refresh’ would be just what the College needed moving forward and that it would align with our new Strategic direction. Our tagline was also changed from “Educating Successful Women in a Christian Environment” to simply “Where Girls Flourish”. The change was conducted by a graphic design business, Boheem and is a beautiful representation of PLC Armidale and its mission, values and purpose.
UPDATED PLC ARMIDALE BRANDING WHAT LOGO TO USE
JUNIOR SCHOOL MOTHER’S DAY BREAKFAST
Early in Term 2, our Junior School hosted the annual Mother’s Day breakfast in the Dining Room. Our girls showered their mums with love, affection and gratitude, together with beautifully crafted gifts such as a recipe with ingredients that mums and daughters could cook together at home. Following a delicious breakfast, the Mums joined their daughters for a special Chapel service.
WHOLE SCHOOL RECESS
Throughout Semester 1, every Monday recess was extended to facilitate the whole school gathering together. In Term 1, the Junior School girls went over to the Senior School Rose Garden and had fun with bubbles, skipping ropes and games organised by the big girls. In Term 2, it was the Junior School who hosted recess and the big girls relished the opportunity to play on the swings and climbing equipment and play some football with the little girls. It has been a pleasure to watch the girls build friendships between Senior and Junior girls and showcase the nurturing across the PLC Armidale community from Pre-K to Year 12.
ANZAC DAY 2021
On Sunday 25 April, our student leaders represented PLC Armidale at the town service and laid a wreath on behalf of the College. The following morning, we stood together around the flagpole in the Rose Garden, to pay our respects to those who have served our country during times of conflict and crisis, and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice #LestWeForget
REGIONAL TOUR
PRINCIPAL’S REGIONAL TOUR 1
Over 1200km in three days, one event at a time, visiting and stimulating the economy of our region. Our Principal and Director of Development traversed the diverse New England, North West and Central West regions, meeting with PLC Armidale families - past, present and prospective, on the first Principal’s Regional Tour for the year. “We were encouraged to hear the genuine interest to invest in an all-girls’ education for their daughters, regionally. We experienced such wonderful hospitality in each of the locations we visited and would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to each local business who hosted us,” commented Principal Mrs Nicola Taylor. The next two tours in Term 3 were sadly cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
THE FATHERING PROJECT
Despite the horrendously cold weather and snow, it was wonderful to see so many fathers and father-figures across the Junior and Senior Schools at the launch of our partnership with The Fathering Project. Our PLC Armidale Dads Group is already growing and we look forward to seeing some future father-daughter and PLC Armidale Dads group events!
JUNIOR SCHOOL NEWS
OH WHAT FUN WE HAD!
EARTH DAY PLANTING
Our Junior School playground was a hive of activity in Term 1, when we celebrated Earth Day by planting a small area with native plants, guided by some wonderful volunteers from the Armidale Tree Group. This was the official commencement of a long term Junior School SRC initiative, to restore natural ecosystems, promote local wildlife such as birds, lizards and bees, and reduce carbon emissions within the playground. SRC FUNDRAISER INITIATIVE
Term 2 lunchtimes were fun and action packed, as the SRC raised money for Ronald McDonald House. The Junior SRC developed this initiative from planning, coordinating, communicating, setting and packing up, which involved an internal fete of: Drama skits, a cake sale, fashion parade, elephant stall and face painting. Enabling leadership opportunities from a young age is so important for each girl’s personal growth development. Service leadership at PLC Armidale is actively encouraged, and giving to a worthy cause shows support of others less fortunate than ourselves.
WHERE GIRLS FLOURISH
YEAR 11 I BUSINESS STUDIES MARKETS
During Term 2, our Year 11 Business Studies class organised a series of ‘Market Day Fetes’ at recess as part of their ‘Business Planning’ course. The Junior School playground bustled with staff and students wandering the stalls, admiring and purchasing sweet treats, milkshakes, jewellery and cute little plants. The girls raised $1467.35 for their efforts which they have generously donated to the purchase of a new canoe for use in the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
Whilst our Year 12 students sat their half yearly exams, girls in Years 7-11 participated in their annual excursion program in a variety of locations: Years 7 & 8 enjoyed the sights and sounds of Dubbo; Year 9 loved getting down and dirty at Lake Keepit; Year 10 enjoyed all on offer in the nation’s capital and Year 11 explored nearby Coffs Harbour.WE LOVE
EXCURSIONS...
FRIENDSHIP CONNECT CAMP
The annual Friendship Camp held at Echidna Gully was again another brilliant way for our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders to connect with and encourage all the new Year 7 girls.
THE SCOPE
The latest edition of the student magazine, The Scope, is now available. Congratulations to new Editors, Sarah Waters and Azaria Jones, and their team, on a fabulous job on The Bold issue! Please go to our website to read all about it! UNE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
In Term 1, some of our senior girls competed at University of New England in the annual Science and Engineering Challenge. The girls were presented with communication, bridge engineering, electricity creation and distribution, furniture creation and network challenges.
THE TRADITION CONTINUES
PREFECTS’ AFTERNOON TEA
The young leaders of Armidale gathered in Term 2 for the annual Prefects’ Afternoon Tea, which has been generously hosted by PLC Armidale for over a decade. Over 40 prefects and captains from all Armidale schools: Armidale Secondary College, NEGS, O’Connor Catholic College and TAS were invited by the PLC Armidale prefects to our beautiful campus for the opportunity to connect and share stories and experiences of their leadership journeys. The community of Armidale should be extremely proud of these bright young people.
GOVERNOR GENERAL VISIT
In Term 1, our Head Prefect Lilly McCook and Deputy Head Prefect Esther Eickhoff, had the opportunity to meet and talk with the Governor General His Excellency, the Honourable David Hurley and his wife, Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley. The girls left the event so impressed by His Excellency, the way he leads and his insightful information and quotes on how to be a good leader. Two quotes that really inspired the girls were ‘It takes a team to be a leader’ and ‘It takes an ego to lead but never lead by your ego.’ Wonderful words for our PLC Armidale leaders to aspire to.
IWD QUOTA BREAKFAST
Our student leaders represented PLC Armidale beautifully at the annual Quota International Women’s Day Breakfast held at the Armidale City Bowling Club in March. This year, the girls were treated to an inspiring speech from Rhianna Feenstra (2019 NENW Regional Business Awards - Business of the Year and Young Entrepreneur Award, OCC Graduate). #choosetochallenge From the annual Coast weekend to themed parties for Super Heroes, Red Carpet Ready glamour and a Pyjama party, our boarders were not short of activities to participate in, throughout Semester 2. The girls were also kept entertained with weekend activities such as candle making, crafting and cooking, as well as simply spending time together, building that bond of boarder sisterhood across all year groups.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AGE CHAMPIONS FOR 2021:
8 YEARS Maria UGWAMBA 9 YEARS Evie DONALDSON 10 YEARS Anne UGWAMBA 11 YEARS Kate LOXLEY 12 YEARS (JUNIOR SCHOOL) - Ava NOTLEY 12 YEARS (SENIOR SCHOOL) - Stephanie BLAKE 13 YEARS Emily BLAKE 14 YEARS Scarlett LOXLEY 15 YEARS Chiyo BROWN 16 YEARS Lucy YOUNG 17 YEARS Isabelle PIETERSE 18 YEARS Imogen DELLOW
WILKIE WAS THE WINNING GUILD ON THE DAY AND LOVELL WON THE TRADITIONAL MARCHING
CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL + COLOUR RUN
WELL DONE TO ALL THE COMPETITORS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AGE CHAMPIONS FOR 2021:
7YRS Isabella WYATT 8YRS Lexie KAY 9YRS Evie DONALDSON 10YRS Amelia BELSON 11YRS Kate LOXLEY 12YRS (JUNIOR SCHOOL) - Anais DETTWILER 12YRS (SENIOR SCHOOL) - Stephanie BLAKE 13YRS Sophie BAILEY 14YRS Scarlett LOXLEY 15YRS Chiyo BROWN 16YRS Maya HESS 17YRS Emma DAUPARAS
It was great to be able to again host our carnivals this year, as last year’s Athletics Carnival was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Not 1, not 2, but an incredible 10 records were broken at our 2021 Athletics Carnival. Special congratulations to Evie Donaldson (Year 3) who broke the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and High Jump records in the 9 years age division.
Well done also to our other new record holders: Sienna Dellow (15 years 200m) Scarlett Loxley (14 years 1500m) Chiyo Brown (15 years 3000m) Ava Notley (12-13 years Long Jump) Stephanie Blake (Senior School 12 yrs Long Jump) It’s wonderful that PLC Armidale is located on such amazing acreage that we are able to host the annual Cross Country Carnival on our own campus at the end of Term 1. The afternoon was made even more fun with a splash of colour!
NIAS SELECTIONS
Congratulations to the following girls who have been selected in the Northern Inland Academy of Sport programs for 2021: Jorja Power (Hockey), Jenna Marquardt (Hockey) Emma Dauparas (hockey), Charlotte Baker (Netball), Lily Higgins (Netball), Holly Sheedy (Netball), Mia Montgomery (Rugby).
