Green Tartan Volume 26 Semester 2 / 2021
DIARYDATES JANUARY Staff Day Wicked Camp - Take 2 Boarders Return Welcome Afternoon Tea FEBRUARY School Photo Day Boarders’ Coast Weekend Whole School Swimming Carnival MARCH PLC Armidale’s Production of Wicked Scholarship Exam & Community Open Day Armidale Show and Cattle Team Events
FROM OUR PRINCIPAL IT IS OFTEN THROUGH CHALLENGES THAT WE GROW AND OUR CHARACTERS ARE REFINED. LIKE A DIAMOND WHOSE BRILLIANCE IS REVEALED THROUGH FACETING AND POLISHING - SKILL, CONFIDENCE, AND ACCOMPLISHMENT IN LEARNING SHINE THROUGH WHEN STUDENTS ARE PUT TO THE TEST. The PLC Armidale Green Tartan magazine is produced bi-annually. Any interesting articles, photos or relevant information are always welcome! Photography: College staff, parents and students; Chasing Summer Design: www.creativebygeorge.com.au Cover Photo: Senior School girls on PLC driveway For further information regarding these events or other significant dates, contact Mrs Sam Crick, 02 6770 1700 or communications@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au Presbyterian Ladies’ College Armidale 2350 NSW www.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au For Regular updates, follow our story on our social media pages: 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)
Self-discipline is one of the PLC Armidale core values, a quality of character not always a natural trait, but one, which like a muscle, is strengthened and developed over time. Selfdiscipline comes to the fore in learning, through drill, practice, revision and application leading to mastery. It was on Saturday 7 August, the beginning of Week 4 in Term 3, that Armidale was placed into a snap lockdown due to COVID-19. PLC Armidale commenced Remote Learning for what turned out to be 5 weeks for our Junior School and the remainder of Term 3 for our Senior School.
Mrs Nicola Taylor
Girls and staff were quickly reminded of the self motivation required in Remote Learning which was experienced in 2020. Our teaching staff had a strong learning model of both synchronous and asynchronous lessons which were built upon to create a successful learning experience for the girls. Junior and Senior School learning packs were put together to complement Zoom lessons, regular brain breaks provided screen f ree time and we successfully held our f irst online Trial HSC examinations. Our staff and students are to be commended for the way they
Principal
quickly adapted to the change. A ‘Boarding Bubble’ was adopted to provide safe accommodation for those girls who were unable to go home or to learn f rom home. Bodies were kept moving with Wellbeing Wednesday’s, ensuring that the girls had time to ref resh and recharge and this culminated in a whole school ‘Cloudy Day’ dance which can be viewed on our YouTube channel. In Term 4, we resumed face to face lessons with restrictions in place. A stark contrast to the Term 3 Remote Learning period, PLC Armidale had a number of events to f it into 9 weeks with signature events such as the Valedictory Assembly, Oeuvre and the Starry Night of Creative and Performing Arts which were usually held in Term 3, now rescheduled to Term 4 along with our usual end of year events. It was a busy term, but one we are proud of as we successfully showcased what the girls can achieve, even when faced with the challenges of COVID-19. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the PLC Armidale community, staff, students and families for your continued engagement, support and advocacy of the College. Several comments were received following my Speech Day address where I went through a list of individual and corporate
accomplishments, that if the list represented what could be done in the face of COVID-19 restrictions, imagine what will be accomplished in 2022 when we trust the restrictions have eased and school life returns to a greater degree of normalcy. What a year it has been, but one in which our commitment to know, care for and educate our girls well has highlighted the PLC Armidale advantage – place, people, purpose.
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STAFFNEWS
CHANGES ACROSS CAMPUS Mrs Jan Patterson - at the end of 2021
we farewelled Mrs Jan Patterson who is ending her career as she began. Mrs Patterson commenced as a peripatetic dance, speech and drama teacher at PLC Armidale in 1979, joining the staff as a drama teacher in 1999 taking on many roles and responsibilities since then. We are privileged to have an AMEB Speech and Drama teacher with the quality and calibre of Mrs Patterson and delighted that she returns to PLC Armidale in 2022 in this capacity. Mrs Shirley Tier - a Senior School
Humanities (English/History) teacher is retiring after 28 years of loyal service to the College. Shirley has served as both a classroom teacher and Head of Department. Her love of literature, poetry especially, is renowned and she has instilled this love for literature in the many students she has taught and worked with. Mrs Tier has been an advocate for the student voice to be heard through writing and to this end mentored Thurkka Jeyakumar and Isabelle Taylor (Class of 2020) as they sought to commence the studentled magazine The Scope which has gone from strength to strength since then. Ms Helen Templeton - leaves after 19 years to take up a newly incepted Head of Visual Arts position at St Scholastica’s Glebe. Ms ‘T’ will be remembered for the purple walls of the College often quoted in many Valedictory student addresses. We thank Helen for her service as the specialist Visual Arts teacher.
Mr Peter Le Surf - Due to changed
Mrs Rebecca Eastment - whose main work has been within our Pathways online course ‘Segue’ as well as teaching within the Humanities faculty, is returning to Wollongong as her husband has been appointed to a Christian Ministry role in Sydney. Mr Guy Davidson will continue the ESL support and some teaching within the Pathways program in 2022. Ms Danika Blackburn - after beginning her teaching career at PLC Armidale, Ms Danika Blackburn left PLC Armidale at the end of Term Three to take up a position as Mathematics Teacher at The Cathedral School of St Anne and St James, Townsville. PLC Armidale has been an excellent training ground for early career stage teachers and so it is with genuine excitement for Danika that we wish her well in this new endeavour. Danika was a Year Patron to the 2021 Year 12 students for most of their Senior School years and we thank her for the commitment and pastoral care support she has provided to this cohort. Ms Carolyn Beresford - left PLC
Armidale later this month in order to pursue new opportunities utilising her administration skills and capabilities. Carolyn has been integral to the organisation and smooth operation of the Sports program in the Senior School along with the administrative assistance she has provided. A keen sportswoman herself, Carolyn’s practical involvement with the Hockey and Indoor Hockey program has been valued. We wish Carolyn well in her new endeavour.
operational needs of the College, the organisation and oversight of sport across the College has been reviewed. As a result, the Director of Sport position has been restructured and Mr Peter Le Surf will not be returning to PLC Armidale in 2022. The oversight of sport will be aligned more to the academic and curriculum delivery of the College, much as other co-curricular programs areas are. We thank Mr Le Surf for his commitment to sport and expanding the sporting options available at the College, and wish him well in his future endeavours. Mrs Amanda Burney joined PLC Armidale in Term Four as a Mathematics teacher. Most recently Amanda worked at St Paul’s International College, Bowral having also worked at Frensham, Lauriston Girls’ School, The Alpine School and with a range of Outdoor Education providers. Miss Lauren Duguid joined the
staff of PLC Armidale in Term Four taking up a position of Digital Administration Assistant. Lauren has a background in business, marketing and communications having worked previously in the retail sector. She is working closely with Mrs Samantha Crick on our media and communications and has brought a range of digital skills to the college. Mrs Louise Butterworth took up a
newly incepted position as Senior School Administrative Assistant in Term Four. Working closely with Mr Mitchell Clendinning and other positions of responsibility in the Senior School, Louise will take on a scope of responsibilities similar to that of Mrs Emma Young (Junior School) and Mrs Dina Floros (Whole School). Mr Zachary Clarke - will commence
as an IT Trainee in early January 2022. This is a new position at the College working closely with IT Manager, Mr Chris Estreich. The traineeship affords a school leaver the opportunity for training in a high demand industry.
STAFFNEWS
Ms Jennifer Leahy will be joining the College Executive in 2022 as she takes up a combined leadership role as Chaplain/Head of Boarding supported very ably by Ms Margaret Latham, Deputy Head of Boarding. Mrs Kate Clynch has been promoted to the position of Director of Studies in the Senior School. Kate takes up this newly created role working closely with the Heads of Faculty under the leadership of Mr Mitchell Clendinning, Head of Senior School. Ms Julie Flanagan has been appointed
as the Acting Head of Humanities for 2022. With previous faculty leadership experience to serve her in good stead, Julie’s work in leading the Canvas and Program Specialist project role throughout the year has been appreciated. Mrs Joanne Wysel who has been offered and accepted the position of Pastoral Care Program Specialist in the Senior School. Working closely with Mr Mitchell Clendinning and the Pastoral Care Leadership Team consisting of Mitchell, Ms Jennifer Leahy (Chaplain/Head of Boarding) and Mrs Penny Kempton (Psychologist), the role focuses on the development of a learning framework, scope and sequence and program outline as a valuable Pastoral Care resource for use across the Senior School.
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OUREVENTS
SPEECH DAY
Speech Day was once again disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions and took on a different form in 2021. Instead of having both a Final Assembly and Speech Day, the two events were combined and live streamed to our families who were able to watch from afar. Incorporating elements of the Senior School Final Assembly into Speech Day made visible the learning, effort and accomplishment of girls across the College. Congratulations to all the girls who were awarded prizes and sincere thanks to our guest speaker, Mrs Anna Barwick, who was awarded the PSA 2021 NSW Pharmacist of the Year. Anna shared her story as a rural girl who has achieved great things and inspired them to chase their dreams no matter where they may come from.
Kaylee SWICK - Zonta Prize for Excellence in Maths, Science or Information Technology, ADF Future Innovators Award , Professor John Burton Memorial Prize for Science YEAR 11 Bethany EICKHOFF - PLC Armidale Staff Association Prize for SRC Representation Azaria JONES - Armidale Regional
Council Citizenship Award , Treadgold Award for Public Speaking (Joint Winner) Heidi MARTIN - Beattie Prize for Research
Skills in Modern History Sarah WATERS - Armidale Quota Club Prize for Citizenship , Treadgold Award for Public Speaking (Joint Winner) YEAR 12 Natalie BRENNAN - Presbyterian Church of Australia for Christian Leadership in the Senior School
SPECIAL AWARDS Georgia BUTLER Pearl ROGERS
SPEECH DAY PRIZE LIST 2021 YEAR 9 Scarlett LOXLEY - Alexandria Ada Lam
Prize for Choir - Junior Secondary Ellen MARSDEN - OORALA Indigenous
Achievement Award Alannah WILLIAMS - The English Faculty Poet Laureate Award
at PLC Armidale, The Blanch Cup for Outstanding Ability and Contribution to Sport Harriet GILPIN - Award for Excellence
and Creativity in Visual Arts and Design, “The Scope” Award, Rao Year 10 All-Rounder Award, Office of Adam Marshall MP “Junior Future Leader Award”
(Joint Winners) - Purkiss Cup and Prize for Dux of School (Gift of PLC and Hilton Old Girls’ Union) Thurkka JEYAKUMAR -
Dorothy Knox Matriculant Prize for the highest ATAR in 2020 Social Service Award - PLC Armidale Junior School for their Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser
Samantha MAZZEI - Lifesaving Award YEAR 10
Ella MOODIE - Verna Stewart
Charlotte BAKER - ADF Long Tan
Community Service Award
Leadership Award, Jean Mitchell Year 10 History Prize Chiyo BROWN - Excellence,
Achievement & Contribution to Music Green Tartan - Semester 2 2021 / 7
GUILDDRAMA
GUILD DRAMA
Guild Drama remains a highlight on our PLC Armidale calendar and Guild Drama 2021 certainly did not disappoint. Our Guild Leaders had a tough job trying to rehearse while complying with ever changing COVID-19 restrictions, but the finished product was outstanding. Congratulations to Hamlin for winning both Guild Drama and the Guild Cup.
WHAT A HIGHLIGHT!
GUILDDRAMA
G HAMLIN
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OUREVENTS
CHRISTMAS CAROLS Our signature Nine Lessons & Carols service was planned to have a carols by candlelight feel this year and was to be held outside in our gardens as a sing-a-long event, however the rain meant that we had to quickly change location and move inside to the DKC and livestream to our audiences at home. Each year group performed a carol led by our wonderful Co-Directors of Music, Dr Inga Brasche and Mr Sam Jacometti and the groups were accompanied by a band of friends of the College and some students. The audience were even treated to a staff and community choir rendition of Do You Hear What I Hear.
PRE -K NATIVITY PLAY
VALEDICTORY
Awards
Lani ALMOND
Prize for Business Studies Prize for Hospitality ADF Long Tan Leadership Award McIntosh Cup for Most Consistent Effort in Sport Olympic Game Changer Award PLC Armidale P&F Prize for Boarding Reuben F Scarf Award for Commitment - for consistent effort and desire to improve Natalie BRENNAN
Academic Distinction Prize for Investigating Science Prize for Legal Studies Prize for PDHPE Armidale-Dumaresq Lions Club Award for commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme Georgia BUTLER
Academic Distinction Prize for Ancient History Prize for English Advanced Prize for English Extension 1 Prize for Visual Arts Bonnefin Cup for Consistent Allround Effort Purkiss Cup and Prize for Dux of
YEAR 11 put it perfectly... “When it comes to school activities, whether it be sport, music, art or speech and drama, inevitably there is always a strong representation
School (Gift of PLC and Hilton Old Girls’ Union) Esther EICKHOFF
Prize for English Standard Prize for Hospitality Birida Cup for Deputy Prefect Strahle Award for significant contribution to the school Zonta Prize for Leadership Rachael KENRICK
Academic Distinction Prize for Chemistry Prize for Mathematics Extension 1 Prize for Physics ADF Future Innovators Award Prize for Physics (Gift of Professor C Sholl) Stanton Science Prize for Special Ability The Hutton Family Award for demonstrating courage, determination, perseverance and resilience Lilly McCOOK
Ampol Best All-Rounder Award Morse Cup for Head Prefect
Jorja POWER
Prize for History Extension 1 Prize for Modern History Dorothy Seaton Sports Prefect Award Feros Cup for All-round Ability in Academic and Sport Pearl ROGERS
Academic Distinction Prize for Biology Prize for Design & Technology Prize for Drama Tregurtha Prize for Leadership University of New England ViceChancellor’s High Achievement Prize Purkiss Cup and Prize for Dux of School (Gift of PLC and Hilton Old Girls’ Union) Charlotte THOMAS
Academic Distinction Prize for English Extension 2 Prize for Music 1 Alexandria Ada Lam Prize for Choir Julia WISNIEWSKI
Prize for French Prize for Music 2
Tomasina MODEL
Prize for Mathematics Standard
f rom Year 12. Your school spirit, participation and leadership truly is the glue to the PLC Armidale sisterhood” There were plenty of tears, laughs, advice for the future, stirring speeches, memories made and traditions upheld in our Valedictory Assembly yesterday.
This year, the Dux of the School went to both Georgia Butler and Pearl Rogers as joint recipients. The delight and surprise on the girls’ faces made the room erupt with cheers.
to Congratulations 1. 02 the Class of 2 Green Tartan - Semester 2 2021 / 11
OURSTUDENTLEADERSHIPTEAM
LEADERSHIP TEAM
The hallmark of an education at Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Armidale, has been the development of leadership skills fostered in students throughout the past 133 years. Many previous leaders have graduated to achieve great things in communities around the globe. A new generation of leaders was elected to serve the College for 2021/2022.
THE STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR 2022 INCLUDES:
Head Prefect Deputy Head Prefect Sports Prefect Creative Arts Prefect Boarding Prefect International Prefect Spiritual Leaders
Sarah Waters (Hillgrove) Amelia Wake (Ben Lomond) Georgina Swales (Kingstown) Emma Dauparas (Armidale) Emma Thompson (Inverell) Sophie Luo (China) Bethany Eickhoff (Armidale) Azaria Jones (Bundarra)
Guild Captains Dixon Hamlin
Captain: Maya Hess (Armidale) Deputy Captain: Claudia Hamblin (Gunnedah) Captain: Naomi Martin (Armidale) Deputy Captain: Madeleine George (Armidale)
Lovell
Captain: Pollyanna McIntyre (Coonamble)
Wilkie
Captain: Maddison McCook (Armidale)
Deputy Captain: Lucy Wright (Armidale)
YEAR 12ACHIEVEMENTS
GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Congratulations to the incredible Pearl Rogers who has been recognised for her individual drama performance with a nomination for OnSTAGE 2022. Our performing arts program here at PLC Armidale is going from strength to strength and our girls in drama and dance are shining bright under the guidance of the wonderful Mrs Wysel. We were fortunate to capture a snippet of Pearl’s performance for our Oeuvre showcase.
Congratulations to Georgia Butler who has been selected for ARTEXPRESS 2022. Georgia’s work ‘The Intersection of Incidence’ is a triptych intended to reflect the vivid and uncensored lives of people living in developing countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The graphic nature of these realities dictated my choice of gouache paint as the main medium as it allowed me to explore a full saturation of the colour, detail and textural forms within the composition. Images of the world during the pandemic published by National Geographic inspired this composition to reflect the underlying beauty that can be found in the pure and honest depictions of global turmoil” You can watch Georgia talk about her major work in our Oeuvre 2021 showcase currently showing on our YouTube channel.
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OURACHIEVEMENTS
YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARDS
CONGRATULATIONS
A number of PLC Armidale students submitted entries for the NSW Science Teachers Young Scientist awards program this year. Thanks to Mrs Ballard, Mrs Fittler, Mrs Miller and Mr Shumack for working with students on this program. Special mention must go to Nevada Guiance who placed 2nd overall and a High Distinction in the Chemistry Section of the awards for her quantitative analysis of Acid content in Energy and Sports drinks.
Kaylee Swick also won an award for her ‘Working Mathematically’ skills used in her Physics Depth Study looking at Doppler Shift. This is an incredible achievement and reflects the excellent calibre of their projects. We should also note that Amelie Van der Werf produced an outstanding submission for the program and also received a Distinction award for her efforts.
DEBATING In Term 4, Our Year 7 and 8 team debated the topic “That parents should stop sending their children to coaching colleges.” In a close call, PLC Armidale narrowly lost to our sisters in Sydney! Congratulations girls. We look forward to seeing how far you can go in the years to come. Many thanks to Mrs Clynch for organising the debate and coaching our girls.
OURCOCURRICULAR
OUTSTANDING RESULTS
Although most sports in Semester 2 were cancelled due to COVID-19, we were still delighted that towards the end of the year, some girls were able to participate in competitions and received some outstanding results. We are excited to see what our girls accomplish in 2022. - Congratulations to Evie Donaldson who was named Junior Champion at the recent Armidale Gymnastic Club’s ‘Champion of Champions’ competition.
- Congratulations to Sophie Bailey who won the Open Women’s Division 2 competition at the North-West Tennis Championship in Tamworth recently. - A big congratulations to Lucy Young who received Best & Fairest for Division 1 in the ADNA Netball awards and Rachel Mungall who was named Best & Fairest for Division 4, PLC 3 placed Runner Up in Division 3 and Mrs Emma Young received the Margaret Carson Award for her Contribution to Netball - And finally, congratulations to the following girls who have been selected in the 2022 NIAS Hockey and Netball Squads. HOCKEY - Chloe Clark - Jenna Marquardt NETBALL - Charlotte Baker
Reeve Cup Chelsea Waters Lawton Trophy Lilly McCook Tom Award: Scarlett Loxley Mullen Award: (Soccer) Amelia Wake Student coach/s of the Year: Sammy Mazzei Spirit in sport: Mia Montgomery Most Improved Team of the Year: Junior Soccer team PLC 2 Lions Junior Team of the Year – Sisson Trophy PLC 3 Junior Netball Senior Team of the Year: PLC 1 Senior Hockey Team Year 7 Rookie Award: Stephanie Blake Supporters Award: Mr Guy Davidson Years 7-9 Sportsmanship Award: Ali Kealey Years 10-12 Sportsmanship Award Alex Reed Junior Sports Shield: Sophie Young; soccer Senior Sports Shield: Lucy Young Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Stephanie Blake Senior Sportsperson of the Year: Sienna Dellow Most outstanding individual achievement in Sport: Pip Constable
- Holly Sheedy Green Tartan - Semester 2 2021 / 15
OURCOCURRICULAR
CENTRE STAGE
MUSIC As 2021 drew to a close, it was a great time to celebrate the things we have been able to do. At times the restrictions have been confusing and it has been a constant challenge to adjust to changes. However, our signature events including a Time To Shine, Starry Night of Creative and Performing Arts, Carols and Guild Drama has proved that our College has once again shone brightly and given space for our amazing students to perform and contribute. To give you an idea about the sort of flexibility involved, carols rehearsals were in year groups, staff met to sing outside, with a window open to a practice room and the piano accompaniment floating outdoors to rehearse; students adapted to instrumental versions of their songs for Guild Drama, vocal recordings were made to assist choir members to practice at home! While difficult, these challenges have produced remarkable initiative and ingenuity from staff and students alike. We enjoyed bucket drumming, a skill that was concepted in Remote Learning and will probably continue in 2022, making MixTapes, using body percussion and finding ingenious ways to adapt to the ever changing restrictions. Well done to all the staff
and girls for navigating successfully through Semester 2 and here’s hoping that 2022 will bring some normality back to our music offerings at PLC Armidale.
PERFORMING ARTS Stage 5 Drama made a short film - ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ - which premiered at the end of Term 4. You can watch this student-led and produced film on the PLC Armidale YouTube channel. Special thanks to Harriet Gilpin who has edited the entire film on her own, what a star! Congratulations to the girls for turning a stage play into a film they could still share with the PLC Armidale community. Wicked tickets are on sale and selling fast. After having to postpone the November production due to lockdown, we are delighted that we are well underway in rehearsals for our new dates in March 2022. If you have not already purchased your tickets for what is to be an incredible show, head
to our website today to grab yours. In Dance, Our Year 10 elective dancers have worked hard this semster creating their own interpretation of the 2000 film ‘Centre Stage’. If you have seen this film, you may remember the iconic finale dance that begins with what appears to be a normal classical ballet class, quickly transforming to an exciting and energetic contemporary take on classical ballet. Through practical technique classes this year in elective dance and dance ensembles, our dancers have improved out of sight. We were able to show the video of this dance at the Starry Night of Creative and Performing Arts last night which was fun to watch.
PATHWAYS
options. Their education in Australia has become a priority that they do not want to risk losing, even if it means that they are to sacrifice the time to reunite with their families. They are going to spend some time recharging in Sydney and enjoying city life before returning to school for another year.
As the end of the academic year approached, we reflected back on how Semester 2 challenged but also inspired the Pathways program and the International students both online and on campus. The prolonged Remote Learning period in Term 3 surprisingly provided an opportunity for the International students to rethink their approach to learning. The students enjoyed the gap between each lesson as they were able to digest the knowledge learnt and to organise their notes. They also loved that they did not need to rush from one classroom to the next. However, the students realised how important social interaction is to them and how much they missed being able to have a quick chat with friends from different classes. Interestingly, it was Remote Learning that sparked their desire to be “off screen”. They especially enjoyed the screen-free afternoon at the end of the term, knitting quietly in their rooms, which would have not been possible in the past. Students staying on campus are blessed with the caring environment in the boarding house. Staff commented that it was an invaluable opportunity to get to know the students better and to build rapport with them. The
students’ health and diet have been looked after despite being in lockdown, which has made the challenging time manageable and smoothly. This semester, all of the International students who reached the age of 16 passed the knowledge test for their Learner’s licence. They enjoyed their driving lessons with Aussie Blue driving school and have been practising when opportunities arise. It has given us a touching moment of realising that the girls have grown and are getting ready for adulthood. With great support from Guyra Medical Centre, the students were able to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations in Term 4 without needing to wait for the hospital vacancies. It is a relief for the students’ families knowing that this has been looked after. We are grateful for the kindness and care Guyra Medical Centre offered to the students. The International students have been in Australia since Term 1, 2020. Despite the strong desire to go home, they made a difficult decision to remain in Australia during the Christmas holidays. This decision was made after serious consideration and discussions, weighing up pros and cons of different
We are getting ready for a new group of Pathways students coming to study with us in 2022. Whilst the changes to border restrictions often brought us surprises, overseas students and families are more hopeful about the possibility of commencing their learning journey in Australia next year. Our current two Segue students are also preparing to board the flights and join the other students in 2022. The Pathways team appreciates and thanks all staff and students for being a strong support to the program, to the International students and to the team. It has been a long journey running the program online and looking after the students on campus. A special thanks to Mrs Rebecca Eastment, Mrs Janelle Sennett and Mr Guy Davidson for providing the wonderful teaching and support this year, and a big thank you to the boarding staff who cared for the students during the semester and willingly to do so during the school holidays when asked. Last but not least, thank you to the school families who offered to care for the International students during school holidays. The students have certainly grown over the years especially after the experiences with school families. Miss Amy Chiu Pathways Administrator
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BOARDING
In Semester 2, boarding at PLC Armidale looked a little different with many of the girls remaining at home due to lockdown. We established a ‘Boarding Bubble’ for those girls who were unable to return home or study from home and this only strengthened the sisterhood bond of our boarders.
Term 4 saw most girls return to the boarding house and we endeavoured to make the day-to-day life for the girls as normal as possible with open air movie nights, weekend activities, and our annual Christmas dinner.
GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
TIMETOSHINE
JUNIOR SCHOOL PRIZE LIST PRIZE LIST JUNIOR SCHOOL TIME TO SHINE 2021 Armidale Regional Council Schools Citizenship Award: Teresa ‘Tess’ Schmude Presbyterian Church of Aus, NSW Trustee Award for Christian Leadership : Bella Fittler Alexandria Ada Lam Prize for Choir in the Junior School: Meg Earle Head of Junior School Award for Excellence in Music: Kate Loxley Junior School Sports Achiever of the Year: Kate Loxley Effort and Achievement in Choir: Grace Robertson Armidale Council “Six of the Best’ Short Story Competition: Dana Ezra
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OURCOMMUNITY
TORNADO 2021 On 14 October 2021, a tornado carved a path through North Armidale. PLC Armidale was largely untouched, but our tennis courts and uniform shop sustained some damage. We also lost a few trees throughout the grounds and the uniform shop was moved a metre and had to be craned back into place during the summer school holidays. Our thoughts and prayers went to families in the community who had major damage to their houses and the SES and volunteers who tirelessly worked over the week to clean up our town.
REMOTE LEARNING
On Saturday 7 August, Armidale was placed into a snap lockdown due to COVID-19. PLC Armidale commenced Remote Learning for what turned out to be 5 weeks for our Junior School and the remainder of Term 3 for our Senior School.
Our PLC Armidale staff, students, parents and community are to be commended on how quickly they adapted to Remote Learning mode ensuring that the girls didn’t fall behind in their studies and were still able to connect, albeit in a virtual environment.
19 FOR 19 FUNDRAISER WALK FOR ANYA On Sunday 28 November, a number of girls and staff took part in the 19 for 19 Fundraiser Gorge Walk to help raise money for Anya’s Wish in honour of Anya Zuber (Class of 2019). Special mention to our own Ella Moodie who individually raised over $1200! PLC Armidale also created our own 19 for 19 Challenge to allow for all our girls from Pre-K to Year 11, to be able to do their part to help raise some all important funds. On 19 November, staff and students walked around our oval 19 times and took turns in cohorts to take part in different activities such as 19 star jumps, 19 burpees. Little legs got tired, but no one gave up and we all wore our yellow ribbons with pride. It was beautiful to see the girls dedicate their time to a charity which is close to our hearts.
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OUROLDGIRLS
WHERE ARE THEY NOW KATE GLASSON (2001) Kate Glasson (nee Bell) is a proud PLC Armidale graduate and former Armidale resident. She is an awardwinning actress and has spent the past two decades building a career in media, communications and, most recently, information security. Kate’s career has taken her from ‘stage’ to ‘security’ which may seem (on the outset) to be wildly different, but at their core, they rely on the same things: sharing a message and telling a story.
Kate is passionate about the security and safety of women - especially online - and volunteers with a women’s shelter in Sydney. She is currently juggling motherhood, a career and the pandemic. Kate’s hobbies include trying to keep up with her three year old, picking up toys and adding things to the shopping list. She currently lives in Sydney.
MICHELLE GODWIN (1999) Michelle Godwin is a public policy and children’s rights expert. Her career has involved working in a number of large-scale humanitarian crises mainly with United Nations
agencies but also with NGOs and research institutes. She’s lived and worked as a researcher, coordinator and advisor in Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, South Asia and Australia. Her practice insights on topics related to participatory development, adolecence and children in armed conflict have been published in peer reviewed journals and books. From the University of Sydney her thesis received first class honours and she holds a Masters of Arts (Geography) from UNE. Michelle has been part of UNICEF’s leadership team in its global research office, hosted in Florence, Italy. During the covid-19 pandemic in Italy, she was asked to advise the Education in Emergencies hub in Switzerland, guiding interagency teams in over 25 countries. She is now a founding associate of an independent feminist consulting firm. Michelle plans to make the overdue return home to Australia together with her husband, their toddler and cat in 2022.
REMEMBER YOUR YEARS AT PLC ARMIDALE During your years at PLC Armidale, you will have walked the path of named bricks in the Rose Garden around the flagpole, and wondered who all those names were? Now, as a graduate of the College, your Old Girls’ Union is providing you the opportunity to do the same, by purchasing your own special paver. The commemorative paver project was originally established by the PLC Armidale Foundation as a fundraiser with tax deductibility to assist the College with building and maintenance initiatives. From 2019, this project will be co-ordinated by the PLC Armidale Old Girls’ Union and will continue to provide donors with a tax deduction. In purchasing a paver, you leave a lasting legacy of your years at PLC Armidale, whilst providing a practical pathway of interest. To download a form, go to https://www.plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au/ community/alumni/old-girls-union
OUROLDGIRLS
AFTERNOON TEA
SOCIAL EVENT
Afternoon tea delight - social event at Old Girl Sonia Broun’s home - thank you for the lovely hospitality Sonia! Also to President - Kim, Secretary Kathie, Treasurer - Robyn for their contribution to the afternoon tea, thank you ladies!
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TICKETS ON SALE SEPTEMBER SCHOLARSHIP EXAM & OPEN DAY FRIDAY 18 MARCH 2022 Scholarships available for 2023 entry
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN E:enrolments@plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au T: 02 6770 1700 plcarmidale.nsw.edu.au