Dear Parents

Last Saturday I hurried back from a horse event at Gidgegannup, where I was supporting my daughter, to attend the PLC Music Concert that was held in Winthrop Hall at the University of Western Australia. I could not help but think of the proud parents, family members and friends in the audience and of the excitement that there would have been in many households that afternoon. As a parent it is a special feeling when one watches one’s child perform, isn’t it? I visited the children in the holding room before the concert where the excitement and anticipation was palpable. It was a joy to listen to the various items and to see students who are relatively new to PLC, as well as girls who have been with us for many years, contributing to this special event. Congratulations must go to everyone who contributed to the success of the evening.

Another occasion where I was very conscious of parents and their feelings this week was our Assembly. Kirsten Blaikie’s Pre-Primary class delighted us with their confident speeches and their singing which ranged from strong, energetic and joyful to the calming, almost soulful singing of Rain Keeps Tumbling Down. I think I had a tear in my eye! We need to stop and think about the environment that supports such young children to take risks and have a go for I can assure you that not all Pre-Primary students would feel comfortable in front of their whole school, teachers, parents and friends. The learning that was reported was also remarkable. It was another occasion where my duty to attend was an absolute pleasure. I hope that many of you have such magical moments in your work.

A small group of parents attended the Junior School Parents’ Association meeting on Tuesday evening to talk about the risks that technology poses and it was interesting to hear Brett Clarke our Director of IT, talk about the risks for adults as well as children. In the latest copy of OPINIONS, a publication of the Association of Independent Schools in Western Australia, there is the comment, “Filters do not work on mobile phones, and with high speed broadband around the corner, the next generation of mobiles will virtually supersede the home computer. Teens will be swapping their old handsets for the next generation of mobiles, which upload, and chat in a way that they can only do now on the home PC or laptop.  Parents (and schools) will pretty soon discover that the filter technology has been superseded.” Cyber safety is now our collective responsibility. Please take the time to have a look at one or two of the following websites which offer a range of material to assist with cyber safety messages.

www.netalert.net.au
www.cybersmartkids.com.au
www.netsafe.org.nz

Go the mighty Eagles!

Have a great weekend everyone.

With warm regards
Janet Wilmot
Head of Junior School

PYP in the Junior School

Inquiry
The Year 5 students began their current inquiry with a visit to some of our historical buildings in Fremantle.

Transdisciplinary Theme : How we organise ourselves

An inquiry into the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities; the structure and function of organizations; societal decision-making; economic activities and their impact on humankind and the environment.

Title: Empires

Central Idea: Structures exist in all civilisations.

Key Concepts: Form and reflection           

Website – http://www.ibo.org contains information about IBO and PYP

Year 6 Exhibition
Exhibition is a vital component of the Primary Years Programme.  It provides students with the opportunity to showcase and celebrate all aspects of PYP.

Central idea: Organisations exist to ensure needs are met.

The aim of the inquiry is for the students to look at children’s needs and the organisations which exist to help ensure that these needs are met.

If you have contacts or personal experience which you would be prepared to share with the Year 6 students, please contact any of the Year 6 teachers or Alison Viney on 9424 6462 or aviney@plc.wa.edu.au. Your knowledge and expertise would be greatly valued.

Junior School Arts Day
On Friday 14 September the Junior School will be alive with activities, displays and presentations. Please ensure your child participates in some way as it is one of the School's highlighted events of the year. Click here for a timetable of events.

Year 1 Tabitha Fundraiser
On Monday 17 September the Year 1 class will be having a cup cake stall to raise money for Tabitha. The cakes will be 50c each and will be on sale at recess outside the Junior School Hall.

Junior School Art Club
Girls who didn't complete their mosaic panel last term in Art Club, are welcome to come along to the Tuesday Art Club session over the next three weeks to get this done (3.30 pm - 5.00 pm).

Cross Country
Thank you to all the enthusiastic students who have been attending Cross Country training this term. Friday 14 September 2007 is the Cross Country breakfast outside the Junior School Hall at 7.30 am. All training participants are invited to attend.

Basketball
Basketball training for students in Years 3 - 6 commences Monday afternoon at 3.30 pm on the PLC courts. Students are required to wear their sports uniform for training.

Pre-Kindergarten – Pre-Primary Athletics Carnival and Years 4 – 6 Field Day
Tuesday 18 September is the Pre-Kindergarten to Pre-Primary Athletics Carnival and the Years 4 – 6 Field Day on the PLC Oval. The Pre-Kindergarten – Pre-Primary Carnival will run from 9.00 am – 11.00 am and Field Day from 12.00 pm – 2.15 pm.  Parents are warmly invited to attend the events and support the students.

Animal Aid Abroad Inc
Animal Aid Abroad Inc is holding a fundraising movie night to help awareness and to raise funds to prevent cruelty to animals overseas. Hairspray will be showing at 6.15 pm at the Cygnet Cinema, Como. For more information and tickets please contact Janet Thomas (Year 4T teacher) on 9385 9008. Click here to download a flyer.

Boarding House Lunch for All Parents / Boarders’ Market
PLC Friends of Boarding and PLC Auxiliary invite all PLC parents to an informal get together in the Boarders’ Sitting Room between 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm Friday 28 September 2007, following the Boarders’ Market. The Boarders’ Market is a wonderful opportunity for city families to purchase home made food and craft from our boarding community. It usually runs from recess to lunch time outside the Chapel. Funds raised go towards items for the Boarding House. For more information please pick up a hard copy from the Boarding House, Middle or Senior School Student and Community Services, Junior School Reception or download a flyer: Informal Get Together in the Boarding House

Fabulous Finger Food with Kirsty Carre
This wonderful evening has been rescheduled for Thursday 1 November in the new Food Studies Area of the Science, Technology and Arts Building. There will be a cooking demonstration and tastings for $30. For more information please pick up a hard copy from Middle or Senior School Student and Community Services, Junior School Reception or download a flyer: Fabulous Finger Food

Open Garden Day
Craft Session Help Needed
If you are able to help with craft for Open Garden Day please join Gillian Murray at her home, 19 Hope Street, Mosman Park.

Please indicate if you are able to attend any of the dates, below.
Monday 10 September 9.00 am - 1.00 pm: Clay
Monday 17 September 9.00 am - 1.00 pm: Clay
Monday 24 September 9.00 am - 3.00 pm: Painting Papier Mache

Please come for one hour, or longer if you can. All skill levels catered for.
If you are unable to attend these sessions but would like to help please call as small jobs can be passed on or even organise other times. Phone Gillian on 0438 007498 or email 3frenchhens@westnet.com.au

PLC Auxiliary
The next meeting of the PLC Auxiliary will be Monday 24 September at 9.00 am in the Boarders’ Sitting Room. All welcome. A short meeting about Open Garden Day will follow. Please attend if you are involved.

PLC Auxiliary Events Coming Up:
Saturday 8 September 2.00 pm onwards - Year 4 Fathers or Significant Male / Daughter Ten Pin Bowling Day, Melville.
Tuesday 11 September 10.00 am onwards - Kindy O Morning Tea, 11 Saddington Crescent, Mosman Park.
Friday 14 September 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm - Year 1 Parents' get Together, The Left Bank Restaurant, East Fremantle

PLC Parents’ Committee Annual General Meeting
All parents are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the PLC Parents’ Committee to be held on Friday 21 September at 6.30 pm in Room MM8 which is on the ground floor level of the Science, Technology, Arts and Middle School Building. For the convenience of parents the AGM is being held just prior to the Unpacked Student Art Exhibition which is being held in The Gallery of this same building.

If you would like to nominate for the Committee please download a Nomination Form here.

The next regular meeting of the Parents’ Committee will be on Tuesday 25 September in the Boardroom Scorgie House at 7.30 pm.

Jamie Venerys Tennis Star Programme
Tennis Star Talent Quest
Sunday 23 September at 10.00 am - 11.00 am Mosman Park Tennis Club. All aged children invited.

October Holiday Clinic
Clinic One
2 - 5 October 2007
All ages (3-16 years of age)
9.00 am - 11.00 am

Clinic Two
8 - 12 October 2007
All ages (3-16 years of age)
9.00 am - 11.00 am

For more information or enrolment please contact Jamie on 0417 933 398 or www.tennisstaronline.com.au

Lost
Alexandra Malone (Year 6S) has lost her school jumper and her sports jacket. Tyko Kirsner (Year 6S) has lost her named beret and school jumper. If any items are found please return them to Mrs Sofield's class.

Ballet - Important Dates
2007
For Term 4 classes and rehearsals, please see timetable
Wednesday 14 November - stage walk through (Hazel Day Drama Centre) 4.00 pm - 5.30. pm
Saturday 17 November - Dress rehearsal (Hazel Day Drama Centre) 9.00 am - 12.00 pm
Sunday 18 November - Performance (Hazel Day Drama Centre) 2.00 pm

2008
Monday 14 - Saturday 19 January, Summer Dance Course
Sunday 9 March - Grade 5 upwards, Convention
Sunday 16 March - Pre-Primary - Grade 4 Convention
Sunday 20 April - Thursday 24 April - Exam Holiday Course
Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 May - Cecchetti Camp
Sunday 1 - Monday 2 June - Mock Exams
Saturday 14 June - Exams
November - Concert