Junior School students use the Senior School facilities for:
- Physical Education
- Chapel
- Lighthouse Wellbeing
- Drama Centre
Many of our Senior School staff also give regular specialist lessons in our Junior School.
The PLC Junior School is where students thrive in a warm, friendly and lively environment. Our students are taught to understand themselves as learners, discover their personal talents and passions, and are encouraged to take responsibility for their academic progress.
Literacy, numeracy and inquiry skills are vital during these early years, and our small class sizes enable teachers to address the needs of each student. It is here in the Junior School that our girls develop a love for learning and are taught the foundational skills to be fully prepared for their secondary education.
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP)
PLC uses the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP), for students aged 3 to 12. Through emphasis on the whole child, PYP students are encouraged to be active, caring, lifelong learners with personal, positive attributes and the capacity to take responsible action.
The PYP is taught in over 109 countries (over 5000 schools) with the framework being uniquely adaptable to state and national standards. The Australian Curriculum is taught using the PYP framework to deliver the curriculum in a relevant, rigorous and engaging way.
The programme incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, trans-disciplinary themes and to consider the links between them. They are described as trans-disciplinary because they focus on issues that go across subject areas. The aim of the programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
Find out more about the IB PYP here.
Specialist Subjects & Programmes
PLC Perth has superb facilities, however, our programmes are what we are most proud of. The exposure to a rich, varied and innovative curriculum and range of experiences, combined with strong foundations, provides the perfect environment for each girl to identify her strengths and discover new passions.
Students are taught by dedicated specialist teachers in many of their subjects, some of whom work across both our Junior and Senior Schools.
Music
Our Music programme provides opportunities for all students to explore their musical potential. Within a nurturing environment, students can discover, create and respond to music for personal enjoyment and growth in the pursuit of excellence.
The Music Programme is delivered through our classroom music programme, instrumental and vocal tuition and music ensembles (co-curricular).
Students in Pre-kindergarten to Year 2 attend classroom music daily. From Years 3 – 6, students attend classroom music multiple times a week.
Free Introductory Instrumental and Vocal Music Programmes
Many musical opportunities are offered to our students to try something new and learn a variety of instrument.
- Year 2 – Suzuki String Programme
- Years 3 & 4 – Guzheng Programme
- Year 4 – Double Bass Programme
- Year 5 – Band Instrument Programme
- Year 6 – Bagpipe Programme
Read more in our Music Handbook.
Languages
The enormous cognitive benefits of second language learning and the impact it has on brain function are well documented. Bilingual children demonstrate greater creativity, cognitive development and divergent thinking than monolingual children.
All students in Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 study French everyday. Girls in Years 3 to 6 are able to study either French or Mandarin. The language programme in the Junior School embraces the philosophies of the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Sport
Our Junior School sports philosophy surrounds the notion of building a strong foundation of fundamental movement skills that will hold our girls in good stead for any sporting endeavour they choose in their future years. We offer a comprehensive sports programme where girls are encouraged to embrace the opportunity to learn from the life skills and experiences gained that comes with belonging to a team.
We offer a range of co-curricular sporting opportunities for our Junior girls, including Netball, Basketball, Floor ball, Swimming, Athletics and Tennis.
Technologies
PLC is an Apple Distinguished School, a title shared by just one per cent of schools and universities across the world.
Students start using technology as part of the curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten, where iPads are shared between the class. Students in Years 1 – 6 have individual iPads.
Wellbeing
At PLC, wellbeing is fundamental to everything that we do; we want our students to thrive. Feeling good, functioning well and doing good for others is how PLC defines wellbeing.
Wellbeing at PLC is all inclusive of the programmes and flexible learning spaces that we offer the students. These include the Lighthouse Wellbeing Curriculum, Protective Behaviours, Co-curricular activities and outdoor programmes of Wild Space in the Early Years and Outdoor Education Programmes from Years 3 – 6.
Click here to read more about our wellbeing programme.
Outdoor Education
Our Outdoor Education programme is designed to provide students with a vehicle for personal development. The programme offers our girls a structured progression of physical and cognitive challenges that are matched to their maturity and, to some extent, their previous outdoor experience, starting from Year 3.
As students engage with these challenges, they discover a great deal about their perceived limitations, capabilities, self-concept and independence. As the students learn to deal with change, uncertainty and perhaps self-doubt that may arise during their Outdoor Education programme, they also learn valuable coping strategies and build resilience that can be useful in their day-to-day living.
Beach & River School
Together with their peers from our brother school, Scotch College, Years 1 & 2 students enjoy outdoor classroom experiences and build resilience through connection to country, self, and community.
Read more here.
Co-curricular
PLC offers a diverse range of co-curricular opportunities before & after school in the areas of music, visual arts, sport and academia, to enhance our students’ learning outside of the classroom.
Some of the co-curricular options offered to our students include:
- Art
- Cooking
- Dance
- Drama
- Karate
- Sewing
- Science Club
- Yoga
The Junior School Library is also open from 7.30 am to provide before school care for students.
Transition to Year 7
The move from Junior School to Year 7 can be a big step for many students. At PLC, students begin to familiarise themselves with the Senior School campus throughout their junior years, in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Partnerships
Extension and Support
At PLC, extension and support is inclusive. Our Learning Enrichment Centre staff work with the classroom teachers to provide personalised services to our Junior School students.
Allied Health-Services
Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Physiotherapy services are available to students and staff at the PLC Lighthouse. Find out more here.
Scotch College
Our brother school is Scotch College and our Junior School students collaborate regularly.
Visit Us to Experience the PLC Difference
Although our website will give you a good feel for the School, PLC is so much more. We invite you to visit our campus, meet our staff and students, and experience all that makes PLC a special place.