Valedictory Day Year 12 Formal

PUSHING THE LIMITS

MOUNTAINS WILL MOVE

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD PROGRAM

At our Term 2 Commencement Service, Principal Nicola Taylor spoke to the girls in her presentation, reflecting on the life and contribution of the Duke of Edinburgh, HRH Prince Philip. An enduring legacy remains the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award which was founded in 1956 at the urging of the Prince’s former headmaster. From the outset, this award has been offered equally to girls as well as boys. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award provides a unique experience to acquire a range of skills in collaboration with others. With our high participation and completion rates in the scheme, PLC Armidale features as one of the top 100 providers in Australia. Each year over 1.3 million young people take part in the scheme in more than 130 countries and territories worldwide. “If you can get young people to succeed in any area of activity,” the Duke of Edinburgh remarked, “that sensation of success will spread over into a lot of other areas also.” A man of advantage who used his life experiences to bring advantage to others. Over the past 15 years, the Duke of Ed award at PLC Armidale has grown enormously, from 6 students to an average of 70 each year, participating in and progressing through all 3 levels of the Award, Bronze, Silver and Gold. We asked our former Duke of Edinburgh Award coordinator, Mrs Anna Caldwell, about some of her most memorable moments from her years running Duke of Ed at PLC Armidale. “In 2012 a large group of girls and their mothers went to the School of St Judes, Arusha, Tanzania. We raised money through numerous fundraising events, including a Ball, to sponsor 10 girls at St Judes to climb Mt Meru with us. Mt Meru is the second highest mountain in Tanzania. We set off at midnight to make the summit at sunrise, rising over Kilimanjaro and the incredible national parks.

A documentary movie was made of our climb, called Mountains Will Move. Many girls have since sponsored students and staff at St Judes and also helped the girls who hiked with us to go to University. We have had many students receive their Gold Awards each year from the Governor of NSW, with the ceremony held at St Stephens Church, Macquarie Street, Sydney and a special morning or afternoon tea held at Government House. Charlotte Caldwell and Alison Chapman were presented with their Gold Awards from Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex in a special Award presentation ceremony, celebrating 60 years of the Award in Australia.” On hearing the sad news of the Duke’s passing, our 2021 Duke of Edinburgh Award participants, along with Principal Taylor and our new Duke of Ed coordinators, Mr Tom Gall and Mrs Kirsten Hey, gathered in our Rose Garden for a photo and to pay tribute to Prince Philip. His legacy will continue at PLC Armidale through our staff and students’ dedication to the Duke of Ed Award and we thank him for conceptualising such an inspirational program for young people to thrive in. THE NEW ERA BEGINS

With the departure of our intrepid Duke of Edinburgh Award Program Leader, Mrs Anna Caldwell after 14 years in the role, there were big shoes to fill. Step up, new PDHPE Teacher, Mr Tom Gall. Tom has accepted the challenge as Award Leader, and is being ably supported by Junior School Staff member, Mrs Kirsten Hey, who previously worked alongside Anna. During Term 2, the team prepared the newest group of Bronze program participants, upskilling them in the art of camping, cooking and coping with all manner of things! The group then put these skills to the test undertaking their first adventurous journey at South West Rocks in the winter holiday break.

GOLD, GOLD, GOLD!

In Term 2, Eleanor Harrell (2019), Amelia Brissett (2012) and Sarah Miron (2019) received their Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards at a special ceremony in Sydney. Unfortunately due to COVID-19 restrictions, the presentation was unable to be held at the traditional location, Government House, instead the girls were presented their award by Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of NSW, in the amphitheatre at Sydney Olympic Park. The girls are featured with their very proud Award Leader, Mrs Anna Caldwell. What an outstanding achievement! Congratulations PLC Armidale graduates.

HAWKESBURY CANOE CLASSIC … HERE WE COME!

The challenge of paddling 111km through the night down the mighty Hawkesbury River in any weather conditions, has really excited our adventurous Year 11 girls (or maybe it’s the stories of paddles past). So much so, we have the largest group ever to take on the rigorous activity in training throughout term two in preparation for the big event, 30/31 October. We even need to purchase more canoes! It’s great to see the enthusiasm and energy from our new PDHPE Teacher, Mr Tom Gall for inspiring this challenge.

OUR SINCEREST GRATITUDE TO EVERY STUDENT FOR OFFERING FRIENDSHIP...’

REFLECTING ON THE FIRST SEMESTER OF 2021, APPRECIATION IS THE THEME FOR THE PATHWAYS PROGRAM.

Due to the border closures, none of the international students were able to go home. This is still the case. We have been really fortunate to have PLC Armidale families have been willing to host the girls throughout the Christmas holidays as well as the Winter break. Not only does the generous offer assists the College, it also helps the girls’ families enormously. The girls’ parents are extremely appreciative of how well looked after their daughters have been and the way in which they have been welcomed and cared for by the local families. It has been evident that the international students remaining in Australia are embracing their learning opportunities and social interactions at PLC Armidale surprisingly well. While it has been difficult for them to be away from home, they have settled in their cohort smoothly, making friends, following lessons and mainstream curriculum, and enjoying being members of the boarding house. We are appreciative that the girls are developing maturity and independence that we have not needed to deal with