Junior School

After the disruptions of the past two years, there is a palpable feeling of joy in the Junior School corridors as the girls and teachers return to school with hope and expectancy for the year ahead. We return with renewed gratitude for the things that we may have previously taken for granted, in particular, face-to-face connection and feeling part of a vibrant school community.

The start of a school year brings with it the opportunity to embrace change and new beginnings – new teachers, new students, new friends, and for some, a new school. This year we welcome 101 new girls to the Junior School from Prep right through to Year 6. Our Prep girls have begun well and settled into school life with confidence and excitement. We also have five new teachers joining us in various classes and subject areas across the Junior School and we warmly welcome them to our dynamic learning community.

Leadership has been a key theme of Term 1, with the investiture of our Year 6 leaders, Leadership Day for our Year 6 students, the formation of Student Action Teams, and the induction of our SRC members. I look forward to watching our girls seize the opportunities that 2022 will bring them: the opportunity to serve their community, make new friends, try something new, learn new things about themselves and to grow in confidence and independence.

Mrs Melissa Voce Acting Head of Junior School

Year 6 Investiture

At the Investiture Assembly, the Year 6 students were each presented with a honorary badge by Mrs Penberthy. Accepting this badge means we are now officially the leaders of the Junior School and will take responsibility for being good role models to the younger students. As a Year 6 myself, I am looking forward to learning more about leadership and helping others. We are encouraged to be ‘skilful thinkers’ — to solve problems by looking at them from different perspectives to be a good collaborator and to be a strong communicator. These are some of the traits a Year 6 student should have in order to lead others. I hope the Grade 6s will be able to keep using these traits as leaders.

Madison 6C

Leadership Day

On February 3rd, the Year 6 students all enjoyed Leadership Day. To begin with, we listened to Imashi Iddawela, a previous PLC student, who shared that leadership is not shown by having a badge, but rather, by possessing the main qualities of a leader — kindness, positivity and service. We then did some engaging, physical activities with Mr Newell about leadership, strategy and teamwork. To finish off the day, we decided on the most important qualities of being a leader to us. We will remember and value Leadership Day and put the lessons to good use in our daily lives, particularly as leaders of the Junior School this year.

Matilda 6B

What I Am Looking Forward to as a Year 6 Leader

This year, in 2022, I have a role to lead the school as Junior School Captain. There are many activities that I am looking forward to this year such as SRC meetings because it allows me to express my ideas and listen to the ideas of others to make our school a better place. I am also excited for many events like camp and our Year 6 Social. Everyone is hoping for a COVID-free year this year. There are many opportunities for all the Grade 6 leaders to show leadership this year and inspire the students around us. There are many enjoyable events to look forward to as leaders of the Junior School.

Prep, Years 1 and 2 Sports Day

On Thursday 3rd March the Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students participated in their Sports Carnivals. The girls had practised their athletics skills during Physical Education classes and were very excited to showcase their skills. Cheered on by parents and friends the girls participated in sprints, hurdles, weaving, long jump and many more enjoyable activities. The events were conducted by our PLC Junior School Sport and House Captains, all of whom did an outstanding job. At the conclusion of the day the girls were delighted that their efforts were rewarded with an icy-pole supplied by the Friends of Junior School.

Ashley Newell Junior School Sport

Junior School Action Teams

In Year 6 there are many leadership opportunities. One of these is to join an Action Team. An Action Team is a group of students who help in different subject areas around the school, giving them an opportunity to demonstrate their leadership skills. There are many different Action Teams including the Drama Action Team, Assembly Action Team, PE Action Team and Science Action Team. I am fortunate enough to be in the Library Action Team.

In the Library we help out in many different ways. This includes working with the younger girls in the arts and crafts section at lunchtime, creating displays and helping girls borrow and return books. We are also lucky enough to prepare a play for the Book Week Assembly. I learn so many leadership skills day in and day out when helping in the Library.

In the Library Action Team we are developing patience when it comes to the younger girls, and cooperation when the Captains and Action Team make displays together. We are also learning problem-solving skills and learning to be flexible when things take a turn and need fixing. We are also learning kindness. We learn all these attributes without even knowing it while having fun. Being on the Action Team is one of the most enjoyable leadership opportunities that the Year 6 students have.

Ashmita 6D

CE Assemblies in Term 1

Every Monday morning our school week begins with a CE Assembly. Usually, we would all gather in the Betty Caldwell Hall, but this term we have been meeting in a slightly different way, albeit all together and all at the same time. Thanks to modern technology we have been enjoying our regular Monday CE Assemblies via Zoom in a Live Webinar format. It has been a treat to all be singing, reading the Bible and praying together across the school.

This term I have been looking at how we can live our best lives now. I was inspired by one of my holiday reading books entitled 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin. Each Monday I looked at some of these ideas which psychologists have found and which the Bible teaches are good for us:

• not loving money I was able to explain that ‘Jesus never promised us an easy life now. In fact, he said the opposite. But following Jesus and living as the Bible calls us to live turns out to be really good for us.’

It is nearly the end of Term 1 as I write, and to finish the term, we are all looking forward to being able to share our Easter Service in the PAC with parents and friends of the Junior School. It will be so exciting to all be together singing and celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We celebrate with Christians all around the world that Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed. Blessings,

Sharon Catchpoole Junior School Christian Education

Students watching a CE Assembly via Zoom in their classroom.

S.S.V. Mulgrave District Swimming Carnival

Congratulations to every girl in the Junior School District Swimming Team for their outstanding performance in the Mulgrave District Swimming Carnival in February.

PLC entered all events. This year we were allowed to enter two competitors in the girls’ races and most of them placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in these events. It was wonderful having the parents back and cheering from the sidelines. Our well-trained swimmers dominated the pool, earning points for our school and resulting in an easy win for the title of the 2022 Mulgrave District Swimming Champions for the 12th year in a row. Congratulations to those girls who progressed through to the SSV Division Competition.

A special thank you to all the parents for their support and to Rachel, Nicky and Damien from PLC Aquatic for coaching and training the team.

Congratulations to the following girls for representing the PLC Junior School District Swimming Team:

Welcome to the Faculty

Bonjour! My name is Emmanuelle Brunet and I am delighted to join the PLC team in the role of Junior School French Teacher.

I am a native French speaker from Quebec, Canada. In the last eight years, I have been teaching in various roles in the French language at the bilingual school in Camberwell (Camberwell Primary School). I taught in the classroom and mainly as the specialist Science French immersion teacher.

My philosophy of teaching a Language Other Than English (LOTE) is influenced by my years of immersion teaching. I believe that taking risks in speaking in French, or any LOTE, is the key to the acquisition of a new language. I utilise the Accelerated Integrated Approach (AIM) in my teaching; a verb-based approach using meaningful pairing gestures to support the acquisition of language.

Merci beaucoup de vôtre attention et au plaisir d’enseigner à vos filles ! (Thank you for your attention and for the pleasure of teaching your girls French)

Emmanuelle Brunet Junior School French Teacher

Year 4 Camp

The scorching sand seeps into my shoes, and I slither unsteadily down the slippery sand dune behind the special back door of Camp Wyuna. I half slide, half run the rest of the way, fuelled by anticipation. Then I see it. The beach. The beautiful, powdery white beach that looks like it’s straight out of a picture postcard. I gasp with wonder and as soon as we’re allowed, I rush straight into that wonderful expanse of cerulean blue crested with green and white, screaming with sheer joy. Nothing on Camp Wyuna could ever be as glorious as this.

On the 9th of February, 2022, 66 extremely excited Year 4 girls plus staff set out on an epic one-hour-and-45 minute bus journey from suburban Melbourne to sandy Queenscliff. Even though they had high expectations of the camp ahead, many of the girls were perhaps feeling a smidgeon apprehensive. However, upon arrival, all trepidation faded away as the girls enjoyed paying visits to the Marine Discovery Centre, Point Lonsdale, Queenscliff Harbour and of course Camp Wyuna itself.

The 66 girls who came back from Camp Wyuna a few days later had all had a memorable time and were all much the richer in new experiences and friendships. After the disappointment of missing out on camp in Year 3, Camp Wyuna was a wonderful way to embark on Year 4!