Message from the Principal It is a privilege to work in a School where staff and students have such a strong passion to learn, to challenge themselves to achieve their personal best and to be the best versions of themselves. I see evidence of this every day when I speak with staff and witness the work produced by our very talented students. Teaching and learning are at the heart of everything we do at PLC Perth. It is so gratifying day after day to see how our teachers and students are excelling at both. In this edition of Blackwatch, we feature some extraordinary success stories of members of our school community, including Year 5 Teacher, Anita Roy, who has been shortlisted for the Australian Education Awards Primary School Teacher of the Year – NonGovernment School. This is an honour that Anita shares with just eight others across the country and is an incredible achievement. To be shortlisted for this prize, Anita had to demonstrate innovation in developing students and supporting their learning; positive engagement with parents and the wider school community and consistently high teaching standards. Anita would say that she is just doing her job. However, like her colleagues across the School, I know that all of our staff put their heart and soul into their work and our students are all the better for it.
Another example is Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Years 3-6, Katy Howes, who this year achieved her Masters in Education. Over two years she juggled work and family commitments to undertake this course – all for the betterment of her teaching abilities which will benefit our students. In the Senior School, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 7, Jane Brandenburg, has also completed her Masters in which she had a focus on science education and educational leadership. Head of Science, Lesley Kaye, has undertaken her Masters this year. Her thesis investigated an adolescent’s response to mindfulness meditation. Philosophy and Religious Studies Teacher, Christa Snyman, is doing a Doctor of Education, Humanities Teacher, Padminee Raja-Snijder, is focusing on early career teachers in her Masters, while Head of Drama, Bauke Snyman, is undertaking his Masters Degree in drama and theatre studies. Two members of staff – Head of Senior School, Rebecca Watts and Academic Extension Co-ordinator, Guy Varndell – have both completed the Harvard
Certificate in School Management and Leadership. We see the results of the efforts of our staff in the amazing achievements of the girls, such as Year 11 students Pippa Atwell and Saskia Fleming scooping the prize pool in the annual Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. Both students attributed their success in part to English Teacher and long-term staff member, Roland Leach. It is not just in the classroom that the girls are inspired to develop and grow. Humanities Teacher, Liam Sullivan, Katy Howes and Head of Physical Education, Anna Turnseck-James joined 21 students on the 50-mile Walk, encouraging them to keep going and persevere to the end. I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Blackwatch and share my pride in the achievements and efforts of our staff and students, all of which make our School such a special place for all members of our community. Cate Begbie Principal
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