website: www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au address: 31 Lawley Crescent, Mount Lawley WA 6050 email: info@pc.wa.edu.au phone: (08) 9471 2100

AUGUST 2017

Kindergarten students at Perth College are taking their learning beyond the classroom.The girls are learning about science, conservation and sustainability through regular visits to the Inglewood Triangle. They plant seedlings, collect rubbish, and monitor the flora and fauna as well as threats to biodiversity such as feral animals, weeds and litter.

Kindergarten teacher Suzanne Bushby has taken students to the small pocket of bushland for many years to teach them about the wonders of nature and the importance of caring for the environment. She said the girls thrived on an early childhood programme which focused on learning through experiencing, exploring, interacting and problem-solving.

“They have become budding bush scientists who really enjoy their visits to the Triangle and making a difference in their local community,” she said.

Recently, their concern about the impact of urbanisation on the Triangle’s microbat population was so strong, they set about creating a solution. The students have planned, designed and built their own microbat boxes to act as artificial roost sites and are testing these on the School

grounds. Their interest was piqued when they observed the City of Stirling conservation team installing a wooden microbat box in a large Tuart tree at the Triangle.

Despite their tender age, the Kindergarten students have also been part of the Junior School’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEaM) programme. They actively engage in other projects such as keeping snails, managing a worm farm and programming Bee-Bot robots.

“The girls become confident and independent quite quickly because they are encouraged to try new things and their learning is not just limited to the Kindergarten space; they also have specialist teachers in Music, Physical Education, Art, Languages and Library so they move right across the School,” Mrs Bushby said.

Mrs Bushby has long been one of Perth College’s favourite teachers; parents seeking to enrol their child for either Kindergarten or Preparatory in 2018 should contact Enrolments Director Judy Parker as soon as possible by calling 9471 2104 or emailing judy.parker@pc.wa.edu.au.

Going Batty About Learning

WHAT’S INSIDE:

• A Note from the Principal• Giving Back in the Solomons• Capturing Girls’ Imaginations • Community Collaborations• Building Update• Upcoming Events• Free STEaM Workshops

Love of nature: Kindergarten students Stella Le’Roy and Elise Nguyen at the Inglewood Triangle.

Outdoor learning: Tom English and Jo Taylor from

the City of Stirling show how the bat box works.

Kids who care: Kindergarten students are eager to learn about the local environment.

Supporting learning: Perth College boarder Sarah Walters

assisting St Nicholas College students with a class activity.

A Note from the Principal

Dear friends,This edition marks our tenth anniversary of producing the Community Link newsletter. In that time we have benefitted from some great partnerships and collaborations with our local community and we thank everyone for their support. We will strive to build on the positive relationships and connections for many years to come.

The 2017 school year is flying by and it’s hard to believe our Year 12s have one remaining term of formal schooling before their final exams. It has been a privilege to witness their journey through Perth College; many of them joined as Kindergarten students in 2004. Their transition into independent, confident and determined young women is due to not

only the hard work of the girls themselves but also the support of their families and the School and wider communities. Countless people, community groups and organisations generously give their time, expertise and resources to challenge our girls and extend their learning and co-curricular opportunities. The girls’ resilience, love of learning, courage and kindness will serve them well – as it has done generations of Old Girls before them. I’m sure you will join me in wishing them well.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition.

Warm regards, Jenny Ethell

Perth College is in its tenth year of a partnership with a school in the Solomon Islands, where 16 students volunteered, attended classes and immersed themselves in the culture in July.St Nicholas College has a shared history with Perth College – both schools were founded by the Community of the Sisters of the Church. The Year 10 girls who participated in the tour worked with the younger students at St Nicholas, having spent several weeks preparing lessons to teach classes of up to 45 students. They also supplied gifts purchased as a result of fundraising.

“Education in the Solomon Islands is a privilege rather than a right and through our partnership with St Nicholas, we hope to give support to the students and the staff and help them develop their services and curriculum,” Teacher Rachel Shotch said. She accompanied the girls with fellow staff Nola McIntyre and Jo Harmsworth.

The girls also helped at the Christian Care Centre run by the Sisters, painting rooms and organising the playground. They visited places of historical and social significance such as Savo Island, where the girls stayed overnight, allowing them to witness a more traditional lifestyle and realise how blessed they are.

Giving Back in the Solomons

Cultural exchange: Perth College students made some great

friendships with St Nicholas College Prefects.

Cooking with the Sisters: The girls enjoyed sharing a meal.

Gifted and talented girls have new opportunities to challenge their curiosity and creativity at Perth College. We recently launched Imaginarium to extend gifted students’ learning beyond the classroom via a range of short courses to be run during the holidays and after school. The programme is open to girls in Years 3 to 6 from any school across WA.

Three courses were held in the July holidays, enabling girls to:• Explore the physical principles of flight

with an excursion to iFly Indoor Skydiving• Combine their passion for

animals and art with a workshop run by a professional artist

• Learn how explorers uncover unique life and consider future possibilities using virtual simulation and robotics equipment

Head of Imaginarium, Bek Duyckers, designs the courses as extension

experiences above and beyond each child’s enrolled year level.

“We want to encourage, motivate and stimulate the girls to really expand their minds and imaginations,” she said.

Claire Musarra (Year 7) is involved in Imaginarium as a student mentor.

“I have enjoyed being able to help the girls figure out and overcome the challenges they have faced, and think outside the box,” she said.

For details about Term Three and future holiday courses, visit the Imaginarium Facebook page (@imaginariumperthcollege) or the blog (https://theimaginariumperthcollege.com/).

Perth College girls have always set innovative fundraising challenges but their latest could be described as hair-raising.Thirty four girls – almost one-quarter of the Year 12 cohort – were joined by Science teacher Gretchen Schrocker as they cut their hair on Tuesday 20 June for the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair to cancer and other illnesses. They also raised $3,295 via www.gofundme.com.

In a test of endurance for staff and students, a pedal-a-thon on Wednesday 14 June raised $140 as well as awareness for Kathmandu Kids, a Perth-based charity improving the lives of children in Nepal. Donations fund school fees, school transport, uniforms, books, stationery, school facilities and medical services.

A staff team – which included Principal Jenny Ethell – pedalled 14km on a stationary bike, losing by just 1km to a team of Year 12 Officials who had organised the event. The Officials rallied cheering students and staff to place coins in jars alongside their favourite competitor.

“Our girls continually generate awareness and funds for causes they are passionate about,” Mrs Ethell said.

“The Year 12s of 2017 have definitely ensured they will leave a legacy at Perth College of compassion, generosity, teamwork and spirit.”

Community Collaborations

Capturing Girls’ Imaginations

Curious and creative: Georgia Crossen (Year 3) combined her passion for horse-riding and art.

Hair raising! Sarah Gordon, Madison Barnao and Shari Manansala show the hair they donated.

Staff vs students: Head of Mathematics Daniela Condo and Jennifer Turner rode for a great cause.

For enquiries or more details about these events, please email development@pc.wa.edu.au or contact the Perth College Development Office on 9471 2122.

www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au 31 Lawley Crescent, Mount Lawley WA 6050 info@pc.wa.edu.au (08) 9471 2100

Upcoming EventsWe invite our local community to get involved

IN CONVERSATION WITH JAMILA RIZVI

Myalla House, 34 Lawley Crescent, Mount Lawley

Thursday 17 August, 6.15 pm

Media commentator Jamila Rizvi talks about the tools women need to thrive in the workplace. Book via www.beaufortstreetbooks.com.au.

INFORMATION SESSIONS AND COMMUNITY TOURS

Perth College campus

Tuesday 5 September, 9.00 am Thursday 2 November, 5.00 pm

See how Perth College inspires learning, meet the Principal and tour the campus.

BREAKFAST WITH MADONNA KING

Myalla House, 34 Lawley Crescent, Mount Lawley

Tuesday 5 September, 7.00 am

Author Madonna King promotes Being 14, which gives a voice to teen girls and discusses independence, friendship groups, self-confidence, social media and how parents can help their daughters. Bookings via www.trybooking.com/QRWV.

K-12 ART EXHIBITION

Perth College Pavilion, Lawley Crescent

Wednesday 13 September to Sunday 17 September

Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 exhibit artworks created throughout the year.

COMMUNITY CAROLS

Save the date! Sunday 26 November 2017

Celebrate the joy of Christmas with thePerth College community and school choirs.

THE PC CHALLENGE

Perth College Boarding House

Friday 19 January to Sunday 21 January 2018

Regional students in Years 5 and 6 are invited to experience life as a boarder before moving away from home for their secondary schooling. The event is free – the only cost is transport to and from the School.

POSITIVE EDUCATION CONFERENCE

Perth College campus

Saturday 7 October, 8.30 am to 5.00 pm

Educators and researchers from across Australia discuss strategies to boost student and staff wellbeing. Guest speakers include Professors Felicia Huppert (University of Cambridge) and Lea Waters (University of Melbourne). For details or to register, visit https://www.perthcollege.wa.edu.au/whats-on.

LANGUAGE OF FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY WORKSHOP

Saturday 2 September, Years 1 and 2 2.00 pm – 3.30 pm; Years 3 to 6 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm

Girls from Years 1 to 6 and their parents learn strategies to manage emotions, communication and friendships. Visit https://urstrong.com/events/ for details.

Free STEaM Workshops

Girls from Kindergarten to Year 6 across the city are invited to free robotics and coding workshops at Perth College. The Junior School STEaM Expo on Thursday 14 September is open to the community to encourage girls to take up STEM subjects and pathways. Workshops run from approximately 3.45 pm to 5.00 pm.

Perth College’s vision for its newest building is becoming a reality, as construction of the Senior Learning and Leadership Centre progresses.The basement and ground floors are now complete; steel and pre-cast concrete beams are currently being installed in readiness for the first floor roof structure.

Decisions regarding furnishings, interior fittings and audio-visual equipment will be finalised by the end of August.

“This facility will appeal to the way our Senior School students learn and study, and enable them to connect to other students and educators around the world,” Principal Jenny Ethell said.

“With the construction now so visible from the street, excitement is growing as we get closer to the completion date in Term Four.”

We thank our neighbours for their ongoing understanding while construction is being completed.

The building will officially open for students in 2018.

Building Update

Under construction: The new Senior Learning and Leadership Centre.