OutLook program

Varied educational experiences are critical for developing independent and thoughtful learners. PLC acknowledges the specific needs of students at Year 9 and has created an exciting and challenging year-long program that encourages students to step outside their comfort zone, expand their horizons and learn new skills. The purpose of this program is to increase independence, create authentic learning experiences outside the classroom, encourage creativity and problem-solving skills and develop resilience. It is undertaken by all Year 9 students.

The program aims to build knowledge and skills in a wide range of areas, complementing the academic curriculum and the area of personal development at this Middle School level.
There are four strands that operate interdependently to mencapsulate the spirit and content of OutLook.

There are four core components of OutLook:

• OutLook Outdoors: The Outdoor Education program at Year 9 takes place early in Term 1 and is compulsory for all girls. The five-day program is run in conjunction with the Outdoor Education Group (OEG), a company specialising in school outdoor programs, and takes the form of a journey on water and through the bush. Planning and preparation sessions are held for all students prior to the camp. The girls are organised into groups of 10 – 12 from within their form and are self-sufficient, carrying personal and group gear, food and supplies. Skills in leadership, personal growth, initiative, increased independence and responsibility are all outcomes of the camp.
  Journal writing also encourages reflection about the experiences and the skills learnt.
• OutLook Learning: All students undertake OutLook Learning for one semester. This
  course engages students in expanding their horizons. It comprises the following units of study: rights and responsibilities, civics and citizenship, scams and online behaviours, aspects of consumerism, Fair Trade and ethical decision making, and excursions in the local area. Students learn about the governance in local municipalities, particularly the City of Whitehorse and the City of Boroondara.
  Independent travel on public transport within the local area gives students the opportunity to explore services and facilities. The students use various research tools to collect data and make informed comments on local issues. 
• OutLook Community Action: Students attend a placement at a local kindergarten, childcare centre, primary school, special school or elderly citizens’ facility, to better understand the concept and practicalities of volunteering. During their visits they undertake an action research project and keep a journal.
• OutLook City: Students spend five days in the Melbourne CBD, based at The
  Scots’ Church. An orientation program is run on the first day to familiarise students with the city environment. The remainder of the week consists of timetabled visits to particular landmarks and locations, together with Self-Initiated Projects, which are pre-planned and give students, working in groups, the freedom to explore an area of interest in the city. Emphasis is on group work, journal-style documentation and increased personal awareness in this challenging and exciting environment. A presentation evening for parents is held after the program.

The Year 11 Leadership Camp is a compulsory part of the curriculum. The two-and-a-half-day camp focuses on leadership skills, with workshops and lectures covering teamwork exercises and personal development activities. These aim to:

• Provide opportunities for the cohort to participate in activities together and to foster teamwork
• Provide guidance and skills to prepare students for their final year of school
• Foster leadership skills that will help girls take on positions of responsibility in Year 12
• Offer a winter outdoor experience for all girls

Gifted and Talented Extension Opportunities  

Gifted and Talented students benefit from a qualitatively differentiated curriculum to further their higher-level intellectual engagement. This is implemented using the best of theory and research into extending students with high capacity. PLC Gifted and Talented extension activities include in class extension, pull out extension programs, intellectually challenging competitions, excursions, incursions and other opportunities. This supports a pathway for these students to develop their abilities and interests in a stimulating and supportive environment.  

By collaborating with others in solving problems and mastering challenging tasks, gifted students acquire skills which prepare them to be able to manage effectively challenges in the future. 

Across various disciplines, in groups or through research projects, students experience first-hand how expert mentors and teachers examine, explore, and use strategies to solve intellectual, creative and practical problems.  

Some examples of extension-based competitions and other opportunities offered in the school include:

• Writing and Publishing Seminars and Workshops 
• Writing and Public Speaking Competitions 
• VCAA Plain English-Speaking Awards (PESA) 
• United Nations Youth Assembly: Rotary MUNA 
• Titration Stakes  
• Thriving Minds Conference 
• The Art of Composition Music Workshops 
• Student Parliamentary Debating
• STEM Club 
• Science Talent Search 
• Science Olympiads  
• Robogals Engineering. 
• Prose and Poetry Writing Competitions 
• Philosophy Club 
• National Chem Quiz  
• Mooting 
• Micro Mathematicians 
• Melbourne University Mathematics Competitions 
• Ethics Olympiad 
• Debating 
• Da Vinci Decathlon
• CREST  
• Biomechanics Research and Innovation Challenge (BRInC)  
• Big Science 
• Australian Mathematics Olympiad Trust Competitions 
• Australian Computational Linguistics Olympiad (OZCLO) 
• Australia Mathematics Trust Competitions 
• APSMO 
• ACER Global Academic Challenge 

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