Treasuring the journey

As the school year begins in January, senior school students at Presbyterian Ladies’ College start working together to plot and plan their house musical. Students from Years 7 to 12 become fully immersed in a world of scriptwriting, rehearsals, designing and constructing props, sewing costumes and composing background music. They have only three weeks from the first production meeting to stepping into the spotlight and performing their work in front of the community.

“During this time, across the year levels, students learn to be part of a team and to be creative together. They are role models for each other, negotiate when things don’t go their way, become leaders, have failures, and celebrate success together,” says PLC Principal Cheryl Penberthy.

“Everyone immerses themselves in the House Concerts wholeheartedly, and the results are amazing to watch.

“It is also a part of their school journey that is treasured by our Old Collegians – they all remember it.”

Treasuring the learning journey as it unfolds at PLC is an important part of the school’s philosophy. While girls are encouraged to strive for excellence inside and outside of school, Penberthy says they are also encouraged to relish each stage of their education.

“For example, with our youngest children, we carefully create experiences for their particular age and stage. Their learning and the materials they use are age appropriate, and this encourages them to be easily engaged in their learning,” she says.

“Children need space to learn, and their minds shouldn’t be filled with too much information that is beyond their maturity. We build strong cognitive pathways and a strong foundation by stripping away what isn’t necessary so children can apply themselves and be in a happy and stimulating place when they learn.”

Treasuring each step of the learning journey also sees teachers and staff across PLC encourage students to be curious, use their imagination and take risks as they explore.

“ They may not always know the answer, but we want them to have a go and be confident that their learning environment will support them,” says Penberthy.

“We scaffold their experiences at each stage of their journey so they feel safe and confident to take risks and to take the next step forward in their learning.

“Ultimately, we want our students to have an education that sustains and prepares them for their lifetime, and we want them to aim high while recognising that excellence can be different for everybody.”

Since it was founded in 1875 with only 60 students, PLC has remained firmly committed to its Christian values.

That first intake of students included Catherine Deakin, sister of Australian prime minister Alfred Deakin, and Helen Mitchell, known to most of us as Dame Nellie Melba.

“Our Christian foundation underpins everything we do, as do our core values of truth and excellence, service, care and respect. Aiming high is also a core principle,” says Penberthy.

“ We want our students to be women with strong character, a sense of their own worth, to have an appreciation of the education they’ve received, and to be empathetic, self-confident, capable and gracious.”

PLC teachers and staff also remain conscious of the trust placed in them by families who choose to send their

141 BURWOOD HIGHWAY, BURWOOD, VIC 3125 ENQUIRIES (03) 9805 7860 plc.vic.edu.au admissions@plc.vic.edu.au

YEARS

ELC to Year 12

DENOMINATION Presbyterian GENDER Girls

FEES

$20,764 to $36,412

BOARDING

Yes

SCHOLARSHIPS

Yes

ATAR (Median for 2022): 94.15

HOVER YOUR CAMERA OVER THE CODE TO SEE DOMAIN LISTINGS NEAR PRESBYTERIAN LADIES’ COLLEGE children to the school, and strong connections are forged with those families. The school works hard to build trust, maintain transparent and open communication and ensure families feel supported and part of the PLC community.

“ We regularly communicate with parents about the progress of their child and what is next in their learning journey and we work hard to understand each child and to know their parents, too. Each family’s journey at PLC is personalised, and we work with parents to meet each child’s needs as they learn,” says Penberthy.

“ Together, we nurture PLC women who go into the world to take their place and who are women of integrity.”