40 PLC i n Pri nt | Nove mbe r 2 0 2 0
PLC Community News PLC Foundation The normally highly social PLC Foundation has, like all communities and organisations, had a very quiet year in 2020. Whilst the group was able to celebrate the opening of the new Year 12 Centre in January, all other events for the year were put on hold. However, the Foundation was extremely grateful to receive a donation of almost $300,000 from a wonderfully generous benefactor in February. This significant Building Fund donation will support the next major development at PLC and in recognition, the group looks forward to publicly honoring the benefactor’s outstanding contribution at a special event in the near future. This year the Foundation also chose to postpone any additional formal fundraising. With so many people impacted by COVID-19 and the effects it has had on the Australian economy, the group focused on supporting the members of the wider PLC Community.
Hethersett Group As Australians ushered in 2020, many looked towards the New Year with eager anticipation - a new decade, a new era. Few would have predicted that in the ensuing weeks and months, Victoria would be in a state of emergency, our nation in lockdown, and the world would be in the midst of a devastating pandemic. By March, we were washing our hands vigorously, watching press conferences with bated-breath and grappling with the paradox that loving our elderly parents meant that we shouldn’t see them in person. We became familiar with terms such as N95, PPE, COVID-Safe, 1.5m, Zoom, contact tracing, social distancing, self-isolation and the ‘new normal’. And yet after months of being in isolation, we have learned to enjoy the simple things in life – reading, gardening, walking around the neighbourhood, connecting with loved ones online, playing board games, having dinner together as a family. For many others, however, it continues to be a very challenging time where families have had to navigate change, hardship and unspeakable loss. The Hethersett Group was in the midst of preparing for the PLC Sports Day back in March when the pandemic disrupted our plans. A faithful team of volunteers had planned to sell an array of hot and cold foods, snacks, baked goods and drinks. However, it was not to be. Athletics day was subsequently cancelled and the school holidays brought forward not long after that.
AGM Hethersett Group
Since then, the Hethersett Committee has continued to meet via Zoom and the wider Hethersett group has been staying in touch through our WhatsApp chat group. We have shared inspiring videos and messages, food photos and have remained in touch. It is not just our PLC girls who miss the social interaction, parents are feeling isolated too. Whilst the Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day celebrations have been cancelled this year, the Christmas Luncheon in November – a fantastic year-end celebration event – remains on hold. As Hethersett continues to support the school community through this challenging season, we would encourage parents to come together and serve the school; we would love to meet you and welcome you to our wonderful group.
Hethersett is the oldest parent body at PLC. It was founded in the 1950s and named in honour of the original property on the campus grounds. Hethersett warmly welcomes all parents and we would love for you to get involved. The main purpose of the group is to support the school in organizing events such as the athletics carnival, Harmony Day lunch, Mothers’ Day morning tea, Fathers’ Day breakfast, and the Christmas luncheon. These activities provide a fantastic opportunity for parents to meet with each other while contributing to the life of the school. For further information, please email plchethersett@plc.vic.edu.au April Lim Hethersett President
