President’s message

EX-STUDENTS’ NEWS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Our wonderful school is celebrating its 135-year milestone next year; a significant achievement, yet not a surprising one considering the calibre of the leaders and staff who ensure PLC Sydney remains one of the leading girls’ schools in our country.

I was a PLC Sydney student for thirteen years, and I have remained involved in the College through my involvement in the Ex-Students for about ten years. Of my 30 years, I have dedicated 23 or so to my much-loved old school. This is a significant period of time in my life!

However, in the extensive history of the College, it certainly seems like a drop in the ocean.

I believe my strong love for my old school was aided by the very fact I spent so many years here but I have noticed through my involvement on the Ex-Students’ Committee that our fondness for our old school is not necessarily defined by the number of years we were students here but instead the memories we have and friendships we formed through involving ourselves in the many opportunities offered to us at the College. I encourage our ex-student community to return to the College next year and join in the many celebrations of our school’s significant milestone, especially if it has been some time since you have walked through the green gates. The Ex-Students have had a packed calendar during the second half of this year. We not only host activities for ex-students, but we also ensure our current students feel the warmth of their future ex-student community. Amongst the many farewell celebrations for the outgoing Class of 2022, the Ex-Students hosted our annual lunch for the girls. This year we decided to offer something new and engaged OzHarvest and its food truck to serve our hard-working and hungry Year 12 students, and give them an opportunity to enjoy a different kind of lunch in the sunshine. The Ex-Students also hosted the Welcome to the Common Room morning tea for the Class of 2023. Again, we wanted to offer our girls something different and served a different take on the humble Australian lamington. The empty trays of lamingtons indicated how much the girls enjoyed them! We were also very pleased that the annual Careers Night could proceed this year and, just like previous years, the Ex-Student “Career Conversations Cafe” was a success. We are grateful to the ex-students who volunteered their time to share insights about their various industries, and I look forward to receiving more interest next year from other ex-students. Giving back and knowledge sharing is fundamental to the success and support of our ex-student community. The Croydon Circle Annual Luncheon on 18 October was a tremendous success. More than seventy ex students, who have the longest connection to our College, joined us for a luncheon filled with laughter and the sharing of memories. It was the first lunch I have attended as President and I now see why there is such enthusiasm to attend each year; the reunion of many of our ex-students who are over the age of 75, many of whom make a long journey to Croydon for this lunch, is a beautiful sight to behold. I hope that I will also have the opportunity to enjoy many of these lunches with my Class of 2009 when it is our time to join the Croydon Circle. My heartfelt gratitude to the Ex-Students Committee, and particularly to Philippa Zingales, Director of Alumni & Community Relations, for their dedication and support this year - and for stepping in when the juggle between my newborn and toddler and my commitments as President was sometimes a little large. I also wish to thank, on behalf of the ex-student community, Dr Burgis and the College for your ongoing involvement of the Ex-Students in many activities throughout the school calendar. This year has been incredibly busy and I look forward to slowing down and relaxing at the end of the year with my husband and two beautiful children.

On behalf of the Ex‑Students, I wish the PLC Sydney community a blessed and joyful Christmas.

Mia Joseph (Ilias, 2009)

Ex-Students’ President