Principal’s Overview

Staff Farewells

PLC Perth bid adieu to two of its most senior staff members in 2019 with Principal Dr Kate Hadwen leaving at the end of Term 2 and Deputy Principal Dr Andrew Cousins the end of the year.

Dr Kate Hadwen

Dr Hadwen (pictured left) became the nineth Principal of PLC in Term 3, 2015. Having held a range of teaching, academic and leadership positions around Australia this was her fi rst Principal position.

During her tenure Dr Hadwen continued to build on PLC’s strong foundations, enhancing its reputation as one of Australia’s leading schools. She unwaveringly promoted excellence in teaching and learning by championing professional development and promotional opportunities for staff .

She developed close bonds with students and her door was always open for girls to visit, whatever the reason or need. She was a fi erce advocate for PLC girls and enjoyed participating in many co-curricular activities, especially dressing up on Arts Day.

A signifi cant achievement for Dr Hadwen was the integration of wellbeing into the school curriculum through the opening of the PLC Lighthouse in 2018. Her dream became a reality and now students and staff are enjoying this beautiful and functional wellbeing centre.

Having previously worked in boarding, Dr Hadwen had a ‘soft spot’ for the boarders. She enjoyed many meals with boarders in her own home. She cooked for them, providing a wonderful homely experience for students who were far from their own homes.

Dr Hadwen left PLC to take up the position of Principal, Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney in May 2019. We thank Kate for her leadership of PLC and wish her well for the future. Dr Andrew Cousins

Moving West from Queensland in March 2016, Dr Cousins (pictured above) commenced at PLC in the position of Deputy Principal.

During his tenure, Dr Cousins was instrumental in the School’s changes to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, restructuring the Senior School teaching and learning staffi ng model and the introduction of the six-period timetable, in concert with Scotch College. He also did an outstanding job in the role of Acting Principal for the second half of Term 2 in 2019.

As a leader, Dr Cousins was extremely generous with his time. He thought broadly and in a strategic way, bringing diff erent perspectives to the table. His approach was always calm, considered and levelheaded, displaying outstanding leadership qualities at PLC.

A talented musician, Dr Cousins surprised and amazed the entire school when he broke into song, singing ‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ unaccompanied, at the conclusion of his farewell speech to Kate Hadwen, Principal. Later that year at Arts Day 2019, he played piano and sang the ‘Circle of Life’ as part of the Lion King Staff item. Dr Cousins certainly impressed the PLC community with these two musical performances in his time at PLC.

Dr Cousins left PLC to move back east to take up the position of Principal, Clayfi eld College in Brisbane from the start of 2020. We wish Andrew all the very best as he starts a new chapter in his life and thank him for his signifi cant strategic leadership and contribution to PLC.