Connecting the Community

Old Collegians’ Association

A leading objective of the PLC Old Collegians’ Association (OCA) is to foster a spirit of community between past and present collegians and the College. 2019 was no exception, with an impressive calendar of events to keep the OCA and the PLC community engaged and connected.

More than 70 artists, including Old Collegians, their relatives, parents, staff and former staff members, exhibited their works at the OCA’s premier friend and fundraising event. More than 420 artworks were exhibited, including miniatures from PLC’s Year 5s. Over 200 guests attended the Opening Night Cocktail Party and over the weekend approximately $27,000 was raised. Other activities included the OCA Welcome Day Lunch for new students and their Old Collegian parents or grandparents, International Women’s Day Breakfast, Easter Service Morning Tea, Old Scotch Collegians (OSC) and PLC Old Collegians hosted Tartan Lawyers’ Breakfast and the PLC Founders Day Service and Luncheon. Through the OCA’s fundraising activities such as the Art Exhibition and the OCA stall at PLC’s Open Garden Day, the following Bursaries were awarded: • Olive Cusack Bursary: Olivia Morton (Year 9) • Dr Vera Summers Bursary: Ellie Fry (Year 10) • Heather Barr Memorial Bursary:

Elizabeth Crawford (Year 11) Funding was also provided by the OCA for the purchase of a new Quadruple Scull, ceremoniously named ‘The Old Girl’, to be used by current and future rowing students. Alumni also assist Year 12 students through the OCA Inspiring Women and the OCA Mentoring Programmes, as well as guest speaker presentations. To welcome them to the Association, Year 12s were each presented with a certifi cate and bracelet engraved with their leaving year at the Valedictory Dinner. PLC Parents

In 2019 we commenced with the new parent support group structure - PLC Parents, a subcommittee of PLC Council which supports the interests of parents and promotes the School ethos of providing a supportive environment for students, parents and our PLC community.

PLC Parents included Year Group Representatives, New Parents Liaison, Boarding House Representative, Pastoral Care and other positions that organise activities that encourage friend-raising, fundraising, or providing support within the School community. The 2019 Open Garden Day was the best yet, with View Street being closed T1 - Traffi c for the fi rst time ever to create a vibrant marketplace, which was a hive of activity with more than 45 local companies and ten PLC stall holders. This year we also had special guest and gardening guru Sabrina Hahn, who conducted a walking tour of four of the eight gardens. Florist and PLC Parent Rebecca Grace also hosted two fl oral demonstrations at the café. Other annual events included the Welcome Sundowner, Tennis Morning and Year Group functions. Funds raised by PLC Parents were distributed to the PLC Community through the PLC Parent Fund and the Term Fee Draw Funding and in 2019 the following items were funded; Music Choir Risers, Pipe Band equipment, Weather@ PLC, Festival of Science, Outdoor Education Laundry, Junior School Talk for Writing, the Early Years Hallway Project and a contribution towards a new Rowing Quad Boat. PLC Parents also assisted in giving gifts to our Year 12 Leavers and also contributing to decorations for the Year 10 Social, Year 11 Dance and Year 12 Ball. Funding is also provided to the Scotch/PLC quiz nights for Years 6 and 7 and the games night in Year 8.