Principal’s Overview I looked forward to the 2021 school year with the hope that it would be defined as ‘the year things got back to normal’ but, in actuality, it was the year we learned resilience and perseverance. As the year started, we realised quite quickly that the challenges of 2020 had not gone away. The problems we had faced in 2020, at times, felt more taxing because they were happening again. I must congratulate our students, staff and community on their endurance and patience with the reality of last-minute cancellations, online schooling and the uncertainty of the restrictions placed upon us as a school. At PLC, we have always had an eye to the future and transitioning to a hybrid model of the ‘physical’ and the ‘digital’ spaces was not only necessary but resulted in uncovering the creativity of problem solving within our staff. There was no better time to reassess the way we work, teach and learn. It was an ideal time to apply all that we had learned and developed over the past two years to our Strategic Plan, reflecting these modern challenges and opportunities. The five focus points of the new plan, launching in 2022, will include: • • • • •
Empowering a committed and passionate staff. Honouring individuality and supporting success. Enriching our learning environment. Energising our community. Innovating for a sustainable future.
Whilst the new pillars are interdependent, the Annual Review is an opportunity to look back over the year using one particular pillar; Honouring individuality and supporting success. The Class of 2021 has left us with an enormous sense of pride. Their contributions to all aspects of PLC life were reflected in the responsible and enthusiastic manner in which they led the School. The combined IB and ATAR median of 90.4* once again placed PLC in the company of the high achieving schools in Western Australia. Two of our students received WACE Subject Exhibitions and seven achieved a score of 99 or higher*.
achieve these impressive results. I also congratulate the students and their teachers who were finding meeting academic expectations difficult and who worked incredibly hard to lift their results and perform to the best of their abilities in their final assessments. Success looks different for every student and of our 2021 cohort, I am proud of the personal success of every student. It was a wonderful year for the Arts at PLC. The PLC/ Scotch College production of Mama Mia! received rave reviews and multiple standing ovations and the Years 7 to 10 musical, Matilda Jnr. was praised for uncovering the depth of talent in our younger Senior School students. Two Year 12 Visual Arts students were invited to exhibit their work in the renowned Pulse Perspectives exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and a Year 12 Dance student was accepted into Performing Arts Perspectives. PLC’s Rowing success continued in 2021 with another win at the Head of the River. It was particularly exciting as so many other sporting events were forced to cancel during the year and this proved a wonderful event to bring the community together. Our PLC cheerleaders were out in full force and full voice! Our community was very lucky to be able to hold some key events that are well-known fixtures on the PLC calendar. We were excited to see the Old Collegians’ Art Exhibition and Open Garden Day return in 2021. The Old Collegians’ 100th Anniversary, despite an earlier cancellation, and the 40th Anniversary of the Pipe Band were events that brought our past and current students together in very special reminders of the strength of the PLC community. Finally, building of the Music Centre commenced in May. It was another major milestone for the PLC Master Plan. The new building, designed by architects, Parry and Rosenthal, will open in mid 2022 and will be home to lessons and rehearsals for over 400 music students. Cate Begbie * Based on ATAR conversion used by UWA which awards bonus points to IB Diploma students.
I congratulate the students who worked so hard to 9
