Preparing young women to lead active, purposeful lives
Presbyterian Ladies’ College was founded in 1915 and has since sustained an international reputation for academic excellence and outstanding success in preparing young women to lead active, purposeful lives.
Evidence of our Scottish heritage is apparent throughout the beautiful Peppermint Grove campus as well as in the distinctive Black Watch tartan uniform and PLC Pipe Band. However, perhaps the most significant legacy of our Scottish tradition is a belief in educational excellence, combined with a whole-of-person approach to intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development.
Today this continues to be the philosophical foundation on which a PLC education is based.
At PLC, every girl is given the opportunity to:
• develop an appreciation of intellectual challenge and a love of lifelong learning;
• gain the confidence to question, challenge and be creative;
• give and receive warmth and human understanding;
• belong to a community in which to experience the beauty and joy of life itself.
PLC students are encouraged to become critical and compassionate thinkers, to assume responsibility for their own learning and to be informed and engaged participants in local and global issues.
Underlying these precepts is the conviction that women can, and should, make a difference in the world.
PLC Perth acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are located, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar nation, and recognise their continued custodianship and connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their Elders past and present.
Vision & Values
Presbyterian Ladies’ College is a Uniting Church School committed to an excellent well-rounded educational experience that gives every girl confidence and empowers her to lead a principled life and make an active contribution to the community.
PLC is:
• a school for a diverse and exceptional education that is innovative, vibrant, challenging and fosters personal excellence;
• a community of friends, which is secure, inclusive and valuing of the individual;
• an enduring legacy of values such as integrity, learning, community and effort;
• a culture of learning for life and spiritual enquiry where character and leadership are nurtured to serve and shape the world.
Our vision is to provide opportunities for generations of girls to discover their uniqueness and have the courage to strive to live by their convictions and realise their potential.
OUR VALUES
PLC is a values-based community. Staff, students and parents subscribe to our values upon becoming members of the College. These values provide the compass by which members of the community come together to support one another and be of service to others.
Taken together, our values create an enabling environment to meet the School’s Statement of Purpose: Presbyterian Ladies’ College is a Uniting Church School committed to an excellent well-rounded educational experience that gives every girl confidence and empowers her to lead a principled life and make an active contribution towards the community.
INTEGRITY (HONORE)
Strong ethical values make truth, compassion, respect and moral courage highly-valued attitudes which are modelled every day. Integrity and a strong sense of social justice is particularly demonstrated through a commitment to celebrating diversity including reconciliation for indigenous peoples of Australia and striving for equal opportunities for women.
LEARNING
We gain knowledge and explore intellectual challenges and are inspired to value learning as inquirers, thinkers, risk-takers, communicators and through self-reflection. Students develop an understanding of themselves, their community and the world around them through a balance of academic, social, cultural and spiritual enquiry and physical pursuits.
COMMUNITY
We value participation as an active means of making friends and building mutual understanding, showing care, support, respect and an open mind to recognise everyone’s value and contributions. The value of belonging to a community is in accepting rights and responsibilities and recognising that with privilege comes an individual and collective responsibility for the common good.
EFFORT (LABORE)
We recognise that little is achieved without effort and we encourage students to strive and achieve their best. Confidence, resilience and boldness develop through a culture of participation, a get-up-andgo attitude, having the courage to try new things, managing unfamiliar situations, learning from mistakes in a supportive environment and having opportunities to discover personal strengths.
Principal’s Overview
In August 2022, we celebrated the opening of our new state-of-the-art music building. It sits proudly alongside the Junior School and reflects the value we place on music within our community. We are very proud that our new building stands as a legacy of all the wonderful music-making which has occurred here since our college’s inception and waits here enthusiastically to help nurture the aspirations of current and future students.
The benefits of learning music are well known and include a direct correlation with cognitive advances in speech, reading, mathematics, memory, creativity and concentration amongst other developments, which is why we prioritise the learning of Music every day in our Early Year’s programme at PLC.
In addition to the above benefits, being involved in a musical ensemble, band or choir helps improve children’s social and emotional skills. They learn to work as a team, take responsibility and develop empathy for others. This was particularly evident in Term 4 in our cast of High School Musical Jr. Watching our students leave after their final performance, it was obvious what a closely connected group they had become and the level of support they were providing each other. I have no doubt that these friendships will remain well after that final performance.
Again in 2022, our girls excelled in sport – with PLC winning the overall IGGSA AFL flag, the Overall Soccer Pennant, the Cross Country pennant for Year 11/12, the Senior A Basketball pennant, the Senior A Water Polo Year 11/12 pennant, and the Year 7/8 Cricket team pennant and the Open B Cricket Team also taking home the pennant. Our Rowers continued IGGSA dominance, winning the Head of the River as well as the overall Rowing pennant. This incredible win is unmatched, as PLC has won ALL of the past ten Head of the River Regattas.
Our success in sport was not limited to our Senior School as Junior School students also won the JIGGSA Cross Country carnival and took home the Years 4, 5 and 6 champion pennants. We have reached new heights with Junior School participation in Basketball, and our Year 6 Netball team, the PLC Firebirds, enjoyed an outstanding season this year and came away with an inspiriting win in the Grand Final.
Every year, I know our community is proud of PLC Perth’s success in providing young women with a positive start to their lives beyond the classroom. Our 2022 Leavers have continued this tradition with amazing results in their IB, ATAR and VET pathways.
The School’s median ATAR of 92.25 (combined International Baccalaureate and WACE results) against a WA State median of 83.45 once again placed PLC among the highest academic achieving schools in Western Australia. Two students achieved perfect ATAR scores of 99.95 and 60.2 students achieved and ATAR score of 90 or more.
Our International Baccalaureate students were also outstanding, with one student achieving a perfect score of 45 – the equivalent of a perfect ATAR score of 99.95. One student achieved a Bilingual Diploma in French. 58% of IB students achieved an ATAR equivalent of 90 or higher, and 90% of our students achieved a score above the world average.
Our VET students completed a wide range of courses including Science (Psychology and Mental Health and Animal and Marine Biology), Community Services, Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies, Education Support, Business and Events.
While all these achievements are outstanding, I remain most proud of the culture that exists at PLC. Our students constantly show through their actions that they are not afraid of a challenge or trying something new and do so with empathy for others, respect for the equipment and PLC staff. Our students are conspicuous in their contribution in setting up and packing away of equipment at all events.
Cate Begbie PrincipalPLC Council
Claire Poll
Chair of Council
Morgen Lewis
Deputy Chair of Council
Michelle Barrett
Charlie Bolt
Finance and Audit Committee (Chair)
Fiona Crowe
Master Plan & Infrastructure Committee (Chair)
Jordan Foster
Annabelle Henderson
Alan Ng
PLC Parents (Chair)
James Mactier
Risk & Compliance Committee (Chair)
Jon Smeulders
Master Plan & Infrastructure Committee
Prof Carole Steketee
Matthew Weaver
Finance and Audit Committee
PLC also thanks the following people who have provided their time, knowledge and experience as Independent members of Council Sub-Committees during the year:
Master Plan & Infrastructure Committee
Fiona Hogg
Wes Barrett
Finance and Audit Committee
Matt Weaver
Nyree Correia
Carlo Franchina
Martin Kirkness
Yvette Psaltis
Risk and Compliance Committee
Adrienne Dukes
Fiona Morgan
Clancy Jarvis
PLC Senior Leadership Team
Staff Farewells
Gray
Joanna Gray (nee Tugwell) was an integral part of the PLC Boarding community during her 11 years at the School. With a teaching background, Jo joined the PLC Boarding House in 2011. She was acutely aware of the challenges that boarders and their families faced and placed much of her focus on establishing strong connections with community stakeholders. Throughout her time, Jo was Coordinator to a wide range of year groups from Year 8 through, in her final years, Year 12. Each year group benefitted from her firm, but fair approach and thrived in her care.
She possessed a strong sense of professionalism in her approach to all facets of boarding and took every opportunity to build upon her skills and to stay up to date with all current trends. Above all, Jo felt privileged to be a part of PLC Boarding House and her role in contributing to shaping young women to become strong and independent world citizens. Jo will best be remembered for the dedication she demonstrated each and every day; fostering outstanding relationships through exemplary pastoral care.
Hu
With a background as a Chinese Language Teacher, Anna commenced at PLC in 2009 initially in the role of ILT Curriculum Integration Manager. In September 2010, Anna was appointed to the role of Director of Information and Learning Technologies, for PLC and Scotch, a role which sat on the Senior Leadership Team/ Executive of both Schools and which was responsible for leading the ILT strategy and managing the relevant teams at each School for curriculum integration and technology infrastructure.
During her almost 12 years at PLC and Scotch, Anna made a significant contribution to the delivery of ILT strategy and aligning the technology platforms across both schools, consistent with the PLC and Scotch Memorandum of Understanding, to enable the delivery of cross-campus classes.
Anna is an innovative and strategic leader, and her ability to look at an issue from a different perspective was highly valued by the PLC Senior Leadership Team.
Sandra Otranto
Sandra was born in a tiny village in Portugal, moving to Australia as a small child. She is very close to her family and has never lost sight of the hardships her parents went through to make a better life.
Sandra commenced at PLC in January 2008 in the Finance department, in the role of Accounts Officer. In October 2009, this role changed to Accounts Officer –Collections, and she remained in this role for the balance of her tenure at PLC, a total of just over 14 years.
Her background gave her empathy with the PLC families that she had contact with in the course of her role, a role which she undertook with dedication and sensitivity for those families who found it more difficult than others to give their children a PLC education.
Anyone who visited her office would have seen that she is a keen follower of the Fremantle Dockers, and is in fact quite knowledgeable about the game of AFL. In between raising her son and daughter, Sandra has been working for several years towards a Juris Doctor at Murdoch University.
As a team member she was always willing to accept any task, especially if it meant researching and learning something new. She would always roll up her sleeves with whatever was needed when other team members were overloaded.
Staff Farewells
Rokiyah Bin Swani Indigenous Scholarship Programme Co-ordinator
Emily Brown Theatre Arts Production Assistant
Jason Chiriac Technology Support Officer
Linley Flugge Uniform Shop Assistant
Felicity Gairns Boarding House Assistant
Joanna Gray Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator
Frances Hannington Boarding House Weekend Co-ordinator
Tehan Harvey Accounts Officer - Payroll and Payables
Krysti Hodges Junior School Teacher
Anna Hu Director or ILT
Charlotte Krause Maths Teacher
Nat Medhurst
Head of Sport
Gabriella Murphy Uniform Shop Assistant
Susie Myers
Education AssistantSpecial Needs Senior School
Sandra Otranto Accounts OfficerCollections
Vivi Phan-Tran People and Culture Co-ordinator
Taylor Rickard ILT Co-ordinator
Michael Rourke
Languages Teacher
Sara Green Drama Teacher
Emily Smrcek HPE Teacher
Bauke Snyman Head of Drama
Clare Thomson Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator
Amelia Turner Education AssistantJunior School
Kylie Yacopetti Publications, Marketing and Media Co-ordinator
Sadie Yoxall
Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator
Jade Zimmerman Music Administration Assistant
Academic Achievement
At PLC, ensuring every girl achieves her personal best is our primary focus. We are incredibly proud of our 2021 cohort and we wish our graduates every success as they embark on their next journey.
108 students undertook WACE studies for the ATAR pathway and 17 students chose the Vocational Education and Training pathway.
19 students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
COMBINED IB/WACE ATAR
92.25
35% of the cohort achieved an ATAR of 95 or above
WACE
Median ATAR 91.7 State Median - 83.45
• 33% per cent of eligible students achieved an ATAR score or 95 or more.
• 60.19 per cent of eligible students achieved an ATAR score of 90 or more.
• 81.5 per cent of eligible students received an ATAR score over 80.
• Two students achieved perfect ATAR scores of 99.95 or higher.
IB DIPLOMA
Median Score – 36
ATAR equivalent 94.1
• 100 per cent of IB students passed the IB Diploma at PLC.
• The world pass rate is 86 per cent.1 student achieved the equivalent of a perfect ATAR score
• (99.95) 1 Bilingual Diploma
• 89.95% of students above world average
• 42 per cent of IB students achieved an ATAR equivalent of 95 or higher.
• 58 per cent of IB students achieved at ATAR equivalent of 90 or higher.
• Five students achieved the maximum bonus points in the Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay. Only 10 per cent of IB students in the world achieve this.
• Level 7s were achieved in 16 courses (7 Higher Level and 9 Standard Level subjects).
VET
The VET courses students completed included:
Certificate II Hospitality
• Certificate II Retail Services
• Certificate III Events
• Certificate III Fitness
• Certificate III Nail Technology
• Certificate IV Business
• Certificate IV Education Support
• Certificate IV Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies
• Certificate IV Community Services
• Certificate IV Science (Animal and Marine Biology)
• Certificate IV Science (Psychology and Mental Health)
WACE Subject Awards
Subject Exhibition
Dance
Philippa Atwell
Mathematics Applications
Arabella Malet
Subject Certificates of Excellence
Chemistry
Caroline Chen
Dance
Philippa Atwell
Economics
Jacinta Beresford / Darcy Slocombe
English
Poppy Bell
Geography
Holly Male
Literature
Anoushka Paganin
Mathematics Applications
Arabella Malet
Mathematics Methods
Noah Hall
Certificates of Distinction
Philippa Atwell Olivia Morton
Poppy Bell Kasey Osborne
Caroline Chen Anoushka Paganin
Kaitlyn Chen Insiah Riaz
Sarah Few Darcy Slocombe
Sienna Grubb Nina Sneddon
Noah Hall Sophya Thomas
Lucy Hood Pippa Tucker
Ruby Luxton Lilly Wallwork
Angela Lyall Charlotte Williams
Holly Male Hana Yusoff
Lucinda Mitchell
Certificates of Merit
Stella Andrew Jemima Officer
Jacinta Beresford Brooke O’Sullivan
Saskia Boquest Ruby Patrick
Abbey Rintoul Lauren Ryding
Mimi Drage Bryzlyn Sin
Grace Early Ellen Sinclair
Lily Fairweather Ava Steinepreis
Isabella Flugge Emily Stevens
Charlotte Gattorna Chloe Streader
Morven Johnston Amelia Taboni
Megan Kirchner Tilly Waters
Edwina Mactier Eliza Weir
Nina Mannolini
Islay Reichstein
Alexandra Slocombe
Gabrielle Smith
Caitlin Weir
Eliza Zagar
CLASS OF 2022 COURSES
CLASS OF 2022 DESTINATIONS
2022 Naplan results
Individual Achievements
Students published in Primo Luxa journal of poetry by students in years 10 to 12 from across WA. There were over 300 entries in 2022 and it is a great honour to be selected for publication in this journal. This is the third year Poppy Bell has had a poem selected for publication.
Year 12 - Poppy Bell and Olivia Morton
Year 11 - Sophia Gianotti, Scarlett Newman, Jacinta Cuthbertson and Hannah Potts
Lottie Dowling (Year 9) received a Highly Commended award in the Tim Winton Short Story Competition. This is Western Australia’s most prestigious short story writing competition.
Saskia Fleming (Year 12) achieved a ‘Highly Commended’ award for her poem, ‘A strange dusk on the farm’ in the 2022 Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards. This is a prestigious, national poetry competition that gives students an opportunity to strive for excellence in literature. This is an outstanding achievement.
Year 9 team winning the national prize for Best Book (middle school) - Edith Hellings, EllaRose Greenaway, Emma Ryan, Isla Mannolini, Kaitlyn Sin, Kiara Stofberg, Livya Siford.
PLC Equestrian Team competed at the State Equestrian Interschools
Championships: Isobel Egan (Year 9), Kate Banner (Year 11),Lucinda Egan (Year 11), Lucy Caslick (Year 8)
2022 Chinese Students’ Achievements
1. 2022 Chinese Language Teachers’ Association of Western Australia Chinese writing and speaking competition.
(1) 2022 CLTAWA State Chinese Writing Competition
Category: Year 7-8
Aurelia Qaqish 3rd place
Category: Year 9-10
Emma Ryan 5th place
Category E4: Advanced level Grace(Yixin) Guo 1st place (Michelle)Beining Hu 3rd place
(2) 2022 CLTAWA State Chinese Speaking Competition
Category: Year 9
Emma Ryan 5th place
Special congratulations to Natalia Row (Year 10) who was invited to act as a host for the event, showcasing her outstanding public speaking skills in Chinese.
Congratulations also to Edith Hellings (Year 9), Isabel Greentree (Year 7) who participated in the Chinese speaking competition and Tia Ford (Year 7) who participated in the Chinese writing competition. They demonstrated great Chinese speaking and writing skills as well.
2. Mandarin Speaking Short Film Competition.
Former student - Emilia Streitberg (Year5R)’s Mandarin video ‘My
Grandpa’s Kangaroos’ won the ‘Best Mandarin’ & ‘ People’s Choice’ Prizes in primary school category of this competition.
3. 2022 Chinese Bridge Competition – Regional Final for Primary School Students from SA, WA, NT and the ACT
This year’s Chinese Bridge Competition (Primary school) in Australia is organised by the Confucius Institute at UWA. The competition was hotly contested by 22 entrants from nine schools across three states. The judging panel was consisted of Chinese teachers from South Australia, Western Australia and Zhejiang University (China).
Former student - Emilia Streitberg (Year5R) is the overall champion(1st) in this regional final competition and has represented Australia to go on to compete in the Global Finals, against students across the world.
4. 2022 Australia China Friendship Society of WA (ACFSWA) Chinese Language Students Awards
Ruby Clarke (Year 6 - Chinese as second language) has been awarded Chinese Language Student Awards(Primary)awarded Chinese Language Student Awards
Emma Ryan (Year 9 - Chinese as second language) has been awarded Chinese Language Student Awards (Secondary)
WA JUNIOR MATHEMATICS
OLYMPIAD 2022 (WAJO)
Yuki Li 7th Place: Merit award
Wellbeing
PLC Lighthouse Programmes
In 2022, whilst there was further COVID-19 interruptions through the early part of the year the Lighthouse was able to continue to provide a range of classes and programmes for students and staff. A snapshot of participation in Lighthouse programmes in 2022 is below:
Fitness
• Staff and students in Years 10 – 12 completed individual strength and conditioning training under the supervision of our O2Active coaches
• On average 45-participants per week undertook individual training in the Fitness Centre
Junior School Lighthouse Co-curricular Classes
• Classes conducted every afternoon Monday to Thursday (K – 6)
• On average 75-participants attended classes per week
• Kidznsport
• Code Camp
• Standing Strong
• Wings Drama
• O2Active Dance & Acro
• Speckles Art
Senior School Lighthouse Co-curricular Classes
• Classes conducted 3-4 times per week
• On average 23–participants attending classes per week
• Yoga/Pilates
• Spin Classes
• Circuit Training
Staff Wellbeing
• Classes conducted 1-2 times per week
• On average 5-participants per week
• Yoga/Pilates
• Sound Meditation
Lighthouse Mindful Rooms
• Students used the mindful rooms for wellbeing activities during lunchtimes:
• Recharge Room: On average 7-students per week
• Meditation Room: On average 18-students per week
• Expressive Art Room: On average 5-students per week
• Studios (games): On average 9-students per week
• Year 9 Service Leadership Programme Launch
• Young People. Small Steps. Real Changes.
Performing and Creative Arts
Creative Arts
The Creative Arts program at PLC (has continued to flourish and make significant contributions to the diverse curriculum offered by the School. The leadership of Ruby Meara, the 2022 Creative Arts Captain, has played a pivotal role in this success.
Under the guidance of Ms. Toni Rockliff, three Year 12 Visual Arts students had their artwork selected for the prestigious Western Australian Pulse Perspectives Exhibition. Charlotte Williams (12 ATAR Visual Arts 2022) created a thought-provoking piece titled “Are We There Yet?” that not only earned her a place in the exhibition but was also chosen for promotional material by the (Art Gallery of Western Australia).
Furthermore, the META (North Metropolitan TAFE) exhibition featured notable works from PLC students, including Carla Schultz (12 IB 2022) with her artwork “Hidden,” Georgina Godfrey (12 ATAR 2022) with “Observations,” Charlotte Williams (12 ATAR 2022) with “Are We There Yet?,” Ruby Meara (12 ATAR 2022) with “Competition,” and Sarah Spencer (11 ATAR 2022) with “Human Nature.”
In the Shaun Tan Art Award 2022, Jemima Vaughan (Year 7, 2022) made it to the shortlist in her age category, marking another achievement for the Visual Arts Department.
The annual Creative Arts and Technology Exhibition, InSight, showcased the diverse talents and achievements of PLC students in various mediums such as painting, sculpture, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, film, and photography. The Fashion Parade, featuring designs from Year 7 to Year 12 students, was a highlight of the event.
In the field of Materials Design and Technology(MDT), Lucy Hood excelled and ranked among the top students in the state for MDT Textiles. This outstanding accomplishment not only reflects Lucy’s dedication but also brings recognition to her teacher, Ms Elizabeth Lagrange. However, Lucy’s achievement was surpassed by Sophya Thomas, the Deputy Head Girl, who achieved the highest mark in the state for MDT Wood. This remarkable result not only showcases Sophya’s talent but also highlights the excellence of the Materials department at PLC.
Dance
The Dance Showcase unquestionably holds a prominent place on the PLC Arts calendar, and this year’s performance, titled, “I Am”, delved into the concept of identity by posing the question, “How would you complete the sentence “I am...?” This showcased our PLC dancers’ exceptional skills and offered a glimpse into their personal artistic journeys, illustrating how dance uniquely shapes their identities and emotions. This mesmerising dance showcase results from the collaborative efforts of numerous talented individuals, including choreographers, staff, and students, who came together to present three nights of awe-inspiring dance. Their creative contributions have united to showcase the remarkable dance talent that thrives within our PLC community.
The Dance Showcase in 2022 featured our co-curricular programs, Dance Company and Dance Collective, which had the opportunity to collaborate with highly acclaimed guest choreographers. The Dance Company excelled at the IGSSA Dance Festival, earning the highest accolades with two ‘Excellent’ grades for their exceptional performances. These programs offer students at PLC additional opportunities to be involved, develop their dance techniques, and cultivate their love for dance.
PLC Dance programmes are meticulously crafted to cultivate our students’ artistic prowess, equipping them with exceptional skills and knowledge for a flourishing journey in further art study and performance opportunities. This was reflected with Pippa Atwell who topped the state in the 2022 ATAR Dance exam. As our students embark on their future endeavours, they do so with the utmost confidence, armed with a comprehensive foundation and the transformative experiences gained from PLC Dance programmes, poised to make an indelible mark in the world of performing arts.
with the unfortunate rise in COVID cases. As a result, we faced the challenge of replanning and reimagining our presentation of the Year 11 Curriculum Play, Bright Young Things. Initially intended for a live audience, the students demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination
filmed performance. This adaptation allowed us to share our creative efforts with the PLC Community through a streamed presentation. Despite the setbacks, the students showcased true grit and unwavering commitment, turning an unforeseen circumstance into an opportunity for artistic innovation.
PLC and Scotch Senior School collaborated on a remarkable project, combining four one-act plays by Tennessee Williams for our Term 3 production. PLC’s Year 11 and 12 students skilfully compressed the profound essence of life into these performances. Each play served as a microcosm, exploring the complexities of the human experience. The young actors delved into Williams’ rich characters and intricate storytelling, conveying profound themes to captivate the audience. This ambitious undertaking showcased the students’ talent and dedication while fostering an environment for artistic expression. The collaboration between PLC and Scotch senior school provided a platform for skill development, appreciation for the dramatic arts, and lasting connections within the performing arts community. In essence, this joint production encapsulated universal truths in a few moments of dialogue. The students’ performances reflected their passion and ability to convey the profound essence of the human experience on stage.
In a remarkable culmination to the year, our lower school students showcased their exceptional talents by taking on Disney’s High School Musical Jr. Through
the collaborative efforts of PLC and Scotch College, this beloved childhood favourite came to life on stage. High School Musical Jr. entertained and encouraged self-reflection, emphasising the significance of embracing personal passions without compromise. It left an indelible mark on both the participants and the audience, serving as a resounding celebration of individuality and a powerful reminder to follow one’s dreams. This unforgettable production exemplified the incredible talent of our lower school students while inspiring others to embrace their true passions and pursue their aspirations with unwavering determination.
Music
The 2022 academic year proved to be a challenging yet transformative journey for the Music Department. The term began with rehearsals running in a vastly altered manner due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, despite the setbacks, the students and faculty displayed remarkable resilience and adaptability, finding innovative ways to continue their musical pursuits.
In Term 1, the Music Department embraced technology, spending three days recording the Virtual Choir project titled ‘More to Me.’ While the cancellation of the Quarry Concert was disappointing for the strong Year 12 music cohort, leading all choral students from Year 3 – Year 12 proved a worthy creative alternative. Despite the difficulties, rehearsals took place outside, adhering to safety protocols, and online rehearsals were conducted using platforms like Teams. The Senior Pipe Band’s contribution to the annual service commemorating the sinking of the Vyner Brooke managed to proceed as it was an outdoor event.
Term 2 witnessed the final stages of completion for the Music Building, setting the stage for a mid-year move-in. The musical production of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ involved senior performing arts students from both PLC and Scotch, who dedicated themselves to rehearsals and a successful performance season. Meanwhile, the Junior School Winter Concert experienced resounding success, attracting a large and supportive audience.
Music performances began to normalise in Term 3 as staff and students moved into the new Music Building. Excitement filled the air and concerts once again became part of the agenda. The Spring Concert, Senior Showcase, Chamber Concerts, Piano Recitals, and the Senior School and Junior School Arts Day brought joy to both performers and audiences. Due to the National Day of Mourning, Junior School Arts Day was moved and featured six house choirs, each singing a song from the musical, ‘Robin and the PLC Hoodies’. The term was highlighted by the official opening of the Music Building which featured a Smoking Ceremony followed by performances of Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and ‘Another Day of Sun’ from La La Land by the Senior Vocal Ensemble, Bartok String Orchestra and Scotch choristers. The Music Building was opened by Chair of Council, Claire Poll and Principal, Cate Begbie and all gathered enjoyed the first viewing of the promotional music video, ‘More to Me,’ highlighting the student’s talent and dedication.
Term 4 witnessed the return of Open Garden Day, featuring a plethora of music items. The lower Senior School production, ‘High School Musical,’ delighted audiences, while preparations began for Speech Night which included a powerful finale item, ‘One Day’. This captivating song, with lyrics in Arabic, Hebrew and English symbolized the importance of unity, inclusion and community. The performance left a lasting impression, generating a buzz among staff, students and the audience alike.
In conclusion, the 2022 academic year began with limited performance opportunities and numerous event cancellations. However, through the resilience, adaptability and unwavering commitment of all involved in music making at PLC, the year concluded on a high note. Overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic, they embraced new ways of rehearsing and performing, culminating in a remarkable transformation. The journey serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to find opportunities.
Service Learning
As a School we are committed to shaping a culture of social and environmental awareness to contribute to a safe, equitable and sustainable world. In 2022 we launched a bespoke Service Leadership Programme for Year 9 students within the curriculum. This programme aims to extend students beyond service-learning and into a model of service leadership.
‘Service Leadership at its core is contributing to the wellbeing and development of others through collaboration with the people involved.’
Year 9 students worked in teams in one of ten service portfolios guided by a project charter. Each service portfolio works alongside a For-Purpose agency and/or internal PLC stakeholders. The goals of the programme include students engaging in meaningful service action, instigating sustainable changes for the betterment of the community, and establishing on-going partnerships.
The ten service portfolios are underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and work in partnership with community organisations to meet their objectives. Each portfolio area had the support of a staff mentor, year 12 leaders, community partners, programme staff and the psychology team. The intention of the programme is that these are real world opportunities, and the portfolio teams are accountable for their outcomes and meeting the objectives of the partnership.
To support the students to be successful in this programme we partnered with two tertiary educational institutions. The Leadership checklist developed by Harvard’s Making Caring Common is the base of the Service Leadership programme combined with Swinburne University’s Aristotle Four Branch Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Integrated EI Leadership models. The evidence-based curriculum and strategies are the building blocks to learning and developing teamwork, personal attributes, creative and critical thinking skills that will be essential to positively contribute to their allocated service portfolio.
This is an ambitious programme that supports our young people to take small steps that facilitate real change in our community.
Community Service
PLC continued its ethos of being a school with a social conscience engaged with a range of service organisations by volunteering, providing financial support through fundraising activities and donating goods.
Even though at the beginning of the year we had COVID restrictions students had the opportunity to volunteer their time with a variety of causes that they connect with such as beach clean ups, The Smith Family student2student reading programme, cooking for St Pats through the Cooking for A Cause programme, ‘Tech Tips’ supporting seniors with technology at the local library, community Christmas carols and with Boab network to name a few. The whole Senior School and several Junior School classes committed to making 7500 outback packs for the Keep Australia Beautiful Council, which are shared around the state to help keep our country litter free.
Over sixty thousand dollars was raised during the year to support our charities.
As a school we continue to sponsor two young girls through World Vision, enjoying the regular updates on their development. A combined effort between some Year 11 IB students, the year 7 cohort making felt hearts and a junior school apple fundraiser, raised money for the Heart Foundation, which was further supported via the junior school ‘Jump Rope For Heart’ raising almost $8,000. In its eight-year, PLC and Scotch continue to support the Leukaemia Foundation through World’s Greatest Shave. PLC students raised in excess of $39, 000 this year which was an outstanding effort as the event was tempered by COVID restrictions.
The Year 12 graduating class contributed 2,451 hours in service, recorded via their service logs. Seventeen students were able to complete at least one credit through the WACE community service endorsed programme, which includes a minimum of fifty hours service, plus inductions, portfolio questions and reflections.
The IB students through their CAS projects can choose to engage in service and in 2022 several projects continued to evolve supporting vulnerable communities, such as making birthing kits which are distributed to developing countries, sleeping out for homelessness for Uniting WA, Operation Santa, supporting refugees in partnership with UWA and recycling stationery for Give Write.
Two successful service tours were held this year in partnership with Teach Learn Grow (TLG) and primary schools in Esperance and Mandurah. As one participant Zoe wrote in her reflections ‘The most surprising part of the service experience was the impact I still feel and hold close to me. I have created many valuable memories on the TLG trip while simultaneously learning about myself.
Sporting Excellence
2022 Sport – Annual Report
Sport at PLC continues to provide an opportunity for every student. Be it an introduction to a new physical activity or providing a high performance programme for our talented student athletes, PLC is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and memorable sporting experience for all students.
The 2022 sports year began with the excitement of the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. All Inter-House carnivals allow all students an opportunity to participate, wear their House colours with pride, earn points for their respective Houses, while at the same time providing valuable racing opportunities for those students who will represent PLC later in the term at IGSSA Swimming. While 7th at IGSSA, the Swim team should be commended on their commitment to training throughout the season and the ability to embrace the early morning training sessions with enthusiasm.
A structure change within IGSSA in 2021 saw Tennis removed from the Term 1 calendar and move to a oneday Carnival in Term 4. While this was disappointing for PLC given our historical success and interest in Tennis, it saw students switch across to Volleyball, AFL and Badminton, many for the first time.
AFL at PLC continued to grow, and following PLC’s success in the Year 7 – 10 IGSSA programme in previous years, a Year 11/12 division was introduced for the first time. The Year 7/8 group went through the season undefeated and were awarded the Pennant, with PLC also taking out second place in the Year 9/10 and newly formed 11/12 competition. These results saw PLC crowned the overall winning school in AFL, in the sports first season as a full competition. Under the leadership of Mr Jacob Johnston, this programme has provided a fantastic opportunity for students to develop skills in a fun, yet competitive environment.
Volleyball saw around 200 students represent PLC in IGSSA matches throughout Term 1. The excitement and noise that emanated from the Hugh Baird Sports Centre on match days clearly demonstrated the growing popularity of this sport in our calendar.
Led by Mr. Boyd Cooper, a former Australian Badminton representative and PLC Health and Physical Education teacher, PLC’s extensive introductory skills badminton programme again resulted in PLC having more players than any other IGSSA school in the competition. The
remarkable progress of all players throughout the term was evident as PLC teams claimed second and third placings in the Senior A, and second, third and fourth placings in the Senior B one-day competitions. We expect this momentum and enthusiasm to continue to grow in the coming years.
As one sport season concludes, PLC seamlessly transitions into trials, training and selection for the next term, with Cross Country, Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Soccer, and Athletics taking the spotlight in Terms 2 and 3 in the Senior School.
Our Junior School students were also heavily involved in Minkey and Netball and participated in regular weekend matches. With programmes and options catering to students in Years 1 to 6, PLC exposes its girls to match play for the first time, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. It is a delightful experience to witness the smiles on their faces each weekend and observe their remarkable improvement throughout the season.
While participation and involvement for all students will always be a focus, the winter sport season at PLC was an opportunity for us to also celebrate a number of individual and team successes. From some incredible results in Soccer which included winning the pennants in Senior A Soccer, Year 7/8 B Soccer, as well as the Overall Soccer Pennant, to outstanding performances by Annie Pfeiffer (Year 12) and Sienna Hanikeri (Year 12) at IGSSA Athletics - culminating in the Year 11/12 Athletics Pennant win - it was once again a winter of success for PLC.
It was a similar story for IGSSA Cross Country, coming away with the Pennant for Year 11/12 for the second year running, with another outstanding run from Sienna Hanikeri, who crossed the line in first place. At JIGSSA Cross Country, while our Junior School students battled a forecast thunderstorm, all girls ran to their full potential as PLC took home the Champion Pennant in Years 4, 5, and 6 in an extremely dominant display.
Senior A Basketball also took out the 2022 Senior A Basketball Pennant, aided by the expertise of coach and former Perth Wildcat, Mike Vigor.
PLC’s dominance at the Head of the River Regatta continued, winning the 2022 Regatta for the 10th year in succession, as well as the coveted First Eight race. Under the leadership and guidance of Head Coach Mr David Milne, the shed culture of community, fun, teamwork
and hard work continues to go from strength to strength. The dedication, commitment and constant strive for excellence by all involved in the Rowing programme is a testament to the legacy that PLC Rowing has created over the past decade.
Another IGSSA Pennant was awarded to the Senior A Water Polo team, who performed flawlessly to take out the Year 11/12 Pennant after being undefeated all competition.
PLC also saw success in Cricket this year in an expanded competition, with the Year 7/8 B Team as well as the Open B’s taking home the Pennant. PLC had over 80 girls involved in IGSSA Cricket throughout the season – more than any other school – in another example of the growth of this sport and the want for our girls to represent their school.
The impressive achievements of PLC athletes and sporting teams throughout the year are a testament to the dedication of our students, coaches, Sport and PE staff. However, beyond the thrill of winning, sport at PLC plays a vital role in laying the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle for all students. With a wide range of sports and physical recreation activities available, there is something for every student at PLC to enjoy and participate in on a daily basis.
The PLC Foundation
The PLC Foundation is a Not-For-Profit organisation established in 1986. The PLC Foundation exists to provide financial assistance to the school and to students; making it possible for PLC to continue to offer an exceptional environment for students and scholarship opportunities for those students requiring financial assistance to attend PLC.
2022 Giving
The PLC Foundation Board extends its gratitude and sincere thanks to the generous supporters of the 2022 Annual Giving Programme, the committed donors who continue to meet their pledges to the 2017 Scholarship Fundraising Campaign and the 2020 Hardship Campaign; and the current families who have donated through voluntary contributions.
Donations made to the PLC Foundation are directed either towards the Scholarship Fund or the Building Fund. The PLC Foundation 2022 Annual Giving Programme raised $176,339 with $3,660 directed to the Building Fund and $172,679 directed to the Scholarship Fund. Voluntary contributions throughout the year raised $101,068. The Foundation also received $67,080 meeting pledges from the 2017 Scholarship Fundraising Campaign and $47,500 meeting pledges from the 2020 PLC Student Hard Campaign.
Donations to the 2020 Student Hardship Campaign continue to be directed towards assisting PLC families who are experiencing financial hardship. All recipients of hardship support must have completed a comprehensive Financial Capability Assessment and are independently assessed by a third-party organisation. The extremely rigorous process for assessing hardship ensure applications are reviewed for veracity and subsequently processed without disclosure of individual families’ financial information directly to the school. Since the Hardship Appeal was launched by the Foundation in 2020 more than 70 families have contacted the school seeking some form of assistance. The Foundation Board is especially grateful to the PLC Community for its support of this fundraising effort which was originally established during the global pandemic to ensure that no family left the school because of a change in financial circumstances.
New member joins PLC Foundation Board
The PLC Foundation warmly welcomes Alexandrea Thompson to the Foundation Board. Alexandrea is a senior commercial lawyer with over 25 years’ experience, both in private practice and in house with international energy companies, leading and advising on commercial, contract negotiation, transactional, and external relations matters as well as providing advice on corporate governance, including company secretarial and Board advisory matters.
In addition to legal qualifications, Alexandrea holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons)(UWA) and a Master of Arts (University of Warwick) in History of Art. She was also a Visiting Postgraduate Researcher at Harvard Law School, which involved researching legal issues in respect of visual arts, museums, and international legal protections for cultural heritage.
Alexandrea attended PLC Perth for her early education years, and has a daughter , who is a fourth generation PLC girl.
2022 Scholarship recipients
Since 2013, the PLC Foundation has awarded students a full tuition scholarship. These scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for the successful student to fulfil their true potential and make a valuable and lasting contribution to PLC and the wider community.
In 2022, the PLC Foundation supported 13 Scholarship students and congratulates the following Foundation scholarship students for their outstanding achievements during 2022:
Year 7 Academic Excellence Award. This prize recognises a student’s outstanding academic achievements in the disciplines studied. The prize is awarded solely on scholastic results.
Year 8 Alpha Merit Award for Academic Endeavour. This prize is awarded at each year level to those students who score most highly on the selection criteria. All students, from the most academic to the least, are considered and are equally eligible. It is a highly respected honour and recognises the solid, supportive, hard-working and conscientious PLC student who strives to do her best academically.
Year 8 Citizenship Award. This prize recognises PLC students who demonstrate integrity acceptance of responsibility, inclusivity of others, compassion, respect for self and others and engagement in the life of the School community.
Dorothy Hutchinson Prize for Piano.
Francesca Nelson award for Food Science and Technology.
Connecting the Community
OLD COLLEGIANS ASSOCIATION
The mission of the OCA has always been to foster a community for life. This is achieved by providing opportunities for Old Collegians to connect and support each other, however, this goal has had its challenges over the past few years due to COVID-19 restrictions.
While many annual events like the International Womens’ Day Breakfast and the Easter Service and Old Collegians’ Luncheon were either cancelled or postponed in 2022, we were still able to proceed with many notable events.
We were thrilled to hold our OCA Welcome Day Afternoon Tea for Old Collegian families and their daughters starting at PLC, the Year 12 Career Networking Breakfast where Old Collegians shared their diverse career pathways with current Year 12 students, and the Tartan Lawyers’ Networking Breakfast with guest speakers Barrister, Jenny Thornton (1977), and retired Federal Court Judge, the Hon Neil McKerracher QC (OSC, former Chair of Scotch College Council).
The OCA Art Exhibition, our major fundraising event for the year, was once again a huge success thanks to the incredible support from the generous PLC community.
At our annual Founders’ Day Service and Luncheon, we had the great honour of awarding three new Honorary Life Members of the OCA, Dr Helen Gryzb (Brine 1970), Katrina Burton (Fairweather 1982) and Shannon Lovelady (Martin 1983). Over the past 102 years, the OCA has awarded just 20 women this honour with the award being bestowed for exceptional service and contribution to the OCA and PLC community.
It was also our great pleasure to announce Robyn Sermon (1990) as the 2022 OCA Inspiring Woman Recipient for her remarkable 30-year career in the education, agriculture, mining, and health Sectors.
Thanks to the OCA’s ongoing fundraising activities, the OCA was able to gift the Year 12 leavers a beautiful silver bracelet and award three annual bursaries.
The OCA is looking forward to successful fundraising events in 2023 with the goal of further financial donations to PLC in the coming years.
PLC PARENTS
The function and role of PLC Parents is paramount in helping to build a strong community foundation for PLC and to support the rich learning environment our students experience. PLC Parents also offers valuable support to parents. It is via their numerous activities and events that connections with other parents are made.
2022 was another positive year for PLC Parents despite having to work with some challenging COVID-19 restrictions. The traditional Term 1 Welcome Sundowner was rescheduled to become a Spring Soirée in Term 4, which proved to be a wonderful opportunity for our families to reconnect and reflect on the year that was.
PLC Parents were thrilled to hold their inaugural parent ball, A Starry Starry Night, with 350 parents and PLC staff attending. Planning for the next parents’ ball is already underway with this biennial event set to be held at The Ritz-Carlton in 2024.
The PLC community, parents, staff, and students came together to deliver another memorable PLC Open Garden Day on Friday 21 October. 2022’s event saw the opportunity for attendees to visit seven amazing gardens generously opened by local families. The successful event once again raised substantial funds which will continue to be distributed via the PLC Parents Fund.
PLC Parents were also able to proceed with their various year group functions and events in 2022 including the Year 12 Mother Daughter Luncheon, Father Daughter Dinner Dance, and Year 12 Ball.
The distribution of funds through the Term Fee Draw and the PLC Parents Fund was also successful in 2022, with many great programmes and items such as the Australian Barcode for Life project, resuscitation manikins and new chanters for the PLC Pipe Band being funded to support the educational experience of the students at PLC.
Many volunteer hours go into the work done by PLC Parents, these people are the true strength of the parent community, PLC Parents would like to thank them, and their families, for their contribution.
Staff List
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Mrs Raluca Alecsa MBA, GAICD, MSc, BSc Chief Financial Officer T3 –
Mrs Meredith Beer BEd, DipTeach Curriculum Advisor T1, Acting Head of Junior School T2 – T4
Ms Cate Begbie BTeach, BEd(Hons), MEd Principal
Mr Paul Davidson Acting Chief Financial Officer T1 – T2
Ms Julia Dobson GAICD, MBA (Luxe), BCom Director of Marketing, Communication, and Engagement T3 -
Ms Susie Edwards Director of Boarding BSc, GradDipEd, MSc
Mrs Tennille Hammond BCom, CPA, GradDipEd Chief Financial Officer –T1-T2
Mrs Anna Hu GAICD, BEd(Hons), DipTeach Director of Information and Learning Technologies – T1
Ms Chantelle James BPE, DipEd Director of Wellbeing
Rev Nalin Perera BTh, Dip(Min) Minister of UCA Chaplain
Mrs Chris Robinson DipFashionDesign, DipTeach, DipEdLship, ExecCoachCGI, MEdLShip Deputy Principal Operations
Mr Neil Walker Deputy Principal –Teaching and Learning BA(Hons), PGCE, MA
Ms Rebecca Watts BA, GradDipEd(Sec), MEd, CSML Head of Senior School
Ms Vivien Whitehead BPsych, MPsych(Org) Director of People and Culture
Mr Richard Wright BA, GradDipEd, Med Head of Junior School – T1
SENIOR STAFF
Ms Nicole Agar BPsych, DipEd, GradCertBus School Psychologist
Mr Brad Allen BOR, GradDipEd Outdoor Education Teacher
Ms Eve Amer BA, PGCE, MA English Teacher
Ms Caroline Andrault BA, PGCE Languages Teacher
Ms Natalie Andre BA Boarding House Assistant T2 –
Mrs Kiera Appel Education Assistant T1 –
Mrs Linda Arnold BEd (Prim), DipTeach Music Teacher T2 –
Mrs Jenny Astle DipAppSc Library Technician
Miss Molly Atterton BCom Registrar
Mrs Soni Bailey BA, GradDipEd, GradCertEd (Literacy), MEdMan English Teacher, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 9
Mr Tony Baxendale Property Assistant
Ms Pia Bennett BA, GradDipEd(Sec) Visual Art Teacher
Ms Rokiyah Bin Swani BCom Indigenous Scholarship Programme Co-ordinator – T2
Mrs Julianne Blair Boarding House Assistant Year 12 -T4
Ms Jane Blanchard BA Music Tutor
Mr Chris Bondini BOR, DipEd Outdoor Education Teacher
Mrs Carey Bouwer HDipEd, PGCE Junior School Teacher
Mrs Lesley Brady CertIIICS, CertArtDes Education Assistant, Art Technician
Ms Jane Brandenburg BSc, GradDipEd, Med Science Teacher, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 7
Mrs Christine Brockman BA Study Centre Co-ordinator
Mr Nathan Brown TC Property Assistant
Ms Tahlya Brown BCom Communications and Engagement Assistant
Miss Delaney Burke Boarding House Assistant Year 9 T2 –
Ms Tiarne Buurman BSc GradDipEd Health and Physical Education Teacher T1 – T4
Mrs Wendy Castles BCom, CPA Finance Manager
Ms Luciana Cavallaro BEd, BAEd Teacher Librarian, Technologies Teacher
Miss Adele Chai Media Technician
Miss Kimberly Chan Information and Learning Technologies Office Administrator T2 –
Miss Merina Chen BA, BMus Music Tutor T3 –
Mr Jason Chiriac Technology Support Officer – T4
Ms Jessica Clark Boarding House Assistant
Ms Michelle Clayton BEd, CertEd, COGE, MEdMan, MEd(Gifted & Talented)
Miss Anna Clixby BCom People and Culture Co-ordinator T3 –
Mr Garnett Coetzee Junior Technology Support Officer T2 –
Ms Alana Coffey DipAppSc, BAppSc, PGradDipOHS Health Centre Coordinator
Mrs Jane Collins BA(Hons), PGCertEd, GradDipSportRecMgt Lighthouse CoCurricular Co-ordinator T4 -
Mr Boyd Cooper BPHE, GradDipEd Health and Physical Education Teacher
Ms Catriona Cosentino BComm, GradDipEd Education Assistant
Ms Anne Coughlan Suzuki Accred(Int), BA(Ed), BEd Head of Strings, Music Teacher
Mr Phil Crane BEd, GradDipEdStd, MEd Woodwork Teacher
Mr Oliver Craze BAMusEd(Hons) Drama Teacher, Acting Head of Dance and Drama T3 –
Ms Alice Creasey Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator Year 9
Mrs Kerri Cresswell BA(Ed), GradDipEd Junior School Teacher
Ms Anna Curry BA, BAHons, MA Assistant to Deputy Principal – Operations, Academic Administration Assistant
Mr Zachary de Graaf BEd Humanities Teacher, Caretaker Assistant
Mr Doug De Kock BPrimEd, MEd Head of Library and Information Learning Technologies
Miss Claudia Del Borrello BSc, GradDipEd, GradDipPsych, MProfPsych School Psycohologist
Ms Esmé Derrington Scorgie House Receptionist
Mr Matthew Donaldson BSc(Hons), BPE, GradDipEd, ProfCertEd(PosEd) Health and Physical Education Teacher
Mrs Charlene Dorotich Music Administration Assistant – T3
Ms Nicole Dorrington BPE, DipEd, ProfCertEd(PosEd) Health and Physical Education Teacher, Pastoral and Adademic Care Co-ordinator Year 11
Miss Alysha Driver BE(Sec) Mathematics Teacher
Ms Philippa D’Sylva DipHEc, DipEd, BEd Director of Food Science and Technology (Yr 7 – 12)
Mrs Sarah Eadie BSc, GradDipEd Health and Physical Education Teacher – T4
Ms Sabrina Earsman BSc, GradDipScEd Science Teacher
Miss Jacinta Eaves AdvDip(Dance), Dip(Dance), BA Dance Teacher
Miss Carli Edwards BEd(Sec) Drama Teacher T3 –
Mr Casey Ellery BSc, PostGradDipEd Director of Outdoor Education
Ms Daleen Engelbrecht BEd, BA(Ed), MEdPsych Lead Psychologist
Mrs Susan Falkner BA(Hons), GradDipEd Learning Enrichment Centre Teacher
Mrs Jane Feinauer Senior School Assistant and Receptionist (View Street)
Dr Lynette Field PhD, BA(Hons), GradDipEng, GradDipEd English Teacher, Boarding House Learning Coordinator T1 –
Mrs Simone Fleay BA, DipEd, BEd(Hons) Head of Career and Pathways
Mr Serge Flora BLaws (Belgrade) Technology Support Officer
Ms Josephine Foo BCom, BMusEd, GradDipEd(Primary) Music Teacher –Junior School – T1
Ms Lise Fouche MChem, MScEd Science Teacher
Ms Josephine Fountain BMusPerf Music Tutor
Ms Aleasha Franetovich BA, GradDipEd Junior School Teacher
Ms Matija Franetovich Cert IV, BSc Pipe Band Tutor
Ms Gemma Freel BA, GradDipEd Technologies Teacher
Mrs Felicity Gairns BSc, DipEd, MExSc Lighthouse Co-curricular Co-ordinator – T4
Ms Rebecca Garbenis BA, GradDipEd English Teacher, Head of IB Diploma
Mr Travis Garbin Senior Technical Support Officer
Mrs Colleen Garland DipArtEd Visual Arts Teacher – Junior School
Ms Bronwyn Gibson BMus, MMus Music Tutor
Ms Maria Giglia DipLibStudies Library Technician
Mr Geoff Goddard Boarding House Bus Driver
Mr Christopher Goff BMusEd Director of Music
Mrs Seema Gookooluk BA, PGradDipEd Science Teacher
Mrs Joanna Gray BA(Hons), PGCE Boarding House Year Group Coordinator Year 8 – T2
Ms Katie Hair BSc, GradDipEd, DipSustLiv Boarding House Year Group Coordinator T3 –
Mr Bilal Halim BA, GradDipEd Humanities Teacher
Mrs Esther Hanbidge BEd Learning Enrichment Centre Teacher – Senior School
Ms Frances Hannington BA, Boarding House Weekend Co-ordinator -T4
Mrs Jane Hard Enrolment Administrator
Mr Steven Harmer BEd, BMus Music Tutor
Mrs Sara Harrison Boarding House Adminsitration Assistant
Mrs Iliana Harvey DipArtTherapy, BA, MA Art Technician
Miss Tehana Harvey Finance Officer – Payroll/Payables – T2
Ms Katherine Hazlewood BA, GradDipEd Boarding House Deputy – Pastoral and Wellbeing
Mr Glenn Hermans Grounds Co-ordinator
Mr Thomas Hickmott BA, GradDipEd English Teacher
Ms Patricia Higgins BE, DipEd, MEd Mathematics Teacher
Mr Michael Hinchley BEd Woodwork Teacher, Head of Creative Arts
Miss Krysti Hodges BEd(Primary), MEd Junior School Teacher -T4
Ms Melinda Honeychurch BSc, DipEd Mathematics Teacher, House Advisor – Stewart
Mrs Hayley Hosking Lead Academic Administrator
Mrs Katy Howes BA, BEd, ProfCertEd(PosEd), MEd Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator (Years 3 – 6)
Miss Fran Howl BSc Senior Laboratory Technician
Miss Ashley Humes Boarding House Assistant Year 11, Boarding House Weekend Co-ordinator T1 – T2, Boarding House Year Group Coordinator Year 11 T3 –
Ms Elena Hundley Boarding House Assistant Year 8
Ms Justyna Jankowski BEd Mathematics Teacher
Ms Toni Jefferies BA(Ed), GradDipEdLship Mathematics Teacher, Director of Curriculum Services
Miss Caroline Jensen GradDipEd(Sec) Languages Teacher
Ms Meinan Jin BEd Head of Languages K – Y12
Mr Jacob Johnston BEd(Sec), BSc Health and Physical Education Teacher
Ms Carol Jones BSc IB Administrator
Ms Erin Jones BEd(ECE) Early Childhood Studies Teacher
Mr Greg Jones BA, GradDipEdLship Head of Mathematics Yr 7-12
Mrs Helen Jones BHM/Sc, DipEd Science Teacher, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 8
Ms Lynne Jones BA, GradDipEd, MEd Humanities Teacher, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 12
Ms Lesley Kaye BSc, DipSc, DipTeach, MScEd Head of Science Yr 7 – 12
Mrs Sarah Kelley BSc, GradDipEd Science Teacher
Mr Robert Kelly Theatre Manager
Ms Justine Keys BSc(Nur) Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator Year 12
Mrs Jasmine Kimlin BA Digital Content Co-ordinator
Ms Marianne Kirby BBus Head of Pipe Band
Mrs Christine Koopman BEd, DipTeach Head of Technologies
Miss Maya Kraj-Krajewski DipPM, DipM Boarding House Assistant Year 10
Miss Charlotte Krause BSc, DipEd Mathematics Teacher -T4
Mrs Sofie Kros BME, DipABRSM Flute & Piano Music Tutor
Ms Elizabeth Lagrange AssAppSc, GradDipEd Textiles Teacher
Ms Veronica Lake TCert, GradDipEd(Secondary), PGCTeachShake English Teacher
Ms Narelle Lange BEd Head of English Yr 7-12
Ms Fiona Lapsley BSc Registered Nurse
Mr Robert Layton BSc, GrapDipPscyh, CertIT
Mr Roland Leach BA, DipEd, MPhil English Teacher
Ms Audrey Lee BCom Accounts Officer – Receivables
Ms Genevieve Letherbarrow BSc(Hons), GradDipEd Science Teacher
Ms Jia Liao BA, GradDipEd, MEd, MLingSpec Languages Teacher
Mr Wayne Lillis Property Assistant – T1
Mrs Stacey Linton BHPE(Sec) Health and Physical Education Teacher -T4
Mrs Amber Lister BMus Music Tutor
Mrs Shannon Lovelady Archivist, Curator, Historian
Ms Lucy Loxton GradDipEd(Sec) English Teacher, ABC@PLC Co-ordinator, House Advisor – Ross T1 – T4
Mrs Natalie Lucioli CertIIITA Education Assistant
Ms Monica Lupu MFin&Bnkng, BAFin&Bnkng, MMgt
Miss Lottie Mackiewicz BA Special Needs Education Assistant
Mr Duncan MacLaurin BEd, BA Philosophy and Religious Studies Teacher
Miss Isabella Macliver BEd Junior School Teacher
Ms Tegan Maffescioni GradDipEd Health and Physical Education Teacher
Ms Linda Malone GradDipBus, DipProMan Head of Service and Community Partnerships
Mrs Kerry Martin CertTA Assistant to Head of Junior School/Receptionist
Ms Joanna Massey DipBus, BSc, GradDipEd Health and Physical Education Teacher T1 – T4 on leave
Mr Ben Matheson BSpExSc
GradDipEd(Prim) Health and Physical Education Teacher – Junior School T1 –
Mr Sam Maxwell LLB, BCom Acting Head of Sport T1 –T3, Head of Sport T4 -
Ms Fiona McAlwey CertIIITA, Bec Education Assistant
Mr Alisdair McLaren
Head of Pipe Band
Ms Amy McDonald Wellbeing & Service Project Officer
Ms Hayley McDonald-Burns BMus, GradDipEd(Sec) Music TeacherJunior School
Mrs Paula McEwan Uniform Shop Manager
Mrs Felicity McKeever Academic Administration Assistant
Mr Damien McLeod Property Co-ordinator
Mrs Rebecca McMullan BEd English Teacher
Ms Deborah McPhee BPE, DipEd Mathematics Teacher, Pastoral and Academic Care Co-ordinator Year 10
Mrs Justine McRoberts Cert IV Bus, DipBus, AssocDipFashion Risk and Compliance Manager
Ms Natalie Medhurst AssocDegBus Head of Sport – T3
Ms Josephine Mfune Cert IV WTA, BA, GradDipEd Humanities Teacher, Assistant Head of Humanities Yr 7-12
Mr David Milne BA Head of Rowing
Mrs Kate Montague Executive Assistant to the Principal
Mr David Moore BEd, GradCert (Art and Design) TC Design and Technology Technician
Ms Tamsin Moore BSc(Dual Hons), PGCE Science Teacher, House Advisor –Summers
Miss Ammbi Muir Boarding House Assistant Year 11 T1 –
Mrs Melissa Mulcahy BMusEd Music Teacher, Head of Instrumental
Mrs Gabriella Murphy Uniform Shop Assistant
Mrs Aileen Murray BA(Hons), GradDipEd
Languages Teacher – T4 on leave
Mrs Guin Murray PGCE, MA(Hons) Science Teacher
Mrs Susan Myers CertIIIEdAssist, DipCommS, DipEdSup Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Geetha Nair BA, BSc(Hons), DipEd Head of Humanities Yr 7-12
Mrs Leonie Neervoort Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer
Mr Stewart Neilson BSc(CompSc) Information and Learning Technologies Manager
Ms Janine Nicholson BSc(Hons), GradDipEd Laboratory Technician
Ms Kate Nightingale BA Dance and Drama Administration Assistant
Ms Michelle Ninyette BAppSc Inidigenous Programme Coordinator T3 –
Miss Kirsty Nugent DipAppSocSc, CertResCare, BA Boarding House Deputy – Operations
Ms Genevieve Ogilvie CertIVClassV, BMusPerf Music Tutor
Ms Marlene Ong TDip, FDip, BMusEd(Hons), GradCertTESOL Music Teacher
Mr Phil Orbell-Durant BSc, PGCE Mathematics Teacher
Mrs Sandra Otranto BCom Accounts Officer – Collections – T1
Mrs Nerrilee Pansini BA, DipEd, MScSpPath(Dist) Learning Enrichment Centre Co-ordinator Senior School
Ms Anne-Marie Partington BSc(Hons), GradDipMus Music Tutor
Mr Michael Patrick AdDipMus, BMusPerf, BA, GradDipMusStud Music Tutor
Miss Kelsey Pearce BEd Visual Arts Teacher – Junior School
Ms Prue Peardon BAppSc, GradDipEd Junior School Teacher
Miss Danielle Pearson DipEventMgt Boarding House Assistant Year 7 T1 –
Ms Suzanne Pelczar CertGovNFP Executive Officer, PLC Foundation
Ms Jessica Pengelly BSc, GradDipEd Humanities Teacher, House Advisor –Ferguson
Ms Ayomi Perera BA, GradDipEd Junior School Teacher
Reverand Nalin Perera Chaplain
Mrs Felicity Petersen BA(Ed) Learning Enrichment Centre Co-ordinator –Junior School
Ms Vivi Phan-Tran BCom People and Culture Co-ordinator – T3
Mrs Rabiya Plush-Noad BMus, MMusPerf Music Tutor
Mr Shane Pooley BA(JazzPerf) Music Tutor
Ms Hilary Price DipKodalyMusEd, BMusEd(Hons), PGD, MM T1 – T4 on leave
Ms Padminee Raja-Snijder BA, GradDipEd, MBA Humanities Teacher, House Advisor – McNeil T3 –
Mr Andrew Reid BEd(Prim) ILT Integration Specialist
Mr Fred Reid Boarding House Bus Driver
Ms Christine Reitzenstein Music Tutor
Ms Taylor Rickards Information and Learning Technologies Co-ordinator – T1
Mrs Jennifer Rickwood BA(Ed) Pastoral and Adademic Care Coordinator Pre-K – Year 2
Ms Penny Rinaldi BMus(Perf) Music Tutor
Mrs Phoebe Robinson BNur RN Registered Nurse
Ms Toni Rockliff BEd(Sec) Visual Arts Teacher
Mr Michael Rourke BA(Hons), GradDipEd, MBA Languages Teacher -T4
Ms Anita Roy BEd(Primary) Junior School Teacher
Ms Lana Salfinger BSc, GradDipEd Science Teacher
Ms Jessica Sardi AdvDipMusTeaching, BPerfArtsMusicology(Hons) Deputy Director of Music – Music Peformance
Mrs Valerie Saunders DipFrenchTeach, DipBus, MA Languages Teacher
Mr Matthew Savino BDes Graphic Design and Media Co-ordinator
Mrs Valentina Scata BA, GradDipEd Learning Enrichment Centre Teacher
Ms Leanne Scattini Property Assistant
Ms Di Simmons Receptionist –Scorgie House
Mrs Judith Smirk Health Centre Assistant
Mrs Hiroko Smith Suzuki Primary Music Tutor
Ms Jessica Smith BOR, GradDipEd(Sec) Outdoor Education Teacher
Mrs Louise Smith Physical Education Administration Assistant
Ms Patrice Smith BA(Dance)Hons, GradDipEd Dance Teacher, Head of Dance
Mrs Ellen Smith BEd MEd Education Assistant – on leave
Mrs Emily Smrcek BEd Health and Physical Education Teacher – Junior School – T1
Ms Christa Snyman BA, BEd(Hons) Humanities Teacher
Mr Bauke Snyman BA(Drama), BA(HonsDrama), PGradBus, PGradEd Head of Drama – T2
Ms Carissa Soares BA(Hons) Music Tutor
Mrs Michelle Sobczak Suzuki Primary Music Tutor
Mrs Andrea Sofield BA, BEd Junior School Teacher
Ms Beverley Spencer DipTeachPrimary, MEdLearnDiff Junior School Teacher
Mrs Justine Spencer BSc, GradDipEd Science Teacher
Ms Romi Stern BNutSc, MTeach Food Science and Technology Teacher -T4
Mrs Shelley Stewart BSc, DipEd, GradDipEdLship Mathematics Teacher, Assistant Head of Mathematics Yr 7 – 12
Mr David Stulpner Music Tutor
Ms Lanny Sugiri BA, GradDipEd Piano Accompanist/Teacher, Music Tutor
Mrs Jenny Sullivan BMusEd(Hons), MTeach(Primary) Music Tutor T1 – T2
Ms Lauren Sutherland BA, BEd English Teacher, Assistant Head of English Yr 7-12
Mr Brad Swope BMus Music Tutor
Ms Olja Tanaskovic BLArch, CertIIIEdSup Special Needs Education Assistant
Mrs Kate Taylor BA(Hons French), DipEd Languages Teacher, Assistant Head of Languages K – Y12
Ms Lyn Taylor Personal Assistant to the Head of Senior School
Ms Sarah Taylor BSc, MTeach(Sec) Boarding House Year Group
Co-ordinator Year 10
Ms Natasha Tench BA, BEd, GradCertEdS, CertIVTA Health and Physical Education Teacher and Junior School Sport –Co-ordinator T1 –
Ms Sam Ternent BA, PGCE, GradCertEd(TESOL) Special Needs Education Assistant – T2, Languages Teacher T1 – T4
Ms Clare Thomson BPA, MEdLead Boarding House Year Group
Co-ordinator Year 8 – T2
Ms Carly Thornton BEd Junior School Teacher T1 – T4
Mr Bill Thorpe BA Property Assistant T2 –
Mrs Ming-Wen Till BSc, BComm, LLB, GradDipEd Science Teacher, Assistant Head of Science Yr 7 – 12
Ms Kristy Timms BA, GradDipEd Mathematics Teacher
Mrs Julia Toussaint-Jackson AMusA, BMusPerf, GradDipEd Music Tutor
Ms Catherine Traicos BFA, BAu, MTeach Visual Arts Teacher T1 – T3
Miss Olivia Triglavcanin BSc, Communications and Engagement Assistant – T4
Ms Kshamta Trisal CertIIBus, CertIIIBus, CertIVTA, GradDipEd, MScLship Humanities Teacher
Ms Amelia Turner EN, CertIIIEdSup Education Assistant – T3
Mrs Anna Turnseck-James BPE, GradDipEd Head of Health and Physical Education
Mrs Helen Tutin Bed Junior School Teacher
Ms Chelsea Unwin BSc, MTeach (Sec) Health and Physical Education Teacher
Ms Debra Van Dongen CertIIIEdAssist, AssocDegSc(LibTech) Library Technician – Junior School
Mrs Nicole Vander Vinne BA(Ed) Prim, BEd, GradCertEd(EarlyChlhdSt) Early Childhood Studies Teacher T1 – T4
Ms Helen Varian DipChnServ, DipSocSc Education Assistant
Mr Guy Varndell LLB, BA, GradDipEd Humanities Teacher, Academic Extension Co-ordinator
Mrs Bianca Venturi BA, GradDipEd Technologies Teacher, House Advisor – Baird
Mrs Alison Viney DipTeach, BEd GradDipScEd Junior School Teacher, Teacher Librarian
Miss Agia-Sophiya Wallace BEd Early Childhood Studies Teacher T1 – T4
on leave
Mr Richard Webster BMus, AdvDip(Contemporary) Music Tutor
Ms Augusta Weedon Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator Year 7
Ms Vivienne Willan BA(Hons), MPsych(Clinical) School Psychologist
Mrs Jill Willetts BA (Early Childhood), BEd, GradCert (Learning Difficulties) Learning Enrichment Centre Teacher –Junior School
Mr Greg Williams BSc, DipEd, BEd, MEd Mathematics Teacher
Mrs Kerrie Williams BSc(Hons), GradDipComp
Mr James Williamson CertII(TC), CertIII(CC), CCNP Network/Systems Engineer
Mrs Adele Wilson CertIIHospitality Food Science and Technology Assistant –Food and Textiles
Ms Caroline Wilson CertIIICS Special Needs Education Assistant
Ms Nicole Wilson DipEvents Events Manager
Miss Yerim Won BPhil(Hons), MTeach Mathematics Teacher T1 –
Ms Kylie Yacopetti BA(Psych), GradCertMktg Publications, Marketing and Media Co-ordinator – T3
Miss Katherine Young BA, DipEd Visual Arts Teacher, House Advisor – Ross T1 – T4
Miss Sadie Yoxall Boarding House Year Group Co-ordinator T1 – T2 Boarding House Weekend Coordinator T3
Mrs Rozlyn Zani BMPr, LLB Compliance Officer T1 –
Ms Jade Zimmerman Music Administration Assistant on leave – T3
College Operations
Teacher Standards
Teaching Excellence
PLC’s teachers are committed professionals who model the concept of lifelong learning. In recent years, professional development and pedagogy has focussed on concept-based teaching; providing effective feedback that informs students (and parents) about where they are, where they need to be and what they need to do to reach the next level of achievement.
The School offers a diverse range of opportunities for staff to build both leadership and teaching capacity. Such opportunities include IB workshops and training courses, and a PLC Parents’ Grant Scheme for professional learning sessions.
Workforce Composition
The total number of PLC staff by headcount is 199, or 171 Full Time Equivalent staff. The total staff number comprises 79.99 per cent female and 20.01 per cent male on a FTE basis.
PLC Staff Qualifications
Staff qualifications are published annually in both the Kookaburra magazine and the Annual Review.
Student Attendance
In 2022, the attendance rate for PLC Junior School students was 92.99 per cent. PLC Senior School students’ attendance rate was 91.82 per cent.
Further details can be found at www.myschool.edu.au.
Strategic Achievements 2022
1. Completed the PLC Music Building.
2. Implemented recommendations from the 2021 Timetable Review.
3. Developed a 360 Appraisal model for Senior Leadership.
4. Implemented staff Professional Development specific to the needs of staff as identified in the 2021 staff MMG data.
5. Met IB Diploma Standards and Practices during formal evaluation of the programme.
6. Reviewed the PYP assessments and approaches to learning implemented in the Junior School.
7. Implemented restorative practices in pastoral care in the Senior School and the Boarding House.
8. Development and implementation of Year 9 Service Leadership Programme
9. Implemented improved processes to support the transition of students into Year 7.
10. Implemented reviewed pastoral care support for new students joining the Senior School.
11. Developed processes to improve individual tracking of progress and pastoral care of Year 11 and 12 students.
12. Implemented reviewed pastoral care programme in the Boarding House.
13. Strengthened student leadership opportunities in the Senior School.
14. Developed policies to support diversity and inclusivity.
15. Developed a new PLC Master Plan which aims to touch on every student in their school lifetime, that is based on ‘connectedness’ and is achievement.
16. Refurbishment of the Junior School canteen.
17. Designed a pant option for students within the PLC uniform.
18. Developed a new Marketing and Communications Plan.
19. Developed and implemented a whole school parent survey and student survey for students in Years 5 – 12.
20. Development of a PLC Sport Strategy.
21. Completed a PLC brand review – in consultation with groups of staff, students, parents and Old Collegians.
22. Development of a PLC Teaching and Learning Strategy.
23. Upgraded the PLC App to improve ease of communication with families.
24. Audited the PLC carbon footprint.
25. Audited suppliers in relation to Human Slavery and Ethical Practices.
26. Implemented effective strategies to support staff, students and families during the COVID-19 pandemic in WA.
Strategic Goals 2023
1. Conduct review of the PLC Strategic Plan pillars.
2. Complete a comprehensive business analysis that will guide the implementation of the PLC Master Plan.
3. Review Growth & Development programmes for all staff.
4. Development of a whole school approach to student pastoral care – including Junior School, Senior School and Boarding.
5. Implementation of PLC Sport Strategy.
6. Continued development of PLC Teaching and Learning Strategy.
7. Review of PLC Service Strategy.
8. Complete a comprehensive review of ILT – including our ILT infrastructure and support of teaching and learning programmes.
9. Increase integration for service learning between Junior and Senior School.
10. Introduce individual mentoring for students in Years 11 and 12.
11. Conduct comprehensive review of PLC Uniform that includes engagement and consultation with all sectors of the PLC Community.
12. Ongoing review of the ‘Year 9 Service Leadership Programme’ to ensure ongoing improvement.
13. Introduce pant option within the PLC uniform.
14. Communication of PLC Master Plan to the school community.
15. Communication of review PLC Strategic Pillars to the community.
16. Further develop partnerships with external academic agencies and universities.
17. Implementation of new Marketing and Communications Plan.
18. Review and update of the PLC website.
19. Create MOU to collaborate with SBS on a Cultural Humility programme.
20. Develop a plan to reduce PLC carbon footprint to zero by 2030.
21. Develop Aspiring Leaders Programme for PLC staff.
22. Introduce opportunity for staff to engage in the development of strategic projects aligned with the PLC Strategic Plan.
23. Development of new strategies to support staff wellbeing.