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 Principal