PLC Parents

This year, Alan Ng has stepped into the role of Chair of PLC Parents. PLC Parents seeks to build a vibrant and supportive PLC community by connecting parents and guardians through social events, volunteering opportunities, and funding initiatives.

They collaborate with the Principal, Ms Cate Begbie, and PLC staff to achieve our common goals: helping create a safe and supportive environment and upholding the School’s values. Alan was passed the baton from Michelle Barrett who served as Chair for the past three years. He and his wife Cécile worked in Europe and Asia before returning to Perth in 2016 and have three daughters at PLC across both the Junior and Senior Schools. Professionally, Alan is an experienced business investor, manager, and advisor with particular interests in sustainable and regenerative businesses. He is currently a senior advisor for Xynteo, an international consultancy delivering the agenda of CEOs on transformation, leadership, innovation, and sustainability strategy. Alan grew up in Perth, graduated from UWA with degrees in Science and Engineering, and completed his postgraduate studies at London Business School. He has served as a director of several start-ups, social enterprises, and voluntary organisations, and as an advisor to senior executives across a range of sectors. He has led, moderated, and featured as a panelist on topics around collaborative innovation, the future of work, and education. Alan is optimistic about the power of individuals and enterprises to create a just, inclusive future in harmony with our planet. He is frequently impressed by the quality of work and the care and communication skills displayed by PLC students. Their strong values and leadership qualities will serve them and our society well into the future. Alan, what is your vision for PLC Parents?

One of our biggest decisions as parents is where we choose to send our children for their education; our biggest responsibility is to help them thrive and grow. We want all our PLC parents to have a really positive experience of the School, to feel they are contributing to a supportive community, and in turn to feel confident that our students are part of a safe and nurturing learning environment. My wife and I have made great friends through the parents network and, importantly, feel grateful for a community of support we’ve relied on as we navigate the challenges of parenthood and school life. I’d like the work of PLC Parents to extend that positive experience to all our parents and guardians, so that they equally feel that sense of pride and belonging to the PLC community as our students do. To do this, we are building on the collective efforts of many generations of parents and volunteers, continuing some of the fine traditions such as Open Garden Day and other beloved events. Our executive team this year is particularly focussed on better communication, growth and inclusion in all that we do.

What is something that most people may not know about you? I once had the great privilege of co-producing a National Geographic television documentary series, travelling on motorbikes through Asia and Australia to film the work of grassroots charities and social enterprises throughout the region. It was certainly one of my most exhilarating life experiences! Why did you choose PLC and what is it that you love about PLC? Returning to Perth after a long period of living abroad, we were drawn to the global perspective, inquirybased learning and the International Baccalaureate foundations on which education at PLC is built. We also were attracted by the reputation of PLC and the idea that our daughters would be joining a community for life - through their school years and beyond with the Old Collegians’ Association. We continue to love those elements of PLC and now feel a sense of belonging to the wider PLC community.