Events

PLC Community Shines at Open Garden Day

Mrs Michelle Barrett (Wandel 1994), Open Garden Day Committee Member

Beautiful weather warmed the PLC community as parents, staff, and students came together to deliver another memorable PLC Open Garden Day on Friday 21 October. This year’s event saw the opportunity for attendees to visit seven amazing gardens generously opened by local families. Many of the properties were historical homes in the area and the gardens varied in design and plantings.

There were a number of guest speakers and demonstrations which took place during the day as well as amazing performances by PLC Old Collegians, the PLC Pipe Band, and music ensembles, all showcasing the wonderful talents to be found at the College. A further display of talent was the exhibition of senior student artwork and a market stall of junior artworks. View Street was once again temporarily closed to create the Open Garden Day Marketplace which was abuzz with lively atmosphere, offering a vast array of food, produce, and gift stalls from PLC and outside vendors. The lawn of The Stables Cafe was a popular resting spot for attendees to enjoy some tea and homemade cakes, all baked by our parent volunteers and served by parents and students. Some of the other things that makes PLC unique were on display throughout the day with the Beth Blackwood rowing boat sitting proudly on the lawn of historical Scorgie House, rowing demonstrations, and market stalls of various PLC community groups. A special thanks to all the parent, student, and broader community volunteers and the amazing OGD Committee, consisting of parent volunteers and College staff, as well as the generous garden owners who together made the day possible and an enjoyable experience for all. We look forward to the sun shining once again at the same time next year for a very special 25th PLC Open Garden Day.

Celebrating the Class of 2022

Duel Winners of Prestigious Pocket

Every year at the start of Term 4, it is an emotional time as PLC begins to farewell the graduating class with a series of events – the first of these is the Year 12 Final Assembly. This year, the College again recognised its Lifers with a special gesture. Year 1s presented those graduating students who have been at PLC for a total of 12 years or more with a pink rose. Each and every student from the Class of 2022 was then acknowledged with a special statement submitted by a student or member of staff close to them and read out by their House Tutor. While receiving their certificates from Principal, Ms Cate Begbie, the words of praise rang throughout the Junior School Sport and Recreation Centre. After the ceremony, the cohort was then processed out to the Quad by the Pipe Major for the traditional team-in-a-huddle in an emotional farewell befitting these inspiring students.

This year at the Year 12 Final Assembly, two students were announced as the recipients of the Principal’s Citizenship Pocket. Olivia Morton and Sienna Grubb were Year 12 students who have both equally made a difference to the richness of the life of the College. “From my own interactions with these students I know that both of these young women will, no doubt, make their marks and do incredible things, but what impresses me most about them is that I also have no doubt that they will do this with the greatest of humility, integrity, and compassion for others and the world around them,” Principal, Ms Cate Begbie said. “They are both equally exceptional role models not just for students, but for every member of this school community. These students don’t just talk about our school values – community, learning, integrity, and effort – they live them.” The award is given to a student (or students) who is not a member of the Student Council, who consistently achieves academic results that reflects her personal best, demonstrates exemplary dress and behaviour, and participates fully in the life of the College.

2022 Leavers Praised for Accomplishments of Character

“We spent time this year celebrating academic achievements, sporting victories, and jaw-dropping performances. All these accomplishments have made the entire PLC community incredibly proud of you but I just hope this sparkle doesn’t outshine or outweigh what might be viewed as a less flashy accomplishment: great character. You don’t win awards for looking out for one another when times get tough, you don’t receive a round of applause at Assembly for being kind. Yet you all do it anyway and that is what is great character,” Principal, Ms Cate Begbie said at the Valedictory Service. While this year’s cohort’s achievements have been outstanding, Ms Begbie remarked that the accomplishment of having a good and kind character needs just as much praise and recognition and she took the opportunity to voice this in her Valedictory Service speech. Staff, family members, and 145 students from the class of 2022 filled the Junior School Sport and Recreation Centre on Thursday 13 October to recognise the achievements of the Class of 2022. Students were presented with their certificates by Ms Cate Begbie before also being congratulated by President of the Old Collegians’ Association, Ms Jessamy Mahony (Carroll 1988) as the evening marks a significant turning point for the cohort. It is the moment they are officially welcomed into the Old Collegians’ Association. Guest speaker and Head Prefect of 2017, Rieley Stewart, spoke eloquently and gave fitting advice passed on from her mother. “No one is better than you, but you are no better than anyone else,” Ms Stewart told the cohort. “Have the confidence to speak up and question the things around you…most importantly trust and be patient with yourselves. Up until now you have been a big fish in a small pond but now you are ready for the big, wide world. It’s scary and daunting but it’s yours for the taking,” Ms Stewart concluded. Ms Begbie thanked the Class of 2022 and remarked what an amazing journey through PLC they have had. “You leave behind an inspiring and aspirational legacy of not just excellence and accomplishment but of great compassion, and in turn, of great character.” “Thank you for leaving PLC a better place….Enjoy this celebration and acknowledgement of all you have achieved and the amazing young people you are.”

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