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Fostering a Spirit of Community Between Old Collegians, PLC and Our Community
PLC and the OCA organise and host a number of events and initiatives each year.
OCA Event Calendar
The calendar of events for the year is considered in October and submitted to PLC for confirmation of dates. This lead time is necessary to balance activity throughout the year, secure the involvement of the Principal and/or request use of School facilities.
Below is an outline of OCA events and important dates on the OCA Calendar:
OCA Welcome Day Lunch
As part of PLC Welcome Day held at the start of each year, the OCA hosts a Welcome Lunch for Old Collegians whose daughters and granddaughters are new to PLC and also Old Collegians who daughters and granddaughters are starting Year 7 having graduated from the PLC Junior School.
OCA Career Networking Morning
New to the OCA calendar in 2020, this speed networking breakfast is another mentoring opportunity in which Old Collegians return to school to share their personal career pathways and experiences with the Year 12 students.
In 2020, 22 Old Collegians registered to be a part of this new initiative, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic this event was postponed until further notice.
Contact: OCA@plc.wa.edu.au
OCA Art Exhibition
This is the OCA’s major fundraising event of the year, significant commitment is required of all OCA Committee members, and subcommittee coordinators are enlisted to meet regularly in the build-up to the event. The detailed Art Exhibition database, plan and operations file is held by the Communications and Engagement team on behalf of the OCA Committee.
A budget of $5,000 from PLC’s Office of Communications and Engagement is allocated to the OCA Committee to assist with printing, advertising and marketing costs.
2022 Art Exhibition Co-ordinator: Winks Shephard
OCA Tartan Lawyers Breakfast
The PLC OCA and Old Scotch Collegians co-host a legal breakfast for their members in Term 2, including a presentation and panel discussion. A Lawyer is the best place Committee Member to co-ordinate this event.
In 2019, over 40 members of the PLC/Scotch community who are aspiring, current or retired members of the legal profession attended this event at Clayton Utz offices overlooking the Perth CBD. With the theme ‘Work Life Balance’, Aaron McDonald (OSC 2001) Director at Pragma Lawyers, fielded questions to Liz Humphry (OCA 1998), Partner at Clayton Utz and Nicholas van Hattem (OSC 2002), Barrister at Burt Chambers and Senior Vice President of The Law Society of Western Australia.
Contact: Jessamy Mahony
OCA Tartan Networking Breakfast
The Tartan Alumni Connect Breakfast, a joint event held by Old Scotch Collegians and PLC OCA. This networking breakfast is held each year to connect the alumni of the two organisations who are in range of professions and industries.
The 2019 the event was postponed due to difficulties with confirming the proposed guest speaker availability, it was due to take place in August, with a theme of “Why giving back makes good business sense”.
PLC Organised Old Collegian Events
Below are two major annual PLC events which include the middle and senior students, teaching staff and Old Collegians who left PLC 50 years ago or more. These events are organised by the Office of Communications and Engagement and the OCA Committee are invited to these events.
PLC Easter Service & Morning Tea
This event is usually held on the Thursday before Good Friday and incorporates a Service held in the Hugh Baird Sports Centre followed by a Morning Tea held in the Senior School Cafeteria.
PLC Founders Day Service & Lunch
PLC Founders Day event is held in August and includes a Service held in the Hugh Baird Sports Centre followed by a Luncheon held in the Boarders Dining Room. In 2019, over 80 Old Collegians attended Founders Day.
Black Diamonds
‘Black Diamonds are tougher than any other form of natural diamond. They don’t shine in the traditional sense because they absorb, rather than reflect light. Largely unrecognised, they are the less obvious choice.’ In recognition of PLC’s Black Diamonds and their extraordinary contribution to the school, PLC’s Archivist, Shannon Lovelady, is publishing their stories in all future editions of the Blackwatch Magazine.
Contact: PLC Archivist, Shannon Lovelady.
Golf Day
The Golf Day origins originate from the Pleiades Club. In 2019, 54 Combined Independent Girls’ Schools Golf Day was held on Monday September 23 at Cottesloe Golf Club. Hosted by PLC: 136 Old Collegians from PLC, Iona, Loreto, MLC, Penrhos/Kobeelya, Perth College, St. Hilda’s and St. Mary’s in perfect weather. PLC fielded a team of 11 pairs on the day and was the resounding winner by 7 points from second placed Perth College.
Tennis Day
In April 2022, PLC Alumni Tennis Team were victorious again, defeating 6 other PSA schools for the Championship in the Annual Old Girls Tennis competition. The competition has been running for 24 years and PLC has gained the victory at least 17 times.
Contact: Linda Arnold at arnoldl@iinet.net.au
PLC Event Support
All events held on PLC campus are required to be coordinated and approved through the Event Management procedure to ensure all Child Protection and other regulatory requirements for Schools are adhered to.
Ordering Equipment
Glasses, crockery, tables, tablecloths, urns, water/milk jugs are available to borrow for an OCA function. Please arrange, in advance through OCA@plc.wa.edu.au.
Serving of Food
Events where there will be food served on PLC campus are to be approved through the Event Management procedure to ensure adherence to the Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Policy and safe food handling procedures.
Serving of Alcohol
Laws encourage responsible use of alcohol and OCA supports this. Function and event organisers are required to abide by these Laws and should familiarise themselves with the requirements, including who can serve alcohol and when a Liquor Licence is required. More information is available from the Office of Communications and Engagement.
Holder of RSA Manager Certificate (2020): Winks Shephard
PLC Policy contact: Julia Dobson: Director of Strategic Communications
Try Booking
The OCA has a Try Booking account for OCA events and subcommittee members will be able to regularly monitor the RSVPs which assists in planning.
Once the event booking window is closed, the OCA Treasurer will be able to transfer the funds directly to the OCA bank account. You will need to factor in approximately 3% to cover the credit card fees that Try Booking charges and an additional 10% for the GST which is charged by Try Booking on ticket sales.
