From the Principal Kalea Haran Principal
T
he year is 1952 – globally, we see King George VI sadly pass away and be succeeded by his twenty-seven-year-old daughter, now our Queen Elizabeth II. The iconic musical film ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ premiers in New York and the world’s first passenger jet is produced in the UK. In Australia, the Prime minister is Robert Menzies. A little behind other Commonwealth countries, we still don’t have televisions yet. Significantly, this is also the year Penrhos College was born in Angelo Street, South Perth, Western Australia! As an infant, it was named MLC South Perth, to be christened Penrhos in 1963. In the year we were born, Mrs Margaret Way - an accountant - sat with the new College Council as they discussed the school they were to open and the challenge they faced in finding someone to take on the role of first Penrhos Principal. Mrs Way later described the moment her inner voice spoke to her ‘well, you could… come on, you could speak up… you could do something.’ She took a deep breath, rose to her feet, and put herself forward through her bravery in standing up and speaking out, she became Penrhos’ first Principal.
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THE PENRHOSIAN
Mrs Way demonstrated her courage and conviction by stepping forward when no one else did, and she went on to progress the Council’s shared vision for the new College with confidence and determination despite very limited means at the time. Throughout her tenure, Mrs Way demonstrated the school’s motto, ‘Per Ardua Ad Alta’ (‘Strive for the Heights’) – she initiated the Penrhos spirit which so strongly thrives today, and she set the standard for our future. The characteristics Mrs Way showed in the 1950s are as relevant today as ever, and I am committed to dedicate my best endeavours in continuing her legacy. My vision, as seventh Principal, is to steward a College environment in which our students believe they can create a future without boundaries. In the same way that Mrs Way did not adhere to the convention or tradition of her time - she was willing to take on a challenge and embrace a new adventure - I will continue to challenge the status quo and stretch boundaries to ensure the best possible opportunities for our graduates.
