PLC Strategic Plan 2023

EMPOWERING GIRLS

Strategic Plan

2023-2027

Keeping

PLC and its students at the cutting edge of a future-focused education.

Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Melbourne

INSIGHT FORESIGHT IMPACT

Delivering outstanding girls’ education has been our enduring commitment since 1875. It remains our compelling purpose and priority. How we go about achieving it today, however, requires both insight and foresight, the type reflected in Strategic Plan 2023-2027.

Appreciating all the ways in which our students will need to be equipped to successfully navigate our complex, rapidly changing world, we have developed a strategic direction that is student-centred, globally relevant and innovative. It will promote the learning, wellbeing and connection that forms women of character who are willing and able to change the world for good. Our empowering, dynamic approach will support this work and keep PLC and its students at the cutting edge of a futurefocused education.

We are passionate about each student’s learning journey with us and believe that with the guidance of our accomplished staff and the support of our community, this Strategic Plan will help deliver the broad, holistic and healthy schooling experience that facilitates academic excellence and human flourishing.

I am genuinely excited to invite our learning community on this journey, and to be leading the process that will see us build on the best of our traditions with renewed vision and energy so that the unique potential of each girl can be realised.

Cheryl Penberthy Principal

OUR SCHOOL

PLC is a leading ELC to Year 12 Christian independent day and boarding school for girls situated in Melbourne, Australia.

We are characterised by our outstanding academic tradition and Christian values, our international outlook, our multicultural learning community, and our commitment to service. This, along with our pastoral heart and breadth of offerings is what allows us to deliver the relevant, comprehensive and engaging education that sets us apart.

It also depends on our professional, expert staff who dedicate themselves to knowing and meeting the needs of each girl. Nurturing a strong sense of self and others within a culture of genuine care fosters the humanity, confidence, leadership capacity and zest for life we want every student to enjoy.

PLC has a distinguished history and tradition of educating women who go on to make a significant contribution in the world. Today we continue to ensure the rich, rigorous and positive schooling experience we provide launches young women into rewarding vocations and fulfilling lives.

‘Lex dei vitae lampas’

- The law of God is the lamp of life. Psalm 119:105

OUR CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION

Founded by the Presbyterian Church in 1875, PLC was one of Australia’s first independent schools for girls. It was established on the Christian principles that remain at the heart of our culture today as we seek to express them in who we are and how we go about our daily lives.

As embedded in the College’s Constitution, we remain committed to providing our students with a Christian framework through scripture. This guides and supports them to develop a worldview that makes sense of their experience as part of humanity; to be whole, live purposefully and find fulfilment in this world.

All members of our community are invited to discover the good news at the heart of the Bible. God has come among us in Jesus Christ who humbled himself and served us by dying sacrificially on the cross in our place. Those who put their faith in Jesus receive the gift of salvation through his death and resurrection. They then receive a restored relationship with God their loving Creator and are empowered to live a meaningful and abundant life in selfless service modelled on the example of Jesus.

Christian values are at the heart of our culture and practice.

OUR VISION

To form empowered women of character who change the world for good.

OUR MISSION

To deliver an outstanding education within a Christian context that:

• prioritises care

• promotes holistic development and growth

• personalises learning

• provides enriching opportunities

• perpetuates principled living and a service ethic

• prepares students for their time as… scholars, thinkers, citizens, advocates, and leaders.

The PLC Graduate Outcomes

Scholar: A confident and engaged person with an inquiring mind who takes responsibility for her learning.

Thinker: A creative, reflective and adaptive person who uses their intelligence to serve for greater good.

Citizen: A thoughtful, kind and open-minded person with an informed world view, a well-developed social conscience and a sense of justice that is grounded in the values of Christian faith.

Advocate: A passionate person with a strong sense of agency who affects society and those around her in positive ways.

Leader: An articulate, capable and responsible person of integrity who works collaboratively, has a heart for service and uses her education to make the world a better place.

OUR VALUES

Integrity

We seek truth and wisdom to determine what is right and then support each other to do what is right.

Empathy

We aim to recognise, understand and respond appropriately to the thoughts, feelings and circumstances of others. It inspires care, compassion and leadership.

Courage

Courage fosters learning, makes us willing to have a go, to advocate and encourage, be strong and endure.

Delight

We take the time to let awe and wonder restore and inspire us. It sparks our curiosity and creativity, provides perspective and promotes life in all its fullness.

Service

We use our gifts and talents to gladly serve others. To do so is rewarding and fulfilling for us as individuals and a community.

In valuing the imperative of integrity, the tenderheartedness of empathy, the impact of courage, the perspective of delight and the joy of service we seek to be Christlike and together embed the culture that brings out the best in us all.

OUR STRATEGIC PLAN

2023-2027

GOALS

LEARNING

1. Provide outstanding opportunities

A Deliver a future-focused curriculum that equally values all pathways & disciplines

B Implement personalised learning strategies

C Promote deep real-world learning

D Promote student voice, leadership and agency

STRATEGIES

E Integrate innovative and meaningful IT into the teaching and learning program

F Explicitly develop emotional intelligence, social competence and metacognition

G Build capabilities of all students and staff

WELLBEING CONNECTION

2. Nurture wellbeing

A Foster and celebrate personal best and balance

B Integrate whole school preventative wellbeing approaches

C Make our Christian ethos and College values more visible

D Strengthen PLC’s culture of belonging, care and inclusion

3. Foster engagement

A Develop internal and external opportunities for students to learn and socialise together

B Provide ‘hands on’, authentic service opportunities

C Improve connection within and across disciplines and sub-schools

D Strengthen connection with parents and caregivers

E Increase collaboration with Old Collegians

F Use meaningful traditions to honour PLC’s history and inspire its future

G Establish an Ethics Institute for PLC and the wider community that aligns with the school’s ethos and promotes ethical living

Glossary

Future-focused learning – evolving our practice and offerings to equip and empower students with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to thrive in their time. It produces independent critical thinkers who are curious, creative, confident, adaptable and resourceful.

Personalised learning – a student centred approach involving differentiated instruction that caters to individual needs, interests, readiness and abilities. It allows students to become increasingly responsible for their own learning.

Real-world learning – combining classroombased learning with skills-building and hands-on immersive experience in industry and the community.

Emotional intelligence – the ability to identify and regulate your own emotions and understand the emotions of others.

Metacognition – intentional thinking about how you think and learn.

In implementing this strategy we are committed to ethical decision making, good governance, responsible financial stewardship and environmental sustainability.

FORMING CHARACTER