Social Action

One thing that we have all learnt this year is that nothing is certain. For some of us, life’s challenges can sometimes bring discouragement or a sense of hopelessness. Yet, we can draw encouragement from the Scripture: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31)

The PLC Prayer Group brings together a wonderful group of people from all areas of our diverse school community, who meet regularly to encourage one another, inspire hope and to pray for the needs of PLC.

In Term 1 the group assisted with preparations for the 2020 Christian Union Launch and also had a stand called ‘Faith in Action’ at the Twilight Picnic in February this year. Since the recent restrictions came into effect, the prayer group has successfully transitioned to online prayer meetings via Zoom every Thursday afternoon, enabling members to connect with each other and pray together. We also attended the annual Prayer Day for Schools in September and it was inspiring to hear about the great work of various organisations such as Mustard, Kids Hope and Korus Connect.

The prayer group has been a source of strength and support for many during this time and is open to all. We would love to meet you and have you join us in prayer. We have seen many answered prayers during this time and despite the challenges, it is reassuring to know that there is a God who cares, accepts and loves us. Since its inception in 1991, during Dr William Mackay’s tenure as Principal of PLC, the prayer group has been attended by parents and staff members past and present, former chaplains and Old Collegians. The group was first convened by Annette Anakotta, followed by Anna Ward and continues the tradition of PLC parent convenors today. There are currently two groups led by parents from Junior and Senior School, that meet weekly to pray for the needs of the school and its community. For any further information, please email prayergroup@plc.vic.edu.au

Excerpt: Patchwork, Aug 1880. Source: PLC Archive

The Social Action calendar of events is a very busy one, led by the Year 12 Social Action Captains and team members who are selected via an application and voting process. These young women demonstrate attributes of the PLC Graduate Outcomes: leadership, kindness, a social conscience and a determination to make a difference. These are attributes articulated and honoured by PLC staff and students across the years.

Indeed, Professor Pearson’s Inaugural Foundation Lecture to the College at East Melbourne in 1875 outlined his fundamental educational policy and intention, “To give the girls at the Ladies’ College as nearly as possible an identical education to that which their brothers were receiving in the public schools for boys. He justified this policy by explaining that the great changes going on in the world, particularly those brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the new theories of social justice, were so radical and their efforts so far-reaching that they must affect women as well as men, and in particular, that the education which had fitted women to live in an era which was passing away was not adequate to prepare them for life in a strange, new time”. [PLC Melbourne : the first century 1875 - 1975 by Kathleen Fitzpatrick p79]

Excerpt: Patchwork, 1980. Source: PLC Archive

Over the past 145 years these sentiments - social justice, philanthropy, charity, giving, benevolence and volunteering - have motivated Old Collegians Vida Goldstein, Dame Nellie Melba, Helen Macpherson Smith and legions of alumnae and staff to lobby for social justice, raise funds for scholarships, charities, hospitals, disaster relief and to be genuine agents of good influence at home and abroad.Volunteering gives students a sense of purpose and achievement and helps them to feel part of the greater community. It gives them an opportunity to share their skills and to learn new skills and also contribute in a positive way to the lives of others. Many PLC girls are inspired by the opportunities they receive at PLC and go on to create even greater contributions to society. One example is Effie Li who was the 2019 Social Action Captain. She is donating her time as part of the volunteer translation initiative put forth by Khan Academy. They are translating their English website content into many different languages, offering free online education to those who are in need. Effie is in the Mandarin translation team working on proofreading articles and video captions for mainly the mathematics and economics content.

Effie is also interested in what she can do for poverty alleviation and hopes to collaborate in the future with girls who have graduated from our sister school, Neno Girls’ School in Malawi.