PLC i n P ri nt | Ju ly 2021
It was a joyful, historic day and I was moved by the public vows of support and encouragement I received.
From the Principal
Rev Philip Mercer, Moderator, with Cheryl Penberthy
Pippa, Year 6, making a presentation to Cheryl Penberthy
As I write to you, Term 2 is almost at an end and what an exciting term it has been! We have so much for which to be thankful as our students, staff and families are once more able to celebrate together at the much-loved annual events which bind our community together. How we all enjoyed the fun of the Mother’s Day breakfasts, the exquisite music at the Grand Concert and the stimulating activities of International Week. We solemnly observed ANZAC Day and were inspired by the commitment of the Reverend Christie Buckingham when she spoke at the annual Connect Prayer Breakfast. The College celebrated cultural diversity during International Week and in the following week, the rich history and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples during Reconciliation Week. I personally was so touched by the warmth and support I received from the entire PLC family on the occasion of my Commissioning on 28 April as the twelfth Principal of PLC. It was a joyful, historic day and I was moved by the public vows of support and encouragement I received. You can see the delightful accounts and photos of this event and many other events throughout this edition of our magazine. However, Term 2 also provided new challenges due to the sudden extended lockdown in June as students, staff and families were again back to the world of distance learning and working from home. Alongside the disappointment of special events having to be cancelled or postponed, were the fatigue and personal struggles that many members of our community experienced. The staff had been able to build on their professional skills since last year and were well equipped to respond quickly to the online learning environment. Everyone across the College stepped up to deal creatively and flexibly with the demands of the lockdown. I am very proud of all the efforts of students, families and our dedicated staff. As I said in my acceptance speech at the Commissioning, I am a deeply reflective educator and a person who wants to keep moving forward. I seek to constantly focus on the future of our College, building on our strong Christian foundations and pioneering educational past. With the Executive and staff, I have been working with strong commitment to develop important initiatives from the Towards 2023 and Beyond Strategic Plan. The COVID-19 challenge, amongst the other demands of our interdependent, globalised world, emphasises the need for PLC to be prepared and ready for change, while keeping the high standards and values expected by our community. It must be a place of innovation, constant growth and improvement where the PLC difference is clear and recognised.
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