8 minute read
From the Principal
Rev Philip Mercer, Moderator, with 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.
Perfect 4th (String Quartet) – Claire Huang, Amelia Liu, Sophie Han, and Tiffany Pai
We have identified many strategic initiatives for 2021 and produced detailed operational plans across the different areas of our College to achieve our three strategic goals. Our first goal is for our girls to be lifelong learners with a global perspective who are capable scholars, thinkers, citizens, advocates and leaders. You can read about what is already being achieved through the PLC Framework for Learning and Wellbeing across the entire learning journey from the ELC to Year 12 in this edition.
Our second goal is that PLC will be recognised as a leading Christian independent girls’ school with a focus on educating, developing and inspiring girls to thrive. We have already begun to develop a stakeholder plan that communicates our distinct educational identity to our community.
Our third goal seeks to maximise conditions for success through continuous improvement with explicit focus on operational excellence and assurance and people, culture and strategy. The College will identify and improve business and operational planning, practices and processes. It will focus on people and capability so that PLC will be recognised as having a highly professional, efficient and engaged workforce. Staff across all areas are already participating in setting professional goals and career development planning.
We at PLC are working very hard to create the very best holistic learning environment for your daughters and a stimulating, caring work environment for all staff. It is an exciting journey for all of us.
Cheryl Penberthy Principal
Harmony Choir singing ‘Amazing Grace’
Rev Mark Chew delivering the Commissioning Address
From the Chair of PLC Council
Commissioning Address
Welcome to all of you attending the commissioning of the twelfth Principal of Presbyterian Ladies’ College.
I would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. They are the Traditional Custodians, on behalf of the Almighty Creator, of these lands upon which our school stands today. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders, both past and present, of the Kulin Nation and extend this respect to other Aboriginal Australians present.
Today promises to be a joyous and solemn occasion when we commission Mrs Cheryl Penberthy as Principal of PLC and ask that God will strengthen and enable her for her leadership of our College for His glory.
Cheryl, let me extend to you the warmest congratulations on behalf of the entire school community, on your appointment as Principal of PLC. On behalf of the Council, we are very much looking forward to working with you as you lead this College along with all the staff and student leaders.
Normally our thoughts would turn to helping a new Principal settle into this role. But that is certainly not the case with you, for you have already been serving in this role since December of 2019 and, for more than 8 years, you were the Head of the Junior School. The transformation of the Junior School during that time is a testament to your calm and caring, and also purposeful and confident leadership. This was also evident through the course of last year, as we navigated the choppy waters of the pandemic.
I’m sure that on an important occasion such as this, your heart is full of joy at the opportunity you’ve been given to make a difference. You are probably also feeling the gravity of what you’ve promised to do. It is after all a weighty responsibility, to take the reins of leadership over our beloved College, with a long and distinguished record of educational excellence for girls in Australia. It is a reputation that I know you very much desire to honour, and also, continue to enhance.
And so, if I have expressed what you are feeling correctly, there is on your shoulders the paradox of a joyful burden that you have committed to carry. It’s like being given one of Monet’s sublime ‘Water Lilies’ and being told you need to improve on it. Or being commissioned by the Queen as the architect who will tastefully renovate Buckingham Palace. You can’t take up that commission and then do nothing with it, yet what you do needs to honour the past.
Now, I know that none of us has the same clout as the Queen, but there is no escaping that you do carry the hopes of staff, parents, students, Old Collegians and the Presbyterian Church. And put together, we might sometimes come across as more demanding than any royal monarch!
From the Chair of PLC Council
Commissioning Address
Welcome to all of you attending the commissioning of the twelfth Principal of Presbyterian Ladies’ College.
I would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people of the Kulin Nation. They are the Traditional Custodians, on behalf of the Almighty Creator, of these lands upon which our school stands today. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders, both past and present, of the Kulin Nation and extend this respect to other Aboriginal Australians present.
I’m sure that on an important occasion such as this, your heart is full of joy at the opportunity you’ve been given to make a difference. You are probably also feeling the gravity of what you’ve promised to do. It is after all a weighty responsibility, to take the reins of leadership over our beloved College, with a long and distinguished record of educational excellence for girls in Australia. It is a reputation that I know you very much desire to honour, and also, continue to enhance.
and caring, and also purposeful and confident leadership. This was also evident through the course of last year, as we navigated the choppy waters of the pandemic.
Today promises to be a joyous and solemn occasion when we commission Mrs Cheryl Penberthy as Principal of PLC and ask that God will strengthen and enable her for her leadership of our College for His glory.
Cheryl, let me extend to you the warmest congratulations on behalf of the entire school community, on your appointment as Principal of PLC. On behalf of the Council, we are very much looking forward to working with you as you lead this College along with all the staff and student leaders.
And so, if I have expressed what you are feeling correctly, there is on your shoulders the paradox of a joyful burden that you have committed to carry. It’s like being given one of Monet’s sublime ‘Water Lilies’ and being told you need to improve on it. Or being commissioned by the Queen as the architect who will tastefully renovate Buckingham Palace. You can’t take up that commission and then do nothing with it, yet what you do needs to honour the past.
Now, I know that none of us has the same clout as the Queen, but there is no escaping that you do carry the hopes of staff, parents, students, Old Collegians and the Presbyterian Church. And put together, we might sometimes come across as more demanding than any royal monarch!
Normally our thoughts would turn to helping a new Principal settle into this role. But that is certainly not the case with you, for you have already been serving in this role since December of 2019 and, for more than 8 years, you were the Head of the Junior School. The transformation of the Junior School during that time is a testament to your calm
Rev Mark Chew delivering the Commissioning Address
Harmony Choir singing ‘Amazing Grace’
