Presbyterian Ladies' College Melbourne

This week, we were delighted to welcome Dr Judith Locke, Clinical Psychologist and child wellbeing specialist, as she presented on the vital topic of “Helping your child become confident and capable". Dr Judith shared age-appropriate strategies with Junior School and Senior School staff and parents to help develop essential skills such as resilience, confidence, self-regulation and resourcefulness in children. We thank Dr Judith for her insights and expertise.

Yesterday, we paid tribute to the valiant souls who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for us, as the PLC Pipes and Drums Band solemnly marched in the Anzac Parade through the centre of Melbourne to the Shrine. Three Year 10 students served as Youth Ambassadors for the Dawn Service which included Halima's poignant recital of the poem, 'In Flanders Fields', while Jasmine and Selina contributed significantly to the proceedings. We thank the girls and dedicated staff for their service. Lest We Forget.

We congratulate Old Collegian, Emma Huibers (2023), who received a top score for her Unit 4 Theatre Studies Monologue last year and was invited to audition for Top Class Theatre Studies. Top Class Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies and Music are part of the Top Class series of concerts that celebrate outstanding performances by VCE and VCE VET Performing Arts students from the class of 2023. The concerts present top performing students and are compered by Chief Assessors and curriculum experts, giving insight into what it takes to succeed in each study. Emma presented her Madam Arcati performance from Noel Coward's ‘Blithe Spirit’ and was the opening performance earlier this week.

Last week, the PLC Pipe Band travelled to Maryborough in Victoria to compete in the 2024 Australian Pipe Band Championships. The Biennial event boasted 36 bands from all over the country, including many of the top school bands competing in their respective juvenile grades. PLC were awarded Runners Up in Novice B and can now consider themselves as the second-best band in their grade. The drum corps also achieved a second place overall and walked away with the top prize for best dressed. A huge thanks to parents and supporters for their tireless advocating and assistance over the season as we now turn our attention to solo competitions and many other engagements to come.

We commend our nine students who recently participated in the Debaters Association of Victoria (DAV) Women's Competition. Showcasing eloquence and analytical skill, they tackled three secret topic debates calling for uniforms for teachers, regulations on cosmetic sales for minors and the efficacy of disruptive protests. Guided by the DAV’s seasoned trainers, the event was a celebration of intellectual growth and inter-school collaboration. We celebrate their contributions to this inspiring forum that uplifts female voices in debate.

Join us as we celebrate the wonderful achievements of PLC teacher, Cathy Altmann, as she unveils her exquisite new collection, ‘Stars Like Salt: Poems’, on Sunday 21 April. Experience Cathy's poetry as she shares the luminous insights that emerged from the depths of her experience with long COVID. Cathy holds a Masters degree in Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne and currently teaches English and Latin. Her works have appeared in journals, anthologies, websites and on Melbourne’s trains as part of the Moving Galleries project. The afternoon will continue with live musical performances by Cathy Bruce on the flute and Angela Chandler on the piano, as they perform captivating compositions by Lili Boulanger and Richard Rodney Bennett. Concluding with afternoon tea, join us for this enriching experience that will uplift and inspire. Details: Sunday 21 April at 3.00pm at Surrey Hills Neighbourhood House, 157 Union Road, Surrey Hills, VIC. No RSVP necessary.

Our Year 7 and 8 Junior Swim Team excelled at the GSV Division 1 Championships, finishing an incredible second overall in the Junior Division! This achievement marks the highest result ever attained by a PLC Year 7 and 8 carnival team, we couldn't be prouder of their exceptional performance and accomplishments.

Congratulations to Tiffany, Lucinda, Chloe, Celeste and Aaliyah, our five outstanding students representing PLC Aquatic who are currently competing against the country's top swimmers at the prestigious Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast this week. We are so proud of your remarkable achievements in reaching this national level. A huge thanks to PLC Aquatic Swim Head Coach, Damien Gogoll, for his expertise, dedication and support in guiding the girls to success.

We congratulate all our PLC Tennis teams for representing PLC with integrity, humility and outstanding competitive spirits for the 2024 Tennis Season. Our nine teams, totaling 72 students, progressed through to Finals to play at Melbourne Park. This marked a historic moment, with four teams crowned GSV Premiers, four teams as 2024 Runners-Up and five teams achieving Zone Winners status from the Home and Away rounds. The Senior A & B Grade teams demonstrated remarkable success, defeating their opponents while conceding only 25 games throughout the season. The Intermediate C team dashed away from House Athletics to successfully play their Grand Final, while the Junior D team, relatively new to tennis, has been inspired by their accomplishments. Well done girls, we look forward to next season!

Making history once again, our PLC Swim Team finished second overall in the Girls' Division at the Victorian All Schools Relay Championships! The night was filled with excitement and close races, as our girls gave their all for their teammates! Congratulations to all the swimmers and coaches on this incredible achievement.

The PLC GSV Swim Team made PLC history by finishing third overall in the Division 1 GSV Championship Carnival! This is our highest ever result in a carnival sport. Our squad of 57 talented swimmers showed the world what teamwork, dedication and passion can achieve! Congratulations to all the girls and coaches on this outstanding success.

It was nothing short of spectacular as 60 of our alumni gathered for our Class of 1994 school reunion. In an afternoon filled with laughter, nostalgia and a fabulous trip down memory lane, the highlight for many was the school tour, an exciting journey for many who hadn't stepped foot on campus in the last 30 years. While the school has seen changes, the flood of memories remained timeless. It was wonderful to see everyone having such a great time, reconnecting with old friends and reminiscing about the good old days.

It was a massive weekend on the water at the 2024 Head of School Girls' Regatta in Geelong. Despite the heat, our rowing team persevered and accomplished some fantastic results, including personal best times across most divisions and a historic first ever bronze medal in the Year 9 Division 1 single scull. A huge thanks to the coaching staff for their dedication in guiding the girls to achieve such a wonderful outcome. Congratulations to all participants!

The PLC Pipe Band are Victorian Champions! Last Sunday, the PLC Pipe Band headed to Eastfield Park in Croydon to compete in the 2024 Victorian Pipe Band Championships. This was the most competitive contest for the band to date, with Novice B boasting six bands in total and Grade 4B, ten. In a ‘clean sweep’, the band achieved first place in Novice B Marches, as well as first place in Novice B Medley, with the drumming taking top honours in both. Two strong performances in Grade 4B saw the band finish fourth overall, with the drumming again finishing in first place. We wish this incredible group of musicians the best of luck in the final competition of the year at the Australian Pipe Band Championships in Maryborough on 13 April.

It is with great delight that we congratulate PLC's A Grade team on their back-to-back GSV Senior A Grade Tennis Premiership. In an outstanding season, the team didn’t drop a set until the Grand Final. Additionally, Felicity only dropped one game during her singles matches throughout the season. This is a remarkable feat indeed. We wish the Year 12 girls who have played since Year 7 many more years of successful tennis.

On Tuesday evening, the Old Collegian team met at the PLC tennis courts to battle it out against the school team for the 92nd running of the Kellet Cup. Traditionally dominated by the crafty and seasoned Old Collegians, this year saw a remarkable turn of events as the school team clinched the trophy for the first time in over 12 years! There was great excitement for the school team as they realised this historic victory, winning 6 sets 66 games to 3 sets 48 games. Congratulations to all 38 players who took part in this much-loved annual tennis event.

PLC made a huge splash at the GSV Division 2 Diving Carnival. With over 20 talented girls involved, it is the largest diving team PLC has had in recent years. We're excited to see our divers continue to grow and develop!

Make sure you join us for the Kellet Cup on Tuesday 19 March as the PLC Old Collegians take on the PLC GSV Tennis Stars. Meeting time is at 4.00pm and play commences at 4.15pm, followed by refreshments and cup presentations, concluding at 5.45pm. Old Collegian supporters are most welcome and interested players should register asap via the QR code on the flyer.

Today we marked International Women's Day with a gathering of alumni and students, engaging in meaningful dialogues centred around this year's theme, Inclusivity. The event was enriched by diverse perspectives, celebrating our commitment to gender equality and empowerment. Bringing together past and current students in an open and authentic dialogue provided valuable insights into making a positive impact. One of the highlights of the morning was Rebecca Lim's (1989) inspiring presentation on the initiative, emphasising the importance of discovering and owning one's voice. A message that resonated deeply, urging us to be the catalyst for change within ourselves and our communities. Special thanks to everyone who joined, especially our students from Years 10 to 12, for their enthusiasm and dedication to championing gender equality and diversity. Thank you to Rebecca Lim for her inspiring talk, our Alumni who joined in the round table discussions and to all our participants for fostering an inclusive environment. Together, we continue to strive for inclusivity and support each other in achieving equality.

Wishing everyone a fantastic International Women's Day! We're excited to host a special breakfast this morning, filled with dynamic discussions and inspiring insights centred around this year's theme of Inclusivity. We're particularly looking forward to welcoming our keynote speaker, Rebecca Lim (1989), who will share her journey towards driving change. We anticipate an enlightening and empowering morning as we continue to support each other and strive for inclusivity in everything we do.

It was wonderful to welcome members of PLC and the wider community this past Saturday at Wyselaskie Hall to pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Miss Joan Montgomery AM OBE. In a beautiful celebration, we had the privilege of hearing heartfelt reflections from those dear to Miss Montgomery. Their touching tributes and shared memories were interwoven with poignant performances by students and staff along with a captivating photo montage. We extend our sincere appreciation to all those who attended this celebration which served as a reminder of the profound impact Miss Joan Montgomery had on us all. We invite you to enjoy the recording and photographs captured from the day. https://vimeo.com/plcmelbourne/joanmontgomery

Discover PLC offers current Year 5 and 6 students the chance to immerse themselves in the Senior School experience. Last week, this dynamic and enjoyable event allowed students to participate in a diverse range of activities across eight key subject areas. With a blend of learning, interactive sessions and plenty of excitement, Discover PLC was a memorable afternoon for all involved.

On Friday 8 March, we will celebrate International Women's Day at PLC with a special breakfast event championing gender equality and empowerment. This year’s theme, Inclusivity, unites students from Years 10 to 12 in a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences aimed at fostering a more inclusive world. Our keynote speaker, Rebecca Lim (1989), is a lawyer, writer and co-founder of the 'Voices from the Intersection' initiative who embodies the spirit of overcoming challenges and driving change. Following her inspiring talk, students will have the opportunity to engage in interactive round table discussions with alumni and students, sharing insights on careers, life and making a positive impact. This empowering event will be a great opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate the achievements and potential of women everywhere.

We are pleased to offer a live-stream of the PLC service to celebrate the life of Miss Joan Montgomery AM OBE, in addition to a recording. Please note the live-stream will be from a single camera with a wide view, therefore the quality will be limited. To join the live-stream, please click on the below link at 10:30am tomorrow, Saturday 2 March. The produced recording will be shared once edited, to ensure a quality version of the celebration of Miss Montgomery’s life is preserved. Live-stream link: https://vimeo.com/event/4127876

After more than three weeks of careful preparation and growing excitement, the highly anticipated 2024 House Concerts took place last week. Audiences were treated to six magnificent performances, all of which exemplified the creativity, humour and diverse talents of the girls. Each House was assigned a unique prompt themed around travel: Atholl - a caravan, Balmoral - a camel, Glamis - a hot air balloon, Leven - a cruise ship, Rosslyn - a rocket and Stirling - a skateboard. This year, Stirling emerged as the overall champions, followed by Rosslyn in 2nd place and Atholl in 3rd. Congratulations to all the Houses for their exceptional performances!

Join us for the Kellet Cup on Tuesday 19 March as the PLC Old Collegians take on the PLC GSV Tennis Stars. Meeting time is at 4.00pm and play commences at 4.15pm, followed by refreshments and cup presentations, concluding at 5.45pm. Old Collegian supporters are most welcome and interested players should register asap via the QR code on the flyer.

We invite you to join us as we celebrate and remember the life and service of Miss Joan Montgomery AM OBE. PLC welcomes all members of our community, particularly Old Collegians, past staff and parents, as well as members of the wider educational community, on Saturday 2 March at 10.30am in Wyselaskie Hall at Presbyterian Ladies' College. To RSVP, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1179713
For those unable to attend, a recording of the service will become available within the week.

We're excited to report that another milestone has been achieved in the development of our Sports Aquatic & Fitness Centre (SAFC). The concrete pouring for our 50-metre swimming pool is now complete, "Dizzy the crane" has been upgraded to a larger crane to support the ongoing building efforts and the bleachers have been constructed providing ample seating for spectators and supporters. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to make strides towards the completion of the SAFC. For more information, visit https://www.plc.vic.edu.au/safc

Today is an important day in the history of PLC as we celebrate our Foundation Day, commemorating the establishment of the College in 1875, marking 149 years since its opening in East Melbourne. As we embrace the present and eagerly anticipate the limitless opportunities that await us, we also honour the past by reflecting on a selection of cherished memories of previous Foundation Day celebrations from 1925-1950.

This week marks a significant milestone for our school as we commemorate Foundation Day, the founding of Presbyterian Ladies’ College on 15 February 1875 in East Melbourne. As we reflect on the journey that began on this day, we're reminded of the strong roots upon which our school stands. During our Foundation Day Assembly, PLC Old Collegian, Management Consultant and Season 6 winner on The Great Australian Bake Off, Laura Foo (Class of 2013), shared her reflections on her education and the life she has built upon her PLC foundations. Laura's words resonated deeply as she encouraged the students to embrace the uncertainties of life. She challenged them to explore their passions, reminding them that effort is the true catalyst for success, far outweighing talent. In a world where careers and paths are constantly evolving, Laura urged the students to remain open-minded to the remarkable opportunities and new careers that may emerge in the next decade.