Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney

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For other schools of the same name, see Presbyterian Ladies' College.

Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Sydney
Mottos	Sancte Sapienter (Latin:"Holy, Wisely") All'ultimo lavoro (Dante:"The utmost for the highest")
Established	1888
School type	Independent, Presbyterian, Day and Boarding
Known As	P.L.C Sydney
Principal/Headmaster	Dr. William T. McKeith B.A., Dip. Ed.(Macquarie), M.A.(Sydney), MBA (Leicester), Ed.D., F.A.C.E, F.A.I.M.
Chairman	Rev. Peter Hastie
Chaplain	Miss. Carolyn Turner B.A. (Hons), B.Th. (Hons), M. Div.
Affiliations	Presbyterian, AHIGS, Round Square, PLC Armidale
Location	Croydon, New South Wales, Australia
Campus	Suburban Parkland
Enrolment	1400 (R-12)
School colours	Red and White
School Hymn	The Golden Hope
Area	5 Hectares
Homepage	www.plc.nsw.edu.au

The Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney (P.L.C Sydney), is a private day and boarding, Presbyterian school for girls in Croydon, New South Wales, Australia. The college is a founding member of the Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools (AHIGS), and one of only a small number of Round Square schools in Sydney. P.L.C is non-selective, and caters for approximately 1400 girls from Branxton Reception (4 years old) to Year 12 (18 years old).

Set in Croydon, an inner western suburb of Sydney, the grand buildings of the College stand within 5 hectares of historic grounds and fields. PLC is located within 15 minutes of the city's central business district, Sydney University, the University of Technology and the Australian Catholic University. The Homebush Olympic site is 10 minutes away to the west of the College.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, P.L.C Sydney was ranked 16th in New South Wales in the 2005 Higher School Certificate .^[1] . This made P.L.C Sydney the top performing Presbyterian school in N.S.W, the top performing independent school in Inner Western and Western Sydney, and the fourth best performing non-selective private school for girls in New South Wales.

The current principal is Dr. William T. McKeith who has led the school since 1986.

Contents 1 History 2 College motto 3 College crest 4 School badge 5 College tartan 6 Uniform 7 House system 8 Facilities 9 Co-curricular 9.1 Sport 9.2 Ensembles 9.3 Debating and public speaking 9.4 Writing/Academic 10 The P.L.C Armidale/P.L.C Sydney Alliance 11 Principals 12 Notable alumnae 13 Associated schools 14 Notes 15 References 16 See also 17 External links

[edit] History

P.L.C is the oldest Presbyterian School established in New South Wales, and was the first Presbyterian girls' school established in New South Wales. The school was founded with 39 girls, on the 7th of January, 1888, at "Fernlea", a fourteen-roomed gentleman's residence in Ashfield, the current site of the Masonic Hospital. This establishment saw the culmination of five years' work by a committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of N.S.W.

The decision to commence a Ladies' College was made in 1883 when the Assembly formed a special committee to investigate the establishment of Superior Boarding Schools for girls and boys. By July 1887, the committee had purchased the Ashfield property and advertised far and wide for an appropriate principal. They unanimously selected Dr. John Marden, a science master from the Methodist Ladies' College in Melbourne, "because of his high academic standing, his experience and success in teaching and his high christian character".^[2]

By August 1888, the College had outgrown the Ashfield site, which had always been considered a temporary home for the college, and Council began discussing alternative sites at Croydon. On the 5th September 1889, Col. John Hay Goodlet told the council of "Shubra Hall", the home of Anthony Hordern III at Croydon, and urged Council to purchase it. Subsequently, the property was purchased on the 26th October for £7,500. Plans were promptly drawn up for the additional buildings required, and by the beginning of the school year of 1891, the new site was complete and ready to commence furnishing as the permanent home of P.L.C.^[3] The "Presbyterian" reported of the opening of the College by the new Governor of N.S.W., the Rt. Hon. Victor Albert George, Earl of Jersey at it's new site:

Standing in six acres of ground, laid out in lawn tennis courts, gardens, etc., in an elevated position, it forms, with its tower 84ft high, a very conspicuous feature in the landscape. The central feature of the building is the tower, and the architectural design of the facade is classic. Altogether the effect is very imposing. On the ground floor of the main building is a handsome hall, the dining room capable of seating 80 persons, and the school-room. This room is lighted by three large bay windows of cathedral glass, with stained panals at boarders. At the end of the school hall is a spacious corridor, communicating with six classrooms. These are lofty, well lighted, and ventilated in the most approved fashion. Close to the classrooms are two lavatories, fitted with every convenience and sanitary appliance. At the side and rear of the main building are five music rooms, handsome landing, and wide corridors, extending the whole length of the building, giving access to 27 spacious dormitories. The bed furniture is of the simplest and most wholesome description - none but spring wire mattresses are used, with light horsehair mattresses only 2 inches thick above. With this arrangement the maximum of cleanliness and comfort combined is secured. There are six bathrooms, linen rooms, etc. The baths are fitted with shower, hot and cold water pipes and can be filled in three minutes. The lavatory and bathroom fittings are especially good, marble and electro-plate being freely used.

Shubra Hall

Many of the internal doors are of stained glass from the establishment of Messrs. Goodlet & Smith. The main staircase window is a work of art well worth seeing. The central window is beautifully designed, and contains two female figures representing Literature and Music.

Among the portraits on the two side windows are those of Rubens, Titian and John Milton. Some of the mantelpieces are exquisite in workmanship, those in the dining hall being wrought in Italian Gariotte Marble. The ceilings are handsomely decorated in chaste colours, relieved with stencil flowers and gold mouldings. Every ceiling in the place is sound-proof.

At the very rear of the main building is a gymnasium and studio fitted with every modern appliance. It may be mentioned that very special provision is made for the safety of the building and of the inmates in case of fire."

^[4]

By 1902, space had again become a problem due to increasing enrolments. Marden urged that new classrooms be built, which Council reluctantly agreed to. These buildings comprising six classrooms downstairs and eighteen rooms upstairs, were finished and handed over by the contractor on 6th October, 1904, at a cost of £2,000. This increase in enrolments also convinced Council of the need to set up a branch school on another site, preferably on the North Shore. A committee was set up in June 1907 to study the feasibility of a second school, yet recommendations were not considered by the Council. By 1913, space at the college was at an absolute premium. Marden reported that many applications were being refused because of "shortness of space". This matter was taken to the General Assembly of 1913, resulting in the approval of the establishment of a branch at Pymble under the Council of P.L.C Croydon. The Council was given £5,000 to erect new buildings and lay out the grounds. "The Presbyterian Ladies' College, Pymble" was opened on the 8th February, 1916 with 48 day girls and 86 boarders.^[5] This school is still in existence, and is now known as 'Pymble Ladies' College'. A third "Presbyterian Ladies" College was also opened in Beecroft in 1924, a primary 'feeder' school for the Croydon College, however it did not receive adequate attention from college council and was forced to close in 1929. This school reopened shortly after under new management, and is now known as 'Arden Anglican School'.

[edit] College motto

School Prayer

O God, Our Heavenly Father, from whom cometh every good and perfect gift, we beseech thee to bestow thy blessings upon our school, and give to all that work here the true love of knowledge which makes all study a discovery and a joy. May thy spirit of loyalty and devotion bind us all more closely together that we may labour not for our own advantage but for the common good. May thy wisdom guide and prosper our work and games, that we may grow in the love of all that is true and honest and of good report. And when we go out into the world may we carry with us our ideals of reverence, wisdom and service, which thou dost give us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The school motto was adopted on 23 August 1888. It was decided that the motto should be "sancte sapienter". No translation was given of the Latin, but a rather loose translation is: "be holy wisely" or "holy, wisely". The motto encapsulates the two broad aims of the school religious and academic education.^[6]

[edit] College crest

The school crest was adopted at a College Council meeting on 23 August 1888. It now forms the badge worn on the uniform. The College Council decided to use the same crest as that used by the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales, but with minor modifications.

The Church's crest consisted of a shield with the words "nectamen consumebatur" surrounding it. A burning bush, the stars of the Southern Cross and a Latin cross, in outline, were on the shield. At the base, rather indefinitely, were the floral emblems of Scotland, England and Ireland, with only the thistle and rose clearly defined. Surrounding the shield was a border with the words "Presbyterian Church of New South Wales". At the top of the border was the Star of David. Behind both shield and borders was the cross of St. Andrew in blue.

The School modified the crest by changing the words "Presbyterian Church of New South Wales" to "Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney" and substituting the School motto "sancte sapienter" for "nec tamen consumebatur". A Maltese cross device was placed at the top of the shield.

At Federation in 1901, Presbyterian churches of the various Australian states also federated. The newly formed Presbyterian Church of Australia adopted as its crest the NSW crest, changing "New South Wales" to "Australia". In 1939 the General Assembly of Australia adopted a new crest: the star of David disappeared, the Latin cross was added and the floral emblems were redrawn with the thistle in centre position. These changes of 1939 account for the differences between the school's crest and the Church's crest today.

The school's crest can be found in the tiles on the verandah outside the main door, near the College Hall. Traditionally, the school's crest has been produced in the school colours red and white.^[7]

[edit] School badge

The school's highly symbolic badge was inspired by Dr. Marden and designed by the first art teacher, Mr. J.A. Bennett. The maiden on the lion (Knowledge) crowned with a tower (The Home) and holding a trident (Sovereignty) and a laurel wreath (Victory) represents the victory of true womanhood, whose crown is the home, over force. The sun symbolises light and vitalising energy while the crescent moon stands for youth. The words "Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney" surround the badge.

The motto "All'ultimo lavoro" comes from Dante and has variously been translated as: "for the crowning task", "strive for the highest", "the utmost for the highest", or "I work for the highest".

"Croydon" replaced "Sydney" when the Pymble branch became a separate school. In 1977 the Pymble College was awarded to the Uniting Church after Church Union and became known as "Pymble Ladies' College". In 1978 P.L.C changed "Croydon" back to "Sydney".

The badge is reproduced in the leadlight over the front door of the original house, 'Shubra Hall'.^[8] It may also be found on the recently opened 'ex-students pathway'.

The school badge was traditionally worn on the tam-o-shanter until it was phased out in 1995. The badge is currently not worn by students, partially due to its adoption by Pymble Ladies' College as their school crest. The badge is however used by the college's ex-student's union as it has since 1905, with the addition of the words "Ex-students Union" below.

[edit] College tartan

The school has adopted as its school and Pipes and Drums uniform the Black Watch Tartan. P.L.C were given permission to wear the tartan after their brother school, The Scots College were issued a royal decree allowing them to use Black Watch as their Pipes & Drums and Cadets uniform.

NB: "the tartan of the Black Watch, the oldest of the highland regiments. This tartan was specially designed for the regiment to prevent the jealousy which would have been aroused, if any existing clan tartan had been used". (Aurora Australis 1958).

[edit] Uniform

School Hymn

The Golden Hope

O Jesus, strong and pure and true, Before Thy feet we bow; The grace of earlier years renew, And lead us onward now. The joyous life that year by year Within these walls is stored, The golden hope, the gladsome cheer, We bring to Thee, O Lord. Our faith endow with keener powers, With warmer glow our love; And draw these halting hearts of ours From earth to things above. In paths our bravest ones have trod, O make us strong to go, That we may give our lives to God, In serving man below. Scorn we the selfish aim or choice, And love's high precept keep, "Rejoice with those that do rejoice, And weep with those that weep". So hence shall flow fresh strength and grace, As from a full-fed spring, To make the world a better place, And life a worthier thing.

When the college first opened in 1888, there was no uniform, rather the girls wore long cotton dresses, gloves and hat. The early 20th century saw the introduction of a straw boater, worn with a red and white hat band featuring the college crest with its 'burning bush' woven into it in red. Prefects during this time wore red silk arm-bands embroidered with a gold crest.

1910 saw the straw boater changed to a large breton shape.

The distinctive Black Watch Tartan of the college was introduced in 1918. Senior girls wore heavy box-pleated skirts and white blouses, whilst junior girls wore pinafore dresses. All girls wore a navy blazer and heavy woollen stockings. The tennis uniform consisted of a white dress, white stockings, and a cream blazer piped with red braid and embroidered pockets. Prefects at the time also wore a special hat badge with a ring of bright blue enamel. A black felt breton was introduced for winter use, and no change was made until the introduction of the green beret in 1952.

The first summer uniform, consisting of a light weight gingham dress, was introduced in 1949. This uniform was replaced by a terylene mixture in 1967.

A grey sports uniform was introduced in 1951, and was later changed to Red, White and Black. Prior to this, girls were required to wear a navy box pleated tunic, with a long sleeved blouse and tie. House badges were worn on the left shoulder.

1966 saw the introduction of the current senior uniform for years 11 and 12. This uniform consists of a Black Watch Tartan kilt, white blouse (short sleeve in summer, long in winter), a dark green collarless blazer, green jumper or vest, black stockings for winter and bottle green knee-high socks for summer and black leather lace-up shoes. Girls of Scottish origin are permitted to wear the kilt pin representing their family name, rather than the standard school pin. A bottle green and Black Watch tam-o-shanter (or 'beret') was also introduced at this time.

1995 saw the phasing out of the 'tam-o-shanter' as girls found it very difficult to wear. This was replaced by the current 'Panama hat' which is worn by all girls in the junior school, and is optional for the high school girls.

The current junior (R-10) uniform was introduced in 1997. In summer, girls are required to wear a Black Watch Tartan tunic, a short-sleeve white blouse, bottle green blazer with tartan piping and crest, short bottle green socks and black leather shoes. The winter uniform consists of the Black Watch Tartan tunic, a long-sleeve white blouse, the bottle green blazer, bottle green jumper or vest, Black Watch Tartan tie, Black Watch Tartan scarf and either green knee-high socks or black stockings. All girls are required to use regulation green crested school and sports bags, and must wear their school and house badges at all times. Black or Black Watch Tartan ribbons may be worn.

School 'pockets' are awarded for achievements in a wide range of areas, and are embroidered in red on the pockets of junior blazers (R-10 girls), and white on the left-side of senior blazers (11-12 girls).

Green and Gold striped blazers are awarded to girls who represent Australia in any event. Approximately six current students have been awarded these blazers.

[edit] House system

The College has six 'Houses' and all students and staff take active part in House activities. A House Patron guides the House activities throughout the year. The Houses are named after women and men who have made an outstanding contribution to the life of the College.

Anderson Mrs E O Anderson (Gertrude Dunlop) (1885-1985) was the daughter of John S Dunlop (member of the Council 1902-1912) and attended P.L.C from 1898 to 1902. She was a foundation member of the Committee of the Ex-Students' Union in 1906. From 1927 until 1932, she served as President, then as Vice-President or Patroness from 1936. In 1932 she petitioned the Assembly for the regular appointment of women members to the P.L.C Council. Mrs Anderson was a member of the P.L.C Council, serving from 1932 to 1958. She was a generous benefactor to the College all her life. Colour: Navy Blue

Ferguson Rev. John Ferguson (1852-1925) came from Invercargill, New Zealand, to be minister of St Stephen's Sydney. He was the Acting Principal of St Andrew's Theological College in the University of Sydney in 1917 during Dr Harper's absence overseas. Subsequently, he was appointed Senior Chaplain and became Chairman of P.L.C Council in 1913, and served in this role until 1923. Colour: Green

Harper Rev. Dr Andrew Harper (1844-1936) was the third Principal of PLC Melbourne from 1879 until 1888. He then lectured at Ormond Theological College, Melbourne before coming to Sydney where he was Principal of St Andrew's Theological College in the University of Sydney from 1902 until 1923. He was Chairman of P.L.C Council from 1907 until 1913. He retired to Scotland. Colour: Sky Blue

Kinross Rev. Dr John Kinross (1833-1908) was a Presbyterian minister at Kiama, 1858-1875. He then became principal of St Andrew's Theological College in the University of Sydney from 1875 until 1901. He was Chairman of P.L.C Council from 1888 when the school opened until 1906. Colour: Gold

Pickard Miss Marion Pickard was appointed to the College at Ashfield in June 1888 as a resident teaching governess. She became Lady Superintendent in 1894 and continued until her resignation in 1907. In 1905 she was elected first president of the Ex-Students' Union. Colour: Purple

Wilkie Dr Helen Wilkie (1895-1984), Principal of P.L.C Sydney from 1942 to 1946, came from Edinburgh in 1937 to be Headmistress at PLC Armidale. On her appointment to Croydon she was almost immediately confronted with the College's takeover by the RAAF and organised the move of the college to several houses at Strathfield. Colour: Maroon^[9]

[edit] Facilities

The present facilities of the college include:

• 21st century computer facilities and interactive whiteboards

• The Adelaide Perry Gallery An art gallery situated on the ground floor of 'The Croydon'. Opened 2000.

• Amphitheatre An outdoor space for school performances, outdoor classes and a place for girls to relax. Opened 1997.

• An integrated school campus for Infants School (Evandale), Year 3 (Hennessy Street) and Years 4-6 as Upper Primary and Senior School.

• Arlington The principal's residence. Purchased in 2003, built 1863.

• The Audrey Keown Theatre A 550 seat theatre with orchestra pit, catering to production needs and allowing students also to learn lighting, sound and direction techniques. Opened 2006.

• Before and After School Care Centre

• Boarding School. A modern boarding environment (within the 'West Wing') for 75 girls. Years 6 to 9 are housed in Mance corridor in rooms containing 3 to 6 girls, 10 and 11 in Taylor corridor in twin rooms, and year 12 girls have private rooms in McKenzie corridor. Opened 1890.

• Boat Shed A leased facility for rowing in Drummoyne, as part of Drummoyne Rowing Club. Opened 1994.

• Cafeteria A self-serve facility within the Boarder's dining room. Opened 2000.

• College Hall The original school hall, which is now used for chapel services, social events and school meetings. Opened 1890.

• The Croydon A Creative Arts Centre that features Drawing, Paint, Ceramic, Food Technology, Woodworking, Textiles, Photography and Print studios together with computing facilities. Formerly the Croydon Hotel, this facility was purchased in 1997, and opened after conversions in 2000.

• Drummond Field A large field suitable for hockey, athletics and softball. Opened 1989 after the purchase of sections of Grosvenor, Meta and Elizabeth Streets.

• Evandale. The 'prep-school' for girls from Reception to Year 2. Situated across the road from the main campus, Evandale was formerly 'The Evandale School'. Purchased 1992.

• The Extension Centre A centre for children identified as 'gifted and talented', as well as coaching and tutoring. Opened 2000.

• Freda Whitlam School of Science A three storey building housing Science facilities. Opened 1997.

• Guidance Centre Offering Counsellor and Tertiary Entrance/Careers Advisor assistance.

• Hamilton Hall The junior school assembly space.

• Health Centre and on-site nursing sister.

• JD Oates Aquatic Institute, equipped with 2 heated indoor pools, classrooms, staffroom and change rooms. Opened 2006.

• Lindley Evans Music Centre, featuring private music tuition rooms, music composition labs and classrooms. Due for redevelopment in 2006/2007 following the opening of the new Performing Arts Centre.

• Macindoe Library The college's main library, with separate floors for Junior and Senior School students. Opened 1992.

• Marden Memorial Library. Affectionately known as 'Marden', this building was designed and built by the Ex-Students union as a memorial to the much loved former Principal, Dr. John Marden. Marden is no longer used as a library due to its small size, rather it provides a venue for band practice and archival displays. Opened 1927.

• McQueen Seminar Room offering conference facilities. Opened 2001.

• Performing Arts Centre, which includes the Audrey Keown Theatre, three large music rehearsal rooms, three music classroms, computer composition laboratory, 12 music tutorial rooms, and a recording studio. Incorporates Harmsworth, the former Principal's residence. Opened 2006.

• Shubra Hall The original home of Anthony Hordern III and his family, 'Shubra' is the college's oldest original building. Previously a residence for the College Principals, it is now used as the main executive administration area. Built 1869, opened with additions in 1890.

• The Stables. Originally used as the College stables, this building now houses the College reception, school shop, and archives.

• Studio Theatre. A small theatre space for drama, debating and house/year meetings. Opened 1995.

• Four Rebound Ace Tennis Courts

• Thompson Hall A multi-purpose hall featuring a 'sprung' floor gymnasium and foam pit. Opened 1987.

• Transition House A terrace house for the 'Transition class' (girls with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities) to learn life skills. Opened 1998.

• Weights Room A weights and conditioning centre overlooking Thompson Hall. Opened 2000.

• Year 12 Common Room and outdoor facilities.

[edit] Co-curricular

[edit] Sport

P.L.C Sydney students compete in a range of sports and are involved in inter-school competition. Through PLC’s membership of IGSSA and JSHAA, all girls have the opportunity to participate in several sports during their time at school. Those with special sporting talent are offered a pathway to represent at the highest level available at P.L.C, IGSSA/JSHAA, Combined Independent Schools, state representation at School Sport Australia and even Commonwealth and Olympic level. Sports currently offered to girls at the college include:

• Athletics/'Trinity-PLC Sydney Athletics' club
• Basketball
• Cricket/Kanga Cricket
• Cross Country
• Diving
• Equestrian
• Fencing
• Gymnastics (Artistic and Rhythmic)
• Hockey/Minkey
• Netball
• Rowing
• Skiing/Snowboarding
• Soccer
• Softball/T-Ball/Mod-Ball
• Swimming/'Sydney Swim PLC' swimming club
• Tennis/Tildesley Shield Tennis
• Waterpolo

[edit] Ensembles

Music ensembles provide opportunities for performance encourage excellence and demonstrate the rewards of working in a group. They also give enjoyment to the wider school community.

P.L.C Sydney has music ensembles for Junior and Senior School students, both selective and non-selective: several bands, string orchestras, a full school orchestra, chamber music ensembles, choral groups, both selective and non–selective, and several smaller instrumental/vocal groups.

Current ensembles include:

Bands

• PLC Pipes and Drums
• Black Watch Big Band
• Concert Band
• Junior School Band
• Junior Jazz band
• Stage Band
• Wind Ensemble

Choirs

• Cantabile
• Chamber Choir
• College Choir
• House Choirs
• Madrigal Group
• PLC Voices
• Vocal Ensemble
• Year 2 Choir
• Year 7 and 8 Singing

Small ensembles

• Flute ensembles
• Junior and Senior Bells Groups

Strings and orchestras

• Chamber music
• Evandale Strings
• Evandale Ensemble
• Extension Strings Years 7 and 8
• Hamilton Strings
• Junior Orchestra
• PLC Chamber Orchestra
• PLC Symphony Orchestra
• String Quartets
• Vivaldi Orchestra

[edit] Debating and public speaking

Debating and public speaking at P.L.C Sydney has a long and impressive history of achievement in developing speakers of all levels of ability. The college has competed in the Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA) for the last five years and has had a long-standing commitment to the Archdale Debating Competition, which involves many of Sydney’s girls’ schools, enjoying success in both competitions at Semi-Final and Final level, and winning the competition in 2006.

P.L.C Sydney enters teams into the Junior and Senior Debating Sections of the AHIGS Festival of Speech, producing outstanding results and performances over the history of the competition, with 10 consecutive wins in the competitions 11 year history.

Teams competing in the Macquarie Cup and the Commonwealth Bank Senior Debating are challenged by being placed in competition with a range of Public, Catholic and Independent Schools. The college organises Social Debates with surrounding schools as well as honouring a commitment to a regular competition with Trinity Grammar School with the P.L.C/Trinity Challenge.

[edit] Writing/Academic

Students at P.L.C Sydney have many opportunities to be involved in extra-curricula activities available at the school.

A wide range of activities are available, including:

• Art and Design Club
• Bible Study Groups
• Book Vultures Club
• Chess
• Community languages
• Computer Club
• Future Problem Solving
• J.A.M: a Christian gathering
• Philosophy Extension
• P.L.C Production
• School Community Service
• School magazine - "P.L.C Review"
• School year book - "Aurora Australis"
• School newspaper - "College Crow"
• Science Club
• Writer of the Year Committee
• Write Now: The Writers' Guild

[edit] The P.L.C Armidale/P.L.C Sydney Alliance

In the September-October 2005 edition of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales's 'Church Offices Newsletter', the Chairman of Trustees, Jeof Falls, announced an alliance between the Presbyterian Ladies' College Sydney, and the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Armidale.

Arising from a detailed strategic analysis of the school over the past six months and recommendations from some highly respected educational consultants, the Church has moved to strengthen PLC Armidale through modifying its governance structure so as to bring it under the executive leadership of one of our country’s most experienced and successful Principals, Dr William McKeith, who is the Principal of PLC Sydney. This action was endorsed by the General Assembly in July. Members of the present PLC Armidale Council will form part of the new Council. Essentially, PLC Armidale and PLC Sydney will become true sister schools under the leadership of a united Council and an Executive Principal. PLC Armidale will also continue to have its own Head of School. Both schools will retain their strong sense of independence, and will maintain their separate identities so as to recognise and preserve the unique relationships, histories and traditions that both have developed over many years in serving their respective communities. Dr McKeith’s appointment as Executive Principal of both schools is effective from 1st September 2005. We see obvious benefits in strengthening the schools through this close alliance. Both schools have been working quietly in cooperation for a long time at a variety of different levels. This initiative is seen as an opportunity to position PLC Armidale and PLC Sydney so that these fine schools can further develop their existing high level of academic and co-curricular achievements while retaining our Christian values and traditions. It will offer opportunities for the sharing of curriculum and policy development between the two schools, as well as to provide professional development opportunities for staff, confidence for parents and an outstanding education for all our girls.^[10]

- Jeof Falls, Chairman of Trustees

[edit] Principals

Period	Details
1887 – 1919	Dr John Marden, B.A. LL.D. (Melbourne) Principal of both Croydon and Pymble Colleges from 1916
1920 – 1929	Dr E. Neil McQueen, M.A. (Melbourne), D.Sc.(London). Vice-Principal of both Colleges
1929 – 1931	Acting Principal – Miss Anna Drennan, M.A.(Edinburgh). Acting Principal at Pymble 1928
1933 – 1941	Miss Mary Hamilton, B.A., Dip. Ed. (Melbourne)
1942 – 1945	Dr Helen Isabella Wilkie, M.A., Ph.D. (Edinburgh) Principal of PLC Armidale 1938 – 1941
1946 – 1956	Miss Eunice Macindoe, B.Sc. (Sydney)
1957	Acting Principal – Miss Jean Tassie, B.A
1958 – 1976	Miss Freda L. Whitlam, B.A., Dip. Ed. (Melbourne) M.A. (Yale)
1977	Acting Principal – Mrs Norma Brown, B.A., Dip. Ed
1978 – 1985	Miss Patricia Dyson, M.A., Dip. Ed. (Sydney)
1986 – present	Dr William T. McKeith, B.A., Dip. Ed. (Macquarie), M.A. (Sydney), M.B.A. (Leicester), Ed.D. (Leicester), F.A.C.E., F.A.I.M..[11]

[edit] Notable alumnae

Former Students of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney are known as "P.L.C Old Girls". For a list of notable "P.L.C Old Girls", see List of notable former students of PLC Sydney.

[edit] Associated schools

P.L.C Sydney currently conducts annual student exchanges with the following schools:

• Columba College (New Zealand)
• Herschel Girls School (Cape Town, South Africa)
• Meitoku Gijuku (Japan)
• St Andrew's College, Christchurch (New Zealand)
• St. George's School, Edinburgh (Scotland)
• St. Paul's Co-educational College (Hong Kong)
• P.L.C Sydney currently has a 'twin school' arrangement with 'Foreign Language Specializing School' in Hanoi, Vietnam.
• In 2001, the College established two kindergartens in East Timor.

Neighbouring schools Nearby schools include:

• Trinity Grammar School, Summer Hill
• Newington College, Stanmore
• St Patrick's College, Strathfield
• MLC School, Burwood
• Santa Sabina College, Strathfield
• Meriden, An Anglican School for Girls, Strathfield.

Presbyterian schools

• P.L.C's 'brother school' is The Scots College in Bellevue Hill.
• P.L.C's 'sister school' is The Presbyterian Ladies' College, Armidale. Sydney and Armidale "P.L.C's" are both overseen by Dr. McKeith (Executive principal of Armidale, Principal of Sydney), and the Sydney College Council.
• P.L.C's 'daughter school' is Pymble Ladies' College in Pymble.

Presbyterian Church of Australia Schools

Belgrave Heights Christian School | Covenant College, Canberra | Fairholme College | King's College, Warrnambool | Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney | Presbyterian Ladies' College, Armidale | Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne | St. Andrew's Christian College | Scotch College, Melbourne | The Scots College | The Scots School, Bathurst

Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools Schools

Abbotsleigh | Ascham School | Brigidine College | Calrossy Anglican School for Girls | Canberra Girls' Grammar School | Danebank | Frensham School | Kambala Girls School | Kincoppal-Rose Bay | Loreto Kirribilli | Loreto Normanhurst | Meriden | MLC School | Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College | New England Girls' School | OLMC Parramatta | Presbyterian Ladies' College, Armidale | Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney | Pymble Ladies' College | Queenwood | Ravenswood | Roseville College | SCEGGS | St Catherine's School | St Clare's College | St Vincent's College | Santa Sabina College | Tara | Wenona School

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• E. Beatrix Durie, 'Aspinall, Jessie Strahorn (1880 - 1953)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Press, 1979, p. 118.
• Biography Online Edition: Kinross, John (1833-1908). Retrieved on 2006-10-19.
• Falls, J. 2005. "New Partnership between PLC Armidale and PLC Sydney". The Presbyterian Church in New South Wales: Church Offices Newsletter", No. 288. September-October.
• McFarlane, J. 1998. The Golden Hope: Presbyterian Ladies' College, 1888-1988. P.L.C Council, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney. ISBN 0-9597340-1-5.
• Joan M. O'Brien, 'Morrison, Sibyl Enid Vera Munro (1895 - 1961)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, 1986, p. 596.
• Marion K. Stell, 'Hamilton, Marie Montgomerie (1891 - 1955)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 14, Melbourne University Press, 1996, p. 366.
• Sydney Morning Herald:The Top HSC Schools. Retrieved on 2006-10-31.
• The Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney. 1958. Aurora Australis: The Magazine of the Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney.

[edit] See also

• List of Non-Government schools in New South Wales

[edit] External links

• Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney website
• PLC Sydney Sport website
• Presbyterian Ladies' College, Armidale website
• The Scots' College website
• Presbyterian Church of Australia in NSW
• The Association of Heads of Independent Girls' Schools
• Sydney Morning Herald