Contents
Welcome
The Role of PLC Parents
PLC Parents Meetings
PLC Parents Committee Roles
The Roles of Parent Representatives
The Main Roles of Parent Representatives
Social Media and Communications Use
Contact with Year Group
Organising Catch-Ups
Serving of Alcohol
Gathering Support for School Events
Collection of Money for Gifts
TryBooking
Communications and Engagement
PLC Parents Committee Contact Details
PLC Parents Year Group Parent Representatives Contact Details
Sub-Committee Contact
Welcome
A warm welcome to all our parent community, and especially to the new families joining PLC in 2026.
A very special thank you to all the parent volunteers, ranging from event organisers to parent representatives and more, for your commitment to enriching the PLC community.
PLC Parents is the organisation that brings parents together and nurtures our community through social events, volunteering opportunities, and funding initiatives, all with the goal of helping create a safe and supportive learning environment at PLC and upholding the College’s values.
For all PLC Parents volunteers, may I suggest some guiding principles in all that we do:
Communication – share what it means to be a valued part of the PLC community, and how participation in PLC Parents activities matters.
Inclusion – ensure that what we say and do is widely inclusive, encourages high participation, and builds goodwill among the PLC community.
Collaboration – build on the strengths of the PLC community, with respect and in co-operation with other community members, students, and staff.
I wish you and your students a wonderful year at PLC.
Emily Chee Chair, PLC Parents
The Role of PLC Parents
PLC Parents is a sub-committee of the PLC Council and is the school body which represents the interests of parents and promotes the College’s ethos of providing a supportive environment for students, parents, and the wider community.
The priorities and activities of PLC Parents are directed by the Committee members, whose roles are detailed below.
All parents and carers of currently enrolled students are eligible and encouraged to volunteer for the Committee or other active roles, to support events and fund-raising efforts, to attend PLC Parents term meetings, and participate in the activities of PLC Parents.
PLC Parents fosters friendships within the College community and fundraises for initiatives that support the educational, spiritual, physical, and social development of students and the College.
PLC Parents supports the numerous volunteers who take on roles within the PLC community which promote the ethos of the College such as Year Representatives and positions responsible for organising fundraisers, social gatherings, and year group events such as the Year 12 Ball.
PLC Parents raises funds to be invested into the College for non-core curriculum expenditure. In the past, funds have been used to pay for the Future Anything workshop, Junior School Festival of Science, additional sporting equipment, and requests from the sub-committees.
PLC Parents also oversees the dispersal of funds raised by the School Fee Raffle to support activities such as unique learning initiatives for students (such as the Moneyvest workshop, additional equipment for performances, and the Junior School Sailing Programme), as well as unique infrastructure projects that contribute to the development of students.
For more information on applications for funding, eligibility and deadlines, please contact the the Communications and Engagement (CandE) department at cande@plc.wa.edu.au or on (08) 9460 6520.
PLC Parents Meetings
PLC Parents meetings are held at least once per term, and all parents and carers of currently enrolled students are warmly invited to attend in person at the Lighthouse, or to join the meeting virtually where possible. Details of timing, location, and virtual meeting details are advertised ahead of each meeting. At the conclusion of each meeting, refreshments are served to allow time to catch up with other parents.
PLC Parents Meetings 2025
Term 1: 24 February at 6.00 pm in the Lighthouse
Term 2: 25 May at 10.00 am in the Boarding House
Term 3: 1 September at 6.00 pm in the Lighthouse
Term 4: 10 November at 6.00 pm in the Lighthouse - AGM
The PLC Principal attends meetings to give an update of what is happening or planned to happen at PLC, along with other invited staff members and guest speakers from the school community who provide PLC Parents with an insight into life within the many areas of the College. A representative of the Communications and Engagement Department (C&E) is also in attendance.
All PLC parents and carers are encouraged to attend meetings including all Year Representatives and other PLC Parents representatives.
PLC Community Code of Conduct
It is expected that all behaviours and activities, including any directly or indirectly related to PLC Parents, comply with the expectations of PLC policies and Code of Conduct guidelines.
The PLC Community Code of Conduct is an overarching code that provides all members of the College community with guidelines for the effective development of positive relationships within the PLC community and assists in promoting the PLC Values.
In particular, please refer to the following resources that detail expectations and accountability.
PLC Community Code of Conduct
Working in Partnership - Staff and Parent Guidelines
PLC Parents Committee Roles
PLC Parents is a sub-committee of the Council and is bound by the Council governance charter. The priorities and activities of PLC Parents are directed by a committee comprising up to six members whose roles are indicated below.
The Chair of PLC parents is appointed by Council for a term of three years. Committee members are appointed at the PLC Parents Annual General Meeting (Term 4) each year.
Chair
• Convenes meetings, ensuring that they run in accordance with the agenda and charter.
• Prepares agenda with support from the Committee.
• Ensures fair discussion by providing everyone with the opportunity to contribute.
• Liaises with the Principal and School Executives, and ensures activities are in line with College Policy framework.
• Works with the Treasurer to ensure financial accountability.
• Ensures that the school community is kept informed of activities and developments.
• Facilitates communication between the PLC Parents and the Council
Deputy Chair
• Chairs meetings in the Chairperson’s absence and supports the Chair as required.
• Supports Committee members in their roles.
Treasurer
• Keeps accurate financial records of all receipts and expenditures.
• Periodic reconciliation to PLC General Ledger and assists with Annual Audit.
• Assists Committee with preparation of the Annual Budget.
• Authorises payments and expense reimbursements for various commitments throughout the year.
• Presents Treasurer’s Report at each meeting.
Junior and Senior School Parent
Representative Co-ordinators
• Initial point of contact for Year Representatives.
• Co-ordinates and supports the Year Representatives in each sub-school.
• Co-ordinates list of Year Group Representatives for following year.
• Provides Chair with relevant information for the College communications and annual report.
Executive Committee Member
• The Executive Committee Member is a role that may be filled according to the skills or experience required to conduct the business of PLC Parents and ideally should complement the skills and qualities of other Committee members.
• The needs of this role may change from time to time.
Communications and Engagement Department
• PLC Parents primary contact within the Communications and Engagement (CandE) department is via cande@plc.wa.edu.au.
Event Co-ordinators
Volunteer Event Co-ordinators play an important role in activating the PLC community and running social events that often span across year groups and across the wider PLC community. Examples include PLC Parents Welcome Sundowner and Open Garden Day.
• Seek Committee support to host an event.
• Collaborate with PLC staff, events manager, facilities, catering, and communications to achieve a successful event.
• Present budget requirements and any other necessary documentation that may be required for Committee approval.
• Work with Treasurer to co-ordinate any payments and manage risk.
• Recruit and manage volunteers to help run the event.
• Liaise with external suppliers or service providers as necessary.
• Manage event delivery, including delegating tasks and conducting meetings as necessary.
• Provide reports on planning, progress, and outcomes appropriate for the scale of the event for review by Committee and PLC staff as required.
The Roles of Parent Representatives
The aim of PLC Parents is for each year group throughout the College to have at least two Parent Representatives. Being a representative should be a fun and rewarding experience, enabling you to meet other parents and gain a greater knowledge of what is happening within PLC.
The Main Roles of Parent Representatives
• Maintaining email contact and providing details of organised year group functions.
• Organising functions to promote parent and guardian friendships within year groups.
• Gathering support for school events. First point of contact is Junior School and Senior School Year Co-ordinators.
• First point of contact for Head of Junior/Senior School to assist in year functions.
Social Media and Communications Use
A WhatsApp group may be established for all parents in the year group, and moderated by Parent Representatives, in order to facilitate year group communication and sharing timely updates.
Communication on any such channels should be considerate of others, respectful, and inclusive to the whole year group. Expectations around the use of the these channels should be established with the group, and must comply with the PLC Community Code of Conduct.
Matters involving an individual or a smaller group of parents should perhaps be taken offline, and any matters regarding the classroom should be directed to the teachers or relevant PLC staff. Refer to the Working in Partnership: Staff and Parent Guidelines.
Contact with Year Group
• Parent Representatives are responsible for communicating with parents and guardians regarding organised parent social events and requests for volunteers. All other communication, feedback, or College enquiries should be directed to the appropriate class teacher or PLC authority.
• Parent Contact Lists are available via the PLC App.
• Just prior to new students commencing throughout the year, the Parent Representatives will be emailed the new family details by the PLC Admissions team. The Parent Representatives will then send a welcome email to the families and invite them to join the particular year group’s WhatsApp group.
• For privacy reasons, it is important that when sending bulk emails to a large number of email addresses to send them as ‘BCC’ (blind carbon copy) rather than putting the email address in ‘To’ or ‘CC’. If unsure, please contact the Communications and Enggement Department.
• There is no need to send reminders about school events such as swimming carnivals or parent/teacher evenings. Parents are advised of these events via the Junior and Senior School News and the PLC App. Details may change, therefore, to avoid confusion, PLC requests that PLC Parent Representatives do not send emails regarding these events.
• PLC requests that we do not overload parents with continuous emails. Please take this into consideration when sending information.
Organising Catch-Ups
The aim of year group social catch-ups is to encourage social interaction between all parents in the year group. It is best to keep catch-ups varied, simple, and accessible so as many parents as possible are able to attend. There is no requirement or expectation to organise lavish, expensive events.
Ideally, Parent Representatives should plan a draft plan of the events for the calender year targeting one to two functions per term.
Examples of functions organised previously include:
• Welcome Family Picnic on foreshore
• Barefoot Bowls mixer for parents
• Pizza/Paella Night for parents hosted at Parent Representative home
• Sundowners Cottesloe Town Centre gardens
• Mothers’ Weekend Away
• Father/Daughter weekend away (Rottnest, Dwellingup)
PLC Parents offers a hosting fee of $200 per event to any parent who hosts a year group function in their home. The $200 hosting fee can be used to cover the costs of flowers, ice, snacks, or beverages, but not alcohol. Prior approval for the hosting fee
is to be sought from the Treasurer via email and refunds will only be made on the submission of the original tax invoices or receipts.
For paid events, even if it is hosted in a private home, no hosting fee is available. The cost of any incidentals, such as flowers and ice, should be included in the ticket price. RSVPs and payments can be managed via email and the Parent Representatives personal bank account, or TryBooking can be used (refer to the TryBooking section on page 11).
Serving of Alcohol
Laws encourage responsible use of alcohol and PLC supports this. Function and event organisers should familiarise themselves with these requirements.
Gathering Support for School Events
Below are some examples of events within PLC for which parent support is requested:
• Orientation Day
• Open Garden Day
• Inter-House Athletics Carnival
• Inter-House Swimming Carnival
As Parent Representatives, you are not necessarily expected to attend but your support in gathering helpers for such events is greatly appreciated.
Year 11 Year 11 Dinner Dance – assist PLC and the CandE team in event management as required.
Year 12
Year 12 Ball – support the Year 12 Ball organisation in partnership with PLC and the CandE team.
Father Daughter Dinner Dance – fathers to assist the Co-ordinator.
Mother Daughter Luncheon – mothers to assist the Co-ordinator.
Collection of Money for Gifts
There will be various occasions throughout the year when Parent Representatives are required to collect money from other parents. This can be organised via email with payments being deposited directly into the bank account of the representative. If contributions are collected for teacher gifts, they must be less than $20 per child and less if the contribution relates to something such as an Easter Egg Hunt or a Wedding/Baby Shower gift for the teacher. Contributions are voluntary and as such, it is likely not all families will contribute; please do not place pressure on parents to contribute.
Please note that PLC Parents does not pay for thank you gifts for teachers or class gifts to departing teachers or students. There is also no requirement for Parent Representatives to be given gifts. If you are unsure about any of the above, please email the PLC Parents Chair.
Communications and Engagement
Along with assisting in confirming an event date, the Communications and Engagement department can advertise your events in the weekly Junior and Senior School News. Details of events are to be provided to cande@plc.wa.edu.au by a minimum of four weeks in advance. This will enable the CandE team to undergo appropriate advertising, check event suitability, and check it doesn’t coincide with other key school events.
PLC Parents Committee Contact Details
Chair Emily Chee
Please contact Communications and Engagement on cande@plc.wa.edu.au for contact details.
Deputy Chair
TBC
Treasurer Tanya Dyson
Committee Member Ann Glover
Junior School Co-ordinator
Senior School Co-ordinator
Russell Bell
Sarah Kostarelas
PLC Parents Year Group Parent Representatives Contact Details
Pre-Kindergarten
Kindergarten
Pre-Primary
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Liss Gadaleta
Lauren Benjanuvatra
We are still seeking a parent rep
Meliesse Agapitos
Annabel Mahé
Rebecca Johnston
Meher Tolman
Pip van Helvoort
Lee Ritchie
Olwen Dawson
Jennie Geisker
Contact details can be found on the PLC
App > Key Contacts > Parent Contact List
Year 5
Year 6
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Jodie Sarginson
Hayley Hinton
Bianca Mazur
Chantelle Somas
Tash Wenn
Melissa Liveris
Kate Bingemann
Deliah Cassidy
Bree Hay-Hendry
Tiffany Fox
Natalie Cam
Darren Kam
Katrina Tilbrook
Amelia McPharlin
We are still seeking a parent rep
Tiffany Fox
Nerine Ashton
Fiona Slaughter
Alana Marshall
Holly de Vries
Olivia Woodland
Donna Jackson
Lizzie Marinko
Andrea Murray
Contact details can be found on the PLC
App > Key Contacts > Parent Contact List
Sub-Committee Contact Details
Old Collegians’ Association - President Tash Wenn Please contact Communications and Engagement on cande@plc.wa. edu.au for contact details.
Argyle Club - President Melanie McAlpine
Friends of Boarding - President Lisa Thompson
Friends of Pipe Band - President Anne Mecham
Friends of Performing Arts TBC
Friends of Music TBC
PLC Parents Committee
• Chair
• Deputy Chair
• Treasurer
• Committee Member
• Junior School Co-ordinator
• Senior School Co-ordinator
• Argyle Club Representative
• PLC Principal (ex-officio)
• PLC Communications and Engagement (ex-officio)
Event Co-ordinators (as required)
• PLC Parents Welcome Sundowner Co-ordinator
• PLC Open Garden Day Co-ordinator
• PLC Open Garden Day Committee
• Year 12 Ball Committee
• Year 12 Mother Daughter Luncheon Co-ordinator
• Year 12 Father Daughter Dinner Dance Co-ordinator
Year Group Parent Representatives
• Junior School: Pre-Kindergarten – Year 6
• Senior School: Year 7 – Year 12
Ideally, a minimum of two Parent Representatives per year group is recommended. One person may fulfil more than one role, as necessary.
Other PLC Contact Details
Main Reception Di Simmons Esmé Derrington
Junior School Reception
Senior School Reception (View St)
Senior School Reception (McNeil St)
Director of Community Engagement and Growth
Alumni Officer
Kayla Bourke
Lyn Taylor
Jane Feinauer
Victoria McDowall (CandE)
reception@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6444
juniorschool@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6428
lyn.taylor@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6494
jane.feinauer@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6579
cande@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6439
Greer Hancock cande@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6520
Events Manager Nicole Wilson nicole.wilson@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6581
Admissions Officer Louisa Steel admissions@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6555
Catering at PLC
Kristy Denereaz (Director of Business Strategy and Operations)
kristy. denereaz@plc.wa.edu.au 9424 6485
