PLC Burwood feeds Abbey’s passions

Ms Weise grew up on a farm in a rural area where the closest school was an hour away.

She and her parents felt that boarding would provide her with a wider range of opportunities.

Together they decided on PLC because of the school’s emphasis on the performing arts, a passion of Ms Weise’s, as well as its diverse sports program.

Ms Weise began attending PLC in Year 7 and said boarding has made the process of schooling and life at school much easier.

She and her friends work, help each other and spend time together after school and on weekends.

“If you need help, usually you’ve got a friend somewhere else doing the exact same thing, so you can just go up to them,” Ms Weise said.

Boarding has also enabled her to develop life skills and gain a sense of independence.

She is a member of PLC’s rowing crew, and is involved in the upcoming school production of Daisy Pulls It Off.

Being a boarder, has enriched these and so many other experiences in a variety of ways.

“I love it,” she said.

“It’s like you’ve got so many sisters you can turn to, and you come home from school and you’ve always got your friends there.”

The boarders also enjoy pizza nights and movies together on weekends, as well as co-curricular programs and sports matches.

If they want to go out, they get a permission slip and are free to undertake activities such as visiting friends, shopping, and seeing exhibitions.

School counsellors are on hand to provide support and regularly check in with new boarders.

PLC’s head of boarding, Stuart Manderson, said there are more than 80 girls boarding at the school.

“The advantage of having all girls is that the girls can be a bit less inhibited and willing to try new things,” he said.