International Women’s Day Breakfast
Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender equal future

We would love you to join us for breakfast on Wednesday 8 March to celebrate International Women’s Day.

• Date: Wednesday 8 March
• Time: 7.15 am – 8.35 am
• Location: Senior School Quad
• Cost: $20 Adults, $15 Students (includes breakfast, tea and coffee)
• RSVP: Friday 3 March

Click HERE for tickets

PLC has a strong emphasis on service and being active citizens in our community. This year’s International Women’s Day Breakfast will shine a light on the tremendous efforts by women in shaping a more gender-equal future.

Guest Speakers
We are excited to announce that two inspiring Old Collegians will be participating in a panel discussion. Both of the women are passionate professionals who are committed to making a difference every day. 

Eliza Reilly (2016) – Sports Journalist
Eliza Reilly is a Perth-based sportswriter for CODE specialising in AFL, AFLW and netball. Born and raised in Perth, Eliza started her career as a sports cadet at the Gold Coast Bulletin, progressing to deputy sports editor. In 2020, she returned home to join The West Australian where she got the chance to cover an AFL grand final in her home state. Eliza has also been recognised for her journalism, including winning a Clarion Award and multiple WA Football Media Guild awards including the Tracey Lewis Emerging Talent Award in her first year at The West.

Emma Barrett (2021) – Electrotechnology
Currently undergoing a four-year electrical apprenticeship Emma’s decision to pursue a pathway in electrotechnology is testament to the way PLC encourages students to be brave, encourages them to challenge the status quo, and equips them with skills not only for now, but for the future.

Emma recently graduated from PLC having completed her Certificate II in Electrotechnology through the Vocational Education and Training pathway (VET) and was awarded the DJ Carmichael & Company Vocational Education and Training Dux award at the 2021 Speech Night. While Emma’s exceptional grades and her love of mathematics could have seen her achieving success in an ATAR pathway, she knew she didn’t want to go to university straight out of high school. Instead, she was brave enough to pursue a pathway that supported her hands-on style of learning and her passion for mathematics. She chose to pursue her field of interest regardless of it being a predominantly male-dominated industry.

Hailing from a farming background with strong female role models, entering a male-dominated industry and the challenges associated with that hadn’t been a consideration for Emma. Being one of only four girls in the entire college, Emma quickly became aware when lecturers would comment how easy she would find it in the industry because she was a girl and she was singled out and put on a pedestal just because she was female and high achieving. Determined to move away from this status quo, Emma wants to achieve things because of her initiative and hard work. Not just because she is a female in a male-dominated industry and we couldn’t be more proud of her! 

PLC’s first Women in Technology Evening is taking place on Wednesday 8 March.

• Date: Wednesday 8 March
• Time: 5.30 pm – 7.00 pm
• Venue: Hazel Day Drama Centre
• RSVP: HERE

This is a unique opportunity to learn from a panel of successful women in Science, Medicine, Data Science, and Computing;

• Lyn Beazley AO – Science Ambassador
• Michelle Sandford – Developer Engagement Lead, Data Science & AI Microsoft
• Kate Lewkowski –  MedTech CEO, WA Innovator of the Year 2022
• Kat Ross – Astrophysics post doc, Founder #IncludeHer movement
• Dr Caren Han – Associate Lecturer in Programming/Software Development
• Simran Malhi  – Technology Consulting, Banking
• Courtney Carr – Senior Manager, Cyber & Strategic Risk

As technology continues to evolve and shape our world, it has never been more important to understand what role technology will play in the workforce students will enter after graduation. This Women in Technology Evening will feature female speakers from various industries, sharing their experiences and knowledge from their careers to date. This will be a valuable opportunity for students to ask questions and gain insight into what it takes to build a successful career.

This event is open to students and parents from all year groups. It will be a fascinating and inspirational evening, well suited to students who are already interested in technology as well as students who aren’t sure what “jobs in tech” might mean, now and in the future.

We hope to see you there.