At Penrhos College we teach our girls to “Strive for the Highest”, a lesson that is taken to heart by our Penrhosians.

We love to champion our Alumni so if you know of a past student who should be recognised by the College please submit information below.

Tessa Parkinson

2003 Leaver
Years at Penrhos: 13 years
Olympic Gold Medalist, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games – Australian Sailing Team

Fondest Penrhos Memory:
All of my friends that I went to Penrhos with are still my friends closest friends now. We all shared so many good times at Penrhos that really brought us close together. We had a lot of fun in the cross-country team, sailing team, at our Year 12 ball, in our form classes, the list is endless.

What do you consider to be your greatest personal achievement?
Winning a gold at the Beijing Olympic Games. Knowing that you have the confidence to reach the goal that you set out to achieve because in achieving any goal you have to overcome so many challenges and really build your own strength of character.

Kristy Lawrence

1988 Leaver
Years at Penrhos: 5 years
Award winning fashion designer and founder of lifestyle label Flannel

Fondest Penrhos Memory:
The one thing I cherish above all from my time at Penrhos is the enduring friendships that I made during my five years there – friendships that have stayed with me to this day. The community that Penrhos provided created both a grounding and a launching pad for all of us and I hope to take those experiences and friendships with me for the rest of my life.

What do you consider to be your greatest personal achievement?
On a personal level my greatest achievement is giving birth to and nurturing my three children. However, on a professional level, my greatest achievement to date would have to be winning the ‘V Australia New Generation Rockstar Award” for Best New Australian Designer at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in May of 2009 and from this seeing my label stocked alongside the world’s best designers in the most prestigious retail outlets around the world.

Professor Keryn Christiansen

1966 Leaver
Years at Penrhos: 5 years
Associate Professor Keryn Christiansen is Head of the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at Royal Perth Hospital in Western Australia and President of the International Society for Infectious Diseases

Fondest Penrhos Memory:
My English and Drama teacher, Mrs Braunsdorf. Her classes were incredibly stimulating and she was an inspiring educator. Under her guidance I was cast as the lead in our school play “Everyman”. This was the beginning of me liking an audience, of being comfortable – and even thriving – in front of a crowd. It prepared me well for my professional career.

What do you consider to be your greatest personal achievement?
First and foremost, my family. I have a wonderful husband whom I have been married to for 38 years, two fantastic children and four gorgeous grandchildren. Professionally, I love my work in the area of antibiotic resistance and superbugs. Through our work we have successfully been able to keep superbugs from becoming epidemic in WA hospitals, which is a huge achievement. I am also the President of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, which is a position I am very proud of as it is a large and well-respected international organisation. I am the first Australian, and the first woman, to be appointed to this position.