For more than 70 years, Penrhos College has been shaping the lives of young women through a proud tradition of education, community and care. Our story is one of growth, vision and enduring purpose.
Penrhos College traces its origins to 1952, when Methodist Ladies’ College, South Perth was established on Angelo Street, opposite Perth Zoo. However, education on this site dates back much further...
In the early 20th century, a number of small schools operated from Mends Street Hall, reflecting both the growth of the local community and a strong commitment to learning. One of these was St Anne’s School, founded by educator Miss Jill Hargrave, whose vision helped shape the foundations of what would become Penrhos College.
In 1951, the Methodist Church acquired St Anne’s, establishing MLC South Perth the following year under the leadership of its first Principal, Mrs Margaret Way. As enrolments grew, the school relocated to its current Como campus in 1971 and adopted the name Penrhos College.
Today, the College honours its rich heritage while continuing to evolve and educate future generations.
We are thrilled to share the story of Penrhos College through the eras of its Principals – each shaping the College in meaningful ways and contributing to the Penrhos we know today.
Mrs Margaret Way (1952-1971)
Foundations, vision and the establishment of a school of choice
With determination and foresight, Mrs Way guided the College through its earliest years, laying the groundwork for a strong and enduring future.
1951 St Anne’s School, a private girls’ school on Angelo Street, South Perth, is owned and run by Miss Jill Hargrave. In April, MLC Claremont is approached by Miss Hargrave’s brother, John, advising that his sister can no longer continue to run the school. As St Anne’s is the only Protestant girls’ school south of the river, the MLC Council agrees to keep the school open.
1952 St Anne’s School is purchased and reopens as MLC South Perth with an enrolment of around 110 students. The 'new' school quickly outgrows its facilities, with additional classrooms and science laboratories added in 1955. The initial College crest – featuring the intertwined letters MLC on a shield – and the school motto, Per Ardua Ad Alta (Strive for the Heights), are adopted from MLC Claremont.
1952 Mrs Margaret Way, an MLC Claremont Old Girl and St Anne’s parent, agrees to serve as Principal. An accountant by profession, Mrs Way’s extraordinary vision and determination guide Penrhos College through its formative years. Despite limited resources, she meets each challenge with capability and resolve, establishing the College as a school of choice for girls. Mrs Way leads the College until her retirement in 1971.
1957 20 Onslow Street is purchased for the new Junior House. The Onslow Street school remains under the ownership of Penrhos College until it is sold in 1972.
1959 ‘South Perth’ is added below the crest, alongside updates to the school uniform.
1961 The first leaving examination class graduates.
1963 Mrs Way approaches the government regarding a site in Como. The College’s first Parent Support Group, the Mothers’ Club, is established. The name change to Penrhos MLC is approved and announced by the College Council, becoming effective in 1964. ‘South Perth’ is removed from the badge, while the letters ‘MLC’ and the motto are retained, and ‘Penrhos’ is added above the crest.
1966 Land in Como is granted to the College, and Cameron, Chisholm & Nicol are appointed as architects. In August, Picnic in Pines is held, where School Captain, Miss Boele van Hensbroek, and Vice Captain, Miss Torrance, raise the school flag as part of the ceremony marking the settling of the new land.
1970 The first regular meeting of the Penrhos MLC Council is held on 13 February, with Rev Wilbrey as inaugural Chairman. Work commences on the Como site, with the foundation stone laid in July. Stage 1 classrooms and the Colwyn Boarding House are completed in December. Enrolments reach 425 students.
1971 The first classes at Como (Years 10 to 12) are held in February. The College’s first Boarding House, Colwyn, also opens this year.
Dr Vincent Horner (1972-1981)
Growth, transition and a unified Como campus
Dr Horner’s leadership saw the College expand, consolidate its new campus and strengthen student voice.
1972 Dr Vincent Horner joins the College from Clarendon College in Victoria and establishes the Student Representative Council (SRC), providing students with a voice in the management of the school. Dr Horner also oversees the construction of the Olympic-sized swimming pool in 1974, funded through a $3 building levy per child, per term. Years 7, 8 and 9 transition to the Como campus.
1974 The Junior School moves to the Como campus.
1975 The school is renamed Penrhos College and a completely new crest is introduced. The letters ‘MLC’ and the Latin motto are removed. The shield is retained and superimposed with a Christian cross. One quadrant features the red Welsh dragon, signifying the College’s connection to Penrhos College, Wales, while diagonally opposite sits the black swan, the symbol of Western Australia. To maintain a link to MLC Claremont, the Latin motto is loosely translated into English as ‘Strive for the Highest’ and retained.
1975 Penrhos wins its first IGSSA Athletics trophy.
1976 Kobeelya, a girls’ boarding school in Katanning, is taken over by Penrhos College in February.
1977 The sports centre, then known as Jubilee Hall, opens in December.
1978 Miss Valrie Mayger joins Kobeelya as Principal.
Rev Alan Green (1981-1986)
Culture, connection and co-curricular enrichment
A strong focus on music, languages and community life shaped a vibrant and connected College culture.
1981 Rev Alan Green takes up the role of Principal in Term 3. He strongly promotes music at Penrhos, and together with Vice Principal, Mrs Betty Harman, establishes a Language Evening to encourage the study of languages across the College.
1982 Kobeelya: The Diamond Jubilee is celebrated on 18 September with a reunion, luncheon and celebration Ball at Kobeelya, Katanning.
1982 The College Fair, held in support of the Chapel building fund, raises a total of $25,000.
1986 The iconic Margaret Way Courtyard, forming the heart of the Senior School, is completed. The Chapel is also opened and dedicated on 19 September.
1986 In March, it is announced that, due to rural recession, Kobeelya will close on 19 June.
Mr Graham Rixon (1986-2008)
Innovation, expansion and a future-focused College
As the College’s longest-serving Principal, Mr Rixon oversaw significant growth, embedding technology and broadening opportunity.
1986 Mr Graham Rixon is appointed Principal. He will be fondly remembered as the College’s longest-serving Principal. Among his many notable achievements are the Vision 2000 50th anniversary project and establishing Penrhos as a technology-rich school.
1987 Mrs Jennifer Robertson is appointed to the newly created position of Head of Junior School.
1988 Miss Valrie Mayger, former Principal of Kobeelya, is appointed Vice Principal following Mrs Harman’s retirement.
1988 The Penrhos College Foundation is established by a group of parents in July, with the aim of securing the financial future of the College. Mr Michael Boud is appointed inaugural President.
1991 Penrhos achieves success in rowing, winning the Head of the River Championship.
1991 The first issue of The Penrhosian magazine is published.
1992 Penrhos celebrates its 40th anniversary with the release of 500 green, white and gold helium balloons, each containing a note written by a student expressing her hopes for the future.
1995 Penrhos becomes one of the first Western Australian schools to establish a Middle School, dedicated to the education of girls in Years 7 to 9. Mrs Vicky Sunderland is appointed inaugural Head of Middle School.
1995 The Performing Arts Centre (later renamed Rixon Theatre) opens on 11 March.
1997 The Penrhos swimming team wins its first IGSSA Swimming Carnival.
1997 Signalling a move towards the forefront of technology, student ownership of laptops is introduced in Years 5 and 8.
2000 The Vision 2000 50th Anniversary building program commences, including upgrades and extensions to the Sports Centre, Dining Hall and Boarding House. The Main Administration building also undergoes a significant facelift and extension.
2002 Penrhos celebrates its 50th anniversary.
2008 The College’s long-serving Administrator, Mr Llew Woodford, retires, and the Function Centre is named in his honour.
Dr Glenda Parkin (2008-2010)
Clarity of purpose and a whole-girl philosophy
Dr Parkin shaped a clear strategic direction, championing an approach to education that nurtures mind, heart, body and spirit.
2008 Dr Glenda Parkin joins the College. She makes a significant contribution, defining the College’s strategic direction and approach to education – encompassing the mind, heart, body and spirit of each girl. The College community is deeply saddened when Dr Parkin is diagnosed with Benson’s syndrome and subsequently retires from her role.
2009 The impressively rebuilt Menai Boarding House is completed in October, elevating the College’s boarding facilities to a new standard.
2010 The Middle School ceases as a separate entity, and the College is restructured into a Junior School and Secondary School.
Mrs Meg Melville (2011-2020)
Continuity, community and contemporary evolution
A deeply connected leader, Mrs Melville strengthened community and guided the College through a period of modernisation and growth.
2011 Mrs Meg Melville's appointment as sixth Principal is warmly received by the College community, who have come to know and value her through her leadership as Head of Senior School and earlier as a Teacher of Economics, commencing in 1979.
2011 The Early Learning Centre opens on 18 March, supported by the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution scheme.
2012 Penrhos celebrates its 60th anniversary. A new uniform is launched in Term 4, following a highly collaborative process involving the entire Penrhos community. The Uniform Committee, led by Principal Meg Melville and comprising staff, parent representatives and Alumni, is tasked with creating a uniform that is smart, comfortable, high quality, good value and practical. The new Colwyn Staff Centre is also opened.
2015 The College’s long-serving staff member and Dean of Co-Curricular, Mr Norbert Fandry, retires, and the Sports Centre is renamed in his honour.
2016 The new Creative Arts and Design Centre opens in July.
2017 Penrhos wins both the Primary and Secondary Governor’s School STEM Awards.
2020 Mrs Melville retires after 40 years of service, including 10 years as Principal of Penrhos College.
Ms Kalea Haran (2021-Present)
Strategic renewal and a bold vision for the future
Under Ms Haran’s leadership, the College has entered a new era defined by clarity of purpose and forward momentum.
2021 Ms Kalea Haran commences at Penrhos College as the seventh Principal.
2021 The Meg Melville Science Innovation Centre opens in Term 1, with the official naming ceremony held on 2 March.
2022 Penrhos celebrates its 70th anniversary. The Boarding Lawn is renamed Kobeelya Lawn in recognition of the Kobeelya 100-year anniversary.
2023 Following two years of conceptualisation and planning, the College launches its new Strategic Direction, Courage Starts Here.
2024 Mrs Michelle Taylor (Felear, Class of 1986), a long-serving member of the Penrhos College community and alumna, is appointed Head of Secondary School.
Explore our history
If you would like to learn more about the history of Penrhos College, explore material held in the College Archives, or contribute to preserving our story, we welcome your enquiry.
Please contact Merilyn Orchard, College Archivist at orcham@penrhos.wa.edu.au or 9368 9500.
