From Convent to College

With these moving words, more than 35 Presentation Sisters, who were at Presentation College Windsor for the Blessing ceremony on May 1, stood and invited the students of PCW, present and future, to embrace the new life of their Convent and handed on to them the mantle of Presentation life in this place. The Convent, once a dearly loved home for our Sisters, has been handed onto Presentation College Windsor to continue the provision of a rich, vital and dynamic education into the second century of its history.

The celebration, titled Seven Sisters Dreaming, linked the foundation stories of the seven Presentation Sisters with the Greek myth of the Pleiades and the Dreamtime story, Seven Sisters Dreaming. For aboriginal people, Dreaming stories explain the origin of the world. They give meaning, unity and purpose to their societies and are central to maintaining identity. This is what we have inherited from all those who have created PCW since its foundation. Seven Sisters Dreaming is our Dreaming story – it gives us meaning and purpose, unity and identity.

Planning began during 2006 to refurbish the Convent. The conversion of bedrooms and dining rooms in the old Convent provided the College with a new reception, staff offices, meeting rooms, classrooms and a heritage space. The first stage of our master plan also included the creation of new science and technology rooms. Our future plan includes a complete technology upgrade, performing arts and sports facilities, a Café and hospitality centre, a new Library as well as new general learning areas. PCW has always been a school of its time – looking forward, taking risks and providing challenges within the sanctuary of its walls.