Lily on stage at the ISEF Grand Awards 2025 with her parents and Dr Maria Luisa Gutierrez (PLC Sydney Scientist-in-Residence).
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View PLC Sydney Preschools WebsiteOpen to the public, the Gallery has an annual calendar of events comprising exhibitions of student work and exhibitions featuring professional Australian artists.
Visit the Gallery WebsiteOur vibrant Ex-Students community supports lasting friendships that connect ‘PLC Sydney girls’ across the country and around the world. Stay connected with events, professional networks, read other graduate stories and more.
View Ex-Students InformationMaximising your child's learning potential with our student extension, enrichment and support program—one of the longest running in Australia. Your children will build their self-confidence, resilience, engagement and academic performance.
Visit Futures @ PLC Sydney InformationDesigned to support your child’s transition to school, we aim to ignite your child’s curiosity, extend their unique interests and build on the foundations for their love of learning. View our beautiful, purpose-built centre—indoor and outdoor environments designed and adapted to strengthen a child’s natural curiosity and excite inquisitive minds.
View PLC Sydney Preschools InformationFriday 16 May 2025 marked an unforgettable milestone for Lily Rofail (Year 11) and PLC Sydney. That evening, the Grand Awards of the 75th edition of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) took place in Columbus, Ohio, USA — the world’s largest international pre-college STEM competition.
Lily on stage at the ISEF Grand Awards 2025 with her parents and Dr Maria Luisa Gutierrez (PLC Sydney Scientist-in-Residence).
After a nail-biting wait as winners in 22 different categories were announced, the moment finally arrived: the Physics and Astronomy category. The excitement among the Australian team was palpable when we heard the words "...from Australia: Lily Demiana Rofail!” Cheers erupted as Lily was awarded fourth place in her category — an incredible honour that placed her work among the top high school science projects globally.
Lily presented her Year 10 Student Research Project, Taking Shark Skin for a Spin, with clarity, confidence, and scientific rigour. During judging day, she impressed a panel of six expert judges, fielding challenging questions about her innovative research inspired by the structure and function of shark skin. Given the exceptional calibre of the competition, her recognition is a true testament to the quality and originality of her work.
Lily presenting her project at the public Open Day.
The week leading up to the awards was filled with intense preparation, networking with fellow finalists from around the world, and a chance to explore the local area. For Lily and the AUSSEF team, the experience was not only academically enriching but also personally transformative.
We are immensely proud of Lily’s outstanding achievement. Her dedication, curiosity, and perseverance embody the spirit of scientific inquiry that we value so deeply at PLC Sydney.
Congratulations, Lily — an extraordinary result on the world stage!
Team Australia.