From the Middle School
The second group of Year 7 students have been loving their Outdoor Education experience out at Vision Valley this week. The girls continue to demonstrate commitment to the program, embracing opportunities to develop new skills and as importantly, building new connections within and outside their Compass groupings.
Camping at Crosslands has been a highlight for many, whilst others have embraced the challenge of the expedition feeling great pride on completion. Some of the girls had the privilege of being the first cohort to stay in the Koala Lodge at Valley which reopened this week on our arrival. The other girls have been billeted in either Stringybark Lodge or Echidna Lodge both of which have undergone extensive renovation over the last 12 months.
A huge thank you to all the staff involved in supporting the girls: Year 7 Compass teachers, Middle School Events Manager, Amy Bastes, Year 7 Heads of Year, Gina Ventura and Ray Howells, and especially to Deputy Head of Middle School, Sarah Budd for her outstanding organisation of the program and unfailing investment in ensuring all girls maximised their experience
We have been impressed by the students who interviewed this week for the Year 8 National Exchange program. They have been well prepared and confident in sharing their strengths and questions about what the program will look like. As I said last week we are delighted to be partnering with 5 schools across the country in Term 3. We are hoping to share names of successful candidates prior to the break.
Congratulations to all of the students who represented Pymble at the igsa Swimming and Diving Championships last week. We are so proud of each of you:
| Sasha Dubrovina: Year 8 |
| Lera Dubrovina: Year 8 |
| Rose Purcell: Year 8 |
| Lauren Harding: Year 8 |
| Imogen Jones: Year 8 |
| Megan Chia: Year 8 |
| Emma Ng: Year 8 |
| Mia Micallef: Year 8 |
| Jessica Persson: Year 8 |
| Penelope Hargraves: Year 7 |
| Quinn Parry-Okeden: Year 7 |
| Keira Donovan: Year 7 |
| Charlotte Sadler: Year 7 |
| Lara Manuel: Year 7 |
| Lillie Oldfield: Year 7 |
| Lilian Ahlenstiel: Year 7 |
Below are some of our amazing results:
Lara Manuel – Year 7 – IGSA Junior Springboard Champion
1st 13 year Springboard
Qualified 1st 13 year Springboard for CIS
2nd Open Platform
Qualified 1st 12/13/14 year Platform for CIS
Lauren Harding – Year 8
2nd Team Event (Diving)
Megan Chia – Year 8 – Equal 1st for the Junior Individual Champion
1st 14-year-old 50 metre Freestyle
1st 11–14-year-old 100 metre Freestyle
1st 14-year-old 50 metre Butterfly
Imogen Jones, Emma Ng, Megan Chia, Charlotte Sadler – Year 8
2nd 4×50 Meter Medley Junior Relay
Emma Ng – Year 8
2nd 13-Year-old 50 metre Backstroke
1st 13-year-old 50 metre Butterfly
Our Year 8 students attended the carnival showing their Pymble Pride throughout the day. Below is a student reflection on the day.
On Friday of week 8, year 8 Pymble girls went to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre to cheer on and support their fellow school mates who were competing at the igsa Swimming and Diving carnival. The day was filled with high spirits, loud cheering and amazing achievements.
The igsa Swimming and Diving carnival is an annual carnival that Pymble attends every year as an independent girls’ school. igsa (Independent Girls’ School Association) was founded in 1916 as the heads of over 30 independent girls’ schools with the purpose of advancing their education. igsa sport has the goal of helping girls appreciate the value of physical activity, fair play, and good sportsmanship, which Pymble swimmers and divers greatly displayed in and out of the pool.
Upon arrival at the venue, you could see two pools, filled with many swimmers and divers practicing or competing. There was plenty of activity in the stands, students talking to their friends, parents cheering on their kids and competitors getting ready to enter the pool. Year 8 girls quickly filled up the stands, excited to watch and cheer on the races. Leading up to the races, everyone practiced the Pymble war cry and other creative chants to support and encourage the Pymble swimmers and divers in their heats. The cheers of Year 8 gave swimmers and divers the motivation they need to excel in their events, just like how a heartbeat propels blood through your body so you can have energy to do things, which is the very essence of Pymble pulse.
With several Year 8 swimmers representing Pymble, the cheering reached a crescendo, fuelled by the indomitable Pymble Pulse spirit. Just like the idea of Pymble Pulse, the positive energy of Year 8 Pymble supporters also created a chain reaction. Witnessing their peers clinching 2nd and even 1st positions in races evoked thunderous applause, jubilant shouts, and ecstatic leaps from the Pymble supporters, which then motivated swimmers and divers to do even better. The triumphs of Pymble Girls in their heats were undoubtedly the highlight of the day, evoking radiant smiles on every face despite the fatigue.
During the day, everyone in Year 8 wonderfully demonstrated our school theme Pymble Pulse, which aims to support Pymble girls in co-curricular sports and activities during this year. As the students returned to school, voices hoarse, arms slightly sore, they carried with them a profound sense of pride in their Pymble community and cherished memories that would endure long after the event’s conclusion.
Written by Ella Zhang (Year 8)
Pymble Ladies College has been a strong supporter of the NSW Swifts over the years, and for season 2024 we have been invited to attend the 2024 NSW Swifts Season Launch on Thursday 4 April. Gwen Pickthall (Year 7) has been invited to participate in on-court activities with NSW Swift players. This is a great opportunity for members of our netball teams to participate and be up close and personal with the Swifts.
From the Middle School Parent Groups
Year 7
We are looking forward to hosting our first Year 7 parent event of the year at The Greengate Hotel on Friday 17 May – a ladies’ night with dinner and drinks.
We have over 40 registered for this evening so it should be a great chance to catch up and meet new parents and carers.
Please see our WhatsApp group for further updates.
Hope you have a wonderful Easter break.
Kind regards
Stephanie, Leigh and Briar
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School