From the Boarding School
On Tuesday night, we celebrated all things Boarding in our End of Term Chapel Service and Dinner. I was delighted to share the success of the term, including the move to a vertical system of house allocation. I remain grateful to all the incredible people that make Pymble Boarding so special, not the least your beautiful daughters!
Did you hear about it?
Each fortnight in Chapel we celebrate our Boarders’ many achievements. Our Boarders are busy girls and as you will read below, they are also incredibly talented! Congratulations to the following Boarders who are excelling in their area of interest:
Hannah Carmichael and Lily Barlow of Year 11 who are currently representing Pymble at the 2024 Swimming National Age Championships in multiple events. The competition is held in the Gold Coast this coming week and we wish them all the very best in their events.
Year 10 Boarder, Jocelyn Blair who will be competing in the Junior Athletics Championships in Adelaide over the holiday break. She will be competing in the 100m sprint and the 100m hurdles. Goodluck Jos!
Sophie Laing of Year 11 who was selected for Team 1 of the Sydney Netball Academy. She’ll be competing in the Academy Games in Wagga.
Phoebe Roberts and her team, who played in the Senior 1sts Water polo against Brigidine College and won 8-6. Phoebe also heads off on exchange at the end of this term. She will spend 6 weeks at Wrekin College in Shropshire, UK. We know everyone at Wrekin will love her as much as we do, and we wish her all the best on her adventures!
Following on from her incredible efforts throughout the Sydney Royal Easter Show, Year 11 Boarder, Hannah Weber will be representing Pymble Cadets at the Adventure Training Awards held in Lake Barrington, Tasmania, from the 9th-13th April. Last weekend, Hannah was also awarded 2024 Hawkesbury Youth Rural Ambassador award.
FANGIRLS was the fabulous Year 10 Drama Production and we couldn’t have been prouder of the wonderful Livia Armstrong who starred in the production. It was wonderful to see our Boarders out in full force to support Liv.
Over the long weekend, Mads Gaden (Year 8) showcased her amazing equestrian talents at the Easter Show. Mads rode ponies for others whilst also riding her own pony Rooster and collecting multiple medals along the way. Mads will also compete at a State Interschool competition at Horsley Park in the first week of the school holidays. Wishing Mads the best of luck.
Despite the heavy rain on Friday, Rachael Lee (Year 11) was able to compete in her Badminton Final on Saturday. Rachael and her team won their final against Ravenswood. Congratulations!
igsa Basketball
Last week, Sosha Hellman (Year 9) attended the IGSA representative trials for basketball at Abbotsleigh. Despite a huge day of trials, all Pymble girls trialling were selected for the IGSA team! Congratulations Sosha.
Lethy and Ally Levy Year 11 Goodlet Boarders competed at further trials for Football NSW Country squad for Nationals in July. They have both progressed to the final selection round in mid-April.
Ally has been named as part of the 16s GWS squad for nationals in April and has been selected to play the last two game days against the Swans this term.
Lethy continues to excel at the Football NSW Institute winning accolades not only for her playing but also for her outstanding and unfaltering sportsmanship on and off the field.
And, hot off the press, Lang House boarder, Ashleigh Henderson has been accepted into Brent Street (Full Time) Contemporary Dance – a 2-year graduate course. This is an incredible achievement for an incredible dancer who also happens to be an incredible Boarder!
Hawkesbury Rural Ambassador
Hannah Weber is a busy young woman and her talents are many and diverse. Most recently, Hannah was awarded the title of Rural Youth Ambassador for the Hawkesbury region. As part of her role, Hannah will be involved in forums focused on rural and remote life and learning, utilising a solution focused approach to address the challenges they identify. She will present to senior education staff, meet with the Minister for Education, philanthropic organisations and key stakeholder groups, in addition to presenting at education workshops, forums and conferences. I look forward to sharing Hannah’s success in this role in the months to come.
School Student Broadband Initiative
The Australian Government has announced a further extension of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI). Families now have until 31 December 2024 to nominate for free NBN internet access, via participating internet service providers. Eligible families will then be provided with a free connection until the end of 2025 with installation and initial set-up included in the service.
To be eligible for SSBI, families must:
- Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2024
- not have an active NBN network internet service at home
- be referred by a nominating organisation
- Live in the premises that can access the NBN network via a standard connection. [NBN)
Click here for more information.
The Pink Lady award
For those who don’t already know, at the end of each term the Boarding community awards a staff member and family within the day school in thanks of their ongoing kindness and support to the boarding community. Pink Ladies are special people in the lives of our Boarders who go out of their way to make our time in Boarding easier, happier and more connected.
It was an easy choice for our Term 1 staff Pink Ladies – Mr Greg Hastie and Ms Vanessa Yu who are the incredible team who brought our dream of a Year 7 Boarding House to life, and in record time! Mr Hastie had a very clear vision of the new Year 7s carrying their suitcases through the doors to Avonmoore early in Term 1 and somehow managed, against all odds, to pull it off! It was a great lesson for us all in the power of determination, fortitude and deep care. Ms Yu was also there every step of the way, negotiating with designers and regulatory authorities to ensure Avonmoore is a beautiful, welcoming and highly functioning home. Thank you from all of us and especially our Year 7 Boarders, some of whom are here to welcome you to the Pink Lady club.
Not only are the fabulous staff at the College a significant support to our Boarders, but of course, there are so many wonderful families in our day school who so kindly help our Boarders with a place to stay, transport to and from sport, and if your lucky maybe some special treats. This term we would like to thank a family who has been a large support for Boarders, opening the doors of their home for boarders to stay in holidays for extra commitments, weekends, and the lifts to and from sport. This family has been extra welcoming for new Boarders helping them out both in the day school and out of school. This term we would like to thank the Mclean family, Harriet in Year 12 and Lucy in Year 10 for their support and kindness towards our boarding family your efforts do not go unnoticed.
The Brooksie
The Margaret Brooke Award, also known as ‘The Brooksie’ is awarded to a Boarder who exemplifies the spirit of a tenacious, courageous, compassionate and giving woman.
Congratulations to Year 12 Boarder, Brielle Mann who epitomises the essence of the Brooksie Award being tenacious, courageous, compassionate, and giving. Her remarkable spirit transcends barriers that are just waiting to be conquered.
Her tenacity shines through in her determination to make the most of any situation, refusing to let any challenge deter her from pursuing her goals. Her courage is evident – she persists with resilience and grit.
Brielle is a true friend, always ready to step in and help anyone who needs it. She is respected for her compassion as she extends empathy and support to those around her. Brielle loves to ensure a peaceful environment in the house, does not speak ill of others, is kind and understanding.
Chatting with staff and her Boarding sisters gives her pleasure and she is an enthusiastic, and funny, storyteller. Her sense of humour just adds to her individuality and charm. She also takes pride in having an immaculate uniform.
Brielle’s creative side gives her great joy, whether it be in her dedication to her training in rhythmic gymnastics, or immersing herself in her Textiles HSC Major Work.
Don’t forget to sign up for a fabulous weekend away with our Boarding families
Following last year’s amazing parent weekend in Mudgee, the McLaughlin family has organised another action-packed weekend away, this time in the Hawkesbury.
After checking into Crowne Plaza Hawkesbury Valley, only a 50-minute drive from Pymble, we will catch a coach to the McLaughlin’s Hillbilly Cider for a late lunch. After returning to the Crowne Plaza, and enjoying the facilities, dinner and drinks will be served at the hotel.
On Sunday morning we will check out of Crowne and make our way to the Windsor Polo Club where we will enjoy a picnic lunch to conclude what’s set to be another wonderful weekend getaway.
We would love to have as many parents join in the fun. Please click on flyer below to book your activities, and click here to book your accommodation for the weekend.
It’s not too late to sign up to ‘Eat like a Boarder’
Please accept the invitation to join us for a meal on Tuesday 29 April at 6.00pm, when you return your girls from the term break. This will be the ‘real’ experience, with you being able to enjoy the regular dinner service, just as the girls do each evening. If you would like to join us please rsvp to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au by no later than Friday 19 April.
Save the Date
12 April End of Term Travel Day
29 April Boarders return from 2.00pm and Eat Like a Boarder for parents
3 May Boarding Lockdown and Evacuation Drill 3.30pm to 5.00pm – all Boarders required to attend, no leave during this time.
4 + 5 May Boarders Community Weekend – all Boarders required to attend between 5.00pm on Saturday until 3.00pm on Sunday
Extra-special must-save dates!
18 and 19 May Regional Weekend on the Hawkesbury for Boarder parents only.
25 August Father, Daughter event
20 September Boarders and their Families event
21 September Garden Party
3 November Mother, Daughter Lunch (please note revised date)
Boarder Parent Group Meetings
7 May – 7.00pm Microsoft Teams meeting
20 September – 2.30pm onsite
24 October – 7.00pm Microsoft Teams meeting
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding