From the Upper School
A message from Mrs Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
As we find time before and after the school day to watch the Paris Olympics, it’s a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by the athletes who are competing on the world stage. Watching their incredible achievements can ignite our own aspirations and motivate students to pursue their dreams in sport, learning and beyond. Each athlete’s journey, marked by dedication and hard work, teaches us the importance of setting goals and striving to do our best. The skills they display, like discipline and teamwork, are valuable lessons for all of us. I hope that the excitement of the Olympics helps to encourage our girls to aim high and believe in their potential!
It was a chilly start on Sunday for the third group of Year 9 girls to start their Vision Valley Residential Program. It is a privilege to work alongside the Vision Valley team to help ensure that all Year 9 girls have this wonderful opportunity. After the first few days settling into the Valley, the girls spent Wednesday night and Thursday in the Blue Mountains rugged up again in the super chilly mountain air to take on an epic abseiling and canyoning day – awesome fun.
NAIDOC Week
In assembly this week, the Secondary School celebrated NAIDOC Week. Congratulations to all the First Nations students for their roles in preparing and being part of this special event. I am delighted to be able to share this reflection from two Upper School First Nations students Millie Sutcliffe and Wyntah Woodroffe-Mulholland (Year 10).
NAIDOC Week is a time each year to acknowledge the history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We celebrate the richness of our cultures, the depth of our stories and the strength of our custodianship. This event is held each year during the first week of July and is an important annual event where every Australian is invited to join in the celebrations.
There is always a theme to celebrate NAIDOC week. This year’s theme is Keep the Fire Burning; Blak Loud & Proud! This theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.
Hi, my name is Millie. I am a Wiradjuri woman from Dubbo. This year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Blak, Loud and Proud’ to me means that we keep passing on our stories shared by our elders, stay connected to Country and be proud of who we are and where we come from.
When I think of this theme, I think of my mum, as she has always been proud of who she is and where she comes from. She is a proud Wiradjuri woman too. My mum works at Dubbo Zoo as an education worker. She teaches visitors about all the animals at the zoo and runs activities with them. Growing up, she always taught us how to respect our elders and others. She is a massive role model to myself, my family and our community.
Written by Millie Sutcliffe (Year 10)
Hi, my name is Wyntah Woodroffe-Mulholland, and I am a proud Yanyuwa and Larrakia woman from Darwin. This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Keep the fire burning, Blak, Loud and Proud’. What this year’s theme means to me is being unapologetically proud of who I am and where I come from, as well as passing down the knowledge that I learn from my family to anyone willing to listen.
When I think of Blak and proud my first thoughts went to my dad. My dad is very knowledgeable about many things, one of them being our culture. He has taught me the history of my culture, my people and my dreaming stories. He finds every opportunity to spread his knowledge and awareness.
Written by Wyntah Woodroffe-Mulholland (Year 10)
Student Achievements
Gymnastics National Championship
Congratulations to Emily Ngyuen (Year 10) who recently competed in the Gymnastics National Championships on the Gold Coast. Emily and her teammates (trio) were awarded silver medals for their Balance and Dynamic routines and placed third overall in the championships. A fabulous achievement. Well done, Emily.
International Exchange Update
All of our international exchange students are settling into life at Pymble and in Sydney. Here are a few photos of what a couple of our students have been up to over the last week – Katie from the UK had a busy weekend with Belle and her family. They supported the Swans, visited the beach and dropped off her younger sister to the Residential Program at Vision Valley.
Year 10 Commerce (GBE): Emerge CEO Guest Speaker
On Thursday 25 July, the CEO of Emerge, Claire Marshall, came in to talk to the Year 10 200 hour Commerce students. Emerge is a not-for-profit organisation that supports women and children who have experienced family violence, helping them rebuild their lives through safe refuge and practical programs. They advocate for increased housing funding for crisis accommodation and focus on innovative, evidence-based solutions. Emerge is recognised as a leader in family violence and housing programs in Victoria and operates a 24/7 crisis centre.
Claire Marshall shared with us her inspiring journey from being homeless herself as a teenager to becoming a human rights lawyer and the CEO of Emerge. We were able to ask questions relating to the recent law reforms occurring in the space of domestic violence and their impact, and in general how laws change. Emerge is the charity the Melbourne Commerce Enrichment Tour supports through various fundraising events. Last year’s fundraising for Emerge provided Christmas presents for women and children, a week of healthy meals for each family, toy packs and clothes.
We are so grateful for the time Claire took out of her day to come in and tell us her story and her role in helping women and children escape domestic violence. If you would like to learn more, please click here.
Felicity Dyet (GBE)
Commerce/Business/Geography Teacher
Important Dates
Term 3
Friday 2 August – TASFest, including Textiles on Parade
Friday 2 August – Green and Gold Day
Monday 5 August – Year 10 Agricultural Camp begins (3 day camp)
Tuesday 6 August – Pymble host St Edmund’s College Athletics carnival
Thursday 8 August – Year 10 Pymble/Knox Social Cup (three Thursday afternoons)
Tuesday 13 August – Year 9 Residential Program Parent Workshop
Wednesday 14 August – Year 10 RYDA Excursion
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School