From the Boarding School
The biannual chapel service with the Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church congregation is always a special occasion and last Sunday’s visit was no exception. I couldn’t have been prouder of our Boarders who lead the way with Reverend Danielle, with various readings and a stunning musical performance by Year 11 Boarder Edie. This was followed by a delicious brunch and again our Boarders stepped up helping our guests feel welcomed and at home.
The families of some of our older Boarders may recognise the faces of some of our guests, many of whose visits predate my seven years in Boarding. It is wonderful to have this tradition maintained and to see the relationships develop over the years. This plays out in many ways with just one example being a visit to Lang House by Mrs Jane Simpson (1957) who delivered ‘care’ boxes of cupcakes and slices for our Year 12 Boarders to enjoy before their Trial examinations.
Supporting Jack and Neuroblastoma research
As you know, we have been working together to contribute funds and lobby for treatment for Amy Scholfield’s little cousin Jack who is suffering from neuroblastoma. Over the weekend, Amy and her family, along with our Boarders, raised $2400 in funds at our sausage sizzle which will go directly to supporting Jack’s treatment.
Prior to this, a large number of our Boarders wrote to parliamentarians, including Bronnie Taylor, MP to lobby for access to potentially lifesaving treatment for children suffering from Neuroblastoma. Please see below an email from Amy’s dad Justen, in appreciation of the Boarders’ contribution to this endeavour:
“….since your girls got involved:
- Media coverage has included Seven, Nine and Ten National News stories, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph and dozens of local news and social media outlets stories
- Cancer Council Australia has donated $1.8M to Neuroblastoma research in Australia
- There are currently about 20 Australian children with high-risk neuroblastoma, which most commonly affects babies and children under 5 years old.
- The Australian Federal Government has fast tracked DFMO (approved US drug) to be made available to those children here currently suffering from this cancer (3 weeks ago)
Due to your donations, tenacious lobbying and public awareness campaigning, you have made history, saved children’s lives and given families hope where, two months ago, they had very little to none with 50 children a year diagnosed in Australia and 50 percent of those children diagnosed with Neuroblastoma not surviving.
Now kids like nine-year-old Zai Abdollah, two-year-old Luna Byrne, and six-year-old Holly Zerk will have a better chance at life.
For Jack’s cause, because he has relapsed, he is not a suitable candidate for the US drug but will undertake a trial drug in either Spain or Italy at a cost of $700,000 of which we are 95% raised.
You have truly lived up to the College’s strategic direction of of ‘watch us change the world‘.
Our love and appreciation to you all.“
Bronnie Taylor, Shadow Minister for Regional Health, Trade and Seniors was one of the parliamentarians to whom the Boarders wrote to gain support for access to medication to treat Neuroblastoma. Bronnie was so impressed with the girls’ advocacy, she visited the College to congratulate them. It was wonderful to have this support from Bronnie and good fun to hear her stories of her time as a Pymble Boarder and her adventures since.
Love It – Mrs Beth Ayling, Acting Deputy Director of Boarding
It was another busy weekend of Love It with our girls enjoying several wonderful on-campus activities. We began the weekend around the Yarning Circle with Ms Gardiner and Ms Budd. The girls had a blast making Johnny Cakes and spending time together. Friday night also saw TASFest in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts where we got to celebrate all things TAS. Our Boarders did a wonderful job and it was great to experience their creations.
On Saturday night, we welcomed around 20 Knox Boarders from Years 7 and 8. They had a fantastic time eating pizza and answering trivia questions. Special thanks to Lyn, Deb and our Year 10 Marden Boarders for helping host the event.
On Sunday, we hosted parishioners from Gordon Uniting Church for our special Community Chapel Service. Our girls displayed what is truly means to be a Pymble Boarder. They looked picture perfect in their uniforms and displayed exemplary behaviour. The service was followed by a delicious brunch which the girls and members of our local community enjoyed chatting away in our dining room. Sunday night was a quiet one but we found time for our Year 11s to enjoy their turn of dessert and games night. Always lots of fun.
This coming weekend will see our Year 10s enjoying their dessert and games evening on Friday in Marden House. The girls love and appreciate time to get together as an entire year group. On Saturday evening, we’ll head to Strike for a few rounds of tenpin bowling and on Sunday it will be an adventure to Pancakes on the Rocks and maybe a browse at the iconic The Rocks markets.
Winter Shoe and Sock Drive
We are very excited to announce that on Monday 19 August in Week 5 this term, Pymble will be running a Winter Shoe and Sock Drive, which will include all types of shoes (except for open toe shoes such as high heels and thongs/sandals). We are beyond grateful for all the Pymble families who participated in our last drive.
Pymble donated an incredible total of almost 600 pairs of shoes, which is the largest single donation the NFP charity “Shoes for Planet Earth” had ever received. Your generous donations made an enormous impact to the community. The winter footwear and socks we collect will be distributed across Australia and the globe, to homeless shelters, youth and female crisis centres, indigenous community sporting groups, orphanages, churches, and disaster-affected communities.
The importance of warm footwear during the winter months cannot be overstated. Our donations will reach those who are often forgotten or overlooked. If each Pymble family contributes one pair of shoes or socks, together we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those of in need. We ask that all donated shoes and socks are in good condition – no holes, with sturdy soles, and cleaned if necessary.
Please make sure all shoes are tied together in matching pairs. Please bring your donations to our collection points, where we will have clear signage to guide you. A reminder that this will take place on Monday 19 of August in Week 5. And for one individual there will be a very exciting prize of a special $50 gift voucher for Archie’s Café!
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Written by Anais Rodwell-Burnicle (Year 11)
View From My Window
Hello my name is Ella, I’m in Year 10 and I’ve been boarding since Year 8 2022. I live in Dolphin Point, a small town on the South Coast of NSW. In my family there is myself, my older brother, Oliver, who is in Year 11, my mum and dad, Michelle and Adam, and my three baby Cocker Spaniels, Spencer, Beatrice and Beau. For most of my life, my family and I lived in Queanbeyan, a small town bordering Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, but in June of 2023 we moved to the coast. Needless to say we were all bursting to be able to wake up and have a quick walk to the beach.
Although I love being in Sydney through the school term, with the busyness and city life which provides so many opportunities, going home is definitely a highlight. The minute I am home, I feel calm and relaxed. There’s never a dull day in Dolphin Point, the water is always clear, matching the sky with the sun shining down onto the many beaches filled with locals fishing, swimming or relaxing with a friendly smile and always up for a chat.
Even though I have been saying that I live at the beach, the view from my window is actually a reserve for endangered black cockatoos. Every morning, I wake up and am lucky enough to look out and see such beautiful birds in a safe environment. My usual day on the coast involves exploring new beaches and lakes and by exploring, I mean driving the boat around while my dad fishes and I have a swim. I then socialise near the beach, chill at the rocks or work at the local bakery, Lagom, a fun and vibrant meeting point where locals or tourists come to grab a coffee and a sweet treat or their weekly loaves. Either way, I’m always happy to come back home for dinner under the night sky with the fire pit on.
Boarder of the Week
Jaidey came to Pymble in Year 7 in 2021 from the town of Lightning Ridge, near the Queensland border. Since day one, Jaidey’s composed and self-possessed nature means that she has had a calming influence on Marden House. She is much loved by those around her, who often look to her for advice and assistance in solving any problems they may encounter.
Jaidey is a beautiful big sister to her siblings, and she always puts her family first. Her natural warmth and knack with little ones have translated to many areas of her school and Boarding life. She is a wonderful OSHC educator and she enjoys spending time playing and entertaining the children of our Boarding staff.
Jaidey displays empathy and emotional maturity that extends well beyond her years. Most recently, Jaidey spent her time helping her Boarding sister, Amy, fundraise for Behind the Bear. Amy’s five-year-old cousin is currently battling Neuroblastoma and Jaidey willingly and happily gave up her time to help raise funds that will assist in his treatment. Not only this, Jaidey is always happy to lend a hand in events for our younger Boarders and does so with a smile on her face.
Jaidey’s big heart and willingness to give of herself for others make us consistently proud and we can’t wait to see what she does next.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
25 August – Dads and Daughters event
20 September – Boarders and their Families event (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
21 September – Garden Party
24 September – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel and Farewell to Year 12 Boarders (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
26 September – Year 12 Boarder and Parents’ celebration event (Year 12 Boarders and parents only)
27 September – Year 11 and 12 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day
Term 4
14 October – Boarders return from 2.00pm
18 October – Boarding lockdown and evacuation drill (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
Term 4 TBA – Mother Daughter Lunch
4 December – Year 7 to 10 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day
Boarder Parent Group Meetings
20 September – 2.30pm onsite
24 October – 7.00pm TEAMS meeting
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding