From the Boarding School
It has been a lovely week of happy news, friendship and learning as we all enjoy the warmer weather and longer days. By now most of you will be aware of our new Deputy Director of Boarding, from Term 4, will be our current Head of Year 8, Theresa Mimmo. We are thrilled with that Theresa is joining our Boarding family and I look forward to welcoming her onsite in the weeks to come.
Dads and Daughters Celebration
Last Sunday many of our Boarding dads made the trip to Sydney to celebrate an early Father’s Day with their girls. It was a fun afternoon of friendly competition at the Greens North Sydney where our duos were introduced to the joy of barefoot bowls. I was delighted to hear the positive feedback and grateful to our dads, granddads and special people who made the journey from as far as Darwin and Alice Springs for this special occasion. It was such a hit we’ve already locked in the date for this time next year!
Loving Learning
Academics are never far from our thoughts and it has been good to see our Year 12 Boarders emerge happily from their HSC Trial Examinations as our Year 11 girls prepare diligently for their examination period which starts next Monday. Our Learn It program is well resourced and well utilised. If you haven’t already, please encourage your daughter to sign up for some one-on-one time and academic support.
AISNSW Student Leadership Conference – Mrs Beth Ayling, Head of Goodlet House
On Monday 25 August, Madeleine Gardiner (Indigenous Education Co-ordinator) and I had the pleasure of accompanying Latiah, Sahara and Dezi to the AISNSW Student Leadership Conference at Western Sydney University. The event is put together by AISNSW to educate and mentor young First Nations students on how their culture can be used as a strong foundation for leadership development.
The students were involved in various workshops that celebrated their cultural roots and promoted thoughtful discussion. On a practical level, they were involved in a traditional dance workshop, painting in traditional Aboriginal styles using dots and symbols as well as learning about native plants and their usages. The students also dug a little deeper when discussing what their ideal school may look like and how it would honour and conserve their cultural heritage.
They were asked questions about what sort of ancestors they would like to be and the legacy they would like to leave behind, as well as having an in-depth discussion about how to identify and understand leadership through a cultural lens and the people and systems that can support this.
The night ended with a lovely dinner while we listened to guest speakers from all walks of life share their journeys and struggles to get to where they are today. These speakers were open and honest in sharing the steps they took and the support they received in order to achieve different paths, all of which involved giving back to community, specifically Indigenous youths.
Ms Gardiner and I were proud of the insight our Pymble Boarders shared so thoughtfully and eloquently with the group. As a non-indigenous person, I always jump at the opportunity for further learning in this space. The event was educational not only in gaining deeper insight into just how interconnected culture is to all other aspects of indigenous life, but also highlighting the ways in which people like me can best support and nurture the needs of First Nations students in order to support cultural connections.
National Exchange
The National Exchange Program is a wonderful opportunity for our Year 8 students to experience a different school and meet new people. As you will read below, Sasha and Cleo certainly enjoyed the change of routine.
On 18 August, six of us Pymble girls arrived at the airport to catch a flight to Clayfield College Brisbane. Nerves were in the air as we boarded the plane, and one short flight later, we arrived. We met our exchange girls and over the next couple of days widened our comfort zones in the best way possible. On Sunday night the boarding house organised for us to go to Eat Street, a night market in Hamilton where we got to know our exchange buddies and had a fun time trying new foods and adjusting to a new environment.
Monday morning was the day where we experienced school as a Clayfield student. Our school subjects were Spanish, Maths, Social Science, Food Tech and more! We enjoyed the small school and loved experiencing a day in the life of our exchange buddies. Tuesday was our favourite day because we wore sports uniform and had a tour around Brisbane for the entire day. We took a ferry along the beautiful Brisbane River and hit the shops whilst also completing a scavenger hunt. Additionally, we played a game of Clayfield VS Pymble laser tag that was loads of fun and we won! Wednesday was our final day in Brisbane, and we started the day off strong with half a day of school then at 11.30am we headed off to the airport and although we were sad to leave Brisbane, we were excited to return to home.
We returned to Sydney and caught the bus back to Pymble with the Melbourne and Towamba girls. We returned to school the next day with our exchange partners. Both girls enjoyed the day, and their favourite subject was Art. They were a bit overwhelmed by our big school but enjoyed exploring our beautiful campus. In the afternoon, we relaxed and chatted before going to prep and dinner. After tech hand in, we got in our beds in the common room and watched a movie together whilst eating Tim-Tams and popcorn, it was a lovely way to end the day.
On Friday morning, we took a train into the city and walked from Milsons Point to the Opera House then several photos later we caught a ferry to Manly. Our exchange buddies thought the beaches were beautiful and we even got some Yo-Chi and Butter Boy Cookies.
Thank you, Clayfield, and Pymble, for organising a trip that has deepened our connections and widened our comfort zones. We are so grateful to be able have had this once in a lifetime opportunity that we will never forget.
Love It – Katie White, Deputy Director of Boarding
Last weekend’s Love It program involved some great Father’s Day crafting with Mrs Myles and a trip to Yo Chi at Macquarie on Saturday evening. As you read above, the Sunday afternoon Burgers and Bowls event was a huge success. This weekend we have laser tag planned for Saturday evening and then a picnic on Sunday on the Northern Beaches. The weather is set to be summer-like on the weekend, so we can’t wait to get out in the sunshine.
As mentioned last week – we will be heading to Sister Act the Musical on Sunday 15 September. Please remember to fill in this form to give permission for your daughter to attend.
The Press Club
Just a reminder to sign up for our next Boarding Community Event, to be held on 20 September, the eve of the Garden Party. Following the Boarder Parent Group meeting and some last-minute Garden Party preparations, join our Boarding parents for a dinner at the Butchers Block at Wahroonga before heading to the Warrawee Club for an evening of live music and dancing. All Boarders are required to be in attendance on this night and we hope our families can join in the fun too.
A message about our Garden Party
As you may be aware the Garden Party is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Boarding community. Last year we raised $17,000 and $20,000 the year before. It is being held on Saturday 21 September and is a fantastic day. We will be running three stalls: the Produce Stall, the Boarders’ Barbecue and the fabulous Hillbilly Cider Shed. We will also be holding a raffle. This is a shout out to get you thinking of what you may be able to donate or contribute to the Produce Stall or the raffle.
Anything produced by Boarding families is welcome. Some examples include baked goods, jams, chutneys, sauces, pickles, fruit, eggs, bunches of herbs, flowers, wheat and cotton. It is a very popular stall and loved by all the city folk. Any donations for raffle prizes would also be greatly appreciated.
On the barbecue this year, we will also be serving bacon and egg rolls with tomato relish between 10.00am and 11.30am, and after that it will be our delicious pork and slaw rolls. Any donation of eggs for this stall would be amazing.
Finally, keep your eye out for the Google form to book a spot on the roster. Any help is appreciated and it really is a great way to catch up with other parents while contributing to the day.
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Camilla, but people call me Milla. I just started Boarding at Pymble this year in Year 7 and live in Avonmoore. I come from a small town called Young which is the cherry capital of Australia and is about five hours away from Sydney. I live on a farm in between Grenfell and Young with about 3,500 acres. I live with my mum and my dad and my three brothers, two of who board at Riverview.
On my farm we have sheep, cattle, dogs (three sheep dogs, a Jack Russel and a Labrador) and a horse. My dad is a farmer so he does most of the sheep and cow work and my mum teaches at my little brother’s school in Grenfell. I went to primary school in Grenfell with less than 50 students and a school which was probably just a bit bigger in size than Main Oval at Pymble, so going to a much bigger school has been very different but good because I have made so many friends.
It took me a while to adjust to living away from home, but now that I am more comfortable with my friends in the boarding house, going back after a holiday isn’t so bad because I get to see all my friends again. But there is still no better feeling then coming back from Sydney and driving down my driveway to my farm that is so peaceful and quiet.
When I look out the front window of my house, I see the driveway leading up to the road, the paddocks stretching out as far as I can see and the dogs running around the yard. I love growing up on a farm and the Young and Grenfell communities but now, I also get to be a part of the Pymble Boarding family and I already feel so welcome.
Boarder of the Week
Erica is a much-loved member of our Boarding family and truly exemplifies the Boarder spirit. She is not only caring and funny, but also demonstrates hard work and dedication. Erica keeps her room immaculate without ever needing to be asked.
She’s always upbeat and laughter comes easily to her – she is the kind of person who brightens up any room she enters. Her upbeat attitude is contagious, making those around her feel supported and at ease. She’s quick to lend a hand, often anticipating the needs of others before being asked.
She takes pride in her appearance and her uniform is pristine. Even when she’s just come back from a challenging run, she still looks totally put together. Her cheerfulness isn’t just surface level; it’s a genuine part of who Erica is, making her a joy to be around and a reliable friend.
Save the Date
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