From the Pymble Parent Association

The Power of Collective Language and Community

“You are our community, be the ladder for someone, You are beautiful and unique, You are valuable…”

These words can be often thrown around, but they are truly meaningful and powerful when we all begin to believe in these words for ourselves and say it out loud to others. Now obviously you can say these words in so many ways, but you know where we are coming from.

There are many inspiring orators and world changers in this world and one who comes to mind is Nelson Mandela and his quote, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same”.

As parents and carers, at times we may have forgotten how important we are to our children but also to each other. 

I can name numerous parents who have supported, inspired and encouraged me during our journey at Pymble Ladies College from helping organise a meal for my daughter because I forgot to order her lunch, to helping her find a lift back to a friend’s home close by school because we live out of the area and I was running late for pick up.

These parents and carers I am doing life with are shining their own light of kindness and generosity and I am incredibly grateful to them.

I would encourage you to be that light and ladder to another parent whether you are new or your daughter has been at Pymble since Kindergarten. You are an incredible gift to our community, and we hope you will continue to flourish in all that you put your hand to in your work and family.

Instead of conforming to the social media and global entertainment norm of over analysing and putting each other down and saying this is real life, how powerful would it be when we as parents and carers create a tidal wave of uplifting words and kind deeds in our community and our girls see this in action and take this positive culture into their own sphere of influence?

You may never know, your girls may come home one day and say that she shared her lunch with another friend, encouraged a friend who was unhappy about her school photo not turning out the way she imagined, or used her manners with another friend or teacher – or even more of a miracle, gave you a compliment. (If this happened to some of us, we would probably fall off our chair in surprise or jump for joy on the inside while trying to look calm, cool and collected). Who knows what great things could happen over this coming year!

For our new parents and carers, you are on the start of a wonderful journey and there will be challenges and beautiful moments, but a great place to connect, refresh and meet other parents is at our New Parent High Tea. Click here to RSVP – we would love to meet you!

Sunny Hres

PPA President on behalf of the entire PPA Committee