From the Senior School

As the Year 12 students wrap up their HSC examinations this week, we celebrate not only their academic achievements but also their remarkable composure and resilience throughout their schooling journey. Their ability to remain focused and positive under pressure is a testament to the strength of character they’ve built over the course of their studies. Finishing strong, they leave behind a legacy of leadership and friendship, having guided the school with determination and grace. We are immensely proud of their efforts and accomplishments, and we look forward to catching up with the girls at their Gradu-bration Event following the release of their final Higher School Certificate results. More details about this event are in the Valete handbook.

Micro Skills – Institute of Applied Technology

This year, the Mind Body Spirit program is excited to introduce a dynamic new addition aimed at upskilling our Year 12 students in the fast-evolving fields of AI, cyber security, and data management. Through a series of free micro skills courses delivered by the Institute of Applied Technology, students will gain valuable knowledge and practical expertise in these crucial areas. Upon completion, they will receive formal acknowledgment, adding a significant boost to their resumes and future prospects. As technology continues to shape the workforce, it’s essential to recognise that the fear of AI and automation replacing jobs is misguided. In reality, those who can effectively use and harness AI and technology will be the ones leading the way in tomorrow’s job market. By equipping our students with these critical skills, we are empowering them to not only adapt to change but to thrive in a digital-first world.

Our Learning Prefects recently took a half-day trip to Meadowbank TAFE, where they were presented with some eye-opening and compelling statistics about the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Among the key takeaways were the fact that only 17 per cent of the cybersecurity workforce in Australia is female, and that the country’s digital skills gap is costing $9 million a day.

Furthermore, it was revealed that by 2026, there will be 30,000 new jobs in cybersecurity alone. These insights reinforced the importance of the new micro skills courses being offered as part of our Mind Body Spirit program. By participating in these courses, Pymble girls will not only gain the technical expertise needed to bridge this skills gap, but they will also be able to leverage their unique soft skills – such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership – to enhance their post-school opportunities. With these capabilities, our students will be well-equipped to navigate and succeed in the future digital workforce.

Year 5/11 Friendships

We’re pleased to celebrate the Year 5/11 Connections Program, which pairs Year 5 girls with Senior students as ‘big sisters.’ In the most recent meeting, the Year 5s shared their vision boards, which led to great conversations about hobbies, interests and goals. This program has been a fantastic opportunity for the girls to connect and build friendships with students from different year groups. To mark the end of the year, we’re looking forward to a Christmas party later in the term where the girls can enjoy some festive fun together. It’s been a great experience for everyone involved, and we look forward to seeing these special connections grow in 2025.

House Dance Off!

Earlier this week during Compass time, we held a fantastic House Dance Off, led with great energy and enthusiasm by our Year 12 students. The event was full of fun, with students donning colourful costumes and showing off their House spirit. The energy in the room was contagious, and it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces as everyone got involved and cheered on their teams.