From the Senior School
2024 HSC is finally done!
The Year 12 students have officially wrapped up their HSC exams, and what a relief it is! After months of dedicated study and hard work, the geographers rounded out the examination schedule, completing their final exams last Friday, marking the end of a significant chapter in their academic journey. They received a rousing cheer and round of applause from the girls in the Kate Mason Building as they came out from the exam.
With the stress of exams behind them, it has been a joy to watch the new Year 12 students enjoy a bit of freedom, moving around the building, making noise, and sharing their excitement with friends. A real highlight this week was the performance by the Senior String Orchestra, who treated us to a stunning lunchtime concert on Monday. The music was an absolute delight, and we’re grateful to have had such an entertaining break from the usual routine!
Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner
In addition to the celebration of the Year 12 exams, I also had the privilege of attending the Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner last Friday evening, an event that highlighted the incredible achievements of our Pymble girls in sport. Congratulations to all the Senior girls who were award recipients, who were recognised for their commitment, service and talent in their chosen sports. Special congratulations to Sarah Baker, Year 12 2024, who was named Sports Girl of the Year for her outstanding achievements in athletics and fine modelling of the College values.
A heartfelt thank you to Mr Adam Raw, Mrs Katie Edwards and the entire team of coaches whose dedication and care continue to inspire our athletes to reach their full potential. It was a wonderful evening, full of pride and celebration of our girls’ hard work and sporting excellence.
Remembrance Day
A heartfelt thank you to our Senior Cadet Unit for their dignified parade at this year’s Remembrance Day service. Your presence and respect on this significant day, as we honour the sacrifices of those who served, truly embody the spirit of remembrance and patriotism that defines this occasion.
I also extend my gratitude to our History Captains, Thinara and Nandika for their leadership and thoughtful contributions to the service, and Mia and Sahara, who delivered the acknowledgement of country. Special congratulations to Lauren, who delivered an inspiring speech, adding warmth and reflection to our ceremony. Your words brought depth to the day and reminded us all of the importance of remembering our past.
Jacaranda Day
Our Jacaranda Day Service this week embodied a sense of community and warmth, as we came together to reflect on the many blessings in our lives and consider how we can give back to those in need. Our special guest speaker was Katerine Halliday (ESU, 2017) who spoke about her role in the ethical fashion industry. It was inspiring to hear Katherine’s thoughts about how we can all be more mindful consumers, and show more care for others in the industry and the environment. I have included a section of her speech below:
You might not realise it, but before our clothes reach our wardrobes, they’ve passed through around 100 pairs of hands, from the people that picked the cotton, to those who sewed the fabric into clothes. We may never meet these people but we are connected to them through the clothes we wear and our everyday choices affect them! Katherine, our Jacaranda Day guest speaker, reminded us that the things we learn in school about how the world works don’t just matter for our next assignment. They matter for the people we become and the impact that we go on to have. And one person trying to do everything perfectly has less impact than hundreds of us committed to small, meaningful changes.
Katherine shared how the fashion industry only achieved a score of 31 out of 100 for how they’re protecting workers and the environment. You can see how 460 brands performed using the Ethical Fashion Guide.
This special occasion reminds us of our fortunate positions and encourages us to think beyond ourselves, fostering a spirit of generosity and service. As part of this reflection, we invite all families to contribute to our Jacaranda Day Christmas Appeal in support of The Bill Crews Foundation, helping to spread kindness and make a positive impact on our community during the festive season. Together, we can make a difference.
Key Dates
4 December – Years 7 to 11 (2024) Speech Day
4 December – Last day of Term 4
18 December – HSC 2024 results released
19 December – Gradu-bration! For Year 12 2024 students
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School