From the Principal
In this week’s assembly, I spoke with the girls about self-improvement and what would it take to become just one per cent better – in assessments, a subject, sport, dance, drama, music, debating or whatever they would like to focus on. Thinking about our Rowers who are heading off to nationals on the weekend, I know they have put a great deal of time and effort into exploring how they can improve their performance, even if it’s just by a fraction, at this time when it really matters to them.
Self-improvement as a sportswoman, learner, leader, friend or family member can be as simple as asking the right questions of the people around you. In my role, for instance, I am focusing on becoming a better leader for the people with whom I have the most contact. In each of my meetings this month, I am asking my team, “How can I be a better leader for you?”. While the answers to this question are mine to take on board, I am fully aware they have greater impact on those who have the courage to voice them. The beauty of self-improvement is that it can also be a gift for others.
Taking on feedback is not always easy, though. If someone gives you feedback that hurts or is hard to hear, it may be because, deep down, you know there is an element of truth in their response. When you’re feeling the most challenged or stretched, that’s when you are learning and growing the most, and it’s important that our girls understand this correlation.
My challenge to all students this week is to think about one area you want to focus on and identify who can you ask for feedback to help you become one per cent better. This is a great dinnertime conversation for the whole family – and, who knows, the growth received from being open to that feedback may lead to even better versions of the people you love the most. My family will certainly be having these conversations around the dinner table, too.
Improving our campus by much more than one per cent!
The big news this week is that the concrete roof of Grey House Precinct has been poured. ‘Topping out’ is a major milestone for this Master Plan project, which has now clocked up more than 102,000 hours of work on the site.
With the roof now in place, the focus has shifted to the interior and, as the building starts to take its final shape, façade work and landscaping will begin. We are well on track for our anticipated opening next year, which is very exciting.
In other Master Plan news…
Ferguson Building
Our Visual Arts students were delighted to kick off Term 1 with further refurbishments, including upgrades to the ceramics room, staff room and walkways delivered over the summer break. Phase 2 has now begun, which includes refurbishments of the prep room and classrooms on Level 1.
Conde Library
We continue to seek feedback from all key stakeholders on design and, following final approval, the Master Plan team will take the project out to tender.
Secondary Innovation Precinct (SIP)
The State Significant Development Application (SSDA) for this fabulous addition to our Secondary School facilities is being prepared, and one-on-one meetings with the community are taking place to answer any questions or concerns of local residents.
Campus Commons
We are absolutely delighted with the design developed by TCL Landscape Architects which will be submitted with the SIP plans in the SSDA. Having more green space, similar to our much loved Gloucester Lawn, was a key goal of this project and we are truly looking forward to the benefits this will bring for our girls.
Improving lives through our Foundation Gala Ball
While we continue to change the world of learning for our students with these improvements to our main campus and at Vision Valley, so too do we continue to focus on opening our arms, hearts and doors to a world-class education for students of refugee backgrounds.
Many of you will be attending our Gala Ball on Saturday 5 April, and for that we are deeply grateful. Even if you are not attending this fundraising event, you are warmly invited to click on the link below to view and bid for the silent auction items and to purchase raffle tickets which will be drawn on the night. The link will ask you to register for GalaBid, which is the platform we are using for anyone who wishes to make an offer.
There are some incredible items up for auction – everything from Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac personally signed by the estate owner, to art, luxury holidays, photography packages, training sessions with Olympians, and a stunning handwoven Afghan geelam (rug). This latter item has been made by widows in one of the poorest provinces in Afghanistan who do this work to supplement their incomes to help feed and clothe their families.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you in advance for supporting our Pymble Foundation as we strive to offer more Bursary Scholarships to students who have experienced hardship and help them rebuild, reconnect and reimagine a positive future alongside our girls at Pymble.
Click here to view auction items and raffle prizes.
