From the Boarding School

It is always a such a treat to be out on the road, meeting with our families on their ‘home turf’. Last Friday evening, I was lucky enough to be at a special gathering in the beautiful town of Scone in the Upper Hunter Region. This was an excellent opportunity to meet past, present and prospective families and to share the joys of life at Pymble.

We were extra lucky to have Dr Hadwen and our Chair of the College Board, Mr Chris Fydler, join in the fun. Both Dr Hadwen and Mr Fydler spoke highly of our Boarding family, each noting the Boarders as the heart of Pymble. I was also super proud to have five of our current Boarders with us on the evening, all of whom are outstanding representatives of our Boarding family.

Community Days

Community Days are special times in our Boarding calendar where all Boarders are required to be in attendance. They are designed to promote a sense of community and to provide Boarders with skills that are important to their time in Boarding. Our next Community Days are scheduled for Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May. Boarders are required to be in attendance from 5.00pm on Saturday 3 May until 11.30am on Sunday 4 May. During this time there will be a whole-of-Boarding dinner, Boarding favourite Just Dance party and on the Sunday morning, Chapel and brunch with the congregation from Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church.

This year, our Prefects have added another special event to our Community Day schedule and on Sunday 1 June, we will be hosting our inaugural Boarders’ Colour Run. Other local Boarding schools have been invited to attend, and it promises to be a day of friendship and fun. There will be a small entry fee, and all profits will go to a charity selected by the Boarders.

I understand that this is a new addition to our Community Day schedule and ask that you add this date to your calendar now as there will be no leave permitted during this time. If you already have an engagement in place, I ask that you please submit special leave before the end of the term so we can make appropriate arrangements.

Star of the track

I am always in awe of our Boarders who not only manage living away from family, but also all of their school commitments and a huge sporting schedule. Year 11 Boarder Jocelyn, from Orange, is a fabulous example of someone who is dedicated to excelling. Most recently, Jocelyn had a fantastic weekend at NSW Juniors at Sydney Olympic Park. Some of her outstanding achievements are included below:

Second (with a huge personal best) in the 100m hurdles
Finals for both the 100m and 200m sprint in which she placed sixth in the state.
A personal best in the 200m and a national qualifying time.
Qualified for the u/18 women’s 100m, 200m and 100m hurdles at the Australia Junior Athletic Championship in Perth in April.

Eat Like a Boarder

We would love you to join us for dinner on Monday 28 April at 6.00pm. This will be the ‘real’ experience, with you being able to enjoy the regular dinner service, just as the girls do each evening. All family members are welcome. If you would like to join us please RSVP to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au by Tuesday 8 April.

Live It, Love It, Learn It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding

It was a social weekend for our Boarders. Year 7 headed to Abbotsleigh after school on Friday to enjoy a lovely afternoon tea with Boarders from various schools. They had a great time and were able to reconnect with some of the Boarders who visited us earlier in the term.

On Saturday, a group of Boarders went to Macquarie Ice Rink for an ice skating session. They had a fun time and staff were very happy there were no injuries to report! On Sunday, Year 9 boarders from Riverview came to Pymble, while our Year 7 and 8 Boarders headed there for lunch and fun activities. All girls reported having an amazing time and liked socialising with boarders from other schools.

A View From My Window

Hi, my name is Olivia and I am a Year 8 Boarder. I have been in Boarding since Year 7. I live on a one-acre property in Scone NSW with my parents Fiona, who is an online auction organiser, and Stuart, who is a livestock and station agent/auctioneer. Dad also sells farm machinery and cattle. I have an older brother Logan who is 15 years old and also a Boarder. I have a dog named Saddle; she is a French bulldog who is two years old. I also have a nine-year-old cat named Bam Bam who is both an inside and outdoor pet. I enjoy tossing the toy for my dog and taking a walk out to the back fence and staring out into the sunsets that sits beyond the valleys.

Scone is around a three-hour drive from Sydney. It is a nice, peaceful, open and beautiful country town with all kinds of farms like crop, beef (cattle), sheep, and horse properties. The thing I love most about Scone is that it is very calm and I appreciate how kind the community is. One of my favourite things to do in Scone is to drive around and admire all the different livestock and land that sits on the edge of the roads, as well as the amazing sunrises and sunsets that we get in the summer. I love staying home and relaxing, but also going out with Dad and my brother to muster/process, drench and vaccinate the cattle. I love going in the pool, sitting in the sun and looking out into the amazing background that shows Scone Mountain and open land.

I adore Boarding here at Pymble mainly because of how kind and caring everyone is and having a change of scenery. Going back to school at the start of term can be tough but knowing that I am coming back to such an amazing group of girls and staff makes returning ten times easier. When I look at Pymble I see my home away from home.

Boarder of the Week

This week our Head of Goodlet House, Kate Inglis, shares the joys of having Phoebe in our lives.

Phoebe joined Pymble Boarding in Year 7 from Rocky Glenn last year, following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Amelia and Emma. Phoebe has brought a warm and gentle presence to Goodlet House and is kind and caring towards her Boarding sisters.

Phoebe is a regular presence at Boarders Get Baking and the ‘Love It’ Program. As just one example of her thoughtfulness, Phoebe ensured that her recent birthday celebration included a cake that was allergy-friendly so all her peers could celebrate, too. Phoebe has been working hard during the Learn It program, keeps a steady routine and ensures her room is tidy. Both staff and peers enjoy an evening chat and catch up with Phoebe, and congratulate her as a well deserving, Boarder of the Week.

Save the Date

Tuesday 1 April – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service and Dinner

Thursday 10 April – Face to Face Learning Discussions for Boarding Families (Years 8 to 10)

Friday 11 April – Boarders’ Travel Day

Monday 28 April – Boarders return from 2.00pm

Monday 28 April – Eat Like a Boarder (6.00pm)

Wednesday 30 April – Learning Discussions for Year 7

Friday 2 May – Boarders’ Lockdown and Evacuation Drill*

Friday 2 May – Years 7, 8 and 9 Boarders’ Social

Saturday 3 May – Boarders’ Community Evening (5.00pm*)

Sunday 4 May – Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church and Boarders’ Combined Chapel Service (9.00am to 11.30am*)

Sunday 1 June – Boarders’ Colour Run (10.00am and 3.00pm*)

* All Boarders required to be in attendance, no leave during this time.

Carolyn Burgess

Head of Boarding