From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
As we approach the end of Term 1, this week we recognise some of the wonderful achievements of our girls as they have navigated academic challenges, sporting achievements and other co-curricular endeavours. Earlier this week, our Year 10 Goodlet A class was crowned the winners of the Year 10 Urban Challenge. Congratulations to Dr Radford and her adventurous team of clue-chasers!
Congratulations also to the Year 10 First Eight crew for winning the national title in the U17 Schoolgirl Eight event at the Australian Rowing Championships! This outstanding achievement marks the first time Pymble has secured this prestigious title. The dedication and teamwork displayed by Emily, Allegra, Harriet, Saskia, Erin, Olivia, Zara, Lucy and Georgina earned them not only gold medals but also a new national record in their heat. Well done to all our Pymble rowers on an exceptional and memorable season!
Jacaranda Awards
During our first Upper School assembly of the year, led capably by our Year 9 and 10 Upper School Leaders, we announced the recipients of the Jacaranda Awards for Term 1. Congratulations to all students who have been recognised this term for consistently upholding the College values.
Year 9
Angela Bai – Bennett A
Isabel Chang – Bennett B
Nina Han – Goodlet A
Isabelle Martin – Goodlet B
Stella Walsh – Hammond A
Annabella Deng – Hammond B
Yuna Shin – Ingleholme A
Elena Duan – Ingleholme B
Catherine Curry – Lang A
Erika Zhao – Lang B
Lucy Gao – Marden A
Sophie Harris – Marden B
Emily Finucane – Thomas A
Charlotte Lin – Thomas B
Eden Connors – Wylie A
Isabel McKnight – Wylie B
Year 10
Sanaya Lakhani – Bennett A
Kyraa Vig – Bennett B
Charlotte Blaiklock – Goodlet A
Imogen Kee – Goodlet B
Ella Handley-Greaves – Hammond A
Sophie Guo – Hammond B
Chloe Ayton – Ingleholme A
Fiona Xue – Ingleholme B
Stella Sharp – Lang A
Sienna Melton – Lang B
Laranya Nanthakumaran – Marden A
Amelia Lee – Marden B
Zoe Carroll – Thomas A
Jessica Bao – Thomas B
Nina Wang – Wylie A
Bridgett Wu – Wylie B
As we look towards Term 2, preparations are now well underway for our Year 9 students heading out on the Term 2 Residential Program. Students met for a final briefing with the Vision Valley team and have written letters of introduction to their Churchie counterparts. Next term, students will meet once more with their Year 11 and 12 mentors so that they are well prepared for the journey ahead.
We are also currently in the process of organising an exciting three-week social cup for Year 10 students, along with Knox Grammar School. Over the course of three weeks in Weeks 2, 3 and 4, students will be able to opt in to a range of sporting, trivia and service-based activities after school. We look forward to putting in place further co-educational opportunities for our students throughout the year.
MMG Education Survey
Thank you to the parents of Year 10 who have already completed their MMG Education Survey. I encourage all parents of Year 10 to share their feedback with the College through this survey as your input helps us understand a variety of views and hear your ideas. Look for the email from MMG Education sent on Friday 21 March or contact Dr Sarah Loch for more information (sloch@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au)
Year 9 Residential Program Parent Event
The parent series is an important part of your daughter’s Vision Valley experience which complements the student experience. The events will provide the opportunity for you to meet fellow members of our community, receive key information and importantly learn how to best prepare for the departure, return and reintegration of your daughter. However, due to external circumstances, we have brought one of these events forward for those families whose daughter is going in Terms 2, 3 and 4.
Dr Arne Rubinstein, founder of the Rites of Passage Institute, will facilitate this evening event. He will give a presentation followed by an interactive workshop. The evening will explore how you can best prepare, embrace and support your child’s development on the residential program.
The evening will involve discussion and tips around how to best parent a young adult as opposed to a child. We will also look at practical tools to support them during these critical teenage years when friends become increasingly important and family relationships are at risk of breaking down.
Date: Monday 28 April (this is a student-free day. We are hoping that many of our Boarding families can join us as they return with their daughter for the start of Term 2)
Time: 6.00pm sharp to 8.15pm
Location: Jeanette Buckham Centre for Physical Education, Pymble Ladies’ College
RSVP: Please RSVP via this link by Friday 4 April.
Year 10 Geography Field Trip to Barangaroo
The Year 10 field trip to Barangaroo Reserve and Waterman’s Cove was an incredible opportunity to explore the geographical features of this transformed urban landscape. As Year 10 Geography students, we witnessed firsthand how Barangaroo has evolved from an industrial site into a sustainable, world-class precinct.
The reserve’s 75,000 native trees and reconstructed shoreline highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability, while Waterman’s Cove showcased innovative strategies like the underwater garden, which revitalises marine habitats using 3D-printed panels. Walking through the reserve, we observed the careful balance between urban development and ecological conservation, from the wind-tunnel effects near the International Towers to the biodiversity along environmental walks.
The day was not only educational but also inspiring, as we saw how geographical concepts like urban renewal and ecological design come to life. A huge thank you to our teachers and organisers for making this experience possible – it deepened our appreciation for sustainable urban planning and left us with future career options to consider.
Key Dates – Term 1
Saturday 5 April – Pymble Foundation Gala Ball
Monday 7 April – Careers Expo
Thursday 10 (evening) and Friday 11 (day) April – Year 8 to 10 Learning Discussions
Friday 11 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Friday 11 April – Pupil-Free Day
Key Dates – Term 2
Monday 28 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Monday 28 April – Year 9 Residental Program Parent Workshop with Dr Rubinstein
Tuesday 29 April – First Day of Term 2
From the Year 9 Parent Co-ordinators
Jenny and Ira look forward to welcoming as many parents as possible for our end of Term 1 catch up. Please respond to the invite in the Year 9 WhatsApp group.
For any enquiries, please feel free to contact us – Ira (0415 112 575) or Jenny 0422716808.
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School