From the Boarding School
It has been another busy week in Boarding, and it was wonderful to see the sun come out just in time for a packed weekend of activities. A particular highlight for our students was a trip to Luna Park.
Pymble is a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA), which is a wonderful source of information and inspiration for all things boarding. One of the great things is the collegiality that exists amongst the schools, and each term one school organises an event to which all member schools are invited.
We always begin the year with a trip to Raging Waters, which is the first of many fantastic opportunities for our Boarders to reconnect with friends from their hometowns. In Term 2, Pymble hosted our inaugural Boarding Colour Run, and we were delighted to welcome more than 300 boarders from neighbouring schools. Together, we raised over $3,000 for the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Disaster Relief Fund, a cause close to our hearts. Not only was it a fun-filled day, but it was also an inspiring example of our community coming together to support others.
Our latest gathering took place last Sunday at Luna Park. As you will read below, it was another joyful occasion – an opportunity for brothers and sisters, as well as longtime and new friends, to connect and make happy memories together. I look forward to sharing news of our next get-together in Term 4.
If you would like to learn more about ABSA, please use the following link: https://www.boarding.org.au/
Staying Well – Important Health Update
Unfortunately, a number of Boarders have tested positive to Influenza B in the past week. These cases have been reported to NSW Health, and we are adhering closely to their recommendations around the management of cases and infection control. This includes testing and isolating symptomatic cases, isolating positive cases, and taking on additional hygiene measures.
The Boarders continue to be reminded to monitor for symptoms, which include a fever and chills, a cough, a sore throat and runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, joint pains, headaches, and fatigue. We continue to implement our Infectious Disease Risk Management Plan, which includes additional environmental hygiene procedures throughout winter. There are ongoing and frequent reminders to all Boarders about the importance of careful attention to personal and environmental hygiene. We also frequently remind them of the importance of letting us know of any symptoms.
NSW Health recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and over. All Boarders were encouraged to be vaccinated at our Flu Clinic in May this year. If your daughter missed this opportunity and you would like her to be vaccinated, please contact your Head of House so we can facilitate this important health measure.
Local Carers
All Boarders are required to provide details of a local carer who resides within a two-hour radius of the College. We value these special people highly – they play an essential role in supporting your daughter, especially if she becomes unwell. It is important that your nominated carer is available to look after your daughter at short notice in their home, should she need to be cared for away from the Boarding House.
This arrangement is particularly important during times of contagious illness, when it is more appropriate for Boarders to recover in a family home environment. I ask that you please have a conversation with your local carer about the possibility that they may be called upon at short notice to care for your daughter. If your local carer’s details have changed, please notify us as soon as possible.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the wellbeing of all our Boarders.
Hoping to see you in Orange
Pymble will be at beautiful Printhie Wines on September 12 between 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm. Everyone is welcome and we hope you can join us for a lovely celebration of all things Pymble.
FABBA
Don’t forget to sign up for our next Boarding Community event, to be held on 19 September, the eve of the Garden Party. Following the Boarder Parent Group meeting and some last-minute Garden Party preparations, join our Boarding parents for a dinner at the Butchers Block at Wahroonga before heading to the Warrawee Club for an evening of live music and dancing. All Boarders are required to be in attendance on this night and we hope our families can join in the fun too.
Love It Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
It was lovely to see the sun shining over the weekend. Most sport was able to be played and all Boarders enjoyed getting outdoors. Year 9 even spent time in the Pymble pool. They were graceful in their attempt at synchronised swimming – well almost! On Saturday evening some of our Boarders spent the early part of the evening at the GMCPA watching the Dance Showcase. It was great to support so many of our Boarders in their performances.
There was much excitement on Sunday morning with the Luna Park trip. Over 30 Boarders loved the excursion to Luna Park for the thrills of the rides, good laughs and lots of fun. Everyone returned back to the Houses very happy and tired, the most tired being our staff.
We look forward to celebrating our special fathers or father figures for Burgers and Bowls on Sunday. Another busy yet exciting weekend to look forward to!
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Maggie and I started Year 7 this year at Pymble. I live on a farm with my Mum and Dad – Matt and Loretta and my younger sister Flo who is 9.
Our farm is located near Gravesend which is east of Moree in northwest New South Wales. Gravesend Public School only had 18 students, so I love being at Pymble with so many more. It takes us around eight hours to drive to Sydney. On our farm we grow lots of crops and have Angus cattle.
Close to Gravesend is where my grandparents live. Just out of Bingara, 40 minutes away, they too live on a farm. My Grandpa is a pickup man and likes to get to as many rodeos as he can manage. Although my grandma likes to stay at home, baking away in the kitchen for my sister and I when we visit. As you can see in the photo, they enjoyed the opportunity to join me on my first day in Avonmoore.
When I look out my window, I see mum in the garden or the animals annoying her while she is trying to hang out the washing. We have a Labrador; Moodle and my Dad’s work dog, Kate. We have some horses and some cats to keep the mice away as well.
I also see my dad working in the shed on his header getting ready for harvest or mustering the cattle. I love to ride my quad or drive the old farm Ute to help Dad move between paddocks. I have practised some tractor driving too.
The best view from my window though is our sunsets. They are absolutely beautiful with shades of orange, pink, and purple stretched across the sky. It’s what makes me miss home a little more.
I have really loved the opportunity to be a Boarder here at Pymble. I’ve really loved getting to know all my boarding sisters and my day girlfriends. Although I really love boarding in the city, I will always be excited to get to go home to the quiet, calm air at home.
Boarder of the Week
Congratulations to Year 7 Boarder Kyilista, our wonderful Boarder of the Week! Kyilista is a delight in every sense – her kindness, quiet sense of humour, and beautifully organised room brighten our Avonmoore family each day. We have all been so impressed by the grace and resilience she has shown as she faces the new adventure of living away from home, especially with Pymble being such a distance from Walgett.
Kyilista is a friend to everyone; she quietly goes out of her way to help others and is always there with a gentle smile. Most recently, she was a fantastic buddy for a visiting Boarder, making sure she felt welcomed and at home from the moment she arrived. We couldn’t be prouder to call her one of ours!
Save the Date
31 August – Dads and Daughters – Burgers and Bowls Father’s Day Celebration
19 September – Boarder Parent Group Meeting followed by FABBA event
20 September – Garden Party
25 September – Farewell to Year 12 Chapel Service* (all Boarders required to be in attendance until 6.00pm) followed by Year 12 Celebration dinner for Year 12 Boarders and their families
25 September – Boarders’ Travel Day
26 September – Year 12 Speech Day and Valedictory Dinner
Term 4
12 October – Year 12 optional early return from 2.00pm
13 October – Years 8-11 return from 2.00pm
13 October – Eat Like a Boarder 6.00pm
14 October – HSC Examinations commence
17 October – Boarding Lock Down and Evacuation Drill*
14 November – Lang House Warming for Year 12 2026 and their families
25 November- End of Year Chapel Service and Christmas Party*
3 December Year 7-12 Speech Day*, followed by end of term Travel Day.
* No leave will be permitted during this time.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding