From the Principal
Tents and trestles are in place, the grounds look more stunning than ever, and Saturday is predicted to be a perfect spring day – sunny but cool. Yes, it’s Garden Party time!
Students, staff and parents alike have been working hard to ensure our biggest and much-loved community event is a huge success, and this year all proceeds will go to our nominated charity partners for 2025, Mahboba’s Promise and Her Village Foundation. Both organisations hold a special place in our hearts, with Mahboba’s Promise deeply connected to students in our Refugee Scholarship Program and Her Village Foundation launched and run by one of our former students, Tahmara Thomas (2022), to welcome and support Afghan refugees in our community.
Garden Party is a joyful celebration of the people, places and programs that make Pymble so special, and we look forward to seeing our community out in droves – via public transport or on foot, if possible, as parking will not be available on campus.
Our community is our superpower
Thinking of the passion and commitment that goes into creating such a joyful experience for all reminds me of the inestimable value of our community. We care for each other, and we share with each other in a myriad of ways that truly make a difference. That’s our superpower.
For instance, recently our Junior School girls in Years 3-6 proudly stepped up to support one of their peers in a walkathon to raise awareness of Juvenile Arthritis. Meanwhile, Year 11 students are busily training as volunteers for Sony Camp. We have wonderful parents who also give to our community in innumerable ways, arranging meals, care packages and providing support for families going through tough times. Our day families lend a hand to ensure our Boarders have lifts to co-curricular commitments and company on weekends, and our Boarding families open their homes to students, parents, staff members and alumni for holidays and College events. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg of care.
Members of our community also generously share their professional expertise to add unique layers of learning and insight to the educational opportunities we offer our girls.
This week, we had the privilege of hearing from one of our Junior School dads, Mr Jerry Huang, who was interviewed by our Year 9 student Leahara Wijesuriya along with his delightfully composed daughter, Olivia in Year 4. Jerry spoke about his learnings as a successful software designer and STEM/AI entrepreneur; how STEM promotes a unique blend of technical, logical and creative thinking, and how important it is to make mistakes and “learn to learn” in this space.
Mr Huang has generously gifted two incredible new learning tools to the College – Pudding the robot dog for our Junior School, along with a codable, educational humanoid robot which should be with our Secondary School students by the end of the year. We were thrilled by the demonstration of both robots at the assembly, as were residents at Uniting Northaven who met Pudding during their fortnightly visit from Junior School last week!
Our girls truly are blessed to be part of a united community of parents and College staff who go above and beyond to ensure Pymble stays at the forefront of all four teaching and learning pillars, and continues to lead the way in kindness and generosity towards others.
As we prepare for a big week of celebrations to farewell our Year 12 students, I’m proud and grateful to lead a school that comes together so respectfully to support one another in all circumstances.
See you at the Garden Party on Saturday!
