From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
It’s an exciting time as finals season arrives in sport. It has been wonderful to see so many Upper School students participating in co-curricular activities this term. Good luck to all the girls competing in finals this weekend, and congratulations to our Year 9 and 10 students on their success in the Rugby finals last weekend. Well done to these girls and to everyone else involved this season, especially considering the wet weather earlier in the term.
It is looking like great weather for this weekend’s Garden Party; it has been great to see the crates of bottles arrive recently. Your donations of two or three jars for Saturday are greatly appreciated. It’s not too late for the girls to contribute, so we hope to see some more jars brought in on Friday. Together, we would love to make a fantastic charitable contribution from Upper School on the day. Thank you to the girls that have volunteered for a time slot on the stalls this weekend. We know that many girls have busy Saturday schedules, but we hope that the girls recognise the importance of attending, being involved in whole school events and doing their bit to support our service partners.
Year 10 Outdoor Education Program – Term 4
A reminder to all Year 10 parents to complete the consent form for your daughter’s Term 4 Outdoor Education Program. Forms are required urgently to finalise arrangements.
Participation in the OEP is compulsory, and it is a wonderful way for the girls to connect, challenge themselves and celebrate the end of Term 4 together. Thank you for your prompt attention and for supporting your daughter in this valuable experience.
All required links and detailed program information have been sent to families through the My Pymble portal, specific to each daughter’s allocated program. Additional information about the Year 10 Outdoor Education Program can also be found HERE .
St Edmunds AIM Initiative
On Monday, a group of 24 Year 10 students visited St Edmund’s College to take part in the AIM (Advocacy, Immersion, Mission) Initiative.
This program provides students the opportunity to share in a meaningful experience, encouraging them to:
- Advocate for the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities
- Immerse themselves in a community enriched by diversity and ability
- Embrace a sense of mission to support and stand alongside those who are marginalised or disadvantaged
- empathetic and respectful way.
Students will follow up this workshop by supporting the St Edmunds students at their annual swimming carnival which is hosted by Pymble in term 4.
Thank you to Leander and Jaya for sharing their reflections from the day.
On the 15th of September I had the privilege to participate in the AIM initiative at St Edmunds College alongside a handful of other year 10 students. As part of this immersive experience, we took part in a variety of activities that advocated for the rights of those with intellectual disabilities.
We began the day by learning about St Edmunds’ history and their mission. We were taught about a range of disabilities people had and how the school supports them. Students who attend the College have a range of disabilities including intellectual disabilities in the mild to moderate range, these disabilities limit intellectual functioning and adaptive behaviour especially in children, St Edmunds is a specialised education facility that focuses on supporting each individual. We learnt about different means of communication, such as sign language that is used at the school that fosters an inclusive environment. We even had the opportunity to learn and practice braille which I was keen to try!
During break times, we engaged with students in the playground. We immersed ourselves in the community by joining in games and connecting with students. Using the communication skills we learnt before, I took part in conversions and activities to contribute to the warm and supportive atmosphere at the school. We had to be adaptable and patient when communicating as students could have difficulty understanding what we were saying. However, it was extremely rewarding to see the students feeling understood and having an enjoyable time. At recess we took part in a soccer game with some St Edmunds students, encouraging teamwork as we all got involved in the fun.
Another highlight of the day was when we all joined in on lessons, participating in their interactive classes. I was interested in this activity as I was keen to explore the differences between the structure of St Edmunds teaching styles to Pymbles. I joined a Year 9 PDHPE class where we were skipping. We took part in warm up activities and skipping drills, where we encouraged students to get involved in the activities and support their peers. This was a valuable experience to engage in their learning environment, redefining my understanding of inclusive education and the teaching methods at St Edmunds that provide the necessary support for students with disabilities.
Overall, the AIM initiative allowed me to further develop my empathy and respect for others as we supported St Edmunds mission of empowering young people with a range of disabilities. I am grateful to have immersed myself in the community through this initiative and I am looking forward to the swimming carnival with St Edmunds in Term 4!
Jaya Chand
On Monday a group of us year 10s travelled to St Edmund’s college in Wahroonga. A school for students with a range of disabilities. We spent the day learning about the school, its students and its history. We had a tour around the campus, and we interacted with the students at recess and lunch. We did a blind folded walk around the school with a cane to replicate how vision impaired people move around. It really puts into perspective the struggles people with blindness have doing tasks we do without thinking. We also spent a period in a class. I went to year 7 history. It was very interesting and impressive to see the amount of patience the teachers have, especially when students were being difficult and not cooperating. The class had breaks regularly in a period to keep the students engaged. The biggest takeaway from this experience was the sense of community and inclusion in the school. Students in year 7 would sit with students in year 12 with no hesitation. Everyone was friendly and joyful which we could learn a lot from.
Leander McLaughlin
2026 Civic Leadership Opportunity
The following opportunity may be of interest to students.
The Department of the House of Representatives and Y Australia are bringing National Youth Parliament to our democratic capital in August 2026.
This all-expenses-paid program will bring together 150 young people – one from every federal electorate, including Bradfield – for a five-day leadership and civic education experience in Canberra.
We invite you to encourage all eligible students to apply and share this opportunity with your networks. Kindly forward this email along if there is someone well-placed at the school to assist with the promotion, as we think this could be a phenomenal opportunity for a student at Pymble Ladies College.
No prior civic education is required – just curiosity, passion, and a willingness to learn.
Why it matters for schools and students:
- Direct exposure to parliamentary processes and civic leadership
- Development of leadership, communication, and policy skills
- Collaboration with a diverse cross-section of young Australians
- A chance to showcase commitment to student voice and civic engagement
Program details:
- Flights, accommodation, meals, and activities are fully covered – no cost to families or schools
- Students should be aged 16-17 in August 2026 (with reasonable flexibility permitted)
- Expressions of Interest to close on 21 November 2025
- Residential program to occur in August 2026
- One young person will be selected from every single electorate in the country
Learn more and encourage students to apply here: https://nyp.houseofrepresentatives.gov.au/
Key Dates for Term 3
Garden Party – Saturday 20 September
Friday 26 September Boarder’s Travel Day/LAST DAY OF TERM 3
Key Dates for Term 4
Monday 13 October Boarder’s Travel Day/Staff Day
Tuesday 14 October FIRST DAY OF TERM 4
Friday 17 October Year 10 Pymble/Shore Dance at Miramare Gardens
Sunday 19 October Year 9 Residential Program Group 4 begins at Vision Valley
Monday 27 – Friday 31 October Year 10 Yearly Exams