From the Principal
Thank you to our wonderful Pymble Parent Association (PPA) for treating our staff to lunch today to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. This day is acknowledged all over the world to show our appreciation for quality teaching and inspirational practitioners. Our students often let their teachers know how grateful they are to have them in their lives, and to feel that gratitude from their parents, too, is deeply rewarding.
A school can have the strongest academic offering and most dedicated students in the world, but without the right team of skilled, engaging educators to deliver the programs and parents who support them fully, the magic doesn’t happen. At Pymble, we are blessed to have all four.
It was a pleasure to join our Chair of Board, members of Senior Executive and staff last week to thank our PPA and parent/carer volunteers for the many ways you work with us, and each other, to support teaching and learning at Pymble. Together we make an exceptional Team Pymble, and we see the magic each day in your daughters.
Update on new academic courses in 2025 and 2026
In the first half of this year, I introduced you to a suite of new academic courses we have either launched this year or will be launching in 2026. With the end of term fast approaching, it feels timely to give an update on each one.
New Cambridge IGCSE courses
In 2024, the College became a Cambridge International School, which enables us to prepare our students for global qualifications, beginning with International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses.
First cab off the rank was Year 10 IGCSE Mathematics. Our inaugural class recently sat for their end of year examinations, and we look forward to continuing to offer this opportunity to selected Year 10 students next year.
In 2026, we will grow our IGCSE portfolio with the introduction of a two-year Cambridge Global Perspectives course commencing in Year 9. We are delighted to have enough take-up to fill two classes of this humanities-based elective, which explores topics including: Change in Culture and Communities; Development, Trade and Aid; Political Power and Action; Values and Beliefs; Social Identity and Inclusion; and Globalisation.
In the Junior School, we are launching the inaugural Years 5 and 6 DREAM Diploma, which incorporates the Cambridge Global Perspectives curriculum for Primary School students. The two-year course commences next year and is designed to equip our girls with essential skills to carry into the Secondary School years – and beyond – with a focus on analysis, collaboration, research, communication, evaluation and reflection.
New Centre for Curriculum Redesign course
The College has also been working closely with the Centre for Curriculum Redesign in Boston to introduce our inaugural Year 9 Biotechnology course in 2026. Student interest in this new Science elective has already exceeded our expectations, filling three classes who are excited to pioneer learning in this thriving field.
Expansion of PESP elective
In 2024, we offered the Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s Program (PESP) as a Year 10 elective for the first time, and this year the offer was extended to Years 8 and 9. Having six allocated PESP periods per fortnight in their timetable gives our students who perform at National level (or higher) the option to study or train during those times, depending on their individual needs. PESP as an elective in Years 8 and above is an important part of our commitment as a designated Olympic Pathway School.
Ready to change the world
The broad reason behind these new offerings is all wrapped up in our Watch Us Change the World strategy. In order to change the world, our girls need to explore and understand issues and contexts that go beyond Australian shores. They must be equipped with the future-ready skills that are critical for meeting any challenge in our ever-changing world. By aligning teaching and learning with internationally recognised courses, qualifications and pathways, and with the help of our brilliant academic staff, we are giving our students every opportunity to create the future they dream of, wherever they may find themselves living or working – today, tomorrow and in the future.
