From the Boarding School
One of the nicest things about our Pymble family are the relationships that extend beyond the physical confines of our beautiful school. Our relationship with Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church is up there as one of our most treasured. Their regular visits and good wishes are welcome reminders of the ties that come with membership to our extended family of the United Church.
Last Sunday was just one example of this friendship. We enjoyed a beautiful service including thoughtful presentations by our Spirit House Captains, Boa Kim and a beautiful piece on the cello by Year 8 Boarder, Isabelle Burke. This was followed by a delicious brunch where conversation flowed and new connections were formed.
In the months to come, we will endeavour to strengthen our relationship with this special community. Pre covid, it was a requirement for Boarders to attend a service at Pymble Uniting Church once a term. I look forward to working with our Boarders and the wonderful Reverend Karen Mitchell-Lambert to reinstating this fine tradition.
Morning Routines
We continue to work hard with our Boarders to ensure they are presenting as their best selves and ready for a day of learning. As you will know, during the week, Boarders who are not already at sport commitments are first woken at 7.00am with the expectation that they are up and getting ready for the day by 7.15am.
Breakfast is an important way for the girls to begin their day and it is a requirement for all Year 7 to 11 Boarders to attend the Boarders’ Dining Room between 6.30am and 7.50am each weekday. There are breakfast packs are available for Boarders who have training during this time. Once the Boarder has been to breakfast, tidied their room and are ready for their school day, technology is returned before the girls head off to school.
For further information, please access the following link to read the 2023 Boarding Handbook.
Garden Party
Plans are well underway for a bumper Boarders’ stall! We remain keen for donations for our renowned produce stall and it would be great if you could email Garden Party convenor, Kylie Levy, k_levy@bigpond.com and let her know what you would like to contribute. We are also in need of people with a Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) qualification to work on the Hillbilly Cider stall. If this is you, Kylie would love to hear from you.
Love It – Mrs Katie White
Last weekend we quite the social one for our Boarders. Saturday night, was all about sport, as the Boarders headed to Allianz Stadium with Beth to watch the Roosters vs Dolphins. It was a great night out and provided an opportunity for the Boarders to utilise the amazing public transport system in Sydney.
On Sunday afternoon, the Year 7and 8s headed to Riverview for an afternoon of games and activities and didn’t want to leave! The girls are looking forward to more events with Riverview in the coming months. Meanwhile, on campus the Year 9, 10 and 11s welcomed the Boarders from St Gregory’s College for an afternoon of basketball, touch footy and trivia. This was once again a delightful afternoon and we look forward to making this an annual event.
This weekend, we have tickets to the AFL on Saturday evening and a trip to the Rocks planned for Sunday. We also know there will be a Matilda’s match at some point over the weekend to celebrate as well!
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Elena, and I’ve been a part of Pymble since 2019, starting Boarding in Year 7. I am originally from Mudgee, which is a four-hour drive northwest of Sydney. Transitioning from a small primary school with a limited number of students to Pymble was a significant change for me, but I settled in smoothly and had a great start. I was born and raised in Mudgee, and it has been my hometown ever since.
Having the opportunity to be a Boarder at Pymble has been truly amazing. With the friendships and connections, Boarding has provided me with countless pathways for personal growth and exploration. Having the Boarding community at Pymble has created a supportive and inclusive environment. The shared experiences, traditions, and laughter have fostered a sense of belonging that has made boarding feel like home away from home.
While I do miss certain aspects of my life in Mudgee, such as my mum’s cooking and my dad’s barbecues, being at Pymble has allowed me to embrace new routines and find joy in the little things. One of the things I particularly enjoy is taking long sunrise walks, appreciating the beauty of nature and the peacefulness of the early mornings.
In summary, Boarding at Pymble has provided me with a wealth of new experiences and pathways for personal growth. It has allowed me to form deep connections, develop valuable skills, and create lasting memories. I am grateful for the opportunities that boarding has presented and look forward to continuing this transformative journey.
Boarder of the Week
Alice Gall joined us from Moree in Term 1 this year. Since her arrival, she has made Boarding at Pymble so much richer just by being her. Like so many Boarders before her, Alice felt the distance between Pymble and home when she first arrived, but she has demonstrated resilience and strength of character every day as she heads out the door.
Alice is a model Boarder, consistently demonstrating a strong sense of integrity and responsibility. She is kind, considerate and goes out of her way to look out for those around her. Her room is always beautifully kept and her uniform is immaculate. She is punctual and uses her study time to her advantage. Alice has stepped up to any challenge presented with determination and a calm and measured attitude.
We can’t wait to see what she does in years to come!
Save the Date
8 September – Pymble in Orange
15 September – Boarder Parent Group meeting and Community Event – all Boarders required to be in attendance
16 September – Garden Party
20 September – Year 12 Boarder and parent celebration
21 September – Year 11 and 12 Speech Day and Valedictory Dinner
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding