From the Boarding School

From the Boarding School

It is always such a joy to welcome new Boarders to our super-sized Boarding family and the day our new Year 7s arrive for their first sleepover is always extra special. Last Friday was no exception and we were delighted to be joined by 14 of our 2025 Year 7s.

The day began with a catch up in Marden House before the future Year 7s headed off for an adventure in the city with their Big Sisters, Mrs Katie White, Mr Ray Howells (Head of Year 7 2024) and Mrs Kathryn Weidemann (Boarders Get Baking Extraordinaire). Train cancellations and wet weather were no match for our determined posse and the Boarders enjoyed familiarising themselves with the Sydney public transport network along with a great Ten Pin Bowling session, a tour of Barangaroo, followed by a mandatory ice cream! Meanwhile, our families remained back on campus where they met key staff and enjoyed a presentation on getting ready for Boarding.

And as if that wasn’t enough, our new recruits had a lovely afternoon making Halloween treats at Boarders Get Baking. A fabulous day culminated with a sleepover in Marden House.

A Spooky Tuesday

Our beautiful Boarding Houses were all set to scare on 31 October and it was lovely to have our youngest Pymble students visit for a healthy dose of trick or treating. Of course, our Boarders didn’t miss out either and we were incredibly grateful to one of our day school families who delivered a beautifully bagged bounty of treats for every one of our Boarders. And, while the treats are delicious and dress ups are fun, it is the thoughtfulness, generosity and kindness of the good people of Pymble that has made our Halloween so special.

Keeping Up With Our Boarders

Thank goodness we have moved into the warmer months. But if you are harking for the cooler times with a good dose of Boarding banter – please click here and take the time to leaf through our winter edition of Keeping Up With Our Boarders.

Commonwealth Regional Scholarship Information

The Commonwealth Regional Scholarship Program is an initiative of the Australian Government delivering scholarships to students from regional, rural and remote communities to assist with the costs of attending a boarding school.

The Commonwealth Regional Scholarship provides –

  • Assistance to eligible students from rural, regional and remote areas with a contribution towards boarding fees, in order to provide a quality education option where local alternatives may not exist or be suitable. 
  • Additional financial support to families who are unable to afford the full cost of boarding school fees and associated costs even with existing government support, with the intention to reduce families’ financial contribution towards boarding school fees; and
  • A supported boarding school experience for students and families from low socioeconomic status backgrounds or those experiencing financial hardship.

Scholarships for up to 6 years are offered to successful applicants who are commencing or undertaking secondary school education in Australia in 2024 and be able to provide proof of enrolment in an eligible boarding school or facility.

The following scholarships will be available from 2024 –

  • Tier 1 – Scholarships of $20,000 p.a. per student, for students from low-income families 
  • Tier 2 – Scholarships of $10,000 p.a. per student, for students from low-to-middle income families experiencing financial hardship.

More information and eligibility criteria can be found by clicking here.

Love It – Mrs White Deputy Director of Boarding

Last weekend was a little quieter as many of the Boarders were studying for their exams.  With exams now over we can’t wait to have some fun this weekend.  On Tuesday night this week our Year 10 Boarders were invited to Newington for a Halloween social. The Boarders enjoyed a meal and a movie together.  It was a lovely chance to catch up with the boys from Newington. It is Year 9’s turn this Friday to head to Balmoral for dinner and a swim. We have a trip to the beach planned on Saturday afternoon and then Sunday we will be heading to sculptures by the sea. It’s been a few years since we last went to this exhibition and by all reports this year is just spectacular. 

View From My Window

My name is Alex Reardon I am a Year 8 student and I have boarded at Pymble since the beginning of Year 7. I live on a farm just outside of Moree, New South Wales, just an hour away from the Queensland border. I live with my parents, Dan and Bec, and my two brothers, Hugh and Angus. My grandparents, Ian and Jackie, live only two kilometres away, which gives me easy access to the ice creams in their freezer!

The thing I love most about home is having a whole 10,000 acres to myself to go on afternoon runs with my dog and just enjoy fresh air. On our farm we have plenty of sheep, two horses (Chicksy and Shadow), two dogs (Coco and Timmy) and a cat named Puden. My cat lies on the front veranda all day, where as Coco spends most of her time helping Mum with the gardening, and annoying Timmy on the chain.

Coming home for the holidays is definitely one of my favourite things, although Moree is a long eight hour car ride from Pymble. During the holidays I also spend most of my time picking up sticks across the paddocks in 40 degree heat, that’s really not one of my favourite thing to do. However, I have recently saved myself from that misery, and started a new job at a clothes store in town.

When I look out my window I see the wheat and barley growing in the paddocks, trucks and tractors carting off grain, and my dad’s large shed blocking the sunset. I try to make the most out of the short two week holidays, spending time with my family, catching up with old friends and just enjoying myself as much as possible.

Boarder of the Week

Congratulations to our Boarder of the Week, the fabulous Charlotte Craig who joined us in Year 10 from Mullaley at the start of this year. Charlotte is a kind, thoughtful, lively and friendly member of our Boarding family. She wears her uniform with pride and keeps an immaculate room.

A representative netball player who trains hard, Charlotte still finds time to contribute to our Boarding family and has already proven herself to be an outstanding ‘big sister’. Charlotte always works hard in the Evening Study Program and is generous in helping out around Goodlet House. She is much loved by her fellow Boarders for all these wonderful traits, with the added bonus of her excellent sense of humour.

Save the Dates

Tuesday 28 November – End of Year Chapel Service and Boarding Christmas Party (all Boarders required to be in attendance)

Wednesday 6 December – Year 7 to 10 Speech Day (all Boarders required to be in attendance)

Wednesday 6 December – Boarders’ travel afternoon (following Speech Day)

Carolyn Burgess

Head of Boarding