From the Boarding School
Yes, we know Boarders’ Week is over but it was such a happy week, I ask that you indulge us for just a few more days!
I couldn’t let the opportunity go by without thanking our wonderful day school staff for all their support of our Boarders. This was clearly evident in their efforts to decorate their offices as you will see below. Congratulations to competition winners, Middle School on their stunning display, perfectly reflecting the theme of a “patchwork of boarding”, including images of every Boarder. Upper School came in a very close second, who could go past the fabulous Farmer Dave scarecrow and the little lamb?
It was time to pay it forward on the last day of Boarders’ Week and our Boarders were out in full force for a fund-raising sausage sizzle. And, what could be better to wash down a barbeque lunch than a bottle of Bourke’s very own Splashe Cola? Our thanks to our Bourke friends for their generous donation and for bringing a bit of North West New South Wales to Pymble. We raised over $700.00 which will be donated to the Country Women’s Association. Thank you again for our Day School friends for their support.
As a final celebration of Boarders’ Week, we reflected on the diverse yet harmonious group of girls that live here on site. Year 12 Boarders, Georgina Pechan and Catrina Kong represented this perfectly in their art works that were displayed on the final day of Boarders’ Week.
Red Shield Appeal
Congratulations to Hannah Thornton, Charis So and Vanessa Yiu who gave up their Saturday to collect money for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal. The girls raised $570.00 for this very worthy cause.
Love It – Mrs Katie White, Deputy Director of Boarding
Last weekend was an action packed one. On Saturday evening, we headed to Allianz Stadium to watch the Wallaroo’s take on Fiji followed by the Waratahs take on the Drua. With two big wins, the Boarders had a wonderful time. They even managed a photo with Georgie from the Wallaroos and two Boarders were lucky enough to get a signed boot. The fun continued on Sunday with a trip to Luna Park with eight other Boarding schools to celebrate National Boarding Week. As you can see form the photos, a great time was had by all.
This weekend is an important one in the life of the College, especially for our First Nations Boarders. Our Indigenous round of sport celebrates the role that sport plays in the lives of all Australians, but particularly our First Nations People. Many of our Boarders will be representing the College in Basketball, Rugby and Football this weekend. The Boarders will be invited to attend these matches if not playing and take part in the Smoking Ceremony. On Saturday evening we will be having our first fire pit of the year down in our Yarning Circle. The girls can look forward to some quality time, stories and smores.
On Sunday this week we have over 20 Boarders lining up for the Balmoral Burn. We are so excited to participate in this wonderful event and raise money for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.
As the Boarders start to plan for the June Long Weekend, we encourage families to invite other Boarders and Day girls out to their homes. This has been a long-standing tradition and one that all the girls look forward to.
View From My Window
Hi everyone, I’m Erica Williams and currently a Year 11 Boarder. I live with my mum, dad, sister (Maggie), dog (Frieda) and a cat (Simpkin). I live in Goulburn, or as it’s better known as the place with the big sheep, which is two and a bit hours from Sydney. My family is very lucky as my grandmother owns our family holiday house on the South Coast which is where we spend half of our holidays.
Typically, when you look out my window you see a tree in the side of our yard, which is the pet’s part of our yard. When you look out of the window at the beach house you see a gravel garden and the outdoor shower, however if you look at from the kitchen you can see the ocean through some trees on the headland.
In my spare time at home, I spend time with my family and catch up with some of my friends, we go for walks along the river, stand up paddle boarding and sometimes adventuring around trying to find new things to do. When I’m at home I get to work for the small café near Maccas called Grit Café, which I spend a lot of my days at. At the coast we spend a lot of time with our friends there who are mainly from Sydney and some from Melbourne, we go on walks, swims, surf, explore the island, kayak, stand up paddle board, tan and so on during the day and have bonfires and barbecues some nights.
As much as I love being at home, I enjoy coming back to boarding as it means I get to see my friends and have many opportunities available.
Boarder of the Week
Jemma joined Pymble Boarding from Forbes at the start of this year and is lively presence in Goodlet House. Over the course of Boarders’ Week, Jemma actively encouraged her Boarding sisters to make the most of the celebrations and as always, was an excellent ambassador for our Boarding family. Jemma was also instrumental in decorating Goodlet House in the lead up for Boarders’ Week, helping Goodlet House to win the ‘best dressed House competition, with the enviable prize of a pizza dinner! In House, Jemma’s smile and friendly nature never fails to lift spirits or provide a laugh. She is always willing to assist staff or support her Boarding Sisters, which makes her a well-deserved recipient for Boarder of the Week.
Jersey Day Commemoration Chapel Service
Save the Date
Friday 26 and Saturday 27 May – Pymble in Wagga Wagga
Saturday 27 May – Pymble in Young
Saturday 27 May – Indigenous Round of Sport
Tuesday 6 June – Jersey Day Commemoration Chapel Service
Wednesday 7 June – Jersey Day
Friday 9 June – Boarders’ Long Weekend Travel Day
Monday 12 June from 5.00pm – Return to Boarding
Friday 16 June – Boarders’ Parent Group Meeting (online)
Thursday 22 June – Boarders’ End of Term Travel Day
Monday 17 July from 2.00pm – Return to Boarding Start of Term 3
Friday 4 to Sunday 6 August – Boarder Parents Regional Weekend in Mudgee
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding