From the Boarding School
Our Boarding family certainly know how to celebrate and this last week they out did themselves. Our Press Club event on Friday was a fantastic evening of catching up, dancing and lots of singing at the Warrawee Club. Our cover band, Press Club, was a real hit and they were especially gracious, encouraging our talented Boarders to join the band and perform. A special shout out to the incredible Ella Mitchell who drummed her heart out with absolutely no warning, the actual drummer was ready to retire! And the talent didn’t end there, with fabulous dancing from our families, especially Denzil Peters who, hands down, took out the award for the best dancer of the night. At the end of the evening, I was met with a barrage of requests to immediately book the band for next year. Success!
Garden Party
I think it’s fair to say we excelled ourselves at this year’s Garden Party. The Marden Lawn was dressed fit for a spread in ‘Country Style’. A laden produce stall, the absolutely gorgeous bread and flour stand, the fabulous Hillybilly Cider Bar, gourmet pork rolls and stunning signage all helped to ensure the Boarder Produce stall was ‘best in show’ on the day. My favourite, however, was the strong sense of community that shone through, from the ‘uniform’ of pink aprons to the last drinks on Marden Lawn at 6.00pm – it was truly heartwarming to have our Boarding Family together on this special day.
Of course, there was much planning in the lead up and my huge thanks goes to our Boarder Parent Group President, Edwina Beveridge, and Garden Party Co-ordinator extraordinaire, Kylie Levy, who led the formidable committee of Tessa McLaughlin, Tara Taubenschlag, Treen Barwick, Edwina Payne, Cath Payne, Tam Warren and Prue Paris to ensure the day was a huge hit. None of it would have been possible without the many donations from our families and we are all very grateful for the hometown specialities you shared so generously. It really was a fabulous effort and it is great to know that all profits will go to the Boarder Parent Scholarship Fund. I know Edwina will be keen to share the financials at our next online Boarding Parent Group meeting on Thursday 19 October at 7.00pm so please do lock in this time.
Farewell Year 12
Last night we celebrated our Year 12 Boarders with a beautiful dinner in our Boarders’ Dining Room. It was a fabulous night of reminiscing and acknowledging the wonderful contributions of these special girls. It is an understatement to say they are exceptional. They are kind, fun loving and hard working young women and I am beyond grateful to our families who have entrusted them to our care. We all wish them well as they prepare for their final examinations and head off on their next adventure.
Planning for 2024
Plans are well underway for our move to vertical boarding for our Year 8 to 11 Boarders in 2024. To assist us in this endeavour, I ask our Year 7 to 11 Boarding families to complete the following survey by the end of the month, it should not take more than five minutes of your time. I also ask that you send through any questions or comments as part of the survey and, as always, encourage you to call me if you would like to discuss any matter relating to your daughter.
Parent Survey 2024 Arrangements
Congratulations to our CIS Champions!
I am delighted to share the success of our Boarders at the CIS Athletics Championships held at SOPAC on Wednesday. Our pocket rocket Eleanor (Nell) Ramsay also brought home gold, triumphing in the 12 years Shot Put while fellow Year 7 Boarder, Madeleine (Mads) Gaden placed second Junior girls relay. Despite carrying a significant injury to her foot, Grace Peters excelled in her events earning gold in the 15 years Shot Put and Discus. Lana Pike, in the sweltering heat, placed third in the 800 meters event. Congratulations to our Boarders we are so proud of you!
Our Pink Ladies
Pink Ladies are special people in the lives of our Boarders who go out of their way to make our time in Boarding easier, happier and much more connected.
Our Term 3 staff recipient is the very deserving Mr Grant Jackson who is a fabulous friend to our Boarding family. As Co-ordinator of Agriculture, Mr Jackson actively promotes careers in rural industries and environments, visiting Boarding families around the state and taking an interest in all that we do. He always keeps a special eye out for our Boarders and they enjoy the structures he set up in Cattle Club and the beautiful environment of the Agriculture Plot.
Most recently, with the support of the very generous Cloros and Hassall day school families, Mr Jackson organised a series of fabulous raffle prizes for the Garden Party which resulted in over $3000 in funds being donated to the Boarding Parent Scholarship Fund. Most importantly Mr Jackson always finds time for our Boarders and is a valued mentor and sounding board.
There were multiple Pink Lady awards for our students with our Year 12 Boarders bestowing this honour our entire Year 12 cohort. As Head Boarders, Amarley Bron and Abigail (Abby) Ballhausen said “we are so grateful to our Day School friends who over the last 6 years have shown us immeasurable kindness – picking us up, driving us around, feeding us and providing a lovely home environment for us to stay. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you!”
Eat like a Boarder – don’t forget to sign up
I hope you can join us for dinner on Monday 9 October at 6.00pm, when you return your girls from the Term 3 break. This will be the ‘real’ experience, with you being able to enjoy the regular dinner service, just as the girls do each evening. If you would like to join us please rsvp to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au by no later than Thursday 29 September.
Happy Holidays!
It has been a busy and productive term and I am sure you are all looking forward to some special family time. Thank you for your support and generosity in sharing your beautiful girls with us. Every good wish for a happy, safe and relaxing break and I look forward to welcoming back you and your daughter from 2.00pm on Monday 9 October.
Save the Date
Monday 9 October – Boarders return from 2.00pm
Monday 9 October – Eat Like a Boarder 6.00pm
Thursday 19 October – Boarder Parent Group Microsoft Teams meeting 7.00pm
Tuesday 28 November – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service and Celebration 5.00pm
Wednesday 6 December – Year 7 to 10 Speech Day
Wednesday 6 December – Last Day of school and Boarders’ Travel Day (following Speech Day)
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding