From the Boarding School
Boarders’ Chapel is a regular special occasion for our Boarding family and our service on Tuesday was extra fabulous. Reverend Karen had organised a special pyjamas and oodies evening and we all enjoyed the opportunity to be in true comfort in our much loved Chapel.
We were lucky to be joined by Pastor Michaela Antill-Cassie who is already famous for her fun ice breakers and has now revealed herself as musician extraordinaire. Of course, our beloved Reverend Punam Bent and Mrs Edwina O’Brien who were there too, joining in the joy with all of us. I am so grateful to these women who take the time to plan not only engaging services but also the opportunity for reflection and peacefulness.
Meet our new Spirit House Captains
On Tuesday night we announced our Spirit House Captains for the 2023-2024 year. While our Day school students have membership to eight ‘Houses’ our Boarders are members of one of four of these Houses, Goodlet, Marden, Hammond and Lang, also known as ‘Spirit Houses’. There are two Spirit House Captains for each Spirit House and these girls are charged with engaging the entire Boarding community in the various events and activities that take place throughout the year in addition to promoting and fostering school spirit and the College values – Care, Courage, Integrity, Respect and Responsibility. I am delighted with our team for the new year and cannot wait to see what these young women will bring to our Boarding family.
Congratulations to the following Spirit House Captains:
Goodlet House: Alice Beveridge and Celeste McDermont
Hammond House: Evie Leahy and Jemma Hodder
Lang House: Sophie Lang and Aleathea Levy
Marden House: Dezi Magaan Jones and Nandika Singh
Love It – Mrs White Deputy Director of Boarding
Last weekend was spectacular in terms of weather and the Boarders made the most of it. Year 8 enjoyed a picnic at the Balmoral on Friday evening. The Boarders delighted in the chance to have a twilight swim and enjoy their evening meal together. On Saturday evening 24 Boarders head to Wahroonga Park for the Twilight Concert. The Boarders were joined by the boys from Knox and enjoy the tunes under the stars.
This weekend we are welcoming out new Year 7’s for 2024 with an outing to Manly on Friday with some of the newly appointed Big Sisters. There will be a trip to the Kirribilli Markets on Saturday and our Boarding Brothers from Knox will join us on Sunday afternoon for our annual Halloween Trick for Treat event.
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Jade George. I am 12 years old, and I come from Waibene on Thursday Island which is between Horn Island and Hammond island. Thursday Island is 2,745 km from Sydney and it takes me four hours to get there by plane. In 2021 there were 2,805 people living on the island.
Outside my window, on the horizon I see the beautiful ocean and the huge lush Green Island in the distance. I also see little kids running around the beach, chasing crabs and the lovely chilli plant next to the pink desert flower.
Back at home, there used to be an old industry of pearl divers, which made so much money but stopped because of the lives that were lost to the creatures of the deep. Now at the cemetery at Thursday Island lies a valley of Japanese pearl divers.
My family consists of my Dad (Joseph), Mum (Ayesha) and my two sisters and two brothers (Aaliyah, 17),(Chantay, 15), (Jared, 14),(Joseph, 1). My two sisters board at St Margaret’s in Brisbane and my two brothers are schooled at home.
In my spare time I love to swim at the beach, play basketball with my sisters and go fishing – I always catch the biggest fish (parrot fish, snapper and coral trout). I also love to walk to oval with my friends to play footy. On Thursday island, It’s hot all the time and when I moved here to Sydney, I had to buy winter clothes for the first time. The best thing was getting ugg boots.
My favourite food at home is my mum’s chicken curry with yellow rice and for my birthday, and we often cook turtle on the barbecue. The Internet is not great at home so we have if we want to watch TV we have to watch free to air. I have responsibilities at home – looking after my brother who is one. I love to play with him and I am his favourite. I also have to help with cleaning the house before I am allowed to go anywhere.
Coming to Pymble has been a big change for me but I have made many friends and I am excited about what the future holds.
Boarder of the Week
Congratulations to our wonderful Addison (Addi) Seeto who, as our Head of Year 9 Beth Ayling writes, was an easy choice for our Boarder of the Week.
It’s hard to believe that this is the first time Addi has been awarded Boarder of the Week. Addi is our beautiful, happy Year 9 Boarder who hails from Papua New Guinea. Addi and her family are a Pymble institution and it’s easy to see why. Addi is never without a smile on her face. She is friendly, considerate and inclusive of all those around her. Her natural warmth and magnetic personality means others naturally gravitate towards her to enjoy her company. Addi has a busy schedule, however she always takes the time to greet staff and chat to us about our day. Her room is kept beautifully neat and she’s organised and punctual. Addi is always keen to share both her successes and her frustrations with us. She leans on those around her for comfort and, in turn, supports others when they need it. She’s truly a delight to have as part of our Boarding sisterhood.
Save the Dates
Wednesday 25 October to Wednesday 1 November – Year 9 and 10 Examination Week
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