From the Boarding School

It was a thrilling week poolside at Pymble last week. It was good to see our Boarders fully immersed in the events and demonstrating their prowess in the pool. Aside from many personal triumphs it was the collective power of the Boarders that made my heart sing. After a very long six years, I am delighted to report that our Year 7 to 9 and Years 10 to 12 relay teams both won the day girls verse Boarders relays! I could not be prouder of our swimmers who won the race, let me say, fairly and squarely. I am sure the fantastic cheering by our Boarders helped them win and it has been wonderful to see our Boarders embracing the theme of Pymble pulse with their own high volume war cry.

Walgett Calling

Every year one of our Boarding staff members represents Pymble at the Isolated Children’s and Parents’ Association (ICPA) Annual State Conference. This wonderful organisation is dedicated to ensuring all geographically isolated children’s educational needs and aspirations are not disadvantaged because of where they live. This year I am lucky enough to be attending the conference in Dubbo. It is always good to learn more about the challenges for our country families and to think about ways we can contribute to their endeavours.

Following on from the conference, I will be travelling on to Walgett to meet with some of our northern families. There will be a gathering at the “Sporto” on Friday night from 6.00pm and if you are in the area, I would love you to join us. Please just send me an email and let me know. Similarly, if you would like to catch up somewhere else in the region, please let me know. I am sure we can make it work.

We do have a number of visits planned for the year. Please see below our planned visits for 2024 and remember, we are always open to suggestions.

Icebreaker Reminder

Our annual Pymble Parent Association Icebreaker is a great opportunity for our Boarding families to get to know the wider Pymble community. For those of you who have not attended previously, the evening is organised so you can cluster in daughter’s year group or find friends amongst the gathering.

This year, Edwina Beveridge, president of the Boarder Parent Group, has organised a room at Pymble Pub following Icebreaker. The pub is just a short walk up the hill and it will be a fabulous chance to spend time with our Boarder families. It would be lovely to see as many of you there as possible. Click here to purchase tickets if you haven’t already.

Loving Love It – Mrs White

The Love It program is now in full swing, and it is great to see so many boarders engaging in the program. Last weekend, we took our Year 7s to Balmoral to enjoy a picnic dinner and share some time together on Friday evening. Our plans for Saturday night didn’t quite go to plan due to a little technology hiccup. However, blessed are the flexible, and thanks to some quick-thinking staff, we were able to shift our outdoor showing of the Taylor Swift concert into the Marden Common room. The Boarders delighted in the music and spent time making bracelets. Sunday was an action-packed day, with 20 Boarders heading to the Central Coast Aqua Park with Deb and Caroline. You will see from the photos that this event was very well received by the boarders, and they are looking forward to returning soon.

This weekend will start with a Boarders Get Baking excursion to Maggio’s in Cammeray with Mrs Burgess and Mrs Wiedermann. On Saturday evening, we will be heading to the Thornleigh Golf Centre for either some putt-putt golf or some time on the driving range, channelling our inner Tiger Woods. Fingers crossed for sunny weather on Sunday as we head to Palm Beach to check out Barrenjoey Headland, the Palm Beach Markets, and even visit the newly opened Boathouse – now called the Joey – for a milkshake.

A View From My Window

Hi everyone, my name is Rain and I’m from Hong Kong. I live in the New Territories of Hong Kong which is a bit more country-like compared to the city of Hong Kong. Living on the countryside of Hong Kong gives me a break from all the skyscrapers, buildings, and shining lights I see every day when I go out. So, it’s a nice feeling when I look out my window and the view is only of the mountains and the sky.

My favourite thing to do when I’m at home is to go up to the top floor and sit there during the sunset and let myself relax under it. But obviously, the best part of living in Hong Kong is getting to go to Disneyland all the time and getting to have the most delicious foods ever!

I have a family of four, my mum, dad, and my older brother, Hughes. Hughes is 23, and he studies overseas as well, in Austria. We don’t always go home at the same time, so my favourite time of the year is when we are both back home together with our parents. 

The person I miss the most is probably my doggy, Marshmallow. She’s a three-year-old Samoyed who loves giving out kisses and loves treats. She enjoys spending time in my room with the air conditioner on full blast. Every time I go home, she’s well-prepared and looks out from the window, waiting for my return.

I always get mixed feelings when coming back to Pymble. I really miss my family and home, but at the same time, I seem to have a wonderful time with my amazing friends here. Getting to be at Pymble is such an incredible experience, and by having lovely people around me makes it feel like a home away from home.

Boarder of the Week

Year 12 Boarder Giaan (Gee) is an incredibly supportive person – always willing to lend a hand. She shows a genuine commitment to the well-being and success of other Boarders and her willingness to say “yes” and help whenever needed makes her a wonderful part of our Boarding family.

Over the recent two days of the swimming carnival, Gee really made an impact by motivating everyone around her – she was so enthusiastic! She even had the younger Boarders engaged in helping create a fun environment making the days memorable for everyone. And Gee never has a problem with being able to laugh at herself, she does not take herself too seriously.

At the swimming carnival she dressed for the occasion in an interesting mix of pink Boarders’ colours adding a pink bra over a T-shirt which definitely channelled Margot Robbie and Barbie. She had no hesitation in jumping into the pool to swim herself being an example for any Boarder who might be hesitant or nervous about swimming. Over the carnival she encouraged others and boosted their confidence.

She has an impressive ‘can-do’ attitude to everything she approaches.

Save the Date

1 March           PPA Icebreaker followed by ‘posts’ for Boarder parents at the Pymble Pub

28 March         Boarders’ Travel Day Easter Long Weekend (Year 7 date to be confirmed)

1 April              Boarders’ return from Easter Long Weekend from 5.00pm

9 April              End of Term Chapel and Dinner

12 April            End of Term Travel Day

29 April            Boarders return and Eat Like a Boarder

Extra-special must-save dates!

18-19 May      Regional Weekend on the Hawkesbury for Boarder parents only.

25 August       Father, Daughter event

20 September           Boarders and their Families event

21 September           Garden Party

3 November              Mother, Daughter Lunch (please note revised date)

Carolyn Burgess

Head of Boarding