From the Boarding School
Friday evening was a wonderful celebration our Boarding family with the opening of Avonmoore followed by Icebreaker.
As you know, Avonmoore is our newest boarding house and home to our 16, Year 7 Boarders. It was wonderful to hear them recount their favourite things about the house with air conditioning, a comfy lounge and lots of friends featuring highly. We were also honoured to have ex-principal and inaugural Avonmoore resident Mrs Gillian Moore and her family join us at this special event along with the Chair of the College Board, Mr Chris Fydler and the wider Pymble family.
The opening of Avonmoore was followed by the College Icebreaker and I am delighted to report that we had more than 50 Boarding families in attendance! It was a great chance to catch up and make new friends. A highly successful ‘post’ Icebreaker at Pymble Pub followed and by all reports it was a fabulous night.
Welcome to our BFFs
While our parents were enjoying a night together, our Boarders also took the opportunity to invite a day girl friend for dinner and fun. It was a lovely chance for our Boarders to show off their boarding ‘home’ and a great opportunity to strengthen the friendships.
Sporting Superstars
Our Boarders are a sporty bunch and we are so impressed by their commitment and expertise. Sunday was the culmination of the Rowing season and we couldn’t be prouder of the tenacity and dedication that our rowing Boarders have demonstrated over more than two terms. It was also lovely to see our non-competing Boarders living Pymble Pulse and supporting the team.
This was followed by the Cross Country on Monday and it was great to see our Boarders leading the way again. Special congratulations to the following Boarders who placed in the event including Lana Pike and Quinn Parry Okenden. We look forward to supporting these girls as they participate at igsa in Term 2.
On Wednesday we celebrated the talent Kawane sisters, with Giselle (Year 12) and Sophia (Year 9) competing at Tildesley Tennis. Sophia played exceptionally well and made it to the third round. Giselle also played incredibly well and was knocked out of the fifth round of the tournament in a hard-fought match. Well done Giselle and Sophia!
Loving Love It – Mrs White Deputy Director of Boarding
Last weekend BFF and invite a day girl event was well attended. The Boarders who invited Day Girls were treated to a pizza night. The day girls always love this opportunity and it is something that we will try to do each term. On Saturday afternoon a trip to Chatswood and Max Brenner was a highlight as was the trip to Wylie’s Baths on Sunday. This weekend we are looking forward to seeing the Addams Family production on Saturday evening and then heading to Watsons Bay on Sunday. The previously planned trip to Manly has been postponed due to the State Surf Life Saving Championships being held over the weekend. We have been advised to steer clear as it will be busy.
We are also excited to announce that we have secured 20 tickets to the Waratahs match on Saturday 16 March.
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Eleanor (Nell), and I am a Year 8 Boarder at Pymble. I come from a tiny town six hours west from Sydney, Quandialla. Quandialla has a population of about 100 people and award-winning cinematographer, Don McAlpine was born and raised there. Quandialla has a farming and railway history and still has big grain silos, a pub, a 25m pool and a school with just 15 students. The nearby Weddin Mountains have great bush walks, but the main attraction is the cave where the bush ranger, Ben Hall, hid from the police. The money which Ben Hall stole (equivalent to around $1 million dollars today!) has never been recovered and is thought to be stowed somewhere in the area. I also love the beautiful views from the Ben Hall’s walk.
I live on a farm with my mum, dad and brother Al, as well as our four kelpies Sam, Max, Bully, Bro and our puppy Jack Russel, Quinn, two horses, two cats, three chickens and 16 guinea fowl. The stock we run are sheep, cattle and goats.
When I am at home, I love to help dad on the farm along with my brother. We spend hours mustering and yard work. I love spending time with my brother going for drives and riding our motorbikes.
When I look out my window, I can see our chickens and guinea fowl running and digging up Mum’s freshly planted garden. Then I see mum tidying up the garden. The dogs in the distance are howling and my puppy is digging up everything. I can see Al starting up his motorbike with a dog on the back and dad is rounding up sheep for a long day of tagging tomorrow.
What I love about being home is spending time with my dog, Quinn and my two cats. I also love visiting the horses, visiting my neighbours on my motorbike and going for walks with the dogs. I also love the beautiful views from Ben Hall’s walk. I enjoy the peace and quiet of farm, the rainwater and watching the dogs and cats play together.
When I return to Boarding, I feel lots of different emotions, sad, nervous, excited, refreshed and excited to hear about all my friend’s holidays and what they did.
Boarder of the Week
We are so lucky to call Phoebe one of our Boarders! Currently in Year 9, she is pure delight – committed to her studies and sport, kind, inclusive and caring. She is helpful, considerate and good fun. Phoebe maintains one of the tidiest (and most stylish!) rooms in Boarding and can always be relied on to complete any task to a high standard in a timely manner. A keen participant in the Love It program, a superstar at Boarders Get Baking and an outstanding supporter of ‘Pymble Pulse’, Phoebe has the admiration of us all.
Save the Date
28 March Boarders’ Travel Day for the Easter Long Weekend
1 April Boarders return from the Easter Long Weekend from 5.00pm
9 April End of Term Chapel and Dinner for Boarders
12 April End of Term Travel Day
29 April Boarders return and Eat Like a Boarder for parents
Extra-special must-save dates!
18 and 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)
Boarder Parent Group Meetings
7 May – 7.00pm Microsoft Teams meeting
20 September – 2.30pm onsite
24 October – 7.00pm Microsoft Teams meeting
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding