From the Boarding School
There is a special bond that unites boarders, whether they be our Pymble girls or boarders from other schools. Bringing our Boarders together is a key component of our Love It program, with Pymble hosting numerous events throughout the year. Our Annual Year 7 to 9 Social is always a huge hit with schools including Abbotsleigh, Ravenswood, Loreto and Ascham, along with a host of local boys’ schools.
Most recently, our Year 9 Boarders caught up with their counterparts from Shore School and in the weeks to come, we have organised catch ups with Newington and Knox Grammar School. Our Boarders always look forward to these occasions and there is nothing like seeing Boarders who join us from small primary schools reunited with their former school mates, often miles away from where they first met.
Latiah does us proud (again!)
The Bush Summit spans across six regional locations in Australia: Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia. Political leaders and policy makers were joined by regional leaders to discuss key issues including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, cost of living, crime and education. We were delighted that Year 11 Boarder, Latiah was invited to represent students and I hope you enjoy reading the following recount of her experiences.
Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Bush Summit which was held in Orange. There I Acknowledged County and also spoke about my educational journey. I spoke about growing up in a small town and how that posed barriers to extending my learning opportunities and how through these barriers I was able to find AIEF and then be introduced to Pymble where I’ve been a Boarder for the last four years. I was able to share part of my story in the hope of provoking change, enabling many more kids who are in my position to have the opportunity to go to a school like Pymble.
I grateful to be able to listen to the challenges being faced by rural and remote communities and see firsthand just how much people in their communities’ care about the safety and growth of their homes. I was able to meet people in powerful positions including the Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, The Education Minister, Jason Clare, as well as editors and the production team of Daily Telegraph who hosted the event. This was an opportunity that I have been very much grateful for as it was an eye-opening experience and gave me the push to keep advocating for the change and development of our homes back in the bush.
Boarders’ Parent Group Meeting
Our Term 3 Boarders’ Parent Group meeting takes place on Friday 20 September, commencing at 2.00pm in Lang House. This is your chance to hear about the latest developments in Boarding. You will be finished just in time to greet your daughter as she arrives home from school. Please click here to read the agenda for the meeting.
And why not cap off a great day with a night out with our Boarding family? I am delighted to say that we have had a great response to the Press Club event but there is always room for more. Please click the following link to join in the fun.
For those of you who are keen to make the most of the evening, Edwina Beveridge has booked a table at the Butcher’s Block Wahroonga. Please let Edwina know if you would like to join in by email at edwina@blantyrefarms.com.au.
Garden Party Ready!
Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help on the day or delivered produce to the various Boarding Houses. We are keen to have as much local produce as possible – honey, jams, fruit, seeds, nuts, cotton, herbs, flowers, cakes and slices, etc. Any non-perishable items can be delivered directly to your daughter’s Boarding House and we will make sure they are stored safely ready for Garden Party day. Fresh items can be brought directly to the produce stall on the day of the Garden Party.
Love It – Katie White, Deputy Director of Boarding
As mentioned above, we had a lovely catch up with the Year 9 Shore boarders last weekend and we can’t wait to welcome Year 9 to 11 boarders from Newington this week.
Last weekend, the Boarders from Avonmoore enjoyed a pizza evening with their day girl friends and the Goodlet girls headed our thrift shopping with Mrs Myles on Sunday.
As Garden Party is approaching, we are starting to get our Boarders working on items for the stall, from Rocky Road in Boarders Get Baking, to candle making this weekend in Avonmoore. On Sunday, Mardi and Danielle will be taking 22 Boarders to Sister Act – The Musical.
Eat Like a Boarder
Please accept the invitation to join our Boarding family for a meal on Monday 15 October at 6.00pm, when you return your girls from the term 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 Friday 27 September.
The Press Club
Just a reminder to sign up for our next Boarding Community Event, to be held on 20 September, the eve of the Garden Party. Following the Boarder Parent Group meeting and some last-minute Garden Party preparations, join our Boarding parents for a dinner at the Butchers Block at Wahroonga before heading to the Warrawee Club for an evening of live music and dancing. All Boarders are required to be in attendance on this night and we hope our families can join in the fun too.
View From My Window
My name is Dimity, I am a Year 7 student and have started Boarding this year. I live on a small property with my parents, Ben and Tiffany, and younger brother, Rocky. I have an older brother, Frankie, who also boards in Sydney at the Kings School in Year 8. I also have an older sister, Allie, who lives in Orange. I live just outside of Walgett, it is near the Queensland border and about eight-and-a-half hours from Sydney. Walgett is the place where the two rivers meet: the Namoi and Barwon.
When I look outside my window, I can see a massive dam full of water. I normally see my brothers racing on their motorbike in the paddock. In the holidays we love to go down to the river for a swim or a fish. We also love to ride our motorbikes up and down the driveway.
I love living in Walgett as it is a small community and everyone gets along. While I grew up in a wide open space it was very different for me to come to a very large city and board. While I love being at home, coming back to boarding after holidays is very fun as it is my home away from home and I get to experience the differences.
Boarder of the Week
Latiah joined us from Dubbo in Year 8, 2021, and she has been a bright and spirited member of our Boarding family ever since. She is kind, considerate and shows empathy to those around her.
Latiah is well-organised and demonstrates dedication and commitment to her studies. She wears her uniform with pride and keeps her living space neat and tidy as her sanctuary. Latiah is a proud Gamilaroi woman and always takes the opportunity to celebrate her culture and share it with those around her.
Just this term, she addressed the audience at The Bush Summit in Orange, she participated in the AISNSW Wingara Student Leadership Event, attended Garma Festival in Arnhem Land and sang the National Anthem to open the Isolated Children and Parents Association’s Federal Conference.
And while on that last point, it would be remiss not to make mention of Latiah’s exquisite singing voice which she so willingly shares at both Boarding and day-school events. Latiah has worked hard to become a Boarder that those others around her can look up to.
Her maturity, resilience and good humour have ensured that she is strong role model for her Boarding sisters. We love having her as part of our Marden family and look forward watching what she does as she enters her final year at Pymble.
Save the Date
20 September – Boarders and their Families event (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
21 September – Garden Party
24 September – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel and Farewell to Year 12 Boarders (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
26 September – Year 12 Boarder and Parents’ celebration event (Year 12 Boarders and parents only)
27 September – Year 11 and 12 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day
Term 4
14 October – Boarders return from 2.00pm
18 October – Boarding lockdown and evacuation drill (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
Term 4 TBA – Mother Daughter Lunch
4 December – Year 7 to 10 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day
Boarder Parent Group Meetings
20 September – 2.30pm onsite
24 October – 7.00pm TEAMS meeting
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding