From the Boarding School

Speech Day is always a wonderful way to end the year, a fitting celebration of the fabulous achievements of the Pymble community. Every one of our Boarders deserves to be congratulated on the manner in which they negotiate the challenges of living away from home. They consistently demonstrate tenacity, courage, compassion and kindness, mostly with a smile on their faces!

I was proud to see so many of our Boarders being publicly recognised for their commitment, hard work and community spirit. This year we introduced a new award, The Boarders’ Academic Endeavour Prize, which is awarded to a Middle School and Upper School Boarder who has demonstrated committed to their studies and growth in their academic results. I was delighted to see these inaugural prizes awarded to Gianna Pang (Year 8) and Isabelle Burke (Year 9).

Given the size of our Boarding cohort, it was wonderful to see the Boarders so well represented in the pool of awards. Congratulations to the following Boarders who were awarded Speech Day awards.

Year 7

Daysie Leahy – Hammond House Award

Emmelene Moore – Endeavour Award

Sarah Lee Swan Cole – Endeavour Award

Year 8

Harriett Lisle – Religion and Ethics

Gianna Pang – Boarders’ Academic Endeavour Award

Year 9

Isabelle Burke – Boarders’ Academic Endeavour Award

Annika Maslin – Endeavour Award

Alexandra Warren – Endeavour Award

Year 10

Joanna Au – Citizenship Award

Jaidey Samuelsson – First Nations Studies

Allegra Taubenschlag – Residential Program Award

Year 11

Lily Barlow – Bronze Medallion

Lola Barwick – Bronze Medallion

Boa Kim – Academic Distinction

Sophie Laing – Citizenship Award

Lana Pike – Silver Medallion

Grace Townsend – Academic Distinction and Silver Medallion

Our House Trophies

The Boarding House trophies were also announced on Wednesday and it is a pleasure to share the background of these almost ancient competitions with the wider Pymble community. Our oldest trophy, the Angus Cup was first introduced in 1929 with points being awarded for sport, singing, drama, debating and essay writing. We have been a little more liberal with additional points for beautiful bedrooms, lots of handball championships, the odd board game and even some ‘Just Dance’. I am delighted to announce Lang House as the winner of the Angus Cup for 2024.

Dating back to 1960, the Boarders’ House Cup for Excellence in Physical Education is awarded to the Spirit House who scored the highest points for representation in sporting teams. Our 2024 winner is Goodlet House.

It’s no surprise that the Boarders’ House Sports Cup is all about interhouse sporting and team events. Congratulations to Marden House who are the worthy recipients this year.

Lastly, the Foundation Shield records the winners of the day school verses Boarders swimming competitions since 1927. This year our Boarders have been victorious, defeating the day girls. Our Head Boarders, Celeste and Sophie, were delighted to collect the Shield.

Congratulations to our new Boarders’ Representative Council team

Boarder voice is super important in helping us maintain a happy, healthy home where wellbeing is a priority. There are a variety of forums in which our Boarders can provide feedback; most significantly our Boarders’ Representative Council (BRC) is key in providing student voice and enhancing the boarding experience for all.

There are two BRC representatives from each year group and these girls have the responsibility of representing the views of their cohort and feeding back outcomes from matters raised.

I am delighted to announce the following BRC members for 2025:

Year 9 Sasha Paris and Stella Walsh

Year 10: Poppy Barwick and Leander McLaughlin

Year 11: Summer Phillips and Millie Sutcliffe.

These Boarders will be joining Quinn Parry-Okeden and Camilla Metcalfe and our Prefect team as wonderful advocates for our Boarding community.

Special thanks to our 2024 outgoing members: Emma Roberts, Madeleine Gaden, Annika Maskin, Phoebe Pockley, Addison Seeto and Rose Kirkby who have made a tremendous contribution. And huge congratulations to our newest elected members.

Important Dates

Please also make a special note of our 2025 dates, in particular, note the dates highlighted in pink. These include Community Days and important safety sessions that all Boarders are required to attend.

A huge thank you

Lastly, and most importantly, my heartfelt thanks for sharing your beautiful girls with us. It is a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of their lives and watch them grow and develop into caring, giving and capable young women.

Every good wish for a happy, safe and family-filled festive season.