From the Boarding School
It has been quieter week and the opportunity to reflect on another wonderful Boarders’ Week. There were a few events at the end of the week which I didn’t have a chance to share and they certainly deserve a special mention.
Our Head Boarders, Sophie and Celeste, had the wonderful idea of starting a new tradition with our local friends – the Knox Grammar School Boarders. The Inaugural Boarders’ Week Senior and Junior Interschool Challenge Cup was born and what followed was a fabulous Thursday evening of fun, sporting prowess and friendship.
While our Year 7, 8 and 9 Boarders headed to Knox for dinner and games with their counterparts, the Year 10,11 and 12 Knox Boarders joined us for dinner followed by a hotly contested netball game. In both cases, we were very narrowly defeated but also incredibly gracious and we look forward to the cups returning to Pymble as this tradition continues in 2026.
We were also grateful to have the various schools host us for morning tea. The offices were beautifully decorated in pink and the food delicious. A special shout out to Mrs Budd, Deputy Head of Middle School, who always joins in the fun including dressing up on theme.
The last day of Boarders’ Week was our chance to give back with the Boarders running a sausage sizzle to raise funds for Her Village Foundation and Mahboba’s Promise. Special thanks to Dr Kim Bunny and Science teacher extraordinaire for supporting the girls so generously.
Boarders’ Week really is a special time for us and I am grateful to everyone who cares for our Boarders every day and especially for the outpouring of love during Boarders’ Week. My special thanks goes to our Deputy Director of Boarding, Ms Theresa Mimmo, who worked tirelessly to coordinate the entire week along with the support of our Boarding Administration Co-ordinator, Ms Laurel Foley, and our fabulous Boarder Prefects and Spirit House Captains. I hope you enjoy the video which captures just some of the magic.
Year 12 Trivia Night
One of the highlights of the Year 12 calendar is the Trivia Night. Our Year 12 Boarders make the most of the opportunity to dress up for this special event and our Boarding staff enjoy all the fuss and fun that goes into getting ready. As always, Anne Graham, Head of Lang House, captured the spirit perfectly.
Pymble goes west!
It is always a treat to visit families on their home ‘turf’ and the Boarding Expos are the perfect opportunity to meet current, past and prospective families and to share the joys of life at Pymble.
Last weekend I was in Dubbo with our Deputy Principal, Lamia Rockwell, Head of Marden House, Danielle Pringle, Director of Enrolments, Clair Stock, and Enrolments Manager, Kylie Campbell. It was lovely to meet a great range of people at the Expo and celebrate together on Friday evening with a gathering of families and friends at Press Dubbo.
My special thanks go to our Relationships Manager, Jackie Garment, who sadly was unable to join us but still managed to ensure all the groundwork was in place to guarantee a successful event. Thank you also to Year 10 Boarder Alexandra (Ally) who represented the Boarders so perfectly.
Meet our newest (and youngest!) BRC members
The Boarders’ Representative Council (BRC) is integral to the success of our Boarding community and is charged with the following core accountabilities:
- building and sustaining the sense of community within Boarding;
- advising of concerns and recommending improvements and initiatives on behalf of all Boarders; and
- demonstrating and promoting the College values through exemplary leadership.
The council meets fortnightly and are ably led by our Head Boarders, Sophie and Celeste. This term we are delighted to welcome two of our Year 7 Boarders, Alexis (Lexi) and Molly, to the BRC. These Boarders join the following BRC members: Camilla (Milla) and Quinn (Year 8), Sasha and Stella (Year 9), Poppy and Leander (Year 10), Summer and Millie (Year 11).
Love It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
After a busy week, we all enjoyed a quiet start to the weekend. Year 8 spent time together in Goodlet House on Friday night. With the poor weather continuing during the weekend, on Saturday several girls were able to go shopping or to the movies together.
The pool was also available to Boarders, which was taken up by several to expel energy. There was a lot of excitement on Sunday for our long-awaited trip to see Annie the Musical. The girls were attentive and entertained by the show. They especially liked when the dog, Sandy, ran across the stage, with a loud ‘Aww!’ coming from our Boarders.
This weekend we look forward to Year 11 enjoying a pizza night, Vivid commencing and wish our Boarders good luck who are participating in the Balmoral Burn on Sunday.
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Emmy, and I’m from Burren Junction. It is a small town seven to eight hours northwest of Sydney. I live on a farm which is 9,000 hectares with my mum and dad. I also have another farm in Walgett which is 1,400 hectares. I have a cat named Smokey and a dog named Bolt.
My Boarding journey started last year in Year 7, and even though it was a rough start, I now enjoy every minute of it. For me it was a huge jump, since I had come from a school with 40 kids, seven kids in my year, and everything was pretty easy to understand. English first period, maths the second period, and history or sport last.
But now I had five periods, so many teachers, and especially way more new faces than I expected. I missed my old friends and our old jokes, and everything I had in my primary years. It took time to adjust, but over time I eventually found my feet, I hardly get homesick anymore and the new faces turned into some of the greatest, down-to-earth friends I’ve ever met.
Boarding has also made me way more independent, and I have learned important life skills from it already. Even though sometimes it can be hard, my Boarding sisters are always there to support me through thick and thin.
When I look out my window, I see green grass and tall trees casting shadows over the dusty brown weeds. I see the bulls and steers eating some of the plants, and occasionally a kangaroo or two will hop inside the yard. Sometimes I spot really good sunsets out my window, and sunrises if I get up early. I always enjoy coming back to Boarding to see all my friends after a long break at home.
Boarder of the Week
Skye joined us from Cudal in 2024 and has been a wonderful addition to our Pymble Boarding Family. She is caring, considerate and kind and ensures everyone feels included and valued. She is a superstar hockey player and rower, and is dedicated and committed to every task she undertakes. Skye is well organised, always on top of her homework and willing to help others during our Learn It program. She is always ready for a chat, is polite and thoroughly enjoys her downtime with the Year 8s on the Goodlet Balcony.
Skye was passionate and engaged during Boarders’ Week and was instrumental in decorating Goodlet House. Goodlet transformed into a ‘sea of pink’ with Skye’s encouragement and enthusiasm. She was on the sidelines cheering for the Boarders throughout the week during lunch time activities. We are blessed to have Skye at Pymble and congratulate her on a well-deserved Boarder of the Week.
Save the Date
Thursday 29 May – Boarder Parent Group (BPG) online meeting 7.00pm
Friday 30 May – Boarder Parent Drinks, 7.00pm
Saturday 31 May – First Nations Round of Sport
Wednesday 4 June – Boarders’ Jersey Day
Sunday 1 June – Boarders’ Colour Run, 10.00am and 3.00pm:
Wednesday 4 June – Boarders’ Jersey Day
Friday 6 June – Long Weekend Boarders’ Travel Day**
Monday 9 June – Boarders return from 5.00pm
Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 June – Boarding Schools Expo, Griffith
Friday 20 to Saturday 21 June – Boarding Schools Expo, Wagga Wagga
Tuesday 24 June – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service*
Friday 27 June – End of Term 2 Boarders’ Travel Day**
* All Boarders required to be in attendance, no leave during this time.
** All Boarders to be collected by 4.00pm.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding