From the Boarding School
It’s been a big term and Week 5, but no matter how long the term, it always feels like ‘hump’ week for us in Boarding. The pull to go home gets a bit stronger for our busy girls and commitments for school and sport seem to ramp up. During this time, we focus on supporting the girls to step away from technology, have early nights and eat good food. It is comforting to know that there are plenty of girls walking the same path and it is lovely to see the girls supporting each other along the way.
Every Tuesday night, we celebrate with Spirit House Circles, just one example of the beautiful sisterhood that we enjoy in Boarding. By way of explanation, every Boarder is a member of one of 16 vertical groups, Years 7 to 12, of Boarders, based on their Spirit House – Goodlet, Marden, Lang or Hammond House.
They join the group when they start their Boarding journey and remain with the same group throughout their time at Pymble. Eventually the ‘OG’ little girls, become the leaders of the group and it is heartwarming to see these rewarding relationships evolve.
And while we focus on early nights, an evening of footy is always a tonic for our Boarders and a worthy exception to the rule. Case in point, the State of Origin! While our Blues supporters were in the majority and jubilant in victory, our Queenslanders were a strong if slightly disappointed voice. Regardless of the outcome, not many teenagers get to enjoy this special game with 20 plus of their best mates.
Boarder Parent Group Tonight
If you are reading The College Compass at 6.55pm on Thursday, there is still time to join us online for our Term 2 Boarder Parent Group Meeting. You will hear from our President, Edwina Beveridge, along with our Head Boarders, Sophie and Celeste and our Deputy Principal, Ms Lamia Rockwell who will provide an update on the master plan. Please check your email for the Teams link.
Love It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
We have a fabulous weekend of fun lined up for the weekend, culminating in our Colour Run on Sunday. This initiative of our Boarding prefects aims to bring Boarders from local Boarding schools together on our Pymble campus. The other hope of the Prefects is to raise funds for The Country Women’s Association (CWA), with the view to directing monies towards flood victims on the Mid North Coast. With around 400 Boarders joining us on site, we are hopeful of a fun day with some good proceeds to support country families in need.
View From My Window
Hi! My name is Sahara and I’m a Year 12 Boarder from Dubbo. I have been boarding at Pymble since Year 10 2023. In Year 9 I did distance education whilst my three brothers, my parents and I travelled around Australia in a caravan.
As much as this was an amazing experience, I was very happy to live in a house with my own space afterwards! My family consists of my sister, Rori, who is turning 19 and currently living in England for a gap year, Memphis, who is turning 15, Atlantis, who is turning 9, Olympus, who is turning 7, my mum D’nelle and dad Adam – and I won’t forget my mum’s favourite child, Bella, our Blue Staffy.
We live in Dubbo, aka ‘DubVegas’, which is on the edge of town, because if we lived in town I think we would get one too many noise complaints. When I look out my window I don’t see anything because my bedroom is getting renovated, so I don’t have a window or a bedroom at the moment; however, when I look out the lounge room window I see my brothers fighting in the pool, talking to and nearly killing each other. I see my dad working on his pride and joy, his car and bikes. I see my mum talking to my dog as if she’s a person and understands what she is saying.
There isn’t much to do in Dubbo, but now I have my Ps I am an Uber driver for my friends! We usually drive around at night hoping to find the famous Rhonda Bailey roaming the streets somewhere. I love being home, spending time with my family and friends, but when the time comes to head back to school I get excited about seeing my Boarding sisters again. There are always friends flying back from Dubbo and it’s good to meet up as we head back to our home away from home.
Boarder of the Week
It is such a pleasure to have Year 10 Boarder, Edwina as a member of Marden House. Joining us last year from Culcairn, in the south-east Murray region of New South Wales, Edwina has been an exemplary Boarder since day one.
She is thoughtful, fun and 100 percent reliable. A busy young woman and talented sportswoman, Edwina successfully manages her many commitments while maintaining a perfect room and consistently demonstrating a ‘can do’ attitude.
We are always so proud to see Edwina heading off to school in immaculate uniform and delighted to welcome her ‘home’ each afternoon and to be greeted by her ear to ear grin. We feel very lucky to call her one of our Boarders!
Please share your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your idea via our online form here.
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