From the Boarding School
Gosh, we have crammed a lot into the last nine weeks! Starting off with hosting more than 400 Boarders at the Year 7 to 9 Boarders’ Social, through to an epic Boarders’ Week, Colour Run, Jersey Day, and Leadership elections, and everything in between, it has been a massive term. I think it is fair to say that we are all ready for a well-deserved break.
As always, my thanks go to you for sharing your delightful daughters with us and to the very same girls for their enthusiasm, compassion, and generosity of spirit. I have been proud of the manner in which they have shown up, sometimes stumbling over the hurdles but always picking themselves up and getting on with it with trademark resilience.
I know you will join me in thanking our wonderful Boarding staff who, as always, have worked tirelessly to support the girls in every way they can. From our Heads of House, Anne, Dan, Danielle, and Kate to our trusty Assistant Heads of House and dedicated team of casual staff, we are lucky to have such dedicated women who work tirelessly to support our Boarders. My extra special thanks go to our Deputy Director of Boarding, Theresa Mimmo, who consistently goes out of her way to provide wonderful opportunities for the girls, support staff, and ensure that Pymble is a safe and happy term time home for all. We are very lucky to have all of them!
Pymble heads for the cold country!
Most of you know one of my favourite things is to get out in the country to meet our families on their home ‘turf’. Last week, accompanied by the wonderful Jackie Garment, it was a pleasure to visit Rankin Springs, Griffith, and Wagga Wagga in the Riverina district of Southern New South Wales. While the temperature was frosty to say the least, the company was warm and welcoming, and we felt very grateful to the family of Year 7 Boarder, Zoe, who made us feel so at home at Rankin Springs.
We also attended Boarding School Expos in Griffith, and Wagga Wagga, and were happy to see current families and meet many prospective families. An extra special treat was to spend Friday evening with one of our Year 12 parents along with families that will be joining us in 2026.
Cherishing our Boarding Alumni
One of the initiatives of our Head Boarders, Celeste and Sophie, has been to invite members of our Alumni to our fortnightly Chapel services. It has been wonderful to have glimpses of times gone by and to pick up on some common themes. On Tuesday night, the Boarders were captivated by ex-Head Boarder (1983), Julie Pilcher (Frost). As you will read below, Julie shared stories of Angus Cup challenges, long-term times, and no leave! It was especially heart warming to hear Julie reflecting on the wonderful qualities that Boarding helped her develop.
My first thought when Celeste contacted me was how on earth could I possibly be interesting to a chapel full of beautiful young women in 2025 at age 60? But the more I pondered on it the more I figured that having an understanding of the past can help you shape the future and personal stories can be far more impactful, thoughtful and relevant than reading the history books or looking at the names on the wall in the hall – is the hall even still there?
There has been so much change at Pymble since I left here in 1983 that it’s hard to even bring the past back to life. I suspect the physical environment that we grew up in is no longer standing apart from the Boarding Houses and the Chapel. I did have a walk around and it was nice to see the amphitheatre still there…The 9-hole golf course and horse paddocks, yes we had horses, are long gone to development but the heart of Boarding at Pymble I suspect is still here!
If I think about it, our life here in the late 70s and early 80’s was realistically like something out of Pride and Prejudice but without Mr Darcy. We had to perform home-grown plays and skits every term, we all had to play a musical instrument, sew, cook and play ALL sports. The idea of a well-rounded young lady was onerous indeed.
We developed a sense of HUGE competitiveness with our inter Boarding house rivalries (the Angus Cup) in our yearly calisthenics competition where the sound track was played via cassette tape! No UE Booms back then.
We were allowed a champagne in the dining room when Charles and Di got married in 1981 and a champagne toast at breakfast after we were allowed to stay up and watch Australia win the Americas Cup Yacht Race.
Our hems were measured by kneeling on the ground and having a ruler to make sure the hem was ON our knee, and we wore gloves to church on Sundays at St Swithuns.
To great amusement and hilarity, we often and I mean OFTEN had streakers on Lang lawn on a Sunday night. Our watch dog German shepherd, Ajax would see them off by chasing them around the lawn then swiftly towards the gates on Avon Road. By then all girls were hanging over the balconies gawking!
We had hot chocolate before sleep and once we were in Year 11 were allowed instant coffee! Imagine.
We slept on open balconies until Year 10 and finally got our own room in Year 12. The relentless wake up bell at 10 to seven has been trauma imprinted in my body clock!
Our time was hilarious, fun AND funny.
Not without drama and even surrounded by 180 other girls, it could be damn lonely at times. Some people missed their families more than others but this was one of the best things about boarding at Pymble – everyone had your back no matter what.
If only the real world had this sense of empathy, understanding and compassion that we had, and hopefully STILL have, for each other, it would be a much better place.
What I can tell you is that the foundations for an adult life that I developed at Pymble, I have taken with me throughout the last 42 years. I honestly feel that the Boarding experience at Pymble has given me an edge which has kept me in good stead through relationships, career and all that life has and will continue to throw at me.
Top 5
Independence – being given independence at an early age is probably the most wonderful thing – it will be the one thing that gives you an edge pretty much over every other person you will meet in your lifetime. Thank your parents for this opportunity!
Creativity and Curiosity – love of learning and inquisitive mind. Pymble gave me a huge love of history and to this day I am still studying and travelling, learning about art, architecture, history, politics…the world in general. Never stop learning girls.
Resilience – along with independence, resilience is a massive value we learn at Boarding school. No-one else but you can solve your problems, pick up your pieces, navigate relationships and make good decisions. When everything goes to muck, you have to get yourself back out of it. It’s an amazing skill to have.
Tenacity and Perseverance – six years of Boarding teaches you patience, how to deal with frustrations and you develop an inner GRIT to just get through….there will be times in your life when you draw on this experience. Life is not meant to be easy. It’s meant to have highs and lows – if you don’t have the lows you don’t recognise the highs – but the tenacity and perseverance you learn here will carry you throughout your life.
Fun and Laughter – more than anything from my teenage years at school, I learned the value of fun and laughter. Good times and the simple joys of fun with friends. As the class of ‘83 we have now had our 10, 20, 30 and 40-year reunions. Within minutes it is as it was, we kick off where we left off and are reminded of the unique privilege and opportunity we had to board at Pymble and how it has remained with us even now.
Thanks so much for having me…it’s been a pleasure!!
Eat like a Boarder
We would love you to join us for dinner on Monday 21 July at 6.00pm following drop off of your daughter/s. This will be the ‘real’ experience, with you being able to enjoy the regular dinner service, just as the girls do each evening. All family members are welcome. If you would like to join us, please rsvp to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au by 10 July.
Love It Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
It was a great weekend in Boarding this week! Year 7 enjoyed their pizza night in Avonmoore, and there was spirited conversation around the dinner table. Years 10, 11, and 12 were lucky enough to head to Knox for the Boarding Senior Social where the theme for the evening was ‘Movies’. Saturday saw a group of Boarders head to The Rocks Markets for a mid-morning browse through market stalls where they spent time making bracelets, returning to the Boarding Houses with big smiles. On Sunday, we headed to the netball to watch the Swifts beat the Giants. We were honoured to see Boarding alumni from 2023, Grace Whyte, playing for the Swifts.
It’s been a busy Love It program this term, and we look forward to the adventures we will have in Term 3.
Our Term 2 “Brooksie” Recipient
The Margaret Brooke, “Brooksie”, is awarded to a Boarder who exemplifies the spirit of a tenacious, courageous, compassionate, and giving woman. This Boarder consistently upholds and demonstrates the College values and actively contributes to the Boarding community while demonstrating dedication to her studies. A Brooksie recipient consistently displays ‘Pymble Pride’ including wearing appropriate school uniform, being punctual, and maintaining a tidy room.
Year 12 Boarder Dezi demonstrates all of these qualities in spades. It has been such a privilege to see her blossom from the shy and homesick Year 7 girl into the outstanding young woman she is today. Joining us from country New South Wales, Dezi brings deep commitment, passion, and excellence to all that she does. These wonderful qualities first became obvious in Dezi’s love for none other than One Direction which was so evident in her first few years of Boarding, and almost as deep as her love of all things sport.
Starting with netball, we all came to learn, whenever there was a ball involved, Dezi would be mesmerised. Softball, Cricket, and NRL are all favourites, and Dezi is tenacious in her commitment to her teams. Some might say she was also courageous, particularly in her support of the West Tigers given their current placing of 14th on the NRL ladder! With a career in sport journalism on the cards, I cannot wait to hear the broadcasts with our Dezi at the helm.
And just like her commitment to sport, Dezi wholeheartedly embraces her College commitments. I challenge you to find a student who wears her uniform with greater pride and respect. She also maintains an immaculate room, with Tigger taking pride of place on her bed, which is made so perfectly you could bounce one of her cricket balls off the surface. The only caution I will give is do be on the lookout for a random ball which is known to float around the otherwise spotless floor.
On top of her commitment to sport and study, Dezi is an exemplary role model and one who always finds time for her younger Boarding sisters. With a deep sensitivity and the enviable knack of knowing just what to say and when to say it, Dezi is a much-loved and highly influential member of our Boarding family. We are grateful for all that she has given over the last five years, and look forward to hearing of a wonderful future for this special young woman.
Save the Date
Friday 27 June End of Term 2 Boarders’ Travel Day*
Monday 21 July Boarders return from 2.00pm for the start of Term 3
Eat Like A Boarder 6.00pm
Friday 25 July Boarding Lockdown and Evacuation Drill 3.30 – 4.30pm**
Sunday 3 August Boarders’ Community Day 9.00am – 12.00pm**
Sunday 31 August Burgers and Bowls Father’s Day Celebration
Friday 19 September Boarder Parent Group Meeting 2.00pm – 3.00pm (on site)
Boarding Family Community event
Saturday 20 September Garden Party
Thursday 25 September Year 12 Farewell Chapel – all Boarders required until 6.00pm** Year 12 Farewell Dinner
Friday 26 September Boarders’ Travel Day (Rural and International Boarders only)
Year 12 Speech Day and Valedictory Dinner
* All Boarders to be collected by 4.00pm
**All Boarders required to be in attendance, no leave will be granted during this time.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding