From the Boarding School
This week we were delighted to have our Lang girls back with us in full capacity. It has been a big few weeks and we are all proud of the manner in which they embraced the challenges. We look forward to helping the girls make the most of their final weeks with us here at the College.
Farewell Chapel Service
I hope one of the highlights of these last few weeks will be the farewell Chapel Service we have planned for Thursday 25 September. All of our Boarders and their families are invited to the Chapel Service starting at 5.15pm. There will be no leave on this day until after 6.00pm at the conclusion of the Chapel Service.
Eat Smart, Live Well: Nutrition Tips for Life in Boarding
Last week we were delighted to welcome Ellen Gleeson, our Chartwells dietitian, to deliver an engaging and informative presentation to our Boarders. The session began with an introduction to the basics of nutrition, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet for both physical health and academic success. There was a special focus on the importance of consuming an iron rich diet and examples from the current menu were provided. Ellen also spoke about the importance of matching energy intake to energy output, including some very helpful information for our busy Boarders. It was great to see the Boarders so engaged and asking thoughtful and pertinent questions. A copy of the presentation can be accessed here.
Boarders Get Baking
I couldn’t help but share the joy of Boarders Getting Baking. This weekly cooking class is a true highlight of our Boarding program and universally loved. It is always a treat to see the girls from all age groups relaxing on a Friday afternoon to the sound of the latest hits and the aroma of delicious home cooking. The fun and friendship is palpable and I am so grateful to our co-ordinator, Kathryn Weiderman for the love and expertise that she gives so generously to this program.
Love It Ms Thersa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
A busy weekend with two socials on Friday night. Year 7 and Year 8 headed to Riverview for dinner and trivia and Year 10 and Year 11 were on the train for Barefoot Bowls with Knox. On Saturday evening after dinner some of our Boarders headed to the Driving Range at Terrey Hills to practice their golf swing. Sunday’s activity was most exciting with a trip to the NRL to watch the Tigers take on the Sea Eagles. There were lots of smiles as the Tigers put on a display and came out victorious.
This coming Sunday we have our Boarding Schools event at Luna Park. Boarders from across Sydney will make the trip to Luna Park for lots of rides and fun. It is open to all of our Boarders and we have our fingers crossed that there is no rain on the day. There is a lot of excitement in the Houses for this event.
Burgers and Bowls
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for our Dads and Daughters’ event – Burgers and Bowls on Sunday 31 August. This day was a great success last year and promises to be even more of a hit in 2025. Please see below the invitation and link to RSVP.
Hoping to see you in Orange
Pymble will be at beautiful Printhie Wines on Friday September 12 between 5.30 and 8.00pm. Everyone is welcome and we hope you can join us for a lovely celebration of all things Pymble.
House Hoodie ?
Our Boarders’ Representative Council (BRC) are a busy Boarder group who meet fortnightly to provide feedback and develop initiatives for our Boarding family. Last term, following feedback from the various year groups, they designed a House Hoodie for the girls who live in Marden and Goodlet Houses. The hoodies cost $50.00 each. If you would like your daughter to have one, please complete the following online form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjDHg0JaDQkccKZ8oz4qyPfdjb91nw2wRWVK_VxZbg5aI2dA/viewform
FABBA
Don’t forget to sign up for our next Boarding Community event, to be held on 19 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.
Garden Party News
Speaking of Garden Party, this wonderful event is approaching at a rapid rate! Please see below a note from Kate Greenwood with some special reminders about how you can be involved.
Dear Boarding Families,
The Garden Party is our biggest fundraiser of the year for the Boarding Community – and it’s always a highlight! 🎉 Last year we raised $15,000 (and $17,000 the year before), with all proceeds going directly towards our Boarder Parent Scholarship Fund, helping support families within our boarding community.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday 20th September, 10am–3pm 📅 and we’d love your help to make it another huge success.
We’ll be running three stalls:
- 🍓 Produce Stall – a crowd favourite with our city folk! Some ideas include baked goods, jams, chutneys, sauces, pickles, fruit, eggs, bunches of herbs, flowers, wheat or cotton – anything made or grown by Boarding families is welcome.
- 🥓 BBQ Stall – serving bacon & egg rolls with tomato relish (10–11.30am) 🥚, followed by our famous pork & slaw rolls. Donations of eggs would be amazing.
- 🍏 Hillbilly Cider Stall – always a hit! If you have an RSA ✅ and can help serve on the day, we’d especially love to hear from you.
We’ll also have a 🎁 raffle, so if you can donate a prize, we’d be very grateful (please note: no alcohol due to school rules). All donations can be dropped to the Marden Quiet Room for storage until the big day.
If you can spare a little time on the day, we’d love your help 🙌. It’s a great way to meet other parents while supporting the school. You can sign up here:
Sign Up to Help
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email kate@greenwooddesigns.com.au Thanks for your support.
Kind regards,
Kate Greenwood
View From My Window
Hi, my name is Phoebe and I started boarding at Pymble this year in Year 10.
I live in Denver, Colorado, a city right in the heart of the United States, best known for its world-class skiing, breathtaking mountain views, and crisp, dry climate. Denver is often called the “Mile High City” because it sits exactly one mile above sea level. It’s a high desert, so we don’t get much rain—something that’s been a big contrast to life in Sydney.
Back home, I live with my mum, Catherine, my dad, Mark, and my two sisters, Ella and Jess.
When I look out my bedroom window, I see a large maple tree that I’ve grown up with. It’s always changing: fiery red leaves in autumn, bare snow-covered branches in winter, tiny green buds in spring, and a full crown of deep green leaves in summer. That tree is one of the first things I notice when I come home; it reminds me of Colorado’s distinct seasons, which I’ve always loved. Just below it, my dogs, Milly and Edna, can usually be found sunbathing on the rocks, and if you look just past that, you can normally find a bright blue sky and big fluffy clouds.
From the other window, I get a sweeping view of the Rocky Mountains. It’s one of my favourite places to be, and I spend a lot of time there. In winter, we often head up for day trips, skiing from the first to last chair before making the long drive back home through snowy traffic. In the warmer months, we hike through canyons and up to mountain peaks, spotting deer, chipmunks, and occasionally even moose. We also spend time on the lakes, whether it’s paddleboarding under the sun or spending the day out on a boat, soaking up everything summer has to offer.
One of my absolute favourite places in Colorado is Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a massive outdoor concert venue carved into towering red rock formations. My family and I sometimes hike up there early in the morning to watch the sunrise. As the sun spills over the city and plains, everything is lit with vibrant orange and pink hues. With the view of Denver in the distance, the mountains behind, and the surrounding trees glowing in the morning light, it’s easily one of the most peaceful and special places I know.
But sometimes, it’s the simplest things that I love most—driving around with my sisters and friends, music playing, grabbing dinner at our favourite places like Chipotle or Cane’s, and ending the day watching the sunset at Daniels Gate Park. It’s moments like those that make me feel truly at home.
Coming back to boarding after being in Colorado can be a big adjustment. The accents, the weather, the environment—everything feels different. But over time, I’ve learned to love both places in their own way. While Colorado is home, I’ve found another home here at Pymble. I’ve met incredible people, tried new sports, and experienced a life that’s completely different from the one I knew before.
Boarder of the Week
This week, I am delighted to recognise Year 9 Boarder, Charlotte as our Boarder of the Week. Charlotte joined us in Marden House at the start of the year, leaving her much loved family at home in Hong Kong. From day one, she has embodied the true spirit of Boarding. Kind, helpful, and always respectful, Charlotte goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. Despite her commitment to her academic studies, Charlotte is always available to lend a helping hand to others. She brings positivity wherever she goes and never fails to greet others with a huge smile that brings much joy to us all. Most recently, Charlotte showed gentle leadership by welcoming our new exchange student, Claire. She made sure Claire felt at home and helped her settle in, ensuring her time with us was enjoyable and memorable. Charlotte’s caring nature and willingness to support others make her a much-valued member of our community. Her example sets a high standard for us all, and we are proud to call her our Boarder of the Week.
Save the Date
31 August – Dads and Daughters – Burgers and Bowls Father’s Day Celebration
19 September – Boarder Parent Group Meeting followed by FABBA event
20 September – Garden Party
25 September – Farewell to Year 12 Chapel Service* (all Boarders required to be in attendance until 6.00pm) followed by Year 12 Celebration dinner for Year 12 Boarders and their families
25 September – Boarders’ Travel Day
26 September – Year 12 Speech Day and Valedictory Dinner
Term 4
12 October – Year 12 optional early return from 2.00pm
13 October – Years 8-11 return from 2.00pm
13 October – Eat Like a Boarder 6.00pm
14 October – HSC Examinations commence
17 October – Boarding Lock Down and Evacuation Drill*
14 November – Lang House Warming for Year 12 2026 and their families
25 November- End of Year Chapel Service and Christmas Party*
3 December Year 7-12 Speech Day*, followed by end of term Travel Day.
* No leave will be permitted during this time.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding