From the Futures Team
Data Science visits Datacom for Women in STEM event
On Thursday 19 June, Year 10 Data Science visited the Datacom headquarters in North Sydney to participate in the Women in STEM Event with students from Redlands School and South Strathfield High School.
The day involved students listening to a panel of specialists across the organisation responsible for customer support, product development, back ups, and digital experience. Students also engaged in a design-thinking workshop to propose a new product to a judging panel with Pymble team pitching the product “Zhrink it!” winning.
Here are some reflections from students that attended the event:
“…Datacom, a company most people haven’t even heard of,…[is] responsible for many Australian operations such as public transport, transactions, and anything that runs on data. Working at Datacom is described as challenging and collaborative, with a strong focus on soft skills, problem-solving, and relationship building. What stood out most to me was the advice from the employees: spend more time understanding the problem before rushing to a solution, stay curious, ask questions, and always keep learning; it’s never too late. You don’t need to know how to code to work there, but having self-drive and being part of a community that supports each other makes a big difference.” Ainhoa (Year 10)
“We were challenged to identify a real-world problem and design a digital solution. Our solution was an app concept called Zrink, short for “Zip it and Shrink it.” Zrink would work across devices to compress files using AI-enhanced and manual compression tools, increasing available storage without deleting anything. We pitched the app’s features, target market, technical design (using Dart code for cross-platform use); I’m proud to say we won the presentation competition. This taught me the value of communicating ideas in a way that’s not just logical but engaging. Our pitch wasn’t just about the technology; it was about how it solved a real human problem.
Looking back, this excursion had a major impact on how I view my future. Before visiting Datacom, I thought of tech careers as mostly coding behind a screen. But now I see how much collaboration, creativity, and communication are involved. I learned that successful products come not just from good code, but from good ideas, teamwork, and the ability to listen to users’ needs.
It also helped me reflect on my own strengths, like thinking critically under pressure and presenting with clarity, and areas I’d like to grow, such as learning more about app development tools and programming languages. I now feel more motivated to pursue digital technologies at school and beyond.
This experience showed me that I’m capable of working in a real-world tech setting, and it gave me a glimpse into the type of work environment I might enjoy in the future: fast-paced, creative, and focused on solving meaningful problems.” – Abani (Year 10)
Pymble Gap Program (Year 11)
Recent communication was sent to parents and students in Year 11 about the Pymble Gap Program via the Portal and student email. Further information can be found at the Futures@Pymble Gap page.
To support students considering the Pymble Gap Program, we will be hosting a Term 3 Gap Year Masterclass on:
🗓 Friday 8 August 📍 Library Learning Studio ⏰ During MBS Study
This session is open to all interested Year 11 students and will provide valuable insights and support as they plan their next steps. Applications will be due at the end of Term 3, so we suggest students start thinking about this option and discussing it with you during the upcoming school holidays.
USA Study Pathways information for Families
For families interested in learning about post school study at a US College, please view our new Pathways to Possibilities: Learning about post school study in US College booklet.
We are currently planning more information events to provide information to students and families in Semester. Please check the Portal and the Compass newsletter for announcements
Upcoming external events
University of Wollongong – Early Admission
Date: June 30, 2025
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange Webinar
Date: July 1, 2025
At these online meetings, an experienced member of our team will share an overview of the high school exchange programs with Southern Cross Cultural Exchange.
You’ll learn more about living with a host family and how studying overseas can help you develop confidence and independence… and gain a lifetime of memories.
Explore your destinations, program options and ask questions about how you can immerse yourself into a new life, culture, family, and high school overseas.
UNSW Year 11 Experience Days
Location: UNSW Kensington Campus
Date: July 7 to July 11, 2025
UNSW 2025 Girls in Business Camp
Location: NIDA Kensington Campus
Date: July 15 to July 17, 2025
The 2025 Girls in Business (GiB) Camp is designed for female-identifying students in years 10, 11 or 12 from across NSW, who want to explore a future in business. This collaborative program with UNSW Business School and our industry partners aims to equip these students with the skills, desire, and ambition to study and work in the disciplines of:
- Banking and Finance
- Economics
- Information Systems and Technology Management
- Risk and Actuarial Studies
To provide students with an understanding of these study areas and to learn from inspiring female-identifying role models, we will be delivering workshops, info sessions and company site visits across 3 days.
You can expect to attend interactive workshops and gain real-world insights through industry excursions, and alumni and student panel discussions with Q&A while learning more about UNSW Business School’s Undergraduate programs and pathways.
Women in Defence Virtual Information Session
Organisation: Australian Defence Force
Location: Online
Date: June 24, 2025