From the Principal
Believe it or not, that’s a wrap for 2025. Oh, what a year!
It kicked off to the exhilarating tunes of The Greatest Showman soundtrack echoing across the campus on day one, setting the tone for seizing new opportunities and striving for our own goals and growth while supporting each other to thrive – with the greatest Respect, of course.
Girls, you have certainly Come Alive with Respect in 2025. You have turned “I can’t” into “I can!” through your Outdoor Education programs. You’ve toured Australia and the world to immerse yourself in different cultures, communities and languages – at last count, we delivered nine international tours and 28 domestic trips, to more than 500 of you involved, this year alone.
You’ve kept your eyes wide open to future careers, and your hearts full by being of service to others – often initiating these acts of kindness yourselves. You’ve leaned into each other as Buddies, Big Sisters and Little Sisters, mentors, study partners, cheer squads and BFFs. You’ve performed, played and competed with great gusto – from IPSHA to IGSA, from PJ Factor to PAC, from Eisteddfods to academic competitions, from Regionals to Nationals and Worlds, and everything in between.
You have pioneered learning in countless new ways – too many to recall here. And you have respected the environment at Pymble and Vision Valley, as well as yourselves. Taking part in Wellbeing Days, Gloucester Gatherings, Kindness Clubs, Push Up Challenges, House Days, Wise Phones, Stride, Nourish and Flourish, Compass Group activities and other bonding events have all contributed to your sense of wellbeing and belonging, which in turn has contributed to your success this year.
Our wonderful Pymble staff are deeply committed to contributing to your success, and I’d like to thank them for giving all that they give to support your learning and this super-busy 24/7 College that never fully stops!
Thank you to our tireless Deputy Principals, Ms Rockwell, Mr Raymond and Mrs Kenny, our Senior Executive and Executive teams, Heads of Learning Areas, Wellbeing leaders, Chaplains, the team at Vision Valley, our hard working and passionate teachers, our Boarding and Professional Services staff and all those who work as part of our Pymble family. This includes our cleaners, caterers, crossing attendants, casual coaches, coach drivers – and that’s just starting and stopping at the letter C. Each of you plays an important role in the development of those we rise each day to serve, our students.
Thank you to our Chair of the Board, Mr Chris Fydler OAM, and all our College Board members who give so generously of their time and their talent to serve Pymble. And to our Foundation Chair, Mr Simon Rothery, and Foundation Board members who also gift their time and expertise to support the aims of the College, simply because they care.
Finally, thank you to our parents for modelling Respect in how you have supported your daughters and the College this year. It’s things both big and little that mean so much, like the small army of parents serving paella and gelato to staff on World Teacher’s Day, through to those who turn up asking how they can help – whether that’s pedalling smoothies in the Junior School or delivering care packs to those of us who needed a little TLC. Thank you for role modelling Respect to your daughters. We notice, and we appreciate you.
As we bring this year to a close, let us carry forward the quiet strength of Respect that has shaped our moments, our relationships and our growth in 2025. In this community, Respect is more than a value we speak about — it’s a daily commitment that binds students, staff and families together through our actions. My Christmas wish is that we carry that same spirit into 2026 to build an even stronger, kinder and more connected College community.
Signing off for the year with a little help from my elves. Merry Christmas to you all.
PS Don’t forget to download Your Guide to the New Social Media Law for Under-16s. The changes come into effect on Wednesday 10 December, and this guide has been designed to help you support your daughter on both a practical and an emotional level.