From the Principal
Congratulations to Year 12 for reaching the end of their HSC Trials, and a huge thank you to our wonderful academic staff who are assessing students’ work and giving valuable feedback they can take into their next, and final, HSC examinations.
Research shows that feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement when it is constructive, instructive and well timed. And the space between the Trials and final HSC exams is where effective feedback can lead to great gains, according to our Director of Academic Excellence (K-12) and Director of Studies (K-12), Mr Jake Plaskett and Mrs Natasha Stanfield.
“After the Trials, students are encouraged to work together to share resources, and identify their gaps in understanding and exam technique so they can perform at their best as a cohort in the HSC Examinations. Teachers in every subject will be guiding students through a structured reflection process. Our advice at this time is to make sure students are focused on taking onboard their feedback and putting it into action.
“So much progress can be made before the external exams which are worth 50 per cent of the HSC mark in each subject.”
This is an exciting time for our girls as they lean into this advice and focus on their goals.
Speaking of goals, how fabulous are our Matildas? Having entered the FIFA World Cup ranked tenth in the world, they will finish in either third or fourth place. This is remarkable progress, no doubt spurred on by constructive and instructive post-match feedback and analysis, not to mention the enormous outpouring of love, encouragement and belief in their potential from the entire nation. I had the great pleasure of accompanying a group of 40 Pymble staff and students to the Matildas’ earlier game against Denmark. Watching the crowd respond to the Australian team, you could only assume it was having a significant impact on the players. Imagine if this happened at all sporting events for women – indeed, all events for girls and women. Where could this tidal wave of support take our female athletes, performing artists, community workers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders of tomorrow?
Thank you to all those who backed our Matildas-themed mufti day on Wednesday and brought a gold coin donation to support The Female Athlete Project and its nominated charity, Pushing Barriers, which aims to improve the lives of refugee children in SE QLD through participation in sport. TFAP is the fastest growing women’s sports platform in Australia, created by our ex-student, Chloe Dalton OAM (2011). Chloe is a professional Australian rules football, rugby union player and basketballer who has represented Australia in rugby sevens and won a gold medal as a member of Australia’s women’s sevens team at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Fuelled by a study showing that women make up 40 per cent of participants in sport yet receive only 4 per cent of the sports media coverage, TFAP promotes equal coverage and equal pay for women in sport by sharing stories of epic Australian female athletes, like our Matildas!
Equity in sport is an important cause for Pymble, and the Matildas are inspirational role models. As one of the largest girls’ schools in Australia, with a proud history of sporting excellence, Pymble stands out in the independent school sector as the unrivalled leader in girls’ school sports throughout the nation. Our programs are tailored specifically for girls with the long-term aim of inspiring a lifelong love of sport and activity, and we intentionally cater to all ages, abilities and aspirations – whether that’s to represent Australia on a national or world stage or just happily kick a ball around a field with friends.
Since 2000, 89 students have represented Australia in a variety of different sports, including playing for the Matildas. Just quietly, we are also working on Project 32, our ‘green and gold pathway’ for elite athletes, which we look forward to telling you more about later in the year. Pymble’s outstanding Sport program and our exceptional achievements and results, year after year, would not be possible without our fabulous coaches and dedicated sports department; thank you, team Pymble!
We know that the road to success in any field, including sport, starts with participation. We send an equally big thank you to the many families who are invested in taking their daughters to and from training and matches each week and supporting them – and their coaches – from the sidelines on the weekends. If your daughter is not currently participating in sport, and you would like to reconsider her options, please feel free to speak to our sports staff or contact Co-curricular Administration at ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or on +61 2 9497 7848.
Say hello to our HOLAs
Continuing our ‘meet our HOLAs’ series, this week it is a pleasure to introduce you to Mrs Mandy Reynolds, Head of Learning Area – English, who leads the delivery ofEnglish (Years 7 to 10); English Standard, English Advanced, and English Extension 1 (Years 11 to 12); and English Extension 2 (Year 12). Mrs Reynolds commenced at Pymble in 2002 and currently teaches Year 12 Advanced and Year 12 Extension 1 students.
Mandy, what was the ‘aha’ moment that led you into teaching?
“I have a love of learning and I believe there is a need for quality education. At the heart of every decision I make is my belief that every person deserves the opportunity to be their best self. Change starts with education, and I continue to believe I can make a difference. I knew that back when I started teaching, and I know that now, and it continues to be the reason I am passionate about what I do.”
What is the most rewarding aspect of the work you do here?
“I am motivated by people and working with the students who continue to push the boundaries of possibility. It’s this constant restlessness, the pursuit for improving things for the better, that inspires me to make my difference.”
What are you most proud of achieving as a Pymble HOLA?
“Some might seemy role as an educator. I see my role at the intersection of what came before and what comes after. And while there are many things I am proud of, there isn’t a single one. Being a Pymble HOLA is about bringing joy to the classroom, making lasting connections with students, giving others a sense of belief in themselves, and letting them see that they too can make a difference.”
Work aside, tell us a fun fact about you…
“I grew up in country NSW; you can take the girl out of the country but not the country out of the girl.”
Finish this sentence: If I could impart one life lesson to our students, it would be…
“Be proud of who you are; challenge yourself to be the best you can be in. The rest will unfold.”
It seems fitting to end on this great clip showing American sports marketer Audrey DeVaughn’s simple but effective way we can all promote women in sport, much like the Matildas have done this week and all throughout the World Cup. Now when someone asks if we’re going to watch the football/cricket/basketball/rugby/swimming, we know exactly what to say!
