From the Principal
A huge thank you to all the students, staff and families who supported our Autumn Family Festival last Thursday. In our designated year of Respect, it felt especially meaningful to launch this vibrant community event to celebrate culture in all its forms, bring people together, and create space to share stories, traditions and time with one another. It was very special to wander around the stalls, ask the girls why they had chosen to make the items they had on display, and see such diversity and pride in their work.
Announcing our new trips and tours schedule
Continuing our international/cultural theme this week, I wanted to let you know we have confirmed our Trips and Tours Schedule for students in 2026 and 2027. Hopefully, sharing this information with you now helps you to plan for any opportunities you wish to pursue for your daughters next year and beyond.
We will continue to add to this schedule as new trips and tours arise. In the meantime, we invite you to review the current list of national and international trips and tours and email travel@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have any further questions or enquiries.
Our aim is to offer Pymble students as many opportunities as possible to develop greater depths and layers of perspective, knowledge and character through learning experiences all over the world, as well as closer to home. In Term 2, for instance, we have:
- Year 6 pioneers heading off to the UK to compete in the Green Power Formula Goblin in Week 8 – a first for Pymble, plus we are the only Australian team in the competition!
- Year 7 Robotics students leaving this week for the VEX Robotics World Championships in Dallas – very exciting!
- Year 8 hosting and going on national exchange with our partner schools in WA, Tas, QLD, Vic and SA.
- Year 10 on cultural exchange at Wrekin College in Shropshire, England, while some of their peers have just returned from Beijing School Number 39 in China.
- More Year 10s travelling to Milingimbi Island in NE Arnhem Land to visit our First Nations partner school and experience on-country cultural immersion.
- Students in Years 10 and 11 preparing for their Tanzania Service Tour coming up during the mid-year break.
And just 45 minutes up the road, our second group of Year 9 students are now settled in at Vision Valley for their four-week Residential Program with Year 9 boys from our partner school, Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie). I love this photo below, which reflects how completely, silently and respectfully absorbed the students were in the Welcome to Country ceremony on their first day – such a special tradition in our uniquely Australian environment.
Searching the world for the best people and partners
As you read this, I’m also off-campus, currently in Amsterdam having first travelled via Perth to London (with next stop Dublin). The purpose of this trip is to meet and screen potential staff at our annual Think Pymble recruitment events in the UK and to attract additional partner schools for both our cultural exchange and Vision Valley Residential programs.
Last night we had more than 50 teachers at Think Pymble in London, many of whom were highly impressive. Today, I also had a very productive meeting with the British International School in Amsterdam, who are keen to be involved in our Year 10 exchange program.
Our international Think Pymble evenings are in addition to several local events held each year to ensure we cast the net near, far and wide to attract and retain the best academic staff to join the exceptional team that helps shape your daughters as compassionate and influential global citizens. I’ll also be attending a two-day Geopolitical Summit hosted by my professional network group, who always facilitate incredible learning opportunities to broaden our perspectives and thinking, and hosting afternoon tea for our younger Pymble Alumni studying and working in the UK.
This means I’ll be away from home on Mother’s Day this weekend, just as many of our Boarding mums will be separated from their children, too. Rest assured, your girls will be cared for and loved by our amazing staff as they think of you back home. They miss your hugs, chats, laughs and all the special things you do to make them feel loved, safe and secure when they are with you, such as:
💖 Cooking chicken and broccoli bake on your daughter’s first night home because you know it’s her favourite (even though no-one else in the family is a huge fan).
💖 Always stopping at a particular store to buy Friday lolly bags when you drive into town.
💖 Letting her sleep in until midday during the holidays and waking her with a warm smile.
💖 Bringing the cats into her bed in the morning for a cuddle.
💖 Trying out new recipes during term time while she’s away so you can serve up the best ones when she gets home.
💖 Your spag bol!
💖 Sharing your love of books and reading together on the couch at night.
💖 Always waiting at the airport with a huge smile and lots to chat about even though it’s 1.00am Darwin time and there’s still an hour’s drive to get home.
No doubt some of these things will sound very familiar to some of our long-distance mums!
Thanks to our thoughtful Boarders who enjoyed sharing theses anecdotes about the little things they love about their mums, and thanks to all the mums who share their daughters with us at Pymble. We realise you would much rather have them with you at home, and appreciate the sacrifice you and your families make to provide your daughters with an exceptional education.
Wishing you all a beautiful day on Sunday, appreciating or remembering your own mum and children.
I know I will be.
