From the Senior School
A message from Patricia Gallardo, Acting Head of Senior School
As we reach the halfway point of the term, it’s a timely reminder for students to check in with themselves and prioritise self-care. With assessments, co-curricular commitments, and the general pace of school life, it’s natural for stress levels to rise but maintaining balance is key.
We encourage students to:
- get plenty of rest and maintain healthy routines;
- stay organised to reduce last-minute pressure;
- take regular breaks and make time for activities they enjoy; and
- reach out and talk if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Taking care of mental and physical wellbeing is just as important as staying on top of schoolwork. If your daughter is finding things challenging, please remind them that they’re not alone. Their teachers and Wellbeing teams are here to support them.
Reconciliation Week 2025: Bridging Now to Next
As part of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), our school community gathered to reflect on this year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next. This theme highlights the ongoing connection between past, present, and future, urging all Australians to step forward together, drawing on past lessons to guide our journey toward a more united and respectful nation. (Reconciliation NSW, Reconciliation Australia)
A highlight of our observance was a presentation by three of our Year 12 Aboriginal Studies students, Dezi, Maya and Sahara. They shared their Major Works, each delving into complex and thought-provoking issues that deepened our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and experiences. Their research emphasised the importance of truth-telling, respectful dialogue, and the need for all Australians to educate themselves as part of the reconciliation process.
AJ Makes Waves at National Championships!
A huge congratulations to AJ in Year 11 for an outstanding performance at the 2025 Australian Age Nationals, where they took home a Bronze medal in the 16–18 Years 100m Backstroke!
AJ also competed at the Australian Open Swimming Championships, making it to five finals and breaking the 17 Years SB8 100m Breaststroke Australian Record. Even more impressively, AJ smashed three Australian records in the 16 Years, 17 Years, and Open SB8 100m Breaststroke events—surpassing Paralympic legend Ellie Cole to become the fastest SB8 100m Breaststroker in Australian history!
To top it all off, AJ has been selected for the 2025/26 Australian Para-Flippers squad, the official Junior Australian Team. What an incredible achievement!
Well done, AJ – the Pymble community is so proud of you!
Congratulations to Jenny – 2nd Place in the Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition
We are proud to congratulate Jenny (Year 11) on placing second in the inaugural Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition, a new public speaking event designed to elevate the voices of high school girls across New South Wales.
For the past 90 years, a similar platform has existed exclusively for boys. This new competition now offers female students from both public and private schools the opportunity to showcase their skills, share their perspectives and engage in meaningful public discourse.
The Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition is an important step towards amplifying diverse voices in public speaking and aims to increase participation, particularly among students from public schools. Jenny’s outstanding achievement is a testament to her confidence, clarity and passion.
Please share your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your idea via our online form here.
Key Dates – Term 2
9 June – Public Holiday – Kings Birthday Long Weekend
12 June – Athletics Carnival
13 June – Wrapped with Love
From the Year 11 Parent Group
Patricia Gallardo
Acting Head of Senior School