From the Senior School

From the Acting Head of Senior School – Patricia Gallardo

We are so proud of our Year 12 students, who have been arriving punctually and approaching their Trial HSC examinations with diligence, focus, and determination. Their commitment during this time is commendable.

A reminder that the first day back at school after Trials is Wednesday, 20 August. There is still a great deal of important learning to be completed to finish the course syllabus, and we encourage all students to stay engaged and make the most of the weeks ahead.

Our Year 11 students are busily fine-tuning their study skills, with a wealth of resources available to them through our virtual classroom. We encourage them to approach their upcoming examinations with a balanced perspective; to see them as a valuable opportunity to consolidate learning and practise exam technique.

We are here to help. The Wellbeing Team is available to offer advice, sit alongside students to organise their study time, and provide strategies for managing workload. Don’t forget that after-hours teacher help is also available from Monday to Thursday.

---

Garden Party

In readiness for this year’s Garden Party, our stalls will be the Year 12 Raffle and Year 11 Spin It to Win It. Thank you in advance for your help. Funds raised at this year’s Garden Party will go to the Mahboba’s Promise and HerVillage Foundation.

Year 12 students will receive a booklet of raffle tickets to sell prior to the event. Tickets are $2.50 each or $40 for a book of 20. Prizes include an Apple Watch, wireless headphones, and a $100 gift voucher.

For Year 11, donations of small items from the list provided in their Compass classes will go towards Spin It to Win It—a game of chance where participants purchase numbered tickets that correspond to sections on our wheel. When the wheel stops, the number it lands on determines the lucky winner of a prize. Each spin will be $2.

A student account and reflection by Isabella Rumble and Aria Wallbank 

On 26 June, I was delighted to attend the Student Wellbeing Conference at Ravenswood School for Girls with five other Pymble students. More than 30 schools came together to share their wellbeing strategies. 

The day opened with the theme “Mental Toughness – The Power of Growth”, followed by an energetic drumming workshop that encouraged teamwork and creativity. 

We then heard from Michael Crossland, an Australian motivational speaker, author and cancer survivor. His speech focused on overcoming adversity, building resilience, practising gratitude and living with purpose. This was easily the highlight of the day for me. Listening to his story reminded me to appreciate each day as it comes — not just when challenges arise. 

In student-led workshops, we took part in activities like Jenga and a blindfolded obstacle course, which showed how teamwork and encouragement lead to success. The day ended with reflections on how we can bring these lessons back to our own school. 

I am grateful for this experience, which strengthened my perspective on resilience, teamwork and gratitude, and inspired me to put these values into practice every day. 

Aria Wallbank 

 Student reflection: Isabella Rumble 

Attending the mental health conference was an incredibly valuable experience that deepened my understanding of stress management, the importance of mental wellbeing, and how to apply this knowledge to support others. The guest speaker, Michael Crossland, shared a powerful story about overcoming extreme adversity and lifelong challenges. His message reminded us that mindset plays a major role in how we approach difficulties. His resilience and optimism emphasized the value of focusing on what we can control. 

The workshops following his talk offered practical strategies for handling stress. One explored the connection between stress and the hippocampus, explaining how it can impact memory and emotional regulation. Another introduced techniques like deep breathing, positive self-talk, and the idea of balancing each negative thought with three positive ones. I also learned that opening up to friends and acknowledging our emotions are essential ways to cope and to help others do the same. 

Interestingly, the sessions also highlighted that not all stress is harmful; in fact, it can be helpful when it pushes us to meet deadlines or stay motivated. Overall, the conference reinforced how crucial it is to care for our mental health and develop effective stress management skills in today’s fast-paced world. 

Term 3 Dates

4 – 19 August – HSC Trials 

1 – 12 September – Year 11 Exams 

20 September – Pymble Garden Party 

24 September – Year 12 Picnic Clontarf – Students only 

25 September – Graduation Assembly – Students Only 

26 September – Year 12 Speech Day, Farewell Chapel 

26 September – Valedictory Dinner 

Patricia Gallardo

Acting Head of Senior School