From the Upper School
A message from Mrs Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
Each year Pymble is incredibly pleased to support St Edmund’s School by hosting their swimming and athletics carnival. It is always lovely to have so many Year 10 girls volunteer to assist at these events. Being involved at these events for the girls to give back to the community encourages them to appreciate diversity and understand the challenges others face.
By working together and supporting the St Edmund’s students our girls develop important teamwork skills and empathy. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to think beyond themselves and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Thank you to Claire Murphy and Swapna Baggma for sharing their reflection of the day:
On Tuesday 6 August we had the incredible opportunity to join a group of Year 10 students for an unforgettable day with St Edmund’s School. We hosted their athletics carnival on Main Oval and James Kelso Field, and the experience was filled with excitement and new experiences. Some of us managed the marshalling area, while others recorded times for the sprinters and a few of us ran alongside the students, sharing their enjoyment and encouraging them to have a go at the races to win house points. Those who were not running cheered from the sidelines with the Houses. Our favourite part of the morning was sitting and eating recess with the St Edmund’s students while we got to know each other better.
For the second part of the day, we helped run a range of activities including long jump, agility courses, dead chook throw, frisbee and many more. We assisted by splitting into smaller groups to help the teachers at each activity and getting the opportunity to award the students’ their achievement ribbons. These activities allowed us to bond with the kids from St Edmund’s and make new friends who we had fun spending the day with. After the sporting ventures, the Pymble and St Edmund’s students shared a delicious sausage sizzle lunch before launching into war cries with an electric show of house spirit. All too soon, the carnival ended, and it was time to say goodbye. We had a fantastic time at the event, as it was a great learning experience and opportunity for making new connections, making this day a truly memorable experience.
Student Achievements
Shout out to Sarah Tian (Year 10) who continues a fabulous year of success in swimming. At the recent School National Swimming Championships on the Gold Coast, Sarah had a wonderful week. Congratulations to Sarah on her results; 4th in 50 Backstroke, 2nd in 200 Backstroke and 3rd in 100 Backstroke. Well done! We look forward to watching Sarah continue her swimming journey.
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country. The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with seven countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from five continents. This year, the competition was held at the University of Bath, UK and Amber Li was a member of the Australian team. Amber is the first student at Pymble to ever be selected to compete in this competition and was the youngest team member. Amber achieved an honourable mention, was placed 425th out of 610 and the Australian team placed 38th out of 108 countries. We congratulate Amber on her amazing achievement.
Winter Shoe and Sock Drive
We are very excited to announce that on Monday 19 August in Week 5 this term, Pymble will be running a Winter Shoe and Sock Drive, which will include all types of shoes (except for open toe shoes such as high heels and thongs/sandals). We are beyond grateful for all the Pymble families who participated in our last drive.
Pymble donated an incredible total of almost 600 pairs of shoes, which is the largest single donation the NFP charity “Shoes for Planet Earth” had ever received. Your generous donations made an enormous impact to the community. The winter footwear and socks we collect will be distributed across Australia and the globe, to homeless shelters, youth and female crisis centres, indigenous community sporting groups, orphanages, churches, and disaster-affected communities.
The importance of warm footwear during the winter months cannot be overstated. Our donations will reach those who are often forgotten or overlooked. If each Pymble family contributes one pair of shoes or socks, together we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those of in need. We ask that all donated shoes and socks are in good condition – no holes, with sturdy soles, and cleaned if necessary.
Please make sure all shoes are tied together in matching pairs. Please bring your donations to our collection points, where we will have clear signage to guide you. A reminder that this will take place on Monday 19 of August in Week 5. And for one individual there will be a very exciting prize of a special $50 gift voucher for Archie’s Café!
Thank you so much for your continued support.
Written by Anais Rodwell-Burnicle (Year 11)
Market Day – Year 10 Commerce
On Market Day, Year 10 Commerce students actively engaged in entrepreneurial activities by selling various products to raise funds for charity (https://emergesupport.org.au/). They brainstormed creative ideas, crafted business plans, and executed marketing strategies to attract customers.
The students set up vibrant stalls offering handmade crafts, baked goods, and unique merchandise, demonstrating teamwork and business acumen. Each group managed their finances, tracked sales, and analysed their performance. The event not only provided hands-on experience in commerce but also instilled a sense of social responsibility, as all proceeds were donated to local charities.
Market Day fostered a spirit of community involvement and allowed students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, making it an enriching educational experience.
Important Dates
Term 3
Thursday 8 August – Year 10 Pymble/Knox Social Cup (three Thursday afternoons)
Tuesday 13 August – Year 9 Residential Program Parent Workshop
Wednesday 14 August – Year 10 RYDA Excursion
Wednesday 14 August – International Exchange Students Excursion
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School