From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
It was a pleasure to catch up with many of the girls during my visit to Vision Valley this week. Despite some wet weather on their recent expeditions, the girls – and their Churchie friends – are thoroughly enjoying their time at the Valley. As they approach the final week of the program, it’s inspiring to see the strong connections they’re building and the impressive resilience they’re developing.
Throughout the program, many academic staff and members of the US team have made scheduled visits to Vision Valley, helping to run sessions and connect with students. Thank you to all the staff who have supported the girls and boys over the past few weeks. The girls are always excited to see familiar faces and truly appreciate sharing their residential experience with you.
To our parents: it won’t be long until you’re reunited with your daughters! We look forward to welcoming you to Vision Valley next Friday 30 May at 2.00pm for the Honouring Ceremony.
Learning on Country Milingimbi Island
Last week a group of Year 10 students (Mie Naito, Clare Ferreira, Ellie Pointon, and Evie Farr) and two staff members (Candice Cooper and Keli Stapp) travelled to Cape Stewart and Milingimbi Island in East Arnhem Land for an unforgettable eight-day cultural immersion.
After stopovers in Darwin and Milingimbi, we were warmly welcomed by students and teachers from Milingimbi Community School, Marcus from the Learning on Country (LoC) Program, and local Elders for the first LoC expedition of 2025.
The Milingimbi Learning on Country Program is a partnership between the local Crocodile Island Rangers and the local school. There are 14 schools engaged in this program across the Northern Territory. This program supports Indigenous students through ‘both-ways or two-ways’ learning — blending cultural knowledge with the school curriculum to build leadership, skills and pride.
We were privileged to share campsites, food and stories around the fire, and to learn about the local community’s history, stories and deep connection to Country. It was an inspiring and humbling experience we will carry with us for years to come.
Written by Candice Cooper and Keli Stapp
Thank you to Keli Stapp and Candice Cooper for supporting the girls on this trip. We are grateful for you taking the time away from school and your families to accompany the girls.
Thank you to Ellie Pointon for sharing this reflection:
Some of my favourite parts of this trip to Milingimbi were firstly meeting all the people, kids and elders. Everyone was so welcoming and kind. Everyone had so much knowledge about their culture, land, animals, water and family.
One of the things I loved was how everyone worked together, whether it was preparing food or hunting for food and animals. Yolngu Matha was the language they mainly spoke, alI of the kids tried to teach us some simple words which made it a bit easier to understand the context, but it was still a little difficult.
What made me really happy was how all the kids were so comfortable with us once they got to know us a little bit and we all got along so well and I will forever cherish the friendships, selfies and laughs with them.
On the last night there was a big cultural dance, where everyone participated. At the start it was the men singing and playing the didgeridoo and the women were dancing. Then we all joined in, one of the lovely ladies helped teach us each dance as after a few rounds the song would slightly change and so would the dance.
The overall experience was amazing, I felt like I connected a lot more to my culture even though it is not my specific mob, I just felt proud of how strong the culture and connection was.
Written by Ellie Pointon (Year 10)
And also, to Clare Ferreria:
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a week on a Learning on Country trip to Milingimbi (an island of northeast Arnhem Land) in the Northern Territory. The day after we arrived in Milingimbi, we caught a barge to Cape Stewart, where we camped for the three nights and were accompanied by teachers, primary and secondary students from the school at Milingimbi, local rangers, and elders to participate in a Learning on Country camp.
All campers were able to learn firsthand from local elders and rangers, with most of the learning done in Yolŋu Matha, the tradition language in that area. We learnt about many things, including language, the environment and how they use and take care of it, the difference in roles between men and women, and even traditional dances.
We attended a couple of workshops about language (and the importance of the continuation of traditional language for Australia’s First Nations people) as well as one about animals and plants, which was helpful when identifying different species and learning the Yolŋu names for different parts of animals.
I tried some foods that were new to me, from turtle eggs that were cooked in saltwater to yams cooked in the sand under a fire. My favourite time was when the temperature cooled in the evening, and we were able to see the beautiful sunsets.
When we got back from Cape Stewart, we attended school with some of the Milingimbi kids we met. Their school was a lot smaller than Pymble and there weren’t as many students. I am grateful to have had this incredible experience where I could learn and observe first-hand the importance of country and community to Indigenous peoples.
Undies Drive
I have a big favour to ask: could every family please purchase a pack of undies over the weekend to donate in support of Days for Girls? In previous years, the Upper School collected over 1,000 pairs of undies, which were later included in menstruation kits. This year our donation boxes are looking a little light on. We’re eager to continue this wonderful tradition of support and know that even a small donation like this makes a real difference.
Student Achievements
Well done to:
- Celine Cai, Isabel Chook, Ruby Chu, Chloe Shao, Bella Yang, Sitian Chen, Emily Chiang, Nicole Fan, Harriet Gregory, Sophie Guo, Jenny He, Chloe Wang Isis Li, Hakone Liceralde, Angela Tao, Leahara Wijesuriya, for being part of the Pymble teams competing at the State da Vinci Decathlon at Knox Grammar School this week. Their results have still not come in, but we know that they will have continued the strong tradition of being talented scholars representing Pymble.
- Rianne Leung on her bronze medal in the Australian Fencing Federation National Championships in the Senior Women’s Foil event.
- Our super fit Upper School distance runners – Saja Abdel-Mageed, Layla Abel–Mageed, Poppy Barwick, Amelia Bicego, Amalia Bond, Hayley Browne, Gemma Dixon, Naomi Krajancic, Leander Mclaughlin, Harriett Murphy, Eloise Stewart, Isabel Shorter, Indianna Vale, Claudia Wyatt and Aniela Knight – who were part of the winning cross country team who proudly represented Pymble at the annual igsa carnival at Frensham last weekend.
Reminder Regarding Leave Applications
Leave is granted only for reasons such as illness, bereavement, elite sport or work experience. Holidays should be taken during official school holiday periods. Where possible, medical appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours to minimise absences. Students are expected to attend all whole-school activities and should avoid making appointments at these times.
Applications for special leave must be completed on the ‘Exemption from Attendance’ form, available on MyPymble via the College website, and signed by a parent or carer. Please submit completed forms to the school office as soon as possible, and at least fourteen days before the intended leave period.
We Encourage You to Watch: Pre PPEP Talk® Video – Women’s Health
Next week, our Year 10 students will participate in the PPEP Talk® – a one-hour session delivered by trained educators from the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia. This important program empowers young women with knowledge about periods, pelvic pain,and endometriosis, helping them understand what’s normal, how to manage pain and when to seek help.
We encourage students and parents to watch the optional 13-minute Pre PPEP Talk® Video beforehand. This video offers a helpful refresher on periods and pelvic anatomy, ensuring everyone feels prepared for the session on Monday 2 June. Building health literacy and being empowered to seek help are vital skills for young women. By understanding their bodies and recognising when to ask for support, our students can take charge of their health and wellbeing.
Click here to watch the video.
Senior Academic Scholarship registrations open to Year 9 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls who are currently in Year 9 at Pymble or external to Pymble who will be in Year 11 in 2027. Registrations for Year 11 2027 Senior Academic Scholarships are currently open.
Visit the Scholarship webpage for more information and to register for the Academic Test in August.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Around the Grounds
Key Dates – Term 2
Tuesday 27 May – Year 9 Residential Program Term 3 Parent Information Evening
Thursday 29 May – Year 10 Make-up Vaccinations
Saturday 31 May – PPA Parent Trivia Night
Tuesday 10 June – Year 10 Subject Selection Evening
Thursday 12 June – Pymble Year 2-12 Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 24 June – Secondary School Ensemble Concert
Friday 27 June – Boarder’s Travel Day
Friday 27 June – Last day of Term 2
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School