Thank you to our wonderful Pymble Parent Association (PPA) for treating our staff to lunch today to celebrate World Teachers’ Day. This day is acknowledged all over the world to show our appreciation for quality teaching and inspirational practitioners. Our students often let their teachers know how grateful they are to have them in their lives, and to feel that gratitude from their parents, too, is deeply rewarding.
A school can have the strongest academic offering and most dedicated students in the world, but without the right team of skilled, engaging educators to deliver the programs and parents who support them fully, the magic doesn’t happen. At Pymble, we are blessed to have all four.
It was a pleasure to join our Chair of Board, members of Senior Executive and staff last week to thank our PPA and parent/carer volunteers for the many ways you work with us, and each other, to support teaching and learning at Pymble. Together we make an exceptional Team Pymble, and we see the magic each day in your daughters.
Update on new academic courses in 2025 and 2026
In the first half of this year, I introduced you to a suite of new academic courses we have either launched this year or will be launching in 2026. With the end of term fast approaching, it feels timely to give an update on each one.
New Cambridge IGCSE courses
In 2024, the College became a Cambridge International School, which enables us to prepare our students for global qualifications, beginning with International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) courses.
First cab off the rank was Year 10 IGCSE Mathematics. Our inaugural class recently sat for their end of year examinations, and we look forward to continuing to offer this opportunity to selected Year 10 students next year.
In 2026, we will grow our IGCSE portfolio with the introduction of a two-year Cambridge Global Perspectives course commencing in Year 9. We are delighted to have enough take-up to fill two classes of this humanities-based elective, which explores topics including: Change in Culture and Communities; Development, Trade and Aid; Political Power and Action; Values and Beliefs; Social Identity and Inclusion; and Globalisation.
In the Junior School, we are launching the inaugural Years 5 and 6DREAM Diploma, which incorporates the Cambridge Global Perspectives curriculum for Primary School students. The two-year course commences next year and is designed to equip our girls with essential skills to carry into the Secondary School years – and beyond – with a focus on analysis, collaboration, research, communication, evaluation and reflection.
New Centre for Curriculum Redesign course
The College has also been working closely with the Centre for Curriculum Redesign in Boston to introduce our inaugural Year 9 Biotechnology course in 2026. Student interest in this new Science elective has already exceeded our expectations, filling three classes who are excited to pioneer learning in this thriving field.
Expansion of PESP elective
In 2024, we offered the Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s Program (PESP) as a Year 10 elective for the first time, and this year the offer was extended to Years 8 and 9. Having six allocated PESP periods per fortnight in their timetable gives our students who perform at National level (or higher) the option to study or train during those times, depending on their individual needs. PESP as an elective in Years 8 and above is an important part of our commitment as a designated Olympic Pathway School.
Ready to change the world
The broad reason behind these new offerings is all wrapped up in our Watch Us Change the World strategy. In order to change the world, our girls need to explore and understand issues and contexts that go beyond Australian shores. They must be equipped with the future-ready skills that are critical for meeting any challenge in our ever-changing world. By aligning teaching and learning with internationally recognised courses, qualifications and pathways, and with the help of our brilliant academic staff, we are giving our students every opportunity to create the future they dream of, wherever they may find themselves living or working – today, tomorrow and in the future.
From the Junior School
A Message from Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School
Last night, our outstanding musicians showcased their skills and passion for music with the 2025 Ensemble Concert. I am so proud of the girls and grateful to all of you who have encouraged their practice throughout the year and supported their progress. A huge shout out of thanks to our phenomenal music staff who empower the girls’ musical journey with such dedication and care: Tiffany Farlow (Training Band), Ellen Buckley (Brumby Strings, temporarily accompanying Capella Choir, String Quartet JS Choir), Maria Lee (Stanhope Band and JS Choir), Julie Hare (Helper) and Sam Macourt (JS Choir).
Other music Staff who lead ensembles: Sarah Turner (Brumby Strings), Kurt Schweinberger (Capella Choir), Charlotte Aquaro (Stanhope Band), Sarah Ashton (Year 4 Training Band), Luczia Bain (Year 3 String Orchestra), Narelle Colbey (Yr 3 String Orchestra and Hindson Strings), Patrice Goodman (Jazz band and Grainger Band), Claire Race (Accompanist), Marcus Stafford (Head of Bands), Julia Zeltzer (Training Band).
Spark Lab success – congratulations to our courageous entrepreneurs.
On Monday, a pioneering group of Year 6 students stepped up to pitch their entrepreneurial concepts to a panel of ‘Sharks’ in our inaugural Spark Lab. Inspired by Shark Tank and led by Mrs Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School Academics, the girls have worked over the year to devise ideas they would like to bring to the market. Having researched competition, as well as planned corporate and marketing strategies, the girls pitched for potential investors, demonstrating mature confidence, courage and quick thinking as they answered hard-hitting questions. Congratulations girls on your entrepreneurship and collaboration. We look forward to bringing Spark Lab to Year 5 and Year 6 in 2026 as part of the DREAM Diploma.
Throughout Spark Lab, I learnt about the world of marketing and selling products that appeal to a particular audience. I worked in a team and considered all the possibilities of our product. Pitching was also a great experience for me and taught me so many skills that I will indisputably apply in future tasks. I also learnt how to calculate finances and alter the product to achieve the highest possible profit margin that would benefit the business.
I enjoyed collaborating with my team and using creative thinking to design the product and packaging to appeal to our target audience, working with each other to expand our collective knowledge and learning. Researching prices and competitors was also a highlight as it gave me an insight into the business and marketing world. I felt as if I had been given an opportunity to showcase my skills and pitch to an audience. I also enjoyed working with other teams, applying their feedback to improve my team’s pitch and presentation.
Something that I found challenging throughout this experience was facing my fears and actually presenting the product to prospective investors, who proposed offers in which we had to accept or deny, as well as looking out for any minor mistakes in our finances that could have had a major effect on our revenue and profit margins – EmmaFeng, 6P
I enjoyed so many aspects of Spark Lab, especially the development of our business concept and design, it was incredibly fun to present to the investors, this experience is one that I will remember as I step into middle school. I’ve learnt a variety of skills such as collaborating with my team members, understanding business concepts such as finance estimations, and of course, challenging myself in creating a presentation to seek investment. Overall, I think I have a better insight on the level of effort and strategic thinking required to build a successful business. Leadership and critical thinking are areas that I have improved over the duration of Spark Lab. The area I found challenging was the financial aspects of a business and getting our ideas together to create a sustainable, futuristic and authentic design. At first, my group had trouble developing a realistic and profitable product. Eventually, we took inspiration from some of the shoes and products that we owned and developed a marketable product, confidently presenting a strong pitch. – Emma Feng, 6S
I enjoyed presenting our pitch, as well as answering the investors questions during the Q&A and listening to their perspective on our product. Overall, being in Spark Lab was an interesting experience where I could create a product that matched my interests. I learnt how to manage the financials, develop persuasive points for marketing, and use visual literacy to make the presentation eye catching. I found presenting our pitch challenging, despite this, I still enjoyed presenting to the investors. – Ella Li, 6P
Being part of Spark Lab, I learnt how to develop a good pitch and presentation. I also learnt that even if the product seems simple or underdeveloped at the start, sometimes you can turn it into something innovative and clever that the investors will want to invest in. I was challenged by the whole project at the start. I remember the first few lessons, my group and I struggled to come up with ideas, and there was a patch in the middle where we weren’t sure where we were heading with the finance and investment ideas. It was almost like we were pulling numbers out of thin air, trying to balance affordability and profitability. We also didn’t know how much we wanted the investors to actually invest until close to the end. While we struggled with these problems in the finance section, near the deadline, we were able to focus and really bring our presentation, pitch and finance together, getting all three investors to make offers and actually being prepared ourselves. Strangely enough, I actually enjoyed pitching to the investors at the very end. This was something we could do, that we were prepared for and knew that we could achieve. Apparently, we were also the first to question the investors by asking them what they would bring to the business if they were to go through with the investments. While there were some bits where I was wondering whether I should have signed up at all, in the end it was worth it and it is something I can look back on and know that we did well. – Caitlyn Ho, 6P
National Portrait Gallery winner – congratulations Maggie!
Many congratulations to Maggie Wang, Year 4, whose portrait of Mr Loker, has been honoured by being selected by the National Portrait Gallery to be displayed in the online exhibition of Awesome Australians.
Maggie explains that she chose Mr Loker as he brings “a fun and bubbly vibe every day, showing a huge smile when he comes to school. He treats us with kindness and compassion, helping us every step of the way. If someone is sad, he will go straight to them… helping them fix their worries… which is something I adore – he is amazing, helping me every day.“
I know Mr Loker was both delighted and humbled by this honour – thank you and congratulations, Maggie.
Grandparents’ Day
Tomorrow, we welcome our grandparents and special elders to our Junior School as we honour the special place they hold in our lives. I always look forward to this event as I was fortunate enough to grow up with my maternal grandmother, Lois, living with us for many years. As an English teacher, Grandma inspired my lifelong passion for reading and writing. As a boarder from the age of 9 years, Grandma would write to me each week with news from home and parts of a story that she wrote and illustrated. I would then continue the story and send it back to her in my weekly letter home. Together, we would craft stories over many months with the back and forth of our story letters. This is one of the many reasons why I value the letters the Junior School girls write to me and ‘post’ in our Hedgehog House mailbox as they are a special way to share a quiet conversation, ideas and stories whether written or drawn.
Robotics
Last week our Year 1-2 Robotics girls showcased their coding skills as their Dash robots trick and treated their way around the learning area. Thank you to the many parents who came in to support the girls in their learning. Thank you to Mrs Anderson, Miss Prince, Miss Ng, Miss Anderson and Miss Nolan who mentor the girls each week.
A special congratulations from Mrs Brown
The passion for Robotics continues in Years 3-6 where our girls work as a team under pressure, make quick decisions, and learn to adapt fast. It’s a roller coaster of emotions with ups, downs, and ups again.
One of the most rewarding parts is seeing how they rise to the challenge. They learn that it is important to cheer for each other. They learn to be confident, to trust themselves and their potential, and to realise that they are capable of much more than they thought. For example, we had a team completely rebuild part of their robot to pass inspection, and the pride they felt afterward was incredible.
We’re also working through some challenges, such as teaching our students how to handle situations where other teams aren’t showing great sportsmanship. With the right mentoring, they’re learning to speak up for themselves and to model fairness and respect, which is just as valuable as any trophy.
This year, we have attended six VEX IQ competitions, and their results have been fantastic:
6510A (Genevieve Wong, Rebecca Cooke, Hayley Du, Isabella Li and Anna He) – Judges Award
6510B (Aisha Younus, Arin Sadananda, Mia Farthing, Caroline Liu, Chhichi Lee) – Teamwork Champion Award and Sportsmanship Award (qualifying for the VEX IQ State Championships)
6510D (Aurora Lin, Sooin Lee, Mikayla Kiang, Claire Que) – Teamwork 2nd Place Award, Excellence Award, and Amaze Award (qualifying for the VEX IQ State Championships)
6510E (Vivien Huang, Alex Xiao, Alyssa Ng, Euphemia Wang) – Innovate Award and Inspire Award
6510G (Evie Cho, Ellie Zhang) – Innovate Award and Build Award
6510K (Miranda Liu, Jianing Li, Jing Huang, Mia Wang) – Create Award and Sportsmanship Award
Last week we launched applications for our 2026 Formula Goblin team and I’m looking forward to seeing who the next generation of our Future Force Racers team will be. Good luck to all the girls who are expressing interest in being part of the team. As a College, we’re noting with interest the number of other Independent Schools who are starting EV racing teams next year, as it’s exciting to see a growing race community here in Sydney.
Deputy Head of Junior School – Academic: Mrs Lara Bird
Spark Lab Entrepreneurial Program
Across the year, our Spark Lab program has been a hub of imagination, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. Inspired by Shark Tank, a group of Year 6 students took on the exciting challenge of becoming young inventors – researching, designing and pitching their very own products.
Throughout the program, the girls worked collaboratively to develop product ideas, conduct research on current market competitors, and design products that addressed real world needs. They explored every stage of the design and business process, learning how creativity, critical thinking and teamwork come together to turn an idea into something tangible. They also developed their understanding of financial literacy, learning to use spreadsheets to calculate costs, pricing and profit margins, which helped the girls make informed business decisions.
The girls participated in workshops where they listened to Mr Andy Lang, Chief Financial Officer at Pymble. He showed the girls how to calculate costs, including production and retail costs. Mrs Courtney Stanley, Director of Community Engagement, shared valuable insights into crafting a compelling pitch for potential investors. These sessions gave the girls a real world perspective on strategic thinking and entrepreneurship. They also considered how to sell a product successfully, exploring the power of marketing and brand identity to connect with their audience. There was a strong sense of business acumen at play as students worked to design and create an original product.
On Monday, the girls confidently presented their products to a panel of expert ‘investors’. Each team impressed with their creativity, knowledge, and professionalism – answering challenging questions with clarity and confidence while showcasing their innovative designs and understanding of their business.
We are very proud of the effort and teamwork our students have shown throughout this journey. We look forward to bringing Spark Lab to Year 5 and Year 6 students in 2026 as part of the DREAM Diploma.
Deputy of Head of Junior School – Operations: Mr Stephen Robinson
JSPG AGM and 2026 Leaders
Thank you to all who attended the final JSPG meeting for the year on Tuesday. These meetings are always a valuable way to share what is happening in the Junior School and thank parents for their involvement and contribution.
With 2025 coming to a close, we sincerely thank those who are stepping down from various leadership roles. Particular thanks to Percy Yang and Lalenya Waterhouse who have been Relationship Leaders, to Betty Zhu who has our Finance and Records Keeper, as well as Fatimah Khamash who has been a Year Co-ordinator for five consecutive years.
The 2026 JSPG Leadership team:
Relationship Leader (K/6) – Cheryl Wang Shi
Relationship Leader (1) – Angelina Liu
Relationship Leader (1/3/6) – Dee Jolapara
Relationship Leader (2) – Bill Chen
Relationship Leader (2) – Tara & Prad Navaratnam
Relationship Leader (4) – Jay Jay Xu
Relationship Leader (4) – Selina Kadeer
Relationship Leader (4/6) – Sam Birch
Relationship Leader (5) – Own Brandner
Care and Support – Bowen He
New Families – Aimee Weng
Finance/Records – Victor Liu
Parent Co-ordinators (K) – Jennifer Zhang and Abi Dickenson
Parent Co-ordinators (1) – Vivian Liu and Keira Bai
Parent Co-ordinators (2) – Katie Isaac and Wendy Li
Parent Co-ordinators (3) – TBC
Parent Co-ordinators (4) – Sonia Yeung and Julia Yang
Parent Co-ordinators (5) – Archana Singh and Melinda Wijesuriya/Himashini Weeraratne
Should you wish to volunteer for one of the vacant Parent Co-ordinator roles, please email me directly.
Class parents for 2026 will be settled in the new year, but should you have a desire to volunteer for this or an event convenor role, please contact your relevant Parent Year Co-ordinators.
School and Co-curricular Attendance
A reminder to families that regular full attendance at school is essential for all students. When a child is sick and unable to attend school, they are precluded from attending after school co-curricular activities. Should students have appointments during the school day, please ensure they are at school by 11.45am in order to attend co-curricular activities.
Summer Uniform Matters
Many of our students have grown significantly since they last wore their summer uniform at the beginning of the year. A reminder that summer uniform must be within 5cm of the knee. Please visit the uniform shop in person or online to order a replacement if your daughter has grown.
White hats are to be worn to and from school daily. This is a whole-College expectation.
Junior School Canteen Helpers
Thank you to the parents who gave up their time to volunteer last term. Term 4 dates are now available on the google form. Please click this link if you can volunteer your time. For the care and safety of your daughters, all volunteers must have a current Working with Children Check Number (WWC). If we do not already have your WWC on file, please email to juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au your WWC number and date of birth so your WWC can be verified.
Message from Junior School Administration Office
A reminder to email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au when your daughter is late or needs to leave early. Please continue to use the MyPymble application to mark your daughter absent. For any absence of two days or more, please complete the Exemption from Attendance at School form, which you can download from MyPymble, or email through a medical certificate for illness.
Important Dates for your diary Term 4 Weeks 3-4
Tomorrow
Grandparents Event 12.30pm-2.00pm
Saturday 1 November
IPSHA Saturday Sport
Monday 3 November
Year 6 Surf Education
Wednesday 5 November
Year 3 Big Band Blow P1-P2, Year 2 Strings Sample P5-P6, Year 5 Riverview STEM Excursion
End of Year Junior School Celebration dates
Thursday 27 November
Year 6 Chapel, Celebration of Learning and Morning Tea
Tuesday 2 December
Years 3-6 Speech Day 9.00am – 11.00am Kindergarten Celebration of Learning and Nativity 11.30am – 1.00pm Years 1 and Year 2 Celebration of Learning 2.00pm – 3.00pm
Wednesday 3 December
Last day of Term 4
From the Middle School
From the Head of Middle School – Jenny O’Donnell
This week in Middle School, we are settling into the demands of Term 4. Next week, our Year 8 students will be undertaking an assessment block across Monday to Wednesday. The girls have been well prepared and should see this as an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned. On Tuesday, Year 7 will be heading out to Long Reef for their Mind Body Spirit Day, which promises to be great fun. We are hoping the weather warms up as the girls will be participating in a surfing/ bodyboarding lesson as well as a coastal walk to the marine platform. We will share lunch on the beach and have time for some beach games as well. Girls are to wear their sports uniform to school, where we will be meeting at the usual time before heading out. Please ensure that you have completed the permission forms.
The Sokratis Program concluded last week with an impressive presentation of individual projects that spanned an array of topics of interest. The girls involved have worked with dedication and curiosity to research and represent their findings. Congratulations to the students from Middle School below who embraced the challenge with passion and creativity.
Year 7:
Charlotte Lam: Impact on Tasmanian Devils. Charlotte also participated in the Three Minute Sokratis Competition. She was invited to present at the Combined Assembly on Tuesday, where she eloquently shared her insights.
Cecilia Zhang: How does our brain send signals into brain chips?
Year 8:
Naomi Chan: How do illustrative techniques in Japanese manga shape the emotional experiences of readers? Naomi was the winner of the Best Poster Design.
Aaira Khan: Rising allergy rates in Sydney’s youth: A decade of change. Aaira also participated in Three Minute Sokratis Competition.
I would like to acknowledge the wonderful Year 7 Transition Leaders who were outstanding in their role throughout Links Day last week. Their enthusiasm ensured everyone felt welcome and excited about coming to Pymble next year.
Congratulations to Arabella Hoang of Year 8 who proudly placed fourth in the Junior Reading Section of Festival of Speech.
From the Boarding School
There was much excitement in the Boarding precinct as we welcomed some of our Year 7 2026 Boarders for the newly christened ‘Double Header’ event. Our enthusiastic new recruits arrived bright and early on Thursday, quickly settling into Avonmoore and making themselves at home. It was heartwarming to see our Boarding Prefects and Big Sisters extend such a warm welcome, providing outstanding role models and support for the girls.
The girls and their ‘Big Sisters’ were all set for an adventure in the city, getting acquainted with the rail and metro networks en route to Barangaroo, where they enjoyed a game of ten-pin bowling. A ferry ride around Sydney Harbour provided stunning views and wonderful memories, before everyone returned for their very first sleepover in Avonmoore. My thanks to our 2026 Heads of Year, Mr Adam Levin and Mrs Karina Richter, who joined Mrs Dan Bukovinsky, Head of Avonmoore and Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding and Summer, our Avonmoore Prefect, to make this such a special occasion for all.
While the girls enjoyed their day on the town, parents had the opportunity to connect with one another and meet key Pymble staff members. They also attended an informative session specifically designed to provide guidance on preparing for Boarding and comfort to parents who are sending their children to Boarding school for the first time.
On Friday, our new Boarders joined the entire Year 7 2026 cohort for Links Day. This event provided a wonderful chance to forge new friendships, participate in sample lessons, and explore the many opportunities on offer at the ‘Have a Go Expo.’
A special edition of our cherished Friday tradition, Boarders Get Baking, saw Valentine Kisses baked with energy and enthusiasm, making for a delightful afternoon. After a quick dinner, the girls attended a performance of the Middle School play, Charlotte’s Web, before an early night to bring a packed day to a close. Meanwhile, families gathered at the Greengate Hotel for dinner and drinks. With our President of the Boarder Parent Group, Edwina Beveridge, as the hostess with the mostest, a great night was had by all.
Saturday brought placement tests for the students, followed by a light lunch, heartfelt goodbyes, and the promise of seeing each other again soon.
Love It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
Friday night Balmoral Picnics are back! Our Year 12 2026 Boarders enjoyed their picnic last week. Whilst it was a little cold, they enjoyed their time together and time at the beach. Other Boarders attended the performance of Charlotte’s Web with our visiting Year 7 2026 Boarders. Pymble Year 7 and 8 Boarders hosted Abbotsleigh and Knox on Saturday afternoon to participate in activities for our annual Trick or Treat event. Some of our fabulous Year 10 and Year 12 (2026) Boarders assisted with running of the activities. The evening ended with a big game of touch football which was thoroughly enjoyed. A restful Sunday was in order as Boarders spent time in the pool, taking shopping leave and time around the campus.
View From My Window
Hi everyone! I’m Katelyn a Year 12 Boarder from Hong Kong where I live with my mum, my dad, my brother, and our lovebird parrot, Lucky. While Hong Kong is where I’ve grown up, my parent’s upbringing in Sydney has always made Australia feel like a second home. Our annual Easter trips to Sydney were the highlight I always looked forward to.
Hong Kong is a vibrant and fast-paced city filled with towering skyscrapers. I’m fortunate that from our balcony, I have a clear view of the cityscape. It’s particularly beautiful at night when all the buildings light up. What I love most about living there is the incredible food scene, with a wide variety of cuisines, and the super-efficient MTR system. It’s the cheapest and quickest way to get around, with trains arriving every three minutes!
My favourite part of home is our family traditions. Every Sunday, we would start the day at church, then pick up our grandparents for a full day together. We’d typically have lunch at one of our favourite regular restaurants or, if the weather was nice, have a picnic by the beach. The week would always end on a high note with my dad’s amazing home cooked dinner, which was the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. While a part of my heart will always be in Hong Kong, I love being able to experience both worlds. I’m always looking forward to returning to Boarding, as I’m able to reunite with my friends and continue making memories in another place I’m proud to call home.
Boarder of the Week
We are delighted to recognise Edwina as our well-deserving Boarder of the Week. Hailing from Culcairn in south-east New South Wales, Edwina is a highly valued member of Marden House. She is gentle, kind, and thoughtful – always striving to do her best in her studies and consistently wearing her uniform with pride.
Edwina is dependable and punctual, participating enthusiastically in all House activities. She supports her peers and younger students with patience and care, taking the time to make everyone feel included.
Despite her busy schedule balancing early morning rowing sessions and finishing rugby games, Edwina continually embraces every opportunity that Pymble offers. Her quiet, positive presence makes a significant and lasting impact within Marden House.
Well done, Edwina!
Save the Date
14 November – Lang Housewarming for Year 12 2026 and their families
1 December – End of Year Chapel Service and Christmas Party*
3 December – Year 7-12 Speech Day*, followed by end of term Travel Day
*no leave during this time.
From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
With Year 10 girls busily applying themselves to their examinations, the Upper School has felt a little quieter this week. For many, this is their first experience of a formal exam week, complete with the challenge of multiple assessments in a single day and the realisation of whether their study schedule has supported them effectively.
In the coming weeks, the girls will receive feedback from their teachers, giving them a valuable opportunity to reflect on what worked well and where there’s room for growth. This process is an important part of their learning journey as they prepare to step into the Senior School in 2026.
We’re proud of the way they’ve approached this milestone and look forward to supporting them as they continue to develop confidence, resilience, and independence in their learning.
After the Allwell testing is completed on Friday, the girls will have a chance to unwind and celebrate on campus with a range of physical activity options and a year group lunch.
View from Vision Valley – St Edmund’s Day Reflection
Last Friday, St Edmund’s College visited Vision Valley for a spectacular day full of fun outdoor activities. There were approximately 20 St Edmund’s students with special needs, ranging from Years 7 to 12. The day began when the St Edmund’s students arrived at 10am on Lakeside Lawn. The Pymble and Churchie students were buddied up with students from St Edmund’s, and we sat down at the campfire for a welcome and an Acknowledgement of Country.
After the introduction, all the students divided into three set groups for an entertaining icebreaker session. After around 30 minutes of get-to-know-you games, the St Edmund’s students felt comfortable in the new environment with their buddies. The groups then went to sugar gliding, crate stacking, or archery, rotating activities after a barbeque lunch. The St Edmund’s students had an amazing time doing these physically and mentally-challenging activities.
This day was also a unique and special opportunity for the St Edmund’s students, as they were able to face their fears, try new things, and meet new people who helped and guided them along the way. Overall, this experience was beneficial for both the St Edmund’s and the Pymble-Churchie students as it emphasised the importance of good communication skills, which enabled all students to have a day they would not forget.
Emma, Kimmy, Eliza, Rielle
Student shoutouts – Congratulations to..
Shormal committee – thank you to Sienna, Evie, Isla-Rose, Scarlett, Laranya, Isabelle, Emily and Isisfor running fun intro games and supporting the evening. Your efforts meant the night started with lots of fun and laughter.
Rianne Leung is continuing her busy year of Fencing with a third place in the European Fencing Confederation Cadet Women’s Foil event in Gothenburg, Sweden during the holidays. Rianne is currently in Istanbul competing in the Cadet and Junior FIE World Cup Women’s Foil.
Panya Khatri on being named the most avid Upper School reader in the Pymble House Reading competition for reading an impressive 74 books.
Kayla Davies for her third place at the 2025 Australian Elite Junior Championships for diving. Kayla was third in the Elite Junior B Platform 3m.
Our talented Upper School musicians for their amazing performances at this week’s Ensemble Concert.
Sokratis Project participants –Isla-Rose, Sitian, Serena, Tala, Imogen, Jane, Syrena, Xiaoyin, Ilesha, Soumyaand Kyraa. These projects are full of insightful and professionally presented research. Please go check them out in the Library.
Hakone Liceralde, Emily Dong, Sophie Harris and Joyce Li for volunteering for the Marys House Walk on Sunday.
Aimee Yap and Amalia Bond, Gabriella Sheh, Jennifer Chen, Celine Chen and MiaMicallef for representing the College at igsa Gymnastics this year and contributing to Pymble being named igsa Champion for 2025.
A very capable group of girls who participated in the Festival of Speech last weekend. Well done to Jemma Hung, Leahara Wijesuriya, Isis Lee, Imogen Kee, Estelle Lee, Amrita Marwah and Grace McSweeney.
From the Senior School
From the Head of Senior School – Mrs Nikki Wyse
Higher School Certificate examinations
The HSC examinations continued this week, with many students coming to the end of their academic program over the next few days. The exams finish on Friday 7 November. All our best wishes to the girls as they enter this final stage of the exams. The students are to be congratulated on their resilience and positive support of each other during this time.
Grad-u-bration 2025!
A reminder to all Year 12 2025 students about our Grad-u-bration event on Friday 19 December, following the release of HSC results and ATARs (on Thursday 18 December). This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your achievements together. A professional photographer will be available to take LinkedIn profile photos, as well as the chance for selfies and fun shots with academic caps and gowns so you can capture the moment with friends. Our Curriculum and Futures teams will also be on hand to offer advice and support for any next steps you’re considering. Join us from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Further details and RSVP here.
Have A Go Expo
The Have A Go Expo was a lively celebration of initiative, courage and friendship, and we congratulate all our new Year 12 students who took part with such energy and enthusiasm. Designed to inspire younger students to step outside their comfort zones, the Expo was filled with a wonderful sense of fun, teamwork and discovery. Special congratulations go to those who led their stalls and activities with reliability, creativity and pride, modelling the power of positive peer influence in action. From performing arts to triathlons, Cattle Club and cadets, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and a shared spirit of giving things a go.
Reflecting on the important link between fostering open friendships in social and academic wellbeing
Over recent weeks, we have been discussing with your daughters the importance of cultivating wide and diverse friendships. The final years of school are a unique and formative period, and for teenage girls, friendships are foundational to their emotional and academic growth. Encouraging your daughter to cultivate open, trusting and diverse friendship groups can significantly enhance her confidence, resilience and academic growth.
Building open and flexible connections – what the research tells us
As psychologist Lisa Damour highlights, developing strong peer relationships helps teenage girls build emotional maturity. Conversations based on honesty and support provide a safe space where girls learn to navigate complex feelings and challenges constructively. Damour notes that when teens ‘feel heard and supported by their friends,’ they are better equipped to solve problems and face adversity.
Research from The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues supports the idea that friendships crossing social boundaries broaden young people’s horizons, nurturing empathy, inclusiveness and critical thinking. These are key virtues for leadership, personal thriving and positive citizenship. Girls benefit when they engage with peers who bring different viewpoints and life experiences, learning respect and adaptability along the way.
The CASEL framework, the model used at Pymble for social and emotional learning, classifies relationship skills and social awareness as core developmental competencies. Expanding social networks encourages collaboration and perspective-taking, enabling girls to become more open-minded and confident in diverse social settings.
Friendships and academic wellbeing
Research further shows that the quality and diversity of adolescents’ friendships can directly influence academic outcomes. Girls with supportive, broad friendship groups experience higher motivation, reduced stress and improved focus, which builds improved academic performance. These friendships often foster co-operative learning, study sharing and mutual encouragement, enhancing understanding and interdisciplinary connections across subject areas.
Studies linking friendship networks to academic motivation reveal that girls’ achievement goals and classroom engagement are shaped significantly by their friends’ attitudes and behaviours. Furthermore, social networks disseminate positive academic behaviours throughout school communities, reinforcing resilience and productive habits.
Andrew Martin, whose work explores adolescent motivation, observes that broad connections serve as ‘engines of engagement,’ by fostering support and belonging crucial for students to actively participate and thrive in school.
Building trust to embrace broad friendships
A crucial part of encouraging girls to widen their social circle is helping them trust their friends and the friendship-building process. Parents can support their daughters to:
Recognise that true friends value and respect them, creating a foundation for trust.
Understand that friendships can evolve; new friends and broader networks enrich life experiences without diminishing current close bonds.
Approach new social opportunities with openness and a positive mindset, knowing that reaching out and trusting others often leads to rewarding connections.
Share any concerns about friendships openly with trusted adults, fostering honest communication.
Practical tips for parents
Encourage your daughter to maintain multiple friendship groups and to be open toward meeting new peers from different backgrounds.
Regularly discuss the qualities of healthy friendships, emphasising trust, respect and support.
Model inclusivity, empathy and openness in your own relationships as examples.
Help your daughter balance social time with study commitments, reinforcing that strong friendships and academic achievement can go hand-in-hand.
Celebrate your daughter’s efforts to build and sustain diverse friendships, reinforcing their value for her wellbeing and success.
By fostering an environment where your daughter feels confident to develop trusting, open friendships and embrace diverse perspectives, you help her build the emotional and academic resilience to grow now and in the future.
A Message from Mrs Julie Shaw, Head of Social Impact
Year 11 students teach Aboriginal children from remote Milingimbi Island to swim.
The College’s partnership with Milingimbi School in NE Arnhem Land, facilitated by the Yadha Muru Foundation, is creating a profound and lasting impact on students from both communities. Through this unique partnership the two schools are working together to decrease the disparity between urban and remote education, while fostering cultural understanding, mutual respect, and genuine connection.
During the holidays, several Year 11 students and staff travelled to Darwin to deliver the Swimming in Schools program, in collaboration with the Northern Territory Royal Life Saving Society.
Swimming is an essential life skill for all Australian children, yet in remote communities like Milingimbi, there are significant barriers – from limited access to safe swimming facilities, to the dangers of open water. The City Country partnership aims to teach Milingimbi children to develop vital water safety knowledge and confidence while strengthening cultural ties between the two communities.
Congratulations are extended to Year 11 students, Katherine, Phoebe and Sara, who are qualified swim instructors along with Learn to Swim teachers who facilitated an excellent learning experience for the Milingimbi children; we are optimistic this program will be sustained into the future.
When reflecting on their experience in Darwin, Katherine, Phoebe, and Sara said:
“For so many of us, swimming feels second nature – but for the Mili children, swimming lessons are something completely new. Seeing how much they have grown in confidence and improved their skills in a few days has been incredible. It shows how powerful programs like this can be. We would love to be part of something like this again in the future. We have loved teaching the children leaning their language and about the Yolngu culture. Manymuk djama djamarrkuli!”
To learn more about the YMF City Country Program follow this link. For more information about Pymble’s Swim Instructor training program please contact Kate Johnstone – kjohnstone@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Sport
Mrs Katie Edwards, Head of Sport (7-12)
Sport Awards Dinner 2025
On Friday 7 November, the College will honour the achievements of our talented and dedicated sportswomen in Years 7 to 12 who have achieved great success and demonstrated outstanding commitment to their sports throughout 2025.
On the night, students who participate in competitive sports will be recognised through several awards including Athlete of the Year, All Rounder of the Year, igsa Team of the Year, Representative Team of the Year, Strive for the Highest Awards, Sports Officials of the Year, Australian Representatives, Para Athlete of the Year, and Sportswoman of the Year.
Students and teams are nominated for these awards by the Sports Co-ordinators and Head Coaches, and are then finalised by a committee. The dinner will celebrate the achievements of our students and teams, and give due regard to the College values which these awardees exemplify. Awards are a way to encourage good performance and instil competitive spirit. Sport at Pymble provides a platform for girls to be challenged, achieve and grow, and this awards dinner is designed to recognise those who compete at the highest level in their chosen disciplines.
Also, we acknowledge that not all girls who show excellence and commitment to their sport can be recognised at the awards evening – there are simply too many students who represent the College in sport. For those girls who are not receiving an award at the dinner, we recognise and acknowledge your contribution to Pymble and encourage you to continue to strive for your highest in your chosen sport.
I would also like to extend special thanks to our College Principal, Dr Hadwen, and the College Council for supporting our exceptional Sport program, and to all the parents/carers who support their daughters in their varied sporting pursuits.
Events Calendar – Term 4
From the Futures Team
2025 Term Week 10
University of Queensland. Careers with STEM Online
Date: November 5, 2025. 11 am AEST
Imagine building the next big thing in AI, helping fight climate change with smart data, or even designing the tech behind the next generation of electric cars or space travel. Technology is now woven into every industry – from music and gaming to medicine and sustainable energy – which means a career in tech doesn’t just mean one path; it means limitless possibilities.
Passionate about languages and global communication? Discover how the Bachelor of Languages and other flexible study options can help you major in up to two languages, build translation and intercultural skills, and study overseas with a $5,000 scholarship.
Learn about real-world industry projects and alternative pathways like the Diploma of Language Studies, ideal for combining language learning with any degree or pursuing it after graduation. Find out more: Webinar Registration – Zoom
UNSW Uni Prep Information Evening Online
Organisation: University of New South Wales
Location: Online
Date: November 6, 2025. Join us for an online information session to learn more about the UNSW Uni Prep Program and have your questions answered.
Since 1989, the Uni Prep Program has been an alternative pathway for thousands of people to study at UNSW Sydney. The program helps you to learn the skills, knowledge and provides academic guidance needed to study at uni.
In this online info session, we will talk about:
· The program structure and study streams
· The time commitment and flexible study options
· How the Uni Prep Program can lead to undergraduate degrees at UNSW
· Hear from our staff and students and have the chance to ask questions
We look forward to seeing you there! Find out more
UNSW: Uni Prep Program at UNSW. Online.
Date: November 6 2025
Learn more about the UNSW Uni Prep Program and have your questions answered.
Since 1989, the Uni Prep Program has been an alternative pathway for thousands of people to study at UNSW Sydney. The program helps you to learn the skills, knowledge and provides academic guidance needed to study at uni.
University of New South Wales. Portfolio Entry. Online
Date: November 11, 2025. 10 am- 12 pm
At UNSW, we know you’re more than just a number. That’s why we’ve created the UNSW Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme—a pathway to university that recognises your unique talents and ambitions.
Join us for an exclusive info session tailored for students applying to degrees within the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture for 2026. Hear directly from UNSW academics on how to craft a standout portfolio that highlights your strengths.
University of Sydney. Why study Business at Sydney? Online
Date: November 12, 2025. 3- 3.30 pm
Discover how our Commerce degree prepares you for the future of work and a wide range of career opportunities. You will learn about the range of study areas (or majors) available – such as Marketing, Finance, or Innovation and Entrepreneurship – and the many ways in which you can combine your interests.
University of Sydney: Explore the world of Nursing. Online
Date: November 19, 2025.
Discover what makes nursing at the University of Sydney truly unique. Our accomplished educators bring rich, real-world experience into the classroom, shaping the next generation of nurses with insight, compassion, and innovation. You’ll also gain an overview of our Nursing degrees, hands-on work placements, with further study and career options.
University of Sydney: Explore Media and Communications. Online
Date: November 26, 2025. 3- 3.30 pm
Dive into the exciting world of media and communications with our Bachelor of Media and Communications degree. Discover how this degree can help you turn your passion for media, storytelling, content creation, journalism, marketing and public relations into a dynamic career. We will discuss the entry requirements, course structure, career opportunities and the hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for the real world.
Sydney Design School Interior Decoration 2-day Workshop. 19th and 20th January 2026
Be inspired. Be creative. If you love interiors magazines and beautifully styled spaces, this fun two-day workshop is for you. It’s perfect for any interiors enthusiast who wants to decorate their home with skill and confidence.
Over the term break, I had the joy of being part of the History Tour – a 19-day exploration of ancient and modern sites throughout France, Germany and Italy. We, 37 students from Yr 10 and 11 and 5 teachers, certainly packed a lot of ancient ruins and gelato into our time together. Of the many places we explored, one of my highlights was the Cathedrals. Each one majestically stands tall in Paris, Amiens, Nuremberg, Sorrento and Rome. Many had offerings of Harvest, fruits, grain and pumpkins displayed, celebrating God’s provision and awaiting All Saints Day.
This week we celebrate All Saints Day, on November 1st. All Saints Day is an opportunity to contemplate the universal call to holiness and our connection to a vast spiritual family. Beyond remembering the saints of old, it is a day to give thanks for all who have lived lives of faith, both known and unknown, and to consider their witness and inspiration for our own journey.
1As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
The core of All Saints’ Day is the belief in the “Communion of Saints”—a powerful spiritual bond connecting the Church on earth with the faithful who are now in heaven. The lives of the saints show us that ordinary people, with their own flaws and struggles, can live in by surrendering themselves completely to God’s love.
On this day, we remember those who paved the way for our own faith, from biblical figures and historical martyrs to the loved ones we have known personally. Many church services mark the occasion by speaking aloud the names of community members who have died in the past year, lighting a candle for each as a symbol of life overcoming death. All Saints Day also celebrates our global family, a fellowship that transcends time, place, and nationality.
In chapel this week we spoke about the “Communion of Saints” that surround us, the people in our lives who walk with us in our struggles, who share our dreams and inspire us to love. We spoke about the web of connections that God forges in our lives and how they might give us strength and encourage us on, just as the Saints of Old.
A Prayer for All Saints Day
God of all nations and ages,
On this All Saints’ Day, we come together as a global family, united by faith and surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses from every corner of the earth. We give thanks for the countless men and women who have lived lives of holiness, both those we name in our hearts and the multitude known only to you. We remember those who carried your word across oceans, those who bore witness to your love in places of conflict, and the everyday people who showed compassion and grace to their neighbors, whether across the street or across the world.
Through their example, we recognize that your saints are of every tribe and language and people, and that the communion of saints transcends all borders. Inspire us by their selfless acts and fearless faith to work for justice and peace in our own communities, and to recognize your face in all our global neighbors.Knit us together in a spirit of kinship, dialogue, and mutual care, so that your kingdom may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
Head of Co-Curricular Performing Arts – Strategy and Operation
Mr Kurt Schweinberger
Charlotte’s Web Years 7 to 9 Production
There’s something magical about watching a story unfold live on stage. Last week, Charlotte’s Web reminded us all why theatre matters. Under the lights of the GMCPA stage, Years 7 to 9 students brought Wilbur, Charlotte, and the barnyard to life, showing us that courage, friendship, and kindness aren’t just words on a page, they’re actions we can live by. Every moment of the performance carried the echo of perseverance, as our students embraced challenges, supported one another, and never gave up.
As Laurence Olivier once reflected, “The theatre is a wonderful invention that gives us the chance to see life reflected and understood.” In watching these performances, we saw life in all its messy, beautiful complexity, mirrored back through the dedication of our students.
The celebrations didn’t end there. The Term 4 Ensemble Concerts were a whirlwind of energy. Over 270 Secondary School students lit up the stage on Tuesday evening, followed by 280 Junior School students on Wednesday. Each performance was a reminder that music has the power to connect, inspire, and bring our community together.
To every student involved – thank you. Your courage to perform made these events unforgettable!
Look forward to seeing you all at the Week 5 Dance Showcase – The Beat of Time. Tickets can be purchased through the GMCPA Box Office.
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From the Co-curricular Sports Team
Sally Davidson, Head of Co-curricular Administration
Term 1 2026 Saturday Sport registrations will close on Friday 31 October at midday
Term 1/Semester 1/Yearly registrations will open on Wednesday 19 November at 12.00pm. Program information will be available one week prior.
Stay Informed – Download the Pymble App
To ensure you receive the latest Co-curricular updates, including any changes or cancellations, please make sure your family has downloaded the Pymble App. Once the school term begins, most communication will be sent via the app, with only minimal updates provided by email.
For more details and download instructions, please click here.
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Artistic Gymnastics
Alison Gestier, Head Coach of Artistic Gymnastics
igsa Championships
Congratulations to the Pymble Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics students who participated in the igsa Gymnastics Championships at Rooty Hill last week. Pymble finished in second place overall for both Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics. Our team was also named Division 1 Artistic Gymnastics Champions and proudly reclaimed the overall Artistic Shield. Excellent effort, girls, well deserved!
Our Pymble NL1-2 gymnasts had a fun and spooky Halloween invitational competition at Aussie Gems Gymnastics Club in Frenchs Forest on Sunday 26 October. The girls had a fabulous time displaying their beautiful routines and did exceptionally well. Great work girls!
Basketball
Maddison Scott, Co-ordinator of Basketball
IPSHA Round 2
What a fantastic weekend it was for IPSHA Basketball! Both courts were buzzing with energy, sportsmanship and skill, as teams gave it their all in every match. Each week the team spirit and skill development continues to grow, making IPSHA Basketball a highlight of Term 4
A special congratulations to our Team of the Week—Pymble 5! Displaying remarkable teamwork, their strong passing and spacing on the court set them apart from their opponent and secured them a convincing win. These girls worked beautifully together, creating opportunities for each other and securing a strong win over Meridan. Their efforts and win are a reflection of their hard work at training.
With every round, our IPSHA basketball teams continue to grow both in team spirit and in skill.
Team A
Team B
Result
Pymble 1
BYE
Pymble 2
BYE
Pymble 3
BYE
Pymble 4
BYE
Pymble 5
Meriden 5
16 to 6 Win
Pymble 6
Tara 4
19 to 26 Loss
Pymble 7
Tara 5
6 to 14 Loss
Pymble 8
PLC Sydney 7
2 to 26 Loss
Pymble 9
Tara 6
47 to 8 Win
Pymble 10
SCEGGS 7
4 to 20 Loss
Pymble 11
Wenona 11
6 to 14 Loss
Pymble 12
Roseville 15
8 to 8 Draw
Pymble 13
Roseville 16
0 to 18 Loss
Dance
Miss Lucy Eaton, Dance Co-ordinator (Secondary School)
Secondary Dance Chorey Comp
It was fantastic to see the student creativity on display in the College’s first ever Chorey-Comp. We are pleased to announce the overall winner:
Caitlin Kim (Year 11)
Congratulations! Her winning submission demonstrated a refined personal style, marked by a rich and diverse movement vocabulary. Caitlin’s thoughtful editing choices elevated the clarity of shapes and deepened the concept’s trajectory. A well-deserved recognition for a compelling and sophisticated work. Bravo!
Please join us in congratulating Caitlin on this success. We look forward to sharing the piece with you all later in the term.
IPSHA Gymnastics
IPSHA Gymnastics Competition
Congratulations to all girls who competed at the IPSHA Gymnastics Competition last Friday. Your performances were excellent! Special thank you to our Head Coaches, Alison Gestier (Artistic) and Jo Watson (Rhythmic) for all your hard work that went into preparing the girls for the lead into and on the day of the competition. Please see the outstanding results below.
Artistic Gymnastics – Division 1
Level 1 – 7th
Scarlett Kang (Year 2), Dorothy Zhao (Year 2), Charlotte Roberts (Year 1), Lizzy Zhong (Year 2), Ava Itzcovich (Year 2), Menghan Chen (Year 2), Karen Jo (Year 2)
Level 2 – 1st
Kitty Mae Ruiz del Portal Greene (Year 3), Clover Gong (Year 3), Gwyneth Ho (Year 2), Claudia Qiu (Year 2), Melissa Liu (Year 2), Iyla Jolapara (Year 2)
Level 3 – 1st
Kate Li (Year 5), Claire Xu (Year 3), Audrey Ren (Year 3), Rosalie Leung (Year 4), Charlotte Allen (Year 5), Fiona Wang (Year 4), Penelope Wang (Year 3), Isabella Li (Year 5)
Aini Liu (Year 3), Jasmina Li (Year 2), Lizhen Huang (Year 2), Stella Shen (Year 2)
Level 2 – 1st
Alice Zhang (Year 3), Elena Lu (Year 3), Georgia Farthing (Year 4), Lexie Pu (Year 4), Olivia Yang (Year 3)
Level 3 to 4 All Round
18th Ariel Lee (Year 5)
20th Lovy Chen (Year 4)
23rd Sophie Woo (Year 4)
24th Mia Lyu (Year 3)
Level 5 All Round
1st Emma Fartek (Year 5)
Level 5 Development All Round
2nd Charlotte Wang (Year 4)
Language Arts
Mrs Bronwyn Hubbard
Festival of Speech – Saturday 25 October – A Stellar performance from Pymble!
Each year, igsa, the Independent Girls’ School Association, hosts the Festival of Speech. This year, the venue was Kincoppal Rose Bay. Our Pymble team placed first in the Junior Section and third overall. Well done team on these amazing results! All girls performed impressively. Thank you to the girls, parents and coaches.
Soapbox Junior – Sahana Shasidharan (Year 7) – Placed first
Junior Poetry – Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 9) – Placed second
Senior Poetry – Amrita Marwah (Year 10)
Current Affairs team – Kiki Chen (Year 11), Amber Wang (Year 11) and Jemma Hung (Year 10) – Placed second
Religious and Ethical Questions team – Jasmine Tran (Year 11), Kitty He (Year 11) and Isis Li (Year 10)
DEBATING
IDC – International Debating Championships
IDC commenced last Friday, with 16 Pymble teams and we look forward to Round 2 tomorrow.
The topic areas are as follows –
Round 1: Education
Round 2: Health and Technology
Round 3: Criminal Justice
Round 4: Politics
Please note that motions will be released in real time at the beginning of each debate. Teams are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the above topic areas and prepare broadly rather than focusing on a single perspective. Coaches have been allocated to teams.
2026 Debating Team Auditions
Language Arts Debating auditions have commenced. Auditions are open to all students currently in Years 6 to 11.
Auditions will be held after school from 3.30pm to 5.00pm on the dates listed below. The venue for each audition will be confirmed and sent to students registered prior to the audition date. Students must bring pen/pencil and paper to the audition and are required to arrange their own transport home. Online auditions can be arranged for new students to the College for 2026 who are not able to attend a face-to-face audition at the College.
Upcoming Audition Dates
Monday 3 November – 2025 Year 10 students
Tuesday 4 November – 2025 Year 6 students (current Pymble students)
Thursday 6 November – 2025 Year 6 students (new students starting in 2026)
Monday 10 November – Catch up auditions
Tuesday 11 November – Catch up auditions
Thursday 20 November – 2025 Year 9 students (those attending Vision Valley) and catch up auditions
Please use the form in your MyPymble app notices to register for an audition. Reminders will continue to be sent throughout the term. Please email Mrs Hubbard at bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any questions regarding Language Arts or the auditions. Please email ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any general enquiries or for changes to your submitted form.
PUBLIC SPEAKING, MUN AND MOCK LAW
UN Voice of Youth
Thank you to those who competed at Pymble on Monday 13 October. All were well prepared, and the standard was high. Those progressing will be notified soon, now the heats have been completed.
Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN)
PMUN is on a recess due to Year 10 exams. Emails will be sent regarding its return.
Other MUNS
Stay tuned for expressions of interest to THIMUN, The Hague. This international Language Arts MUN excursion will run again in January 2027 and will be open to girls in Years 9 to 12 in 2027.
Mock Law
Team auditions have been completed, and teams will be released soon.
Vivian Li (Year 6) – Grade 2 Musicianship – High Distinction A+
Veronica Deng (Year 10) – Grade 3 Musicianship – High Distinction A+
I am delighted to share that Joanna Au (Year 12) has been accepted into the Australian Youth Orchestra’s Young Symphonists 2026 program as a percussionist.
This remarkable opportunity allows Joanna to collaborate with other talented young musicians from across Australia, participating in tutorials and workshops led by some of the country’s finest professional musicians.
Ensemble Concerts
Congratulations to all the students who performed in the Secondary School and Junior School Ensemble Concerts, held on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Thank you to all the music and theatre staff for their ongoing support of our students. I’d like to also thank the wonderful non-music staff who volunteered to help, especially with the Junior School concert. This made the evening run smoothly.
Dates for your diaries – Term 4
Wednesday 5 November – Current Year 2 and 3 students are invited to have a go at the Bow and Blow Day:
Band from 8.30am to 10.30am: Year 3 students can continue with strings AND join a band by having a go at the various band instruments
Strings from 1.30pm to 2.30pm: Year 2 girls will have a listen to the string family and can sign up to join the Year 3 String orchestra in their Performing Arts lessons.
Friday 7 November – College Quartet and pianist to play at the Sports Awards Dinner at Miramare Gardens. 5.15pm to 6.00pm.
Tuesday 11 November – Jazz Ensemble to perform at the Visual Arts Event. 5.30pm to 6.00pm.
Tuesday 11 November –Remembrance Day/Jacaranda Assembly – String Orchestra and Capella Chamber Choir to perform.
Sunday 30 November – College Carols service from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Join us for a sing along and some performances in the Chapel. All jazz students from Junior Jazz, Senior Jazz Ensemble and Stage Band, Piccoline Choir, Pizzicato Strings, Junior School Choir, Secondary School Choir, Capella Chamber Choir and Pymble Chorale.
Tuesday 2 December – Junior School Speech Day, including Years 1 and 2 Celebrations of Learning and Kindergarten Nativity (Junior School Choir, Capella Chamber Choir, Grainger Concert Band and Hindson Chamber Strings)
Wednesday 3 December – Secondary School Speech Day (Pymble Chorale, Secondary School Choir and Symphonic Wind Ensemble).
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Jack Garrad, Co-ordinator of Rhythmic Gymnastics
igsa Championships
Congratulations to the Pymble Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics students who participated in the igsa Gymnastics Championships at Rooty Hill last week. Pymble finished in second place overall for both Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics. Excellent effort, girls, well deserved!
Audrey Lee (Year 7), Katelyn Gu (Year 7), Amber Zhou (Year 8), Ivy Liu (Year 7)
Rowing
Erik Rowan, Co-ordinator of Rowing
Loreto Normanhurst Regatta
On Saturday 25 October, the Senior, Intermediate, Junior and Learn to Row (LTR) squads raced at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, our first regatta of the season.
Senior Squad
The Senior 1st Eight won the Schoolgirl Eight race in impressive fashion, making a strong statement at the start of the season, leaving open water behind them to take the gold in a time of 6:52.48. Congratulations to Mia Solomons (Year 11), Leander McLaughlin (Year 10), Millie Cullinane (Year 11), Scarlett Olesen (Year 11), Summer Phillips (Year 11), Madison Landgrebe (Year 9), Allegra Taubenschlag (Year 10), Claudia Wyatt (Year 9) and Harriet Murphy (Year 10)!
Our Senior 2nd Eight were equally as impressive, with a dominant win in a time of 7:15.94. Congratulations to Emily Bartrop (Year 10), Olivia Norton (Year 10), Georgina Curtis (Year 10), Zara Kinniburgh (Year 10), Lucy Simpson (Year 10), Saskia Alexander (Year 10), Kelly Clifton (Year 10), Caitlyn Bilney (Year 11), and Amber Eisenhauer (Year 10)! The Senior 3rd Eight were impressive in their race, placing third.
Intermediate Squad
The Intermediate Squad performed admirably, with the Intermediate 1st Eight placing sixth. The girls backed up with a strong performance in the Year 10 Four, claiming gold! Congratulations Madeleine Gaden (Year 9), Rose Jones (Year 9), Gemma Thiel (Year 9), Siri Taubenschlag (Year 9) and Emma Wang (Year 9). Our Second Year 10 Four claimed a second-place finish.
Junior Squad
The Junior Squad performed strongly, with the Junior 1st Quad achieving a blistering 3:58.33 to take second place. Our Year 9 2nd Quad were dominant – with a gold medal in 4:08.27. Congratulations Lucy Woodbridge (Year 8), Avika Kapoor (Year 8), Emma Lloyd (Year 8), Skye Mitchell (Year 8) and Jessica Pickford (Year 8). Congratulations to the Junior Thirds on placing fifth, Junior Fourths on placing fourth, Junior Fifths on placing sixth and Junior Sixths on placing eighth.
LTR Squad
In the LTR Squad, we saw some very promising results, with the LTR 1st Quad achieving a fourth-place finish. Our LTR Seconds crew placed third and our Fourth crew placed fourth. Congratulations on your first regatta girls!
Tennis
Jufri Foss, Co-ordinator of Tennis
Congratulations to Yumeng Li (Year 5) who competed at the NSW 10/U State Teams Championships in Newcastle on Saturday and Sunday. Yumeng won all six of her singles matches at the event and her team finished in third place overall. Yumeng was also awarded the ‘Compete Award’, in recognition of the grit and determination she displayed in finding ways to win her matches. Well done, Yumeng!
Touch Football
Shellie Rocca, Co-ordinator of Touch Football
igsa Round 2
What a spectacular weekend of sport we’ve just experienced! Round 2 of the igsa Touch Football competition certainly lived up to expectations, with every team displaying sensational skill, teamwork, and spirit on the field. From nail-biting tries to impressive defence, the matches were fiercely contested, and it was clear that everyone was giving their absolute best.
Every side should be commended for their tenacity during such closely-fought games. There was a show of grit, with teams never giving up and pushing right to the final whistle. The camaraderie and sportsmanship on display were commendable.
This week, a special shout-out goes to Pymble 1, who truly embodied determination and persistence. After finding themselves two tries down in the first half, they demonstrated true fighting spirit to rally together and stage a fantastic comeback, ultimately claiming a brilliant 5 to 3 victory. Their resilience and teamwork have rightly earned them Team of the Week honours. Congratulations to all involved!
A huge thank you to all players, coaches and supporters for making Round 2 such a success. We look forward to seeing everyone build on this momentum in the next round. Keep training hard, support each other, and enjoy every moment out on the pitch!
See results from Round 2 below:
Team A
Team B
Result
Standing
Pymble 1
Wenona 2
5 to 3 Win
2nd
Pymble 2
Santa Sabina 1
7 to 3 Win
3rd
Pymble 3
Loreto Normanhurst 3
4 to 1 Win
1st
Pymble 4
Loreto Normanhurst 5
2 to 1 Win
2nd
Pymble 5
Tara 2
3 to 1 Win
3rd
Pymble 6
Tara 3
3 to 2 Win
4th
Pymble 7
Roseville 5
4 to 5 Loss
5th
Pymble 8
Tara 4
4 to 5 Loss
6th
Pymble 9
Roseville 7
4 to 14 Loss
4th
Pymble 10
Loreto Normanhurst 22
1 to 3 Loss
7th
Pymble 11
MLC School 10
5 to 4 Win
1st
Please see below player of the match for Round 2:
Pymble 1 – Isabelle Burke (Year 10)
Pymble 2 – Jennifer Chen (Year 10)
Pymble 3 – Ruby Watson (Year 10)
Pymble 4 – Lucy Lakeman (Year 10)
Pymble 5 – Amelia Watson (Year 10)
Pymble 6 – Verity Haslam (Year 11)
Pymble 7 – Holly Watson (Year 9)
Pymble 8 – Aaleyah Bookless (Year 9)
Pymble 9 – Madison Aikman (Year 8)
Pymble 10 – Jacinta Ngo (Year 9)
Pymble 11 – Penelope Lawton (Year 7)
Volleyball
Chris Wood, Co-ordinator of Volleyball
Santa Sabina Round 2
Round 2 of the 2025 Santa Sabina Invitational Volleyball Competition took place this past Saturday. Our teams continued their impressive start to the term with another week of fantastic performances.
Our Year 7s (Pymble 7) had an impressive 3 to 0 win in Round 1, however, managed to find themselves down a set against Brigidine. Our girls gained composure in set two and never looked back from there, taking out a 2 to 1 win.
After impressive back-to-back wins last week, Pymble 6 were unable to capitalise on their strong start and unfortunately fell to a 3 to 0 loss to Abbotsleigh.
Pymble 5, our Year 8 Division 1 team, claimed an outstanding 3 to 0 win versus Meriden. The girls got off to a flyer in the first set and only gave up three points to win it 25 to 3. In the next two sets, our focus switched to ensuring we played three-touch as much as possible.
Pymble 4’s game played out like Pymble 7, going down in the first set. A reflective team talk at the end of the first set allowed our girls to gain control of the game and come back to win 2 to 1.
Pymble 3 had a tough opponent in Mount St. Benedict’s, with the final score being a 3 to 0 loss. Our Year 10s are getting better each week, and it was great to see them not give up through the entire game.
A huge well done to our Senior Seconds, Pymble 2, who had to compete against Brigidine’s Senior First team, and came away with a draw. The scoreline finished 1/52 to 1/47 which means our girls would’ve won on a point countback.
Team A
Team B
Result
Pymble 1
Santa Sabina 2
1 to 0 Win
Pymble 2
Brigidine 1
1 to 1 Draw
Pymble 3
Mount St Benedicts 2
0 to 3 Loss
Pymble 4
Monte 6
1 to 2 Loss
Pymble 5
Meriden 8
3 to 0 Win
Pymble 6
Abbotsleigh 10
0 to 3 Loss
Pymble 7
Brigidine 7
2 to 1 Win
Week 2 MVPs
Pymble 1 – Phoebe Murchison (Yr 10)
Pymble 2 – Lucy Sun (Yr 10)
Pymble 3 – Thiloksha Perera (Yr 10)
Pymble 4 – Kaitlyn Png (Yr 9)
Pymble 5 – Catherine Yu (Year 7)
Pymble 6 – Candice Liu (Yr 8)
Pymble 7 – Lamees Chaudhry (Yr 7)
Senior First Match Report by Volleyball Captain, Olivia Ayton
This week, Pymble 1 faced a formidable adversary, Santa Sabina. The match was fiercely contested from the beginning, with Pymble 1 narrowly scraping a first set victory with 25 to 23. Our opponent showcased their strength in the second set, with the score 19 to 23 their way after a series of long rallies. Despite the challenging conditions like the uneven terrain, heat, and glare from the sun, all the girls of Pymble 1 played admirably. Our serves were mostly consistent, with several ‘aces’ being crucial in preventing Santa from extending their lead. On-court communication had also improved markedly from last week’s game, attesting to our growing cohesion as a team. Our team’s determination to win every point also produced many hard-fought rallies and exciting plays. In the end, Pymble 1 emerged victorious with a final score of 1:0, and we aim to continue this winning streak in the weeks ahead.
Homework Help
Jacaranda Day Christmas Giving Appeal
Help us to make our collection this year the BIGGEST EVER!!
Please give to our annual Jacaranda Day Christmas Giving Appeal for the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation through the donation of non-perishable food items, personal care essentials and gifts.
These essential and simple donations are used by the foundation for those most in need. The difference that these small gifts make those receiving them cannot be over-emphasized.
AND JUST IMAGINE
If every Pymble student and every member of staff, gives just ONE item, imagine the possibility!
If we all gave FIVE items it would be ENORMOUS! These small gifts from each of us together could change the world for the better.
Donations can be drop off any time from now until Friday 28th December 2025, and collection points can be found at Hedgehog House and the Middle, Upper and Senior School Office.
Middle School Office
Upper School Office
Senior School Office
Hedgehog House
Donating gifts is simple way that we, as the Pymble community, can bring hope, love, peace and joy at Christmas to people we will never meet, but really matter in our community, because everyone matters. Your support can give the gift of a smile to the face of a child and family who are scared, worried and/or hungry. And who knows what this might do into the future?
It is very possible, that these simple gifts, like the gifts of the Magi or Wise people into the Holy family at the first Christmas, can change the world. So please give. And let’s make this OUR BIGGEST COLLECTION EVER !
2025 Dance Showcase
GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE 2025 DANCE SHOWCASE!
Don’t miss the enthralling 2025 Dance Showcase, The Beat of Time These captivating shows promise to take you on an unforgettable journey through the decades — from the roaring ’20s to the viral hits of today. Each performance captures the spirit of an era, showcasing iconic music, legendary artists, and the dance styles that defined generations.
Click here to secure your tickets today and be part of this magical experience that honours the art of storytelling through movement – it’s an event you won’t want to forget!
Dates: Performances run from Thursday 13 November to Sunday 16 November.
Location: Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts
Please complete our Garden Party Survey
Thank you very much for your generous support of Garden Party 2025. It was a beautiful day and just like the sun, our Pymble spirit was out in full force!
Special and heartfelt thanks go to our incredible parent and staff volunteers. Your hard work and commitment made this year’s event an incredible success.
Planning is already underway for Garden Party 2026, and we need your input!
We invite you to complete our Garden Party planning survey to help us create a bigger and better event next year. Please tell us what you liked, what you didn’t and how we can do things better. You can complete the survey by clicking the link here
Every completed survey with your name and contact details will go into a draw to win one of four GOLD CLASS passes to Event Cinemas.
Please note that the survey will close on Friday 31 October 2025.
Thank you!
Community Engagement
The Magazine 2023 is now available!
The Magazine 2023 is now available!
This year, we are offering you two different options, to download or obtain a hard copy of the The Magazine 2023.
To provide a more environmentally and family-friendly alternative, this year we are giving families the option of viewing/downloading a digital version where once downloaded you can bookmark across synchronised devices, for example Apple Books and/or Google Play.
If you would like a hard copy version, please complete the order form. For printing purposes, we will need all orders submitted by Friday 14 November 2025.
Our aim, which we are currently on track to meet, is to have The Magazine 2024 out Term 1 next year.
Scholarship Opportunity
Scholarship Opportunity – open to a current or external Year 9 student who is a daughter, granddaughter or niece of an ex-student.
Year 9 students who have a mother, grandmother or great-grandmother who attended Pymble are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Ex-Students’ Union Scholarship. This scholarship funded by the College on behalf of the Ex-Students’ Union provides the equivalent of 50% remission of tuition fees for Year 11 and Year 12 to a successful recipient.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.
Registrations close on 4.00pm24 October 2025.
Pymble Transport
Register now – Pymble Bus Service
A reminder to register your daughter for the Pymble bus service. Registrations are essential, as we cannot guarantee a seat without a booking. You can choose between a flexible registration, whereby you are only charged for the number of trips taken, or you can reserve a seat for your daughter for the full term.
Grey House Walk Closure – Alternative travel options
Grey House Walk remains closed during Term 4. The College will continue the following free initiatives to support students who usually walk to school from Pymble Avenue via Grey House Walk:
Minibus Shuttle Service (Pymble Loop)
Additional Pymble stops on our Hunters Hill Route (Bus 1)
For further information on travelling to and from Pymble Ladies’ College, please contact College Services on (02) 9855 7447 or collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
