From the Futures Team

Futures Update – Week 5

On Tuesday, we hosted a Global Pathways Information evening online to the Pymble parent community. We were enthused with the number of registrations for the event and the level of interest in overseas university pathways. Thank you to the Futures team and Karl Schmidt for sharing valuable information to our families on how to support their students. Further information will be updated on the Futures website to inform parents of the avenues of support at Pymble.

I recently visited the Sydney Office of Schneider Electric in Macquarie Park with our Deputy Principal, Christine Kenny and other key members of staff from Pymble Ladies’ College. We toured the facilities and learnt about the graduate and internship pathways for students offered by Schneider Electric. We also discovered how current students at Pymble could benefit from visiting the Innovation Hub and learning about technology developments in the sustainability and automation industry.

We also had University of the Arts, London, visit the College to talk to students and deliver workshops about opportunities to further their passions and interests in the creative and design fields at an international university. Thank you to Katrina O’Kelly for organising this visit.

This week, three students are also on work experience at TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) in North Sydney discovering aspects of the cybersecurity industry, we look forward to reading their reflections when they return. In this issue, we also share other students’ work experiences at veterinary practices. Planning is underway for our second year of the Data Science Work Immersion Program in partnership with Optus. For further details on work experience opportunities, please visit our Work Experience section on the Futures@Pymble site.

Don’t forget to register for our upcoming US College Admissions Conference if you are interested in this event. Further details of internal and external events are also advertised below.

Kim Maksimovic

Director of Futures and Partnerships (K-12)

Internal Pymble Events / Masterclasses

The events during school time are open to interested students in the year groups listed.

There are some afterschool events parents are also welcome to attend.

Registration links are under the topic title.

Date	University (and general info link)	Topic (and rego link)	Time	Year Groups
Friday 22 August	USYD Scholarships	Masterclass Signup	MBS	Yr 11 – 12 Students
Friday 29 August	Pathways to University and TAFE with Prue Dawson, Head of Learning Support	Masterclass Signup	MBS	Yr 11 – 12 Students
Thursday 4 September	US College Admissions Conference	Register here	6pm -8pm In person / on-site	Yr 5-12 Students and Parents
Friday 5 September	Cyber Security	Masterclass Signup	MBS	Yr 9-12 Students

External Important Dates

University Open Days – use links to register

Date	University
30 August	Uni Notre Dame
30 August	UTS
30 August	Uni Sydney
6 September	ACU North Sydney
6 September	UNSW
6 September	UTAS – Rozelle

External Opportunities

New Creative Production and Communication Courses at UTS

Location: Online

Date: August 21, 2025

Find out more and register

Torrens Open Day 2025, Sydney

Organisation: Torrens University Australia

Location: Torrens Surry Hills Campus

Date: August 23, 2025

Find out more and register

Medicine and Dentistry (USyd)

26 August 2025 – 5.50 pm (online)

Register here  to learn about the application process for Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Sydney, and explore pathways to a dynamic career in health.

US Undergraduate Pathways General Session (Education USA)

August 26, 2025 – 6.45 pm (online)

Register here

Run by EDUSA this general information session will provide valuable insights to help you explore options and learn how to apply to US Colleges.

Brown, Columbia, Penn and Princeton Information Session

September 3, 2025 – 9.00pm AEST (online)

Register here

Four Ivy League schools will hold a joint virtual session for students and families about their respective universities and the highly selective college admissions process. Topics will include: academic programs, campus activities, student life, admissions policies and financial aid.    

Projects Abroad – Volunteering for Teens Programs – information session (online)

Tue 26 August 2025 – 6:30pm

Register here

Become a teen volunteer abroad and travel the world, making new friends and supporting global initiatives. Our teen volunteer abroad programs are tailor-made for 15-to-18-year-olds with safety, learning, and fun at their core. You could contribute to wildlife conservation efforts, gain medical work experience in hospitals, or support the education of children around the world.

Work Experience / Immersion

VETERINARY

Narrabri Vet

Adison Hartog-Smith – Year 11

The week I spent at Narrabri vets was one of the most insightful weeks of my life. Not only did it provide me with possible answers about my future, but also some of the things I could take away and use in my everyday life. The week was full of ups and downs. Some of the highs included going out to my neighbour’s property and testing the bulls, as they are going to be sold next week, or going out to the polocrosse competition to look at an injured horse. However, there were some downfalls, that included a wallaby and a joey coming in for separate reasons. Unfortunately the joey was hit by a car and shattered its pelvis, so the veterinary team thought it best to just save it the pain, and put it down. The wallaby came in already deceased, but the people who brought it in wanted a formal autopsy, where the cause of death was determined to be a broken neck (see x-ray below).

An extremely unfortunate event was that we had to put an extremely sick dog down. This dog had extremely large tumors, and it wouldn’t have survived much longer. Although this was sad, it was also a great experience (as bad as it sounds) because this is the reality of the job. My week also involved looking after the resident cat Neo, and walking some extremely fluffy Golden Retrievers, as well as helping the vets hold some dogs down. I also got to sit in on some surgeries that were happening, like some dog spays, some dog and cat castrations, some horse castrations and even a cancer removal surgery. The extremely supportive staff at the vets walked me through everything, from reading x-rays to looking at bloods and cleaning cages. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and could not recommend it more!

Gordon Vet

Arana Roy – Year 12

Over the school holidays, I got the delightful opportunity to attend a week of work experience Gordon Vet Hospital. During my time there, I was able to observe a variety of different procedures performed by the veterinarians and vet nurses, including dental cleanings and teeth removals, ultrasounds, x-rays and various surgeries including an exploratory laparotomy and a TPLO (tibial plateau levelling osteotomy). It was really interesting the preparation and execution of the surgeries. I also monitored the animals whilst under anaesthesia during the surgeries. During the morning half of the day, I got to help out around the animal wards, where I cleaned cages and fed the dogs and cats in boarding.

It was really interesting to learn about the different experiences of the staff, and what they have seen during their time in animal care, along with having the opportunity to talk with the veterinarians and learn about their education and expertise. When performing the surgeries, the vets were constantly talking me though what they were doing so I was able to understand and learn from them. All the vets and nurses were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and able to answer any questions I had for them. It was really lovely to see their dynamic and the way in which everyone worked together. It was an amazing experience and one I will never forget.

From the Principal

What a great photo this is of our alumna Anneka Deaton (1995), who knew she wanted a career away from a desk – and boy, did she get one! Anneka is now investing time with her two beautiful children, working as a high-performance coach and head of a group called Women’s Integrated Networking Group (WINGs), which is aimed at providing both professional development and networking to Air Force women who may be working in non-traditional roles and isolated from other women in their working environment. 

In Australia, women constitute a small percentage of the aviation workforce, particularly in technical and piloting roles. While specific figures vary, estimates generally place the proportion of women in aviation at around 6 to 10 per cent overall. 

With Vanessa Hudson taking over as CEO of the Qantas Group in 2024 (Vanessa is also one of our Pymble alumni), we thought it was a unique opportunity to work intentionally on highlighting the wonderful opportunities available in aviation in Australia and abroad. Our inaugural Aviation and Space Expo, which begins next week, also links nicely with our newly formed Drone Academy, for which we already have students enrolled to complete their Drone Licence. 

Highlights of the program 

• Women in aviation assembly (Parents welcome, see below for details) 
  A student-led Q&A with Qantas Group CEO, Vanessa Hudson, and a panel of female Qantas staff, including a pilot, engineer and flight attendant, Sophie Mills (1986).  
  
• Navy helicopter landing on Main Oval – yes, really! (Parents welcome, see below for details) 
  A mic’d up, all-female crew of pilot, co-pilot and meteorologist will talk us through the steps involved as they land a defence helicopter on main oval and take off again at the end of this unmissable event.
  
• Planetarium experience  
  A walk-through visualisation of space, hosted by Macquarie University’s academic staff.
  
• Australian Defence Force flight simulation 
  For Secondary School Mathematics students to learn about the physics of flight. 
  
• Excursion to Sydney Control Tower  
  For Year 12 Physics students to observe operations in real time and gain an understanding of the physics of taking off and landing. 
  
• UNSW Rocketry and Aviation workshops/showcases  
  Hands-on sessions for students in various year groups to learn about the science of rockets. 
  
• Drone uses in Surf Lifesaving  
  Demonstration on campus, followed by a presentation on how drones are used to monitor beaches for public safety.  

Parent events 

We are delighted to invite parents to be involved in the following experiences: 

1. Helicopter landing on the Main Oval   

• 1.00pm Thursday 28 August   
• Strictly no parking onsite, as gates will be closed for the event. Please park off campus and walk through the pedestrian gates to the Main Oval.  

2. Women in aviation assembly, with guest speaker Vanessa Hudson   

• 9.00am Friday 29 August   
• We can accommodate a maximum of 100 parents at this event, with RSVP via this link.

It takes an enormous amount of work to develop a two-week voyage of learning such as this one, which gives wings to the aeronautical heights our student will aim for, and achieve, as they take off from our campus and soar into their future (sorry, couldn’t help myself!).  

A huge thank you to the Pymble Pathways team: Christine Kenny, Aly Hitchcock, Greg Meagher, Lara Bird, Jake Plaskett, Kim Maksimovic, Suzanne Parker, Lachlan Bradley and Stephen Campbell; I am confident you will all sleep a little easier when this metaphorical plane has landed. 

Signing off with the words of our incoming Learning Prefects, Alice Mao and Kitty He (Year 11) who are also flying high on the excitement of this opportunity to explore aviation and space pathways. “So, hop onboard this awesome journey and choose your own destination.”   
  

From the Junior School

A Message from Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School

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State Champions! 
Huge congratulations to our phenomenal Snowsport team who have been crowned State Champions. This is the 4th year running and it reflects the commitment and collaboration of the team over the months and years.  

We have so many talented girls in so many sports and each sportswoman in our school dedicates time,  energy and passion to her chosen sport and we celebrate them all for the Pymble spirit they  bring to each training session, game and competition.

Congratulations to our Eisteddfod dancers are also achieving exceptional results and on the weekend achieved  

1st place – Junior Lyrical 3-6  

1st place – Year 3-4 Jazz  

1st place  – Junior Jazz 5&6  

This week, we came together as a K-6 community to celebrate our passion for reading. As someone who has always loved reading, this is a special week in my calendar as it is a chance for all our girls to ‘book an adventure’ into the world of a character they choose.

The Book Parade is not just a chance to dress up; it’s an opportunity to start a conversation with friends about the book character you have chosen and, therefore, to build a community of keen readers. Reading widely is something that helps grow skills and confidence as a reader. It also grows vocabulary and a sense of style and ‘voice’ as a writer. Reading is something easy to do anywhere, and losing yourself in the world of a book is a wonderful way to stop, breathe and just ‘be’. There are so many strengths to be found in the world of stories and non-fiction. Let’s keep working together to keep our girls reading as widely as they can…oh, the adventures they will have!

It was wonderful to hear Year 2 this week celebrate the courage and strength of Jane Goodall as they listened to her story from the ‘Little People, Big Dreams’ series. From next year, we are looking to be part of Jane Goodall’s mission to Rewild the World, through a shared partnership with Gavin McCormack and her as part of our DREAM Diploma for Years 5-6.

This week, I want to take a moment to publicly honour and thank our amazing Junior School staff. Our Book Week Parade is a moment in time and yet our staff spend many months planning and creating their team costumes to respect and inspire our girls who love this annual event. I was chatting with a Year 6 student recently, and she reminisced on the teachers’ costumes over the last four years and spoke about the impact these had on her.

This is one of the many reasons why our Junior School staff are so special, as the learning and care they offer to your daughters is exceptional and has such a lasting impact on the girls. It’s not just ‘teaching and learning’ they offer; it’s the sense of belonging they create through the way they lead the learning for your girls and the way they empower your girls to believe in themselves and therefore lean into stretch challenges for themselves. Every staff member, including our phenomenal nurses, horticulturalists, and Reverends, was dressed in character and was a key part of the parade for the girls. Even Heidi the Hedgehog and Archie joined the fun as Little Miss Tiny and Mr Daydream!

Our amazing Year 1 and 2 performers

I had the privilege of watching both performances by our Years 1 and 2 girls on Friday. WOW! The confidence the girls demonstrated as they acted, sang, and danced belied their young age. Congratulations to all the girls for these memorable performances. I am in awe of your talent and energy on stage!

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A message from Mrs Martha Itzcovitz and Mrs Josephine Laretive

The Junior School went on an adventure this week! ‘Book an Adventure’ is the theme of Book Week this year, and we certainly did that! Starting with our wonderful Library Leaders Assembly—an illuminating book Q&A with Mrs Brown, Mrs Giles, Mr Robinson, and Archie, and finishing with book charades from the leaders—we went on to our fabulous K-6 Character Parade, through scavenger hunts, author visits, story walks, book trivia, and into quiet reading. It was an adventure to remember.

And speaking of book characters, I think it was our best parade ever. I loved the thought the girls and teachers put into their costumes, the effort they took to put them together themselves, and the joy they shared as each group paraded. As one of the Library Leaders, Genevieve Wong, commented to me afterwards, “I felt an overwhelming sense of community walking with Year 6 today at the parade—sad that this was our last Junior School Book Week but also happy that we were sharing it together.”

A message from Cindy Anderson, Year 2 Co-ordinator 

Year 2 welcomed their parents into the classroom for ‘Windows into Learning’, celebrating National Science Week by diving into the intriguing world of materials. Throughout the morning, students and their families investigated what happens when different solids and liquids combine, then embraced the challenge of figuring out how these mixtures might be separated again. It was inspiring to watch our students’ curiosity and excitement grow through hands-on discovery, as they expanded their scientific thinking and enjoyed learning alongside their families.

Parent Series – Academic and Wellbeing – Reading Comprehension 

Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics, will be hosting a workshop focusing on reading comprehension across Kindergarten to Year 6.

This session will explore strategies aligned with the NSW English Syllabus, highlighting the importance of comprehension—how students can understand, interpret, and respond to texts. Comprehension is a key component of literacy and is central to developing critical thinking, effective communication, and a lifelong engagement with reading.

A notice with details on how to register for this session has been sent via the parent portal.

Date and Time: Wednesday 27 August at 7.30am 
Location: 3-6 Library 

Deputy of Head of Junior School – Operations: Stephen Robinson 

‘Wearing my uniform with pride is showing up with Respect’ 

It is wonderful to see so many students turning up school in their full winter uniform including blazer and polished shoes (shoe polish is available at Hedgehog House too).  

Arriving at School in the Morning 

Please ensure your daughter arrives at school prior to 8.15am. Teachers are on duty in the playground and the K-2 drop off zone from 7.45am, allowing plenty of time to drop off prior to lessons commencing.  

We are noticing that lots of girls are coming in after 8.15am. Please help us to help your daughter start her day in a calm way by having her at school by 8am. 

Alternate Ways to School 

Do you want to avoid the traffic in the morning? Consider dropping your daughter off at Grandview Street (near the train station) between 7.40-7.55am or Grey House Walk 7.30-7.45am. Junior School staff are at these locations between these times and walk students to school. This eases congestion with vehicles on Avon Road and within the College and allows students to undertake a little morning exercise. 

Junior School Canteen Helpers  

Thank you to the parents who gave up their time to volunteer last term.  Term 3 dates are now available on the google form. Please click here 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 MyPymble to mark your daughter absence, for two days or more absence please complete the Exemption from Attendance at School form or email though a medical certificate for illness. 

After school arrangements for girls in Years K-2, please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have changes to your daughter’s after school arrangements in Term 3. 

    

Important Dates for Term 3 – Week 5 and Week 6 

Friday 21 August Junior School Wellbeing Week – No homework 

Monday 25 August Swap ‘til you drop: Years 3-6 

Tuesday 26 August Year 2 Outdoor Education Program 

Wednesday 27 August K-6 Academic Series 7.30am – 8.30am 

Thursday 28 August Year 1 Outdoor Education Program  

Friday 29 August Kindergarten Outdoor Education Program 

Saturday 30 August IPSHA Saturday Sport 

From the Middle School

From the Head of Middle School Jenny O’Donnell

Welcome to Week 5 in Middle School. Despite the wet weather the girls have had some fun with Book Week activities running and displays set up in the Conde Library. On Wednesday, author Amy Doak visited Pymble to speak with Year 8. Amy is the popular author of a series of mystery books centered around Eleanor Jones. You can find out more about Amy and her writing here.

As part of our commitment to ‘Nourish and Flourish’, a whole-school initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles, we have invited the girls to grab a piece of fruit from the Middle School Office. The mandarins, apples and oranges have been a big hit.

On Friday this week, Year 7 will be heading out to Homebush in support of our Pymble Athletics competitors at the igsa Athletics Championships. All the best to the Middle School athletes who have been training hard for their events; you will be wonderful ambassadors for Pymble. We look forward to sharing some results next week.

Next week, we’ll be hosting visitors from Millingbimbi School. The Middle School Leaders have been preparing a warm welcome, which will include a special performance by the First Nations Dance Troupe.

A bespoke program has been designed to showcase the many opportunities available to your daughters at the college. Just a sample of these include:

• Aerial gymnastics display
• Demonstration by the Robotics Captains
• Musical interludes led by students on the ukulele
• A rhythm and drums session
• A chance to explore other areas of campus such as the agriculture plot and the Aquatic Centre

Thank you to the buddies who will spend the week really getting to know and supporting our visitors: Georgina Lewis, Ellei Lau, Emily Deutscher, Tanvi Raniga, and Edith Cullinane. We are most grateful to these families who have offered to billet the girls for three nights.

Our Subject Selection Information Evening for Year 7 into Year 8 2026 will take place on Thursday 28 August at 7.00 pm as an online event. Please click on this link to join the presentation:

Mrs Natasha Stanfield, Director of Studies (7-12), will provide you with information and advice regarding the subject selection process and the elective courses we have on offer for our Year 8 2026 cohort. Students will shortly be provided with the Subject Information Booklet for Year 8 2026. Further information can be found on the Portal.

All current Year 8 Parents and Carers are invited to join us for the Stage 5 Subject Selection Evening on Thursday 28 August 2025 from 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm in the Senior School Centre. You will have the opportunity to hear presentations from the Director of Studies, Mrs Natasha Stanfield, who will present key information about patterns of study, and the Heads of Learning Areas. Further information can be found on the parent portal.

A reminder to our Year 8 families in relation to the Week 9 Outdoor Education program: could I please ask that the permission and medical forms are completed as soon as possible in order for us to finalise arrangements with Somerset.

Year 8 Blue Mountains

Our Year 8 students recently travelled to the Blue Mountains for their Geography excursion, exploring the unique landscapes and learning about the natural and human processes that have shaped the region. The day was a wonderful opportunity to bring classroom learning to life, with students engaging in fieldwork, observing landforms, and considering the impact of tourism and sustainability. It was a valuable experience that combined learning with adventure in one of Australia’s most iconic environments.

Some of our Year 8 students have shared their experiences below:

Year 8 Geography Field Trip – Blue Mountains

Last week, Year 8 went on a Geography field trip to the Blue Mountains. The day started off at Echo Point, but the weather wasn’t really on our side—it was super grey and thick with fog, so we couldn’t see any of the famous mountain views at first. Luckily, after recess, the fog cleared and we finally got an epic view of the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley. It was definitely worth the wait!

During the trip, we collected primary data for Geography, mostly about how tourism affects the natural environment and the Indigenous communities living in the area. It was actually interesting to think about how so many visitors change the place, for both the good and bad.

Next, we went over to Scenic World, which was just a quick 5-minute drive away. There, we hopped onto the cable car—it was pretty big and could fit about 50 of us. Even though the fog was still hanging we could see the cliff faces, which the guide told us had been part of the ocean floor 250 million years ago! Once we got to the bottom, we walked along the Lillipilli Track, looking out for all sorts of native plants and animals. I spotted lyrebirds, heaps of ferns, turpentines, sassafras and lillipilli trees. It was amazing to experience the track in the fog.

Our data collection continued, measuring wind speed, the direction it was blowing, temperature, and light using a Lux meter. I was surprised by how different the conditions were above and down in the valley. The highlight of the day was the Scenic Railway. It’s super steep—like, 52 degrees—which made the whole ride feel like a rollercoaster in the dark. Everyone, including me, was screaming (I definitely practised my horror movie scream for fun). Even though the sun didn’t shine, the foggy, overcast conditions contributed to the atmosphere. We all ended up having a very unique experience and made a bunch of new memories.

Mia Zhu and Wenhui Zheng

Key Dates Term 3

Year 7 igsa – Friday 22 August

Year 7 Science Excursion to the Zoo – Thursday 11 September

Year 8 Outdoor Education – Monday 15 September to Friday 19 September

Garden Party – Saturday 20 September

Jenny O’Donnell

Head of Middle School

From the Upper School

A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School

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There is no doubt that the Term 3 Vision Valley adventurers have faced a very wet residential program. Despite the persistent rain over the past few months, the girls have shown great resilience and character throughout the experience. We are sure that reuniting with their families at Friday’s Honouring ceremony will be an emotional occasion and the girls will return with a renewed appreciation for home and family.

We look forward to welcoming the girls back on campus on Monday. The day will begin with a reintegration workshop designed to support their smooth return to school. We also encourage families to help maintain the digital detox gains their daughters have achieved during the program.

Best wishes to our Year 9 and 10 athletes who will be representing Pymble at the igsa Athletics Carnival on Friday. We look forward to sharing their results with you next week.

Patricia Burgoyne Public Speaking Competition – Year 10

Each year, the Pymble English Department hosts the Patricia Burgoyne Public Speaking Competition. Patricia Burgoyne, who served as Head of English in 1966 and later became Deputy Principal in 1970, was deeply passionate about ensuring that young women developed the confidence to share their voices with the wider community. In 1991, she established this competition to empower students to speak with conviction and purpose.

Today, we continue to honour her vision by encouraging our girls to find and celebrate their own voices. This week, the winning entries from each English class were presented to the entire year. Ms Nolan and Ms Lombard were so impressed with the engaging and thought-provoking speeches. Congratulations to all involved and a special congratulations to Isabelle Port, who is this year’s winner. Here are a few insights from the judges.

Isabelle We thought your speaking style was excellent and there was a real warmth to your tone. You went beyond what we can learn from nature and forced us to question how we should subvert it! Adaptability is important, but change and resilience even more so!

Hakone, your tone, engagement and humour when speaking about something universal was entertaining. You’re also commended on some fabulous literary allusions!

Zahra, you’ve taken a fresh perspective on war and the battle humanity faces with nature. It was very interesting to hear your insights about the indifference of nature towards us: it got us thinking about climate change and perhaps the resilience in nature.

Imogen, you’re examination of women and their strength was inspiring. What particularly stood out was your reference to Mrs Burgoyne and her lesson of how a woman’s voice doesn’t roar, it endures.

Jaimee, your topic was very relevant in our current global climate. Your message was great: we need to approach humanity and migrants with more respect and learn from the awe with which we approach the animal world.

Joy, your speech had so many elements of the discursive form and its exploratory shifting perspective. From cultural and poetic references to seasonal metaphors and imagery; it was well developed.

Xiaoyin, you made us think carefully about the unresolved characteristics of nature and how we can learn from it. You painted fabulous images of that infamous shark!

Kitty, your metaphor of the cherry blossom and the ‘pathos of things’ was very thoughtful. You took a grave topic in grief and turned it into something hopeful and reflective.

Sanaya, your passion was incredible! You had very interesting insights into the female experience and thought provoking commentary on difference vs uniqueness. The Keats reference was wonderful!

Sophie, what a unique and personal take on the prompt. The passionflower and it’s symmetry (as well as all the other botanical references) highlighted your research and it was a lovely idea to relate these to literary allusions also.

Alex, yours was a poignant reflection on the farming lifestyle and we were all moved by how eloquently you shared the hardships of drought. The Van Gough allusion also sparked some really fabulous imagery.

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Upper School students getting ready for futures in Science and Health

To celebrate National Science Week on 11 and 12 August, over 60 Year 10 students from Pymble, Abbotsleigh, and Wahroonga Adventist School participated in a program called I-WiSH, which stands for Inspiring Women in Science and Health.

The program aims to inspire and stretch Year 10 girls in their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) interests by introducing them to a range of women working in, researching, and leading the way in these fields. The program was initiated by Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, and a group of Pymble students and staff were fortunate to participate in their program last year.

Our I-WiSH program invited leading women to be our mentors. The Year 10 students heard about the latest work in hospital emergency departments, palliative care, rural health, heart-monitoring fabric development, mental health campaigns, antibiotic resistance, consent education, and more. We were especially honoured to have Dr Pippa Kensit (former Head Boarder), Dr Nikki Raftopulos (former Head Prefect), and Dr Abigail Franklin (current Pymble parent) amongst the mentor team.

After an afternoon of ‘speed-dating’ to meet the mentors and hear about their work, held in the Upper School Common Room, the following day saw us at the San Hospital to follow a design thinking process led by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Using the ANSTO process, the students worked in teams to design a solution to a challenge posed by each mentor. The San was an ideal location for the program as students had a glimpse of the range of roles in action every day.

The winning group tackled the social challenge of how early intervention and preventative public health strategies can be part of consent education, especially in a climate when male influencers are spreading negative messages. Other pitches presented decision-making apps for doctors, jewellery to monitor heart conditions, inclusive STEM education strategies, support for renal patients in remote areas, and designing palliative care with adolescents in mind.

Congratulations to students from the three schools who worked very hard and presented inspiring and powerful pitches to the judging panel; to Tara Sproules-Nash and Sienna Melton for delivering Votes of Thanks; the Year 11 helpers; and the Pymble staff team who ran the event.

A short video featuring Amelie Clements and Thiloksha Perera can be viewed here.

See Dr Nikki Raftopulos’s and Dr Abigail Franklin’s messages here. They’re so inspiring!

We are pleased to share some student insights into their experience.

On Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August, I was fortunate to be one of 50 students selected to take part in the I-WISH program (Inspiring Women in Science and Health). Over the two days, we heard from incredible women, our mentors, across a wide range of science and health fields, learning not only about their career journeys but also the challenges they face.

On Monday afternoon, we spent time getting to know all the mentors and hearing about the obstacles they’ve encountered in their work. The following day we spent at the SAN Hospital, where we were introduced to design thinking. Working in groups, we found solutions to issues presented by our mentors. My team, made up of three Pymble girls, two Abbotsleigh girls, and three Wahroonga Adventist girls,were thrilled to win the competition.

Our project explored the science behind addressing the rise of misogyny among teenage boys, and the judges found it creative and impactful. Other groups explored topics such as antibiotic resistance and challenges in rural healthcare.

This experience revealed career paths in science and medicine I hadn’t even realised were open. It allowed me to grow my collaboration and public speaking skills, while being surrounded with brilliant peers and inspiring mentors.

Hayley Browne

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On Monday and Tuesday, I participated in I-WiSH (Inspiring women in science and health) along with 50 other girls from Pymble, Abbotsleigh and Wahroonga Adventist School over the course of two days. We started off with an afternoon of speed dating with the mentors that will guide us through our challenge tomorrow. During this we learnt about their careers, how they got there and asked all our burning questions. Some of the mentors were working in palliative care, some were working in pharmaceutical chemistry, and others were researchers in gender based and sexual violence.  Listening to all their stories, we were all super amazed by each one of their paths and we learnt that for most people, the path in medicine is almost always not a straight road.

Tuesday was the day that the mentors would propose an issue for us to solve in relation to their experience in medicine and healthcare. Students arrived at the San Hospital at 8am, and we all sat in the conference room, listening to each of the challenges from the mentors. They also provided a brief background about themselves and went into detail about their journey in school. We then received a much-needed tutorial on critical thinking, problem solving and prototype creation.

After that, students voted on which challenge they wanted to tackle, and after getting into groups of around eight people, we got started on the task. I chose accessibility in rural health, and my team brainstormed barriers, opportunities, and solutions, and through the second half of the day, we engaged with our mentors and our teammates to create an engaging presentation that we shared with the rest of the cohort. Many groups chose super creative ways to hook the audience in, like singing, role play and even some interactive games. Some parents came to watch, and special guests were invited from the San Hospital as judges.

Overall, the experience was extremely eye opening and insightful and was an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to do medicine in the future, or even just for the girls there to keep their options open. It challenged our problem thinking skills, our teamwork and creative thinking.

Camille Xiao

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Reflections for Commerce Melbourne Enrichment Tour:

Day 1:
Our Melbourne trip included an amazing blend of art, animals, culture and hands-on experiences. On day one, we visited the National Gallery of Victoria where we explored various exhibitions from different countries. Paintings included pieces from Picasso, and the stunning collection of fashion pieces created by luxury houses Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel. It was fascinating to learn about the evolution of both art and fashion. While at the Gallery, we worked in groups to design a new marketing campaign to target teenagers, applying our knowledge of marketing strategies and promotional materials.

In the afternoon, we engaged in a collaborative shopping challenge supporting Emerge, a charity supporting women and children affected by domestic violence. We split into groups and were each tasked to purchase items. My group chose chocolates, selecting from a wide range of Lindt and Maltesers.

In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to participate in a pasta making masterclass with renowned chef Jerry Kim at Il Mercato Central. Starting off in the countryside of South Korea, his passion for Italian food bloomed, now owning multiple restaurants across Melbourne. He guided us through a step-by-step process, from the ratio of the ingredients, to kneading and shaping the pasta. Later that evening, we headed downstairs to enjoy dinner, pasta napolitana and gelato for dessert. After dinner we were lucky to hear from general manager Gary Patikkis who explained the business concept, the uniqueness of having 23 different stalls in one building who rely on each other instead of competing. Gary explained the importance of the design and look of the space, the challenges they faced and their future plan of expanding into Sydney. We can’t wait to see them open in Sydney next year. I enjoyed exploring various stalls, learning about the heritage and traditional influences which was a memorable way to end the day.  I’m grateful for the chance to take part in this trip, which was both enriching and valuable, enhancing my experiences in meaningful ways.
Arin Yoon

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Day 2 of our commerce tour started with preparing the Emerge gifts to hand over later in the day and then headed out on a walk around the Yarra River. At the time, there was a showcase of the Variety Melbourne car bash, a charity that raises money through road trips in creatively decorated vehicles like Elvis, Sesame Street and even Where’s Wally. A few of us even stopped and got photos with Elvis!

Our first major activity of the day was a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium. We explored the facilities and heard from a range of employees about their careers and the different pathways that led them there. Highlights included marine biologists demonstrating a penguin feeding and tank cleaning, animal carers guiding us as we patted starfish, and marketing staff challenging us to identify their target audience while explaining how they use design activities to boost engagement through various advertisements. We also heard personal stories from educators and gained insight into the daily responsibilities of operations staff. We also got to see the benefits of operations like Sea Life on the economy and the environment.

Next, we travelled to the Queen Victoria Market, where our task was to interview small business owners to get an understanding of daily business operations, how small businesses survive in competitive markets and unique strategies they use to attract customers. We were also kindly given time to explore in groups, where we got lunch. I had a beef and rice bowl and even had time to get a new necklace!

In the evening, we visited the Royal Botanic Gardens Lightscape show, where a variety of large immersive light installations highlighted the scenery of the gardens. While here, we debated on the factors that made this a tourist attraction and fun even for the locals. For dinner we got the option to choose from four different food trucks: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chicken Schnitzel and Greek. I got a chicken schnitzel burger and chips as well as a taco while exploring the gardens and my group also got fairy floss. The gardens were the perfect attraction as they acted as a perfect spot to get photos and explore for our last night in Melbourne.

Overall, the day involved career exploration, insights into small and large business operations and how different industries contribute to the Melbourne economy, while enjoying exciting attractions and time to explore different elements that keep Melbourne’s economy alive.
 
Ruby Watson

Key Dates for Term 3

Year 9 Term 4 Vision Valley Parent Evening and Student Mentor session – Tuesday

Garden Party – Saturday 20 September

From the Senior School

From the Acting Head of Senior School – Patricia Gallardo

We have reached the mid-way point of the term, and it is wonderful to see the continued energy and focus across the school. A special congratulations to our Year 12 students on completing their Trial HSC examinations. This is an important step in their final year of study.

While this is a significant achievement, there is still important coursework to be completed across all subjects. We encourage students to value the feedback they receive from their teachers post-exams and to use it as a guide for refining their study and preparation in the weeks ahead. Students requiring advice are urged to seek help directly from their subject teachers.

This is also a valuable time for reflection, recognising which study strategies were most effective and identifying areas for improvement as students look ahead to their final HSC examinations.

A huge thank you to our Year 11 students, who have shown great respect to Year 12 during their Trial examinations through their quiet and considerate presence in the KM building. This thoughtful support has not gone unnoticed and has contributed to a calm environment for our Year 12s. In turn, this sets a wonderful example for Year 12 to follow when Year 11 begin their examinations in Week 7.

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Well done Millie and Mika!

At the end of the holidays, Mika and I had the incredible opportunity to represent Australia as part of the U19 Women’s eight rowing team. We started the trip with two weeks in Italy at the European training centre on Lake Varese. The lake and training centre offered the perfect training conditions to prepare for international competition and we got to train with the other U19 athletes from all over Australia.

After Italy, we headed to Lithuania for the World Championships where we stayed for just over a week. We competed in both our heat and final, finishing 6th, lining up against some of the strongest rowing nations like Great Britain and the USA. After the racing was over, we got to meet people from other countries and trade uniforms with them. Competing on the world stage and getting to wear the ‘Aussie kit’ was an amazing experience.

Millie Cullinane Year 11

Term 3 Dates

1 – 12 September – Year 11 Exams 

20 September – Pymble Garden Party 

24 September – Year 12 Picnic Clontarf – Students only 

25 September – Graduation Assembly – Students Only 

26 September – Year 12 Speech Day, Farewell Chapel 

26 September – Valedictory Dinner 

Patricia Gallardo

Acting Head of Senior School

From the Boarding School

This week we were delighted to have our Lang girls back with us in full capacity. It has been a big few weeks and we are all proud of the manner in which they embraced the challenges. We look forward to helping the girls make the most of their final weeks with us here at the College.  

Farewell Chapel Service

I hope one of the highlights of these last few weeks will be the farewell Chapel Service we have planned for Thursday 25 September. All of our Boarders and their families are invited to the Chapel Service starting at 5.15pm. There will be no leave on this day until after 6.00pm at the conclusion of the Chapel Service. 

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Eat Smart, Live Well: Nutrition Tips for Life in Boarding 

Last week we were delighted to welcome Ellen Gleeson, our Chartwells dietitian, to deliver an engaging and informative presentation to our Boarders. The session began with an introduction to the basics of nutrition, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet for both physical health and academic success. There was a special focus on the importance of consuming an iron rich diet and examples from the current menu were provided. Ellen also spoke about the importance of matching energy intake to energy output, including some very helpful information for our busy Boarders. It was great to see the Boarders so engaged and asking thoughtful and pertinent questions. A copy of the presentation can be accessed here.

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Boarders Get Baking 

I couldn’t help but share the joy of Boarders Getting Baking. This weekly cooking class is a true highlight of our Boarding program and universally loved. It is always a treat to see the girls from all age groups relaxing on a Friday afternoon to the sound of the latest hits and the aroma of delicious home cooking. The fun and friendship is palpable and I am so grateful to our co-ordinator, Kathryn Weiderman for the love and expertise that she gives so generously to this program.   

Love It Ms Thersa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding   

A busy weekend with two socials on Friday night. Year 7 and Year 8 headed to Riverview for dinner and trivia and Year 10 and Year 11 were on the train for Barefoot Bowls with Knox. On Saturday evening after dinner some of our Boarders headed to the Driving Range at Terrey Hills to practice their golf swing. Sunday’s activity was most exciting with a trip to the NRL to watch the Tigers take on the Sea Eagles. There were lots of smiles as the Tigers put on a display and came out victorious.  

This coming Sunday we have our Boarding Schools event at Luna Park. Boarders from across Sydney will make the trip to Luna Park for lots of rides and fun. It is open to all of our Boarders and we have our fingers crossed that there is no rain on the day. There is a lot of excitement in the Houses for this event. 

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Burgers and Bowls

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for our Dads and Daughters’ event – Burgers and Bowls on Sunday 31 August. This day was a great success last year and promises to be even more of a hit in 2025. Please see below the invitation and link to RSVP.

Hoping to see you in Orange 

Pymble will be at beautiful Printhie Wines on Friday September 12 between 5.30 and 8.00pm. Everyone is welcome and we hope you can join us for a lovely celebration of all things Pymble.  

House Hoodie ?  

Our Boarders’ Representative Council (BRC) are a busy Boarder group who meet fortnightly to provide feedback and develop initiatives for our Boarding family. Last term, following feedback from the various year groups, they designed a House Hoodie for the girls who live in Marden and Goodlet Houses. The hoodies cost $50.00 each. If you would like your daughter to have one, please complete the following online form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjDHg0JaDQkccKZ8oz4qyPfdjb91nw2wRWVK_VxZbg5aI2dA/viewform

FABBA  

Don’t forget to sign up for our next Boarding Community event, to be held on 19 September, the eve of the Garden Party. Following the Boarder Parent Group meeting and some last-minute Garden Party preparations, join our Boarding parents for a dinner at the Butchers Block at Wahroonga before heading to the Warrawee Club for an evening of live music and dancing. All Boarders are required to be in attendance on this night and we hope our families can join in the fun too.  

Garden Party News 

Speaking of Garden Party, this wonderful event is approaching at a rapid rate! Please see below a note from Kate Greenwood with some special reminders about how you can be involved.  

Dear Boarding Families, 

The Garden Party is our biggest fundraiser of the year for the Boarding Community – and it’s always a highlight! 🎉 Last year we raised $15,000 (and $17,000 the year before), with all proceeds going directly towards our Boarder Parent Scholarship Fund, helping support families within our boarding community. 

This year’s event will be held on Saturday 20th September, 10am–3pm 📅 and we’d love your help to make it another huge success. 

We’ll be running three stalls: 

• 🍓 Produce Stall – a crowd favourite with our city folk! Some ideas include baked goods, jams, chutneys, sauces, pickles, fruit, eggs, bunches of herbs, flowers, wheat or cotton – anything made or grown by Boarding families is welcome. 

• 🥓 BBQ Stall – serving bacon & egg rolls with tomato relish (10–11.30am) 🥚, followed by our famous pork & slaw rolls. Donations of eggs would be amazing. 

• 🍏 Hillbilly Cider Stall – always a hit! If you have an RSA ✅ and can help serve on the day, we’d especially love to hear from you. 

We’ll also have a 🎁 raffle, so if you can donate a prize, we’d be very grateful (please note: no alcohol due to school rules). All donations can be dropped to the Marden Quiet Room for storage until the big day. 

If you can spare a little time on the day, we’d love your help 🙌. It’s a great way to meet other parents while supporting the school. You can sign up here: 
Sign Up to Help 

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email kate@greenwooddesigns.com.au Thanks for your support. 

Kind regards, 

Kate Greenwood 

View From My Window

Hi, my name is Phoebe and I started boarding at Pymble this year in Year 10.

I live in Denver, Colorado, a city right in the heart of the United States, best known for its world-class skiing, breathtaking mountain views, and crisp, dry climate. Denver is often called the “Mile High City” because it sits exactly one mile above sea level. It’s a high desert, so we don’t get much rain—something that’s been a big contrast to life in Sydney.

Back home, I live with my mum, Catherine, my dad, Mark, and my two sisters, Ella and Jess.

When I look out my bedroom window, I see a large maple tree that I’ve grown up with. It’s always changing: fiery red leaves in autumn, bare snow-covered branches in winter, tiny green buds in spring, and a full crown of deep green leaves in summer. That tree is one of the first things I notice when I come home; it reminds me of Colorado’s distinct seasons, which I’ve always loved. Just below it, my dogs, Milly and Edna, can usually be found sunbathing on the rocks, and if you look just past that, you can normally find a bright blue sky and big fluffy clouds.

From the other window, I get a sweeping view of the Rocky Mountains. It’s one of my favourite places to be, and I spend a lot of time there. In winter, we often head up for day trips, skiing from the first to last chair before making the long drive back home through snowy traffic. In the warmer months, we hike through canyons and up to mountain peaks, spotting deer, chipmunks, and occasionally even moose. We also spend time on the lakes, whether it’s paddleboarding under the sun or spending the day out on a boat, soaking up everything summer has to offer.

One of my absolute favourite places in Colorado is Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a massive outdoor concert venue carved into towering red rock formations. My family and I sometimes hike up there early in the morning to watch the sunrise. As the sun spills over the city and plains, everything is lit with vibrant orange and pink hues. With the view of Denver in the distance, the mountains behind, and the surrounding trees glowing in the morning light, it’s easily one of the most peaceful and special places I know.

But sometimes, it’s the simplest things that I love most—driving around with my sisters and friends, music playing, grabbing dinner at our favourite places like Chipotle or Cane’s, and ending the day watching the sunset at Daniels Gate Park. It’s moments like those that make me feel truly at home.

Coming back to boarding after being in Colorado can be a big adjustment. The accents, the weather, the environment—everything feels different. But over time, I’ve learned to love both places in their own way. While Colorado is home, I’ve found another home here at Pymble. I’ve met incredible people, tried new sports, and experienced a life that’s completely different from the one I knew before.

Boarder of the Week

This week, I am delighted to recognise Year 9 Boarder, Charlotte as our Boarder of the Week. Charlotte joined us in Marden House at the start of the year, leaving her much loved family at home in Hong Kong. From day one, she has embodied the true spirit of Boarding. Kind, helpful, and always respectful, Charlotte goes out of her way to make everyone feel welcome. Despite her commitment to her academic studies, Charlotte is always available to lend a helping hand to others. She brings positivity wherever she goes and never fails to greet others with a huge smile that brings much joy to us all. Most recently, Charlotte showed gentle leadership by welcoming our new exchange student, Claire. She made sure Claire felt at home and helped her settle in, ensuring her time with us was enjoyable and memorable. Charlotte’s caring nature and willingness to support others make her a much-valued member of our community. Her example sets a high standard for us all, and we are proud to call her our Boarder of the Week.

Save the Date

31 August – Dads and Daughters – Burgers and Bowls Father’s Day Celebration

19 September – Boarder Parent Group Meeting followed by FABBA event

20 September – Garden Party

25 September – Farewell to Year 12 Chapel Service* (all Boarders required to be in attendance until 6.00pm) followed by Year 12 Celebration dinner for Year 12 Boarders and their families

25 September – Boarders’ Travel Day

26 September – Year 12 Speech Day and Valedictory Dinner

Term 4

12 October – Year 12 optional early return from 2.00pm

13 October – Years 8-11 return from 2.00pm

13 October – Eat Like a Boarder 6.00pm

14 October – HSC Examinations commence

17 October – Boarding Lock Down and Evacuation Drill*

14 November – Lang House Warming for Year 12 2026 and their families

25 November- End of Year Chapel Service and Christmas Party*

3 December Year 7-12 Speech Day*, followed by end of term Travel Day.

* No leave will be permitted during this time.

Carolyn Burgess

Head of Boarding

From the Chaplains

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The Unending Chain 

The word “together” occurs almost 400 times in the Scriptures. One of my favourites describes God’s people being built together, into a place where God’s Spirit abides. 

Ephesians 2:22 “And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” 

We sing about being built, together, each time we sing our College Song,  

‘new girls will follow in unending chain,  

And Youth be renewed again and again’ 

What is the unending chain that renews us? 3 weeks ago we held our annual alumni Commemoration Service, where alumni of the past gather in the chapel to sing, to pray and enjoy being with each other.  On this particular year, the class of 1960 were having their reunion- celebrating 65 years since left school. Yes, 65 years since they left Pymble. 

Here is a photo of a group of them. Our acting Alumni Relations co-ordinator, Kate Murray, described how the morning was filled with laughter, in impromptu rendition of the school song, a cheers to “Knoxi” their principal, and sharing of memories- in particular about this- the Giant Stride. The girls, in their sports uniforms and bloomers would race up, grab one of the metal chain, each running around until they took off into the air. Apparently Sally was the queen of Giant Stride, while Anne had her teeth knocked out!  

Anyway- I think it was a little too dangerous, so we no longer have the Giant Stride. 

Seeing these women, now in their 80’s, come together, valuing the times they shared and still yet to share showed me what the unending chain is all about. It’s an unending chain of friendship that stretches from the school’s earliest days to the present, and it’s a legacy that each of you inherits and contributes to.  

This week in Assembly, I encouraged our girls to look around, to see the student sitting right next them, and imagining the possibility that they will be a forever friend, someone with whom they will still giggle with in your 80’s. My encouragement to the girls was to remind them that are a link in that unending chain. To value one another, live in thanks for those travelling the Pymble journey alongside them, knowing even when the road gets rocky, still might be a lifer.  

This chain is forged in shared experiences. It’s in the quiet moments of study in the library, the spirited cheers on the sports fields, and the nervous anticipation before a performance in the GMCPA. It’s the comfort of a friend’s shoulder after a tough day and the shared laughter that echoes through the corridors. These small, everyday moments are the links that make the chain so strong. 

When a girl graduates from Pymble, she doesn’t break a link; she simply extends the chain into the world. The friendships made within the school’s walls often last a lifetime, evolving from schoolyard confidantes to lifelong supporters. Alumnae form new connections, too, finding common ground with fellow Pymble graduates who are decades apart, united by the shared experience of their time at the college. 

Events Calendar – Term 3 and 4

Co-curricular Administration

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CO-CURRICULAR ADMINISTRATION

Sally Davidson, Head of Co-curricular Administration

Term 4 Registrations opening soon

Registrations will open for Term 4 programs via the online registration system at 12.00pm on Wednesday 10 September.

Please access the online registration via the co-curricular pages on MyPymble. A parent/carer log in is required to be able to register. We recommend families check they can access the system well in advance of the opening date to avoid any technical issues on the day as registrations CANNOT be processed via email or phone.

A notice will be posted on the MyPymble app prior to registrations opening to all families as a reminder of the opening date and time. All program information will be finalised on the co-curricular pages of MyPymble by Wednesday 30 August.

Term 4 Saturday Sport Registrations

Registrations are now CLOSED for Term 4 Saturday Sports.

If you missed the registration period and would like to request registration into a program, please click here to complete our registration request form. A reminder that late registrations are NOT guaranteed.

PLEASE NOTE: All communication regarding co-curricular programs throughout the term will be distributed via the MyPymble app. If you have not yet downloaded the app, please click here to do so.

Artistic Gymnastics

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Alison Gestier, Head Coach of Artistic Gymnastics

NL5-7 State Trial 2

Congratulations to all our NL5-7 gymnasts who participated in Trial 2 over the weekend of Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August at the Sydney Gymnastics Centre.

Some outstanding results:

Level 7 Junior
Sydney Zhou (Year 8)

1st Vault, 4th Bars, 1st Beam, 1st Floor, 1st Overall

Level 7 Senior

Claire Ni (Year 8)

6th Vault, 2nd Beam, 3rd Floor, 3rd Overall

Stella Pieterse (Year 8)

2nd Vault, 4th Beam, 5th Floor, 4th Overall

Holly Graham (Year 11)

3rd Vault, 6th Beam, 1st Floor

Vivienne Eaton (Year 11)

3rd Vault

Level 6 Junior

Ava Azizmohammed (Year 6)

2nd Beam 

Level 6 Senior

Isabella Niu (Year 7)

1st Vault

Jennifer Chen (Year 10)

5th Vault

Alice Liu (Year 7)

5th Beam, 6th Floor

Level 5 Junior
Celine Wang (Year 5)

2nd Vault, 4th Beam, 2nd Floor, 2nd Overall

Evelyn Zhu (Year 4)

2nd Beam

Yifei Zheng (Year 4)

5th Beam, 5th Floor, 6th Overall

Level 5 Senior

Scarlett Qiu (Year 6)

1st Vault, 5th Beam

Clarice Chung (Year 6)

5th Bars, 6th Floor

Evelyn Shi (Year 7)

1st Vault, 2nd Floor, 6th Beam, 6th Overall

Moyan Zhang (Year 7)

5th Vault, 5th Beam

Congratulations to the following gymnasts who all qualified for the State Championships which will be held on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August:

Level 5: Scarlett Qiu, Evelyn Shi, Celine Wang, Yifei Zheng

Level 6: Ava Azizmohammed, Jennifer Chen, Charlotte Elliott, Alice Liu, Isabella Niu, Lia Sloane, Autumn Wang, Summer Zhou

Level 7: Vivienne Eaton, Holly Graham, Claire Ni, Stella Pieterse, Sydney Zhou

Athletics

Deb Walsham, Head Coach of Athletics

igsa Athletics Championships

The wait is over – the igsa Athletics Championships are finally here! Our team was officially announced on Monday 18 August, followed by the traditional good luck lunch on Wednesday 20 August. Despite the relentless wet weather, our girls have continued to train with determination and resilience. We are thrilled to have Year 7 girls joining us to cheer on the Pymble Athletics team as we set out to defend our title as Overall School Champions.

Cross Country

CROSS COUNTRY

Deb Walsham, Head Coach of Cross Country

National Cross Country Championships

Our Cross Country girls have travelled south to Ballarat, Victoria to compete at the National Cross Country Championships this weekend. With a tough course and the best athletes from across the country lining up, we are proud to have Pymble so well represented. We wish the following girls the best of luck:

Gemma Dixon (Year 9), Charlie Slater (Year 8), Rachel Schwulst (Year 11), Sophia Slater (Year 12), Siena Cassidy (Year 4), Grace Beck (Year 11), and Mia Croker (Year 12).

Language Arts

DEBATING 

Archdale – Shield and Invitational 

Our Senior Invitational team have now progressed straight to the grand final to be held at MLC on Tuesday 2 September. Other breaking Shield teams were 7B, 8B, 9, and 10, who ranked first out of 24 Year 10 teams. These teams attended quarter finals across three venues on Tuesday. To those who will not progress, thank you for the season and for your commitment. Details for future finals will be forthcoming. 

More Debating Activities and Opportunities 

Chinese Debating Auditions for the 2026 team 

These will be held after school on Monday 22 September, in IH rooms. Co-curricular Administration will manage all registrations, and further details will be sent shortly. Pymble entered this competition for the first time earlier this year and placed in the top ten teams. The competition will be held across weekends in the 2026 Easter break. All debates are held in the Business school at Sydney University. 

PLEASE NOTE – This Friday (tomorrow) Bootcamp and Social Debating will continue in KM. 

Social Debating Student coaches – Thank you to those who assist university coaches with Social Debating Competition coaching and adjudicating. We value your help. 

Social Debating Classes/Duke of Edinburgh opportunity – Thank you to the Duke of Edinburgh helpers who are assisting coaches with Junior classes. Your help is invaluable.  

International Debating Championships (IDC) 

Thank you to the girls who have registered teams internally for IDC. Girls who registered as individuals, thank you for your patience as we finalise teams for this Term 4 online competition. We will try to accommodate you. We currently have thirteen teams registered. 

Cambridge Schools ANZ Competition 

Students are invited to join the Cambridge Schools ANZ competition, which will take place on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August at Riverview and/or via Zoom. Applications close Saturday 23 August.  

The competition is a British Parliamentary competition. This year a fifth preliminary round has been added, meaning all teams will get more opportunities to debate. As always, the top four teams at the competition will be invited to compete at the Cambridge Schools ANZ global finals in March 2026, at Cambridge University.  

Registrations can be made by clicking here, and any questions should be directed to the event organisers (contact details in the link). Co-curricular Administration have sent details of this competition to all 2025 debating students.  

Garden Party – Saturday 20 September 

Language Arts will present some Soapbox and some TEDx speeches at Garden Party. Please contact Mrs Hubbard if you have presented at the TEDx online showcase and are interested. Likewise, please contact Mrs Hubbard if you are interested in presenting a fun Soapbox speech on a pet peeve. We are also hoping to restage our Antigone Mock Trial.  

PUBLIC SPEAKING  

TEDx 

Semester 2 classes continue each Saturday at 10.30am to 12.30pm, 1.00pm to 3.00pm, and 3.15pm to 5.15pm in the Conde Library Studio with coach Swetha.

UN Voice of Youth 

Co-curricular Administration and Mrs Hubbard will call for expressions of interest by early next week for this Term 4 competition. This year we are aiming to streamline registrations. A workshop will be run this term for students registering through Pymble by current senior Language Arts girls who have progressed to state and national finals in previous years. Two registration options are being presented. These are outlined in the content sent by Co-curricular Administration. Please contact them directly if you did not receive the expression of interest form.  

MODEL UNITED NATIONS (MUN)   

Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN)  

PMUN runs each Monday lunch in DK06. Come along and join us this term. Everyone is welcome. Learn how to prepare for a MUN conference. We have also received invitations to MUN conferences to be held at various high schools including Trinity and Barker/Knox. Currently the Trinity conference is oversubscribed, and we await further information from Trinity. 

THIMUN – The Hague 2026 Tour  

Due to a range of factors, the THIMUN 2026 tour will not go ahead. We are sorry to disappoint those who had booked. We are pleased, however, to have secured a place for THIMUN, The Hague, in January 2027, and this tour will then occur on a biennial basis. It will be open to Language Arts girls in Years 9 and above. Please consider. An international MUN is a wonderful experience. 

Imogen Kee and Jemma Hung – UN Youth National Conference 

Imogen Kee (Year 10) and Jemma Hung (Year 10) attended the UN Youth Australian and New Zealand National Model United Nations Conference in Adelaide. While this was not a school activity, state and national conferences are promoted through Language Arts, and are seen as a great opportunity to make like-minded friends and to learn more about speaking, diplomacy and global issues. Their report follows: 

During the winter break, we were incredibly fortunate to be two of ten selected from a pool of 200 delegates at the state conference, to represent New South Wales at UN Youth’s Residential flagship event, the National Conference! 

Over six action packed days in Adelaide, we engaged in much stimulating discussion and immersed ourselves in a great range of activities, most of which were centred around this year’s theme; the Space Agenda. Aside from a great series of space-themed MUN debates, we partook in various practical workshops, interactive problem solving, challenging panel discussions and inspiring keynote speeches.  

A key standout was exploring Australia’s Space Agency and hearing from Australia’s first female astronaut,  Katherine Bennell-Pegg, who inspired all through speaking on the rigorous journey she undertook to get to the European Space Agency and the vital role that STEM plays in international collaboration. Additionally, we had the chance to work alongside the UNICEF team, and the 2025 UN Youth Rep to Australia to develop real-world advocacy strategies and policy proposals in an effort to support children’s rights globally. Many of these ideas will go on to assist the team in presenting at the UN General Assembly in October, so it was spiriting to know that our perspectives and input as young people will be represented on the international scale.  

Perhaps one of the biggest highlights was forming connections with like-minded individuals across the country. Through engaging in stimulating discussion in both debate as well as the more social aspects (special mentions to the bloc dinners, group campfires, and a last night disco event!), we have had the greatest privilege of getting to know so many inspiring people from all states, some of whom we know will be lifelong friends.  

Overall, we are so grateful for this experience, and we remain confident that we have left Adelaide with improved skills, new friendships, and a renewed passion to make a difference in our communities and beyond.  

Imogen Kee and Jemma Hung (Year 10) 

Hockey

Shellie Rocca, Co-ordinator of Hockey

Week 4

What a wonderful weekend it has been for hockey! With the sun shining brilliantly and spirits even brighter, all our teams had the perfect stage to showcase their skills and teamwork. We’re thrilled to share that every team took to the field with enthusiasm and determination, making for a truly memorable round of matches.

Special shout out goes to Pymble 6!

They played their very first game, and what a debut it was! With an impressive display of teamwork and tenacity, Pymble 6 claimed a 4 to 1 victory. Their hard work at training has certainly paid off and we couldn’t be prouder of their fabulous effort. Congratulations, team!

Thank you to all players, coaches, supporters, and families who made the most of this glorious weather and contributed to the joyful hockey atmosphere. Here’s to many more successful weekends on the field!

Results

Division	Team A	Team B	Result
S01	Pymble 1	Abbotsleigh 1	1 to 0 Win
S04	Pymble 2	St Vincent’s 1	1 to 2 Loss
J01	Pymble 3	Roseville 3	6 to 1 Win
J03	Pymble 4	PLC Sydney 4	0 to 0 Draw
J05	Pymble 5	Loreto Normanhurst 5	0 to 0 Draw
J06	Pymble 6	Brigidine 3	4 to 1 Win

Congratulations to the following students who received best and fairest for Round 4:

Pymble 1 – Gwendolyn Meek (Year 12)

Pymble 2 – Sienna Phair (Year 11)

Pymble 3 – Skye Mitchell (Year 8)

Pymble 4 – Madison Burns (Year 7)

Pymble 5 – Molly Hardiman (Year 8)

Pymble 6 – Imogen Martin (Year 7)

Representative Hockey

A huge congratulations goes to Bella Croker (Year 12), Amalia Patterson (Pymble Alumni and Pymble Hockey coach), and Lola Dorman (Pymble Hockey coach) for their incredible achievement in being selected for the 2025 NSW Pride Women’s Hockey Squad! This is a fabulous effort from these three outstanding athletes, whose dedication, passion, and relentless hard work have truly paid off. We are all so proud of you and can’t wait to see you shine on the big stage. Go Pymble!

Netball

Megan O’Keeffe, Head Coach of Netball

Week 4

The energy around the netball courts this weekend was high with clear skies and many teams and students taking the court for the very first time this season!

Special mentions must go to Pymble 9 who had their first match of the season and secured a 16 to 11 win after a tight goal for goal game. Pymble 12 also had their first match of the season, and they came out strong with a convincing 25 to 6 win. Pymble 6 came back in the last quarter by six points to steal the win 22 to 14.

Our NetSetGo students played some strong matches on the weekend. The weeks of trainings and learning netball skills all our NetSetGo students have improved significantly since their first week of netball!

Now halfway through the season, we wish all teams the best of luck in the next few round games as we near finals!

Results – igsa

Division	Team A	Team B	Result
S01	Pymble 1	Ascham 1	32 to 42 Loss
S02	Pymble 2	Ravenswood 1	16 to 25 Loss
S05	Pymble 3	Tara 1	14 to 31 Loss
S07	Pymble 4	Roseville 4	27 to 15 Win
S10	Pymble 5	Ascham 4	12 to 20 Loss
S11	Pymble 6	Wenona 6	22 to 14 Win
S12	Pymble 7	Brigidine 8	26 to 14 Win
S13	Pymble 8	PLC Sydney 5	34 to 13 Win
S14	Pymble 9	Ravenswood 7	15 to 11 Win
S16	Pymble 10	Tara 3	8 to 16 Loss
S17	Pymble 11	PLC Sydney 9	26 to 16 Win
S19	Pymble 12	Tara 4	25 to 6 Win
S19	Pymble 13	Abbotsleigh 15	27 to 7 Win
J01	Pymble 14	Kincoppal Rose Bay 2	36 to 28 Win
J03	Pymble 15	Meriden 8	29 to 13 Win
J04	Pymble 16	Roseville 12	21 to 27 Loss
J07	Pymble 17	Roseville 14	27 to 14 Win
J09	Pymble 18	PLC Sydney 16	26 to 15 Win
J11	Pymble 19	Roseville 16	12 to 21 Loss
J12	Pymble 20	Loreto Normanhurst 19	2 to 22 Loss
J13	Pymble 21	Ravenswood 18	17 to 11 Win
J13	Pymble 22	Abbotsleigh 27	25 to 6 Win
J15	Pymble 23	Tara 9	6 to 19 Loss
Y701	Pymble 24	Roseville 19	32 to 10 Win
Y702	Pymble 25	St Vincent’s 18	6 to 23 Loss
Y704	Pymble 26	Ascham 15	5 to 18 Loss
Y706	Pymble 27	SCEGGS 15	12 to 7 Win
Y707	Pymble 28	Abbotsleigh 33	29 to 8 Win
Y707	Pymble 29	Tara 11	9 to 11 Loss
Y709	Pymble 30	Abbotsleigh 36	2 to 10 Loss
Y709	Pymble 31	Queenwood 15	10 to 14 Loss

NetSetGo

A special shout out to the following students who showed true Pymble pride on the court and have been named Most Valuable Player (MVP) from the weekend

Grade	Team A	Team B	MVP
Yellow 6/7 Years	Pymble 1 Scarlet	Kissing Point 33	Octavia McCarthy (Kindergarten)
Red 7/8 Years	Pymble 2 Navy	St Ives 35	Emma He (Year 1)
Green 7/8 Years	Pymble 3 White	Kissing Point 33	Isla Merritt (Year 2)

Rubgy Sevens

Jack Garrad, Co-ordinator of Rugby Sevens

Round 3

After two washout rounds, we were finally able to get underway with round 3 of the Chloe Dalton Rugby Sevens competition.

Loreto Normanhurst closed their venue earlier in the week, which meant the draw had to be modified and matches shortened to allow for all teams to play at Pymble. Thank you to all families and students who were patient and flexible throughout the day to allow for this to happen.

I want to make notable mentions to our division 2 teams Pymble 2, 4, 5 and 7, whom had several students play their very first match of Rugby. You all did amazing and congratulations. A huge shout-out to Samantha Robson (Year 6), who was the first-ever Junior School girl to play in the competition. Samantha on her debut scored two sensational tries!

Results

Division	Team A	Team B	Result
Senior 1	Pymble 1	Pymble 2	17 to 0 Win
Senior 1	Pymble 1	Frensham 1	26 to 0 Win
Senior 2	Pymble 2	Pymble 1	0 to 17 Loss
Senior 2	Pymble 2	Loreto Normanhurst 1	12 to 19 Loss
Inter 1	Pymble 3	Monte 2	42 to 7 Win
Inter 1	Pymble 3	Frensham 3	40 to 12 Win
Inter 2	Pymble 4	Pymble 5	40 to 10 Win
Inter 2	Pymble 4	Ravenswood 3	7 to 35 Loss
Inter 2	Pymble 5	Pymble 4	7 to 24 Loss
Inter 2	Pymble 5	Frensham 4	10 to 40 Loss
Junior	Pymble 6	Loreto Normanhurst 6	49 to 0 Win
Junior	Pymble 6	Frensham 6	59 to 0 Win
Junior	Pymble 7	Monte 3	45 to 12 Win
Junior	Pymble 7	Ravenswood 4	17 to 22 Loss

Touch Football

TOUCH FOOTBALL

Shellie Rocca, Co-ordinator of Touch Football

Week 4

What a delightful weekend we enjoyed for our IPSHA Touch Football and Kindergarten to Year 2 Skills program! The glorious sunshine set the perfect scene for all our young athletes to get out on the field and show off their growing talents. It was heart-warming to see so many energetic and enthusiastic players embracing the game, learning new skills, and working together as a team.

Every team played with wonderful spirit and determination, and the great results all round were a testament to everyone’s hard work and commitment. Whether it was a dazzling try, a clever pass, or simply a big smile at the end of the match, there was so much to celebrate throughout the day.

Thank you to all students, coaches, families, and supporters for making the weekend so special and memorable. We look forward to many more sun-filled days and fantastic games together!

Results

Grade	Team A	Team B	Result
Year 6A	Pymble 1	Roseville 1	3 to 4 Loss
Year 6B	Pymble 2	Ravenswood 2	6 to 2 Win
Year 5A	Pymble 3	Loreto Normanhurst 3	10 to 3 Win
Year 5B	Pymble 4	Ravenswood 4	5 to 5 Draw
Year 5C	Pymble 5	Abbotsleigh 7	4 to 10 Loss
Year 4A/B	Pymble 6	Wenona 11	10 to 8 Win
Year 3A	Pymble 7	Barker 14	11 to 2 Win
Year 3B	Pymble 8	Abbotsleigh 12	8 to 2 Win
Year 3B	Pymble 9	Tara 5	5 to 12 Loss

Congratulations to the following students who received best and fairest for Round 4:

Pymble 1 – Claudia Birrell (Year 6)

Pymble 2 – Elyssia Scarbrough (Year 6)

Pymble 3 – Rose Bayliss (Year 5)

Pymble 4 – Ellie Rose Ruiz del Portal Greene (Year 5)

Pymble 5 – Deenah Shirjeel (Year 5)

Pymble 6 – Sarayah Wijesuriya (Year 4)

Pymble 7 – Charlotte Cross (Year 3)

Pymble 8 – Olivia Birrell (Year 3)

Pymble 9 – Margaret Ko (Year 3)

From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team

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From the Co-curricular Sports Team

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Chess

Mrs Jenny Olsen, Head of Co-curricular Learning 

NSW Chess Teams Challenge 

We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Junior School students who competed in the NSW Girls Teams Chess Challenge last Thursday. This one-day tournament brought together talented young chess players from across the state, giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves, build teamwork, and showcase their strategic thinking. 

Our Pymble girls achieved fantastic results: 

Rookies Division (up to Year 4) 

2nd Place – Pymble Ladies’ College E (10.5 points) 

Team: Ananya Agrawal (Year 4), Mimi Fei (Year 1), Elizabeth Chen (Year 1) 

Primary Division (up to Year 6) 

1st Place – Pymble Ladies’ College A (13.5 points) 

Team: Claire Huang (Year 4), Adela Wu (Year 5), Vanessa Lee (Year 6) 

3rd Place – Pymble Ladies’ College B (9.5 points) 

Team: Chhichi Lee (Year 6), Jennifer Wang (Year 1), Anne Lai (Year 5) 

We are incredibly proud of all the students who represented Pymble at the competition for their teamwork and determination.  

Dance

Co-curricular Dane

DanceSpec Eisteddfod 

Congratulations to our incredible Junior students for achieving a clean sweep at DanceSpec Eisteddfod on Sunday 17 August. Our Juniors performed with precision, passion, and artistry, showcasing all their hard work and dedication. Not only did they shine on stage, but they also demonstrated true professionalism off the stage.  

We are so proud of each and every one of you. 

DanceSpec Results 

Junior Eisteddfod Lyrical – 1st 
Eisteddfod Junior Jazz (Year 3 and 4) – 1st 
Eisteddfod Junior Jazz (Year 5 and 6) – 1st 

Mr Jackson Reedman Joins International Tour 

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our Pymble Dance community. Our Dance Co-ordinator for Productions and Performances, Mr Jackson Reedman, has been invited to rejoin the international tour of Wicked the Musical in Korea. 

Jackson was approached by his agent to temporarily step in for an injured dancer – an opportunity that arose swiftly, as often happens in the dynamic world of performing arts. He flew out earlier this month and will be returning to Pymble in Week 7. 

This international appointment is a testament to Jackson’s exceptional talent, professionalism, and ongoing contributions to the industry. We are proud to support his continued professional growth and the rich connections this experience brings to our wider Dance program. 

While Jackson is away, all his classes have been expertly covered by our experienced and passionate Dance staff. 

For those interested in following Jackson’s journey, he’s been sharing regular blog updates from Korea: 

Blog 1: A Whirlwind Start in Korea 
This week has been a whirlwind – in the best way possible! On Monday, I flew to Korea to rejoin the international tour of Wicked the Musical. It’s been such a joy to return to a show that has meant so much to me over the years. 

Tuesday was straight into action with several costume fittings. Every ensemble member in Wicked has unique looks, and since I’m returning in a different plot this time, I needed to be fitted for an entirely new set of costumes. That’s been one of the exciting parts – getting to wear fresh designs. 

After fittings, I jumped into a three-hour rehearsal with the Dance Captains and the new cast. It all came rushing back – like muscle memory – but Wicked is always evolving, so there were some small but important updates to learn for this version of the production. 

By Wednesday night, I was already making my debut! It was such a thrill to be back on stage, performing in a show I love with all my heart. It feels both familiar and new all at once. 

Here in Korea, we’re on an eight-show week schedule, from Tuesday to Sunday, with double performances on Friday and Saturday. The audiences have been incredible – sold out and full of energy. Seoul is absolutely embracing Wicked, and it’s a privilege to be a part of this magical production once again. 

Click here for a little behind the emerald curtain video:  

Blog 2: When Routine Meets Resilience 
This week in Korea has been a more routine one – the usual eight-show week from Tuesday through Sunday, with double performances on Friday and Saturday. Even in a “normal” week, performing Wicked eight times is no small feat – and every audience continues to bring such warmth and energy to the theatre. 

Behind the scenes, however, we had a few unexpected challenges. Several cast members were off this week, which meant we had more people away than we had official coverage for. In theatre, we call this working a “split track” – when swing cast members and ensemble members adapt and cover multiple roles or staging positions to ensure the show can go on seamlessly. 

Thanks to the incredible teamwork and flexibility of the company, we were able to re-space certain scenes and choreographic moments so that the audience wouldn’t notice a thing. It’s always impressive to witness how quickly and professionally everyone pulls together in moments like these – a true testament to the strength and spirit of this production. 

Not every week is packed with big changes, but even in the quieter moments, there’s always something to learn or adapt to in the world of live theatre! 

Please join us in wishing Mr Jackson a successful and fulfilling month on stage. 

Drama

Outstanding Achievements at Sydney Eisteddfod

Sydney Eisteddfod 

In our most recent newsletter, an error was made in announcing the winner of the competition which was Year 5 Eisteddfod’s hilarious Mystery Man. We sincerely apologise for the error and congratulate Mystery Man on their well-deserved recognition. 

Congratulations to Year 5 students Gloria Duffy, Davina Excell, Jianing Li, Emerald Liu, Madeleine Martin, and Emily Yan for an excellent performance at Sydney Eisteddfod. 

Introducing Katerina Economou – Eisteddfod and Skills Captain for 2025 – 2026 

We’re delighted to highlight Katerina Economou (Year 10), a talented student who plays a dynamic role in shaping the 2025/2026 Co-Curricular Drama program. Since joining Pymble, Katerina has immersed herself in the performing arts, participating in the Group (Devised) Drama Eisteddfod for three consecutive years, an experience she describes as both enriching and inspiring. She’s also taken part in the Junior and Senior co-curricular plays, including Hating Alison Ashley and You’re Just Too Good to Be Shrew, which have strengthened her stage presence, teamwork, and confidence. Beyond performances, Katerina attended the Pymble Drama camp, gaining insight and inspiration from professional theatre practitioners. Her passion, dedication and leadership continue to make a lasting impact on the Pymble drama community. 

What is your role as Captain for Eisteddfod and Skills? 

As Drama Captain for Eisteddfod and Skills, my role involves representing the skills-based and Eisteddfod components within the co-curricular Drama community. Beyond this, I see it as my responsibility to encourage and inspire my peers to participate with enthusiasm and confidence in competitions and performance opportunities. 

What do you love most about co-curricular Drama? 

What I love most about drama, specifically Pymble Drama, is the people you meet! Everyone brings their own creativity, energy, and quirkiness to the team and on stage in the best possible way. You form friendships fast because you’re constantly working together, trusting each other, and having fun along the way. 

What is the best thing you have learnt in your classes? 

The best thing I’ve learnt in my drama classes is how to take creative risks and trust my instincts. It’s taught me that making bold choices and being confident in myself, even if it feels scary, often leads to the most adrenaline-rushing and powerful performances. 

Katerina is enthusiastic to begin acting as Eisteddfod and Skills Captain for 2025/2026, leading her peers in class and on stage.  

Upcoming Competitions 

Ryde Eisteddfod 
Date: Friday 30 August 
Time: 1.30pm to 3.30pm and 2.15pm to 4.15pm 
Venue: West Ryde Community Hall, 3 to 5 Anthony Road, West Ryde 

Classes: Year 5 Eisteddfod (Wednesday), Year 5 Eisteddfod (Monday Group 1), Year 5 Eisteddfod (Monday Group 1), Year 6 Eisteddfod (Monday Group 2), Year 7 Eisteddfod, and Year 8 Eisteddfod (Wednesday). 

Music

Congratulations  

Junior School Choir and Stanhope Concert Band performed magnificently at the Junior School open morning on Tuesday 19 August. Despite the drizzling rain, the students created a wonderfully warm environment and showed their skills so well. 

To our brilliant Music Scholars. As you read this, the music scholars will be performing to a crowd in the Music Gallery. The amount of talent these young ladies possess never ceases to amaze us in the Music team. They work hard and should be applauded for their efforts, and I really hope some will go on to pursue music careers. 

Inviting the wonderful Allie Osborne (Associate Concert Master of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) allowed the girls to interact and discover what lies beyond the gates of Pymble and how to go for the goal of becoming a professional musician. 

Our Year 7 string quartet had their first performance on Wednesday night, performing to 165 onlookers at the Think Pymble event. The level of maturity these girls displayed filled us with pride and I know they will continue to make great inroads in the world of chamber music. 

Dates for your Diaries 

• Friday 5 September 5.00pm – HSC Music Recital evening. Please come along and watch our musicians perform their repertoire in preparation for their HSC. 

• Saturday 13 September from 1.00pm – Battle of the Bands – Barker College. This event is for the girls in the Rock Bands and part of the Barker Spring Fair. 

• Saturday 20 September all day – Garden Party – Various ensembles will perform at this event and permission will be sent out shortly. 

• Tuesday 23 September 5.00pm – Music Elective Night in the Music Gallery – all girls from Years 8 to 11 who study Music will perform an item for family and friends. 

• Friday 26 September – Year 12 Valedictory Dinner – Randwick Racecourse. College Quartet to perform. 

Call for Parent Volunteers – Music Support Group  

We warmly invite parents from all year groups to join our enthusiastic and supportive Music community. Musical experience is not required — just a shared passion for encouraging and supporting our talented music students. The Music Support Group plays a vital role in assisting at concerts and events throughout the year, and the students truly appreciate seeing their families involved.  

We are especially seeking Year 11 parent volunteers, as we currently have no representation from this year group.  

If you’re interested in getting involved, meeting other music-loving families, and making a meaningful contribution to the program, we’d love to hear from you. 

Speech and Drama

Mrs Victoria Clancy 

Ryde Eisteddfod 

Congratulations to all the talented solo performers in the Ryde Eisteddfod. There are more results to come as the eisteddfod continues. 

Poetry Performance Events 

Lillian Hu (Year 2) 1st Place 

Harley Betrand (Year 4) 1st Place 

Hayoon Park (Year 4) 1st Place 

Isla Merritt (Year 2) 2nd Place 

Ella Birch (Year 3) 2nd Place 

Rachael Herath (Year 3) 2nd Place 

Sarayah Wijesuriya (Year 3) 2nd Place 

Aviana Faraz (Year 4) 3rd Place 

Sana Iyer (Year 6) 3rd Place 

Katherine Wang (Year 3) 3rd Place 

Elliyeen Azhar (Year 2) Highly Commended 

Amelia Hao (Year 2) Highly Commended 

Iyla Jolapara (Year 2) Highly Commended 

Olivia Lawrence (Year 2) Highly Commended 

Catherine Chen (Year 3) Highly Commended 

Dakota Gu (Year 3) Highly Commended 

Elissa Mashhoori (Year 3) Highly Commended 

Mint Tang (Year 3) Highly Commended 

Audrey Conn (Year 4) Highly Commended 

Selena Rezaei (Year 4) Highly Commended 

Leah Liu (Year 5) Highly Commended 

Jingyi Wang (Year 6) Highly Commended 

Mia Wang (Year 6) Highly Commended   

Prose Performance Events 

Miranda Liu (Year 5) 1st Place  

Hayoon Park (Year 4) 2nd Place 

Kate Li (Year 5) Highly Commended 

Character Monologue in Costume 

Sarayah Wijesuriya (Year 4) 2nd Place  

Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 9) 2nd Place 

Nikita Srivastava (Year 11) 2nd Place  

Susie Han (Year 7) Highly Commended 

Shakespeare in Costume 

Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 9) 1st Place 

Homework Help

Year 12 Study Camps

Click the poster below to register.

After-Hours Study

Pymble Transport

Register now – Pymble Bus Service 

A reminder to register your daughter for the Pymble bus service if you have not already done so. 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 3 and Term 4 to allow for the timely completion of Grey House Precinct. The College has introduced the following initiatives to support students who usually walk to school from Pymble Avenue via Grey House Walk.

Minibus Shuttle Service (Pymble Loop)

This shuttle travels down Livingstone Avenue and up Pymble Avenue via Courallie Avenue and Golfers Parade. This is a convenient way for parents to bypass traffic near the College on Pymble Avenue and Avon Road.

View map and loop times here. Bookings are essential for this service and can be made here. 

Walking Group for Grey House Walk

This supervised walking group is available for our Junior School students. It runs in the morning only, meeting from 7.30am at the entrance of Grey House Walk on Pymble Avenue, departing together at 7.45am. Register to join the walking group here. 

Additional stops on our Hunters Hill Route (Bus 1)

The shuttle service is being supplemented by additional Pymble stops on our Hunters Hill route. These stops are free of charge during the closure of Grey House Walk. As seats are limited, bookings are essential to utilise this service and can be made here.

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.

Second-Hand Uniform Stall

General Information

Volunteers Wanted

Garden Party 2025 – PPA BBQ Request for Volunteers

We are looking forward to our wonderful annual Garden Party on the 20^th September. This is a fantastic school event bringing together thousands from our school community.

The PPA BBQ is a busy, exciting stall and we need volunteers to assist on the day. It is a wonderful way to meet other parents, while keeping busy preparing food, cooking and serving our wonderful school community.

If you can help for an hour on the day, please sign up using this link.

Thank you for your support,

The PPA Committee

Garden Party 2025 – Cake Stall

The Garden Party is one of Pymble’s most beloved events on the school calendar, and the ever-popular Cake Stall remains a highlight for many visitors throughout the day. Its success depends entirely on the generosity and baking talents of our wonderful community.

How you can help:

Calling all bakers!

We are seeking delicious homemade treats to sell at the stall — whole cakes, tarts, cupcakes, biscuits, slices, jelly cups, or any sweet delights that can tempt our guests.

Join our friendly team!

We need enthusiastic volunteers to help staff the stall and share these delectable treats with visitors. Even an hour of your time would make a big difference!

Our stall caters to everyone — from those wanting a quick, energizing snack to those looking for a special cake, tart, or pie to take home.

Baked goods can be dropped off at the stall, located in the foyer of the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA), from 7:30 am on Garden Party day.

All proceeds from the Cake Stall will be donated to the HerVillage Foundation and Mahboba’s Promise charities.

Please contact the Cake Stall Convenor for further information:

Leah Deutscher: – leahorr@hotmail.com – 0410 188 464

Aimee Birch – aimee.birch1@outlook.com – 0407 310 803

Leisa Whitehead – leisajwhitehead@gmail.com – 0404 000 207

Thank you for your support! Please click the link to volunteer your baking skills and/or to help out on the day.

🌸 Garden Party 2025 – Get Involved! 🌸

The Garden Party is just around the corner and we’d love your support. Below are the exciting stalls from across the Junior School – there are many ways to contribute, whether by baking, donating, or volunteering your time. Every effort counts, and all funds raised will go to Mahboba’s Promise and the Her Village Foundation, supporting women and children in need.

⸻

🌭 PPA BBQ Stall

The BBQ stall is always a Garden Party favourite and one of the busiest stalls of the day!
• Volunteers are needed to keep the BBQ sizzling.
• Dads are especially encouraged to join in — it’s always great fun behind the barbecue!
• Volunteer here: signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4BAAAB2CA3FEC16-57746842-pymble#/

⸻

🎁 Year 3 Lucky Jar Stall

Our Year 3 families are running the Lucky Jar Stall! You can help by:
• Donating prizes for jars:
   • Drop off on Friday 5 Sept, 7:20–8:15am at the flagpole, or
   • Anytime 6–13 Sept in the basket outside 22 Greendale Ave, Pymble
• Contributing funds: GroupTogether link
• Volunteering on the day: signupgenius.com/go/10C094CADAB2FA4FBCE9-57732628-garden#/

Convenors: Emma, Selina, Grace & Jillian

⸻

🍭 Year 4 Lollipop Tree & Butterfly Burst Stall

Year 4 will be running the Lollipop Tree & Butterfly Burst Stall — always a hit with the girls!
• Volunteer here: signup.com/go/rGHvkEX

⸻

🍭 Year 5 Lollipop Tree & Butterfly Burst Stall Mini Carnival Game stall

Colouring in Competition

Unlimited Rides Pass

The Unlimited Rides Pass allows you to go on as many rides as you would like at Garden Party 2025 between 10.00am and 3.00pm. This is great value for money and is sure to keep all entertained over the course of the day.

Unlimited Rides Pass – Cost: $40.00 pre-purchase

Unlimited Rides Pass – Cost: $50.00 on the day of Garden Party

Each pass provides unlimited access on any ride or activity where the minimum height/age requirement is met:

• The Superhero Ride (130cm and over) – Adults can ride
• Dodgem Cars (NEW ride)
• The Whirlwind (110cm and over) – Adults can ride (NEW ride)
• Storm Ride (110cm and over) – Adults can ride
• Cup & Saucer (2 years and over) – Adults can ride
• Swinging Pirate Ship – (must be over 80cm) – Adults can ride
• Turbo Flyers – (2 years and over – Adults can ride
• Giant Slide (3 and Under must be accompanied by an adult)
• Inflatable Obstacle courses
• Soccer Shoot Out
• Mini Golf
  

Please note that parents can ride for free only if they are accompanying their child(ren).

Click here to register

Registrations close: Thursday 18 September 2025

Enquiries: Please contact the Rides Convenor, San Venkatesan at sangeeta.venkatesan@gmail.com

Click here for more details on Pymble Ladies’ College Garden Party 2025.  We look forward to seeing you on the day!