Why do we willingly agree to do challenging things? I can promise you I was asking myself that exact question last Sunday when my watch told me I’d climbed 70 (yes, seven zero) flights of stairs – on a 35-degree day, with a hefty pack on my back. It’s safe to say, I was feeling every bit of my 49 years and 7 months!
Where was I? Walking the beautiful and hilly trails of the Bouddi National Park with our Year 9 Pymble and St Ignatius’ College Riverview students on the first expedition of their four-week residential experience. It was perhaps an appropriate location, given that our ex-student and first female solicitor in NSW, Marie Byles (1917), helped a group of bushwalking enthusiasts secure the 650 acres (263 ha) of bushland as Bouddi Natural (National) Park in 1932 and went on to serve as a trustee.
During the expedition – and going up and down all those stairs – I was thinking about the fine line between challenge and fun. In her book, The Power of Fun: Why fun is the key to a happy and healthy life, author Catherine Price lists what she believes to be the ingredients of “True Fun”:
Things that are unquestionably bad for our health (and that are often amplified by things we do on our devices)
Things that are unquestionably good for us* (and that are facilitated by fun)
Feeling chronically anxious and stressed
Not being chronically anxious and stressed
Not feeling confident
Feeling confident
Not being able to find humour in life
Being able to find humour in life
Not laughing
Laughing
Being socially isolated
Having strong social ties
Feeling lonely
Being part of a community
Not spending time in nature
Spending time in nature
Being physically inactive
Being physically active
Being perpetually distracted
Feeling focused, engaged and present
Feeling purposeless
Feeling purposeful
Feeling like we don’t have control
Feeling a sense of control
*By ‘good for us’, Price doesn’t mean the items on the second list just make us feel nice in the moment (although that’s important); she means that they have been scientifically proven to lower our risk for disease and lengthen our lives.
There are many reasons why we take on challenges: to prove to ourselves that we can; to achieve a goal; to help others even when the going is tough; and the list goes on. However, it’s worth considering that sometimes there is fun within the challenge. Certainly, being out in nature with our students, laughing and being physically active ticks all the criteria of Price’s “Things that are unquestionably good for us”. As parents, our instinct is often to minimise the challenges experienced by our children in order to make them happy. Would we respond differently if we acknowledged that some experiences that are good for us and fun are masquerading as challenge?
One of the most rewarding by-products of a really tough walk in the heat was the sense of accomplishment and belonging that formed within our group. It was a truly beautiful thing to be part of. The Grant Study is a famous longitudinal study that predicts healthy aging. This study found that the quality of relationships, more so than money, fame, personality traits and any other factor, was the strongest predicting factor separating those who aged well and those who didn’t. At our debrief at the end of the walk, it was truly rewarding and beautiful to hear the boys and girls reflect on the strong sense of belonging and connection they had formed due to this experience. During the three days of the expedition, it was heartwarming to see the girls and boys playing Frisbee on the beach, helping each other carry water, cooking dinner on Trangias and encouraging each other through the challenging parts, ensuring no one was left behind. In the words of Robert Waldinger, the current director of The Grant Study, “Good relationships don’t just protect our bodies; they protect our brains.” I’d add, they protect our hearts as well!
Establishing this program has been a challenge, that’s for sure! There are so many members of Team Pymble that have gone out of their way to build the Vision Valley Residential Program, from our Board members who agreed to purchase the site, through to the families who supported our Pioneer programs, our academic staff, our Upper School team and, of course, Stuart Clark and our Vision Valley team. 🙏🏻
On Tuesday night, after three days of walking, I headed back to our Pymble campus with a sore shoulder, weary legs and my heart full of pride for this wonderful program we have created for our students. The Year 9 Residential Program is truly fun and worthwhile, perhaps masquerading as challenge from time-to-time. Certainly, the students in the group I had the pleasure of hiking, laughing, cooking, and singing loudly with experienced ikigai, the Japanese word for a “worthwhile life”, which in this context means being present in something – or with someone – you care about.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the work we are doing at Vision Valley to amplify challenge and ultimately create fun, connection and ikigai in the lives of your daughters.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Connecting through conversation – our School and Family learning partnership
This week we have been delighted to share your daughters’ learning progress with you and to discuss her next steps in her learning journey. Thank you for your support and partnership around your daughter’s growth.
As we head towards the final weeks of this term, we’re focusing on keeping the girls’ positive energy going. They’ve been working and thinking so hard throughout the term and it’s perhaps more important than ever that they have lots of sleep so they can keep learning as their best selves until their holiday adventures begin!
A huge thank you!
Thank you to all our amazing parents who were able and willing to give their time to help us run our Inquisitive Minds workshops this week. We are grateful for your help in leading this exciting opportunity for our girls to explore mathematical challenges and we hope you enjoyed learning alongside the girls.
Harmony Day – Everyone belongs!
This week we celebrated Harmony Day which is such an important chance for us to stop and reflect on the amazing diversity we have in our Junior School family. The theme for this year, ‘Everyone Belongs’ is one that aligns so closely with our Junior School focus of cultural kindness. I am proud to share that one of our Year 6 leaders, Charlotte Sadler is leading an initiative inspired by her reading of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr and encouraging the girls in Years 3 to 6 to work together to create orange coloured paper cranes to represent our collaborative spirit and to celebrate this year’s Harmony theme.
Thank you to Mrs Emma de Bilde, one of our 2023 Junior School Relationship Leaders who created this fabulous poem in honour of Harmony Day. This poem is dedicated to her daughters Tabitha (Year 2) and Lucinda (Year 1) but speaks to us all. Thank you, Emma, for modelling creativity alongside a celebration of diversity, inclusion and harmony. If we have any other parents who are keen to share their creativity with our community in any way, I would love to hear from you.
Please enjoy Emma’s poem:
I am a convict, I am of the First Fleet, I am the Durramuragal People
I am a German nurse who fell in love with an injured soldier.
I am a man who followed industry across the seas to China.
I am a little boy who sailed alone for an education, who then fell in love with a farmer’s daughter
I am a scared little girl who fled communist rule with only a small suitcase to her name.
These people are my story, these people are my culture
I am multicultural.
I am me, and I am Australian.
I am proud of our girls who began their honouring of Ramadan this week. As they fast during the day, these girls are chatting with Mrs Clair O’Connor and working on kindness projects during lunchtimes until the end of term. For this project the girls will be sewing sunflowers as part of the Junior School Kindness project and considering all the things that they are grateful for in the Junior School.
As we reflect this week on our diversity of voice, we are proud to share the second in our collection of ‘Stories in many Voices’ with this reading of Whoever You Are by Mem Fox. A huge thank you to Mrs Genia Wright, Mrs Claire Wall, Mrs Victoria Adamovich and Reverend Punam Bent for helping to bring the book’s beautiful message of inclusivity to life. An enormous thank you to our Digital Learning Leader, Mr Jake Turnbull who created the video. To enjoy this reading please click here.
Josh Langley – Artist in Residence
Another way for our girls to explore and celebrate their artistry and creativity is through their connection with our Junior School Artist in Residence, Josh Langley. I was thrilled to be awarded the grant for this opportunity this year as Josh met with our Kindness Captains from Years 1 to 6 this week and our SRC and Sustainability Leaders for 2023 and will be working with them to lead an art project around kindness which will be displayed at our Term 4 ‘Let’s Get Creative’ festival on Thursday 16 November.
Josh is the author and illustrator of a series of books which are simple in design and powerful in their message. Books by Josh include Being Wildly Kind, Being You is Enough and Wonder Hunter.
Later in the year Josh will also be working with our Year 2 and Year 4 girls to share tips with them on creating characters and illustrations that represent a message that matters to them whether that’s kindness to others, kindness to our environment or kindness to self. These artworks will also be on display at our Let’s Get Creative Festival in Term 4.
Emily Ma (Year 2) is one of three finalists in the Little Darlings Youth Portrait Price 2023 (group 5-7). Her painting will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra from Saturday 25 March to Sunday 21 May. Emily’s painting is titled ‘Me and my place’ and her inspiration was a photo of her hugging Jubi on her mum’s bed.
Emily explains that her pets are beloved family members, so Jubi was allowed to stay in her bed like Emily! Emily was very happy to see Jubi after her Mandarin class. Learning Mandarin is very important to Emily as it helps her to talk to her grandparents and other relatives in China. Emily feels that her mum’s bed is the most special place in the whole wide world. It’s her indoor playground, napping place, story time corner and meditation space. She also believe it has magic. Whatever she is feeling, she can calm down quickly by hiding under mum’s blanket. Emily’s art reflects her love of her mum, Australia and China.
A message from Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics
This week girls across Years 1 to 6 participated in the Inquisitive Minds Mathematics Workshops where the focus of these workshops was not only to apply mathematical knowledge, but also to continue to develop skills in working mathematically by communicating, reasoning and problem-solving. The focus was also working collaboratively to find solutions, listening to the ideas and contributions of peers and applying strategies to break down problems. It was wonderful to see the girls all having a go even on the more challenging tasks and persevering until they were able to find a solution. We encourage the girls to use the new skills and knowledge they have acquired during these workshops to their mathematics lesson and continue to build upon them.
A call for buttons!
We are seeking donations of buttons to be used for a variety of creative projects to be sold to raise money as a part of our focus on service. If you have any spare buttons at home, please send them in with your daughter to the Junior School offices.
HARK Refugee Clinic – Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who kindly donated stationery items for the HARK Refugee Clinic at Westmead Hospital. The Kindness Club wrote cards of welcome to be included in each pack and the items have been packaged and are ready to be delivered shortly.
Sustainability Club Art Competition
Our fabulous Sustainability Club leaders Charlotte and Georgia are running an art competition to make the construction site look more natural! They will be announcing this in our assemblies this week and the captains will be promoting it in class too, but they would love it if you could also please encourage the girls to enter.
The girls are invited to draw, paint or photograph a scene from nature. We are hoping to have a winner and runner/s up in each grade and the winning entries will be scanned and printed onto weather-proof material to be hung on the fencing around the site.
The competition will close next week Friday 31 March (Week 9) with the winners announced in assembly.
Thank you so much for your support, from the Sustainability Club leaders – Charlotte and Georgia.
Student Photo and Class Photos
Junior School individual and class photos are now available to order through Melba Studios via the following link: www.melbastudios.com.au
Please select the ‘Schools’ button on the home page and enter the password ‘plc’. You will then need to enter your daughter’s Student ID number (refer to email from College Services) and her year group.
Please note your daughter’s Student ID number is privacy protected so only you can see her portrait.
If you would like your order sent to Pymble Ladies’ College for collection, please ensure your order is in by the last day of Term 1 (Wednesday 5 April 2023) and select “Deliver to School” and no postage will be charged. Photos will be distributed at the College in Term 2. Alternatively, you can have the photos shipped to your home address for a small charge. Please complete one order per student.
If you have any issues with ordering, please contact Melba Studios directly on +61 2 9438 4566.
Car line
Parents are reminded that parking along the LOWER Road is not permitted at any time. It is really important that we work together in our carline processes to ensure your daughters are safe. Please click on this carline safety video link.
Please be aware that girls arriving before 7.45am must attend Out of School Hours Care.
Please do not arrive before 2.30pm in the afternoon. Girls are escorted to car line after the conclusion of the school day at 2.45pm (K-2) and 3.00pm (Years 3-6). Parents are reminded to remain in their car for the safety of both girls and adults and to assist with traffic flow. If you are delayed in collecting your daughter, she will be taken to Out of School Hours Care until your arrival.
Uniform and Appearance
All students are expected to wear their uniform correctly and with pride. Uniforms cannot be mixed with each season. Junior School has a strict ‘no hat no play policy’, please ensure your daughter has her bucket play hat at school every day. Please make sure that your daughter’s uniform is named.
Please be aware that next term the girls will need to be in their Winter uniform.
Absent, Late Arrivals/Early Departures, Vacation
A reminder if you daughter is absent from school please enter your daughter’s absence through the MyPymble App or email Junior School Administration Office juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au . For any changes to your daughter’s travel, late/early arrivals please email the Administration Office.
Exemption from Attendance Application form can be found on the Portal, please ensure if your daughters is away for two days or more to complete the application form two weeks in advance from the start of your daughter’s absence.
Lost Property
Please ensure your daughters full name is clearly labelled on all items of clothing including socks, hats and lunch items so it can be quickly returned to your daughter if it is found.
Around the Grounds
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Upcoming Events
Pedal Your Smoothie – 29 March
Our girls are looking forward to Pedal Your Smoothie on Wednesday 29 March. This is a fun and healthy event where girls ride an exercise bike to blend their chosen smoothie. There are two smoothie options for the girls: a dairy-free berry option and a banana option. Both smoothies are $7.50. There is also Pump flavoured water also available.
The JSPG is pleased to hold the Easter Cookie Decorating activity for Kindergarten to Year 2 girls. This will be held on Wednesday 5 April. Each girl will receive two Easter cookies to decorate in class during the morning. The cookies are nut-free and made from natural ingredients. Icing and sprinkles will be used to decorate each cookie. Gluten-free cookies are available on request.
If your daughter is unable to participate in the Easter Cookie Decorating activity, she may bring a treat from home on the day.
To purchase a ticket, please click here. Please register by Thursday 30 March.
Save the Date – JSPG Family Fun Day & Movie Night – Saturday 20 May
Please save the date for the JSPG Family Fun Day and Movie Night! We are very excited to be holding this very successful event again this year, in a more casual format with a family picnic and movie. It will be a great chance for everyone to catch up early in Term 2 (end of the second week). More details to come shortly.
6S Class Dinner – 28 April
Please join us for a class dinner at Urban Tadka on Friday 28 April at 7.00pm. To RSVP, please contact your class parents.
Key Dates
Friday 24 March
Year 6 Canberra Incursion
Tuesday 28 March
Year 6 Author visit
Wednesday 29 March
JSPG Pedal your own Smoothie
Friday 31 March
Year 4 Windows into Learning
Wednesday 5 April
JSPG Decorate a Biscuit Years K-2
K-2 Windows into Learning 11.00am – 1.00pm
K-2 Easter Hat Parade 1.15pm – 2.15pm
Wednesday 5 April
Last day Term 1 2023
Wednesday 26 April
First day Term 2 2023
ANZAC Day Assembly
Wednesday 3 May
Years 5 and 6 Maths Olympiad
Wednesday 3 May
Years 3 and 4 Maths Explorer
Years 5 to Riverview – to build Billycarts
Friday 5 May
Catch up Photo Day
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School
From the Middle School
On Tuesday of this week, we celebrated International Women’s Day at our termly Middle School Assembly in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts. This celebration was organised and executed by our Year 8 Student Leaders who did an absolutely amazing job delivering what was an exciting and informative agenda. Our leaders are so generous with their time and are always willing to collaborate to ensure we get the best outcomes. They are exemplary role models for the other girls. Congratulations to:
Isbel Neal, Saja Abdel- Megeed, Zoe Bloom, Laranya Nanthakumaran, Addison Woods, Emily Chiang, Jisoo Yeou, Sophie Ngai and Katerina Economou.
At the assembly we welcomed a guest panel of Alumni students who had been invited back to the College to share their stories and adventures post school. Thank you to Fiona Wong who represented women in STEM, Annabelle Rosewarne from the world of Performing Arts and elite sportswoman Sarah Hunter for giving up their time to help inspire Middle School.
Thank you also to the students who shared their talents across the two musical items: Lilian Wang on vocals and Isabel Cheng on piano and vocals who performed I’m a Warrior and Cecilia Zhou who graced us with an outstanding performance of Sun Qun: The Emperor on the guzheng. Cecilia specifically prepared this piece to showcase the power and enthusiasm of women.
Our beautiful International Women’s Day mural along the colonnade is a testament to the many beautiful women who inspire the girls in Middle School.
Well done to our athletes that competed at the igsa Swimming and Diving Championships. Our Year 8s had a wonderful time cheering and supporting the Pymble team.
At the end of last week our Year 7 students completed their Naplan tests. The girls were outstanding across the two days, demonstrating good organisation skills and punctuality. This week we plan to reward them with a surprise ice-blocks on one of the hot days.
Applications have now closed for Year 7 Leadership positions for 2023. I am delighted to see that we have many girls applying for the various roles. The next step is to short list candidates for interview. I would like to remind parents to encourage your daughters to attend the lunchtime Leadership Workshops that are being facilitated by our Year 12 MS Liaison Prefects:
Thursday 23 March lunch: Interview preparation (Theory)
Monday 27 March lunch: Interview practice (Practical)
Thursday 30 March lunch: Confidence/public speaking
Regardless of whether girls make it through to the next round in the leadership process, these skills are an excellent learning experience for everyone. We are very fortunate to have such proactive and invested Year 12 leaders. Thank you to Olivia Eichmann, Sasha Wong and Christine Hur.
This week the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders ran sessions with Year 7. Sessions focussed on Making new Connections and Friendships. The girls had lots of fun with their leaders.
Thank you so much to Layla Abdel- Megeed, Kayra Amir and Tala Gubara all from Year 8 for offering to speak about Ramadan in the Junior School Chapel Service last Monday – you spoke so informatively and so confidently. You did yourselves proud, thank you for stepping up to this opportunity and sharing your beliefs. I know it was very well received.
Ramadan Kareem!
Spotlight on Teaching and Learning in Year 8 Visual Arts
As an extension to their unit of study for Term 1, Coastal Worlds this term, Year 8 travelled to the Australian National Maritime Museum to explore the following exhibitions: ‘Ocean Wonders’, ‘Au Karem Ira Lamar Lu- Ghosts nets of the ocean’, and ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’. Featured artist Florence Gutchen encapsulates their focus for this Term:
“The ocean holds all mankind together, we are all connected by it and we must look after it”.
To support their investigation on how artists respond to the natural world, students engaged in activities such as observational sketching of the various installations, which were then used to enrich their own artmaking back in the classroom.
Below are some students’ thoughts on their experiences:
I really enjoyed the ‘Wildlife Photography of the Year Award exhibition where we looked at wild animals and their habitats. There were many different styles and themes and I found them really inspiring. I was also amazed by the ‘Ghost Nets’ exhibition. It was so interesting to see how the Indigenous artists could make their environmental artworks out of recycled fishing nets into the forms of various sea animals that were affected by these materials.
– Fiona Pan (Year 8)
One thing I enjoyed from the excursion was the interesting photographs of wildlife and sea life animals seen in the ‘Wildlife Photography of the Year Award’. I enjoyed viewing and taking notes on all the fascinating images and learning more about animals and their habitats.
– Cherry Lau (Year 8)
My favourite exhibition during the excursion was the ‘Ghost Nets’. The sculptures were life size and looked really cool. The sculptures were also made from materials of the endangered animals that were featured in the artwork.
– Leander McLaughlin (Year 8)
The excursion was, by all accounts, a fabulous opportunity to engage firsthand with artists’ interpretations of coastal environments and a demonstration of how art can change the way we see the world.
– 2023 Visual Arts captains, Young Cho and Alex Hyett (Year 12)
From the Middle School Parent Group
PPA New Parents’ High Tea
Our annual New Parents’ High Tea was held today in the Jeanette Buckham Gymnasium at the College. We had a wonderful turnout from parents across all year groups. As always, our Principal, Dr Kate Hadwen, gave a very warm welcome to the new families at the College. The wonderful Middle School team including Jenny O’Donnell were in attendance as well as our Middle School Parent Group representatives. A huge thank you to parents for spending your morning at the College and we hope that you had a fantastic time.
Year 7 End of Term Coffee Catch Up
A Year 7 coffee catch up with be held in the morning of Tuesday 4 April at Brick Lane Expresso, a favourite local West Pymble café. A table has been booked from 8.00am in the name of ‘PLC Year 7’. Feel free to pop in after drop off before you head off for your day. The café is open early in case any parent whose daughter may have an earlier start to the day. We look forward to seeing you.
An incredibly happy Norwuz to our Persian families!
Our Upper School Assembly had to quickly change tack on Tuesday as our Police Liaison Officer, Lynda Hart, was unable to attend to give her anti-violence presentation. Instead, it was lovely to celebrate the achievements and efforts of our girls, in particular our CIS Awards, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and Freya Howes who spoke beautifully about service-learning options as part of Pymble Gives Back.
We also celebrated our amazing musical, A Chorus Line. Specialty dancers Emily Rothery and Alexandra Stansall have kindly provided the overview below:
Pymble’s recent musical of A Chorus Line was a huge success. Opening night was filled with excitement, anticipation and definitely lots of nerves from the cast! The outcome was spectacular with tickets selling out, full houses every night and lots of positive feedback from the staff, students and parents that came to watch. To make this amazing production possible, extensive efforts were put into every rehearsal, leading up to the three performances. The rehearsals were filled with dedication from everyone, from learning the choreography, and memorising the catchy song lyrics and dialogue, to remembering queues and preparing costumes.
We were specialty dancers in the dancers ensemble, and this was an experience that we will never forget. We thoroughly enjoyed working with people from different schools with a variety of amazing talents that we got to learn from. This production taught us so much about confidence, determination and responsibility in our roles and as a cast. We were able to grow through challenging ourselves by going outside of our comfort zones each rehearsal and increasing our confidence in areas that we were already familiar with.
The production team was phenomenal with their capabilities to put together such an amazing musical in under 6 weeks. The cast will be forever grateful for all their efforts that were put into this musical, and a special thanks to Mr Griffiths who directed this amazing performance and believed in us, encouraged us and motivated us to keep going at all times.
The experience of being in a Pymble production with people from other schools and other years is one like no other and the memories we have made will stay with us beyond school.
Finally, I flag an excerpt from our Lead Psychologist’s (Andrew Scott) presentation at our recent Information Night. Andrew spoke to the role of parents in the Upper School in being both the guiding and welcoming hands in the ‘Circle of Security’.
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s exploration, to encourage their (hopefully safe) risk taking, but to also be the supportive, welcoming hands as their children return for guidance, support and comfort. With the holidays approaching, this serves as a wonderful opportunity for our parents to be the guiding hands as their daughters begin to further explore and test boundaries.
Congratulations!
Amber Li (Year 9) has just received a gold certificate in the Australian Mathematics Olympiad and Alicia Ge (Year 11) has received an honourable mention. This competition was invitation only and consisted of two four-hour papers which the girls did in February this year. Amber was within the top 15 students in the country to sit the Olympiad. Congratulations girls!
Year 10 Dance Excursion
On Sunday March 19 our students had the opportunity to experience the magic of contemporary dance at the Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, viewing a diverse triple bill of works by Sydney Dance Company titled Ascent. The earlier performance time meant we were able to enjoy the harbour views and summery weather in addition to beautiful and cutting edge dance works.
The bill encompasses three works including one by SDC’s Artistic Director Raphael Bonachela, I Am-Ness, which had everyone mesmerised by the seamless connections between the four dancers who moved as a single organism until the final moments, demonstrating the nuances of human connection. Antony Hamilton’s work had the audience on the edge of their seats with its awe – inspiring mash – up of electronic music, high fashion and a futuristic exploration of order and chaos. The diversity of the works presented really broadened perspectives on what dance can be and the incredible sensory impact it has in a live context.
Our students were enthusiastic and engaged throughout the entire experience. They had the opportunity to reflect on their own experiences with dance and how they could incorporate the techniques and themes of Ascent into their own performances. The performance also gave them an opportunity to see how professional dancers work in a collaborative environment, which we believe will inspire them to continue pursuing their own passions in dance.
We would like to extend our thanks to the Sydney Dance Company for providing such an incredible opportunity to our students. We are also grateful to the teachers who helped organise and chaperone the excursion, and to the students themselves for representing Pymble Ladies College with such grace and enthusiasm.
Overall, the excursion was a fantastic success and we look forward to providing more opportunities for our students to experience the wonder and beauty of the arts in the future.
Key Dates
Thursday 23 March PPA New Parents High Tea
Thursday 30 March Year 9 1B Residential Program Parent Workshop at Pymble
Monday 3 April Careers Expo
Monday 3 April Year 9 2A Residential Program Information Evening at Riverview
Tuesday 4 April Year 10 Learning Discussions – Evening
Wednesday 5 April Pupil Free Day (Years 7-12)/ Last day of term
Wednesday 5 April Year 10 Learning Discussions – All day
Wednesday 5 April Year 9 1B Residential Program Great Return to Vision Valley
Wednesday 26 April First day of Term 2
Tom Riley
Head of Upper School
From the Senior School
This week the Year 11s have begun their Assessment Week. Students will be sitting their initial round of assessment tasks during their allocated class time and can use the rest of their time to prepare. This has been planned to allow for the students to have time to revise fully and use their time management skills to adequately prepare, as these are their first Stage 6 tasks. Going forward, with the exception of the yearly examinations in Term 3, the other assessment tasks will take place during the normal course of a day.
Congratulations to all students involved in A Chorus Line, the Swimming and Diving Carnival and the Head of the River. There were some outstanding results across all of these activities and those who performed or competed should feel justifiably proud of their efforts.
GPs in Schools and Food for Thought
Next week on Friday 31 March, Year 12 students will participate in a special session with qualified doctors, called GPs in Schools. This program allows students to engage with a medical professional and learn valuable knowledge about their own health and the health system. Later that same day the Year 12 students will enjoy a wonderful annual event called Food for Thought. At this luncheon, last year’s graduates are invited back to share a lunch with our current Year 12s. The aim of the afternoon is built community and allow our current students to gain valuable advice and perspective from our most recent graduates. Our keynote speaker for the afternoon is Alexandra Hunter (ESU, 2015).
Year 11 University Immersion Day
On the same day, Year 11 students will be participating in our inaugural University Immersion Day. More information on this program can be found in last week’s Newsletter.
Key events for the term
22 March – 29 March – Year 11 Assessment Week
31 March – Year 12 Mind Body Spirit Day
31 March – Year 11 Immersion Day
3 April – Careers Expo
5 April – From the Curriculum Office: Pupil free day for Year 11 and 12 while Learning Discussions are taking place for Year 7, 8 and 10. Year 12 teachers will be setting work if they have a Year 12 class on that day. This will be an asynchronous lesson that the students should complete on Wednesday or at some stage during the break.
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
Our Fabulous Rowers
On Saturday 30 of our Boarders did us proud as they represented Pymble at the Head of the River. This is more than a quarter of our Boarders and roughly a quarter of the entire Pymble rowing squad. To say that we are all proud of what the girls achieved this season is an understatement.
As many of you will already know, rowing is a sport which requires stamina, skill and lots of early morning starts. It is also the ultimate team sport and this is where the Boarder spirit truly comes to the fore. While it is easy to focus on the excitement of the wins, it is the dedication of these girls that stands out. Most of them started on the journey to Head of the River in Term 4 last year and they have worked hard to stay fit, attend training sessions and be great team mates throughout this time. We couldn’t be prouder!
Congratulations to our Rowers:
Year 7: Selina Kerin, Emma Roberts, Sasha Paris, Poppy, Fox-Ashwin, Harriett Lisle, Alice Gall, Alexandra Ritchie
Year 8 Annika Maslin,Phoebe Pockley, Allegra Taubenschlag
Year 9 Chloe Browning,Phoebe Roberts, Addison Seeto, Rose Kirkby, Sybella Simson
Year 10 Evie Leahy, Latiah McMillian, Alice Beveridge, Lola Barwick, Sophie Suttor, Celeste McDermott, Madison Hodgetts, Sally Payne, Charlotte Craig, Hannah Weber
Year 11 Skye Pockley, Andie Hodder, Holly Craig
Year 12 Macey Leahy
Youth Agriculture Expo – Castle Hill Show
A huge congratulations to our one and only Hannah Weber, who on the weekend competed in various events at the Youth Agriculture Expo at Castle Hill Showground for the 15-25-year-old age category. Despite being one of the youngest competitors by far, Hannah was crowned champion in poultry, came second in merino sheep and third in both grain and meat sheep. Hannah has qualified for the Sydney Royal Easter Show in poultry, merino sheep and grain sheep as well as making the reserve cut for cattle parading – a huge achievement for someone so young! Congratulations, Hannah – we are so proud of you and will be cheering you on in the upcoming Easter holidays!
Written by Holly Burke (Head of Year 10 Boarding)
Don’t forget to sign up for Eat Like a Boarder!
I hope you can join us for dinner on Tuesday 25 April at 6.00pm when you return your girls from the Term 1 break. This will be the ‘real’ experience where you will be able to enjoy the regular dinner service just as the girls do each evening. If you would like to join us please rsvp to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
Loving Love It – Mrs White, Deputy Director of Boarding
It was a weekend full of visits to the beach. Year 12s spent Friday evening with Mrs White at Newport beach as part of their beach awareness training that is required prior to taking beach leave. It was a perfect evening for a quick dip that was topped off with a trip to Avalon for Gelato. On Saturday evening the Marden girls invited some of their day girl friends over from dinner and a movie. All girls had a great time chilling out and enjoying each other’s company. Sunday was the perfect Sydney Autumn day – the ideal weather for the beach. Balmoral Beach was the destination and a popular one at that.
This weekend we will be kicking off our Easter festivities with the Chocolatier from West Pymble joining us for Boarders Get Baking. Our Big Sisters have a fun evening planned for their Little Sisters on Friday evening after dinner. We have a slight change to the program on Saturday due to a change in session times at the ice rink – we will be heading to laser tag instead. Fingers crossed for warm weather again on Sunday as we hit the Manly Water Works for some slip sliding fun.
Balmoral Swim for Cancer
Once again, we will be taking part in the Balmoral Swim for Cancer this year. Last year our Boarders raised over $1,500 for the Children’s Cancer Institute. In the year of Pymble Gives Back, I think we can look at going even further this year. We are hoping to enter as many Boarders as possible in this event.
If your daughter is interested in forming a team they should contact Mrs White in the first instance. Each parent will need to fill in the entry form as there are risk waivers that need to be signed. The entry fee will be $20.00 each and charged to the Boarder’s account at the end of the term.
The event takes place on Sunday 2 April and will take up most of the morning.
For more information please see the websites below:
Hello! My name is Sasha Paris and I am new to Pymble and Boarding in Year 7 this year. I was very excited to come as my family has a long history here – from my great grandmother, then my grandmother and her four sisters, then my mum and her cousins, and now me and my cousins!
Last year, I went to Willoughby Public School and lived at home with my dad Phil, my mum Prue and my two big brothers Lach and Olly. This year things are a bit different. My Dad lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where he is helping the Saudi government build a new city for the Saudi people to live in, enjoy and bring visitors to. It’s going to have an awesome rollercoaster and water park, which is what I think the Saudi kids will be most excited about!
My mum lives between Riyadh, Willoughby and Newcastle, where she works with her family and on my grandparent’s farm. My brothers have also moved into boarding at Shore, and like me, they are loving it, along with rugby and rowing. As a family, we like to see new places, do some hiking and go fishing when the fish are biting.
Willoughby is a great suburb, and I have lots of friends in the neighbourhood. We all meet up in the park to play and walk our dogs. Riyadh is the capital of Saudi Arabia, right in the centre of the country, and home to 9 million people! The desert around is really beautiful, and the Saudi people are very friendly. Newcastle has amazing beaches and big ocean pools. The farm is where I am learning to ride a motorbike, and I am already better than Mum, which is not very hard I must admit!
My dog’s name is Maggie, and she is a rescue dog from Dubai. She was dumped in the desert as a puppy, which is where my mum met Maggie when her car broke down one day. We all love her, but Dad jokes she is the “world’s most expensive free dog” as we had to fly her out to Australia. I also have a rabbit Alfie, who is now three years old. He is spoilt rotten and lives free in the backyard, eating the grass and playing tag with Maggie. I love looking at them zoom around the backyard through my window.
The thing I love most about being home is being with my family, especially when we are all together. It doesn’t really matter to me where that is – Willoughby, Riyadh or somewhere else as I think that a home is really about the people.
I feel very cared about as a Boarder at Pymble and have really great friends already. While I certainly miss being at home at times, it is exciting to be at Pymble with so many great girls (and their families), such warm teachers and Boarding staff, and with so many great things to learn and do. I especially enjoy diving, rowing and Boarders Get Baking!
Boarder of the Week
Jaidey hails from Lightning Ridge near the Queensland/NSW border. She has been a member of Marden since Year 7 and we are constantly amazed at how she lives each day with a calm and measured attitude. Jaidey is an exemplary boarder who demonstrates the Pymble core values on a daily basis; care, courage, integrity, respect and responsibility. Jaidey is an amazing boarding sister and is always looking out for those around her, she is never afraid to stand up for what is right. Jaidey’s strength and maturity make her much-loved by all those around her. We are so grateful to have her in our Pymble Boarding family.
Save the Date
Thursday 23 March – PPA New Parents High Tea
Monday 20 to Friday 24 March – ICPA Conference, Moree
Tuesday 28 March – Farewell to Rev Lorenzo and End of Term Chapel Service
Tuesday 4 April – Learning Discussions onsite for Boarder parents
Wednesday 5 April – Boarders’ travel day (for Boarders outside of the Sydney Metropolitan Area)
Tuesday 25 April – Boarders return to Term 2: from 2.00pm
Tuesday 25 April – Eat Like a Boarder, 6.00pm
Friday 4 to Sunday 6 August – Boarder Parents Regional Weekend in Mudgee
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
This week has been busier it seems as both Rev Lorenzo and I find ourselves working at Pymble as the Chaplaincy team for our last few weeks together. It has been a joy and privilege to work with Rev Lorenzo. His ministry and care for our community and love for our students have been an inspiration to all who have walked the path with him. As a fellow minister in the Uniting Church, I feel like a chapter is ending and a new one beginning as we part ways and see where God is leading us.
In all things Pymble on Tuesday, we celebrated Harmony Day. As we embrace one another and pay attention to each other, we are mindful of God’s hand in creating difference not only in the animal and plant species but indeed amongst all of humanity. The Creator’s hand goes beyond the outward appearance of skin and feature differences, to the richness and many layers our cultural stories bring.
Our attention to one another leads to pathways of friendship and a desire to commune with each other when we appreciate what is brought to the table in community. At Pymble, we are blessed with so many cultures within a culture, and we can not only celebrate but also sit with the struggle that comes from not knowing, and lack of awareness. When prejudice sits at the table, we can break it open to reveal that very lack of understanding, but doing so in a way that shows, ‘I don’t get what your culture is about, but I’m willing to see you, and yes let’s have a chat and a coffee.’
In Christianity, God is a God of community, and this is evident in the Trinitarian understanding of God; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are joyful in community, and we can struggle in it too, engendering harmony, peace and a way forward. This begins right at home with an acknowledgement and awareness of First Nations people and helping amplify their voice which can hopefully soon be enshrined in our constitution.
We wish all our Muslim families peace and closeness in their journey with God as they fast and pray during the holy season of Ramadan. Here are some photos of Rev Lorenzo and me preparing for the blessing of the rowers at the iconic Head of the River 2023 event last Saturday.
Blessings and peace for Harmony Day.
Reverend Punam Bent
College Chaplain
From the Deputy Principals – Academic
Upcoming Study Programs – Senior School
It has been wonderful to see Year 11 and 12 students engage with the teachers and alumni in the After Hours Study Program from 4.00pm to 7.00pm Monday to Thursday. This will continue until the end of Week 9 this term and start up again in Week 2 of Term 2.
Below are some holiday study opportunities to put in your diary for the year ahead.
April School Holidays
We will be offering the After Hours Study Program for students in the Senior during the second week of the April School Holidays. Students will be supervised by alumni for quiet study, consolidation and revision.
Where: KM Building
Dates: Monday 17 April to Friday 21 April
Cost: No cost
Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm
Requirements: Students will need to bring their own food for the day. They are unable to sign in and out to leave to get food.
Two Pymble HSC Study camps will be run this year during the Winter and Spring holiday breaks. Last year we had over 75 per cent attendance and the feedback from students indicated these camps had a huge impact on increasing their confidence and outcomes while reducing stress.
What makes the Pymble Study Camp so valuable?
Access to experienced HSC Pymble teachers for individual tutoring
Assistance with organising a detailed study plan
ATAR estimates and study strategy meetings with Mrs Stanfield
Practice exam room
Break out rooms to work in absolute silence or in small collaborative groups
All food provided with unlimited tea and coffee
Access to photocopiers, gym and other facilities if working on major works
Very competitive price with external study camps
Camp 1
Dates: Monday 26 June to Friday 30 June
Time: 8.30am to 4.00pm
Cost: To be advised
Camp 2
Dates: Monday 24 September to Friday 29 September
Time: 8.30am to 4.00pm
Cost: To be advised
Learning Discussions – Year 7, 8 and 10 and Non-pupil Day – Year 11 and 12
Our teachers are looking forward to their learning discussions on the evening of April 4 and day of April 5. Check for an email from Edval (including junk and spam), if you did not receive this email, please contact the curriculum office curriculum@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
Year 7 to 12 will not have academic classes onsite on April 5, however, Year 12 who have a class that day will be set work to be completed asynchronously.
Natasha Stanfield and Jake Plaskett
Director of Studies 7-12 and Director of Academic Excellence
From the Community Engagement Team
Pymble Parents Association (PPA) Events
We really enjoyed welcoming our new parents (and all Year 7 parents) on site today for our annual New Parents High Tea. Many thanks to the PPA for hosting the event, as well as the school executive members who were in attendance.
In the coming months we are looking forward to the Trivia Night on Saturday 3 June – a fun and popular parent event on the College calendar. This year’s theme is ‘Movie Stars’ which leaves plenty of possibilities. Pymble parents are well known for their flamboyant costumes, and we expect to see plenty of characters on the night, from Marvel to Cleopatra and beyond.
We also have a cultural culinary event in Term 2, this year celebrating the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival on Wednesday 21 June (second last day of term). The evening will feature traditional dishes such as zongzi, craft and children’s activities and a range of performances.
In 2024, we will be celebrating Diwali for our cultural event. We are excited to share a different cultural opportunity each year at which all students and their families are welcome.
Further details and booking links for both these whole-school events will be shared with the community in the coming weeks.
Please click on the links above to secure your daughter’s ticket.
Careers Expo – support by Pymble Alumni
Pymble is hosting its annual Careers Expo on Monday 3 April from 5.30pm. We look forward to welcoming more than 20 universities and employers, as well as 30 alumni mentors, to counsel students and parents on career opportunities available to them once the girls finish their final exams. Click here to watch the highlights of last year’s event.
Save the date: Alumni Networking Event
We are delighted to announce our annual Alumni Networking Event is back and will be held on Thursday 18 May 2023. If you are a senior leader in your industry, organisation or field, we would love for you to register as a mentor and be one of the many professionals willing to provide our alumni with vital connections and career advice. More information and booking details to follow soon. Click here to watch the highlights of last year’s event.
Focus Groups
Thank you to the parents and carers that attended the focus groups in Week 6 and 7. More focus groups will be scheduled for next term.
Kelly Mancey
Director of Community Engagement and Advancement
From the Co-curricular Sports Team
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From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
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I would like to pay tribute to the cast and crew of A Chorus Line.
This production celebrated the superb talents of students from Pymble and also Riverview, Knox, Shore and St Ives High as actors, dancers and singers in an ensemble context which also paid tribute to the miracle of theatre itself.
There were moments of biting parody, poignant suffering and celebratory joy in the production which portrays performers who audition for a theatrical production and were compelled to expose their vulnerabilities, their passions and their courage with no sets, only minimal costumes and props; an empty theatre stage with only the performers telling their stories.
Well done to all the cast and crew and especially those Year 12 students who have come to the end of outstanding journeys as performers on the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts stage. I also wanted to acknowledge gratefully the stalwart support of Music staff who supervised backstage at this production as led by Mrs Sarah Turner, Head of Co-curricular Music.
This week I have the opportunity to attend three Language Arts events; The Rostrum: Voice of Youth event on Wednesday night and the FED (Friday Evening Debating) and ISDA debating competitions on Friday. All the best for these competitions to the fabulous Pymble Language Arts girls and coaches who are so ably led by the Head of Language Arts, Mrs Bronwyn Hubbard.
I had the privilege of attending a lunchtime Music concert today and to experience not only the superb talents of several Year 12 Music students but also the extraordinarily committed support of the Music staff there in support.
I’m looking forward to experiencing more of the Music students’ fabulous performance work at the Senior School Concert on Gloucester Lawn on 30 March.
Michael Griffiths
Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts
Co-curricular Administration
End of Term 1 Registration Period
The End of Term 1 Registration period will allow families to register their daughters for:
Term 2 programs
Winter Semester programs
Intakes for some yearly programs
Term 3 2023 Saturday Sports.
Look out for new and returned programs such as Mountain Biking, Aerial Circus, On Comms and Year 7 Water Polo Skills.
Registrations are now open via the online registration system. Please access the online registration via the Co-curricular pages on MyPymble by clicking here. A parent/carer log in is required to be able to register.
Please click here to view the user manual for the new online co-curricular registration system.
Feedback
Please click here to leave your feedback on the new online registration system.
Mrs Susan Lindsay
Acting Head of Co-curricular Administration
Language Arts
FED
FED welcomed Sydney Boys’ High last week. This week we welcome Sydney Girls’ High. Debates this week will be on the Colonnade.
Special thanks to our Language Arts parents and girls who will again transform our afternoon tea in a party with their generous contributions. This new tradition will be in place each time we double host. Please note this is optional. Parents, please join our Language Arts parent support chat. All supper contributions are to be brought on the evening or dropped into Mrs Hubbard’s new office in the Music Colonnade, ground floor. Thank you! Ideas include, Savoury: sandwiches, dip and biscuits, cheese, chips, cheezels etc. Sweet: cupcakes, biscuits, fruit.
Next week FED debaters will travel to Riverview by bus.
ISDA
Last week Pymble ISDA debated strongly at Trinity. We won six out of the eight debates. This week we debate in the KM building at Pymble and host Kincoppal Rose Bay. Primary A and B will have make ups in April due to their Canberra excursion.
As we are double hosting this week, with FED and ISDA on site, parents are asked to contribute a plate. This is optional. All contributions are to be brought on the evening or dropped into Mrs Hubbard’s new office in the Music Colonnade, ground floor. Thank you! Ideas include, Savoury: sandwiches, dip and biscuits, cheese, chips, cheezels etc. Sweet: cupcakes, biscuits, fruit.
Registration signups close on Monday 27 March 2023
Public Speaking
Pymble hosted twelve Rostrum Voice of Youth heats yesterday. Congratulations to our selected speakers -Jenny Xu, Leahara Wijesuriya, Katherine Pan, Evelyn Zhu, Nikita Serban and Emily Abadee. Stay tuned for results next week.
UN Voice Nationals
Congratulations to Jenny Xu and Aimy Zhang who will compete in UN Voice National Finals on April 15. Best wishes girls!
Mock Law
Mooting, Mock Trial and Mediation are all now underway. Please ensure all registrations are completed. Round One scenarios have been released.
The tentative date for Mock Mediation is Wednesday 29 March and Thursday 30 March for Mock Trial. Teams will be contacted when dates are confirmed.
MUN
Model United Nations’ activities are in full swing and it is great to see such interest in PMUN – Pymble Model UN. Stay tuned for details on our Winter Conference.
MUN girls may be interested in the following –
April 1 Youth Summit
What: NSW UN Youth Day Summit: Food and Water Security
The following students recently received their results for their Musicianship and should be very proud of their achievements. Congratulations and thanks to Mrs Goodman for their exceptional preparation.
Alice Liu (Year 5) Grade 1 Musicianship – A+
Alice Wu (Year 5) Grade 1 Musicianship – A
Candice Li (Year 4) Grade 1 Musicianship – A
Emma Fu (Year 5) Grade 1 Musicianship – A+
Music Breakfast: Change of Date
Monday 3 April: Bookings can be made by clicking here. Thank you to the Music Support Group for organising this wonderful event to which all members of the Senior School Ensembles are invited. We changed the date due to Year 11 being on an excursion for the whole day.
Senior School Ensemble Concert on Gloucester Lawn
Thursday 30 March, 6.30pm: Bring your picnic rugs/chairs and dinner and enjoy the sonorous tones of your daughter as she brings to life some wonderful music to serenade you whilst you eat. This is a compulsory event for all members of the ensembles.
Please note all students will be required from 3.30pm for sound checks until the evening commences. Food can be purchased at the cafes, or please provide extra sustenance for the day.
ALL students will be required to help with pack up following the concert.
Middle School Concert Band
Wednesday 26 April: you have a performance on this day for Anzac Day, and therefore a rehearsal/soundcheck will occur at lunch time on the Butterfly.
Music Support Group
The next meeting for the Music Support Group will be on 2 May at 7.00pm in the Music Gallery. Everyone is welcome to attend and offer their support. Please contact Elizabeth Toh if you would like more information: elizabethtoh@gmail.com
Music Hoodies
The uniform store sells the hoodies for $50.00, and you can purchase one, and ask for “Music” to be embroidered along the back. The embroidery costs $15.00. Girls will be able to wear these during winter when rehearsals take place during the colder, darker months. Please purchase here.
Week 10 Rehearsals and Lessons
Please note that Senior school private music lessons on Wednesday week 10 will not be occurring face to face, due to Learning Discussions. The last week of term is normally reserved for makeup lessons, and tutors have been told about this for Wednesday April 5. Junior School lessons will take place as per their schedule.
AFL
It was another hot day for the AFL teams on Saturday, but regardless of the heat we had some fantastic results.
Congratulations to Pymble 6 who dominated a previously undefeated PLC Sydney with a 58 to 10 win. Our Senior Pymble 1 team held Abbotsleigh scoreless with a 25 to 0 win. This team remain an undefeated force in this division. Our Intermediate Pymble 4 were also dominant defeating Wenona 50 to 19.
Our final round is this Saturday 25 March, followed by finals on Saturday 1 April.
Results from Round 6:
Pymble 1 defeated Abbotsleigh (25 to 0)
Pymble 2 lost to Wenona School 1 (14 to 21)
Pymble 3 lost to Brigidine College 2 (6 to 18)
Pymble 4 defeated Wenona School 4 (50 to 19)
Pymble 5 lost to St Scholastica’s College 2 (21 to 47)
Pymble 6 defeated PLC Sydney 3 (58 to 10)
Pymble 7 lost to Bridigine College 7 (17 to 31)
Jack Garrard
Sports Co-ordinator – AFL
Athletics
State Little Athletics
Several Pymble Athletes competed at State Little Athletics held at Sydney Olympic Park over the weekend.
Congratulations to Eliza Lawton (Year 7) who broke the NSW State Little Athletics record in the 1500m.
Congratulations to all Pymble athletes for such wonderful performances across the weekend with a number of personal bests recorded.
Well done to the following Medallists:
Eliza Lawton (Year 7) under 13
1st place, 1500m and a new State Record
1st place, 3000m
Amalia Bond (Year 7) under 13
1st place, Long Jump
1st place, Triple Jump
Gemma Dixon (Year 7) under 12
1st place, 1500m Walk
Grace Townsend (Year 10) under 15
2nd place, High Jump
1st place 300m Hurdles
Grace Beck (Year 9) under 15
1st place, 1500m Walk
2nd place, 3000m
Matilda Harrison (Year 9) under 14
1st place, 100m
Grace Peters (Year 10) under 15
3rd place, Discus
2nd place, Shot Put
Samara Bond (Under 10) under 17
3rd place, 400m
Laura Verlinden
Sports Co-ordinator – Athletics
Badminton
Congratulations to our Senior Firsts Badminton team for defeating Abbotsleigh over the weekend. This is the first time Pymble has played in Senior First division in quite some time, and our students are certainly challenging the opposition in every round.
A special mention to all of the Senior Teams that came away with a win this week: Pymble 2, Pymble 3 Pymble 4, Pymble 6, Pymble 8, Pymble 9 & Pymble 10.
Saturday 25 March will be the final round before the top four teams head into the finals next weekend, Saturday 1 April. The format will be first versus second, and third versus fourth.
Wishing all our players and coaches the very best of luck! GO PYMBLE!
Laura Verlinden
Sports Co-ordinator – Badminton
Diving
Congratulations to our igsa Diving team who competed on Friday 17 March at the Annual igsa Diving and Swimming Championships. Our team this year, whilst small in numbers, was fierce in competition. We knew it was going to be an amazing event with outstanding competition and it was spectacular! Our divers were asked to step in, step up and give their best and that is exactly what they all did. For our Year 7 crew this was their first Diving event and what an experience that was. Well done to all our Divers who contributed to winning second place in division one, podium finishes and CIS qualification.
A huge well done to Méa Shires (Year 9) who competed across three events on the day and being named igsa Intermediate Champion for 2023, Nikola Puhl (Year 12) and Addison Woods (Tear 8) who placed 3rd in their events, and Nicole McCrostie (Year 11), Riley Atkinson (Year 8) and Leila Rich (Year 8) who placed 2nd in the Team Event.
Congratulations to our CIS qualifiers Nikola, Méa, Angela, Addison, Sasha and Eleanor who now progress to CIS Championships on Tuesday 2 May.
Wishing all our IPSHA divers competing at CIS on Wednesday 29 March, the very best.
Results of this event will follow next week.
State Championships – Saturday 18 March and Sunday 19 March
After a huge day on Friday at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre our competitive divers backed up for a busy weekend of diving at the State Open and Age Championships.
Well done to all divers on these great results.
Results
16/18 years
Nikola Puhl (Year 12)
6th place, 1m
7th place, 3m
3rd place, Synchronised
14/15 years
Méa Shires (Year 9)
1st place, 1m
1st place, 3m
1st place Platform
Angela Xenofontos (Year 9)
6th place, 1m
6th place, 3m
12/13 years
Ava Jamieson (Year 6)
9th place, 1m
11 years & under
Amélie Rahme (Year 6)
1st place, 1m
1st place and qualified for age nationals, 3m
Zara Ware (Year 4)
3rd place, 1m
Amélie Berg (Year 3)
8th place, 1m
National Age Championships
A reminder to our National Age Championship competitor’s registration for this event is now due through Diving NSW and Diving Australia.
Chris Lang
Head Coach – Diving
Golf
On Tuesday 14 March, Sarah Quan (Year 7) travelled to Waratah Golf Club in Argenton to play in the CIS Secondary Open Girls Golf Championships. She performed exceptionally and hit a total stroke score of 94 which resulted in a 74 net score.
Well done Sarah it is great to have Pymble back on the Golf representative circuit.
Jack Garrad
Sports Co-ordinator – Golf
Junior School Sport
IPSHA Touch Football Trials
Please see below information regarding the IPSHA Touch Football representative team trials.
Any Year 5 or Year 6 students interested in trialling for an IPSHA Touch Football representative team, please refer to our school trials schedule below. For your reference, this is for the IPSHA Team and not your daughter’s IPSHA Saturday Sports team. These trials will occur later in Term 2.
Please note: The skill level of these trials is very high; it is recommended that only A division or representative level players attend the trial.
IPSHA Netball Rep Team Trials
Friday 31 March 12.45pm to 1.30pm on Main Oval
Meet Mr. Tyson on Sunshine Square
CIS Golf Nominations
If you would like for your daughter to be nominated for the NSWCIS Golf team, please email Mr. Tyson (mtyson@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au) your daughter’s handicap and Golf Club with which she is affiliated.
Matt Tyson
Head of Sports – Kindergarten to Year 6
Rowing
NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River
On Saturday 18 March 2023, the Pymble Rowing Team, consisting of 127 girls from Years 7 to 12, competed in the NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River.
With tough competition this year, this required everyone to contribute their very best effort. The impeccable resilience and team spirit on display by all, resulted in Pymble being triumphant in winning the Overall Point Score Trophy by 58 points and for the fifth consecutive year. An outstanding achievement that every Pymble rower and coxswain can claim contribution to.
Eleven out of the twelve crews that were required to race a heat (due to the number of entries), progressed to their final, which is a great achievement and shows the foundation of strength in the team. Following the heats, an incredible 27 crews raced in final events, bringing home 13 podium finishes including eight bronze, three silver and three gold medal results.
What is the Overall Point Score?
The Overall Point Score Trophy is awarded to the school that accumulates the highest number of points, which are awarded per rower relative to their finishing position. i.e. a rower who places First is awarded 10 points for their school, Second place is awarded 9 points, and so on. The point score perfectly embodies our Pymble values and aims of the Rowing program, which is to ensure that every athlete is valued equally and feels a true member of a special team that is rewarding, challenging and enjoyable to be a part of.
Claudia Wyatt (Year 7), Emma Roberts (Year 7), Sasha Paris (Year 7), Savannah Lorimer (Year 7), Cox: Harriet Lisle
8th
Try Rowing Crew 2
Abby Pisani (Year 7), Alice Gall (Year 7), Annika Amundson (Year 7), Aurora Zhang (Year 7), Cox: Alina Shi (Year 7)
6th
Try Rowing Crew 3
Sophie Harris (Year 7), Sasha McGarrick (Year 7), Alexandra Ritchie (Year 7), Madison Landgrebe (Year 7), Cox: Bonnie Hebblewhite (Year 8)
3rd
Try Rowing Crew 4
Rose Jones (Year 7), Katherine Xu (Year 7), Poppy Fox-Ashwin (Year 7), Sara Quan (Year 7), Cox: Emily Bartrop (Year 8)
4th
Try Rowing Crew 5
Mary Li (Year 7), Zara Sandham (Year 7) Anabella Legge-Hughes (Year 7), Alina Shi (Year 7), Cox: Ainslie Raymond (Year 9)
4th
Photo 1: Pymble rowers ‘Sinking the Pontoon’ after winning the Overall Point Score Trophy
Photo 2: The official blessing
Photo 3: Winners of the Year 9 Division 5 Quad, Chloe Browning (Year 9), Matilda Schmidt (Year 9), Holly Hogan (Year 9), Zara Simpson (Year 9), Cox: Sybella Simson (Year 9)
Photo 4: The Year 8 Coxswains Quad came 3rd, Mie Naito (Year 8), Bonnie Hebblewhite (Year 8), Emily Bartrop (Year 8), Angelina Attinger (Year 8), Cox: Harriet Lisle (Year 7)
Photo 5: The Year 10 2nd Quad came 3rd, Esther Essey (Year 10), Isabella Stalley (Year 10), Lauren Gibson (Year 10), Alice Anand (Year 10), Cox: Sophie Suttor (Year 10)
Photo 6, The Senior 2nd Eight pushing off for their race: Lydia Heazlewood-Lee (Year 11), Andie Hodder (Year 11), Harriet McLean (Year 11), Macey Leahy (Year 12), Lucy Miller (Year 12), Olivia Kelly (Year 11), Ella Jones (Year 11), Skye Pockley (Year 11), Cox: Carolina Yemma (Year 11)
Photo 7: The Senior 1st Eight embracing after finishing their race: Alessandra Braysich (Year 11), Catherine Walker (Year 11), Tilly Morgan (Year 12), Charlotte Hartin (Year 12), Holly Craig (Year 11), Mia Booth (Year 11), Megan Wood (Year 11), Jessica Colbran (Year 12), Cox: Serena Leung (Year 12)
Lewis Gray
Sports Co-ordinator – Rowing
Sailing
NSW Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta
Over the past weekend our Pymble Sailing team took part in the NSW Teams Racing that was hosted by Woollahra Sailing Club.
After some tough conditions on day one, our Sailors moved into division two. On day two, the team got off to a great start after beating Ascham White in their first race. The team went on to win four of their six races and ultimately finished second in division two, and third overall Girls School team. The team showed great heart and resilience to bounce back on day two.
Well done to the following students who took part in the Pittwater Regatta: Chantelle Wu (Year 12 and Sailing Captain), Charlotte Wykes (Year 11), Clio Moran (Year 12), Daisy Stoodley-Williamson (Year 9), Layne Phillips (Year 9), and Simone Bennett (Year 9).
A special thank you to our leaving Year 12 Sailors, Chantelle, Clio, and Penelope whose dedication and input into Sailing has been instrumental to the development and growth of the Pymble Sailing Program.
Chris Wood
Sports Co-ordinator – Sailing
Snowsports
Registrations for the 2023 Snowsports season are now open!
Round 7 of the Invitation Independent Schools Softball Competition took place this past Saturday with both Pymble teams taking part.
It was a morning of mixed emotions for our Pymble Softballers as our Senior Firsts had an untimely loss to Abbotsleigh. The loss for our Seniors meant that they just missed out on a spot in the semi-finals and finished fifth place on the ladder.
Our Junior Firsts beat the undefeated PLC Sydney Juniors and the win cemented their spot in second place and makes them one of the favourites going into the finals.
Round 7
Team
Opponent
Result
Score
Pymble 01
Abbotsleigh 1
Loss
3 to 13
Pymble 02
PLC Sydney 2
Win
13 to 8
NSW All Schools Softball Gala Day
Our very own Rhedyn Wong (Year 12) competed for CIS at the NSW All Schools Softball Gala Day on Monday 13 March. Here’s what Rhedyn had to say:
“Last Monday, I had the opportunity to attend the NSW All Schools Softball Gala Day as part of the CIS Softball team. Despite some rain, the day was an awesome opportunity to play teams from both CCC (Combined Catholic Colleges) and CHS (Combined High Schools). This was an invaluable playing experience, and it was great to be able to play with girls from different schools across NSW. Although unfortunately I was not selected for the NSW All Schools team, this was still a really enjoyable day.”
We are all super proud of Rhedyn and her accomplishments in Softball throughout her years here at Pymble.
Farewell to our Seniors!
I couldn’t be prouder of our Seniors for the tremendous term they’ve had. They’ve played with an unbelievable spirit and have had a huge impact on our younger students.
One last big thank you to our Year 12 students for all they’ve contributed to the Pymble softball program. They have left a great legacy behind, and it will be very sad not seeing them take the field again in Term 1, 2024. The Year 12’s leaving us are: Eloise Muller (Softball Captain), Madeleine Coman, Miki Culver, Rhedyn Wong, Sophie Christopher, Sumeera Chabra.
Chris Wood
Sports Co-ordinator – Softball
Swimming
2023 igsa Swimming Carnival
The 2023 igsa Swimming Carnival was held on Friday 18 March at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Leading into their competition, our swimmers had their backs against the wall, knowing such strong competition was ahead. Instead of backing down, they rose to the occasion and put on a great display of teamwork and resilience. Whilst we finished a close second in the overall point score, we had so many wins on the day. This year was our first overnight Swimming camp out at the Collaroy which set the scene for how far each athlete will push themselves for the swimmer next to them. This was evident come the relay finals, with athletes digging deep and winning six out of the seven possible relays!
Additionally, a very special mention needs to be made to our Swimming Captain Bella Zhang (Year 12) who was crowned the 2023 Senior igsa Swimming Champion.
Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the 2023 igsa Swimming Campaign!
Please click here to view the full list of the igsa Swimming Results.
Megan O’Keeffe
Sports Co-ordinator – Swimming
Water Polo
Amazing result following Round 6 of Water Polo. Spirit was high leading into the last round of games for the season and Semi-finals for some of our teams. GO PYMBLE!
Team
Opponent
Result
Score
Pymble 1
Ravenswood 1
WIN
8 to 4
Pymble 2
Reddam House
LOSS
3 to 9
Pymble 3
Ravenswood 3
WIN
14 to 0
Pymble 4
Barker College 3
WIN
12 to 3
Pymble 5
Ravenswood 6
WIN
13 to 9
Pymble 7
Ravenswood 8
DRAW
6 to 6
Brigette Moore
Head Coach – Water Polo
Pymble Robotics qualifies for world championships
Teamwork makes the machine work. This is the motto for 2023’s FIRST Robotics Competition team. Last weekend at the Southern Cross Regional at the WIN arena in Wollongong, our girls competed against teams from across Australia and two from Asia to try to qualify for World Championships in Houston Texas.
Pymble Pride won the event, with their Alliance Captain Barker Redbacks and second choice Robo Rebels from Narooma, NSW. Additionally, they won the Engineering Inspiration award for advancing respect and appreciation for Engineering within and outside a school community.
As a result, the team is off to Houston, Texas to compete against the best in the World.
The first Robotics Competition is a high-stress, high-impact and highly competitive competition, levelled for senior students with mentor assistance with university and industry knowledge and training.
Our girls have willingly put hundreds of hours into the design, manufacturing, testing and improvement of the robot since early January this year. This is the girls’ program. The girls, guided by our mentors, project manage, order parts, devise strategy and designs, manufacture cut parts, code and drive the robot. The robot that hits the field represents the team on many levels.
On arrival at practice on Friday, our robot turned heads. It’s arm and intake design impressing with its smooth movements, accuracy and control. This was coupled with a drivetrain that can move in any direction along the floor, in a fashion not dissimilar to a shopping cart, but with complete control.
Our driver and operator, Sabrina Rolinek (Year 11) and Sophia Chen (Year 10) were calm under pressure making some magnificent attacking moves at high speed, finding gaps and placing items in position under immense pressure.
By the end of the qualification rounds, we were second in the ranking behind Barker Redbacks, our most successful ranking at a regional qualification.
During the qualification rounds, the team divided up into many essential roles. Scouters collected data on each robot after every match, busily analysing data to create strategies for future matches. Thank you to Manni Lin (Year 12) for leading this charge and all the girls who entered live data into our system created by our co-captain Amelie Muir (Year 11) for us to make informed choices.
Not all was smooth sailing. On Saturday, our robot communication system was running with errors on the competition field in the first official match of the day. When testing before a match or after, all systems were functional. It was a difficult scenario to pin down a problem.
With thanks to our mentor’s guidance, our girls remained calm and systematically checked coding, wiring and motors to eradicate all possible problems.
When the robot hit the field for the next match. It was fully functioning.
A special mention to our coding team led by Amelie Muir (Year 11), Sophia Chen (Year 10), Mulan Xu (Year 11) and Jasmine Li (Year 10), among others who created a reliable autonomous code that had us highest in the autonomous rankings. Additionally, their code for driver control allowed our drivers to pull off the amazing moves they did. Coders are often the unsung heroes, working busily, sometimes late, and under the most pressure towards the end of the build season. However, without them, our machine would certainly not work. Thank you girls.
During playoffs, our Alliance nudged the World Record, but did not quite surpass it. However, it was clear we were the favourites and very high scoring alliance. Despite another scare, when a motor blew, sending a flash which thankfully some of our team saw in the crowd, we hit all our marks and made it to the Finals, which is decided by a best of three round.
The first finals match was one-sided, with the highest score of the tournament going to our alliance. The second and possibly deciding final was close run, with the opposition Alliance (7433 Iona Fusion, 6508 Hastings Heroes, 9146 Backburner) putting in a David vs Golliath effort, missing out on a win by only 6 points.
As a result, the Barker, Pymble and Narooma alliance won the event.
Teamwork does make the machine work. Whether girls in the pits like Rachel Moon (Year 10), Ang-ya Koo (Year 10), Sophia Chang (Year 10) constantly working on the machine or our Media Team led by Allison Wang (Year 10) and Isabella Nguyen (Year 10) recording matches and ambiance for scouting and our promotion, every girl plays an important part. Even with just one girl not working at her best, the machine ceases to work.
This amazing result is down to the efforts, seemingly big or small, of every single girl on the team, whether they were able to make it to Wollongong or not.
Thank you also to the mentors’ tireless efforts and passion.
An additional thanks to the parents, who were able to build a field for the team, allowing us to practice and hone in our robot. Thank you for your tireless efforts. You are part of the team as well.
Congratulations to all teams who competed.
Reminder: Winter school uniform required in Term 2
With the end of Term 1 approaching, parents are reminded that when the girls return to school for Term 2 on Wednesday 26 April, they need to be wearing the winter uniform. This includes the navy blazer which is a compulsory garment to be worn to and from school in Terms 2 and 3.
Please do not leave your uniform shop purchases until the last week of term. You do not need an appointment to purchase the winter uniform.
The uniform shop is not open during the school holidays; however, we will be open on Monday 24 April from 9.00am to 4.30pm for any last-minute purchases.
Please note: the uniform shop will be closed on Tuesday 25 April for the Anzac Day public holiday.
Important uniform notes
Girls in Kindergarten to Year 8 wear the winter tunic with a plain white pointed collar blouse and tie.
Girls in Kindergarten to Year 6 have the choice of knee-high black socks or 70 denier black opaque tights.
All Secondary School girls wear 70 denier black opaque tights.
Years 9 and 10 wear the winter skirt with a plain white pointed collar blouse and tie.
Years 11 and 12 wear the skirt with the long sleeve tartan trim long sleeve blouse and tie.
The navy blazer and winter navy hat MUST be worn to and from school each day.
Tickets now available: The Village Championship
Price increase notification: Term 2 2023 Bus Registrations
Notification of upcoming price increase
The College is committed to supporting our families by providing the Pymble bus service as an option for students travelling to and from school.
Unfortunately, increased running costs due to inflationary pressures on all operating expenses, particularly fuel, has necessitated an increase in our bus registration fees. We are conscious of this impact on our families and have endeavoured to keep this increase to a minimum.
From Term 2 2023, bus registration fees will be as follows:
Full Term registration: $430.00 per term
Flexible registration: $7.50 per trip
To register your daughter for Term 1 and to check the bus stops and times for your preferred route, please click here.
A reminder that the bus service for Term 1 will finish on the last day of term with the scheduled afternoon run on Wednesday 5 April and that all students are required to use their student ID cards to tap on and off the bus.
Please contact College Services via collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have any further questions about transport to and from Pymble Ladies’ College.
From the Pymble Parent Association
A Morning to Remember
Thank you to all new parents, Pymble staff, heads of schools, teachers, Lamia Rockwell and Dr Hadwen who attended the New Parents High Tea. It was a lovely and relaxed morning with delicious savories and desserts crowned with interesting and heartwarming conversations. We loved the diversity of cultures and nationalities represented at the high tea, including those from Hong Kong, England, United States, South Africa and regional and local areas across NSW.
Thank you to Kai Jones and May Tai (Event Convenors) and our incredible year group coordinators who enthusiastically invited the parents and carers to the event. It was wonderful to see the parents at the high tea exchanging contact details with each other and connecting via WhatsApp, WeChat and Facebook.
We hope our new parents found the morning refreshing and had some fun connecting with other new parents and the amazing team of staff and teachers from various departments.
To stay informed please use the MyPymble Parent Portal and newsletter for regular updates. For social connections please refer to your year group coordinators and PPA and year group Facebook pages.
PPA Facebook pages can be found as per below;
PymbleLC PPA 2023
PymbleLC SSPG 2023
PymbleLC USPG 2023
PymbleLC MSPG 2023
PymbleLC JSPG 2023
Fresh off the press, we have just confirmed with Matt and Annelise Ware, and Malini Srivastava that Trivia Night will be taking place for parents and carers on Saturday June 3, with this year’s theme being ‘Movie Stars’! We can’t wait to see what you all come dressed as.
For all our business community within the College we have a directory for you to refer to. For those who have listed your business in the directory and if your details have changed, could you please let community engagement team know so we can update your information to ensure it is current and relevant. Should you wish to list your business in the Pymble Business Directory, please click here.
For students in Years 7 to 12 who would like to explore their career options there is a Careers Expo on the April 3 2023. We encourage parents and carers to attend the expo with their daughters and perhaps have an open dialogue with them as to where their interest(s) may lie. Click here for more information.
Thank you again to the entire Pymble community for your ongoing support to the school and its families. We hope you will have a great weekend ahead!
Sunny Hres
PPA President on behalf of the entire PPA Committee
Thinking of a career change? Think Pymble!
At Pymble, you will be wrapped in a culture of care, community and commitment to educational excellence. You’ll also enjoy all the benefits of a big and beautiful working environment. For more information about working at Pymble, click here.
Job of the Week: Junior School French Teacher
An opportunity has arisen to join the culture of kindness in our Junior School, sharing your passions for the French language and teaching across three days per week on a permanent basis from Term 2 (April) this year.
You will have confidence in leading French language classes and a commitment to supporting student wellbeing. With a focus on personalised education, you will develop high quality curriculum material that engages and challenges our students, taking them on an innovative journey in their learning. Working collaboratively with the classroom teachers and wider Junior School faculty, you will be an energetic and driven person, eager to jump headfirst into the initiatives and values of our Junior School family, keeping each day fun and helping to develop the future leaders of tomorrow.
This year’s timetable will see you working across three days per week (Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) giving you the perfect work/life balance, in a College that supports your own growth, wellbeing and aspirations.
Our kind of teacher
You will display the following skills and capabilities:
Have a sound understanding of NESA syllabus requirements and hold current NESA accreditation.
Be committed to improving educational outcomes.
Technologically savvy with the ability to use technology effectively in the classroom.
Be confident in differentiating the curriculum in the classroom.
Be a reflective professional engaged in ongoing development and research in relation to your practice.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal
