You’re invited: Pymble in Dubbo
From the Principal
Electric-powered racing cars, robots and drones – it’s all happening for our girls in the world of STEM at Pymble!
We begin this week by cheering on our Year 6 students as they prepare for Australia’s first Formula Goblin competition coming up in May, when they will race other teams in electric cars built from scratch.
Meanwhile, it is with a great deal of pride and excitement that we received the news Pymble has qualified for the World Robotics Championships in Houston, Texas. This is a highly competitive environment and an outstanding acknowledgment of the quality of our program to be invited to compete against top robotics teams from around the world, including NASA. Best wishes to our Pymble Pride Robotics team, who are looking forward to building on the success they have experienced throughout the year on the world stage.
In other super-exciting news, we are now on track to launch our inaugural Pymble Drone Academy next Term, thanks to generous parents who are keen to help us make this happen as soon as yesterday! This is such a great opportunity for students in Years 4 upwards to get up to speed with this increasingly useful technology and, ultimately, obtain their Drone Pilot’s License during their time at Pymble. Our plan is to launch this as a co-curricular activity for 20 girls in Years 4 to 6 and 20 students in the Secondary School, so stay tuned for more information coming your way soon!
You can read more about the Pymble Drone Academy here.
It is a long-standing strategic intent of the College to promote STEM subjects and careers for our girls. This work bridges both our Academic and Digital Intelligence pillars and is important for many reasons, not least of which is the fact that jobs in STEM fields are growing twice as fast as non-STEM occupations and women are still underrepresented (and underpaid) in STEM fields compared to men.
We continue to invest heavily in researching, identifying and innovating to bring a myriad of new STEM opportunities and partnerships into the College. Our aim is to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills and character traits required to thrive in our ever-changing world, whatever that may hold for them, when they leave Pymble.
Our comprehensive STEM learning program in the Junior School is summarised by our Head of STEM K-6 Mr Dan Brown in this report, which I warmly encourage you to read.
As Mr Brown writes, “STEM is not just a subject taught in isolation – it’s a mindset cultivated from the very beginning. Across every year level, from Kindergarten to Year 6, students are immersed in purposeful, creative and challenging STEM experiences that build curiosity, capability and confidence. Because at our school, STEM isn’t a moment. It’s a movement.”
STEM certainly is a movement in our Secondary School, too. This year we have launched two new STEM subjects, with a third planned to commence in 2026. Our Deputy Principal – Academics, Mrs Christine Kenny, outlines what these new subjects offer our Pymble girls.
Cambridge Mathematics – new in 2025
Following our successful registration as a Cambridge International School last year, Pymble can now offer IGCSE subjects, which are the UK equivalent of Years 9 and 10. Our inaugural Year 10 Cambridge Mathematics class launched this year will sit exams in October/November.
In addition to Mathematics, we are planning to offer Cambridge Global Perspectives as an Elective for Year 9 in 2026. Global Perspectives involves understanding the viewpoints of those around us – locally, nationally and globally. Cambridge International claims that “It is an important subject for students heading into a complicated world and will give them the skills they need to succeed in life.”
Engineering – new in 2025
As of this year, Pymble is one of only three independent girls’ schools to offer Engineering at HSC level. While the subject is a great training ground for boosting problem solving skills, it is still male dominated and universities are trying to address this by offering scholarships for women. UNSW, UTS and USYD currently offer a range of scholarships to increase the number of women studying Engineering at tertiary level, which is great news for our girls who are interested in this field.
New Biotechnology Elective – coming in 2026
Australia is a world leader in Biotechnology and many future career opportunities are predicted to sit within this space. Commencing in 2026, Pymble will offer a Biotechnology Elective for students in Year 9 who are keen to work in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and environmental management. We are proud to partner with the Center for Curriculum Redesign in Boston to write our Biotechnology course and create the resources required for this subject.
See you at the Careers Expo next week
It’s hard not to get excited about learning at Pymble when new opportunities and potential career paths keep opening up before our eyes. On that note, our annual Careers Expo will be held on Monday 7 April (next week) from 5.00pm in our Gymnasium and we’d love to see you there.
All are welcome to come and hear insights and advice from universities, TAFE, private colleges, and industry representatives. We hope many families take this opportunity to explore the possibilities and pathways to the bright futures that await our Pymble girls.
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Living Life: Embracing Opportunities
Seeing our girls scoot and cycle to, and around, school on Friday was a highlight of the term. The girls embraced the opportunity to challenge themselves through being active and navigating risk of increased number of bikes and scooters with care, logical thinking and resilience. Building these skills are important life lessons and also provide opportunities for our girls to create happy memories.
Riding bikes, scooters, unstructured play and building with our blue engineering blocks helps to foster spatial awareness in our girls. Research by Delgado & Prieto, 2004; Gardner, 1993; Johnson et al., 2022 evidences that construction and spatial play help to build STEM mindsets and improved self efficacy and results in mathematics.
In a different study conducted by Wai et al. (2009), a sample of 400,000 students in years 9 to 12 was tracked over 11 years to see if there is any relationship between their initial spatial abilities and their future occupations. The findings showed that students with high spatial abilities went on to earn undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees in STEM-related fields. This week, Mrs Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6 provides further insight into the positive impact of unstructured play.
IPSHA Cross Country
Congratulations to all our cross country runners who showed their courage and determination at the IPSHA Cross Country Carnival this week. Each runner showed true Pymble and team spirit. Many congratulations to Sienna Cassidy, Lia Sloane and Chloe Huang who all progress to CIS, and to Hongor Temuqile who is a CIS reserve.
A message from Mrs Martha Itzcovitz (Junior School Librarian)
Year 3 welcomed author Kristin Darell last week to tell us all about her writing tips, where she gets her stories from and koala poo – yes, that’s right, poo! Kristin has written a series of books set in Taronga Zoo that combine fascinating information about animals with the adventures of two junior zoo volunteers. And we were lucky enough to be joined by our very own zoo volunteer, Miss Treharne, who told us all about the real animals in the books and showed us photos and videos of herself with them – and yes, she picks up poo!
Then Year 5 enjoyed a visit from stage star and author Penny McNamee. Penny told us about her Stage Stars series of books along with some anecdotes about being in musical theatre. She even showed us some fabulous dance poses! Penny also explained where she gets her inspiration from and took us on a journey through her writing process. We learned all about the hero’s journey and how we can use this structure in our own writing
A message from Josephine Laretive (Junior School Librarian K-2)
This week Pymble Libraries held the annual Sharing Stories Festival – a celebration of stories and storytelling to connect, understand, inspire, empathise and belong. As part of this festival, Year 2 met award-winning author Kirli Saunders OAM.
Kirli told us her name is the Indigenous name of the Eurasian Coot Bird and shared insight into her vast talents as an author, poet, artist and community leader. She read two of her picture books – Our Dreaming, illustrated by Dub Leffler, and Afloat, illustrated by Freya Blackwood. One Gundungurra word Kirli shared with us that is important to her was ngununggula, which means walk together and work together.
What was special to Year 2:
“I enjoyed hearing so many different words I had never heard before”. – Olive Dickinson
“I learnt about taking care of the environment from her stories”. – Karen Jo
“I liked seeing Kirli’s art made with drones. I enjoyed the singing and colourful patterns in the video”. – Isabella Kerle
“It was nice when Kirli read her books to us and said words in her language.” – Isabella Burrell
“I learnt about how the Glossy Black Cockatoo is endangered and that they only eat from Sheoak trees.” – Riyana Maity
“I learnt that Dreaming means caring for self, caring for the community, and caring for Country.” – Mira Samy
“It made me think about caring for the community, nature and not wasting water.” – Isla Merrit
A message from Mrs Kate Giles (Head of Wellbeing K-6)
The Power of Play for Social and Emotional development
One of the most important aspects of childhood development is the opportunity to explore, challenge themselves, problem solve and learn through experience. This includes both risky and imaginative play. Risky play includes activities that involve some level of potential danger, allowing your daughter to experience challenge and uncertainty in a controlled and supervised environment. This can include activities such as climbing, swinging high, jumping and exploring unfamiliar places. Research by experts, such as Professor Pasi Sahlberg (2023), has shown that engaging in risky play has a number of benefits for the girls, including:
- Building confidence – helping her to learn to assess risks and make decisions about her physical boundaries
- Growing physical skills – improving her strength, coordination and motor skills
- Developing resilience – fostering perseverance and emotional regulation during challenging situations, which is an important factor in positive mental health
- Encouraging problem solving and social skills – including communication and negotiation skills, as well as assessment and analysis of risk
- Promoting creativity – stimulating imagination and creative thinking
In addition to this, Cevher-Kalburan & Ivrendi (2016) indicate that ‘children must learn to avoid great danger by being exposed to small dangers’ – finding that where younger children have limited opportunities to learn to self-assess and manage safety and risk, they are more likely to make poor decisions and even engage in reckless behaviour in the future. Unfortunately, opportunities for risky play have been decreasing due to concerns about possible injury or harm and the adults in their lives wanting to ensure children are not exposed to any possible danger.
Instead, Handrahan (2018) argues that schools and parents need to manage safety in preference to eliminating risk, remembering that accidents can happen no matter how hard we try to control or remove risks.
So, this weekend why not encourage your daughter to engage in free outdoor play and challenge herself. Instead of saying ‘don’t climb that tree’, try saying ‘make sure you can get down safely from there before climbing up higher’.
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson (Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations)
Formula Goblin Update
With races in Tasmania and the United Kingdom fast approaching in Term 2, the Formula Goblin team have organised two fundraising opportunities that Junior School families are encouraged to support:
- Racing Car Driving Simulator – This was open to students in Years 3 and 4 yesterday and will be open to students in Years 5 and 6 tomorrow (Friday). Students are able to have two laps of the digital course for just $2, with the fastest drivers on each day to receive certificates of achievement
- Zooper Doopers at Lunch – Following on from the popularity earlier this term, Zooper Doopers are on sale for all students K-6 next Thursday lunchtime for a gold coin donation.
End-of-term information
With the end of term fast approaching, please be aware of the following:
- Classes continue until end of day Friday 11 April. Should your daughter be absent for reasons other than sickness, please submit an exemption from attendance application to the office.
- Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 will have their Easter Hat Parade in the John Reid Hall from 12.00pm to 12.45pm on Friday 11 April. Students will not be permitted to leave after the event.
- Please avoid sending chocolate eggs to school to celebrate Easter. As a number of students have allergies, handing out such treats can be inadvertently dangerous.
Uniform and Appearance
Thank you for showing respect to the College uniform policy by ensuring your daughter arrived at school with her white hat this term. 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 all your daughter’s uniform clothing item is named including socks and shoes. We recommend you use white markers to label dark clothing items.
- Please be aware that next term the girls will need to be in their winter uniform from day one. Further information can be found in your daughter’s student diary.
- We have an abundance of unnamed lost property in the Junior School canteen/lunch-tub room. Unnamed drink bottles, lunch boxes and any non-Pymble branded items will be disposed of at the end of term.
We thank our weekly canteen volunteers, in particular Mrs Skye Benson, for the support in sorting lost property and working diligently to return it to the owners.
Did you know the College operates coaches to and from five destinations in the morning and afternoon, allowing fast and efficient transport to the College without the hassle of traffic queues for parents?
To support Junior School students to use this service:
- Staff collect students in Kindergarten to Year 2 each morning from the buses daily and walk them to class.
- Staff collect students in Kindergarten to Year 6 in the afternoon and walk them to the buses.
- All buses are fully seatbelt equipped and can be tracked by parents via Transport Me App in real time
- Bus bookings can be made for a full term or by flexible arrangement.
For more information about bus transport, or to make a booking, click here.
Junior School Canteen Helpers
Thank you to the parents who have volunteered this term. The Junior School canteen will continue in Term 2 on Wednesdays and Fridays. The Junior School allows students to purchase (through Flexischools) cold drinks and frozen desserts (with an expanded range commencing in Term 2). Once your order is placed your daughter will be given a brown paper bag, and she will then go to the Junior School canteen (lunch-tub room) to collect her cold treat.
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 (WWCC). If we do not already have your WWCC on file, please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au your WWCC number and date of birth so your WWCC can be verified.
Junior School Digital News
Term 1 2025 Key Dates (Week 9 and 10)
Friday 4 April – Year 5 MMG Survey at 1.30pm
Friday 11 April – Last Day Term 1, Decorate a Cookie & Easter Hat Parade K-2
Important Dates
Tuesday 29 April – First day of Term 2 (all girls to be wearing winter uniform)
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Year 1 Easter Egg Hunt
📅 Date: Sunday, 6 April
⏰ Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
📍 Location: Picnic Area 4, St Ives Showground
Cost: $10 per Child
RSVP: 28 March
Siblings are welcome. BYO Food & bucket. In the event of wet weather, event may be rescheduled or cancelled.
Easter Cookie Decorating (Kindergarten to Year 2)
📅 Date: Friday 11 April
📍 Location: In-class activity (Kindy to Year 2)
📝 Details:
• Easter Cookie Decorating activity for students.
• Each student will receive two nut-free cookies with icing, sprinkles, and a small selection of lollies to decorate in class.
• Gluten-free and vegan options available on request.
• If a student cannot participate, they may bring a treat from home.
💰 Cost: $10
📌 RSVP by: Friday, 4 April 2025
📩 Enquiries: Dee Mathur – deeviya.mathur@gmail.com
🔗 [Click Here to Register] | [Parent Helper Signup]
Easter Cookie Decorating (Year 3 to 6)
📅 Date: Friday 11 April (Final day of Term 1)
📍 Collection Location: Hedgehog House
📝 Details:
• A Take-Away Easter Cookie Decorating activity for Years 3 to 6.
• Each student receives two nut-free cookies with icing and sprinkles for decoration at home.
• Gluten-free and vegan options available on request.
💰 Cost: $10
📌 Register by: Thursday, 3 April 2025
📩 Enquiries: Dee Mathur – deeviya.mathur@gmail.com
6L Play Date – Save the Date
📅 Date: Sunday 11 May
⏰ Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
📍 Location: Treetops Adventure, the Hills – 95 Castlehill Road, West Pennant Hills 2125
💰 Cost: $51 per child & $60 per adult
📌 RSVP by: Friday, 25 April 2025, Wendy 0403691999
Join us for a thrilling outdoor adventure as we navigate tree-top courses, zip lines, and rope challenge. This is a fantastic opportunity for our girls to build confidence, teamwork, and unforgettable memories!
Year 4 Parents Sip and Supper – Save the Date
📅 Date: Saturday, 17 May 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Greengate Hotel, Cnr Pacific Hwy & Greengate Rd, Killara
Please join us for a relaxed evening to connect and make new friends. Please reach out to your class parents for any questions.
Autumn Family Festival
We are delighted to invite you to the Autumn Family Festival on Thursday 1 May, a special evening celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures within our community through food, art, craft demonstrations, dance and music.
📍 Location: Gloucester Lawn
⏰ Time: 4.30pm to 5.30pm: Exclusive for Junior School students and their families.
5.30pm to 8.00pm: Open to the entire Pymble community.
This festival is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate our diversity.
Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School
From the Middle School
Congratulations to all of our Years 7 and 8 Jacaranda Award recipients for Term 1. I was so proud to join our year assemblies this week and hear the inspirational reasons why the girls were selected by their Compass teachers to receive this prestigious award which celebrates their commitment to living the College values. There were so many outstanding examples of care and respect for community which underscored the culture of the Middle School.
| Year 8 | Year 7 | |
| Bennett A | Edith Cullinane | Cynthia Chen |
| Bennett B | Madeleine King | Romeca Noe Oo |
| Goodlet A | Imogen Marquez | Isabella Croll |
| Goodlet B | Holly Mitchell | Samadhi Wanniarachchi |
| Hammond A | Rose Craig | Shaanvi Lahiri |
| Hammond B | Victoria Lai | Greta Campbell |
| Ingleholme A | Penelope Hargraves | Karen Liu |
| Ingleholme B | Jessica Franklin | Zoe Liang |
| Lang A | Ava Jamieson | Chelsea Wang |
| Lang B | Keira Donovan | Imogen Martin |
| Marden A | Olivia Hicks-Duncombe | Anna Xu |
| Marden B | Bebe Brennan | Molly Turner |
| Thomas A | Una Kim | Emma Popli |
| Thomas B | Jocelyn Chow | Chloe Zhong |
| Wylie A | Cordelia Curtin | Millie Tian |
| Wylie B | Ishana Viswanathan | Shilin Zhao |
We also celebrated Year 7’s outdoor education experiences with the traditional camp awards. Each Compass teacher was asked to make the hard call and nominate three students from their group whom they believed deserved special recognition. We began by celebrating everyone because the spirit of the camp was a testament to the outstanding ‘have-a-go’ attitude which coloured the weeks at Vision Valley. Well done to everyone for stepping up and on many occasions stepping out of your comfort zone and meeting the challenge. Resilience and friendship were two wonderful outcomes of the experience.
Eight girls from Pymble competed in the Fuse Cup eSports Tournament at Monte. The girls in Year 5 to 8 competed with 40 other boys and girls from around Sydney.
Congratulations to Audrey Wyldhill (Year 8), Sophia Xiong (Year 8) and Isabelle Yeh (Year 8), and a special congratulations to Xanthe Munroe (Year 8) who won the tournament and will now head to the Gold Coast to compete in the National Fuse Cup Tournament.
We also launched the Year 7 leadership process this week and shared with the girls the many opportunities available to them to step into positions of responsibility next term. On Wednesday during lunchtime, our Year 12 Liaison Prefects ran a session on writing applications and presenting during interviews to help support the girls with their submissions. Please ask your daughter to show you the link that was emailed on Tuesday afternoon. Applications close at the end of next week.
During our Year 8 assembly this week, the girls received a special treat to mark the closing of a long term and the impressive collaboration demonstrated across the cohort. One such example was the igsa Swimming Carnival where the girls did themselves proud by being wonderful supporters of the Pymble team. The spirit and camaraderie across Year 8 is worth celebrating.
On Monday evening, we held the family information night for the up-and-coming Year 8 National Exchange Program. This promises to be an exciting experience for the 40 odd students who have been selected to travel to Perth, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Toowoomba. We look forward to sharing their stories with the wider community next term.
The MMG Year 8 Parent Tracking Survey is currently still open and we would like to encourage you to please complete this if you have not already done so. Year 8 students completed the survey yesterday during Compass time. The combined data is very valuable in helping us best support families moving forward. Thank you for your input.
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School
From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
As we approach the end of Term 1, this week we recognise some of the wonderful achievements of our girls as they have navigated academic challenges, sporting achievements and other co-curricular endeavours. Earlier this week, our Year 10 Goodlet A class was crowned the winners of the Year 10 Urban Challenge. Congratulations to Dr Radford and her adventurous team of clue-chasers!
Congratulations also to the Year 10 First Eight crew for winning the national title in the U17 Schoolgirl Eight event at the Australian Rowing Championships! This outstanding achievement marks the first time Pymble has secured this prestigious title. The dedication and teamwork displayed by Emily, Allegra, Harriet, Saskia, Erin, Olivia, Zara, Lucy and Georgina earned them not only gold medals but also a new national record in their heat. Well done to all our Pymble rowers on an exceptional and memorable season!
Jacaranda Awards
During our first Upper School assembly of the year, led capably by our Year 9 and 10 Upper School Leaders, we announced the recipients of the Jacaranda Awards for Term 1. Congratulations to all students who have been recognised this term for consistently upholding the College values.
Year 9
Angela Bai – Bennett A
Isabel Chang – Bennett B
Nina Han – Goodlet A
Isabelle Martin – Goodlet B
Stella Walsh – Hammond A
Annabella Deng – Hammond B
Yuna Shin – Ingleholme A
Elena Duan – Ingleholme B
Catherine Curry – Lang A
Erika Zhao – Lang B
Lucy Gao – Marden A
Sophie Harris – Marden B
Emily Finucane – Thomas A
Charlotte Lin – Thomas B
Eden Connors – Wylie A
Isabel McKnight – Wylie B
Year 10
Sanaya Lakhani – Bennett A
Kyraa Vig – Bennett B
Charlotte Blaiklock – Goodlet A
Imogen Kee – Goodlet B
Ella Handley-Greaves – Hammond A
Sophie Guo – Hammond B
Chloe Ayton – Ingleholme A
Fiona Xue – Ingleholme B
Stella Sharp – Lang A
Sienna Melton – Lang B
Laranya Nanthakumaran – Marden A
Amelia Lee – Marden B
Zoe Carroll – Thomas A
Jessica Bao – Thomas B
Nina Wang – Wylie A
Bridgett Wu – Wylie B
As we look towards Term 2, preparations are now well underway for our Year 9 students heading out on the Term 2 Residential Program. Students met for a final briefing with the Vision Valley team and have written letters of introduction to their Churchie counterparts. Next term, students will meet once more with their Year 11 and 12 mentors so that they are well prepared for the journey ahead.
We are also currently in the process of organising an exciting three-week social cup for Year 10 students, along with Knox Grammar School. Over the course of three weeks in Weeks 2, 3 and 4, students will be able to opt in to a range of sporting, trivia and service-based activities after school. We look forward to putting in place further co-educational opportunities for our students throughout the year.
MMG Education Survey
Thank you to the parents of Year 10 who have already completed their MMG Education Survey. I encourage all parents of Year 10 to share their feedback with the College through this survey as your input helps us understand a variety of views and hear your ideas. Look for the email from MMG Education sent on Friday 21 March or contact Dr Sarah Loch for more information (sloch@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au)
Year 9 Residential Program Parent Event
The parent series is an important part of your daughter’s Vision Valley experience which complements the student experience. The events will provide the opportunity for you to meet fellow members of our community, receive key information and importantly learn how to best prepare for the departure, return and reintegration of your daughter. However, due to external circumstances, we have brought one of these events forward for those families whose daughter is going in Terms 2, 3 and 4.
Dr Arne Rubinstein, founder of the Rites of Passage Institute, will facilitate this evening event. He will give a presentation followed by an interactive workshop. The evening will explore how you can best prepare, embrace and support your child’s development on the residential program.
The evening will involve discussion and tips around how to best parent a young adult as opposed to a child. We will also look at practical tools to support them during these critical teenage years when friends become increasingly important and family relationships are at risk of breaking down.
Date: Monday 28 April (this is a student-free day. We are hoping that many of our Boarding families can join us as they return with their daughter for the start of Term 2)
Time: 6.00pm sharp to 8.15pm
Location: Jeanette Buckham Centre for Physical Education, Pymble Ladies’ College
RSVP: Please RSVP via this link by Friday 4 April.
Year 10 Geography Field Trip to Barangaroo
The Year 10 field trip to Barangaroo Reserve and Waterman’s Cove was an incredible opportunity to explore the geographical features of this transformed urban landscape. As Year 10 Geography students, we witnessed firsthand how Barangaroo has evolved from an industrial site into a sustainable, world-class precinct.
The reserve’s 75,000 native trees and reconstructed shoreline highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability, while Waterman’s Cove showcased innovative strategies like the underwater garden, which revitalises marine habitats using 3D-printed panels. Walking through the reserve, we observed the careful balance between urban development and ecological conservation, from the wind-tunnel effects near the International Towers to the biodiversity along environmental walks.
The day was not only educational but also inspiring, as we saw how geographical concepts like urban renewal and ecological design come to life. A huge thank you to our teachers and organisers for making this experience possible – it deepened our appreciation for sustainable urban planning and left us with future career options to consider.
Key Dates – Term 1
Saturday 5 April – Pymble Foundation Gala Ball
Monday 7 April – Careers Expo
Thursday 10 (evening) and Friday 11 (day) April – Year 8 to 10 Learning Discussions
Friday 11 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Friday 11 April – Pupil-Free Day
Key Dates – Term 2
Monday 28 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Monday 28 April – Year 9 Residental Program Parent Workshop with Dr Rubinstein
Tuesday 29 April – First Day of Term 2
From the Year 9 Parent Co-ordinators
Jenny and Ira look forward to welcoming as many parents as possible for our end of Term 1 catch up. Please respond to the invite in the Year 9 WhatsApp group.
For any enquiries, please feel free to contact us – Ira (0415 112 575) or Jenny 0422716808.
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School
From the Senior School
From the Head of Senior School
I am incredibly proud of the students and staff from team ‘Pavement Pounders’ for their dedication and generosity in raising an outstanding $19,535 throughout the month of March. Their efforts were in support of children battling cancer, with each student committing to walk at least 86 kilometres – symbolising the 86 children diagnosed with cancer in Australia every month. Collectively, they covered an impressive 1,171 kilometres, demonstrating not only their commitment to the cause but also their resilience and teamwork.
At the end of yesterday’s assembly, Mrs Richter invited students to share peer shout-outs, an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the efforts of their classmates. In a wonderful display of camaraderie, the girls enthusiastically asked me to give a special shout-out to their team. Their dedication and community spirit are truly inspiring, and I congratulate them on their remarkable achievement.
The team consisted of: Tully (the organiser), Grace, Phoebe, Lily, Scarlett, Tiana, Evie, Louise, Aimi, Sarah, Tilly, Lola, Sophie, Alice and Mrs Richter.
Year 5/Year 11 Mentoring
Congratulations to our Year 11 students on their successful first mentoring session with the Year 5 girls. It was wonderful to see the older students sharing their vision boards, using them as a springboard for meaningful conversations and connections. Through this activity, they found common interests and began building friendships that will continue to grow throughout the year. Their warmth, leadership, and willingness to engage with the younger students set the foundation for a supportive and inspiring mentoring relationship. Well done to all involved!
Year 11 Leadership
We launched the prefect leadership process in Year 11 assembly this week. We encourage students who are interested in taking on leadership roles in 2025-26 to access the leadership site on the portal where they will find important information, including role descriptions, and application instructions. A more detailed letter outlining the application process has also been posted on the MyPymble parent portal.
We understand that some students may feel disappointed if their application is unsuccessful. We offer feedback in two stages: first, for those not selected for an interview, and second, for those who are unsuccessful after an interview. We encourage students who have not been successful to stay positive, learn from the experience and see setbacks as moments for growth. We kindly ask for your support in encouraging your daughter to seek feedback and explore other available opportunities.
Key Dates – Term 1
Thursday 10 April – End of Term 1
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
With just a week to go for our Boarders it is time to celebrate the many joys of Term 1, and our end-of-term chapel service was the perfect opportunity. As always, Reverend Danielle, along with our Spirit House Captains, prepared a thoughtful and enjoyable service. It was extra special to have performances from Year 10 Boarder Xyla and Year 9 Boarder Larissa. The service was followed by a delicious formal dinner, prepared with love by our Chartwells team.
Farewell to two much-loved staff members
While Tuesday night was a lovely celebration of the term that was, it was also an opportunity to say farewell to two much-loved house staff.
Our Deputy Head of Marden House, Mardi Cusack, is retiring after 13 years of dedicated service to Pymble Boarding. Mardi is loved and admired for her kindness, wisdom, pragmatism and deep care for our Boarders. When I first met her, Mardi was a regular on the weekend and it was a huge comfort to know that Mardi was the last one to turn the lights out in Marden House each Friday and Saturday night. Taking on the bigger role of Deputy Head of House, Mardi has consistently ensured a safe, happy and prosperous environment for the young women of Marden House. She takes great joy and pride in our Boarders – sending them off to school with a smile and welcoming them ‘home’ at the end each day with open arms. Going over and above on every occasion, Mardi will be deeply missed.
Beth Ayling, Head of Year (Boarding) who joined us at Pymble just over three years ago, has etched her way into the hearts of our Boarders. The perfect foil for Mardi, Beth brought her own brand of magic and sparkle to Marden House. She is kind, efficient and completely ‘gets’ our Marden girls. In turn, the girls seek out Beth for her wisdom, encouragement and fashion tips! With a beautiful way with words, Beth always keeps families well informed and writes about her much loved Boarders with deep care. Beth came with the added bonus of her lovely family – husband Ben and gorgeous children Louis, Jimmy and Billie. They too have won their way into our hearts.
As a duo, Beth and Mardi have been the perfect mix of fun and practicality with a never-ending dose of unconditional love. As you will read in the words written by our Boarders, they will be deeply missed. Both of these strong and wise women leave very big shoes to fill and an indelible impression on our hearts.
The Margaret Brooke Award
The Margaret Brooke Award, also known as ‘The Brooksie’, is awarded to a Boarder who exemplifies the spirit of a tenacious, courageous, compassionate and giving woman. We have definitely ‘nailed it’ with our choice for this term, the wonderful Sally Payne.
Sally truly embraces the College values and does so with a sense of grace and humility, never seeking attention or recognition. Instead, she quietly supports those around her, expecting nothing in return. Her presence is calming, and she treats everyone with respect and kindness.
Sally is altruistic and compassionate, sharing her many talents generously. She takes time every night to knit squares for Wrap with Love, a charity that delivers blankets to needy countries, some experiencing extreme poverty, natural disasters and war. Earlier this week, in a trademark move, Sally arrived in the office with a beanie she had crocheted for one of our Boarders who is shaving her head for the Greatest Shave. Pragmatic as always, her only comment was “I think she will need it”.
Sally was a wonderful support last term, volunteering to sketch our newest Boarding House, Avonmoore, this sketch was then used to make a Christmas Decoration for the 2024 crew. She was willing and engaged in helping to create a very special memento. Sally also has a green thumb, keeping house plants happy and nursing less fortunate plants back to their former glory. Our orchids love Sally!
Like our own Brooksie, Sally shows genuine interest in the people around her. She asks thoughtful questions and makes others feel valued. Sally is a warm and friendly presence, always ready for a chat with a cup of tea in hand. Interacting with Boarders across all year groups, she is approachable and kind, often sought out for advice or a bit of encouragement.
Sally demonstrates respect in all that she does. A true young Pymble woman, she wears her uniform with pride, greats everyone with a smile, helps out around the house and is always on time. Her room is a true haven, and a functional space where Sally dedicates herself to her studies. She is an exemplary role model for our community and a very well deserving recipient of the Margaret Brooke Award.
2025 Rowing National Championships
Congratulations to our rowers who represented Pymble so fabulously at the national championships in Tasmania. Congratulations to our First VIII who placed fourth in their race and the Intermediate VIII who were rewarded with a gold medal. These are such great results, and it was wonderful to see our Boarders, Summer and Leander (First VIII) and Erin and Allegra (Intermediate VIII) contributing so wholeheartedly to their crews.
A special weekend for our Year 12 parents
On Friday 21 and Saturday 22 March, Year 12 parents enjoyed our very first Year 12 Day and Boarding Parents Regional Weekend in Orange. As you will read in Gemma’s recount, it was a huge hit and everyone was grateful to the organising committee of Gemma Suttor, Edwina Beveridge and Charlotte Johnston.
The weekend began on Friday night at the Bella Vista Bar within the Oriana Hotel, where the Year 12 parents gathered to kick off the festivities. The ambiance was warm and inviting, setting the perfect tone for the days ahead. All loved the local wines and delicious finger food. Lucky door prizes, including local wines and gift vouchers to various premier boutiques in Orange, were highly sought after.
Saturday morning offered free time for everyone to explore Orange at their leisure. Some chose to wander through the quaint streets, discovering local shops and cafes, while others opted for a more relaxed morning at the hotel.
As noon approached, we convened for a long and leisurely lunch at Rowlee Wines. The vineyard’s picturesque setting and exquisite wines made for a delightful afternoon, filled with laughter, storytelling and the forging of stronger friendships.
The day concluded at the Canobolas Hotel, where the atmosphere in the beer garden was lively, filled with parents celebrating new and existing friendships in their daughter’s final year of school.
Thanks to Juls Jackson from Orange VIP for her expert guidance in organising this event, which we hope will remain an annual fixture in the Pymble calendar.
Live It, Love It, Learn It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
We had a quieter weekend across the Boarding houses last weekend. Year 10 enjoyed their picnic at Mona Vale, the earlier sunset signalling that we are heading into cooler months. We sent a bus of Boarders to support our Pymble 1 AFL team on Friday night, with the girls unfortunately just missing out on a place in the grand final.
With lots of rain on Saturday, two bus loads of Boarders headed to the movies to watch the classic Snow White. To remind us of the upcoming Easter holidays the interior of most houses were framed with Easter decorations.
Save the Date
Thursday 10 April – Face to Face Learning Discussions for Boarding Families (Years 8 to 10)
Friday 11 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Monday 28 April – Boarders return from 2.00pm
Monday 28 April – Eat Like a Boarder (6.00pm)
Wednesday 30 April – Learning Discussions for Year 7
Friday 2 May – Boarders’ Lockdown and Evacuation Drill*
Friday 2 May – Years 7, 8 and 9 Boarders’ Social
Saturday 3 May – Boarders’ Community Evening (5.00pm*)
Sunday 4 May – Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church and Boarders’ Combined Chapel Service (9.00am to 11.30am*)
Sunday 1 June – Boarders’ Colour Run (10.00am and 3.00pm*)
* All Boarders required to be in attendance, no leave during this time.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
‘Come Alive in 2025’ through the lens of Easter
Over the past months we have introduced a new song to chapel by Uniting Church composer and musician Tash Holmes called All of This is Us.
With Tash’s help we introduced this song to Pymble in Term 3 last year well before knowing the ‘Come Alive’ or ‘Respect’ theme for 2025. Looking back I wonder if there was something of ‘God (coming) alive in this place (and) doing a new thing’ in the mysterious way often happens without us noticing.
Here are the first verses and chorus:
‘The many faces of our God
reflected here among us.
With every heart to love you more
Here we stand upon new shores
The sacred ground on which we stand
we pay respect to precious land.
Desert red and stars above
we are united by your love.
God is alive in this place
doing a new thing once again.
Hallelujah, every voice raised
Hallelujah, giving you praise
All of this is us.’
With the above words and tune ‘ear worming’ their way around my head this week I have begun to ask myself what it means for us to ‘come alive’ with ‘respect’ when viewed through the lens of the Easter story.
What does it mean when we think of Jesus final acts of invitation, service, suffering and ultimately ‘coming alive’ through the resurrection when we sit all of that beside our ideal of respecting self and others?
And what that might all of that say about where God is alive for us in 2025 at Pymble?
I don’t have the answers here but the song and the scriptures have helped me to identify three possibilities that I want to mention today.
Jesus teaches us that sometimes sacrifice, in the form of giving of ourselves, leads to life. The death of Jesus led to his resurrection. This did not make the sacrifice worthwhile or just. It did not lesson the pain. But it reminds us that God is there in our darkest moments helping us to rise up again in a different way. It reminds us that God loves our brokeness as well as our beauty, and is with us in our pain.
We also learn that ‘coming alive’ is not an individual thing but about ‘all of us’. To ‘come alive’ and to be part of the ‘new thing’ that God is doing, like Jesus, we need to ‘lengthen (our) table’ to include and value everyone, even those we don’t want to, including those who we do not consider ‘worthy’ of our hospitality and inclusion. Jesus was not alone in the story of his final days. We sometimes forget this. There were so many others there both named and unnamed. Probably most did not identify as his followers, but they were included regardless. At the last supper Jesus included both those he would betray him, and those who would leave him in his hour of greatest need, as well as those who didn’t. No one was left out of his welcome.
Finally we learn that ‘coming alive’ is about serving others, in particular the most vulnerable as we embrace our land and all people as sacred. To fully ‘come alive’ we must choose to accept God’s invitation to service those we would not usually choose to serve. We must include those who are not included. We must get our own hands dirty rather than waiting to be served, even if this contravenes social normals and accepted practice. In the words of the song, our faith must move us ‘beyond a prayer’ and ‘live beyond the song’ to become tangible reality through acts of justice. For Jesus this meant turning over the tables in the temple, bringing healing and wholeness to those seen as ‘unclean’, washing the feet of his disciples and choosing not to use force or harsh words during his betrayal, arrest and trial, and inviting his disciples to do the same.
May we notice this new thing that God is doing among us as we ‘come alive’ this Easter.
Reverend Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
College Chaplain
From the Futures Team
The Futures Department hosted Ashleigh Frazer from the University of St. Andrews (1411) Scotland at Pymble last week. Thirty students from Year 9 to 12 attended to find out what St. Andrews had to offer in degree programs for undergraduate and post-graduate study. One of the unique programs was a two-year undergraduate exchange program with William and Mary College (1693) US. There were also undergraduate programs of study which allowed students to finish with a Master’s degree. Senior and Upper School students were very interested in what Ashleigh shared as St. Andrew’s is keen to increase its student uptake from Australia.
Year 10 – Cliftons Strengths Assessment
On Wednesday 7 May (Week 2, Term 2), Year 10 students will participate in the Strengths and Skills Day. This is an event designed by the Futures Department to help to identify their individual talents and their application to a variety of situations in school and life. A core component of the event is to complete the Clifton Strengths Assessment.
The Clifton Strengths Assessment is a powerful online tool that helps you to identify, understand and maximise their strengths. To see what else to expect in the assessment, you can view this video.
Upper School and Senior School
Open Day: Sydney Design School
Date: Saturday 6 April
Time: 10.00am to 12.00pm
If you’re considering studying with us, our Open Day is a great way to get to know us better. Explore our studios, browse through our Graduate Exhibition, meet students and Educators, watch a live Info Session and get creative making a mood board or digital model. Information Session & Open Day | Sydney Design School
Career opportunities in medicine beyond being a doctor
Click here for more information.
Discover the Health Sciences at ACU (North Sydney)
Date: Wednesday 25 April
Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Discover what it’s like to study nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech pathology at ACU North Sydney. Take part in hands-on workshops where you’ll get a feel for the practical skills you’ll develop as a future healthcare professional. Tour our campus and experience our state-of-the-art, fully functional simulation wards. Register: Discover Health Sciences at ACU North Sydney
Bachelor of Health Sciences in 2026
Macquarie University will be offering a new Bachelor of Health Sciences in 2026. For students exploring a career in the growing healthcare sector this degree provides foundational skills along with the opportunity to undertake a major in one of four interdisciplinary areas: coaching; counselling; digital health or health administration with hands-on learning in our world-class health precinct. Stay tuned for more information.
Year 12 Experience UTS Day
Date: Wednesday 16 April
Time: 9.00am to 2.45 pm
Students will have the chance to explore various course areas and get a taste of university life. This unique event is designed to help students navigate their path to uni. With over 30 interactive workshops across a variety of disciplines.
Register: Experience UTS Day 2025
Experience Macquarie Days
Date: Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April
Spend ‘a day in the life’ of a uni student! Our Experience Macquarie Days give students the opportunity to attend information sessions, participate in interactive workshops, check out our awesome facilities and learning spaces, and take a tour around our campus with a Macquarie student guide.
Register: https://event.mq.edu.au/experience-macquarie/
Discover the Health Sciences at ACU (North Sydney)
Date: Thursday 24 April
Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Discover what it’s like to study nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech pathology at ACU North Sydney.
Take part in hands-on workshops where you’ll get a feel for the practical skills you’ll develop as a future healthcare professional. Tour our campus and experience our state-of-the-art, fully functional simulation wards.
Register: Discover Health Sciences at ACU North Sydney
Bond University – Virtual Open Day
Date: Sunday 6 April
Register: Virtual Open Day 2025 | Bond University | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Holiday Workshops
Songwriting, Sydney. Australian Institute of Music
AIM Sydney Campus. April 14
Created for students in Years 9-12, AIM’s new high school music workshops provide incredible opportunities to explore songwriting, mentored by AIM’s own accomplished musicians and educators. Find out more and register
Performance, Sydney. Australian Institute of Music.
AIM Sydney Campus. April 14
AIM’s new school holiday workshop is designed for high school students interested in music performance. Created for students in Years 9-12, the workshops provide incredible opportunities to experience playing and performing music, mentored by AIM’s own accomplished musicians and educators. Find out more and register
Empower Her: Women in Finance, Economics, and Politics Workshop. UNSW.
UNSW Innovation Hub. Level 6/6 Hassall St, Parramatta. April 14 to April 15
Join us for an empowering two-day workshop focused on Women in Finance, Economics, and Politics, hosted at the UNSW Parramatta Innovation Hub. This event is designed to inspire and equip women (cis and trans) with the knowledge and skills to excel in these fields.
This workshop is specifically aimed at year 11 & 12 high school female-identifying students, providing them with a unique opportunity to:
- Gain Early Exposure: Get a head start in understanding the fields of finance, economics, and politics before entering university or the workforce.
- Build Confidence: Develop confidence in managing personal finances and exploring career paths traditionally dominated by men.
- Meet Role Models: Interact with successful women professionals who can serve as role models and mentors, offering guidance and inspiration.
- Hands-On Learning: Participate in interactive activities and simulations that make learning about finance and economics engaging and practical.
- Career Insights: Explore various career options and understand the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in finance, economics, and politics.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and professionals, building a network that can support your future career aspirations. Find out more and register
Future Creators’ Day. UNSW. UNSW Paddington Campus. April 14, 2025
Future Creators’ Day is a hands-on experience for Year 10 and 11 students passionate about creativity, design, and visual storytelling. Hosted by UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, this event is the perfect opportunity to explore future study and career paths in the creative industries.
Get a taste of our newly offered Game Art specialisation, along with workshops in Animation, Painting, Textiles & Fashion Design, Object Design, and Graphic Design. Whether you’re interested in digital art, interactive storytelling, or traditional design disciplines. Future Creators’ Day is your chance to turn your creative passion into a future career.
School Holiday ‘Out There’ Sailing Program. Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 16 Mitala St, Newport. April 14 to April 17
The ‘Out There’ School Holiday Sailing Program is for participants who are 12-17 years old looking to try a new activity, have some fun and engage with others whilst sailing.
This four-day program will include a variety of sailing activities that are focused on having fun and learning basic sailing skills. Sessions will be conducted on a mix of Club vessels, including the RPAYC’s fleet of Elliott 7 Keelboats, Pacer Dinghies, Windsurf and SUP Boards, Hobie-Cat dinghies and Powerboats.
Discover Law, Criminology and Human Rights at ACU Blacktown
ACU 22 Main St, Blacktown. April 14
All rise! Aspiring lawyers, criminologists, and human rights advocates, it’s time to sharpen your analytical skills and discover the excitement of the courtroom. Join us for interactive workshops designed to give you a taste of what it’s like to study law, criminology, and human rights at ACU. Whether you’re interested in the legal system, criminology, or human rights, this event will give you an exciting taste of your future career path.
Year 10 – Work Experience
The Sydney Institute of Marine Science Work Experience Program is an interactive and hands-on opportunity allowing students to engage with world-class marine scientists, explore cutting-edge research in marine science and gain valuable insights into the conservation of our oceans.
Please see the link below for more information.
SIMS Year 10 Work Experience Program
Interested students should check work experience programs do not clash with assessments, exams, outdoor education programs, etc.
For more work experience ideas visit the Futures microsite – Work Experience & Immersion Opportunities
Events Calendar – Term 1 and 2
Co-curricular Administration
Term 2 Co-curricular Registrations are now OPEN
Program information for this registration period is available here.
All registrations must be completed online via the MyPymble app. Registrations will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 16 April.
Additionally, Term 3 Saturday Sports registrations will open at 12.00pm on Wednesday 30 April and will close at 12.00pm on Friday 16 May.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Co-curricular Administration team ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Sally Davidson
Head of Co-curricular Administration
From the Co-curricular Sports Team
AFL
Our finals campaign started on Friday 28 March with our Senior Pymble 1 side coming up against St Catherines to battle for a place in the following weeks Grand Final. St Catherines started the first quarter hard and fast scoring several consecutive goals. Unfortunately, this set the tone for the match and our Pymble side were playing catch up for the remainder of the match. It was a hard-fought contest and Pymble 1 came very close in the final quarter to catching up to the opposition. Unfortunately, Pymble 1 finished seven points short, ending what has been an amazing season. We are proud of our Senior First team and their achievements this season! Well done!
Pymble 3 and Pymble 5 were scheduled to play semi final matches on Saturday 29 March, however, due to the wet weather, all matches were cancelled. Sadly, Pymble 3 were the lower ranked team going into their match and do not progress to this week’s decider. Pymble 5 will play in a grand final this Saturday 5 April against Barker College.
Good luck Junior Pymble 5!
Jack Garrad
Co-ordinator – AFL
Athletics
We wish fourteen Pymble athletes the best of luck as they head to Perth, WA for the Australian Athletics Championships! Their dedication and hard work throughout the year has been incredible and, after a hugely successful NSW Championships, it’s makes us Pymble proud to see so many qualify for the national stage.
Adding to the excitement, ten Pymble coaches will also be competing. Having these coaches in our program, inspiring the girls, leading by example and motivating the next generation certainly shows our athletes what consistency and hard work can lead to.
Our second cross country trial was held this week and it was fantastic to see so many athletes pushing each other raising the standard to make the Pymble team. With igsa just around the corner, let’s keep the momentum going.
Deb Walsham
Head Coach
Badminton
Congratulations to all teams that have participated in the Term 1 igsa Badminton competition, especially those teams who have progressed to the Semi-Finals, played last Saturday 29 March. An impressive total of 24 teams advanced to the Semi-Finals, and ten of these teams will play their Grand Finals this Saturday 5 April.
Good luck to the following teams playing in the igsa Badminton Grand Finals:
Pymble 7
Pymble 16
Pymble 18
Pymble 19
Pymble 21
Pymble 26
Pymble 28
Pymble 39
Pymble 40
Pymble 41
Thank you to all students who have participated in Badminton this term – we hope you have had fun, while learning new or developing existing skills and making some new friends along the way!
Samantha Dale
Co-ordinator – Badminton
Cross Country
Balmoral Burn
On Sunday 25 May, the famous annual Balmoral Burn will be run up the 420m hill of Awaba Street in Mosman. Pymble Ladies’ College have competed for many years in the annual Balmoral Burn. In 2020, Pymble entered 70+ teams, and we placed first overall in the school event. We also hold the record in the Senior Girls “Head of the Hill” relay event and would love to defend our title again this year after winning in 2024.
For more information on the program and to register to run with Pymble, please click here.
Deb Walsham
Head Coach – Cross Country
Equestrian
The equestrian season has well and truly started, with many Pymble students competing and training across multiple weekends and weekdays. Whether it be trying new skills or mastering disciplines, all equestrian students continue to show determination, dedication and passion for their sport.
In this month’s equestrian recap, we would like to congratulate Jessie Gui (Year 9) on her achievements.
JNSW Autumn Showjumping Classic 2025
Class 1b 1.10m Junior (12-18 Years) Two Phase – 2nd and 5th
Class 2a 1.20m Open Height Class Art 242.2 Two Phase.
Upper Hunter Show Muswellbrook Show 2025
3b 105cm Height Class AM7 – 1st
110-115cm Height ClassA2 – 4th
120cm Height Class AM7- 3rd
Congratulations to Jessie and all Pymble equestrian students on their efforts across Term 1.
Maddison Scott
Co-ordinator – Equestrian
Golf
Congratulations to the following students who competed in the Senior CIS Golf Championship.
Sarah Quan (Year 9)
Audrey Quan (Year 7)
Sophie Tong (Year 7)
Chloe Sun (Year 8)
The CIS Golf championship is a fierce competition with students across Sydney competing. To be selected to compete in this competition is an incredible achievement. All Pymble students competed exceptionally. A special mention to Sophie Tong (Year 7) and Audrey Quan (Year 7) who were selected for the CIS Team to compete at the NSW All Schools Championship in June.
Congratulations to all our Pymble golfers whose hard working and training has led to incredible results at the CIS Championships.
Maddison Scott
Co-ordinator – Golf
Orienteering
On Saturday 22 March, Anna Smart (Year 7) and Sophie Chiang (Year 7) competed at the Orienteering NSW Sprint Championship.
Both students navigated their way around the course with speed and determination against some tough competition. A special congratulations to Anna Smart (Year 7) who place 1st in her age group. We look forward to seeing our students compete in the NSW school team later this year.
Congratulations to our Pymble Orienteering students on their outstanding achievements.
Maddison Scott
Co-ordinator – Orienteering
Rowing
The Pymble Rowing Team made history at an epic 2025 Australian Rowing National Championships in Tasmania. The tour began with students travelling to Launceston on Monday 24 March, training for three days at the Tamar Rowing Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious rowing clubs in Tasmania. On Wednesday 26 March, the team relocated to the serene Cradle Mountain National Park, located close to the competition venue at Lake Barrington, where they raced in Heats, Semi-Finals and Finals of their events over five days of exhilarating racing.
The Year 10 1st Eight became National Champions in the U17 Schoolgirl Eight event, also becoming the fastest U17 Schoolgirl crew in the history of Australian Rowing by rowing an unbelievable time of 6 minutes and 43 seconds in the heat; this is also the first time that Pymble has won this event. Pymble rowers showed immense determination, leading from the very start of the race and dominating the field, showing great courage to battle off a last-minute challenge from Loreto Toorak to cross the line as National Champions. Congratulations to Emily Bartrop, Olivia Norton, Georgina Curtis, Zara Kinniburgh, Allegra Taubenschlag, Saskia Alexander, Lucy Simpson, Erin O’Kane and Harriet Murphy (all Year 10), coached by Mr Karl Schmidt, Head of Coaching and Performance.
The Senior 1st Eight achieved a fantastic result of coming 4th in the A-Final of the Schoolgirl Eight, against a very strong field, consisting of the best Schoolgirl rowers in the country. Our Seniors fought bravely the whole way, in a very close race and gave everything they had. We are Pymble proud of you! Congratulations to Tilly Goddard (Year 12), Annabel Shanahan (Year 12), Erin Porter (Year 12), Mika Naito (Year 12), Summer Phillips (Year 11), Scarlet Olesen (Year 11), Millie Cullinane (Year 11), Leander McLaughlin (Year 10) and Isabella Stalley (Year 12), coached by Mr Harry Randell, Head Coach – Rowing.
Lewis Gray
Co-ordinator – Rowing
Surfing
On Tuesday 25 March 2025, five students from Years 9 to 12 competed in the High School Surf Challenge at Queenscliff Beach. Our talented Pymble surfers showed strong technical skill, teamwork and sportsmanship across the event.
The Pymble surf team place 3rd in the semi-final. Although they did not progress to the final, all students should be proud of their efforts and for achieving a higher overall school than in 2024. Congratulations to Tessa Newitt (Year 12), Tully Black (Year 12), Riley Atkinson (Year 10), Maya Atkinson (Year 12) and Anabella Legge-Hughes (Year 9) who competed we look forward to seeing you all continue to develop your surfing skills.
Maddison Scott
Co-ordinator – Rowing
Swimming
2025 NSW CIS Primary Championships
Eight Junior School students showcased their talent at the 2025 NSW CIS Primary Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Wednesday 26 March. The following students delivered exceptional performances in the pool. Their hard work and dedication are truly commendable:
Emma Deere (Year 6), Emma Feng (Year 6), Rose Wang (Year 5), Hongor Temuqile (Year 2), Vera Le (Year 4), Mia Hong (Year 3), Isabella Wang (Year 6) and Yuxi Lun (Year 5)
We are thrilled to announce that the following swimmers and teams secured Top 3 finishes and have qualified for the PSSA championships taking place on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 April.
Second Place
Junior 4x50m Free Relay
Mia Hong (Year 3), Vera Le (Year 4), Hongor Temuqile (Year 2) and Rose Wang (Year 5)
Girls 11 to 13 years 4x50m Freestyle Relay
Emma Feng (Year 6), Yuxi Lun (Year 5), Emma Deere (Year 6) & Isabella Wang (Year 6)
Girls 12-13 years 50m Breaststroke
Emma Deere – Third Place
Full Results of 2025 NSW Junior CIS Championships
Emma Deere (Year 6) – Female – Age: 12
#3 Girls 11 to 13 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (3rd leg 32.41) 2:07.34 2nd place
#27 Girls 12 to 13 years: 50m Breaststroke 38.18 3rd place Personal Best
Emma Feng (Year 6) – Female – Age: 12
# 3 Girls 11 to 13 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (lead off 32.10) 2:07.34 2nd place
#14 Girls 11 to 13 years: 50m Freestyle 32.22 15th place
#22 Girls 12 to 13 years: 50m Breaststroke 41.47 9th place
#30 Girls 12 to 13 years: 50m Backstroke 37.02 7th place
#36 Girls 12 to 13 years: 50m Butterfly 36.12 11th place
#42 Girls 8 to 13 years: 100m Freestyle 1:11.20 10th place
Mia Hong (Year 3) – Female – Age: 9
#1 Girls 8 to 10 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (lead off 36.10) 2:28.08 2nd place
#7 Girls 9 years: 50m Freestyle 36.62 5th place
Yuxi Lun (Year 5) – Female – Age: 11
#3 Girls 11 to 13 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (2nd leg 32.17) 2:07.34 2nd place
#34 Girls 11 years: 50m Butterfly 35.16 9th place PB
Isabella Wang (Year 6) – Female – Age: 12
#3 Girls 11 to 13 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (4th leg 30.66) 2:07.34 2nd place
#14 Girls 12 to 13 years: 50m Freestyle 30.93 5th place
#38 Girls 12 to 13 years: 50m Butterfly 34.74 7th place
#42 Girls 8 to 13 years: 100m Freestyle 1:06.83 5th place PB
Hongor Temuqile (Year 2) – Female – Age: 9
#1 Girls 8 to 10 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (3rd leg 37.97) 2:28.08 2nd place
#5 Girls 8 years: 50m Freestyle 37.75 4th place PB
Rose Wang (Year 5) – Female – Age: 10
#1 Girls 8 to 10 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (4th leg 35.73) 2:28.08 2nd place
Vera Le (Year 3) Female – Age: 9
#1 Girls 8 to 10 years: 200m Freestyle Relay (2nd leg 38.28) 2:28.08 2nd place
Steven Qu
Swimming Coach
Water Polo
Term 1 has been fantastic for Pymble Water Polo, featuring seven teams in the competition. We eagerly await the final round, where four Pymble teams, including our Senior and Junior First teams, will play in their grand final matches this weekend. Additionally, we have three teams that will play for third place in a playoff match.
Best of luck to all Pymble teams in the grand finals and playoff games this Saturday 5 April – all teams will have finals matches this weekend!
Thank you to all students who have participated in Pymble Water Polo this term – we hope you have had fun, while learning new or developing existing skills and making some new friends along the way!
Samantha Dale
Co-ordinator – Water Polo
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
We extend our best wishes to the Senior Drama students as they take to the stage for their production of You’re Just Too Good to Be Shrew on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April. Under the direction of Rebecca York and with the invaluable support of Theatre Manager, Tonya and our dedicated theatre staff, the students have worked tirelessly to bring this production to life. We look forward to seeing their talent shine on stage and congratulate them on their efforts.
We also warmly invite parents to attend the Term 1 Secondary School Ensemble Concert on Wednesday 9 April at 5.30pm. This special outdoor concert is always a highlight of the term, providing a wonderful showcase of musical excellence. We encourage you to come along and enjoy an evening of outstanding performances from our talented students.
Please also take the time to read through the Dance and Language Arts reports. Both disciplines have had significant student achievements, which is a testament to the hard-working Pymble staff and the dedication shown by the students.
Hope to see you at the theatre!
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Dance
Royal Academy of Dance Awards – A Remarkable Achievement for Pymble Ballet!
Over the past fortnight, selected Pymble Ballet students from participated in the prestigious Ballet Awards hosted by the Royal Academy of Dance. Our younger dancers in Years 5 and 6 competed in the Joan and Monica Halliday Awards, while our more advanced dancers in Years 7 to 10 participated in the Isobel Anderson Awards.
We are thrilled to congratulate our students for their exceptional efforts. The competition was fierce, with talented dancers from across Sydney and as far as Newcastle. Despite the high standard, our students held their own admirably, and we could not have been prouder to witness their performances, demonstrating such courage and dedication.
This marked Pymble Ballet’s debut in this competition, and our students represented the school with remarkable grace and pride. To enter, students must achieve a high score in their previous exam. Although some were unable to progress beyond the preliminaries, their efforts were truly admirable.
Year 5
Avril Huang, Jianing Li, Davina Excell
Year 6
Aurora Lin, Isabelle La, Emma Feng
Year 7
Millie Tian
Year 8
Stella Pieterse, Victoria Xu, Lana Tao, Camilla Metcalfe
Year 9
Emma Scott
Year 10
Charlotte King
A special mention goes to Isabelle La (Year 6), who progressed to the Finals—an outstanding achievement! Additionally, we are incredibly proud of Millie Tian (Year 7) and Charlotte King (Year 10), advancing to the Semi-Finals, showcasing their talent and representing Pymble Ballet with poise and maturity.
Congratulations dancers on this incredible milestone you have reached!
Laura Fishwick
Dance Co-ordinator – Ballet and Technique, and External Stream
First Nations Dance Guest Teacher
On Thursday 6 March, our First Nations Dance Group marked the first of four in a series of workshops with guest teacher, Brianna Kemmerling.
Brianna is a graduate of NAISDA Dance College (2022) earning an Advance Diploma after four and a half years of training. Brianna has performed for Gary Lang’s NT Dance Company on several works including ‘Waŋa’ (with Darwin Symphony Orchestra), the Opening Ceremony for Darwin Aboriginal Arts Fair Online, and the debut work ‘Forbidden’. Since 2019, Brianna has worked for organisations such as Gawura Cultural Immersion directed by Stuart McMinn performing Welcome/Acknowledgment/Cleansing Ceremonies and conducting Aboriginal Dance workshops across the Greater Sydney and Central Coast regions. Brianna was the 2023 recipient of the Lucy Guerin Inc. First Nations Graduate Internship. She has worked for Culture College in North East Arnhem Land, as a mentor for young people while also connecting with NAISDA alumni and other artists along her travels.
Brianna began a creative process with the group, intersecting dance and art practices, reflective of her own work in the industry. The students learned how to weave, a series of urban dance grooves and will soon incorporate both of these skillsets into a contemporary movement vocabulary.
Congratulations to this ensemble for their work in their first two sessions – we cannot wait to see you perform this later in the year.
Thank you to Ms. Madeleine Gardiner, Indigenous Student Education Co-ordinator, for her continued support.
Lucy Eaton
Dance Co-ordinator – Secondary School
Language Arts
Debating
Exciting news and warm congratulations!
- Kitty He (Year 11), Debating Captain has been selected for the NSW State team.
- Maya Garg (Year 12) has been selected as the 2025 Captain of the NSW team.
We are so Pymble proud of these Debaters. They have shown tenacity and consistent improvement over many years. All the best for the forthcoming season!
ISDA and FED
Round 7 Week 9 – Friday 28 March
Our FED teams visited Sydney Boys High School for Round 7 last Friday 28 March. Our 7A and 7B teams won, Year 9 and 10 won and our Senior As won their debates. Well done coaches and students. Thank you to all for a smooth away round.
Our ISDA teams travelled to Wenona on the Friday 28 March, where they won the Year 7 and 8 debates and the Year 10 debate. The competition was tough! Congratulations to our winning teams. Our Year 10 team remains undefeated.
This Friday– Make ups only
- ISDA Sen A at Barker
- FED – Senior A and B at Pymble online
Details will be sent by Co-curricular Administration.
Term 2
Round 7 marked the end of FED and ISDA preliminary rounds. Make up rounds have been scheduled for Friday 4 April and Friday 2 May. Following make ups, teams who break and make finals will be announced. Some teams will not progress to finals and last week marked the end of their season. Stay tuned for those teams progressing.
As Finals can mean multiple venues, please note that buses will NOT run through finals and parents must be responsible for their daughter’s travel both to and from events. Carpooling is recommended.
Parents are welcome to attend and please note that parents must arrange transport home following their daughter’s debate.
Make Up Rounds summary
Friday 4 April
- Senior A, Barker v Pymble. ISDA Round 3 makeup, Face to face at Barker. Prep commences at 5pm
- Senior A and Senior B, SBHS v Pymble. FED Round 5 makeup. Online from Pymble, to be confirmed.
Friday 2 May
- Primary A and B, Barker v Pymble ISDA Round 3 makeup. Face to Face at Barker. Ms Itzcovitz will accompany students to Barker via train.
- Senior B, Pymble V Roseville ISDA Round 5 online. We are affirmative.
Chinese Debating
Thank you to Mrs Leyya Li, our team parent who attended the opening ceremony on Saturday at The University of Sydney, with her daughter. Round 1 commences on Saturday 12 April. Best wishes to this new team.
Organisation: NSW Chinese Debating Association
Form of debate: Prepared debate.
One match per week – three rounds (Weeks 1 to 3) – half (Week 4) – final (Week 5). Rounds will be conducted on weekends at The University of Sydney, School of Business, Abercrombie Building H70, Corner Abercrombie Street and, Codrington St, Darlington NSW.
NSDC
NSDC is Australia’s premier school debating competition and brings together the most talented young debaters from across the country, fostering excellence in critical thinking, persuasive communication and civic engagement. This year NSDC is coming to Sydney for a week in mid-May. Details and opportunities can be found on the NSDC events page.
Further Debating opportunities
- An externally run Debating camp is being offered in the April holidays. Please click here for more information and the form to enrol.
- Harvard School Australia New Zealand Debating Championship is once more open for registrations. Click here to register. Please direct any questions to competitions@speakerscornerau.com or phone on 02 8091 7946.
Public Speaking
UN Voice of Youth, National Finalists!
Congratulations to Katherine Pan (Year 11) and Hakone Liceralde (Year 10) who have both progressed to the National finals of the UN Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition. This competition will be held on the Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April. Best wishes and congratulations from your Language Arts ‘family’, on your progression to the national finals.
DELO – Public speaking competition
Bravo to Jenny Xu (Year 11), our Public Speaking Captain who was the first Pymble student to enter this competition and be selected as a finalist.
The DELO final will be held in the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 21 May.
Model United Nations (MUN)
EVATT – UN Youth
Requiring no prior debating experience, Evatt immerses young people in years 9 to 12 to uncover the driving forces of influence that threaten to destabilise world order all while mastering the art of public speaking through negotiation. Going beyond ordinary debating, Evatt challenges delegates to think critically, problem solve carefully, and search for answers in the rapidly changing world of current affairs surrounding them.
Evatt commences in May. This is a highly valued diplomacy competition where students work in pairs to represent a country. Pymble will transport students to Cranbrook via College bus and we ask that you attend through school rather than register online individually. When students register themselves online, we cannot offer additional training should they progress, and this also raises duty of care issues. Any Secondary students who still wish to register themselves should ensure this occurs on a weekend rather than a weekday, and parents, please note a teacher from Pymble will not accompany the girls to UTS. Mrs Hubbard will attend the Cranbrook day.
Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN)
PMUN is held each Monday at lunchtime in classroom DK06. Come along – all students are welcome! Learn how to prepare for a MUN conference. We will hold our own Winter conference later in the year. We have also received expressions of interest for a MUN conference to be held at Castle Hill High. Please see our MUN captain, Kiki Chen (Year 11) if interested.
THIMUN – THE Hague 2026 Proposed International Tour
In January this year, Pymble Language Arts students attended THIMUN, The Hague which was a wonderful learning opportunity. Having secured a highly coveted place at this Model United Nations conference, we are keen to attend again this year as membership is ongoing and we do not want to lose our place.
The proposed January 2026 Language Arts tour will be open to students currently in Years 8 to 11. We are currently obtaining pricing on two options:
- Two week tour including a visit to Paris, France, prior to travelling on the Eurostar to the Netherlands and journeying to The Hague for the conference
- Shorter tour which just focuses on The Netherlands and the conference.
If you have a preference, Mrs Hubbard (bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au) would love to hear from you ASAP!
An international MUN conference is an amazing experience. THIMUN has over 3,000 students from around the globe attending. These experiences for learning and growth are valued highly in Europe and by ivy league universities. This opportunity is open, but students must join our own PMUN club and attend regularly to apply.
Mock Law
Bond Mooting – The date for our heat has been released – Tuesday 20 May at 2.30pm.
Young Lawyers’ Justice Day at Wollongong University – Friday 2 May
Thank you to those students who have registered interest. We are now at maximum capacity. Information has been communicated to families and the College bus will leave Pymble at 7.30am, returning at 5.30pm.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Language Arts
Music
It is a busy week for our musicians, and as ever, I am always proud of the way our students prepare for, and present themselves, to concerts.
Foundation Ball – Pymble Chorale and College Quartet 2
Members of the Pymble Chorale and College Quartet will be performing at the Foundation Ball on Saturday 5 April. Please read below the information for the evening:
- Date: Saturday 5 April
- Arrival Time: 4.30pm to 4.45pm
- Location: Doltone House Hyde Park Ballroom, 3/181 Elizabeth St, Sydney NSW 2000 Please note this is not the Doltone House at Pyrmont
- Dress Code: Performance uniform with red ribbons and clean black dress shoes
- Bring: Instrument, music in folder
- Pick up time for College Quartet: 7.30pm – members of the College Quartet are to be picked up from the hotel lobby.
- Pick up time for Pymble Chorale: 8.30pm – members of Pymble Chorale to be collected from the Manhattan Room – please see Mrs Turner to sign out.
Time is Precious: Bowel Cancer Research Ball – College Quartet 1
Members of the College Quartet 1 will perform at this function, which has been established by alumni, to raise funds for Bowel Cancer research.
- Date: Saturday 5 April
- Arrival Time: 6.00pm (please arrive 10 minutes prior)
- Location: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, 101 Phillip St, Sydney
- Dress Code: Performance uniform
- Bring: Instrument, music in folder
- Collection time: 8:30pm in the lobby.
Please meet Mrs Colbey and Ms Bain outside the venue at 6.00pm and parents can collect tgfvcvc from the venue at 8:30pm.
Ensemble Concert
Please note the Secondary School Ensemble Concert is on Wednesday 9 April commencing at 5.30pm on Gloucester Lawn. This is a compulsory event for all members of the music ensemble program and is always a wonderful evening, showcasing our brilliant young musicians. Choirs, Bands and Strings will all perform an array of repertoire, and you can sit back on a picnic rug and enjoy the free entertainment. Performance uniform is to be worn which can be purchased at the College Uniform Shop.
Students and their families are welcome to purchase a meal to support the Music Support Group. This is a sausage in a roll, a biscuit and a drink, and can be ordered through the following LINK.
Musicians’ Lunch
The Music Support Group has kindly organised a pizza lunch for our musicians on Monday 7 April. Please click on the following LINK to register your attendance.
Dates for Your Diary in Term 2
Thursday 15 May – Year 8 Elective Music production of High School Musical Jr. at 6.30pm in the GMCPA
Monday 2 – Wednesday 4 June – Ensemble photos for Secondary students
Week commencing Monday 10 June – Eisteddfod week for Hindson Chamber Strings, Senior Chamber Strings, Pymble Chorale, Capella Chamber Choir and Brass Ensemble.
Tuesday 24 June – Term 2 Ensemble Concert in the GMCPA at 6.30pm.
Wednesday 25 June – Farewell lunch to Year 12 Music Ensemble members, hosted by Year 11 musicians.
Sarah Turner
Head of Music
Cattle Team
2025 Castle Hill Show Results – Celebrating Success (despite the weather!)
On Saturday 29 March 2025, Cattle Team students and staff braved wet and sodden conditions to represent Pymble at the Castle Hill Rural Youth Competition held at the Castle Hill Showground. Despite the challenging weather, our talented students demonstrated exceptional skill and competitive spirit, earning impressive results in multiple events.
Paraders Competition:
- 1st Place: Annabelle Jones (Year 11) (16 years paraders)
- 2nd Place: Edith Cullinane (Year 8) (12 years paraders)
- 2nd Place: Livia Armstrong (Year 11) (16 years paraders)
Cattle – Junior Judging:
- 2nd Place: Hannah Weber (Year 12)
Steer Class:
- 1st Place: Steer “Vegemite” Breeding – “Knowla” Livestock – Laurie (past Pymble family).
Congratulations to all students involved for their perseverance, dedication, and impressive performances. There were several show committee members who took the time to provide some very positive feedback on the outstanding Pymble students attending, commenting on their impeccable manners toward staff and appreciation for the show continuing in such appalling conditions. This has allowed some of our students to qualify and compete in this year’s RAS Easter Show Competition.
We are Pymble proud of your efforts!
Peter Wearne
Co-ordinator – Cattle Team
Robotics
Team 6510 Pymble Pride travelled to the FRC Colorado Regional to compete in their second regional of the season from Saturday 15 March to Friday 28 March. Attending a second regional provides the team with valuable competition experience and an opportunity to refine their performance.
FRC is the most challenging and intense build season, with teams having only a few weeks to strategise, design, build, code, and practise before competing. One of the defining aspects of FRC is that it involves a single robot, requiring all students to collaborate, organise themselves, and contribute in meaningful ways. Our first competition was the Southern Cross Regional in Penrith from Friday 7 March to Sunday 9 March, where 40 students participated, each with an important role. For Colorado, we had a smaller group of 16 students, meaning everyone had to take on additional responsibilities.
To transport the robot to Colorado, the team had to dismantle it before departure and reassemble it upon arrival. We were fortunate to receive support from Up-A-Creek Robotics, Team 1619, who generously offered their workshop for us to rebuild, test, and practise alongside them. Their hospitality was invaluable in ensuring we were competition-ready.
The Colorado Regional was an incredible experience, featuring 50 teams, mostly from the United States, along with international teams from China, Chinese Taipei, Mexico, the Czech Republic, and, of course, Australia. The high level of competition made the event both exciting and strategically demanding.
We were proud to serve as Alliance Captain of Alliance 4 and invited Team 4593 Rapid Acceleration and Team 6348 PrepaTec HORUS to join us. The playoffs were an intense challenge, focusing purely on scoring as many points as possible, as quickly as possible. Teams generally adopt one of two main strategies: positioning one robot to play defence and slow down the opposing alliance or having all three robots focus entirely on scoring. Strategy discussions and agreements between alliance members are crucial before each match.
Our team performed exceptionally well, and we were thrilled with our results. Additionally, we were honoured to receive the Quality Award, which celebrates excellence in machine robustness, both in concept and fabrication. The judges had this to say about our team:
“This team travels far and wide to show off their module-designed robot. The quality and strength of their single base, as well as the functionality of their outtake and cage climber, ensured success on the playing field. ‘No worries’—this ‘Crikey’ team appeared from ‘Down Under’ and came prepared with a high-quality robot.”
Beyond the competition, the event provided fantastic opportunities to meet other teams, share experiences, and form friendships. With all the team pits located close together, there was plenty of interaction and collaboration between teams.
Our trip lasted nearly two weeks, allowing us to explore Colorado and Los Angeles beyond the competition. Highlights included visiting the breathtaking Echo Lake Park and Evergreen in Colorado, and Disneyland in Los Angeles. These experiences added another layer of excitement to the journey, making it a truly unforgettable trip.
Team 6510 Pymble Pride is incredibly proud of our efforts, and we look forward to continuing our FRC journey with the same passion and determination.
Cristhina Boni Lavratti
Robotics Manager
Year 12 Study Camps
Click the poster below to register.
After-Hours Study
Homework Help
Six short tips on how to study math more effectively
This week’s edition of Clued In was created by Kitty He from your Student Communications Leadership team:
Maya Garg (Year 12): Student Communications Prefect 2025
Abby Christopher: Year 12 Leader
Kitty He: Year 11 Leader
Catherine Li: Year 10 Leader
Nicole Fan: Year 9 Leader
Charlotte Pang: Year 8 Leader
The silent auction is closing soon!
Our exciting silent auction this year has something to tempt everyone. All funds raised support our Pymble Foundation Bursary Program so bid now to secure something special whilst supporting a wonderful cause.
The silent auction will close at 10.15pm Saturday 5 April 2025.
We’ve showcased a small selection of the exciting items available for bidding.
Gala Ball raffle tickets closing soon!
Purchase your Pymble Foundation Gala Ball raffle tickets before 10.00pm Saturday 5 April for your chance to win some incredible prizes.
First prize: 2 x Apple Vision Pro VR glasses
Second prize: Sub-Zero 46 Bottles Integrated Wine Storage Cabinet
Third prize: Penfolds Bin 95 Grange Shiraz 2019 (750ml)
Fourth prize: The Greengate Hotel $200 Voucher
All proceeds from our raffle support the Pymble Foundation Bursary Program, providing a Pymble education and life-changing opportunities to girls facing adversity.
To purchase your raffle tickets today, click here.
Anyone can enter the raffle and you do not need to attend the Gala Ball to win.
Raffle tickets are electronic and distributed automatically by the GalaBid platform. The Pymble Foundation Gala Ball Raffle will be drawn electronically on 5th April 2025 via the GalaBid Platform random number generator. Winners will be notified by the GalaBid Platform. All proceeds will be donated to the Pymble Foundation. Ticket purchaser must be 18 years or older. Full raffle Terms & Conditions are available on request.
You’re invited to the 2025 PPA Trivia Night
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of trivia, prizes, dancing and fun!
The Pymble Parent Association warmly invites you to our annual Trivia Night on Saturday 31 May. Create your own table of ten or we’ll seat you with others from your year group to meet new people! Fantastic prizes will be won and auctioned throughout the night and raffle tickets are available for advance purchase. This year’s prizes include a designer handbag, a champagne basket and pamper package.
Time: 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start, concluding at 11.30pm
Venue: Miramare Gardens, entry via 48 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills NSW 2084
Cost: $120 per person/$1,200 for a table of 10
Theme: Hop in your time travel machine and come dressed from any era, past or future, for a chance to win best costume! Don’t worry if costumes aren’t your thing – your presence is what matters most. We encourage dressing up to add to the festive atmosphere, but it’s entirely optional.
Ticket includes a welcome drink, two course meal (entreé and main) followed by a dessert platter and coffee/ tea. Additional drinks can be purchased at the bar.
The Trivia Night is also the PPA’s major fundraising event of the year. To make it a successful evening, we rely on the kind support of our community for donations to the live and silent auctions, and the raffle.
Any monetary donations would also be much appreciated. The organising committee will use this money to purchase items for gift baskets. These gift baskets will be part of the silent auction on the night. Please donate by clicking here.
Register by: Friday 16 May. Registrations are essential. This is a parent-only event.
To purchase tickets, please click here. Please find attached an invitation with full details of the event.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Kai Jones: 0431 725 948 or kai_look@yahoo.com
Kenneth Kok: 0413 361 969 or kenneth@kok.family
Shiva Rich: 0414 322 874 or shivarich@icloud.com
Order your school photos!
Junior School individual and class photos and Secondary School individual photos are now available to order through Melba Studios by clicking here.
How to order
1. Click on the Schools button on the Melba Studios homepage and enter the password “PLC“.
2. Enter your daughter’s Student ID number (emailed to you on Thursday 6 March) and year group.
Important information
– Please check there are no spaces at the start or end of your daughter’s Student ID number when you are entering it as this can cause issues with logging in.
– As previously noted, please refer to the email sent to you on Thursday 6 March for your daughter’s Student ID number. This is different to your Carer ID number that you use to log in to MyPymble. Your daughter’s Student ID number can also be found on her Student ID card.
Collection/postage information
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 (Friday 11 April) 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.
Important information about the winter uniform in Term 2
With the end of Term 1 approaching, parents are reminded that when the girls return to school for Term 2 on Tuesday 29 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 for the winter uniform. The uniform shop is not open during the school holidays; however, we will be open on Monday 28 April from 9.00am to 4.30pm for any last-minute purchases.
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.
- Girls in Years 9 and 10 wear the winter skirt with a plain white pointed collar blouse and tie.
- Girls in Years 11 and 12 wear the skirt with the long sleeve tartan trim long sleeve blouse and tie.
Please note, that a hat is not required to be worn with the winter uniform in Term 2 and Term 3.
Invitation: Careers Expo 2025
Reminder: MMG Education Survey for Year 3, 5, 8 10 and 12 parents
Thank you to the 69 parents who have completed the MMG Education survey, however, we are hoping more parents complete it to help strengthen the accuracy of our data.
The annual MMG Education surveys give us the chance to receive feedback on our programs and approach. It is critical for us to ensure we are listening to our whole community as we build on our strengths and prioritise areas of focus. Whilst doing surveys takes time, we are eager to use the research-informed feedback parents and students provide to develop and improve the College and are very appreciative of each response.
Parents of students in Year 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 will have last week received their personal email with a link to the MMG ‘Tracking’ survey. This voluntary survey takes about half an hour. It invites parents to share feedback on areas including academics, wellbeing, boarding, co-curricular activities, sport and leadership. If parents are in one of the target year groups and have not received a personal email with a link by Friday 21 March, please let me know.
Students in Years 5, 8, 10 and 12 will receive links to their own MMG ‘Tracking’ survey on the day designated below. Students will be supervised in Compass time to do their survey which are voluntary to complete, but we encourage students to give their valuable feedback. The MMG email each student receives will provide a link to students’ own, confidential questionnaire. Students must not share their link with others.
(Please note, in Term 3, students from Year 6 to 12 will be invited to complete the MMG Wellbeing survey. This survey goes into greater depth than the Tracking survey which also includes some wellbeing questions. Further information will be shared in Term 3).
MMG Tracking survey will be given to students on the following dates:
Year 5: Week 10 Term 1, Friday 4 April, 1.30pm
Year 8: Week 10 Term 1, Wednesday 2 April, 1.30pm
Year 10: Week 1 Term 2, Friday 2 May, 1.30pm
Year 12: Week 3 Term 2, Thursday 15 May, 1.30pm
If you do not wish your daughter to participate in the MMG survey/s, she can ignore the link sent to her or you are welcome to let me know of your preference in advance.
To ensure confidentiality and encourage frank and full expression of views:
- All responses will be treated by MMG Education in strict confidence.
- No student or parent will be identified to the College by MMG Education on the basis of responses made.
- If points of safety or wellbeing concern are found in the students’ responses, MMG Education staff liaise directly with Deputy Principal – Students, Mr Justin Raymond who will connect the student with appropriate wellbeing support.
- All data collected by MMG Education will remain under its control and archived according to research protocols. The College will not be able to access it.
At the conclusion of the research period, MMG Education compiles final reports for the College. In months ahead, we look forward to sharing insights from the research with the community.
Please remember, that by completing the questionnaires, parents and students are making an invaluable contribution to the future of the College as we strive to ensure that we are providing the best opportunities possible for our students.