From the Principal

It was so special to have students from Years 3 to 12 share our combined Remembrance Day and Jacaranda Day Service on Gloucester Lawn on Tuesday. Our Pymble Ladies’ College Cadet Unit (PLCCU) did us proud as always, respectfully representing the Australian men and women who have served or who continue to serve in conflict and peace keeping exercises around the world. For all our military families and loved ones, thank for all you do for our country.

We also extend our warmest thanks to our guest speaker, alumna Zoe Robinson (2001), accompanied by her mum Mrs Judy Robinson, who was a member of our Science department during Zoe’s time at the College. Zoe’s inspiring words about the power of community in enabling young people to thrive rang true for us all on this beautiful occasion.

Congratulations to our artists! 

Now, onto the exciting news from Visual Arts. This week, we were delighted to hear that 16 of our Year 12 2025 students have been nominated for inclusion in NESA’s ART EXPRESS exhibition of the best HSC major works in the state. Huge congratulations to Anais, Lavan, Ines, Jasmine, Khatthaliya, Charlotte, Tessa, Iris, Indianna, Riya, Emily, Sophie, Melanie, Zi Xuan (Isabella), Xin’Ai (Melody) and Evila for having their creativity and countless hours of hard work recognised in this way.

We also opened our on-campus exhibition of our inaugural Pymble Values Art Prize, which was launched this year for two reasons: to support female artists; and to celebrate our focus on the College Value of Respect in 2025.  

We were thrilled to receive 281 submissions from artists all over Australia who were invited to explore the concept of Respect in a broad and inclusive manner. The winning submission, Viva, by Lynn Savery, will be installed at the College as a testament to outstanding female artistic talent in this country, and the importance our community places on values-led behaviour. The exhibition of finalists in our Main Hall closes at 4.30pm tomorrow, or you can view and/or make a bid to purchase any of the 48 artworks shortlisted for the exhibition via the online portal GalaBid.  

The A-Z of Co-curricular options at Pymble 

Did you know we have four co-curricular Art programs at Pymble, including Artmaking, Ceramics, Oil Painting and Print Artmaking? These are in addition to Visual Arts electives delivered through the curriculum, and among the range of 57 sports and activities on offer for students to try. Yes, 57! It’s highly likely we have the biggest range of options of any school in this country (and possibly globally), and we are proud of that scope and scale.  

We intentionally offer this enormous array of choice from AFL to Yoga (okay, so there’s not really a Z option – yet!), because we know that each student is different, and all our girls deserve the chance to find ‘the thing’ that makes them come alive. We actively encourage every student to have a go at something they’ve always wanted to try or something that just looks like a lot of fun, at any level. 

Earlier this term, we hosted our annual Have a Go Expo showcasing 42 of these 57 co-curricular sports and activities. This is an annual student-led initiative, organised and run by our Co-curricular Captains and Prefects, who set up and staff each stall, answering questions and encouraging students to join their respective programs. The Expo was attended by all current students, as well as Year 6 and new Year 7 (2026) students participating in Links Day  

Most co-curricular areas were represented, including Sport, Performing Arts, Cadets, and the Duke of Edinburgh program. Additional contributors included the Conde Library, Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES), and the Pymble Institute.  

Registrations for Co-curricular sports and activities for Term 1 and Semester 1 2026 open next Wednesday 18 November, making it a great time to talk to your daughter now about giving something new a try. 

New Trips and Tours for students in 2026 

We also offer a wide range of academic, cultural, service and sporting opportunities for students to explore Australia and the world through our Domestic and International Tours program.  
 
New destinations to the schedule for 2026 include: Tottenham Hotspurs UK Football Tour, Textiles Tour to Milan, Rowing Tour to Henly UK (TBC) and possibly a Rugby Tour to Japan in September, subject to interest from families.   

You can find more information and the full list of Pymble Trips and Tours in 2026 here. 

As we look ahead to the coming year – our year of Courage and being open to new experiences to learn and grow – I’d love to see all our students have a go at trying something that takes them out of their comfort zone, or something that offers a different perspective. Here’s to having a go in 2026!  

From the Junior School

A Message from Mrs Kate Brown, Head of Junior School, with our 2025 Kindness Leaders: Sooin Lee, Nouvelle Nicholson, Christina Yang and Isabelle Yue 

Today we celebrate World Kindness Day, a day where we celebrate the incredible power of kindness and its impact on the world around us. As the Junior School Kindness Leaders for 2025, we wanted to share our thoughts on the impact of Kindness in our Junior School.  

Kindness is something that has an enormous impact. When we show kindness, it not only helps others but also makes us feel good inside. It creates a release of oxytocin which is also called the ‘warm fuzzies’. It’s that feeling you get when you help a friend who’s upset, include someone new or give a compliment that brightens someone’s day. Through our role as Kindness Leaders, we’ve seen how even tiny actions like a smile, a thank you, or a helping hand can change the mood of a whole classroom. It reminds us that kindness has the power to make or break someone’s day, and it’s something we can all give freely. 

As 2025 Kindness Leaders, we want to leave a legacy that encourages others to keep spreading kindness long after we’ve moved on. We have tried to model kindness through our everyday actions by being inclusive, thoughtful and positive role models. We hope that we have inspired others not to be afraid to speak in front of others at assembly, even when you are feeling nervous, and to give things a go and be kind to yourselves when you make mistakes. 

Today, on World Kindness Day, we enjoyed being able to share message of kindness across the Junior School and see everyone engaging in activities focused on showing kindness to ourselves, others and the environment. Kindergarten and Year 2 have cleaned up the playground together to be kind to our environment; Year 1 has completed positive affirmations and Year 3 has enjoyed mindful meditation and yoga focusing on being kind to self. Year 4 and Year 5 have written poems and cards of kindness to others. Year 6 focused on kindness to others and participated in activities that included knitting for others, learning sign language for inclusivity and learning lifesaving skills. We also loved helping create our Junior School collaborative artwork- a rainbow of kindness and respect.   

What we have learnt as Kindness Leaders this year is that kindness is in the small choices we make. It is joy, happiness and wellbeing and we love that we could share this in Kindness Club each week. Kindness is the heart of our school and the foundation for everything else we do. We hope the chain of kindness we’ve helped to create keeps growing, because when one person chooses kindness, it inspires others to do the same. 

Congratulations to Candice Li 

Candice Li in Year 6 was a finalist for the Fred Hollows Humanitarian Awards, an award that recognises Year 6 students across Australia who follow in the footsteps of Dr Fred Hollows, seeking to make a positive difference in their community. Candice was nominated for her passion for advocacy and service, and specifically for her creation of the character, Chocolatey Sprinkles, a soft toy she designed, had made and donated to raise funds for various community charities, including The Smith Family and Hornsby Kuring-Gai Women’s Shelter. Congratulations on this amazing nomination Candice and for inspiring others with your kindness and compassion! 

Good luck to all our dancers 

Today our 2025 Dance Showcase commences and we wish lots of luck to all our dancers. It’s sure to be a spectacular showcase. 

Congratulations to two of our artists: Isla and Anna honoured by Operation Art. 

Earlier this year, we submitted two artworks to the NSW Arts Unit Operation Art competition – Isla Morrison’s collage and Anna Won’s still life. The results were announced last week, and we are thrilled to share that Anna Won’s beautiful still life, “Still Life with Soy Sauce,” has been selected as a finalist for the main collection, the Hospital 50! 

To give some context, there were around 800 entries last year, so this is a really impressive achievement. As part of the selection, a few exciting things will now happen: 

• Anna’s artwork will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of NSW early next year, before travelling to several regional galleries. 

• Her artwork will then be displayed at the Children’s Hospital in Randwick before becoming part of the permanent collection at Westmead Children’s Hospital – a real honour, as their collection is curated and highly regarded. 

In other good news, Isla’s collage will be showcased at the Chatswood Concourse Art Gallery early next year, which is fantastic. 

Congratulations to both Isla and Anna, we are extremely Pymble proud of you both. 

Message from Lara Bird – Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics 

Congratulations to Ellie He (Year 6) and Emma Deere (Year 6) who have each been awarded an ICAS Medal. Ellie was awarded the ICAS Medal for writing and Emma was awarded the ICAS Medal for spelling.  

Congratulations to Violet Li (Year 4), who was awarded best in school at the Australian Maths Trust (AMT) State Awards. 

We are very Pymble proud of you all. 

Stationery 

Please refer to the portal notice for 2026 stationery orders. Please place your order before Sunday 14 December to ensure that your daughter receives all stationery items before the start of the school year. Girls are required to have all items on the stationery list, however if you have items that are of the same quality and in good condition, you may use those items rather than purchasing new. Students are to bring in all stationery on the first day of Term 1. 

Message from Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6 

Exodus Foundation Christmas Appeal 

As a part of our Jacaranda Day and Christmas celebrations, the College is supporting the Exodus Foundation Christmas Initiative. Thank you to all our Junior School families who have already donated items to the appeal. Should you still wish to donate, we are seeking gifts for children from students in K-2 (including items like puzzles, board games and Lego) and school supplies from students in 3-6 (including stationery, colouring sets, books or lunchboxes). These items can be brought to Hedgehog House where they will be boxed before sending to Exodus.  

Deputy of Head of Junior School – Operations: Mr Stephen Robinson 

School and Co-curricular Attendance 

A reminder to families that regular full attendance at school is essential for all students. When a child is sick and unable to attend school, they are precluded from attending after school co-curricular activities. Should students have appointments during the school day, please ensure they are at school by 11.45am in order to attend co-curricular activities.  

Message from Junior School Administration Office  

A reminder to email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au when your daughter is late or needs to leave early. Please continue to use the MyPymble app to mark your daughter absent. For any absence of two days or more, please complete the Exemption from Exemption from Attendance at School form, which you can download from MyPymble, or email through a medical certificate for illness. 

Important Dates for your diary Week 5 and Week 6 

End of Year Junior School Celebration dates 

From the Middle School

From the Head of Middle School, Jenny O’Donnell

This week in Middle School, we have been busy interviewing some outstanding applicants who were shortlisted for positions of responsibility in 2026. I have been impressed by their eloquence and the range of initiatives they hope to bring to the various portfolios. We hope to finalise our Year 8 leadership team in the next week or so. Congratulations to all who have applied across portfolios. 

On Wednesday this week, we held our final transition event for continuing Year 6 students, which was a Q&A session completely run by the girls. I would like to once again acknowledge the outstanding commitment of our current Middle School Leaders who stepped up to answer some tricky questions, building confidence and excitement about the year ahead. Such beautiful mentors will help ensure a smooth start for incoming students. I very much appreciate their investment in our community. 

Student reflections

Hey everyone! We are Tilly and Aryana and we were the MCs for the Year 6 ‘Afternoon in the Middle School’ assembly. This is a short run-down on how it went!

We started with a welcome and Acknowledgement of Country before giving the Year 6s an idea of what a typical day in year 7 looks like – start and finish times, how and where they can view their schedule and how their classes are grouped. We also explained the scheduling of co-curricular activities (before and after school) and what activities they will participate in over a week of MBS sessions.

As we finished a little early, we took some questions from the floor for any further queries. Some questions were focused on personalisation like “Can we decorate our laptop cases?” or “Can we decorate outside/inside our locker?”. More questions were focused on how classes were grouped, “Are our compass classes random?” or “When will we find out about our classes?” and so on. The Year 6 girls had many questions and we did our best to make them feel excited and confident going into Year 7, as it is a big change. Near the end of the assembly, we asked the group who was excited for Year 7 and many hands shot up, which was amazing to see. There were also a lot of hands from those who were nervous, but we assured them that it was totally fine and it was normal to be feeling a range of emotions. 

We had a wonderful time answering their clever questions and getting to know our new friends who will be joining us in the Middle School community – we can’t wait to have them with us next year! – From Tilly and Aryana, Year 7

On Thursday this week, we will be heading out to Luna Park with Year 8 to celebrate all they have achieved across the last two years. The day promises to be a lot of fun and a chance to come together as a cohort. I would like to thank Mr Howells and Ms Stapp, our current Heads of Year 8 (and Ms Ventura in her absence), as well as Ms Bastes, our Middle School Events Organiser, for all the time and effort they have invested to ensure the day is a great success. Once the girls return to campus we are hoping they will take the opportunity to explore the Upper School Common Room which will be their new space in 2026. 

On Tuesday next week, we will be holding our final Middle School Assembly which will be a chance to reflect on ‘25, farewell Year 8 and thank key people who have worked with commitment across the last 4 terms. Please remind your daughters that as we draw toward the end of term, it is important to acknowledge the people who have contributed to their journey over the last 12 months. 

We are very much looking forward to welcoming families to our Year 7 Christmas Service on Friday 21 November. The girls have been very busy preparing for this exciting celebration and we would all love to see you there. 

I am including a reflection from one of our Year 7 students that I really should have included a few weeks ago when the college celebrated Diwali. Diya Dhanpal was a wonderful advocate and ambassador for our cultural day and deserves many congratulations for her enthusiasm and organisation: 

Finally, after what felt like ages, my most eagerly awaited, favourite time of the year was here! Diwali, or Deepavali (the festival of lights, diya), had arrived. At Pymble, it takes on a very special meaning, with all of the girls getting involved, dressing in their traditional attire, having fun, and of course, eating lots. After all, what celebration feels complete without a liberal sprinkle of sugar? The colours of the rangoli rice competed with the vibrant hues of the mithai (sweetmeats). 

I proudly donned my vibrant red salwar kameez (traditional outfit) and joined my friends in getting pretty henna patterns on our palms. The colourful streamers adorning the colonnade matched the flurry of colours around us, almost as if swaying to the popular Hindi music playing in the background. 

I’ve had the honour of witnessing this festive celebration grow bigger, more vibrant, colourful, and inclusive over my seven years as a Pymble girl. The celebration of the Thai festival of lights, Loi Krathong, was a beautiful way of tying our rich cultures together. Diwali is the victory of light over darkness, of knowledge over ignorance, and of good over evil. At the end of the day, light, love, and laughter won (as always). 

Deepavali ki hardhik shubkamnaayein (wishing one and all a very happy Deepavali). 

A message from the Year 7 Parent Coordinators

All Year 7 parents are warmly invited to celebrate the completion of Year 7 with end-of-year parent drinks!

Details
Date: Thursday 20 November 2025
Time: 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Location: The Burns’ home
27–29 Boomerang Street, Turramurra

What to bring

• BYO drinks
• A plate of food to share

Even if you can only drop in briefly, it would be wonderful to catch up. We hope to see you there!

Maria and Edwina, Year 7 Parent Coordinators

From the Boarding School

It has been a week of hellos and goodbyes with the very last of our Year 12 students of 2025 completing their HSC examinations and spending their final night in Lang House on Friday evening. They have been a wonderfully close year group and we are happy to send them off, knowing their friendships will endure well beyond their years here. Meanwhile, our Year 12 2026 students have spent the week settling into their new home in Lang House. On Friday night, we will celebrate with our new residents and their families at the Lang Housewarming.  

Superstar athletes  

Our Boarders are well known for their sporting prowess, so the Annual Sports Awards Dinner is always a busy night for our athletes. I have the privilege of observing the commitment and energy that all our Boarders direct towards their sport and it was great to see many of them receiving well-deserved accolades on the night. Congratulations to all of our sporting Boarders and in particular the following girls who received special awards on the night. 

Strive for the Highest Awards: Ruby Azar (Year 8), Poppy Barwick (Year 10), Isabelle Burke (Year 10), Milly Farr (Year 8), Jade George (Year 8), Leander Mclaughlin (Year10), Siri Taubenschlag (Year 9) and Alexis Whitton (Year 8). 

Members of the Representative Team of the Year 2025 – Rowing U17 VIII – Erin O’Kane and Allegra Taubenschlag 

2025 Sportsgirl of the Year: Bella Croker  

2025 Athlete of the Year, Netball: Charlotte Craig  

2025 Athlete of the Year, Touch Football: Rosalie Eggins  

2025 Athlete of the Year, Equestrian: Madeleine Gaden   

2025 All-rounder of the Year, Year 8: Quinn Parry-Okeden  

Love It, Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding  

The weekend felt relaxing and calm in the Boarding Houses with the HSC finished and lots of sport and leave. Year 10 Boarders enjoyed a picnic on Friday night down at Balmoral Beach. Even though it was a little cool, they still managed a dip in the ocean. Our Year 7 Boarders enjoyed a trip down to South Curl Curl Beach on Saturday. The water was chilly but the sun was out and they had a great time together. On Sunday, a couple of Boarders caught the train to Kirribilli Markets for a walk around and tasted some of the treats on offer. Our Year 7-10 Boarders that were in-house in the afternoon were lucky enough to learn a dance routine from Lea. There was lots of laughs as the routine came together and the group performed as one. 

View From My Window 

My name is Alice and I am 12 years old. Home for me is in the centre of Tokyo, Japan. Living with me at home, is my mum, Nori, my dad, Scott and my little sister Amy who is 6 years old. Before coming to Pymble, I was in the British curriculum at the British school in Tokyo. Unlike other schools in Tokyo, I had to wear school uniform and Japanese was only an optional class (my mum told me I was definitely doing Japanese - 日本語を習うんだよ! )

Back home, I live in an apartment with my family on the 13^th floor of a 15-floor sky-rise building. Looking outside my window, I see hundreds of other sky-rise buildings and the occasional plane. One time, a helicopter flew so close to us that they waved through the window to us. Some of you may be big Harry Potter fans, and my apartment is right next to the live-action Harry Potter Studio in Akasaka.   

I came to Pymble at the start of this year. One of the reasons I wanted to come to this school is because my great-grandma, grandma and grand-aunt were all born in Australia and also went to Pymble as Boarders. You can even see their names written on the Head Boarder Prefect Honour Board in the Boarders’ Dining Room. They were all in Marden House and I’m excited to move across to Marden House next year to follow in their footsteps. You can even see my great-grandma’s old brown wooden chair in Lang House that has the letter M for Margaret engraved into it for her name.   

When I first joined Pymble Boarding at the start of this year, I couldn’t believe all of the trees and greenery as I don’t see any of this outside my window back home. I also loved how big the school is, because it gives me so much freedom to roam around the campus.  I am looking forward to the next five years and how many possibilities there are for me here!  

Boarder of the Week  

We are delighted to celebrate Alice as our Boarder of the Week. Alice first joined us in Year 7 from Moree, is now in Year 9 and residing in Goodlet House and she is a truly-deserving recipient of this recognition. A homebody at heart, it has been wonderful to watch Alice grow into a strong, resilient and caring young woman. Her unwavering kindness and gentle nature make her the quiet rock of our Boarding family; she is always there to support those around her. No job is too tedious for Alice, and she is never too busy to lend a helping hand, whether it’s assisting around the House or being present for a friend in need. She wears her uniform with pride, keeps an immaculate room and consistently embodies the College values. As an added bonus, she has an excellent sense of fun and shares her smile readily. 

Congratulations, Alice, we are so proud of you! 

Save the Date  

14 November – Lang Housewarming for Year 12 2026 and their families 

1 December – End of Year Chapel Service and Christmas Party* 

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

And while you have the diary out… some important dates for 2026 

28 January – New Boarders and current Year 12 Boarders arrive from 2.00pm 

28 January – New Boarders’ Welcome Dinner  

29 January – Current Boarders return from 2.00pm 

29 January – Boarder Parent Group (BPG) meeting at 3.30pm  

29 January – BPG welcome drinks at 5.00pm  

30 January to 1 February – Boarders’ Community Weekend* 

20 February – Boarding Family Friends’ Event  

20 February – PPA Icebreaker followed by Boarding Parent “Afters” 

15 March – Mother and Daughter Lunch  

24 March – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service and Dinner*  

1 April – Boarders’ Travel Day  

2 April – Year 8, 9 and 10 learning discussions 

* No leave during this time   

From the Upper School

A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School

Next week, our Year 10 students will embark on their Outdoor Education Programs, with the Namadji and Snowy River camps setting off first. This highlight in the school year invites students to step beyond the classroom, build stronger friendships, and discover new aspects of themselves in the great outdoors. These experiences help young people develop the perseverance, empathy, and teamwork that form the foundation of both emotional wellbeing and academic growth. As researchers such as Lisa Damour and Donna Cross remind us, positive peer connections can buffer stress, enhance confidence and motivate young people to thrive both socially and at school. OEP provides the girls with a great chance to make new friends and learn more about girls outside their immediate peer group. Thank you in advance to our dedicated Outdoor Education and teaching staff for their commitment and care in leading these adventures away from campus. We look forward to hearing the stories and reflections that emerge from these shared experiences in the weeks ahead. 

This Friday, we celebrate the Term 4 group at their final Vision Valley Honouring Ceremony. This is a meaningful event where students share reflections on their time at the Valley and are welcomed home by their families. We warmly encourage both parents and/or a significant adult role model to attend as we mark this important rite of passage from childhood toward young adulthood. 

We are so proud that as of this week, all our Year 9 students have now completed their Vision Valley Residential Program, a remarkable milestone in their year. Spending four weeks learning, living and supporting one another away from home brings challenges that stretch personal courage and deepen emotional maturity. It has been inspiring to see each student grow in independence, empathy, and connection with her peers. Congratulations to all our students on this achievement. 

Year 8–9 Transition Morning: Building Connections for Upper School 

This week, Upper School welcomed Year 8 students, who took part in a special transition afternoon with Year 9. This was designed to help them prepare for life in Upper School next year. The event was filled with energy and enthusiasm as Year 9 students warmly welcomed Year 8s, sharing their own experiences and offering tips on everything from managing new subjects to getting involved in school life. 

Through team activities, group discussions and a Q&A session, Year 8s had the chance to ask questions and gain insight into what lies ahead in 2026. It was fantastic to see friendships forming across year groups and confidence growing as students realised they’re more than ready to take this next exciting step. 

The afternoon ended on a high note, with both year groups reflecting on how supporting one another makes our school community even stronger. 

Year 9 Student Reflection

On Friday 21 November 2025, nine Pymble girls attended Shore School to attend the Spirit of Australia Foundation Monash Commemorative Service. Students from different schools were there, and the whole assembly was about celebrating Australia’s heritage and remembering General Sir John Monash. 

There were speeches from army representatives and Monash scholars who spoke about his achievements; not just as a general in World War I, but also as an engineer, lawyer and leader. I found it really inspiring how Monash managed to overcome so many challenges. He was Australian, born at a time when that wasn’t respected by the British arm; he had German-Jewish parents during a world war, and he was a part-time soldier when the war started. Even with all of that, he still became one of the greatest military leaders of his time. 

The music and wreath-laying part of the service were incredibly moving. 

Overall, the assembly made me think about what true leadership looks like – being smart, kind, and determined. Monash’s life showed that one person really can make a difference. – Akshara Bhattacharya 

From the Senior School

From the Head of Senior School, Mrs Nikki Wyse

Celebrating the completion of the 2025 HSC 

The HSC journey for our Year 12 students has officially come to an end! After months of preparation, dedication and resilience, our final groups, Physics and Food Technology, completed their exams last Friday. Their triumphant return to cheers and applause in the KM perfectly captured the sense of relief and accomplishment felt across the cohort. 

As those exams close one chapter, our new Year 12 students have been embracing their senior roles with enthusiasm, enjoying the freedom of more responsibility, building their networks with friends and filling the KM with energy and optimism for the year ahead.  

Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner 

Last Friday evening’s Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner was another proud moment, celebrating the outstanding achievements of our athletes. Congratulations to all award recipients who were recognised for their skill, dedication and sportsmanship across a wide range of disciplines. 

Particular congratulations go to Samara Bond, Bella Croker and Mika Naito (Year 12, 2024), named Sports Girls of the Year for their remarkable success in their chosen sports and their exemplary demonstration of College values. My sincere thanks to Mr Raw, Mrs Edwards and our coaching team for the passion, care and commitment that drive our sports program. The evening was filled with pride, laughter and a genuine sense of community. 

Remembrance Day 

Our gratitude goes to the Senior Cadet Unit for leading this year’s Remembrance Day service with such dignity and respect. Their disciplined presence exemplified the solemn spirit of the occasion as we paused to honour the service and sacrifice of others. 

Thank you to our History Captains, Katherine and Kitty, for their thoughtful leadership, and to Narla for delivering the Acknowledgement of Country with grace.  

Jacaranda Day 

This week’s Jacaranda Day Service was a true celebration of community and compassion. Together, we paused to consider the many gifts in our lives and our responsibility to share those blessings with others. 

In that spirit, we invite all families to support this year’s Jacaranda Day Christmas Appeal for The Bill Crews Foundation. Your generosity will help spread kindness and practical care to those who need it most during the festive season. 

Term 4 – Key dates 

3 December: Years 7 – 11 Speech Day 

3 December: Final day of Term 4 

From the Chaplains

Advent: HOPE 

What characteristics and mannerisms did you inherit from your parents?  

It’s hard to predict the ways we will bear the image of our parents, isn’t it. Probably one of the most exciting sights of my life was seeing my children for the first time in their 30 week ultrasounds. Hearing their precious heart beats. Wondering things like whether the ultrasound was magnifying the size of their nose (!) or trying to see my eyes in theirs. 

As parents, I imagine we all wonder what physical, intellectual, emotional, and creative attributes our children will be born with, and grow into. 

This past week marked our beginning to the Season of Advent at Pymble. Advent, simply means “Arrival” and refers to the time in the Christian Calendar when we look forward to the arrival of the birth of Jesus, celebrated on Christmas Day. The Advent journey is marked by the lighting of a series of candles, each representing aspects of the Christmas story.  

This past week we lit the candle of hope and spoke about our collective hope in God’s promises. We all had a little chuckle at some of the predictions our parents had for us. And we also were in awe of the 574 predictions or prophecies that God gives to the prophets about the birth of Jesus. 

Imagine that, in his short life of 33 years, Jesus fulfils 574 predictions. Predictions made by people who live over 600 years before his birth. While some of the predictions are general, others are lazar sharp in their accuracy. For example: 

• A child born to a virgin, named Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, fulfilled in Matthew 1:23).  

• A ruler coming from the small town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, fulfilled in Matthew 2:6).  

• Come from Egypt: Hosea 11:1 refers to a son being called out of Egypt, which was later fulfilled when Jesus’s family fled to Egypt.   

• A king arriving in Jerusalem “lowly and riding upon a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9, fulfilled in John 12:14-15).  

• Heal the blind and deaf: Isaiah 35:5 and 29:18 predicted that the blind would see and the deaf would hear. 

• Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver:  Zechariah 11:12-13 prophesied this betrayal, which is detailed in Matthew 26:14-16.  

• Crucified with criminals: Isaiah 53:12 states the Messiah would be counted among the transgressors. (Luke 23:32) 

• Hands and feet pierced: Psalm 22:16 describes his hands and feet being pierced, a detail found in the Gospel accounts (John 20:22).   

• His clothes gambled for:  Psalm 22:18 says lots would be cast for his clothing, as described in John 19:23. 

• Died for the sins of others:  Isaiah 53:5 states he would be wounded for transgressions for the sins of many. (I Cor 15:13)  

• Not abandoned to the grave:  Psalm 16:10 prophesied that his soul would not be left in the realm of the dead, fulfilled in the resurrection (Matt 28: 2).   

• Ascension to heaven:  Psalm 68:18 and Psalm 110:1 describe his ascension to heaven, which is mentioned in the New Testament as occurring after his resurrection (Acts 2:31-32).   

The accuracy of these prophecies served as a powerful testament to the truth of Jesus’ identity as the long-awaited Messiah. For the early disciples, whose understanding was “opened” by the resurrected Jesus, these fulfilled scriptures became the foundation of their hope.  

As we enter Advent, we find ourselves living in the tension between the “already” of Christ’ first coming and the “not yet” of His promised return.  This means our Advent hope is not passive. It is an active, living hope that calls us to participate in God’s ongoing work in the world. Just as the Messiah’s first coming brought light to a dark world, so too are we called to be beacons of that same hope. We reflect on the promises already kept, trusting that God’s future promises will also come to pass. In doing so, we become living signs of the kingdom of God, which has already begun to break into the present reality.  

God Bless 

Xx Rev Cass 

An Advent Prayer for Hope 

Gracious and loving God, 

As we begin this season of Advent, we light a candle to remind us of the hope we have in you.  

In this world there are many things that compete for our loyalty, who promise us peace and security….but too often let us down, proving to be changeable, unreliable…flawed. 

This afternoon we think of You, your faithfulness, your unshakable love and acceptance of us.  

We draw to mind your plans for our lives, plans that no person can alter. 

We place our trust in you; we place our hope in you. 

During this time of waiting and preparation, lift our eyes from the anxieties and distractions of this year.  

Help us to pause and remember that our hope comes from you alone.  

Rekindle our sense of anticipation and awe for Christmas as we look forward to Jesus’ coming. 

In Jesus’ name we pray, 

Amen 

Sport

Mrs Katie Edwards, Head of Sport (7-12) 

Pymble Sportswomen’s Awards Celebration 2025 

On Friday 7 November, Pymble Ladies’ College hosted its annual Sportswomen’s Awards Night at Miramare, Terrey Hills. The evening saw an outstanding attendance of 416 students, parents, and staff, all gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements and steadfast commitment of our sportswomen from Years 7 to 12 throughout 2025. 

We were privileged to welcome our distinguished guest speaker, Miss Lauren Jackson AO, five-time Olympian and widely regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players of all time. Lauren graciously shared her insights and experiences in an engaging interview with our Head Coach of Basketball, Rachel Maenpaa, who is also a close friend. Lauren’s inspiring stories of success, resilience in adversity, and her ability to balance family life with elite sport resonated deeply with all in attendance. 

This year, 198 students who participated in competitive sport received recognition across a broad range of awards. These included Athlete of the Year, All-Rounder of the Year, igsa Team of the Year, Representative Team of the Year, Strive for the Highest Awards, Sports Official of the Year, Olympic Changemaker Awards, Australian Representatives, as well as Para Sportswoman and Sportswoman of the Year. 

While not every student who demonstrates sporting excellence can be acknowledged on the night, due to the sheer number of talented athletes representing Pymble, we extend our admiration to all those who contribute so passionately to our sporting community. For those unable to attend, please know that your efforts are valued and we encourage you to continue striving for excellence. 

We extend our sincere appreciation to College Principal Dr Hadwen, Chris Fydler, Chair of Council, and the College Council for their unwavering support of our Sports program. We are also grateful for the ongoing encouragement from parents and carers, whose dedication empowers our students to pursue their sporting aspirations. 

Please click here to view the full list of award recipients. 

Events Calendar – Term 4

Co-curricular Administration

Sally Davidson, Head of Co-curricular Administration 

2026 Term 1, Semester 1 and Yearly Registrations will  

OPEN Wednesday 19 November at 12.00pm midday. 

2026 Program information can be found here. We encourage you to review the details carefully and consider which options best align with your daughter’s schedule. 

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

Pymble programs are offered in a variety of commitment timelines including term, semester and year. 

Year – These programs require commitment for the whole year to allow for skill development or to prepare for end of year showcases. Registrations are required at the end of Term 4 in the year prior. Some programs may offer intakes where spaces are available throughout the year. 

Semester – These programs require commitment to the program for a semester (two terms). Registrations for Semester 1 (Term 1 and 2) are required at the end of Term 4 in the year prior. Registrations for Semester 2 (Term 3 and 4) are required at the end of Term 2. This allows for a student to gain a wider knowledge of the program whilst providing options to choose another program in another semester. 

Termly – Registration is required toward the end of the term prior to participation and is only valid for one term. Placement will be on a first come, first served basis. 

Saturday Sports – These programs are competitive sport programs and a registration into the program indicates commitment for your daughter to play that sport. Registrations are required at the start of the term prior to the competition due to association timelines. For example, Term 3 Saturday Sports require registration at the start of Term 2. 

Waitlists – If the program you wish to register for is full, we recommend joining the waitlist as changes do occur and spaces may become available. Please note that waitlists do not carry over from term to term, so a new registration will be required each term. 

Conditions of Co-curricular Registration 

Before registering, please take a moment to review the Conditions of Registration document. 

 
This includes important information about registration procedures, late requests, and applicable fees. 

Stay Informed – Download the Pymble App 

To ensure you receive the latest Co-curricular updates, including any changes or cancellations, please make sure your family has downloaded the Pymble App. Once the school term begins, most communication will be sent via the app, with only minimal updates provided by email. 

 
For more details and download instructions, please click here. 

From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team

Sally Davidson, Head of Co-curricular Administration 

2026 Term 1, Semester 1 and Yearly Registrations will  

OPEN Wednesday 19 November at 12.00pm midday. 

2026 Program information can be found here. We encourage you to review the details carefully and consider which options best align with your daughter’s schedule. 

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

From the Co-curricular Sports Team

Sally Davidson, Head of Co-curricular Administration 

2026 Term 1, Semester 1 and Yearly Registrations will  

OPEN Wednesday 19 November at 12.00pm midday. 

2026 Program information can be found here. We encourage you to review the details carefully and consider which options best align with your daughter’s schedule. 

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

SPORT 

Mrs Katie Edwards, Head of Sport (7-12) 

Pymble Sportswomen’s Awards Celebration 2025 

On Friday 7 November, Pymble Ladies’ College hosted its annual Sportswomen’s Awards Night at Miramare, Terrey Hills. The evening saw an outstanding attendance of 416 students, parents, and staff, all gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements and steadfast commitment of our sportswomen from Years 7 to 12 throughout 2025. 

We were privileged to welcome our distinguished guest speaker, Miss Lauren Jackson AO, five-time Olympian and widely regarded as one of the greatest female basketball players of all time. Lauren graciously shared her insights and experiences in an engaging interview with our Head Coach of Basketball, Rachel Maenpaa, who is also a close friend. Lauren’s inspiring stories of success, resilience in adversity, and her ability to balance family life with elite sport resonated deeply with all in attendance. 

This year, 198 students who participated in competitive sport received recognition across a broad range of awards. These included Athlete of the Year, All-Rounder of the Year, igsa Team of the Year, Representative Team of the Year, Strive for the Highest Awards, Sports Official of the Year, Olympic Changemaker Awards, Australian Representatives, as well as Para Sportswoman and Sportswoman of the Year. 

While not every student who demonstrates sporting excellence can be acknowledged on the night, due to the sheer number of talented athletes representing Pymble, we extend our admiration to all those who contribute so passionately to our sporting community. For those unable to attend, please know that your efforts are valued and we encourage you to continue striving for excellence. 

We extend our sincere appreciation to College Principal Dr Hadwen, Chris Fydler, Chair of Council, and the College Council for their unwavering support of our Sports program. We are also grateful for the ongoing encouragement from parents and carers, whose dedication empowers our students to pursue their sporting aspirations. 

Please click here to view the full list of award recipients. 

Artistic Gymnastics

ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS 

Jack Garrad, Co-ordinator of Artistic Gymnastics 

Alison Gestier, Head Coach of Artistic Gymnastics 

All The Way Up Invitational 

A fabulous way to finish the 2025 year of Artistic Gymnastics competitions with our WAG NL1-2 gymnasts competing at the All The Way Up Invitational on Sunday 9 November. All gymnasts showed off their beautiful routines and competed strongly for Pymble. A huge congrats the following gymnasts: 

WAG NL1 

Melissa Chen (Year 1) 

Tiffany Jin (Kindergarten) 

Angelynn Li (Year 1) 

Tanya Xu (Year 1) 

Olivia Lou (Year 1) 

Amelia Snounou (Year 1) 

Shirley Chen (Year 1) 

Krystal Ji (Year 1) 

Ruhani Shettar (Year 1) 

Raegan Tian (Year 1) 

WAG NL2 

Scarlett Kang (Year 2) 

Dorothy Zhao (Year 2) 

Charlotte Roberts (Year 1) 

Ava Itzcovitz (Year 2) 

Lizzy Zhong (Year 2) 

Alycia Yong (Year 2) 

Basketball

Maddison Scott, Co-ordinator of Basketball 

Rachel Maenpaa, Head Coach of Basketball 

IPSHA Basketball Round 4 

Round 4 of the IPSHA Basketball competition delivered plenty of excitement, with teams showcasing impressive skill and sportsmanship. 

This week, the spotlight shines on Pymble 11, who have been named Team of the Week for their outstanding performance. Pymble 11 clinched a dramatic 22 to 20 victory, edging out their opponents in a nail-biting finish. The game was fiercely contested from start to finish, with both sides battling hard for every point. However, Pymble’s determination and teamwork was vital in earning them a well-deserved win. On top of a fantastic match and win, Pymble 11 did all of this with just five players!  
 

Congratulations to Pymble 11 on their hard-fought victory and Team of the Week. 

Lauren Jackson Academy 

Over the weekend, our Years 3 to 6 Basketball enthusiasts gathered for the final Lauren Jackson Academy clinic of 2025. The final session for the year did not disappoint, offering participants a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of Australia’s and the world’s greatest basketball players. 

Guided by expert coaches and inspired by Lauren Jackson’s legacy, players worked hard on developing their fundamental skills, teamwork, and enthusiasm for the game. The energy and excitement were evident throughout the clinic, with everyone eager to put their new skills into practice. 

As this was the last Lauren Jackson Academy clinic for the year, it was a wonderful way to finish the academy. We look forward to seeing everyone back on the court next year! 

Dance

Miss Katrina Cluff 

The best week of the year is here, our Annual Co-curricular Dance Showcase! 

Our Dancers spent the weekend in technical and dress rehearsals and had a brilliant time preparing their routines for the seven shows that will hit our GMCPA from this Thursday night. Join us for ‘The Beat of Time’. 

There are still tickets available so please head to the BOX OFFICE to secure your tickets now! 

Reminders 

• All Junior Dance classes resume in Week 6  

• All Secondary Dance classes, except for RAD Ballet, are now finished for the year 

• The 2026 Performance Stream groups will be published on Monday 18 November  

2026 Timetable 

Notifications will be sent as the 2026 timetable is released. 
 
Enjoy the best week of the year! 

Golf

Maddison Scott, Co-ordinator of Golf 

igsa Golf Invitational Competition 

Last Thursday 6 November, Pymble sent six talented young golfers to the first ever igsa Golf Invitational competition held at Pennant Hills Golf Club; Chloe Sun (Year 8), Mikayla Sun (Year 8), Sarah Quan (Year 9), Audrey Quan (Year 7), Sophie Tong (Year 7), and Katelyn Hsu (Year 7). Our students demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship and skill on the challenging fairways of Pennant Hills. All Pymble athletes competed with composure, poise and incredible skill. We are incredibly proud of all our golfers who represented Pymble at the igsa Golf Invitational 2025.  

Results 

Stableford:  

Audrey Quan 3rd  

Stroke:  

Audrey Quan 1st  

Sophie Tong 2nd  

Sarah Quan 3rd  

Music

Mrs Sarah Turner – Head of Co-curricular Music

Week 5 

The world of Performing Arts is never quiet, and Term 4 is one of our busiest, with so much to do in such a short time frame. I am forever grateful of the brilliant staff and students who just get on with it and show up. Well done team! 

Congratulations  

String Quartet and Isabel Fan (Year 8) for their outstanding performances at the Sports Awards Dinner on Friday 7 November. 

As guests arrived, Isabel Fan greeted them with a selection of piano repertoire, performed with poise and precision outside the lifts as attendees collected their drinks before descending the stairs. 

Meanwhile, Sophie Guo (Year 12), Charli Conn (Year 9), Camellia Zhou (Year 10), and Sitian Chen (Year 10) formed a charming string quartet, serenading parents as they enjoyed pre-dinner conversations outdoors. 

I was incredibly proud of these five talented young musicians—many parents even commented that they sounded like professionals. What a wonderful way to begin the evening. 

String Orchestra and Capella Chamber Choir: Earlier in the day, our String Orchestra and Capella Chamber Choir performed for the Remembrance/Jacaranda Day service. Our Band Captain, Zoe Manning (Year 10), mastered the Last Post and Rouse, playing on the bridge between the Chapel and the David Blackwell Music Building. A glorious setting for a day of remembering. 

Dates for your diaries – Term 4 

Sunday 30 November – College Carols service from 5.00pm to 8.30pm. Join us for a sing along and some performances in the Chapel. A special visit from Santa between 6.00pm and 6.30pm. Please BYO picnic or order a BBQ dinner from the Music Support Group. Tickets can be purchased using the QR code on the poster. Please note all sound checks will commence from 2.00pm and this will be sent to groups separately. Music entertainment will commence at 5.15pm.   

Tuesday 2 December – Junior School Speech Day, including Years 1 and 2 Celebrations of Learning and Kindergarten Nativity (Junior School Choir, Capella Chamber Choir, Grainger Concert Band and Hindson Chamber Strings) 

Wednesday 3 December – Secondary School Speech Day (Pymble Chorale, Secondary School Choir and Symphonic Wind Ensemble). 

Thursday 4 December – Pymble Chorale to perform with The Idea of North at the Concourse in Chatswood. Please check emails from Mr Schweinberger for details. 

Language Arts

Mrs Bronwyn Hubbard  

2027 Language Arts International Tour  

Stay tuned for expressions of interest to THIMUN, The Hague. This international Language Arts MUN excursion will run again in January 2027 and will be open to girls in Years 9 to 12 in 2027. 

Information will be emailed to Language Arts families in the coming weeks.  

DEBATING 

IDC – International Debating Championships 

We look forward to Round 4, the final preliminary round, tomorrow. The topic area will be – 

• Round 4: Politics 

Please note that motions will be released in real time at the beginning of each debate. Teams are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the topic area and prepare broadly rather than focusing on a single perspective.  

2026 Debating Team Auditions 

Language Arts Debating make up auditions are underway. Auditions are open to all students currently in Years 6 to 11.  

Auditions are held after school from 3.30pm. Students must bring pen/pencil and paper to the audition and are required to arrange their own transport home. Online auditions can be arranged for new students to the College for 2026 who are not able to attend a face-to-face audition at the College. 

Upcoming Audition Dates 

• Thursday 20 November – 2025 Year 9 students (those attending Vision Valley) and catch up auditions 

• Monday 24 November – Catch up auditions 

Please use the form in the MyPymble app notices to register for an audition. Reminders will continue to be sent throughout the term. Please email Mrs Hubbard at bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any questions regarding Language Arts or the auditions. Please email ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for any general enquiries or for changes to your submitted form.   

PUBLIC SPEAKING, MUN AND MOCK LAW 

Save the Date! 

Language Arts Showcase 2025 will be held on Wednesday 19 September from 6.00pm to 8.00pm in the Science Lecture Theatre. A festive supper will be served at the conclusion of the event. (Thanks Language Arts parents!) Please come and celebrate our Language Arts girls’ impressive achievements. 

UN Voice of Youth – State Finals 

Thank you to those who competed in UN Voice of Youth heats. Those who progressed to the state semi finals last Saturday, were: 

• Aaira Khan (Year 8) – Junior division 

• Arabella Hoang (Year 8) – Junior division 

• Imogen Kee (Year 10) – Senior division 

• Katherine Xu (Year 9) – Senior division 

Well done! We are now pleased to announce that Arabella Hoang and Imogen Kee have progressed to the State Final, to be held in NSW Parliament House, on Monday 17 November. Bravo Girls! 

Raise Our Voice 

Imogen Kee (Year 10) recently won a Public Speaking competition, “Raise Our Voice” campaign, and her speech was read aloud in Federal parliament by her local member. You can watch it by clicking here. 

Congratulations Imogen! We are proud of you. You offer great advice to our politicians. 

Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN) and Sydney Boys’ MUN  

PMUN has resumed. Please contact Isis Li (Year 11), our MUN captain, for more details.  

Please see Isis and contact Co-curricular Administration if you wish to register for the Sydney Boys’ MUN, on Monday 8 December. Mrs Hubbard will attend, and we are looking to arrange bus transport. 

Mock Law 

Team auditions have been completed, and teams will be released soon.  

Touch Football

Shellie Rocca, Co-ordinator of Touch Football 

igsa Touch Football Round 4 

We are thrilled to share some exciting updates on our Touch Football program, which continues to go from strength to strength. From lively training sessions to fiercely contested matches, our athletes have been displaying truly stellar performances across the board. 

It’s been inspiring to watch each player commit themselves to improvement, teamwork, and sportsmanship week after week. Training attendance has been excellent, with energy and enthusiasm evident from every athlete. This hard work is clearly paying off, as reflected in our outstanding results on the field. 

A very special congratulations goes to Pymble 11, who has been awarded ‘Team of the Week’ for Round 4! Their incredible effort at both training and matches has set a shining example for the whole program. Their dedication, skill, and team spirit have propelled them to the top of the ladder, a testament to just how hard they’ve worked. Well done, Pymble 11! 

Keep up the fantastic work, everyone. Let’s continue to strive for excellence both on and off the field as we progress through the season. 

Please see below best and fairest for Round 4- 

Pymble 1 – Elizabeth Yates (Year 11) 

Pymble 2 – Olianna Tighe (Year 11) 

Pymble 3 – Charlotte Thistlewood (Year 10) 

Pymble 4 – Leila Rich (Year 10) 

Pymble 5 – Isabella Roach (Year 10) 

Pymble 6 – Game Abandoned  

Pymble 7 – Georgia Blue and Camilla Metcalfe (Year 8) 

Pymble 8 – Giselle-Sophia Jones (Year 8) 

Pymble 9 – Ella Armstrong (Year 9) 

Pymble 10 – Kate Rogers (Year 9) 

Pymble 11 – Maggie Brown (Year 7) 

Speech and Drama 

Mrs Victoria Clancy 

AMEB Exams 

AMEB exams currently being held in Speech and Performance and Voice and Communication are showcasing the talent, writing and communication skills of Speech and Drama students from Years 3 to 11. I applaud them on the creative and inspiring programs they have prepared for their exam.   

Swimming

Rafael Rodrigues, Swimming Coach 

2025 SMNE Summer Championships  

The 2025 SMNE Summer Championships held last weekend at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre were a truly successful meet. With a team of 27 Pymble Ladies’ College students and 30 external Pymble swimmers, we are proud to announce that Knox Pymble Swim Club (KPSC) finished FIRST in the Northern Suburbs point score, winning by a large margin over second place. 

As a coaching team, we were impressed by everyone’s spirit and performance. The bar was set high, with countless personal bests achieved across all levels, a testament to the dedication of our swimmers and coaches alike. 

A special mention goes to Star for bringing great energy and attitude to their races, thanks in large part to Coach Rohan’s leadership. 

Congratulations to our Cadet swimmers, who achieved Junior Metro qualifying times in multiple events as well as Senior State Age qualifying times. Your hard work, supported by Coach Sara, is clearly paying off. 

The Engine Squad had an outstanding meet, with many swimmers smashing personal bests, earning new State Age qualifying times, and even achieving National qualifying times. The squad’s energy is evident, and Coach Jarrod has been instrumental in guiding these swimmers as they transition toward becoming senior-level athletes. 

Coach Leanne and I are proud of our Pride and Roar squad swimmers for their leadership and inspiring our younger swimmers throughout their development pathway. Together, we’re learning that with trust and belief, nothing can stop us from reaching our goals. 

As always, the relays were a highlight, particularly for our 13/U team, who showed fantastic team spirit and determination to win. 

Top 5 Point Scorers 

This year marks the first time Pymble Swimming has had two Year 3 girls finish inside the Top 5 of the overall point score. An incredible achievement that reflects the exciting depth emerging within our junior program. This success is a direct result of the passion, consistency, and dedication from junior coaches Nikki, Rohan and Sara, whose commitment is building a strong foundation for the future of Pymble swimming. 

• Priscilla Miller (Year 7): 170 points 

• Lilly Andrews (Year 8): 161 points 

• Megan Chia (Year 9): 136 points 

• Leah Ji (Year 3): 121 points 

• Mia Hong (Year 3): 109 points 
   

A huge well done to everyone on a fantastic meet! Let’s keep up the hard work in training as we prepare for the NSW Junior Metropolitan Championships and Senior State Age competitions in the coming weeks. 

A big thank you to the club committee and parents for your invaluable support over the weekend these events wouldn’t be possible without you! Below is the list of competitors from Pymble Ladies’ College who represented KPSC on the weekend. 

Star Squad: Emily Dao (Year 4), Alicia Gong (Year 4), Mia Hong (Year 3), Leah Ji (Year 3), Aini Liu (Year 3), Annette Ng (Year 5), Chloe Pan (Year 4), Olivia Sun (Year 3), Charlotte Yim (Year 5), Eleanor Zalewski (Year 7), Yifei Zhang (Year 4) 

Cadet Squad: Emma Deere (Year 6), Sarah Krane’s (Year 8), Vera Le (Year 4), Isabella Wang (Year 6), Rose Wang (Year 6), Genevieve Wong (Year 6), Olivia Yu (Year 5) 

Engine Squad: Oriana Fenton (Year 8), Sophia Li (Year 7), Anne Liu (Year 9), Lily Lutschenkow (Year 8), Jade Mao (Year 8), Priscilla Miller (Year 7). 

Roar Squad: Lilly Andrews (Year 8), Megan Chia (Year 9), Georgia Friedel (Year 8), Penelope Hargraves (Year 8), Caitlyn Keating (Year 10), Indianna Vale (Year 10), Alexis Whitton (Year 8). 

Pride Squad: Annalise Chow (Year 12), Alyssa Gillaspie (Year 12), Sarah Tian (Year 12) 

Volleyball

Chris Wood, Co-ordinator of Volleyball

Santa Sabina Volleyball Round 4 

Round 4 of the 2025 Santa Sabina Invitational Volleyball Competition took place last Saturday, and our Pymble teams once again delivered a strong set of performances, displaying both teamwork and determination across the board. 

Pymble 1 continued their fantastic run, producing a dominant 3 to 0 victory against OLMC 1. The girls showed great cohesion from the outset and set the tone for the rest of the day. 

Our Senior Seconds, Pymble 2, faced St. Andrew’s 2 and showcased their steady improvement, securing a 2 to 0 win. Their control and communication on court have continued to grow with every round. 

Pymble 3 were due to face Abbotsleigh 4; however, they received a forfeit win (3 to 0) this week. While disappointed not to take to the court, the girls maintained their positive attitude and look forward to the next challenge. 

Pymble 4 matched up against St. Vincent’s 3 and emerged with a well-earned 2 to 0 win. Their focus and energy were evident throughout, helping them maintain momentum and close out both sets convincingly. 

Pymble 5, our Year 8 Division 1 team, faced a tightly contested match against Santa Sabina 6. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the game, the girls fought hard for a 1 to 1 draw, showing resilience under pressure and maintaining their solid start to the season. 

Pymble 6 came up against Mercy College 2 and, despite a committed effort, suffered a 0 to 3 loss. The team continued to demonstrate great spirit and effort, and every week brings further progress and valuable experience. 

Rounding out the weekend, our Year 7s (Pymble 7) took on Santa Sabina 17. After a closely fought match, they claimed a 2 to 1 win, rallying well after dropping a set and finishing strongly—evidence of their growth and determination as a team. 

Congratulations to all our players for their commitment and enthusiasm and thank you to our coaches and supporters. We look forward to building on these results in the coming rounds! 

Week 3 MVPs 

Pymble 1 – Katelyn Chan (Year 11) 

Pymble 2 – Amelie Clements (Year 10) 

Pymble 3 – THE WHOLE TEAM (Year 10) 

Pymble 4 – Rebecca Mak (Year 9) 

Pymble 5 – Charlotte Lam (Year 8) 

Pymble 6 – Aarna Singh (Year 8) 

Pymble 7 – Marlia Uhl (Year 7) 

Senior 1st Match Report by Volleyball Captain, Olivia Ayton (Year 11) 

This week, we played a riveting match against Our Lady of Mercy College. Despite the persistent wind and sunny weather, the team maintained its composure, securing a victory in the first set with service aces and powerful spikes. Our opponents remained undeterred, however, intensifying their attack and tightening their defence, leading to many extended rallies and exciting plays. After claiming a win in the second set, we played an additional third set, concluding the match with a final score of 3 to 0. The improvement in our movement, communication, and overall team cohesion is notable, and I couldn’t be prouder of my teammates for their mettle and effort.  

Robotics

Cristhina Boni Lavratti, Robotics Manager

FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition – Macquarie University 

On Saturday 25 October, five Pymble teams from Years 5 and 6 travelled to Macquarie University to compete in the annual FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional Competition. 

• 3342 The Vannillalings: Lola Yang (Year 6), Tiana Zhang (Year 6), Kaylee Yang (Year 5), Hannah Kim (Year 6) 

• 3343 Expired, Sparkly Doormat.: Elaine Liu (Year 6), Isla Lu (Year 6), Chloe Ma (Year 5) 

• 3344 Arkhaios: Cleo Zhu (Year 6), Felicia Huang (Year 6), Isabella Zhang (Year 6), Arya Raman (Year 5), Bella Geng-Yang (Year 6) 

• 3345 Happy Potatoes: Jessica Wang (Year 5), Mikayla Kiang (Year 5), Isabella Li (Year 5), Vivien Huang (Year 5) 

• 3346 Chez Sandstorm: Isabella Wang (Year 6), Candice Li (Year 6), Ivanka Jia (Year 6), Scarlett Xiong (Year 5), Anna Leong (Year 6), Nadya Faheem (Year 5) 

Over the course of Term 3, students built and programmed LEGO robots to autonomously complete as many challenges on the board as possible within two and a half minutes. On the day, many teams achieved high scores, with one placing eighth out of 32 teams. 

In addition to the robot matches, teams presented a 30-minute session to the judges, explaining their robot design, coding strategies, and innovation projects. This year’s theme, Archaeology, inspired students to develop creative solutions for problems such as protecting fragile artifacts, improving safety at dig sites, and locating items underground using technology. 

All teams had a fantastic day filled with dancing, clapping, cheering, and celebrating one another’s successes. We wish our Year 6 students all the best as they graduate from FLL, and we look forward to seeing our returning students continue their robotics journey next year! 

NSW VEX Robotics State Championships  

On Sunday 9 November, six VEX V5 and five VEX IQ teams proudly represented Pymble at the NSW VEX State Championships. We are incredibly proud of all the hard work, dedication, and resilience that brought them to this level of competition.  

VEX IQ NSW Elementary School State Championships 

• 6510B Shrekbots: Arin Sadananda (Year 5), Mia Farthing (Year 6), Caroline Liu (Year 6), Aisha Younus (Year 6), Chhichi Lee (Year 6) 

• 6510D Once Upon a Duck: Mikayla Kiang (Year 5), Sooin Lee (Year 6), Aurora Lin (Year 6), Claire Que (Year 5) 

• 6510E AVAE: Vivien Huang (Year 5), Alex Xiao (Year 5), Alyssa Ng (Year 5), Euphemia Wang (Year 5) 

• 6510K ERROR 404: Team Not Found: Miranda Liu (Year 5), Jianing Li (Year 5), Jing Huang (Year 5), Mia Wang (Year 5) 

• 6510P It’s a Jam: Adela Wu (Year 5), Annabel Zhang (Year 5), Jacqueline Yang (Year 5), Madeleine Martin (Year 5) 

VEX V5 NSW Middle School State Championships 

• 65100C Pymble Potatos: Renee Kong (Year 7), Michelle Ng (Year 7), Lexie Wang (Year 7), Angela Li (Year 7), Chloe Zheng (Year 7) 

• 65100F: Eden Ni (Year 8), Adele Jiang (Year 8), Ella Su (Year 8), Madeleine King (Year 8), Duola Lin (Year 8) 

• 65100G Gerf: Audrey Wyldhill (Year 8), Sophia Wong (Year 8), Charlotte Pang (Year 8) 

• 65100K Velocity: Bianca Ng (Year 7), Adeline Wu (Year 7), Chelsea Wang (Year 7) 

• 65100M Goosey Woosey: Charlotte Ma (Year 7), Ashleigh Yip (Year 7), Viha Vijayasaravanan (Year 7), Zainab Sijal (Year 7) (with support from Melanni Baker (Year 7) and Tian Xue (Year 7)) 

• 65100N Niminiminions: Lily Dao (Year 8), Jessica Franklin (Year 8), Ellie Lau (Year 8), Jing Yan Chung (Year 8), Athena Ng (Year 8) (with support from Kathy Wang (Year 9)) 

Even though our students had attended several competitions before, States was on another level — both exciting and nerve-wracking. We were so proud to see our teams supporting one another, especially when things didn’t go as planned. 

For some teams, like 65100G Gerf, the day was a rollercoaster of highs and lows — but they communicated, adapted, and finished strong, becoming tournament finalists alongside Team 4613R Barker Redbacks, and qualifying for VEX Nationals in Adelaide this December. 

Our VEX IQ students also demonstrated incredible perseverance and teamwork. Beyond the technical challenges, they learned valuable soft skills, managing emotions, communicating clearly, and supporting each other through every round. A special mention goes to Team 6510K, who made it to the playoffs, finishing fifth overall. 

A big shout-out also goes to all the Pymble teams that didn’t qualify for States this year but competed with passion and determination throughout the season. We are very proud of their creativity, innovation, building, coding, and constant iteration, the true spirit of engineering and learning in action. 

It was an exciting and inspiring day of learning, teamwork, and growth. With mentors unable to assist in the pits or on the field, students took full ownership of their work, showing maturity, kindness, and collaboration, truly reflecting the Pymble values in everything they did. 

FIRST LEGO League Regional Competition Photos 

VEX IQ NSW Elementary School State Championships Photos 

VEX V5 NSW Middle School State Championships Photos 

Homework Help

CENTRESTAGE 2025 – All the World’s a Stage

We are excited to invite you to Co-curricular Drama’s 2025 Showcase: All the World’s and Stage. Tickets are now available to reserve here.

Admission is free, but please reserve your seats so we can ensure we have enough space for everyone.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s timeless words, this year’s theme invites us to look beyond borders and draw from legends, folktales, lived experiences, celebrations, and universal truths from cultures across the globe. From cautionary tales such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf, to Chinese fables, beliefs like “karma,” and original pieces inspired by place, people, and tradition, each performance captures the richness and diversity of our world, and the power of storytelling to bridge divides. These dynamic and original works represent the culmination of our students’ creativity, collaboration, and dedication to their Co-curricular Drama studies throughout the year. We are thrilled to present their performances across three showcase evenings, celebrating the talents of students from Years 3 to 12.

Dates:

Term 4, Week 7 – Showcase week 

(Co-curricular Drama classes will be suspended for performance rehearsals.)

Monday 24 November – Film Showcase

Tuesday 25 November – Junior Dress Rehearsal

3:30pm – 5:30pm

GMCPA

Wednesday 26 November – Junior Showcase

3:30pm – 7:00pm

GMCPA

Thursday 27 November – Senior Dress rehearsal 3:30pm – 5:30pm GMCPA

Friday 28 November – Senior Showcase 3:30pm – 7:00pm GMCPA

2025 Pymble Values Art Prize

Congratulations to our inaugural Pymble Values Art Prize Winner

Lynn Savery

Viva

$30,000 was awarded to the winning submission and the College acquired the artwork for its collection.

Highly Commended

Jessie Bourke

To weave is to be woven

Lori Pensini

The Conversation – Rest Awhile

The Exhibition of Finalists features artwork from our 48 finalists. It is open to the public from 10.00am to 4.30pm from Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 November 2025 in the Main Hall at Pymble Ladies’ College, Avon Road Pymble NSW 2073.

All featured artworks are available for sale online.

Jacaranda Day Christmas Giving Appeal

Help us to make our collection this year the BIGGEST EVER!!

Please give to our annual Jacaranda Day Christmas Giving Appeal for the Rev. Bill Crews Foundation through the donation of non-perishable food items, personal care essentials and gifts.

These essential and simple donations are used by the foundation for those most in need. The difference that these small gifts make those receiving them cannot be over-emphasized.

AND JUST IMAGINE

If every Pymble student and every member of staff, gives just ONE item, imagine the possibility!

If we all gave FIVE items it would be ENORMOUS! These small gifts from each of us together could change the world for the better.

Donations can be drop off any time from now until Friday 28th December 2025, and collection points can be found at Hedgehog House and the Middle, Upper and Senior School Office.

• Middle School Office
• Upper School Office
• Senior School Office
• Hedgehog House

Donating gifts is simple way that we, as the Pymble community, can bring hope, love, peace and joy at Christmas to people we will never meet, but really matter in our community, because everyone matters. Your support can give the gift of a smile to the face of a child and family who are scared, worried and/or hungry. And who knows what this might do into the future?

It is very possible, that these simple gifts, like the gifts of the Magi or Wise people into the Holy family at the first Christmas, can change the world. So please give. And let’s make this OUR BIGGEST COLLECTION EVER !

2025 Dance Showcase

GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE 2025 DANCE SHOWCASE!

Don’t miss the enthralling 2025 Dance Showcase, The Beat of Time These captivating shows promise to take you on an unforgettable journey through the decades — from the roaring ’20s to the viral hits of today. Each performance captures the spirit of an era, showcasing iconic music, legendary artists, and the dance styles that defined generations.

Click here to secure your tickets today and be part of this magical experience that honours the art of storytelling through movement – it’s an event you won’t want to forget!

Dates: Performances run from Thursday 13 November to Sunday 16 November.

Location: Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts

The Magazine 2023 is now available!

The Magazine 2023 is now available!

This year, we are offering you two different options, to download or obtain a hard copy of the The Magazine 2023.

To provide a more environmentally and family-friendly alternative, this year we are giving families the option of viewing/downloading a digital version where once downloaded you can bookmark across synchronised devices, for example Apple Books and/or Google Play.

View/download the web/device-friendly version (36MB). 

Order a hard copy

If you would like a hard copy version, please complete the order form. For printing purposes, we will need all orders submitted by Friday 14 November 2025.

Our aim, which we are currently on track to meet, is to have The Magazine 2024 out Term 1 next year.

Pymble Transport

Register now – Pymble Bus Service

A reminder to register your daughter for the Pymble bus service. Registrations are essential, as we cannot guarantee a seat without a booking. You can choose between a flexible registration, whereby you are only charged for the number of trips taken, or you can reserve a seat for your daughter for the full term.

Grey House Walk Closure – Alternative travel options

Grey House Walk remains closed during Term 4. The College will continue the following free initiatives to support students who usually walk to school from Pymble Avenue via Grey House Walk:

• Minibus Shuttle Service (Pymble Loop)
• Additional Pymble stops on our Hunters Hill Route (Bus 1)
• Morning Walking Group for Grey House Walk

More information about these services and booking links can be found on the MyPymble Student Transport page.

For further information on travelling to and from Pymble Ladies’ College, please contact College Services on (02) 9855 7447 or collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.

Kind regards

College Services