To help promote mental health month this October, KYDS Youth Counselling are coveringfour different topics on youth mental health & wellbeing across eight free webinars, and we’d love you to join us!
These are open to parents, carers, school staff and young people. There is also aflyer attached – please share this wherever it may help!
Event Details
Topic: “Screenagers”
Date & time: Tuesday 1 October (1.00pm) or Wednesday 2 October (6.30pm – repeated)
One week until opening night! Seussical – The Musical
“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
I hope you are excited for the upcoming Year 6 production of Seussical – The Musical. Please note that tickets are on sale via the GMCPA Box Office.Click here to purchase your tickets.
Performance Dates: Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September commencing at 7.00pm.
Ticket Price: $22
Confirming the production will run for approximately two hours (with a 20-minute interval).
We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!
From the Principal
Dear Pymble family
It is so good to be back! The past four weeks of sabbatical leave have been a magical time in my life, both renewing and rewarding in so many ways. Swapping high heels for PPE gear most days, I have absolutely loved getting stuck into helping Matt rebuild our family home and spending precious time with family members I don’t always get to see so often. Highlights include a great day at the mud boat races with my sister and niece and enjoying a game of golf with Dad on Father’s Day – the first time we have spent that day together in many years. Another treasured memory was taking a mosaics class with my mum, which was something we have both wanted to do for a very long time. My muscles may be aching, but my heart is full.
Naturally, Pymble was never far from my thoughts, and I dearly missed the daily connection with our students and staff who bring so much joy and energy to my life (although I did manage to sneak in a quick catch-up with staff who were in Brisbane checking out a flight school). It was a privilege to be able to step away from campus, safe in the knowledge that we have an incredible team of leaders who work together harmoniously to ensure life at Pymble continues as normal. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the Board for this gift of time, to all our staff who stepped up in different ways, and especially to our Deputy Principal, Ms Lamia Rockwell for standing in as Acting Principal with her trademark grace, thoughtfulness and humility.
During the break, I also spent a few hours with an executive coach undertaking a reflection activity focused on my work at Pymble and the aspects that hold the most significance to me. Two strong themes emerged. One was community – no surprises there – and the importance of our students, staff, families, ex-students, and the broader Pymble community in relation to the work that I do. Hope was the other biggie.
Chipping away at bricks and demolishing old walls and ceilings afforded plenty of time for me to think about the concept of hope and the interplay between hope and action. Hope on its own is never going to be enough to effect change. It’s fair to say, hope is pretty hopeless without action.
If hope is important in relation to the future of Pymble – and it is – then it must be partnered with intentional moves towards that envisaged future. Hope is represented by all the work we have done and will continue to do to establish Pymble as a pathway for each student to achieve her personal goals and aspirations, whether that’s in sport, STEM, humanities, the arts, academia, aviation or any other field of interest, locally or globally.
Hope is our master plan of projects transforming the College footprint and enhancing learning spaces for our girls. Hope is the development of Vision Valley and Outdoor Education Programs that build character, relationships and resilience. Hope is becoming an Olympic Pathway School and forging strategic partnerships with global organisations, universities and Colleges to raise our students’ international profile and opportunities.
Hope is learning with and from our First Nations students and communities and moving towards genuine and respectful reconciliation. Hope is embracing diversity as the source of our strength and unity as the Pymble family. Hope is providing a safe haven to learn and grow, for all students, including those who come to Australia from countries at war and in conflict.
Hope is our Values Statements and leaning into those values to create an even more harmonious community and world around us.
It is exciting to envisage the next five years at Pymble and all these actions – and more – that will play a significant role in shaping the lives of our girls, staff and families. I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone in our community in the following weeks and months to hear what is important to you, and how your hopes and actions will play out in the future.
Rather than hoping to see you around the grounds soon, I’ll plan and take action to be present at events to ensure Iwill see you around the grounds soon!
Windows into Learning
It’s been the term for Outdoor Education Programs for many of our Junior School year groups. Congratulations to our young adventurers for demonstrating great courage in stepping out of their comfort zones and into nature’s classroom. Meanwhile, Upper School students in TAS are turning timber into marquetry. With thanks to our fabulous academic staff for continuing to provide these insights into teaching and learning.
Outdoor Education for Year 2
Last week, Year 2 embarked on a day of hands-on learning and exploring in nature, starting with an exciting bushwalk over rocks and along tricky paths. Students enthusiastically embraced the challenge of navigating through the rugged bushland, discovering the natural beauty and complexity of their surroundings and learning about the diverse bush tucker that different animals rely on.
The adventure continued with students constructing habitats for a blue-tongue lizard named Garygon and planting seedlings of Wattle and Davidson plums. The seedlings were then carefully transported back to Pymble, where they will be planted in a designated area to contribute to our green spaces. To cap off their adventure, students created detailed maps of the area they explored, marking specific locations and features. Overall, this day offered our girls a unique opportunity to engage with nature, learn about local wildlife and plant life, and apply their knowledge in practical, creative ways.
Ms Ashlee Weir Year 2 Compass teacher Top of Form
Top of the box in D&T
This term, students in Stage 5 Design and Technology have successfully completed a jewellery box project, where they explored the intricate art of marquetry by designing and applying decorative patterns to their boxes. This project allowed them to build skills in working with timber tools and machinery, while learning to follow detailed working drawings and manage their time effectively throughout the manufacturing process.
Currently, students are working on a new project focused on creating a small shelving solution. This project introduces them to the innovative technique of vacuum forming timber pieces into sculptural shapes, which they will integrate into their final designs. Through this work, students are continuing to develop their skills in materials technologies, particularly in timber, while gaining confidence in using a range of additional technologies and equipment.
Both projects have encouraged students to investigate, analyse and apply design concepts, while managing their time and refining their understanding of the design process – ultimately providing valuable learning experiences that enhance their skills in problem-solving, critical thinking and project management.
Mrs Ashleigh Mead Technology and Applied Studies teacher
Robotics
VEX V5 Tournament
This week has been action-packed for our Pymble Pride team! We kicked things off with the VEX V5 tournament on Sunday 8 September, where five Pymble teams of Year 7 and 8 students gave it their all.
The VEX V5 tournament was held at The Kings School, featuring 14 teams in total. For our Pymble teams, it was their first time competing this season, and for some, their first robotics competition. Emotions ran high as students, many of whom were drivers, experienced the thrill of victory and the disappointment of defeat. Managing strategies and time between matches proved challenging, even for the more seasoned teams. The intense environment tested their resilience and problem-solving skills throughout the day.
Special congratulations to the VEX V5 teams 65100F Dunkin Donuts for winning the Judges Award and 65100S Shark Attack for the Innovate Award. Well done to everyone who competed!
Team 65100A – Akshara Bhattacharya (Year 8), Shreya Mahendra (Year 8), Kayla Ma (Year 8)
Team 65100F – Adele Jiang (Year 7), Emma Ouyang (Year 7), Sarah Xia (Year 7), Meii You (Year 7)
Team 65100M – Calla Zhu (Year 8), Jane Zhang (Year 8), Ava Christofides (Year 8), Zoe An (Year 7), Savenya Maganaarachchi (Year 8)
Team 65100S – Cabrini Lee (Year 8), Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 8), Malaika Rasheed (Year 8), Allison Wang (Year 8), Alexis Lam (Year 8)
VEX IQ Tournament
Following the VEX V5 tournament, our Year 5 and 6 students took on the challenge at the VEX IQ tournament on Monday 9 September, with six Pymble teams showcasing their hard work and teamwork.
The VEX IQ competition at Knox Grammar School saw 24 elementary teams in action. Many of our students were competing for the first time, demonstrating impressive teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Teams had to make quick decisions and adapt on the fly, learning valuable lessons about the need for strategic planning and adaptability.
Special congratulations to the VEX IQ teams 6510V 24 Quackers for the Think Award, and team Velocity 6510U for earning the Excellence Award and securing their spot at the State Championship. Well done to everyone who competed!
Team 6510R – Mandy Zhou (Year 6), Jaanvi Sawhney (Year 6), Kiera Xu (Year 6), Alice Jiang (Year 6), Sophia Na (Year 6)
Team 6510U – Bianca Ng (Year 6), Chelsea Wang (Year 6), Lily Zhang (Year 6), Adeline Wu (Year 6)
Team 6510V – Lydia Chen (Year 6), Emma Fu (Year 6), Charlotte Wu (Year 6), Emma Popli (Year 6)
VEX V5 Tournament Photos
VEX IQ Tournament Photos
Christhina Boni Lavratti
Robotics Manager
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
It’s been another action-packed week in the Junior School with our Kindergarten, Year 2 and Year 5 girls all embracing the challenge and fun of their outdoor education programs. The Kindergarten girls headed off to Lane Cove National Park for a day immersed in nature where they extended their understanding of living things through their activities. Here are some of their reflections on the day:
“We saw so many little ducklings swimming in the water. They were following the big ducks. We also saw a blue tongue lizard. I loved the animals.” – Shirley Chen
“I had lots of fun. I loved going on the big walk because we saw stingrays, ducks and water dragons. I had never seen a water dragon in the wild before our big walk.” – Makayla Liu
“I made a wombat stew. We got water from the river and put in nuts, grass and leaves. We sang, ‘Wombat stew, wombat stew, gooey brewey, yummy chewy, wombat stew’. It was really fun.” – Audrey Sun
“I loved the nature treasure hunt. I found a sunset coloured leaf, a crown for a frog and a shiny rock.” – Lareina Sun
“I loved seeing the water dragons relaxing in the sun. We had to be quiet so they didn’t run away.” – Ingrid He
Year 2 had a wonderful day building their connection to country and learning to notice the many treasures there are to be found in nature at St Ives Wildflower Gardens. Here are some of their reflections from their Outdoor Education learning experience:
“I liked that we did activities where we could go scavenging for different things in the environment!” – Eleanor Lim
“I was excited that we got to make a habitat for a real blue tongue lizard, then we got to pat it!” – Olivia Liu
“I liked planting wattle seeds in small pots because we got to put them outside our classroom window and watch them grow!” – Lua Jung
“I liked making a home for Bandit the blue tongue lizard. I also liked bushwalking because we got to see a lovely view from the top.” Serena Adams
“My favourite part was when we got to see the blue tongue lizard. When I got to pat it, it felt relaxing and I loved it.” – Viola Li
Year 5 have shown their sense of camaraderie, care and courage throughout their Vision Valley adventures this week. The girls have tried archery, boat building, kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing and relaxed around a camp fire with s’mores and stories. There was also some highly competitive trivia which I was lucky enough to take part in on Monday evening with my team mates Sooin, Mahalia, Caroline, Audrey, Sophia and Isabelle. What has stood out the most is the way in which the girls cheer one another on through the activities and rally behind one another when faced with moments of challenge and natural apprehension. It’s clear Year 5 is ready to step up into leadership in 2025.
Kindergarten Windows into Learning – Heidi Lynch, Kindergarten Co-ordinator
Kindergarten welcomed their parents for a science lesson about seasonal changes. Together, we explored the shift from winter to spring, with the girls proudly sharing their knowledge about weather differences, daylight hours, and how nature awakens as winter fades.
The girls then worked together with their visitors to create seasonal scenes. Using a variety of materials, the girls designed either a winter or spring landscape, showcasing animals hibernating or migrating as the seasons change or the colourful signs of spring within our gardens and landscapes. The collaboration brought out creativity from both parents and the girls, a wonderful way to celebrate their learning collaboratively.
We then enjoyed a seasonal picnic lunch, where the girls had the opportunity to plant seeds with Mrs Brown and Mrs Bird. We are excited to hear how the seeds grow and develop! A big thank you to all the parents who took the time to join us in celebrating Kindergarten learning and creativity.
Celebrations in Snowsports and Robotics
We are also celebrating in our Junior School community this week as our Snowsports team have come home as national champions! We are extremely proud of all the girls who have committed many weekends over the past months to train for their ski and snowboarding season and we know there is a strong sense of team within our Snowsports community. Mr Tyson, Head of Sport is working with our Snowsports coaching team to organise a celebratory lunch for these girls.
Our Robotics teams have also enjoyed well deserved success at the regional competition at Knox on Monday and team 6510U (Bianca Ng, Chelsea Wang, Adeline Wu and Lily Zhang) won the Excellence Award for overall excellence in all categories will now proceed to State Championships later this year. 6510V (Lydia Chen, Emma Fu, Emma Popli and Charlotte Wu) won the Think Award for most effective coding design and techniques.
A message from Stephen Robinson – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations
Friday Canteen
Due to the overwhelming response and the warmer weather, cold drinks/frozen treat will now be available to order from Term 4. We are seeking help from parents across the Junior School to assist on a Wednesday and Friday sorting lunch orders and handing out cold drinks/frozen treats that have been pre-ordered. Should you be willing to assist, please enter you name into one of the fields below (we are initially limiting the form to only accept one submission per person, to share this opportunity with all members of the community).
Note: There will be no cash or card purchases of a Friday. Items are only available for pre-purchase via the Junior School Flexischools app. Years 5 and 6 may use this facility, or access Archie’s Cafe as normal.
OSHC Registrations
Please note that ALL Junior School students need to be registered at OSHC (through the Kidsoft website) in order to enrol in new or additional co-curricular offerings, including swimming and tennis. If your daughter is not registered with OSHC she will not be able to be enrolled in any co-curricular activities from Term 4 2024.
Water bottles
With the temperature increasing, a reminder to ensure you daughter has a named water bottle with her at school. Water bottle filling stations and water bubblers are available throughout the Junior School.
One week until opening night! Seussical – The Musical
“Oh, the thinks you can think” when Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters collide and cavort in an unforgettable musical caper!
I hope you are excited for the upcoming Year 6 production of Seussical – The Musical. Please note that tickets are on sale via the GMCPA Box Office.Click here to purchase your tickets.
Performance Dates: Thursday 19 and Friday 20 September commencing at 7.00pm.
Ticket Price: $22
Confirming the production will run for approximately two hours (with a 20-minute interval).
We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!
Junior School Digital News
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Garden Party – Saturday 21 September
It’s almost time for Garden Party! Here is a summary of the different stalls that still need volunteers to help make the day a huge success for our community!
If you could give an hour of your time to volunteer on one of the stalls, please sign up via the stall links below. We greatly appreciate your help and support.
Friday 13 September Year 5 OEP Group 2 return from Vision Valley
Saturday 14 September IPSHA Saturday Sport
Wednesday 18 September Year 6 Musical Student Performance (Years 3 to 5)
Thursday 19 September Year 6 Musical Performance 1
Friday 20 September Year 6 Musical Performance 2
Saturday 21 September Garden Party
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School
From the Middle School
On Tuesday Years 7 and 8 came together for our special assembly and wow, what a special assembly it was! After much investment of time and energy over the last two terms we were excited to launch our welcome signpostwhich is a beautiful reflection of the cultural diversity that makes up our community.
Surveying the girls we found out that 34 different languages are spoken by students in Middle School and, to celebrate and pay tribute to this, each language has been represented on the signpost which will be prominently positioned at the entry to Middle School.
Below, I would like to share with you a selection of words from the students who spoke at assembly as they so poignantly capture who we are. Thank you to everyone who was involved in both the project and our assembly. A special thank you to Mrs Budd for all of her investment.
Assembly Theme
The phrase “Different voices, same song; in our unity, the Middle School is strong” emphasises the power of collective harmony and how we come from diverse backgrounds with unique perspectives. It is our shared commitments to common goals or values that build a cohesive community. Different voices represent the varied experiences and viewpoints of each student, while “the same song” shows a common purpose or sense of belonging as well as singing the same college values that are important to all of us. – Written by Estelle Lee and Ginny Makan
Student reflections on their culture
Paanya Khatri
Namaste, I’m Paanya from India and for those who don’t know where it is, it’s in South Asia. Namaste is ‘hello’ in Hindi which is my family’s mother tongue.
We are from Haryana, which is about an hour north of Delhi. In India, there are 22 major languages and 1599 other languages, Hindi being the most popular. Aside from languages, India has a vibrant and diverse culture in terms of festivals, foods, rituals and ethnic clothes.
Never to forget about all the gods, India has about 330 million gods with 33 major gods, having a god for absolutely everything you can think of; which is also 12 times the population in Australia.
Right now the latest festival and poojas, a way of praying is Ganesha Chaturthi, the birthday of one of our main gods, Lord Ganesha, on Saturday 7 September. And in Hindi, sunane ke lie dhanyavaad (thank you for listening).
Emma Wang
Halo, Saya Emma! Hi I’m Emma and I am of Chinese, Indonesian, English and Irish descent. Today I’m going to be talking about my Indonesian culture. My last name, Wang, isn’t just some crazy common Chinese last name, it actually has a really long history.
If you asked all the Wangs in the room what their cultural background is, they would probably say Chinese. Though I am partly Chinese, the name Wangsaputra is Indonesian. When Suharto, former president of Indonesia, came into power, he made every Chinese-Indonesian add Saputra or another Indonesian suffix to the end of their last names to make them sound more Indonesian.
When my grandparents moved to Australia because of Suharto’s problematic values, they decided to remove Saputra from their name. You could also just say that Wangsaputra was too lengthy for our liking. Though my grandparents let go of their Indonesian surname, they did not and have not let go of the culture.
I am lucky enough to have grown up, surrounded by my wonderful Indonesian family, listening to their stories of growing up in Indonesia as a Chinese-Indonesian family and connecting with them and my culture, which, lucky for me, includes eating chicken satay way too often. I’m so happy to be at a school where I can be proud of my culture and share it with my peers.
Stephanie Du
Da jia hao wo shi du li wen Jīntiān wǒ yào shuō zuòwéi Zhōngguó rén de yìyì (Hello, today I am going to talk about what being Chinese means to me. Being Chinese means being part of a proud and resilient culture that has thrived through challenges and celebrated many achievements.
I take pride in being part of the 17.3 per cent of the population that identifies as Chinese, connected to a global community known for its strength and unity. Our success, seen clearly at the Olympics with our dominance in sports like table tennis and diving, reflects the values of hard work and perseverance that define us. This identity gives me a deep sense of belonging, knowing I am part of a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire and uplift.
Ava Christofides
CIAO! Sono Ava dell’ottavo anno e sono qui per raccontarti un po’ della mia cultura. Hi! I’m Ava from Year 8 and I am here to tell you a little about my culture, and if you haven’t guessed yet I’m Italian.
I am a second-generation Italian on my mum’s side. My great-grandparents came to Australia after WW2 for work, my two grandfathers came from Italy, the first Sicily and the other Abruzzo. Sicily is the island and Abruzzo is the heel of the boot. They came to Australia alone, then around five years later their family came to Australia.
They didn’t know any English and learnt off the TV because they were too old for school. My mum grew up in Australia with some old rules from Italy that she didn’t understand, these rules are now our traditions and will be passed down for generations.
One of these traditions is tomato day. It is a day where you make tomato sauce all day. To my great grandparents it was a chore but now it is a super fun tradition. We also have a delicious traditional tomato sauce for pasta and meatballs. But the traditions don’t just shape us, they also shape our values and religion.
Jessie Leung and Athena Ng
We are from Hong Kong and we are Hongkongers, not hongkongese. You can also call us Cantonese. (We are technically Cantonese, but we like saying hongkonger more.)
We’re here to talk to you about our culture, and even though it is similar to Chinese culture it is actually quite different. We have a lot of traditional food, such as egg tarts, cha chaan teng (popular restaurants), wonton noodles etc. We also eat mooncakes at the mid autumn festival, a festival we celebrate. And we celebrate Chinese New Year where we get red pockets, traditionally filled with cash. Yay money! 有錢啊
Cantonese is Hong Kong’s primary language. Although it follows the Chinese alphabet, the pronunciation is completely different, usually having nine tones instead of the four Chinese has. The Hong Kong version of Cantonese compared to the Guangdong or Guangzhou version has slightly different pronunciations and different slangs/phrases.
For example the Hong Kong version has more slang and improper words while Guangdong/Guangzhou has more proper and words more similar to the Mandarin dialect. And unlike China, Hong Kong tends to use traditional Chinese characters instead of the simplified version, which is what we learnt when we went to school in Hong Kong. People often say Cantonese is hard to learn, and this is kind of true because the words can have a lot of different tones.
Akshara Bhattacharya
I’m Akshara and I am of Indian descent. Indian culture is a vast and diverse tapestry that weaves together ancient traditions, spiritual philosophies, and rich art forms across its many regions, rooted in a history spanning thousands of years.
From the colourful festivals like Diwali and Holi to the intricate classical dances of Bharatanatyam and Kathak, Indian culture celebrates life with vibrant expressions of art. The family unit plays a central role, with values of respect, hospitality and unity being passed down through generations. India’s linguistic diversity is reflected in its 22 official languages, each carrying their own traditions and literature.
At the heart of Indian culture lies an emphasis on spirituality and coexistence, where ancient wisdom harmonises with modernity, creating a unique blend that resonates both locally and globally. This culture, deeply philosophical yet lively, continues to evolve while holding on to its timeless essence. Thank you.
Devishi Malla
नमस्ते, मेरो नाम देवीशी हो. Hi, my name is Devishi. I’m in year 8 and here to talk about my culture. To me, Nepali culture is amazing. It’s a blend of various traditions and practices from different ethnic groups living in the Himalayas. Festivals like Dashain and Tihar are vibrant celebrations where families come together for food, music and rituals. The storytelling traditions, including religious stories, play a big role in preserving history and values. Plus, the food, like momo and dal bhat, are both delicious. Overall, Nepali culture is a beautiful mix of tradition and community spirit. Thank you!
Year 7 Head of Year
We would like to wish our Head of Year 7 (Goodlet, Ingleholme, Marden and Thomas) Ms Gina Ventura, a wonderful break of long service leave from Friday of this week. We look forward to welcoming Gina back in Week 3 of Term 4.
Throughout this time Ms Felicity Dyet will be stepping into the role and caring for our girls. Felicity has been at Pymble for two years in the capacity of a full-time geography teacher and a Year 9 Compass teacher. She is excited to be joining Middle School and getting to know the girls better throughout this time. She can be contacted at fdyet@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Year 8 Outdoor Education Program
Reminder that Year 8 Outdoor Education Program begins on Monday 16 September until Friday 20 September. Students should present at James Kelso Field on Monday 16 September at 8.15am for roll call. Coaches will depart the College by 8.45am.
Garden Party Reminder
Thank you to our parents and students who have prepared their gift baskets and hampers for the Garden party. Reminder that Year 8 will need their baskets finalised before Friday 12 September and Year 7 will need to have their baskets completed by Wednesday 18 September.
From the Middle School Parent Groups
Middle School Sweet Sensations Stall 2024– VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
The Garden Party, Pymble’s biggest and best event of the year, is just over a week away! The Year 7 and 8 Sweet Sensations Stall is one of the most popular and, as always, we are expecting huge crowds.
We need your support to ensure that the stall is another great success and are still desperately short of volunteers to staff the stall throughout the day!
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
After a busy two weeks overseas exploring exchange partnerships, it is wonderful to be back home and settling into our beautiful new Upper School office and common room. It has been delightful to see the girls enjoying this revitalised space.
During my travels, I visited seven different schools and returned with fresh ideas; however, I am reassured and validated by the exceptional opportunities our students have here at the College. It is clear that Pymble is truly a top school, offering a world-class education that stands out even among the best.
Many of the schools I visited are keen to set up an exchange program with Pymble, so hopefully we will be able to offer this wonderful experience to more Year 10 students next year. For interested families, please look out for the notice about the exchange information evening later this term.
Each term, we have a special tradition where Year 9 students honour the latest group of girls who have completed the Vision Valley Residential Program. This Tuesday, we celebrated their achievements in successfully finishing this important rite of passage. It was lovely to meet with families of next term’s group earlier in the week and see the girls have the chance to connect with their peers in preparation for their trip.
A special thank you to Mariel Lombard and Peter Fathers for leading the Upper School in my absence and the entire Upper School team for continuing to support our Year 9 and 10 students so beautifully while also juggling the coordination of moving into our new home.
Student Achievements
Australian All Schools Cricket
Elizabeth Yates, along with Willa Pearson (Year 8), represented NSW at the recent Australian All Schools 15 years Cricket Championships in Mackay, Queensland. The NSW team finished third overall and Elizabeth has been selected in the All-Australian team. It was a fabulous tournament for Lizzie who was the second-highest wicket taker in the event. Congratulations to Lizzie on her performance and selection.
Duke of Edinburgh
Congratulations to the following Upper School students on being awarded their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards.
Year 10
Christina Zeng
Year 9
Katherine Boyce
Eloise Fisher
Sophia Kok
Siena Parsons
Varada Vinay
Alexandra Hargraves
Year 9 Elective Geography Excursion
On Tuesday 3 September, the Year 9 Elective Geography classes received the opportunity to visit Towra Point in Botany Bay for an excursion, studying the oceanography of the landscape.
We had the incredible chance to learn from professional oceanographers and waded in seagrass ecosystems to catch small organisms such as fish, shrimp, and octopi. Additionally, we conducted an experiment comparing the thermohaline properties of estuary water to that of seawater. Using a micro lens, we were able to see small marine organisms that live within the seagrass, and further extended our understanding on how different organisms rely on each other in the ecosystem.
The excursion allowed us a more personable perspective in determining the effects of human activities, climate change, and other manmade or external factors in influencing the development of marine ecosystems. For instance, we used tools such as refractors, pH meters, and thermometers to examine the salinity, acidity and temperature of different water samples.
These samples were taken from normal ocean water and the estuary water, which we compared the results between. It was discovered that the salinity and acidity of both samples were extremely similar, due to the lack of recent rain, meaning more wind pushing water offshore and causing evaporation. The evaporation of water means that more salt molecules are left behind, thus contributing to the overall increase of salinity in the estuary water.
The overall experience was incredibly fun and engaging, and we were definitely able to grasp a deeper understanding of the oceanographic background of Towra Point!
Written by Angela Tao (Year 9) and Alannah Tang (Year 9)
Important Dates
Term 3
Tuesday 10 September – Year 9 Residential Program Term 4 Parent Information Evening/Student Icebreaker event
Thursday 12 September – Year 9 Subject Selection Evening ONLINE for Parents
Wednesday 18 September – 2025 International Exchange Information Evening
Friday 27 September – Boarder’s Travel Day/Last day of Term 3
Monday 14 October – Boarder’s Travel Day/Staff Day
Next Monday, our Year 12 students will be engaging in a workshop with local doctors, as part of the GPs In Schools program. The students are given advice regarding managing their own health care and have the opportunity to speak directly with a GP in a smaller friendship-based group. Here, they are given practical advice about their own wellbeing and can ask questions in a safe and confidential space. I would like to extend my thanks to the GPs involved in the program for offering their time and expertise to support our students.
Year 11 Examinations
Year 11 students will finish their program of examinations this week. They are to be commended on their maturity and good sense over the past fortnight. The closing weeks of term will be spent in finalising course work and understanding the feedback from their examination results. It is important that the students maintain their focus and work ethic as they prepare for the beginning of Year 12 next term.
Aboriginal Studies Major Work Showcase
On Wednesday 4 September, Pymble celebrated its second-ever Year 12 HSC Aboriginal Studies Major Project Showcase. Our Aboriginal Studies students displayed their incredible Major Projects which cover a diverse range of topics and artistic and literary mediums. Our special guest was Tim Selwyn, a cultural educator from Girra Girra Aboriginal Experiences who performed a beautiful welcome song for the event. Congratulations to Pymble’s amazing Year 12 Aboriginal Studies students, we are very proud of what they have achieved!
HSC Music Showcase
Congratulations to all the HSC music students for your outstanding performances at the showcase last Friday night! The evening was truly remarkable, featuring a diverse array of talents – from vocalists to instrumentalists including guitarists, saxophonists, pianists, tubists, euphonium players and violinists. Each performance was a testament to your dedication, skill and passion for music. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the exceptional teachers who guide and mentor you, helping to bring out the best in each of you. Your collective efforts made the showcase a memorable and inspiring event.
2024 All Schools Taekwondo Tournament
Over the weekend, students from the Senior School competed at the 2024 All School Taekwondo Tournament for Pymble.
Congratulations to Olivia (Year 11) and Elizabeth (Year 12) who placed first in their age groups and coached some of the Junior School students who were competing in their first-ever competition.
Congratulations to all the students. They displayed great sportsmanship and deserve commendation for their efforts.
Save the Date: Year 12 (2025) Information Night – Thursday 24 October
Please note that Senior School will be hosting a Year 12 Information Night for parents of Year 12 2025 students. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the journey through Year 12, and meet with the Compass Teachers, the Head and Deputy Head of Senior School, the Director of Studies and the Futures team.
This will take place on Thursday 24 October, from 5.30pm, in the Kate Mason Building – Senior Centre.
From the Heads of Year 12 – Mrs Michie and Mr Stern
The upcoming Garden Party gives Year 12 the opportunity to participate in their last fundraising opportunity as Pymble students.
Year 12 have been provided with raffle tickets and are expected to sell one booklet each. Tickets cost $2.50 each or $40 for the book of 20.
Year 12 will be working at the Year 12 Raffle stall and are asked to work one 30-minute shift at some point throughout the day. Please encourage your daughter to register for a shift by the end of this week!
Year 12 Spring Study Camp
The Pymble HSC Spring Study Camp is on during the first week of the holiday break to get your child ‘match fit’ for their HSC exams.
The camp is a five-day (non-residential) program that provides you with a structured study environment free from distractions in the lead up to the HSC Examinations.
Fabulous features of study camp:
Teachers available daily for individual or small group tutoring
Dedicated absolute quiet study space
Allocated rooms do a practice exam or collaborate in small groups
Academic advisors will be available daily for ATAR estimates and study planning assistance
The Futures Team will be onsite. Students will be able to book a time with a member of the team.
Unlimited tea, coffee and fruit
Camp Details: Monday 30 September to Friday 4 October 2024
Time: 8.30am to 4.30pm
Cost: $345.00 (5 days) – morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided daily
For further questions, please contact: Mrs Jenny Olsen jolsen@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au (Head of Extended Learning).
Term 3 Key Dates
2 September – 13 September – Year 11 Yearly Examinations
16 September – Year 12 GPs In Schools
16 September – Year 11 and Year 12 Y-Safe presentations
21 September – Garden Party
25 September – Year 12 Picnic Day at Clontarf
26 September – Year 12 Graduation Assembly (students and staff in attendance)
27 September – Year 12 Speech Day
27 September – Year 12 Honouring Ceremony
27 September – Year 12 Chapel Service
27 September – Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
27 September – Term 3 ends
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
There is a special bond that unites boarders, whether they be our Pymble girls or boarders from other schools. Bringing our Boarders together is a key component of our Love It program, with Pymble hosting numerous events throughout the year. Our Annual Year 7 to 9 Social is always a huge hit with schools including Abbotsleigh, Ravenswood, Loreto and Ascham, along with a host of local boys’ schools.
Most recently, our Year 9 Boarders caught up with their counterparts from Shore School and in the weeks to come, we have organised catch ups with Newington and Knox Grammar School. Our Boarders always look forward to these occasions and there is nothing like seeing Boarders who join us from small primary schools reunited with their former school mates, often miles away from where they first met.
Latiah does us proud (again!)
The Bush Summit spans across six regional locations in Australia: Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and Western Australia. Political leaders and policy makers were joined by regional leaders to discuss key issues including agriculture, energy, infrastructure, health, cost of living, crime and education. We were delighted that Year 11 Boarder, Latiah was invited to represent students and I hope you enjoy reading the following recount of her experiences.
Two weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Bush Summit which was held in Orange. There I Acknowledged County and also spoke about my educational journey. I spoke about growing up in a small town and how that posed barriers to extending my learning opportunities and how through these barriers I was able to find AIEF and then be introduced to Pymble where I’ve been a Boarder for the last four years. I was able to share part of my story in the hope of provoking change, enabling many more kids who are in my position to have the opportunity to go to a school like Pymble.
I grateful to be able to listen to the challenges being faced by rural and remote communities and see firsthand just how much people in their communities’ care about the safety and growth of their homes. I was able to meet people in powerful positions including the Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, The Education Minister, Jason Clare, as well as editors and the production team of Daily Telegraph who hosted the event. This was an opportunity that I have been very much grateful for as it was an eye-opening experience and gave me the push to keep advocating for the change and development of our homes back in the bush.
Boarders’ Parent Group Meeting
Our Term 3 Boarders’ Parent Group meeting takes place on Friday 20 September, commencing at 2.00pm in Lang House. This is your chance to hear about the latest developments in Boarding. You will be finished just in time to greet your daughter as she arrives home from school. Please click here to read the agenda for the meeting.
And why not cap off a great day with a night out with our Boarding family? I am delighted to say that we have had a great response to the Press Club event but there is always room for more. Please click the following link to join in the fun.
For those of you who are keen to make the most of the evening, Edwina Beveridge has booked a table at the Butcher’s Block Wahroonga. Please let Edwina know if you would like to join in by email at edwina@blantyrefarms.com.au.
Garden Party Ready!
Thank you to those of you who have already volunteered to help on the day or delivered produce to the various Boarding Houses. We are keen to have as much local produce as possible – honey, jams, fruit, seeds, nuts, cotton, herbs, flowers, cakes and slices, etc. Any non-perishable items can be delivered directly to your daughter’s Boarding House and we will make sure they are stored safely ready for Garden Party day. Fresh items can be brought directly to the produce stall on the day of the Garden Party.
Love It – Katie White, Deputy Director of Boarding
As mentioned above, we had a lovely catch up with the Year 9 Shore boarders last weekend and we can’t wait to welcome Year 9 to 11 boarders from Newington this week.
Last weekend, the Boarders from Avonmoore enjoyed a pizza evening with their day girl friends and the Goodlet girls headed our thrift shopping with Mrs Myles on Sunday.
As Garden Party is approaching, we are starting to get our Boarders working on items for the stall, from Rocky Road in Boarders Get Baking, to candle making this weekend in Avonmoore. On Sunday, Mardi and Danielle will be taking 22 Boarders to Sister Act – The Musical.
Eat Like a Boarder
Please accept the invitation to join our Boarding family for a meal on Monday 15 October at 6.00pm, when you return your girls from the term break. This will be the ‘real’ experience, with you being able to enjoy the regular dinner service, just as the girls do each evening. If you would like to join us, please RSVP to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au by no later than Friday 27 September.
The Press Club
Just a reminder to sign up for our next Boarding Community Event, to be held on 20 September, the eve of the Garden Party. Following the Boarder Parent Group meeting and some last-minute Garden Party preparations, join our Boarding parents for a dinner at the Butchers Block at Wahroonga before heading to the Warrawee Club for an evening of live music and dancing. All Boarders are required to be in attendance on this night and we hope our families can join in the fun too.
View From My Window
My name is Dimity, I am a Year 7 student and have started Boarding this year. I live on a small property with my parents, Ben and Tiffany, and younger brother, Rocky. I have an older brother, Frankie, who also boards in Sydney at the Kings School in Year 8. I also have an older sister, Allie, who lives in Orange. I live just outside of Walgett, it is near the Queensland border and about eight-and-a-half hours from Sydney. Walgett is the place where the two rivers meet: the Namoi and Barwon.
When I look outside my window, I can see a massive dam full of water. I normally see my brothers racing on their motorbike in the paddock. In the holidays we love to go down to the river for a swim or a fish. We also love to ride our motorbikes up and down the driveway.
I love living in Walgett as it is a small community and everyone gets along. While I grew up in a wide open space it was very different for me to come to a very large city and board. While I love being at home, coming back to boarding after holidays is very fun as it is my home away from home and I get to experience the differences.
Boarder of the Week
Latiah joined us from Dubbo in Year 8, 2021, and she has been a bright and spirited member of our Boarding family ever since. She is kind, considerate and shows empathy to those around her.
Latiah is well-organised and demonstrates dedication and commitment to her studies. She wears her uniform with pride and keeps her living space neat and tidy as her sanctuary. Latiah is a proud Gamilaroi woman and always takes the opportunity to celebrate her culture and share it with those around her.
Just this term, she addressed the audience at The Bush Summit in Orange, she participated in the AISNSW Wingara Student Leadership Event, attended Garma Festival in Arnhem Land and sang the National Anthem to open the Isolated Children and Parents Association’s Federal Conference.
And while on that last point, it would be remiss not to make mention of Latiah’s exquisite singing voice which she so willingly shares at both Boarding and day-school events. Latiah has worked hard to become a Boarder that those others around her can look up to.
Her maturity, resilience and good humour have ensured that she is strong role model for her Boarding sisters. We love having her as part of our Marden family and look forward watching what she does as she enters her final year at Pymble.
Save the Date
20 September – Boarders and their Families event (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
21 September – Garden Party
24 September – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel and Farewell to Year 12 Boarders (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
26 September – Year 12 Boarder and Parents’ celebration event (Year 12 Boarders and parents only)
27 September – Year 11 and 12 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day
Term 4
14 October – Boarders return from 2.00pm
18 October – Boarding lockdown and evacuation drill (all Boarders required to be in attendance)
Term 4 TBA – Mother Daughter Lunch
4 December – Year 7 to 10 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day
Boarder Parent Group Meetings
20 September – 2.30pm onsite
24 October – 7.00pm TEAMS meeting
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
As we move towards the end of term, in our chapel services we continue to unpack with the students what it means to be made in God’s image.
Scholars and theologians for many centuries have pondered what it means to be ‘made in God’s image’. You could spend a lifetime exploring it and still never fully understand the mystery and wonder of what it means to be a creature made to be a reflection of the Creator.
I have spoken to the students in chapel about some of the things this means:
They are made with care; they are precious.
They are made with purpose.
They are made with their own free will – we are not obedient robots.
(This is why we often mess things up, this is also why we can have a genuine, intimate and loving relationship with our Creator – we can choose to love God.)
They are made to be creative, like the Creator.
But what are we made for?
In one of the creation stories from the Scriptures, we are told:
Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in our likeness.”
Why does God speak of Godself in the plural? This, too, has fascinated theologians and scholars for thousands of years.
For Christians, this is one of the verses that points to the triune nature of God – to the identity of God as three in One, and One in three. The Scriptures speak of God in three persons; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
Andrei Rublev painted this beautiful icon in 1410. It is his imagining of the three Divine persons gathered together in communion, around a table set with a symbolic meal.
God the Father is represented in translucent gold, the Christ in royal blue and the Spirit in the green of renewal.
The point of this painting, as I said to the students, is that the three persons are in relationship with one another.
Their heads are inclined towards one another, they are looking towards one another, the curves of their bodies as well as the mountain, tree and house in the background form a continuous circle.
Rublev does not allow our eye to rest on any one of the three persons for long – our eye travels around and around the image, as we are drawn into a contemplation of this relationship of mutual love and communion.
The three persons exist purely in relation to the other two. Their essence is in their relationship with the others.
They are in an eternal relationship of self-giving love; an eternal movement of giving, making space for, receiving, giving, making space for, receiving …
The painting expresses that the core of who God is, is relationship.
So, if we’re made in God’s image, as a reflection of God,what are we made for?
We are made for relationship.
There is a little detail of the painting which holds profound meaning – there, at the front of the table at which the three persons of the Trinity sit, is a little rectangular shape.
Originally, there was a small mirror fixed to this place.
So that, as the viewer gazed at the icon, and was hopefully moved to prayer and meditation on the profound mystery of the Trinity, they would see themselves reflected back.
They would see that they are made in God’s image.
All of us, of all faiths or none, are made for self-giving love. Making space for other people, receiving love or attention or energy or kindness from other people, and giving love or attention or energy or kindness to other people.
May the God of peace fill your cup this week, and may you know that you are made in the Divine image.
Amen.
Uniting Youth Camp – Time to Shine
Edwina O’Brien
Assistant College Chaplain
From the Futures Team
Explore ENG! at the University of Sydney
For Year 9 to 11 students eager to discover the world of engineering.
Time: 9.30am to 3.00pm
Date: Monday 30 September 2024 (within school holidays)
Location: Peter Nicol Russell Building (Maze Cres side), Darlington Campus, University of Sydney
Students will participate in learning activities and tours of our world-class laboratories and facilities. Program includes:
TechToys – An Inclusive Toy Car Demonstration with Biomedical Engineers
Intro to Computing – Basics of Computer Science and Programming
Maths Activity: 4D Pool in Virtual Reality
Electromagnetic Waves: Exploring the Fascinating Invisible World
Tour of the Australian Centre for Robotics – A Global Leader in Robotics Research
Flight Simulator in an Aerospace Laboratory
Mini Drone and Flight Mechanics
Panel Discussion on “What Do Engineers Do?” This program provides an excellent forum to learn about engineering and the diverse career paths it opens up. Students will gain insights into the discipline, explore career opportunities, and understand the Bachelor of Engineering degree at the University of Sydney.
For Secondary School Students
University of Sydney | 2024 School of Project Management Spring Camp
October 4, 2024 The University of Sydney is hosting a Spring Camp on Friday 4 October 2024, for students in Years 10-12. This in-person event provides a deep dive into project management, career paths, and degree insights. Hear from industry experts, academics, students and alumni.
Past programs included tours to Google, Atlassian, and Western Sydney Airport.
Open date: October 15 2024 Closing date: February 28 2025 (Only one student per school)
Taronga Zoo Sydney offers school work experience opportunities for students in years 10 to 12 who are interested in pursuing a career in zoo keeping, animal care, tourism or zoo horticulture.
Work experience undertaken at Taronga Zoo Sydney allows students to:
Observe a variety of work being done in the fields of zoo keeping, animal care, zoo horticulture or guest services and education
Undertake supervised work appropriate to the student’s skill level
NSW Education Scholarships: Open to Teacher Education programs from Kindergarten to Year 12.
$7,500 per annum. Closing 13 September 2024.
NIDA September Spring Holiday Courses 2024 – NSW
September 16 to October 13, 2024
NIDA’s Holiday Program offers fun and engaging skills-based training for all ages and aspirations. From 3-week Residency programs to 1-day short courses for adults, children and young people, we have something to offer everyone.
The Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship is a remarkable opportunity offered to passionate and curious individuals looking to expand their worldview, embrace new perspectives and help build stronger ties between Australia and Asia.
This forum is an excellent opportunity for teachers, students and their parents to find out about the UCAT, pathways into medicine, and have all questions answered by an expert teacher who has been working in the field since 1999.
UTS Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc) Co-op Scholarship Program
Offering students a wonderful opportunity to graduate with an internationally recognised Bachelor of Accounting qualification, coupled with real industry experience. We are grateful to have around 30 sponsor organisations recruiting graduates from the BAcc program. Up to $75,000 over three years. Applications close 13 October.
Registrations for Term 4 programs opened via the online registration system at 12.00pm on Wednesday 11 September.
Please access the online registration via the Co-curricular pages on MyPymble by clicking here. A parent/carer log in is required to be able to register. A reminder that registrations CANNOT be processed via email or phone.
All registrations, including registration requests are actioned on a first come, first served basis. Please select your sport and/or activity carefully. Program fees will not be adjusted for sessions missed due to student sickness, wet weather or school events, such as camps, as per our terms and conditions.
If you require any assistance with completing your registration, please contact Co-curricular Administration at ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or on +61 2 9497 7848
Sally Davidson
Head of Co-curricular Administration
From the Co-curricular Sports Team
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
Artistic Gymnastics
State Club Team Championships
Huge congratulations to all our gymnasts who competed in the State Club Team Championships over the weekend! Our National Level 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 gymnasts all competed against other clubs from across the state, allowing them to showcase their skills and talents in a team format.
Level 5 Team 1 – Alice Liu (Year 6), Jacinta Ngo (Year 8), Hayley Nguyen (Year 6), Autumn Wang (Year 7), Summer Zhou (Year 7), Miranda Wu (Year 7)
1st Beam
2nd Floor
3rd Bars
7th Vault
Level 5 Team 2 – Sophie Ahn (Year 6), Ava Azizmohammed (Year 5), Isabella Niu (Year 6), Rayna Wang (Year 4), Lia Sloane (Year 4)
2nd Beam
8th Floor
8th Bars
9th Vault
Level 6 Team – Claire Ni (Year 7), Stella Pieterse (Year 7), Sydney Zhou (Year 7)
2nd Floor
4th Vault
5th Beam
7th Bars
Level 7 Team – Sasha Clark (Year 10), Rose Purcell (Year 8), Gabriella Sheh (Year 9), Mahika Swamy (Year 10), Anna Wang (Year 6), Holly Graham (Year 10)
2nd Floor
3rd Vault
4th Bars
4th Beam
Level 8 Team – Aimee Yap (Year 8) (plus other gymnasts as part of a mixed team with other clubs)
4th Floor
6th Beam
6th Vault
7th Bars
Level 9 Team – Siobhan Hsu (Year 10) (plus other gymnasts as part of a mixed team with other clubs)
1st Floor
2nd Vault
3rd Bars
3rd Beam
Vanessa Clyne
Acting Head Coach – Artistic Gymnastics
Hockey
igsa Hockey Competition – Semi-finals
As we lead into semi-finals this week, we congratulate all teams on their efforts this season. Well done to Pymble 2 and Pymble 4 on their final placing this season. Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork have truly shone through, and it has been inspiring to witness your growth and development over the course of the season.
We wish all teams the best of luck as they approach finals, and we can’t wait to cheer you all on!
Pymble 1 3rd
Pymble 2 7th (final placing)
Pymble 3 4th
Pymble 4 5th (final placing)
Pymble 5 5th
Pymble 6 2nd
Team of the Week – Round 7
A big shout out goes to Pymble 2 being team of the week! Your performance in the last game was nothing short of spectacular, and it’s clear that you all truly earned that win. The way you all played together, supported one another and showcased your talent was amazing.
See below Round 7 results:
Team
Opponent
Result
Pymble 1
Ascham 1
5 to 1 Win
Pymble 2
Santa Sabina 1
2 to 0 Win
Pymble 3
St Scholastica 2
1 to 1 Draw
Pymble 4
St Scholastica 3
2 to 2 Draw
Pymble 5
Loreto Normanhurst 4
3 to 1 Win
Pymble 6
Ascham 9
3 to 0 Win
Congratulations to the following students who were awarded best and fairest for their match in Round 7!
Pymble 1 – Isabelle Johnston (Year 11)
Pymble 2 – Carolina Yemma (Year 12)
Pymble 3 – Harriet McLean (Year 12)
Pymble 4 – Whole Team
Pymble 5 – Emma Scott (Year 8)
Pymble 6 – Whole Team
Shellie Davis
Co-ordinator – Hockey
Junior School Sports
Junior School Sport Team of the Week
Congratulations to the students who competed in the National Interschools Snowsports Championships at Perisher last week. Once again, we had some remarkable performances, from all our Kindergarten to Year 6 Athletes. As a result, our girls were crowned Primary Female Overall National Champion School for the first time ever. A truly amazing results which has earnt you this week’s Junior School Sport Team of the Week
Please visit the Snowsports section of the Co-curricular newsletter for a comprehensive report and full results of the event.
NSWCIS Athletics
Congratulations to the students who competed at the NSWCIS Athletics Carnival last week:
Florence Cheng (Year 6)
8th 100m
4th 200m
Chloe Haung (Year 4)
9th 100m
13th 200m
Isabelle Lau (Year 5)
11th 800m
Claudia Birrell (Year 5)
7th High Jump
7th Long Jump
NSW Futsal
Congratulations to our representative Futsal team who competed at the State Futsal Championships last week. Although the girls were knocked out in the quarter finals, you all should be proud of the getting that far in competition, and the level of skill you all displayed throughout the whole tournament. Well done girls.
Matt Tyson
Head of Sport – Kindergarten to Year 6
Netball
igsa Netball – Round 7
Congratulations on such an incredible season! Out of our 26 teams, we have a phenomenal 17 progressing to the semi-finals this weekend. This achievement is HUGE and serves as a massive testament to the hard work and dedication you have all shown throughout the season!
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved this season. Your commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship have made this season one to remember, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you.
As we look forward to an exciting weekend of semi-final matches, let’s rally together and support our teams. Your spirit and enthusiasm make all the difference!
We can’t wait to see you all returning in 2025 for what promises to be another fantastic season. Until then, enjoy the finals!
See below round 7 results:
Team
Opponent
Result
Pymble 1
PLC Sydney 1
38 to 34
Pymble 2
Abbotsleigh 1
23 to 22
Pymble 3
PLC Sydney 2
24 to 22
Pymble 4
Ravenswood 3
18 to 9
Pymble 5
SCEGGS 3
10 to 30
Pymble 6
Wenona 5
16 to 14
Pymble 7
PLC Sydney 5
20 to 5
Pymble 8
Tara 3
39 to 12
Pymble 9
Ascham 5
23 to 18
Pymble 10
Wenona 9
20 to 15
Pymble 11
Wenona 10
18 to 7
Pymble 12
Roseville 10
32 to 18
Pymble 13
SCEGGS 7
10 to 25
Pymble 14
Danebank 2
24 to 27
Pymble 15
Ravenswood 12
20 to 25
Pymble 16
Ravenswood 14
13 to 18
Pymble 17
Danebank 3
24 to 11
Pymble 18
Ravenswood 17
10 to 23
Pymble 19
Loreto Normanhurst 21
11 to 7
Pymble 20
Abbotsleigh 28
15 to 13
Pymble 21
Ascham 13
43 to 14
Pymble 22
Loreto Normanhurst 23
18 to 7
Pymble 23
Abbotsleigh 31
20 to 3
Pymble 24
PLC Sydney 24
18 to 1
Pymble 25
Ravenswood 23
10 to 10
Pymble 26
Abbotsleigh 36
7 to 15
Megan O’Keeffe
Head Coach – Netball
Snowsports
National Interschools Snowsports Championships
A huge congratulations to the 26 Pymble students who participated in the National Interschools Snowsports Championships at Perisher last week, where the best Snowsports talent from across Australia came together. During the six-day event, our Pymble students showcased remarkable commitment, dedication, and teamwork, reinforcing Pymble’s strong presence at the championships.
In the Junior School, our students truly excelled with six podium finishes! We would like to extend special recognition to Evelyn Zhi (Year 3) who achieved second place in Ski Cross, and Michelle Zhang (Year 2) who also secured second place in Alpine. Thanks to the contributions of our Junior School students and their families, Pymble was named the Primary Female Overall Champion School for the first time in the history of Pymble Snowsports nationals!
In the Secondary School, our girls achieved remarkable results. The secondary campaign began strongly, despite a tough day on the cross-country track where they contended with icy and windy conditions. However, our girls demonstrated their determination and delivered outstanding performances. Notably, we would like to highlight our Division 2 Alpine competitors Arabella Wheatley (Year 10), Allegra Taubenschlag (Year 9), and Zara Tang (Year 10) whose event faced a four-hour delay due to snow conditions on the final competition day. The resilience and perseverance displayed by these girls in the face of uncertainty and challenging circumstances were exceptional, finishing with an impressive fourth place as a team.
A special mention also goes to the Braysich and Clifford families, who have officially concluded their journey with Interschools after over ten years of involvement, with Alessandra Braysich (Year 12) and Olivia Clifford (Year 12) competing for the final time for Pymble.
We keep an eye out for Hilary Eyers (Year 7) who has been selected into the Snow Australia FUTURES Moguls program held in Perisher. Moguls FUTURES is a talent ID and skill development initiative delivered by Snow Australia with the support of the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) and the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) athletes and coaches. Hilary will have the opportunity to train for a day at Perisher with NSWIS and OWIA athletes under the guidance of Snow Australia’s pathway program coaches. This is an incredible opportunity for Hilary, and we look forward to seeing what the future has installed!
Now that the season has wrapped up, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all families involved in Snowsports, from regionals up to nationals. Your time, dedication, and support for the program and our students have been extraordinary, and we are excited to see what 2025 will bring!
See below for full results from Nationals:
Alpine
Division 1
Alessandra Braysich (Year 12) 7th
Olivia Clifford (Year 12) 30th
Division 2 – Team 4th
Arabella Wheatley (Year 10) 14th
Allegra Taubenschlag (Year 9) 31st
Zara Tang (Year 10) 37th
Division 3 – Team 6th
Hilary Eyers (Year 7) 11th
Aurora Zhang (Year 8) 21st
Eloise Gavagna (Year 7) 40th
Bella Xu (Year 7) 47th
Division 5 – Team 2nd
Evelyn Zhu (Year 3) 6th
Tina Wang (Year 4) 17th
Kimberly Zhao (Year 4) 33rd
Division 6 – Team 1st
Michelle Zhang (Year 2) 2nd
Eno Lin (Year 2) 10th
Clover Gong (Year 2) 21st Makayla Cui (Year 2) Disqualified
Moguls
Division 3
Hilary Eyers (Year 7) 10th
Division 4
Christina Yang (Year 5) 28th
Division 5 – Team 3rd
Kimberly Zhao (Year 4) 9th
Evelyn Zhu (Year 3) 11th
Ski Cross
Division 1
Alessandra Braysich (Year 12) 13th
Division 2 – Team 5th
Arabella Wheatley (Year 10) 10th
Allegra Taubenschlag (Year 9) 28th
Zara Tang (Year 10) 39th
Division 3
Hilary Eyers (Year 7) 18th
Division 4
Christina Yang (Year 5) 38th
Division 5 – Team 1st
Evelyn Zhu (Year 3) 2nd
Tina Wang (Year 4) 13th
Kimberley Zhao (Year 4) 33rd
Division 6 – Team 2nd
Makayla Cui (Year 2) 8th
Michelle Zhang (Year 2) 10th
Eno Lin (Year 2) 12th
Clover Gong (Year 2) 40th
Dorothy Zhao (Year 1) 51st
Evelyn Sang (Year 2) 52nd
Snowboard GS
Division 1
Esther Essey (Year 11) 23rd
Division 4 – Team 9th
Christina Yang (Year 5) 31st
Ellie He (Year 5) 33rd
Bella Geng-Yang (Year 5) 39th
Division 5 – Team 3rd
Michelle Zhang (Year 2) 11th
Makayla Cui (Year 2) 13th
Eno Lin (Year 2) Disqualified
Snowboard Cross
Division 4 – Team 9th
Ellie He (Year 5) 30th
Christina Yang (Year 5) 33rd
Bella Geng-Yang (Year 5) 35th
Division 5 – Team 4th
Michelle Zhang (Year 2) 9th
Eno Lin (Year 2) 15th
Makayla Cui (Year 2) 16th
Cross Country Classic
Division 1 – Team 5th
Olivia Clifford (Year 12) 14th
Alessandra Braysich (Year 12) 16th
Esther Essey (Year 11) 20th
Division 3
Aurora Zhang (Year 8) 14th
Division 4
Anna Smart (Year 6) 30th
Division 5
Evelyn Zhu (Year 3) 32nd
XC Relay
Division 1 – 4th
Olivia Clifford (Year 12)
Esther Essey (Year 11)
Alessandra Braysich (Year 12)
Division 3 – 5th
Aurora Zhang (Year 8)
Hilary Eyers (Year 7)
Eloise Gavagna (Year 7)
Megan O’Keeffe
Co-ordinator – Snowsports
Swimming
Junior State Short-Course Championships
Over the weekend of Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September, our Junior Pymble girls competed at the 2024 Junior State Short-Course Championship at Sydney Olympic Park. Junior State is the highest level of competition for our junior swimmers, offering them the chance to compete against some of the fastest swimmers in NSW. The atmosphere was electric, with our team cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.
Our girls have been training hard in preparation for this meet, and their performances were a testament to their respect, discipline, and well-executed race strategies. Pymble qualified 10 girls for a total of 27 events and three relays, achieving 19 personal bests and five top 10 finishes, including a silver medal for Olivia Yu (Year 4) in the 50m Breaststroke.
Top 10 Individual Results
Georgia Friedel (Year 7)
10th 50m Freestyle
10th 50m Backstroke
10th 100m Backstroke
Penelope Hargraves (Year 7)
8th 50m Butterfly
Sissi Ko (Year 6)
8th 50m Breaststroke
Top 3 Relay Results
Silver 4x50m Medley Relay (11 to 12 years) Georgia Friedel (Year 7), Jade Mao (Year 7), Penelope Hargraves (Year 7), Crystal Li (Year 4)
Congratulations to the above girls as well Amélie Berg (Year 5), Yuxi Lun (Year 4), and Oriana Fenton (Year 7) who represented Pymble at the Junior State Championship. A big thank you to all our supportive parents for being there throughout the weekend and to coaches Michelle and Steven for their support to me and the team at the championships.
Sara Petronzio
Swimming Coach
Taekwondo
All Schools Taekwondo Tournament
Over the weekend, students from the Junior School and Secondary School competed at the 2024 All School Taekwondo Tournament for Pymble. This was the Junior School students’ first championship.
Congratulations to Olivia Graham (Year 11), Elizabeth Beveridge (Year 12), and Yoyo Wu (Year 4) who placed first in their age groups. Additionally, congratulations to Katie Shen (Year 5) for placing second and Jessie Leung (Year 7) and Keira Ho (Year 3) for placing third in their age groups.
Special mention to Elizabeth and Olivia who not only competed but also coached some of the Junior School students.
Congratulations to all the students. They displayed great sportsmanship and deserve commendation for their efforts.
Samantha Dale
Co-ordinator – Taekwondo
Water Polo
MLC and Northern Suburbs Competitions
Congratulations to the Pymble opens water polo team, who, on Friday 6 September in an exhilarating semi-final clash, secured a place in the MLC Competition final with a 13 to 4 victory over Ravenswood. The game was a great display of skill, strategy, and determination.
Congratulations also to our Pymble Year 7 team who played their last round game of the Northern Suburbs Competition on Friday 6 September, securing a win 5 to 1 against St Lukes Grammar. Great Pymble spirit and teamwork throughout the game.
Both teams will play this Friday 13 September, our opens team in the GOLD medal match and our Year 7 team playing for BRONZE!
Best of luck to both teams! GO PYMBLE!
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
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Language Arts
Debating
Archdale Debating – Shield and Invitational
Thank you to all Archdale Debaters for their dedication this past preliminary season. Our Year 7A and Year 9 teams were unfortunately knocked out in the semi-finals last week.
Congratulations to our Invitational Intermediate team who competed in the grand final on Tuesday 10 September. They were declared runners up.
Archdale Representative team
Congratulations to Kitty He (Year 10), Maya Garg (Year 11), and Amy Zhang (Year 11) who were selected for this prestigious team. Pymble debaters make up one quarter of the team! Enjoy the season girls. Pymble will host an Archdale representative round in the library on Monday 16 September from 5.30 to 8.00pm
Further Opportunities – Speakers’ Corner
Our Pymble debaters across all years have met with much success in the competitions offered through Speakers’ Corner. Alice Mao (Year 10) and Amy Zhang (Year 11) travelled to England earlier this year to compete in the finals at Cambridge, and some of our junior debaters have met with similar success in additional competitions. If you wish to provide further debating opportunities for your daughter, the following may be of interest.
Cambridge Schools Debating 2024 to 2025
Cambridge Schools Debating 2024 to 2025 will launch on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October in Sydney, like at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview. It will run from approximately 9.00am to 5.30pm both days. The competition will use the British Parliamentary style of debating, with 15 minutes of preparation time and Points of Information.
The cost is $220.00 per person. Speakers’ Corner will offer supervision and school staff will not attend. The competition is open to any student from Year 7 to 11. Winning teams will be invited to compete in Cambridge, UK, in March 2025.
Click here to register. The links to make payment are within the registration form. Optional training sessions will be held via Zoom in the weeks prior to the competition. Registration for the sessions is via the competition registration form, with a cost of $30.00 per session.
2024 Australian Schools Open
The 2024 Australian Schools Open is the first national in-person debating competition for schools. The winners will be the inaugural Australian Schools Debating Champions. This competition will take place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September in Sydney, likely at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview. It will run from approximately 9.00am to 5.30pm both days. The competition will use the Australian 3v3 style of debating, with 30 minutes of preparation time.
The cost is $220.00 per person. Speakers’ Corner will offer supervision and school staff will not attend. Team members do not have to be from the same school. The competition is open to any student from Year 7 to 12.
Click here to register. The links to make payment are within the registration form. The deadline for registration is Saturday 14 September. Optional training sessions will be held via Zoom in the weeks prior to the competition. Registration for the sessions is via the competition registration form, with a cost of $30.00 per session.
Debating Notes
Debating Bootcamp – The Language Arts High Level Debating Bootcamp continues this Friday after school. A continued thanks to Maya Garg (Year 11), State Debating representative, and the Language Arts Captains for this initiative. Girls are on a steep learning curve!
IDC Debating – Term 4 – Teams will be released in the forthcoming weeks. Please ensure all registrations have been completed. We currently have 12 IDC teams ready to take on the world in international debating!
Absences – Debaters must inform Mrs Hubbard, their coach, and team, in advance if they will be absent for a debating round. We do not forfeit, and substitutes can be arranged.
Public Speaking
UN Voice Registrations
Pymble will host a UN Voice of Youth heat on Monday 14 October. In 2022, Jenny Xu (Year 11) was the national winner. Last year, Isis Li (Year 9) was the national runner up. This is a wonderful competition and is open to all. In the first instance, please email our incoming Public Speaking Captain, Jenny Xu at JIXu@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au to register interest. Please use UN Voice interest as the subject heading. Please copy Mrs Hubbard bhubbard@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au and Co-curricular Administration ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au into the email. You will then be invited to a workshop run by past winners, and registrations will be completed through Co-curricular Administration.
Junior Secondary School Speaking Award (JSSA)
Congratulations to Estelle Lee (Year 8) who competed in the JSSA regional round, which was held at The Arts’ Centre, Lewisham, on Tuesday 3 September. Estelle spoke well but unfortunately only one student was promoted to the state round. Well done Estelle!
Model United Nations (MUN)
Further Opportunities – UN Youth Junior Leadership Summit 2024
Junior Leadership Summit is a two-day non-residential conference for students in Years 7 and 8 taking place at the University of Technology, Sydney, on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September. Delegates will participate in thematic workshops based around a set theme and will enhance their communication, advocacy, and leadership skills through structured skills workshops. Assisting the development of these skills will be influential and inspiring guest speakers who will share their wisdom with the delegates. Pymble staff will not attend; however UN Youth staff will be present.
Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) have progressed to the Evatt National final and will represent NSW at the National finals during the upcoming summer holidays.
UN Negotiations
Well done to our negotiators who competed in the first of their two preliminary rounds and are awaiting their second scenario.
57th Session of THIMUN – The Hague, January 2025
The Pymble Language Arts International Tour group have been accepted as the first Australian school to attend THIMUN at The Hague. Sixteen Language Arts students and three teachers will depart Sydney on Friday 17 January and travellers will commence Term 1 2025 on Monday 3 February. We are excited for this wonderful travel experience!
Mock Law
Mediation
Congratulations to our Mock Mediators and coaches! The team was awarded 94/100 in last weeks mediation semi-final. Congratulations on your progression to the grand final. Details to follow.
Mock Trial
Pymble hosted Ravenswood on Monday 2 September for the second elimination round. Pymble unfortunately lost this Trial. Well done team and coach on a great season!
Festival of Speech
The annual Festival of Speech will be held at MLC Burwood this year on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October. A Pymble representative team will be formed over the coming weeks.and Saturday 26 October. A Pymble representative team will be formed over the coming weeks.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Co-curricular Language Arts
Music
Congratulations
Vivian Li (Year 5) – Grade 1 Musicianship – High Distinction A+
Zara Sandham (Year 8) – Grade 2 Musicianship – High Distinction A+
Grace Yu (Year 2) – Ryde Eisteddfod results
1st place – 7 years piano solo
1st place – 8 years piano solo
3rd place – Open String Grade 4
Year 12 Music 1, Music 2, and Extension students
Weeks 8 and 9 are a nervous time as the performance strand of both Music courses for the HSC are taking place. Every day for the last year, the performing arts staffroom has been serenaded with all sorts of music, from singing to tuba, from piano to saxophone, and each week we have heard the improvements of our students.
We all wish them the very best of luck, but we know that their preparations are all they need. As musicians, you cannot cram the night before. For many of these students, they began learning when they were four years old, and now, 14 years later, they have reached their pinnacle. It is through sheer determination and grit that these students have succeeded.
Girls, you go with our blessings and very best wishes for whatever the future brings for you. Each of you will be missed more than you know – so please come and visit.
Garden Party – Saturday 21 September
Please see the portal for information about times for the Garden Party and read below. Times and venues are listed here; however, details about arrival times are on the portal notification.
Ensemble
Venue
Approximate Times (TBC)
Clarinet Ensemble
GMCPA Foyer
11.00am to 11.15am
Flute Ensemble
GMCPA Foyer
11.20am to 11.35am
Piccoline Choir
Music Gallery
11.30am to 12.00pm
Pizzicato Strings
Music Gallery
11.30am to 12.00pm
Junior Jazz Band
Music Colonnade
12.45pm to 1.05pm
Secondary Jazz Ensemble
Music Colonnade
1.10pm to 1.25pm
Brass Ensemble
Butterfly
1.25pm to 1.40pm
Tour Stage Band
Music Colonnade
1.40pm to 2.00pm
Grainger Band
Chapel Court
2.05pm to 2.25pm
Stanhope Band
Chapel Court
2.30pm to 2.45pm
Year 4 Band
Chapel Court
2.50pm to 3.00pm
Music Tour 2024
A reminder that the final instalment is now OVERDUE. Please see email from the Travel team and make your final payment through the appropriate channels.
Please remember to ensure you have all the correct items to go with your instrument: reeds, valve oil, mutes, strings etc. We will not be supplying any and the responsibility of any replacement of those miscellaneous items will lie with the student.
Rehearsals for the remaining times are COMPULSORY, unless sick. We have much to get through and many students are not doing enough individual practice. I remind the girls each week that we are only as strong as our weakest link… make the weak link STRONG!!! Please ask your daughter to show you the repertoire, or better still, play it for you.
There will be no rehearsal on the last day of Term 3, Friday 27 September.
Please note that photographs for the brochure will be taken on Friday 18 October. Girls will need to have their performance blacks with correct shoes (not school shoes) for this please. These photos will take place during rehearsal times.
For Sale – Selmer Paris Series III Tenor Sax
If you are interested in purchasing a mint condition Selmer tenor sax, please see the information and pictures below, and contact Sarah Turner on sturner@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Sarah Turner
Head of Music
Speech and Drama
An End to the Eisteddfod Season
An End to the Eisteddfod Season
The Ryde Eisteddfod concluded last weekend with the Junior and Senior Scholarship events. We congratulate all the senior performers, and we know that they gained valuable experience by preparing creative, meaningful performances and by developing their talent and skill in collaborative ways with their peers.
We can’t wait to welcome you to our Pymble campus on Saturday 21 September from 10.00am to 3.00pm for our biggest event of the year.
Open to the whole community, our fete will have rides, food and market stalls, demonstrations, live music, competitions and more!
Funds raised at this year’s Garden Party will go to the Barbara May Foundation and Sony Foundation.
As parking will be limited on the day, we recommend families catch the train to Pymble Station from where our campus is only a short five-minute walk away.
We look forward to welcoming students, their families and members of the public for a day full of fun, all while supporting a good cause!
Pre-order your Unlimited Rides Pass!
We are delighted to invite the College community to celebrate all things Pymble at our annual Garden Party on Saturday 21 September.
The Unlimited Rides Pass allows you to go on as many rides as you would like at Garden Party 2024 between 10.00am and 3.00pm. This is great value for money and is sure to keep the young ones entertained over the course of the day.
This year there are two options based on a child’s height:
Unlimited Rides Pass for children 130cm and over – Cost: $45
Unlimited Rides Pass for children under 130cm – Cost: $35
Each pass provides unlimited access on any ride or activity where the minimum height/age requirement is met:
The Superhero Ride (130cm and over)
The Round Up (120cm and over)
The Whirlwind (110cm and over)
Storm Ride (110cm and over)
Cup & Saucer (Two years and over)
Swinging Pirate Ship
Turbo Flyers
Giant Slide
Inflatables
Order now: Click here to pre-order your Unlimited Rides Pass.
Registrations close: Thursday 19 September 2024
Enquiries: Please contact the Rides Convenor, Sangeeta Venkatesan at sangeeta.venkatesan@gmail.com
Click here for more details on Pymble Ladies’ College Garden Party 2024. We look forward to seeing you there!
Can you help out at Garden Party?
Japanese Food Stall
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Japanese Food Stall at Garden Party. If you have a passion for Japanese cuisine or simply want to lend a hand, your help would be greatly appreciated, even if you can only spare an hour or two on the day.
Please contact takako.davison@gmail.com or events@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you are able to assist.
Pymble Parent Association (PPA) Barbecue
We are looking for parents or staff members who are willing to help out for an hour at the PPA Barbecue either cooking the sausages, serving the sausages or handling payments.
If you can lend a hand, please click here to sign up.
Second-Hand Uniform Stall
The Pymble Parents’ Association (PPA) Second-Hand Uniform Stall is returning to Garden Party in 2024!
Drop-off collections start on Monday 2 September and run until Wednesday 18 September. Please bring your pre-loved uniforms (except socks and tights) to the Centenary Car Park (Gate 3) between 7.30am and 8.30am, and 2.30pm to 3.30 pm. Your donations will help make this year’s stall a success!
Uniform Donations Details
DatesMonday 2 September to Wednesday 18 September 2024
Where Drop-Off Zone in the Centenary Car Park (entry via Gate 3)
Time 7.30am to 8.30am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Thank you in advance for your help in making this year’s stall the best yet!
Cake Stall
Pymble is hosting its annual Garden Party on Saturday 21 September and the Cake Stall is always a highlight of the day. All funds raised are donated to the Garden Party charities – the Barbara May Foundation and Sony Camp Australia.
You can help in two ways by:
Baking delicious cakes, biscuits, slices and treats for sale.
Assisting on the stall during the day.
The stall caters to a broad range of customers from those wanting a delicious on-the-go snack to keep up their energy levels, to those looking to take home a cake, tart or pie for a special occasion. All baked goods are welcome!
The cakes and baked goods can be dropped off at the stall in the foyer of the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) on the day of the Garden Party from 7.30am.
We also need volunteers to man the stall and sell the delicious treats throughout the day. If you can help at the stall for an hour, please register here.
Thank you, as always, for your support.
Cake and Cake Box Decorating
With the theme of Enchanted Garden, students from Kindergarten to Year 12, parents and families are invited to bake and/or create their most creative cake and/or cake box! Any size, shape and skill level is welcome to enter, and you can submit multiple entries should you wish.
