Each year it gets a little harder to ignore International Women’s Day (IWD) if it’s not your thing. At an individual and organisational level, supporters are employing increasingly diverse, creative and visible ways to inspire meaningful conversations about inequities for women that still need addressing and, ultimately, action towards gender equity.
Pymble has engaged in IWD events and initiatives for many years, however, this year we have taken a few big, bold steps outside our classrooms and campus to encourage change where it will count for our girls in the future. Stepping out of your lane is not always a comfortable experience. We have intentionally done so to send a strong message to businesses and organisations that our girls expect an equal playing field, and we do this with the understanding that any feelings of discomfort are a sign that we are learning new things and that tides are turning. For as any changemaker knows, continuing to do the same thing that always makes you feel comfortable is unlikely to have any real impact.
It’s our time. Watch us change the world.
In partnership with the Australian Financial Review, we have created a magazine for the business world celebrating the unique strengths and skills of incredible female role models, Pymble girls and alumni.
We launched a campaign called Chairs for Change encouraging corporate Australia to remove gender associations from the title of the highest office in business by changing Chairman to Chair. I’m delighted this has gone global, with companies all over the world signing up.
We released a new Speaking of Change podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify featuring the ridiculously inspirational triple athlete and Pymble ex-student Chloe Dalton, who is blazing trails for female athletes.
To follow up, in assembly next week, I will speak about the importance of “leaving a ladder” for other girls and young women. Actual ladders, intentionally painted in inclusive colours, will be placed strategically around the school to encourage girls to climb, take photos and reflect on how they can support new or other students, or perhaps the year group that will follow them. The message being that we can all do something to lead those who come behind us or to lift others up and enable them to step more confidently into their next space.
Others are also trying creative and innovative ways to disrupt norms. Three of the more interesting approaches we’ve seen this week include toy company Mattel launching a Barbie role model in the image of the black 54-year-old space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a British publisher releasing a book based on ‘rebel’ Olympic swimmer Mina Wiley (yes, of Wylie House fame!), and a number of sporting organisations backing a global movement to correct the internet to reduce gender bias on the internet by ensuring sporting statistics reflect women’s achievements, alongside that of men’s.
IWD is undeniably “our thing” at Pymble. Each IWD – in fact, oftentimes throughout the year – our students and staff put a great deal of thought into areas of life where they see inequities for girls and women and where they feel a genuine desire to change that story. Our Social Justice Festival on Wednesday was a great example of our changemakers in action, with Pymble students hosting stalls for their peers and fellow Uniting Church Australia school students to visit and explore how they can be active supporters of a wide range of human rights issues and inequities in society. Congratulations to our Chaplains, Rev Lorenzo Rodriguez Torres and Rev Punam Bent, our Head of Religion and Ethics, Edwina O’ Brien, and all students involved in creating such an engaging and action-inspiring opportunity.
Our staff are passionate about delivering educational excellence at the College and, equally importantly, setting our students up for life beyond Pymble as compassionate and influential young women. This has always been the mission of the College and it always will be.
However, setting our girls up for life sometimes necessitates working beyond the gates of the College in unconventional ways. IWD and reams of associated research reminds us that, despite having made some gains in gender equity over the years, the world of work is not as ready for our girls as we would like it to be. Women are still under-represented in burgeoning STEM industries, underpaid compared to their male counterparts and overlooked at critical points in career pathways. It’s time to use our influence, as well as the influence of outside supporters, to actively support and promote advancements in these areas for the girls and women in our community and more broadly.
#It’sOurTime #WatchUsChangeTheWorld
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Today we celebrated our love of reading with a shared reading hour to support Australian Reading Hour. A huge shout out to our amazing library team, Mrs Josephine Laretive, Mrs Martha Itzcovitz, Mrs Sarah Colquhoun and Mrs Stephanie Recchia, for leading this experience for our Junior School girls. During that hour, which we called ‘Literature on the Lawn’, each girl and staff member sat and enjoyed immersing themselves in a book. I was lucky enough to read Alpacas with Maracas by Matt Cosgrove to Year 1. We had members of the Executive reading to the girls including Deputy Principal, Ms Lamia Rockwell sharing a French story, Reverend Lorenzo Rodriguez Torres sharing a Spanish story and many others.
As we spotlight on the joy and power of literature this week, I am delighted to share a video created by Madame Claire Wall, Mrs Anna To, Señora Michelle Belle, Mr Jake Turnbull and me to celebrate the richness of diversity of language in our Junior School and to help our girls build their understanding of the many different feelings we all have in any one day. Please click on this link to enjoy this video reading of The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas.
As we continue our focus on being kind to ourselves, I am keen to work with you, and our girls, to foster their sense of personal strength. Over the last week, I have heard some of our amazing girls begin to question themselves and I am keen to work in partnership with you to ensure each of our girls celebrates who she is, how she looks, and how she learns.
Celebrating self to build flourishing learners
Each of us are different; unless we are an identical twin. We look different to everyone else, we have different family stories, different ways of thinking, different strengths and different areas for growth. Comparing ourselves to others can be very negative to our personal growth.
Self-esteem and positive body image are strengths we want to equip our girls with. Sometimes girls question themselves and compare themselves to others and do so with a critical voice about themselves. It’s important we help our girls speak to themselves with a kind voice to themselves, particularly about their physical appearance.
Our bodies are amazing! We can all do phenomenal things with our bodies, things we often take for granted and forget to be grateful for. I am tall, which means I can often reach things on high shelves that others can’t. Having long legs means I can walk quickly around the campus to connect with lots of people in any one day. Yet as a child I often hated being tall and wanted to be petite like my close friend, Amanda…who wanted to be tall like me!
This week a group of Year 6 girls will share ideas at our K-2 assembly to showcase the things about their bodies that are strong and therefore something they celebrate. Thank you to Molly Hardiman, Olivia Hicks-Duncombe, Marley Titley, Selina Jiang and Jessica Pickford for being relationship leaders and sharing your thoughts and helping to teach our kindness messages with our K-2 girls in their assemblies. This week these girls will share these messages about their amazing selves as we focus on body celebration in our assembly:
As parents, carers and educators we are powerful role models for our girls and so it’s important we model the skills, strengths and self worth we want to build in our girls. As a child, I remember being told at school that I was a ‘good girl’ or, on perhaps too frequent occasions, that I was a ‘naughty girl’ when I did something my teachers were not happy with! Perhaps you remember similar comments from your childhood or schooling? Whilst these comments may seem insignificant to us as adults, comments like this can sit deeply within a child’s heart and impact the way she sees herself and feels about herself. A child who doesn’t see her worth is unlikely to connect fully with her learning. She is unlikely to want to take risks in her learning and this will impact her ability to succeed as a learner.
Within our Junior School we focus on labelling a child’s behaviourchoices as positive or negative, rather than labelling the child herself. Instead of labelling a child as bad or naughty when they do or say something we feel is wrong – a less harmful approach is to help a child understand they are always valued and loveable but sometimes they make bad choices, use inappropriate words or engage in inappropriate behaviours.
Perhaps as a child, when your parents were upset with your behaviour you may have heard them say words like “what’s the matter with you?”, “will you ever learn?” when you made a mistake or forgot to bring home all your uniform. Judgments and criticisms like these can harm a child’s sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Children may feel that they are only worthy of love, conditional upon what they know, how they behave and what they say. When children feel that they have to ‘earn’ the right to be loved or to be worthy, then they don’t feel valued for who they are. When children don’t feel worthy as themselves, they tend to look outside themselves to find their value and can look for external praise, find it difficult to receive feedback without taking it personally and even find themselves engaging in negative self-talk like “I’m stupid…I’m worthless” – which further harms self-esteem.
How to Nurture Healthy Self-Esteem
Last weekend I read some practical articles written by Dr Rosina McAlpine, international researcher, educator and founder of the Win Win Parenting program. Dr McAlpine talks about the many ways to help your children develop healthy self-esteem which include:
Role-modelling good self-esteem by having unconditional care, respect and love for yourself and your child and saying positive things about yourself out loud so your child learns to do the same for herself.
Instead of encouraging your child to looking for praise and comparing herself to others, encouraging your child to look inside for their self-worth.
Avoid making hurtful and judgmental statements when frustrated by your daughter’s behaviour choices.
Questioning your child’s negative self-talk and help them to replace it with positive self-talk; explaining that making mistakes is simply part of the learning process as we grow up.
A message from Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics
Academic Opportunities
Throughout the year there will be opportunities for our Junior School girls to participate in various opportunities and competitions. They may have an academic focus, encourage passions and interests or develop leadership skills and may involve a whole year group or a small group of students. Set out below are some of the current opportunities for the girls.
OzKidsinPrint – Years K-6
Calling all budding writers, poets and artists who would like to see their work published!
K-6 girls are invited to submit short stories, artwork or poetry as part of the OzKids in Print Competition. Student work may be chosen to be printed in the OzKids magazine throughout the year or selected as an overall winner. Entries close September 2023. For more information please visit: https://ozkids.com.au Girls are asked to submit work to Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School –Academics, who will upload work on behalf of students.
National History Challenge – Years 4-6
The National History Challenge is a research based competition for Australian students. The 2023 theme for the challenge is “Change and Continuity”. There are 8 special categories students can enter: Australia’s Wartime Experiences, Democracy Matters, History of Sport, Indigenous History, Australian Women’s History, Using Primary Sources, Asia and Australia and Museum Exhibit. The theme “Change and Continuity” needs to be incorporated in the special category entry.
Entries are to be submitted online before 25 August 2023. If your daughter is interested in undertaking research work as a historian, please email Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics at lbird@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Around the Grounds: Kindergarten to Year 3 – Mrs Kate Giles, Lead Co-ordinator K-3
In Mathematics this week in Kindergarten to Year 2 the girls have been exploring combining and separating quantities. Lessons start with a fun number warm up such as choral counting, skip counting or games like dice champion designed to build number sense and confidence in Mathematics so the girls are happy to take risks and have a go in their learning.
Kindergarten
This week Kindergarten have been exploring combining quantities. They have been asking the question ‘what is addition’ and then putting together groups of objects to count them. The girls loved finding their own different items to combine and add together like counters, pom poms, animals and even playdough.
“My favourite thing in maths is counting.” – Eliza
“I like Maths because numbers are fun. I love counting and playing warm up games like snap.” – Ava
“I love doing numbers because it is very challenging. My favourite thing is working out a missing number.” – Claudia
Year 1
Year 1 have been focusing on separating quantities with subtraction. They have been using concrete materials such as dice and counters to make numbers, used known facts such as friends of 10 to solve problems and using a number line to subtract smaller numbers from larger numbers.
“I love Mathematics because I like counting to high numbers. I learned that I can count to 2000!” – Charlotte
” I like making mistakes in Maths because that is how I learn and get better.” – Penelope
“I loved doing the spicy challenges in Maths. I now know my friends of 20.”- Grace
“My favourite thing in Maths this week was adding and subtracting using counters as they helped me and were fun.” – Evelyn
Year 2
This week Year 2 have been building on their friends of ten understanding from Year 1 and exploring friends of 20. They have used a variety of different strategies to solve both addition and subtraction problems such as their understanding of fact families and turnaround facts. They have grown their skills and understanding of the jump strategy to add and subtract larger numbers on a number line and the split strategy, using their understanding of place value to add and subtract.
Year 3
Year 3 have focused on multiplication and division, using different strategies such as doubling, halving and creating arrays to solve multiplication problems. The girls have enjoyed challenging themselves to explain their thinking and reasoning when given a number of counters and finding the number of different equal groups they could and explaining the difference between 3 rows of 4 and 4 rows of 3 in an array.
“Maths is all around you, no matter what. You can find maths in telling the time, cooking and I love measuring things.” – Sienna
“I love practising my turnaround facts with Division and Multiplication as I know I am getting better.”- Olivia
“My favourite thing in maths is playing fun games that help us learn like dice champion.” – Jianing
Around the Grounds: Years 4 to 6 – Mrs Jayne Mercer, Lead Co-ordinator 4-6
Year 4
Over the last two weeks, Year 4 have been focusing on the topics of addition and subtraction, in particular looking at the mental strategies that can be used to quickly solve problems. They have looked at strategies such as bridging to 10, using facts about doubles and near doubles as well as the jump and split strategies. Using this knowledge they then applied their understanding to real life word problems, including problems using money.
“I like addition and working with measurement because it shows me how to use math in every day life.” – Mia
“I like to count money and work out the change because I can use it at the shops and it helps me to problem solve.” – Stephanie
“I like how Maths stretches my brain and challenges me. I enjoy working I groups, doing puzzle and the number warm up games.” – Divangi
Year 5
Last week Year 5 looked at the concept of measuring area, starting off their week with some puzzles in pairs from YouCubed – folding paper to change area sizes and justifying their choices to their partner. Moving on, students investigated the relationship between square metres and hectares before finishing up applying their understanding to a real world problem like designing a garden bed or resurfacing a school tennis court.
“Maths challenges me to think beyond what I already know and open myself up to understand what problems mean and how to work through them without being scared to solve a problem and get it wrong. In Mathematics it’s all about making mistakes and looking back through your work.” – Sarah
“I enjoy playing math games and I also like doing the maths starters because they are so fun and challenging.” – Mandy
“I like multiplication and decimals and I like maths because it works your brain.” – Peaches
Year 6
Daily warm up activities and games on ‘number sense’ have given students the opportunity to explore numbers, recognise patterns and make predictions. Over the last couple of weeks, the areas of whole number and addition and subtraction have been the focus for Year 6. Students have spent time looking at the importance of rounding numbers, calculating factors and multiples, identifying prime and composite numbers as well as the significance of the value of zero in a number.
Sustainability Club – Clean Up Australia (Pymble) Day!
On Friday 3 March, the Junior School Sustainability Club students from Years 1 to 6 stepped up to clean up for Clean Up Australia Day. These keen environmentalists spread out over the Pymble campus to help make our school environment free of rubbish. A successful day was had, with the girls inspired to clean up more areas around our community and organise for the whole Junior School to be involved next time. The Sustainability Club’s next initiative is to help improve our surroundings with an art competition to decorate the fencing around the construction site and a campaign to reduce food waste at school.
HARK Refugee Clinic
As part of the College focus on service, we will be supporting HARK Refugee Clinic at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. We are seeking donations of new stationery items to assist students at school. This could include lead or coloured pencils, pencil cases, pens, textas, exercise books, scissors and other small stationery items. These items can be brought to school by your daughter or dropped at the Junior School offices. If you have any questions, please email kgiles@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au. We thank you for helping support this initiative.
PJ Factor – Years 3-6 **CHANGE OF DATE **
In 2023, the annual Junior School PJ Factor will be held in Term 4 and will be in a different format. As part of the College Let’s Get Creative Day, students will have the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills for their peers. Dates and further information will be communicated to students in their Junior School PA/ Music lessons and via the College Newsletter.
Car line
Parents are reminded that parking along the LOWER Road is not permitted at any time. It is really important that we work together in our carline processes to ensure your daughters are safe. Please click on this carline safety video link
Please be aware that girls arriving before 7.45am must attend Out of School Hours Care.
Please do not arrive before 2.30pm in the afternoon. Girls are escorted to car line after the conclusion of the school day at 2.45pm (K-2) and 3.00pm (Years 3-6). Parents are reminded to remain in their car for the safety of both girls and adults and to assist with traffic flow. If you are delayed in collecting your daughter, she will be taken to Out of School Hours Care until your arrival.
Uniform and Appearance
All students are expected to wear their uniform correctly and with pride. Uniforms cannot be mixed with each season. Junior School has a strict ‘no hat no play policy’, please ensure your daughter has her bucket play hat at school every day. Please make sure that your daughter’s uniform is named.
Absent, Late Arrivals/Early Departures, Vacation
A reminder if you daughter is absent from school please enter your daughters absence through the MyPymble App or email Junior School Administration Office juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au . For any changes to your daughter’s travel, late/early arrivals please email the Administration Office.
Exemption from Attendance Application form can found on the portal, please ensure if your daughters is away for two days or more to complete the application form two weeks in advance from the start of your daughter’s absence.
Lost Property
Please ensure your daughters full name is clearly labelled on all items of clothing including socks, hats and lunch items so it can be quickly returned to your daughter if it is found.
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
Please join us for the Kindergarten class play date and a coffee catch-up!
Key Dates
Monday 6 March – Friday 17 March
Duckling Hatchlings visit Kindergarten girls
Tuesday 14 March
Year 4 Author Visit
Wednesday 15 March
Year 2 NSW Schoolhouse Museum Excursion
Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 March
NAPLAN – Years 3 and 5
Monday 20 March
Year 5 Author Visit
Monday 20 March
K-6 Learning Discussions – on campus 4.00pm to 8.00pm
Tuesday 21 March – Thursday 23 March
K-6 Learning Discussions (online 4.00pm to 6.00pm)
Tuesday 21 March – Friday 24 March
Inquisitive Minds Mathematics Workshops Years 1 to 6
Thursday 23 March
PPA New Parents High Tea 10.00am to 12.30pm
Friday 24 March
Year 6 Canberra Excursion
Kate Brown
Head of Junior School
From the Middle School
It has been another busy week in Middle School with our girls heading off in all directions to challenge themselves and have some fun along the way. Below I have asked a selection of students to share their firsthand experiences in order to give you a window into the life of a Middle Schooler at Pymble.
We are currently getting ready to celebrate International Women’s Day during our Middle School assembly in Week 8. It promises to be an engaging event with alumni guest speakers from the world of Sport, Music and the Arts and Robotics/ Engineering joining us to share their achievements. The girls are busily composing questions for the panel, creating a video showcasing other inspirational women and working to construct a dynamic mural for the colonnade to mark the occasion. This is such an important event for all of us.
On Tuesday Year 7 headed out to Vision Valley for their annual Mind Body Spirit Day.
“On Mind Body Spirit Day we had a chance to have fun and have a day to relax and connect. One of my favourite activities was when we got to play in the waterslide since it was so hot. However, the other activities were also fun such as the teamwork activity course and building a mascot where we had to bring in recycling from the past week and create a mascot for our house Compass group. During MBS we learnt how to be a team and work together and listen and not shout over each other.” – Geena Cheng (Year 7)
“Yesterday was really fun! I enjoyed it very much. I had never been to Vision Valley before and it amazed me. When I got of the bus I thought I should have been here for my Year 6 camp. I spent most of my time with Lang because it is my house but we also got to interact with most of the other houses. I found our team building skill activities very fun. Making our house mascot got very messy, but it was extremely fun.” Savannah Lorimer (Year 7)
Currently our Year 12 Middle School Liaison Leaders are facilitating Leadership workshops. This is a timely delivery as Year 7 are about to embark on their leadership journey with the launch of our 7-12 Leadership Continuum Program.
“The Middle School Leadership Program will provide a platform for Year 7 and 8 students to become more comfortable and confident with their leadership journey. The program will offer students a greater understanding of writing engaging and strong application letters, interview preparation and practice, and key skills that make a strong and supportive leadership team. As a lunchtime program open to all in Middle School, it aims to provide everyone with an equal opportunity when applying for leadership at the beginning of high school.” – Olivia Eichmann (Year 12)
Girls from across Secondary School attended the Uniting Church Climate Affirmative Action Rally held at Sydney Town Hall. They were protesting the lack of urgent action on climate change. Middle School was represented by Ariana Azizmohammad (Year 7), Hargun Dhaliwal (Year 7) and Isis Li (Year 8).
Speed Cubing Day
“Over the weekend I attended a Speed Cubing Day that was amazing! It was held at Knox Grammar School and started at 8.00am and finished at around 3pm. There were approximately 600 participants – I did really well, my best time for 3×3 was 36.82 seconds and for 2×2 was 11.91 second, which placed me 366 and 317 in each competition. To give some perspective from 100th place to 300th place is only 2 seconds. I will definitely keep working to improve for next time but was super excited about my results.
I also volunteered for other roles running (taking scambled cubes to participants), judging and scrambling. I was really surprised that I was part of only a handful of girls/women participating. I would love to set up a Rubik’s Cube Club at Pymble and hope that I can encourage more girls to join my club and get involved in fun competitions.” – Bella Legge-Hughes (Year 7)
Last Thursday, Year 8 First Nations Cultures and Histories (FNCH) elective students travelled to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities.
In the morning, we drove up to Resolute picnic area where we were met by local Elder, Uncle Laurie. Laurie generously shared his knowledge of his people and Country with us, including Indigenous technologies and tools, hunting techniques, bush foods and initiation ceremonies. He also showed us some important cultural sites including the Red Hands cave and the rock engravings at West Head.
Students listened intently to personal stories about the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their deep connection to Country. We are grateful to Uncle Laurie for his openness and passion in sharing his culture with us.
“My two highlights from the excursion were learning about the meanings of the engravings and paintings and about the initiation ceremonies of both women and men. I also learnt about new bush food that I didn’t know about already which was really interesting. I think the excursion benefited our class to learn more about what Australia was like before colonisation and how culture is still strong today. I would recommend doing FNCH as you learn so many new and different things about the past which are all very intriguing and it helps you stay connected to the land and Country whatever nationality you may be, especially for First Nations people.” – Evie Farr (Year 8)
“Some of the activities that we got to take part in were learning how to throw a boomerang, make and put on ochre, eat bush foods, see the rock carvings that are thousands of years old and visit a ceremonial woman’s area. Uncle Laurie also taught us about the importance of Country to First Nations peoples and about cool burning and how essential it is for Australia’s flora. My personal favourite part of the day was visiting the woman’s area and trying to make fire with the fire sticks. I would recommend FNCH as an elective because you get the chance to learn about both sides of Australian history, connect to Country, and gain an understanding of how important the land we live on is.” – Katie Boyce (Year 8)
From the Middle School Parent Group
Secondary School Parent Group (SSPG) Middle School Breakfast (Years 7 and 8):
This is a final reminder to buy tickets for the SSPG Middle School Breakfast for Years 7 and 8. The breakfast will be held on Monday 13 March from 7.30am to 9.00am in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA). The cost is $22 plus a booking fee. This is your last chance to RSVP!
The high tea will be held on Thursday 23 March at 10.00am in the Jeanette Buckham Gymnasium Centre and is a truly special event for new families at Pymble. As well as being able to meet new families, you can also have a chat with our Principal, Dr Kate Hadwen, and key College staff. All Year 7 parents are welcome. The event is FREE. Please register for this event by Friday 17 March.
On Friday our Upper School Leaders, Mrs Harrison and Mrs Richter headed into the city to the UN Women’s International Women’s Day Luncheon. The girls heard inspiring messages from a variety of amazing speakers and were particularly taken by the words of digital disruptor, Jackie Lee-Joe and Tarana Burke, founder of the ‘me too.’ movement.
Our leaders used this event as the inspiration for our whole Upper School Assembly on Tuesday, with the girls giving an overview of the key messages from the day and challenging their peers to engage in ‘cracking the code’ for a gender equal future. This included the girls highlighting the current campaign to correct the internet. Year 9 and 10 girls were then asked to head outside into the sunshine to write postcards to inspiring and influential women, using the variety of designs created by the Upper School Leaders.
This postcard activity was a development of the letters we wrote last year for International Women’s Day, and the leaders were able to share the wonderful story of Sarah Boland in Year 10. Sarah chose to write to Jacinda Ardern and a few weeks later received a letter back answering all of her questions! What an amazing experience and item to cherish.
We launched our Big Sister Little Sister initiative this week. A group of our Upper School students will spend a regular lunchtime with a special group of Kindergarten students playing games, reading and having fun together.
From the Secondary School Parent Group
You are invited to join other Year 9 parents and carers for a coffee catch up on Wednesday 15 March at 7.45am at Brick Lane Espresso, West Pymble. More information can be found below.
Key Dates
Thursday 16 March Naplan – Day 1
Thursday 16 March A Chorus Line – School Musical begins.
Friday 17 March Naplan – Day 2
Friday 17 March igsa Swimming and Diving at SOPAC
Thursday 23 March PPA New Parents High Tea
Tom Riley
Head of Upper School
From the Senior School
This week the Senior School has recognised and celebrated International Women’s Day in a variety of ways. The Kate Mason Building has been decked out purple and in Compass time, the students have been discussing the day and chose meaningful postcards represent how they felt about gender equity. Last week, Ms Gallardo, Deputy Head of Senior School and I accompanied a group of Year 12 leaders to the International Women’s Day lunch. Caitlyn has prepared a report of this event below.
We also participated in Social Justice Day, ‘Justice Unite’. For the first time Uniting Church schools are coming together to raise awareness about social justice issues. Students from Knox, Newington and Kinross Wollaroi will join about 100 Pymble students in running eight different stalls on Gloucester Lawn. These include the following: The First Nations Voice to Parliament, Human Rights in Iran, The War in Ukraine, Human Rights for LGBTQIA+ people, Women’s Rights (with a focus on the organisation Days for Girls), Food Insecurity in Australia (with guests from Meals on Wheels, Turramurra Community Garden and the Pink Pantry), Cultural Diversity in our schools and Climate Justice.
IWD UN Women Australia Lunch
In celebration of International Women’s Week, a group of Pymble students had the wonderful opportunity of attending the UN Women Australia’s IWD Lunch at the International Conference Centre. The event was inspiring and mind-opening, offering different perspectives on this year’s theme, ‘DigitALL: innovation and technology for gender equality.’
During the lunch students had the opportunity to meet Mel McLaughlin from Channel 7 and Australian Paralympian swimmer Annabelle Williams. A range of speakers spoke on the theme, such as Hon Sen Katy Gallagher who introduced the theme and spoke of a digital ID to protect those who cannot access paper documents as easily. She also mentioned the gender biases inherently built in the internet, which has become more evident in our rising use of AI.
The Head of UN Women Australia, Simone Clarke also spoke of increasing equitable access to technology education so that individuals can utilise these tools in a responsible and productive manner. Clarke emphasised the need for more women creating solutions for women and creating more opportunities for women to increase their skills in technology.
The inspirational and well-known American actress Alyssa Milano dialled in from the United States expanded on how technology was a vehicle for movement and has the potential to create change, in the same way that the #metoo movement gained momentum after a single tweet post. She gave an inspirational talk about her walk with other survivors and remarkable women, commenting on how individuals shape their own worlds, and while an individual cannot control what may have been done to them, they have the power to control what they make of their experience and situation. Milano advocated for bodily autonomy, the right to safety and a shift in cultural beliefs and values.
Tarana Burke, founder of the MeToo movement in 2006, also dialled in, speaking to the challenges women face all around the world. She expressed how sexual violence may be misunderstood as salacious gossip and popularised by famous Hollywood actors, drawing attention away from how these issues affect every day people, who have real lives and are, at the end of the day, still human. Burke mentioned how insufficient action was being taken and the inadequacy of incarceration, instead calling for the accountability of all individuals in creating a world that is equitable and reduces harm by dismantling systems and rebuilding them. She noted how we can utilise technology to create a safe online space for survivors to access help and opportunities.
Jackie-Lee Joe, a well-known entrepreneur, was recently the CMO of Netflix. She shared her amazing journey through different technology companies and her diverse experience in different roles, as a stem-adjacent professional. Overall, it was an inspiring and motivational event, encouraging students to step up and take action in their own communities to make a change.
Written by Caitlyn (Year 12)
Key Events this Term
Wednesday 22 March to Wednesday 29 March – Year 11 Assessment Week
31 March – Year 12 Mind Body Spirit Day
31 March – Year 11 Pathways Immersion Day
3 April – Careers Expo
5 April – From the Curriculum Office: Pupil-free day for Year 11 and 12 while Learning Discussions take place for Year 7, 8 and 10.
Year 12 teachers will be setting work if they have a Year 12 class on that day. This will be an asynchronous lesson that the students should complete on Wednesday or at some stage during the break.
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
Our Boarders have had yet another busy week, making the most of the beautiful weather and enjoying their time both on and off campus. I hope you enjoy reading the various recounts of fun times over the weekend.
A Sunday night treat with Dr H and Mr Bell
On Sunday night the Year 7 Boarders along with our Year 6 Boarder were lucky enough to be invited to dinner at the home of Dr H and Mr Bell. We all got dressed in our Sunday best and were ready for a fun night. When we arrived we were very excited to find our place at the table–- beautifully set with chocolates and bubbles especially for us! Mr Bell had made pasta and he showed us how to cut the pasta to different thicknesses it was really delicious. We made some Rocky Road at Boarders Get Baking and brought with them a treat from Bourke, Splashe Cola. Between dessert and dinner we had great fun playing with Molli and Chase and blowing bubbles. We also loved seeing Dr H’s shoe collection, she even let us try them on. My favourite shoes were the pink glitter ones with the clear heal. It was a great way to end the weekend because it made it feel extra long.
Written by Eleanor (Nell) Ramsay (Year 7) from Quandialla
Loving Love It – Mrs White
We started last weekend with a wonderful night of festivities for our Year 11 girls at the formal. By all accounts it was a great night, and you can see from the photos that the girls looked FABULOUS! Over the weekend our girls headed to Summer Bay, also known as Palm Beach, and hiked up Barrenjoey Headland. This was followed by a refreshing dip down at Palm Beach the rock pool. We also headed into the city for a trip to Max Brenner to get our chocolate fix.
This weekend we will be heading to the Sydney Kings Basketball on Friday night to see Game 3 of the play offs. On Saturday night we will celebrate International Women’s Day with the screening of the Jessica Watson Story. On Sunday, our Year 9 and 10 Boarders have been invited on an excursion with the Boarders from Knox Grammar School to the Rocks Markets while our Year 7 and 8s set off on an adventure to Watsons Bay.
View From My Window
Hi, My name is Evie Farr, I am from Walgett, a small town in north-west New South Wales 696 kilometres away from Pymble! Walgett means “where the two rivers meet” in our local Indigenous language Gamilaraay, and is situated on the Namoi and Barwon river.
When I am not here at Pymble Boarding, I live on a small 140-acre farm ten minutes out of town. My Family includes my Dad (Luke), Mum (Carolyn), my 3 brothers Dylan, Noah and Toby, my sister Milly, as well as our dog Scooby. Dylan is in Year 12 and Noah is in Year 10 at Knox Grammar school while Milly is in Year 6 and Toby is in year 1 back at home.
On our farm we have a massive garden out the back where we grow all sorts of native bush food. We also have the Barwon River running past our house. We have many animals such as ducks, geese, peacocks, guinea fowls, chickens, rabbits, a pet snake and many more. Our farm is called Muddy Waters and there is also a small caravan park around the paddocks in which you can have a river site, creek site or paddock site.
At home we like to cook many camp ovens for dinner at the fire and we all love the food, especially the curried sausages! We also have a campfire down at the river with a rope swing into the water and two trees to jump out of.
When I look out my window at home, I see the beautiful sunsets and sunrises on the paddocks out in the field, with the geese and guinea fowls wandering around the dams and making their way around the house. Out of my window I see the small garden perched up against the house, the pig pen up in the paddock, the Wedge Tailed Eagles circling the sky, and the dry, cracked ground when it is not raining.
The journey from Muddy Waters to Pymble takes around nine hours in the car and 12 hours on the bus. Growing up in open spaces, it is still a little bit strange being in a crowded city such as Sydney.
I am proud to be a Gamilaroi girl from Walgett, but just as proud to be a Boarder here at Pymble. Getting to come here and have all of these opportunities especially with sport is one of the best things about school. When I look out the windows here at Pymble, I see my home away from home.
Boarder of the Week
Congratulations to Goodlet Boarder, Elena Duta as our well-deserved Boarder of the week. Elena joined us in Year 7 from Mudgee, and throughout her time boarding, has gone from strength to strength. Now in Year 11, Elena is an active presence in our Boarding community, escorting our younger boarders on shopping leave and is a keen participant in Spirit House Circles. Elena is-a friendly presence among staff and peers in Goodlet House, always willing to lend a helping hand. Elena’s independent approach and strong organisation skills has seen her thrive in Boarding and she is an excellent role model for younger Boarders. We are thrilled to award Elena Boarder of the Week!
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
As we walk into March, a heatwave has hit us, and the weather seems to be reflecting the chaotic nature of the climate all around the world. Last week we had the privilege of taking a group of students to the Climate Action Rally at Sydney Town Hall. It ended up raining cats and dogs, so we had to return following the speeches.
From floods, earthquakes and the aftermath, we think of places like Syria, Turkiye and New Zealand. In Australia, we have had evacuations ordered for residents of Dauguragu, Kalkarindji, Pigeon Hole and Palumpa in the Victoria Daly Region of Northern Territory due to the floods. As we uphold our own people and those around us in prayer, we think of how we can support the climate through ethical and just practices. We continue to encourage you within your family to spiritually think about stewardship of the planet and life-giving practices that will sustain the earth for future generations.
We marched with the Uniting Church contingent and met at Pitt Street Uniting Church. The protest was against the lack of urgent action on climate change and in support of the SS4C movement’s call for:
No new coal, oil and gas
100% public renewable energy and exports by 2030
Funding for a just transition and jobs for fossil fuel workers & their communities.
Real carbon cuts, not offsets.
Resource First Nations-led solutions that guarantee land rights and care for Country.
Wishing all our Indian families a very Happy Holi and a blessed time of colourful celebration and joy.
Blessings and peace.
Reverend Punam Bent
College Chaplain
From the Community Engagement Team
MyPymble app
The app contains helpful information including;
Your daughter’s timetable
Calendar of community events
Important notices
Student assessment dates and marks
Quick links to the College Uniform Shop, College newsletter, campus meal options etc
We strongly encourage you to download the app and explore what it has to offer.
Thank you to the participants of our Term 1 focus group sessions who took time out of their busy schedules to discuss enhancements to the app; your feedback is invaluable.
Pymble Parents’ Association Events
We look forward to welcoming Year 7 and 8 parents to our Secondary School Parent Group Breakfast next Monday 13 March. Tickets are available by clicking here.
Yesterday we were proud to launch our It’s Time campaign to coincide with International Women’s Day 2023, a day where we stop to celebrate the talents, strength and potential of all women and girls.
Through this new campaign, we are using our size and collective, passionate voice to influence the important change that is needed in the world. A major part of this campaign is partnering with Women on Boards to launch our Chairs for Change initiative, encouraging corporate Australia to join the movement to remove gender from the title of one of the highest offices in business by changing Chairman to Chair. Please click here to show your support.
Pymble also partnered with the Australian Financial Review to create a special International Women’s Day magazine that reflects our joint commitment to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future for girls and young women.
Our campaign aims to advocate loudly and proudly for more women to be included in boardrooms and in government leadership positions, acknowledged in sport through equal pay and embraced in traditionally male-dominated industries to co-create solutions that transform our world for the better.
To learn more about our campaign and read the magazine, please click here.
Kelly Mancey
Director of Community Engagement and Advancement
From the Co-curricular Sports Team
We have reached the halfway point of the term and I would like to share valuable information to date, from Term 1, 2023:
Fast Statistics
Significant Saturday sport participation rises:
Overall growth up 23% within Junior School sport; Water Polo has increased 23 per cent and Football 20 per cent from 2022.
Senior School sport numbers have remained steady; the highlight being Badminton up 39% from 2022.
Pymble topped the award charts for girl schools at the NSWIS Awards Ceremony. Eight athletes and one staff member were presented with awards from seven different sports.
A record 1,400 students registered for Swim School in February.
Aerial Circus has been included in the Artistic Gymnastics program for Years 3 to 6. Over 20 students have registered.
Three IPSHA Sport representative trials have been held in 2023 (Basketball, Cricket, and Tennis). Pymble has successful representation across all three.
Pymble will have the highest junior school representation in the upcoming NSWCIS Swimming and Diving Championships (24 students).
Staff News
A huge congratulations to our very own Katie Edwards (Head of Sport 7-12).
At the recent Athletics NSW Open Championships, Mrs Edwards was named the Athletics NSW International and Domestic Para Coach of the Year.
On behalf of the Pymble community, a big congratulations to Katie, a just reward for her years of dedication towards the sport of Athletics.
Adam Raw
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
Director of Sport
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
As the Pymble term continues to hum with activity, Performing Arts areas are already preparing for major performance events.
In less than a week, from Thursday March 16 to Saturday March 18 at 7.00 pm, the Senior School production of A Chorus Line will be presented as a celebration of the prodigious talents of senior students in acting, dance and song.
Pymble’s interpretation of this much loved classic is an innovative and fresh leap forward upon the venerated stage of the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts where so many theatrical triumphs have taken place.
Please consider attending the exciting and innovative production of A Chorus Line which unites all of the performing arts in a student driven production. Click here to purchase tickets.
Walking around the performing arts spaces of Pymble this week, I was struck by the vigour and commitment of Junior School students who rehearse in the Senior School spaces. Watching Ms Narelle Colbey exuberantly rehearsing a Junior School strings group and a Junior School dance group diligently and respectfully warming up for a lesson, I was struck by the seamless sharing of performing arts spaces between Junior and Senior School students; a joyous union of co-curricular landscape that is not often found in K-12 independent schools, and a union that will find ultimate fulfilment in the new Grey House precinct.
In this regard, it is important to note that Mr Kurt Schweinberger is the major point of contact for Junior School Performing Arts activities with the staunch support of the CCSA. I value the opportunity to work with the fabulous Mr Schweinberger in future Performing Arts projects from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Michael Griffiths
Director of Co-curricular Performing Arts
Co-curricular Administration
Term 2 Saturday Sport Trials
End of Term 1 Registration Period
The End of Term 1 Registration period will allow families to register their daughters for Term 2 and Winter Semester programs as well as Term 3 2023 Saturday Sports. Registrations will open via the online registration system at 12.00pm on Wednesday 22 March. 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. We recommend families check they can access the system well in advance of the opening date to avoid any technical issues on the day as registrations CANNOT be processed via email or phone.
A notice will be posted on the MyPymble App prior to registrations opening to all families as a reminder of the opening date and time. All program information will be finalised on the Co-curricular pages of MyPymble by Wednesday 15 March.
Term 2 Saturday Sport Registrations
Registrations for Term 2 Saturday Sports closed on Wednesday 22 February at 12.00pm. To request registration into an available Saturday Sport for Term 2, you will need to complete a registration request by clicking here. Requests will be sent to the Co-ordinator for approval, and you will receive an email of the outcome.
Co-curricular Registration Requests
The cut-off date for Co-curricular Registration Requests was Monday 8.00am of Week 4, Term 1 (Monday 20 February). This is a reminder that all registration requests received are subject to the updated 2023 conditions of Co-curricular registration which can be found by clicking here.
Mrs Susan Lindsay
Acting Head of Co-curricular Administration
From the Futures Team
Last week, the Senior Textiles students explored the RMIT campus and potential future pathways in the fashion industry. Thanks to Katrina O’Kelly for helping to organise this opportunity for the students. Below is a reflection from Alexandra McColl (Year 12);
The RMIT tour provided senior Textiles students with first-hand insight into the high-quality facilities and variety of Fashion degrees on offer. Pymble students were able to explore the extensive range of machinery, equipment and materials, in addition to the sustainable industry practices RMIT integrates into their courses.
Touring around the campus in person enabled newfound insight beyond the university brochures by physically showing the day-to-day campus life. A student looking to study fashion at RMIT can expect access to outstanding facilities for practical work, including various types of industrial sewing machines, screen-printing rooms and knitting machines. On top of this, RMIT facilitates student networking through their industry partnerships with Country Road, ACMI and Wittner. There is also potential to study abroad via exchange partnerships with New York (Parsons), Amsterdam Fashion Institute and London College of Fashion. After touring RMIT, I implore all Textiles and Design students interested in fashion or fashion enterprise to consider RMIT as a potential pathway after Pymble.
Music
Performance jackets
Please return any performance jackets that are no longer required. We are running low. They can be returned to the Music Admin office.
All new girls must have a performance jacket – these will be worn at the upcoming Ensemble Concert, over the Pymble Music t-shirt with black pants. Please do make sure you have the correct attire for the concert. New students can visit Gladys in the Music Office to get their sizing sorted.
Save the dates
Thursday March 30 Senior School Ensemble Concert – 6.30pm on Gloucester Lawn: Bring your picnic rugs/chairs and dinner and enjoy the sonorous tones of your daughter as she brings to life some wonderful music to serenade you whilst you eat.
Friday March 31 – Senior School Music Breakfast: Invitations will be released soon. Please keep an eye out for the booking for this as breakfast will only be served to the girls with tickets. It is estimated to cost $15/head
Music Support Group
Thank you to the wonderful parents who attended our first meeting on Tuesday night. We had much to discuss and much to work through. If you are interested in joining this group, please reach out to Elizabeth Toh on elizabethtoh@gmail.com
AFL
Some fantastic results for AFL over the weekend. A huge shout out to Pymble 4 and Pymble 6 and who played their first ever Friday night fixture. Both matches were against Loreto. Our Junior Pymble 6 came fast out of the blocks and never looked back with a dominant performance up until the final whistle. Their coach Maddison Scott was full of praise of their performance and stated that there is still more to come from these young talents! Pymble 4 were weakened due to Harry Styles being in town however were able to rally together and stick out a one goal win against a determined Loreto. Our Senior Firsts were not at their best however still managed a victory against Abbotsleigh. Pymble 2 came up against PLC Sydney and unfortunately went down in a tight match. After 4 rounds the standings are below:
Pymble 1 – 1st place
Pymble 2 – 7th place
Pymble 3 – 5th place
Pymble 4 – 1st place
Pymble 5 – 4th place
Pymble 6 – 1st place
Pymble 7 – 5th place
Round 4 Results:
Pymble 1 defeated Abbotsleigh 1 (24 – 15)
Pymble 2 lost to PLC Sydney 1 (0 – 55)
Pymble 3 forfeit to Abbotsleigh 2
Pymble 4 defeated Loreto 3 (20 – 12)
Pymble 5 defeated Abbotsleigh 3 (34 – 32)
Pymble 6 defeated Loreto 6 (50 – 3)
Pymble 7 BYE
Jack Garrard
Sports Co-ordinator – AFL
Artistic Gymnastics
NL8-10 State Trial 2
Where: Sydney Gymnastics and Aquatic Centre
When: Saturday 4 March and Sunday 5 March 2023
The extra hours put in over the summer holidays has paid off for our Artistic Gymnasts with three of our gymnasts qualifying for State Championships over the weekend. Please join us in congratulating Amalia Bond (Year 7), Siobhan Hsu (Year 9) and Piya Parimu Kapur (Year 11). Well done Gymnasts!
Results from State Trials:
Amalia Bond (Year 7) – 4th place Vault
Siobhan Hsu (Year 9) – 5th place Vault and 6th Overall
Piya Parimu Kapur (Year 11) – 6th place Vault, 6th place Bar, 6th place Beam, and 7th place overall.
Alison Gestier
Head Coach – Artistic Gymnastics
Athletics
NSW Open Championships
Congratulations to Sybella Warton (Year 10) and Rhedyn Wong (Year 12) who competed in the NSW Open Championships on the weekend at Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre (SOPAC). At only 15 years of age, Sybella was amazing in both the Para 100m and 200m events, finishing 4th place in both. Rhedyn competed well and placed a very credible 10th place.
Cross Country Training
Reminder: The Cross Country Monday afternoon session has been moved to 6.45am to 7.50am. All athletes are to meet Deb Walsham at flagpole at Main oval at 6:45am.
It was a fantastic first Monday morning session, with a wonderful turn out and a perfect way for our students to start their week!
Laura Verlinden
Sports Co-ordinator – Athletics
Badminton
Congratulations to all our badminton players over the weekend. We had some standout games, Pymble 2, Pymble 3, Pymble 5, Pymble 15 and Pymble 26, who had a clean sweep and won 5 to 0. Our Junior Firsts also coming away with a very convincing win against Abbotsleigh.
As we approach Round 5 this Saturday, our players are certainly finding their rhythm on the court, with hope for some additional victories across the board this weekend.
We wish all our players and coaches the best of luck!
Laura Verlinden
Sports Co-ordinator – Badminton
Cricket
Over the weekend both Pymble 1 and Pymble 2 took to the Cricket pitch. Our Pymble 1 achieved their first win of the season. A huge batting performance from Sophie Webster (Year 8) with 52 runs spearheading this victory. The amazing half century spurred the players on to finish off the opposition in style. Congratulations team!!
Pymble 2 came up against Mosman under 13’s. With Mosman’s bowling attack being so strong our team only managed ten runs. Well done to Bethany Carruthers (Year 7) and Phoebe Hutton (Year 7) who added to the run score. Special mention to our bowlers Miesha Gal (Year 7), Bethany Carruthers (Year 7) and Shareen Jawaad who all took wickets.
Both teams will play in the Semi Finals this weekend!
Good luck teams!
Jack Garrad
Sports Co-ordinator – Cricket
Diving
IPSHA Diving Carnival Wednesday 1 March
On Wednesday 1 March the IPSHA Diving Carnival was held at Sydney Olympic Park and Aquatic Centre. Congratulations to the Representative Diving team who competed at this event and achieved fantastic results.
Such an event is always a challenge, especially for new divers as it is often the first major Diving event, with unfamiliar boards, lots of competitors and great excitement. All divers gave their best effort and achieved excellent results.
Congratulations and we are looking forward to watching those who qualified, compete at CIS Championships on Wednesday 22 March.
8 Years
Emma Ware (Year 3) – 1st and qualified for CIS Championships
Audrey Conn (Year 2) – 3rd and qualified for CIS Championships
Sarayah Wijesuriya (Year 2) – 6th and qualified for CIS Championships
9 Years
Amélie Berg (Year 3) – 2nd and qualified for CIS Championships
Jasmine Smith (Year 3) – 3rd and qualified for CIS Championships
10 Years
Zara Ware (Year 4) – 1st and qualified for CIS Championships
Emily Long (Year 4) – 4th 1st and qualified for CIS Championships
11 Years
Amélie Rahme (Year 5) – 2nd and qualified for CIS Championships
Indie Leon Searle (Year 5) – 3rd and qualified for CIS Championships
12 years
Ava Jamieson (Year 6) – 5th and qualified for CIS Championships
Barnett Family Interclub Sunday 12 February
Well done to all the divers who competed in the first Interclub for 2023. It was great to see all our divers back in the pool preparing for the busy school and NSW diving events in the coming months.
Nikola Puhl (Year 12)
Mea Shires (Year 9)
Abby Smith (Year 9)
Angela Xenofontos (Year 9)
Leila Rich (Year 8)
Addison Woods (Year 8)
Ava Jamieson – (Year 6)
Zara Ware – (Year 4)
Amélie Berg – (Year 3)
Jasmine Smith – (Year 3)
Emma Ware – (Year 3)
igsa Carnival
We are getting to the final stages of selection for the igsa Carnival on Friday 17 March. The igsa squad is in full training mode as we near these important championships and we wish all divers the very best as they continue to prepare.
Vertical FunDive and Little Rippers Diving
It has been great to see the enthusiastic response to Diving from our Vertical FunDive, Little Rippers and Pathways divers. All divers are taking advantage of the opportunity to learn to dive in the beautiful Aquatic Centre, facing their fears and learning new and exciting skills. Keep up the great work, you just never know how high you can go!
Chris Lang
Head Coach – Diving
Junior School Sports
NSWCIS Tennis
NSWCIS Cricket
Congratulations to Eloise Lawry (Year 6), Amelia Hanstrum (Year 6), and Edith Cullinane (Year 6) who represented the NSWCIS Primary Girls Cricket team last week. Special mention to Eloisee Lawry (Year 6) who was selected for the NSWPSSA Team. Well done!
NSWPSSA East AFL Trials
Congratulations to Eloise Lawry (Year 6) and Lillie Oldfield (Year 6) who trialled for the NSWPSSA East Primary Girls AFL team last week. Special mention to Eloise Lawry (Year 6) who was selected for the team and will now trial for NSWPSSA team. Well done!
1st place – girls 11 to 13 years, 200m Freestyle Relay (3rd leg 33.39) – 2:10.60
25th place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Freestyle – 34.26 (pb)
21st place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50 Backstroke – 38.96 (pb)
Emma Feng (Year 4) – Female – Age: 10
2nd place – girls 8 to 10 years, 200 Freestyle Relay (2nd leg) – 2:32.67
30th place – girls 10 years, 50m Freestyle – 40.27 (pb)
Oriana Fenton (Year 6) – Female – Age: 11
12th place – girls 11 years, 50m Freestyle – 34.89 (pb)
2nd place – girls 11 years, 50m Breaststroke – 42.18 (pb)
31st place – girls 8 to 13 years, 100m Freestyle – 1:19.43
2nd place – girls 11 years, 50m Butterfly – 36.76 (pb)
Georgia Friedel (Year 6) – Female – Age: 12
1st place – girls 11 to 13 years, 200m Freestyle Relay (2nd leg) – 2:10.60
22nd place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Freestyle – 33.62 (pb)
12th place – girls 8 to 13 years, 100m Freestyle – 1:15.40 (pb)
16th place – girls 12 to13 years, 50m Butterfly – 39.30 (pb)
Penelope Hargraves (Year 6) – Female – Age: 12
1st place – girls 11 to 13 years, 200m Freestyle Relay (4th leg 33.18) – 2:10.60
31st place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Freestyle – 34.80
6th place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Backstroke – 38.09
Jelena Peng (Year 2) – Female – Age: 8
24th place – girls 8 years, 50m Freestyle – 57.71 (pb)
Puisai Victoria Ko (Year 5) – Female – Age: 11
1st place – girls 11 years, 50m Breaststroke – 41.34 (pb)
Crystal Li (Year 3) – Female – Age: 9
8th place – girls 9 years, 50m Freestyle – 40.05 (pb)
Olivia Yu (Year 3) – Female – Age: 9
37th place – girls 9 years, 50m Freestyle – 45.69 (pb)
Charlotte Sadler (Year 6) – Female – Age: 12
1st place – girls 11 to 13 years, 200m Freestyle Relay (Lead off) – 2:10.60
6th place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Freestyle – 31.67
3rd place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Breaststroke – 39.63
5th place – girls 12 to 13 years, 50m Butterfly – 35.43
Naomi Shi (Year 4) – Female – Age: 10
43rd place – girls 10 years, 50m Freestyle – 41.68 (pb)
Chloé Shires (Year 6) – Female – Age: 11
20th place – girls 11 years, 50m Freestyle – 35.29
18th place – girls 11 years, 50m Backstroke – 43.30
Marley Titley (Year 6) – Female – Age: 11
8th place – girls 11 years, 50m Freestyle – 34.12 (pb)
10th place – girls 11 years, 50m Backstroke – 42.22 (pb)
Isabella Wang (Year 4) – Female – Age: 10
2nd place – girls 8 to 10 years, 200m Freestyle Relay (Lead off 37.99) – 2:32.67
13th place – girls 10 years, 50m Freestyle – 37.91 (pb)
10th place – girls 8 to 10 years, 50m Butterfly – 44.92 (pb)
Rose Wang (Year 3) – Female – Age: 8
3rd place – girls 8 years, 50m Freestyle – 44.39 (pb)
Yanan Ou (Year 3)- Female – Age: 9
50th place – girls 9 years, 50m Freestyle – 48.55 (pb)
Matt Tyson
Head of Sports – Kindergarten to Year 6
Rowing
Sydney Rowing Club Regatta
On Saturday 4 March, the Pymble Rowing 1st and 2nd Senior Eights competed in the Sydney Rowing Club Regatta in various boat classes, looking to attain further race practice as Schoolgirl Head of the River and the Australian Rowing Championships loom.
1st Eight rowers Tilly Morgan (Year 12), Megan Wood (Year 11), Jessica Colbran (Year 12) and Megan Booth (Year 11), won the Women’s Under 19 Quad, a fantastic achievement, coming well ahead of very strong Sydney Rowing Club crews.
In the Schoolgirl Eight, the 1st Eight came 2nd to Queenwood in a hard-fought race, whilst the 2nd Eight came 4th. The 2nd Eight then raced again in the Women’s Open Eight, managing to improve on their earlier performance and was the pick of the 2nd Eight entries, beating the Queenwood 2nd Eight by a margin of 3.95 seconds. A great comeback.
Another highlight was watching 2nd Eight rowers Lucy Miller (Year 12) and Skye Pockley (Year 12) who had a great race in the Women’s Under 19 2x to secure a 3rd place finish.
This weekend, the Pymble rowing team looks forward to racing at the Sydney Girls High Regatta on Saturday 11 March, for some final race practice before Schoolgirl Head of the River on Saturday 18 March.
Jessica Colbran (Year 12), Megan Wood (Year 11), Tilly Morgan (Year 12), Mia Booth (Year 11)Macey Leahy (Year 12), Olivia Kelly (Year 11), Skye Pockley (Year 11), Andie Hodder (Year 11), Lucy Miller (Year 12), Carolina Yemma (Year 11), Ella Jones (Year 11), Fifi Heazlewood-Lee (Year 11) and Harriet McLean (Year 11)Skye Pockley (Year 11) and Lucy Miller (Year 12)
Lewis Gray
Sports Co-ordinator – Rowing
Sailing
Pittwater Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta
Over the past weekend our Pymble Sailing team took part in the Pittwater Regatta that was hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. It was much needed race experience before the upcoming NSW Teams Racing Championship, which is less than two weeks away.
Well done to the following students who took part in the Pittwater Regatta: Abigail McKinnon (Year 9), Chantelle Wu (Year 12 and Sailing Captain), Charlotte Wykes (Year 11), Clio Moran (Year 12), Daisy Stoodley-Williamson (Year 9), India Wells Lister (Year 9), Layne Phillips (Year 9), Penelope Girdis (Year 12), Simone Bennett (Year 9)
Over the course of two days, nine of our Pymble sailors participated in the 2023 Pittwater Secondary Schools Teams Racing Regatta, ultimately placing 5th overall.
This was our first regatta as a team with three new skippers and two new crews, allowing us to develop new skills and strengthen our connection as a team. We started the regatta Friday 3 March, leaving school a little early at 2.45pm to jump straight into our wetsuits and lifejackets.
As a Year 12 student this was a bittersweet moment for me as this would be my last Pittwater Regatta after six years of Sailing with the team. As a new team, our goal for the weekend was to gain racing experience in preparation for the upcoming State Championships and to have fun as a group.
As our team likes to say, “time on the water is a privilege” and we were determined to make the most of every second we had on the water. The race was structured in a round-robin series in which each team competes against every other team once, making up one round of the series.
On Friday we competed one round of the round-robin, marking our official debut as a team, By the end of the first day we left the Sailing club full of pride in ourselves and our teammates as we continued to improve with each race we sailed.
Having gained a day’s worth of experience, we returned the following day, well-rested and ready to tackle another long day of Sailing. This day would entail another round robin and the sail offs which would determine the final placings for the regatta.
Ultimately, we placed 5th overall, which for a new team is a fantastic result. As Sailing captain, I could not be prouder of the Pymble sailors as they demonstrated unwavering determination, resilience, and comradery, learning from each race and improving their individual skills, strengthening our team. Through this experience, I am confident we are ready to tackle the upcoming State Championships full of enthusiasm and love for the sport and one another.
Chris Wood
Sports Co-ordinator – Sailing
Softball
Round 5 of the Invitation Independent Schools Softball Competition took place this past Saturday with both Pymble teams narrowly losing in close contests. Our Senior 1sts went down 3 to 0 early against a very strong Loreto Normanhurst but managed to keep the score to 3 to 0 for the rest of the game because of some great double plays.
Round 5
Team
Opponent
Result
Score
Pymble 01
Loreto Normanhurst 1
Loss
0 to 3
Pymble 02
Danebank 2
Loss
12 to 14
Match Report from one of our Junior 1sts, Ruby Watson (Year 8)
In last week’s game Pymble 2 lost 12 to 14 against Danebank 2. We batted first and got seven home in the first inning, three home in the second, and two home in the third. By the last innings we were winning by three runs with two outs, but Danebank finished very strongly.
Some highlights were our third base player managed to get a runner out while they tried to steal a base and Leahara Wijesuriya (Year 7) managed to get to 3rd base in just one bat. Although we lost, I feel as though we played well as a team and had lots of positives in the game.
Thanks to Danebank for challenging us. I’m sure losing will just make us work harder in the next game.
Chris Wood
Sports Co-ordinator – Softball
NSW Surf Life Saving Championships 2023
Congratulations to Arabella Cox (Year 11) and Jaya Lilienthal (Year 10) who both competed for their respective Surf Lifesaving clubs, Newport, and North Curl Curl, at the NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships at Queenscliff over the last two weekends.
Both had outstanding results and are listed below.
Jaya Lilienthal (Year 10)
2nd place – Under 15, Board Relay 2nd place – Under 15, Swim Team 4th place – Under 15, Ironman 4th place – Under 15, Board 10th place – Under 15, Swim
Arabella Cox (Year 11)
Open State:
1st place – Open, Board Rescue
1st place – Under 19, Tube Rescue
2nd place – Under 17, Board Relay
3rd place – Under 17, Swim Team
4th place – Under 17, Ski Relay
6th place – Under 17, Individual Swim
Lifesaving State:
2nd place – Under 17, Patrol Competition
3rd place – Under 17, Champion Lifesaver
Congratulations and good luck for ‘The Aussies’ in Perth in March/April.
Swimming
NSW Speedo Sprint Finals
On Saturday 4 March, our Pymble swimmers took part in the Speedo Sprint Finals at Sydney Olympic Park.
The Speedo Sprint finals is a great meet for the swimmers, where the faster four swimmers for each event represent their district area and swim against other areas from all of NSW.
Pymble swimming had ten Pymble students qualify for this event and it was a great day with lots of fun and excellent results.
Amélie Berg (Year 4), Amelia Carlan (Year 8), Megan Chia (Year 7), Emma Deere (Year 4), Oriana Fenton (Year 6), Penelope Hargraves (Year 6), Imogen Jones (Year 7), Victoria Ko (Year 5), Emma NG (Year 7) and Charlotte Sadler (Year 6)
Congratulations to the following swimmers on their outstanding results.
Bronze Medal – Megan Chia (Year 7) 50m Butterfly
Top 10 results:
Amélie Berg (Year 4) – 10th place 50m Backstroke, 4th place 50m Breaststroke
Megan Chia (Year 7) – 7th place 50m Backstroke, 6th place 50m Freestyle
Emma Deere (Year 4) – 7th place 50m Backstroke, 6th place 50m Freestyle
Oriana Fenton (Year 6) – 7th place 50m Breaststroke
Victoria Ko (Year 5) – 6th place 50m Breaststroke
Emma Ng (Year 7) – 4th place 50m Backstroke, 4th place 50m Butterfly, 4th place 50m Freestyle
Charlotte Sadler (Year 6) – 6th place 50m Breaststroke
A special thank you to all the parents for their support and help during the weekend. Also, to our coaching team who have been working with the swimmers with passion and dedication to help them get ready for this meet.
Sara Petronzio
Pymble Swimming Coach
Water Polo
We are now at the halfway point of the Pymble Term 1 Water Polo season and the IPSHA Water Polo and Flippa Ball season. We have seen huge improvements over the past month in skills at both training and game play. Keep up the good work.
Special mention to our Year 7 teams who, on Saturday played two games back-to-back with only one reserve and minimal rest. Player of the match was Matilda Bentley (Year 7) who played exceptionally in goals throughout both games.
Results
IPSHA Water Polo Year 5 and 6 Pymble 1
Loreto Normanhurst 2
WIN
12 to 7
IPSHA Flippa Ball Year 6 Pymble Navy
Loreto Normanhurst 3
DRAW
5 to 5
IPSHA Year 5 Flippa Ball Year 5 Pymble Red
Meriden School 4
LOSS
5 to 4
Pymble 1
Abbotsleigh 1
WIN
16 to 3
Pymble 2
Abbotsleigh 2
WIN
10 to 2
Pymble 3
Brigidine College 2
DRAW
6 to 6
Pymble 4
Brigidine College 3
LOSS
9 to 3
Pymble 5
Brigidine College 5
WIN
16 to 5
Pymble 6
Brigidine College 7
WIN
8 to 6
Pymble 7
Brigidine College 9
LOSS
7 to 5
Brigette Moore
Head Coach – Water Polo
Tickets now on sale for the Pymble musical: A Chorus Line
The iconic production of A Chorus Line comes to the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts (GMCPA) stage from Thursday 16 March to Saturday 18 March.
This Pymble drama production, in collaboration with St Ignatius College Riverview, Shore School, Knox Grammar School and St Ives High School, will challenge and celebrate the talents of its senior cast in acting, dancing and song, whilst employing exciting and innovative staging techniques to bring new life to this classic musical.
Please note: A Chorus Line features a limited use of coarse language and delves into some sophisticated and risqué themes, and is therefore classified as a PG-12 production.
Venue: Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts, Pymble Ladies’ College
Dates: Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18 March
Price increase notification: Term 2 2023 Bus Registrations
Notification of upcoming price increase
The College is committed to supporting our families by providing the Pymble bus service as an option for students travelling to and from school.
Unfortunately, increased running costs due to inflationary pressures on all operating expenses, particularly fuel, has necessitated an increase in our bus registration fees. We are conscious of this impact on our families and have endeavoured to keep this increase to a minimum.
From Term 2 2023, bus registration fees will be as follows:
Full Term registration: $430.00 per term
Flexible registration: $7.50 per trip
To register your daughter for Term 1 and to check the bus stops and times for your preferred route, please click here.
A reminder that the bus service for Term 1 will finish on the last day of term with the scheduled afternoon run on Wednesday 5 April and that all students are required to use their student ID cards to tap on and off the bus.
Please contact College Services via collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have any further questions about transport to and from Pymble Ladies’ College.
Registrations close tomorrow for the Easter holiday camp at Vision Valley!
The Residential Programs (both full and partial) have moved to waitlist but there is availability each day for the day camp program.
The camp, which runs from Monday 17 to Friday 21 April, is open to Junior School girls, their siblings and friends (male or female) in Years 3 to 6.
The camp will feature a full activity program, including outdoor adventure activities, nature play and recreational games, all supervised by our experienced Vision Valley staff.
To secure your daughter’s spot at the camp, click here to register. Please forward this link to any friends and families who may be looking for holiday fun for their Year 3 to 6 child.
Please note places are allocated by date and time of payment. The booking form will close at 4.00pm Friday 10 March.
From the Pymble Parent Association
We have a wonderful family of enthusiastic parent volunteers across the College and we would love you to meet Edwina Beveridge who is the committee leader for our Boarding community.
I am proud to be mother of Alice (Year 10) and Sophie (Year 8), both have boarded at Pymble since Year 7. We live on a farm near Young, a four-hour drive from Pymble. On our farm we grow sheep, cattle, crops and pigs. Our daughters can ride horses, motorbikes, drive tractors and know their way around a pig shed. I am the Chair of the Pymble Boarders Parents Group, who organise Boarder parent events, raise money for Boarding scholarships and provide feedback to the school on boarding.
Boarding is very special at Pymble. Parents trust the school to look after our beautiful daughters, girls can come from as far away as a ten-hour drive and a few even live overseas. Most girls are not able to go home during term and may only see their parents a few times a term. We send them to boarding school so they can enjoy the opportunities of what Pymble has to offer and to make a wide group of friends from Sydney and across the country.
Thank you to all the parents of day girls who give them lifts to sport or have them to stay for the weekend, we will always be grateful! If you would like to help out a Boarder, please encourage your daughter to make friends with the Boarder in her class and invite them to your home for an afternoon or the weekend. They love going to day girls houses just as much as they love showing day girls around their home/farm/town.
Written by Edwina Beveridge, mother of Alice and Sophie
The Pymble Gives Back initiative is a great way for the girls to get involved in and meet other students who may share the same passion and interest to serve our community. It is also an important part of our girls’ growth to learn to extend their gifts and talents for the benefit of others.
If you are new to the College, please don’t forget to register for our New Parents High Tea! We would love to meet you. Please click here to register by Friday 17 March.
Sunny Hres
PPA President on behalf of the entire PPA Committee
Save the date: The Village Championship
Thinking of a career change? Think Pymble!
At Pymble, you will be wrapped in a culture of care, community and commitment to educational excellence. You’ll also enjoy all the benefits of a big and beautiful working environment. For more information about working at Pymble, click here.
Job of the Week: French Teacher | part-time
Bienvenue! With some well-deserved leave upcoming in our team, we have an opportunity for a confident French teacher to join our Modern and Classical Languages department on a part-time (0.30 FTE) temporary basis for Term 2 this year.
As a skilled and positive teacher, you will be a part of the design and delivery of the curriculum with a focus on engaging your students in interactive and innovative ways. Working across a nine-day fortnightly timetable, you will enjoy the flexibility that not being required on campus when you’re not teaching brings, leaving you to enjoy an enhanced work/life balance. You’re also not restricted to just the classroom in this role – with opportunities to create strong links with other schools, working collaboratively to organise workshops, excursions and projects. The sky is the limit in what you can achieve and build with our enthusiastic and engaged students.
In return, you will join a passionate and fun team with a record of high achievements, both professionally and in consistently high student results. Emphasising group effort and promoting each other’s strengths, the team and wider College community will allow you to thrive and achieve your goals within a supportive and open environment.
Our kind of teacher
You will display the following skills and capabilities:
Have a demonstrated ability to teach French across Stages 4 and 5.
Have an excellent understanding of NESA syllabus requirements and current NESA accreditation.
Be a positive and collaborative contributor to a successful department committed to improving educational outcomes.
Be confident in differentiating the curriculum in the classroom.
Have a strong understanding of the application of technology to enhance learning.
Be a reflective professional engaged in ongoing development and research in relation to your practice.
Dr Kate Hadwen, Principal
