Step Behind the Curtain – Discover Your Future in the Arts
Are you passionate about the performing arts?
Curious about where a love of film, theatre, music, costume design, production design or arts management could take you?
Behind the Curtain is your exclusive opportunity for students in Years 7 to 12 to connect with inspiring Pymble alumni who are forging dynamic careers in the creative industries. Join us for a lively panel discussion, followed by a seated lunch where students will have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with graduates who have transformed their artistic passions into successful professions. Gain valuable insights, ask burning questions, and be inspired to take the first steps into the world of the performing arts.
In the upcoming newsletters, we will introduce you to the alumni who have been invited to participate in this special event.
Places are limited for this special event – don’t miss your chance to go Behind the Curtain.
Date: Wednesday 11 June, 12.45pm to 2.20pm (lunch and compass)
Venue: Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts foyer
Cost: $10.00 (lunch and drinks)
From the Principal
Hello, I hope you are all taking good care of yourselves and staying warm and well now that we are moving into winter with its accompanying lurgies, low temperatures and rainy days and nights. Please, if your daughter is sick or coming down with something, keep her at home so she can recover faster and return to us sooner. Sometimes, a day or two of rest is all she needs to bounce back into her normal routine without missing a beat.
At Pymble, each member of our community is respected and valued for the unique energy and spirit they bring to our wonderfully colourful and richly diverse global community. This week, we are proud to celebrate our First Nations people and the care, thought and consideration they have given to this land, which we call Australia, for many generations before us.
National Reconciliation Week presents an opportunity to consciously stop and think about what it means to truly reconcile with others. We ask ourselves, what does it mean to come together in mind, body and spirit? How do we genuinely see somebody else for who they are and take the time to listen to their story, ask questions, and try to understand a position that may not be ours?
Open hearts and minds are encouraged
In assembly on Tuesday, we took the time to celebrate our students who are learning from and teaching us about First Nations people and culture. This included: Dezi Magann-Jones and Maya Dias (Year 12), who both spoke so eloquently and passionately about their learnings and HSC Major Works in Aboriginal Studies; Sahara Lemon who exemplified courage and respect as she performed her HSC Dance solo exploring the impact of colonisation; and Evie Farr, Clare Ferreira, Mie Naito and Ellie Pointon (Year 10) who recently experienced an eight-day on-country immersion with our partner school Milingimbi in the Northern Territory.
Please enjoy this clip that captures highlights of their time in Arnhem Land.
It’s important to know that our commitment to reconciliation goes deeper than an annual awareness week. Our long-standing aim has always been to educate our girls, shoulder-to-shoulder with their First Nations peers from all over Australia, so they can grow in understanding, awareness, leadership and community spirit, together. This is reflected in our Watch Us Change the World strategy, under the Social Intelligence pillar.
Did you know…?
Pymble’s Indigenous Scholarship Program was launched in 2007 for our inaugural First Nations student, Jessica Ah Chee (2010), an elite sportswoman who was introduced to the College by our program patron, Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE.
This program has since grown to 21 First Nations Scholars.
Former First Nations scholars at Pymble now act as mentors for current First Nations students.
Pymble was one of the four original members schools of the AIS Waratah Project, which was established in 2017 to share knowledge and improve outcomes of First Nations students at independent schools.
The Waratah Project now has 40 member schools, and Pymble leads one of four hubs.
Aboriginal Studies is now offered to students in Years 8, 10, 11 and 12.
In 2024, our Year 12 student Abigail Barfield placed first in the state in HSC Aboriginal Studies.
Pymble has established partnerships with remote communities, including Milingimbi School (NT); Tagai State College (Thursday Island); and Goodooga Central School, Brewarrina Central School and St Joseph’s School (NSW). These reciprocal relationships are sustained features of our approach to Reconciliation, fostering connections, mutual learning and trust between students, staff and families.
Our First Nations Advisory Group includes First Nations alumni, current and past parents, staff, community members, and current members of the First Nations staff team. The purpose of this group is to make culturally informed recommendations and provide guidance about all matters relating to the enrolment and wellbeing of First Nations students at the College.
You are warmly invited to our First Nations Round of Sport
This Saturday, we are proud to host our annual First Nations Round of Sport. Launched back in 2018, this event aims to unite our community in respect for the contribution, knowledge and care of the people who came way before us and the campus that we know as Pymble today. We look forward to welcoming you with open hearts and minds to a reconciled future for one and all. Sadly, I can’t be there as I will be at our annual Board off-site meeting; however, our Deputy Principal, Ms Lamia Rockwell, looks forward to welcoming you to this special occasion.
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Our Junior School Parent Group (JSPG) meeting – Thank you for your feedback
Thank you to all of you who were able to attend our Term 2 JSPG meeting last week. It’s always lovely to come together and I am grateful for your feedback as it means we can work together to continually improve our Junior School community for us all. Please read more details about the Q&A from our JSPG meeting in Mr Robinson’s section of this week’s newsletter.
Reconciliation Week
This week we have recognised Reconciliation Week, with the theme of Bridging Now to Next. It was wonderful seeing each year group engage in activities in line with this theme and focused on showing kindness and respect to each other both now and into the future.
Kindergarten discussed ‘What do kind hands do, and how do they build a kinder tomorrow?’, with the girls tracing their handprint and recording one way they can be kind and care for others.
Renee – “We show kindness by playing with everyone.”
Arin – “We show kindness by listening to friends and saying hi.”
Amelia – “If someone needs help you can help them and be kind.”
Megan – “We can be kind to a friend by giving them ideas when they are not sure what to do.”
Year 1 explored how our First Nations people shared stories using symbols and why this was an important aspect of their culture. They discussed the meaning of an Acknowledgement of Country and how we can show our First Nations people respect. The girls then created their own symbols on story stones and joined them together to create collaborative stories.
Mofei – “I enjoyed drawing the symbols on the stones.”
Hera – “I liked using the stones to explain what the story was about.”
Lucia – “I enjoyed drawing the symbols and choosing different ones to create my story.”
Morgan – “The snakes and the people sitting symbols helped me with ideas for our story.”
Year 2 explored what it means to be sorry and why we may need to apologise to someone by exploring the book Sorry Day by Coral Vass. The girls discussed the importance of an apology and why it enables us to move forward and mend hurt and wrongdoings.
Eliza – “It was important to apologise to our First Nations people because we took their children away and moved them into a new family and community. It wasn’t fair to their families and we needed to say sorry. We acknowledge this during Reconciliation Week.“
Bella – “It’s important to say sorry to the First Nations people because we took away their children and their families would miss them. The children wouldn’t know anyone in the new place so they would be lonely and now we need to say sorry for doing the wrong thing.”
Year 3 reflected upon the importance of working together and the importance of treating people equally and fairly, using their hands to represent moving forward and joining together.
Megan – “Reconciliation means respecting each other in a meaningful way.”
Catherine – “Reconciliation means being kind to others and respecting their culture and beliefs.”
Year 4 discussed what reconciliation means and brainstormed how to reconcile the past and take hopeful actions for the future.
Scarlett – “Reconciliation Week is important to our country because we get to take a moment to reflect and say sorry to the First Nations people. Our bridge shows us acknowledging the past and the mistakes made and trying to connect our country for a better future.“
Emma – “We learnt about reconciliation and how it is a week to remember our roots and the people who lived in Australia long before it was colonised. We, in Australia, commemorate this day and week together.“
Mackenzie – “Reconciliation Week is important because if we as a country have hurt our First Nations peoples, we need to say sorry for that. We need to acknowledge what happened and commit to actions moving forward to bridge us together. As a nation we have so much to be sorry for but have made great strides in bridging the gap.“
Year 5 explored the theme for this year’s Reconciliation Week by discussing their actions to support an ongoing commitment to reconciliation, reflecting on the ongoing connection between the past, present and future. They collaborated using poetry to express this.
Linking with their learning of First Nations sustainable farming practices, particularly fish traps, Year 6 engaged in a weaving activity to create woven fish where they explored Dharug words to demonstrate the respect we hold for their care of the land. This culminated in a net display to represent community.
Amy – “This week we learnt that the First Nations people looked after our land sustainably. We at Pymble acknowledge the Dharug people who looked after our land way before we did. We wove fish and wrote Dharug words to acknowledgethem.“
Grace – “Reconciliation Week commemorates our connection to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is a time to learn about different cultures, traditions and achievements by First Nations people.”
A message from our Kindness Captains
Thank you for supporting our service focus for this term. We are so proud of the Junior School as we have already completed 1227 acts of service! A huge shout out to all the girls who ran the Balmoral Burn last Sunday as this is one of the acts of service within our 2025 service journal. A special shout out to the seven Kindergarten girls who braved the huge hill. A heartfelt thank you to Izzy, Nouvelle, Christina and Sooin, our 2025 Kindness Leaders, who were all there leading by example.
Pleaseshare your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your idea via our online form here.
A message from Mrs Kate Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6
On Wednesday 4 June at 8.30am, we will be holding the next session of the Parent Series. The session will be a panel discussion facilitated by Kate Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6, exploring how sport and risky play contribute to children’s social, emotional and physical development and builds resilience.
The panel will include Mr Matt Tyson, Head of Sport K-6, Mrs Victoria Aikman, Kindergarten Co-ordinator, Mrs Hilary Alo-Emile, Year 1 Co-ordinator, and Mrs Fi Stevenson, OSHC Director. If you would like to attend this session, please sign up by clicking here.
A message from Mrs Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics
This term, as part of the 3-6 Reading Challenge, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of diving back into some of the books I loved as a child and sharing them with girls in Year 6. From magical adventures and mysterious lands to heartwarming tales of friendship and courage, it’s been a journey that’s reminded me just how powerful books can be – not just for young readers, but for all of us.
One of the most rewarding parts of this challenge has been sharing these stories with the girls. Hearing their thoughtful questions about the characters within the novel or talking about the plots within the story and watching them make connections between characters and their own lives. These shared moments are windows into imagination, empathy and curiosity.
The purpose of thereading challenge is to encourage the girls to read across genres – from science fiction and fantasy to historical fiction, biographies, poetry and even graphic novels. Each genre offers something unique and exploring them helps the girls discover what they love while building a richer understanding of the world.
The love of reading has been further ignited through our author visits who have shared stories of their writing journeys, creative processes, and what it takes to bring characters to life on the page.
Girls in Kindergarten to Year 3 also took part in the 2025 National Simultaneous Storytime, joining thousands of children across the country in reading the delightful picture book Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell. It was a beautiful reminder of the unifying power of books – how one story can connect us all.
By reading different styles of texts, the girls begin to develop their own writing styles. Whether they’re crafting persuasive arguments or reflective diary entries, reading gives them the tools to express themselves clearly and creatively in their written work.
Through the Year 6 Reading Challenge, I’ve been reminded of the books that shaped me, and I’ve loved seeing those same stories light a spark in the girls.
Please find the list of suggested texts for students Kindergarten to Year 6 created by Mrs Martha Itzcovitz, Junior School Teacher Librarian and Mrs Josephine Laretive, Junior School Teacher Librarian.
Information regarding ICAS Assessments is available on the MyPymble parent portal. These optional competitions will be held before school for Years 3 to 6 in Term 3.
AMC Assessments
Information on the Australian Mathematics Competition Assessment is available on the parent portal.
Northside G&T Parent Evening with Dr Ruth Phillips
Northside G&T Network are hosting a parent evening with Dr Ruth Phillips; the workshop will be delivered over Zoom. If you would like the link to the workshop to be held on Tuesday, 3 June at 6.30pm, please email me at lbird@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson (Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations)
JSPG Meeting
Thank you to those who attended the JSPG meeting last week. It was a great opportunity for the Junior School leadership team to answer questions and hear feedback from our parent community. As not everyone was able to attend and we did not get to respond to all questions, please click here to read our responses. Please feel free to contact us should you have any further inquiries.
Important information
K-2 Carline: Drivers in this area would have seen new signage that aims to keep the road restricted to a single lane of cars only near the drop-off zone. We kindly ask parents to not park in this single lane area but rather find a space to park on either side. The small inconvenience of walking means we can all keep this area safe for students with slow and controlled car movement in the area.
As noted in the JSPG Q&A, parents are permitted to park in the staff carpark from 3.00pm daily, when accessing OSHC or collecting students from activities.
With the rain seemingly ever present at the moment, please ensure your daughter has a raincoat in her bag. Larger sizes will be back in stock at the Uniform Shop in June.
At present, we have an unusually high number of students attending school without their recess. Can you please ensure your daughter has all her food packed each day, or an order is placed for either/both meals.
It is wonderful to have a large number of students involved in before school co-curricular sport. With the wet weather, please ensure students have a spare dry pair of socks to change into, so they are comfortable for the full school day.
Junior School Canteen Helpers
The Junior School Canteen will continue for Term 2 on Wednesday and Friday. Junior School allows students to purchase (through Flexischools) cold drinks and frozen desserts. Once your order is placed your daughter will have a brown paper bag, where she will go to the Junior School Canteen (lunch tub room) to collect her cold treat.
Please click here if you can volunteer your time. For the care and safety of your daughters, all volunteers must have a current Working with Children Check (WWCC). If we do not already have your WWCC on file, please email juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au your WWCC number and date of birth so your WWCC can be verified.
Scholarship registrations open to current Year 5 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls starting in Year 7 including current Pymble students moving into Year 7. Registrations for Year 7 2027 Rosalie Ramsay Junior Academic Scholarship and Year 7 2027 Performance Scholarship – Music are currently open to our Year 5 students.
Registrations close from 23 July2025 depending on the scholarship. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.
Junior School Digital News
Important Dates
Saturday 31 May – PPA Trivia Night – good luck to all our Junior School families!
Wednesday 4 June – Bennett and Goodlet House Lunch
It is with great excitement that we share with you our newly appointed Year 7 Leaders for the remainder of 2025. We have been so impressed with the many girls who put themselves forward for positions of responsibility across the portfolios.
Their confidence and the impressive initiatives they shared demonstrated the very high calibre of our applicants. I want to remind the girls that even if they were not successful this time, there will be many other opportunities available to step up. Student voice in Middle School is integral to working effectively together. I encourage everyone to be part of building a stronger community that embraces our College values.
Middle School Leaders
Gandom Sharifishahed
Molly Turner
Lexie Wang
Kashmira Agnew
Ria Iyer
Environment Leader
Sophie Ahn
Communications Leader
Sahana Shasidharan
Community Service Leader
Yiyi Wang
Wellbeing Leader
Anika Perera
Intercultural Leader
Olivia Zheng
House Liaison Leaders
Bennett: Indy Barnes
Goodlet: Isabella Wilson
Hammond: Zoe Maynard
Ingleholme: Trisha Viswanathan
Lang: Maggie Brown
Marden: Anna Smart
Thomas: Charlyse McMahon Collinson
Wylie: Catherine Yu
Congratulations to the Year 8 team who placed first out of 77 schools in NSW at the NSW da Vinci Decathlon. Placing first, the team qualifies for the national championships, which take place in the next holiday break.
This is a sensational achievement that is a testament to your skills, passion and determination.
Team members:Adele Jiang, Jennifer Kurniawan, Arden Liceralde, Emma Ouyang, Anika Verma, Penny Xing, Meii You, Annabel Zhao. We are very proud of you girls.
Out of the ten disciplines, the students came first in cartography, ideation, legacy and mathematics.
Student Reflection
The Da Vinci Decathlon is an initiative run by Knox Grammar School, and it is a team academic competition. For each year level between Year 5 and 11, each school sends a team of eight students to compete in ten different disciplines: art and poetry, cartography, code breaking, creative producers, engineering, English, ideation, legacy, mathematics and science. Each year, all ten of the papers are centred around a certain theme, with this year’s theme being ‘Light’.
In preparation for da Vinci, our team worked incredibly hard, meeting up every week, researching and doing past papers to improve. All this hard work paid off, as our team placed first in ideation, cartography, legacy and mathematics, and we were crowned the state champions.
I am incredibly proud of our results and grateful for the amazing da Vinci program Pymble offers, as well as my amazing teammates. I look forward to competing in the national round in the school holidays.
Written by Emma Ouyang (Year 8)
Our second group of Year 8 students left last Sunday as part of the National Exchange Program. This group travelled to Hobart, Toowoomba and Melbourne.
Congratulations to all the Year 8 students who took part in the National Exchange program. Being selected for this opportunity is an amazing achievement, and you should be proud of yourselves for stepping out of your comfort zone. Experiencing life at a new school and living with a host family takes courage and an open mind, and you’ve shown just that. You’ve embraced new routines, built new friendships, and learned to adapt to different environments — all while representing our school with pride. Well done for making the most of this exciting journey!
Scholarship registrations for new RTG STEM Scholarship open to current Year 8 students
Pymble has a new scholarship for students with a passion and competent skills in STEM. The RTG STEM Scholarship offered through the Pymble Foundation is open to Year 8 students (current and external students) for a scholarship commencing in Year 9 2026 until Year 12 2029.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. Students are required to sit an examination held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.
Pleaseshare your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your ideas via our online form here.
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School
From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
It was fantastic to see our Year 11 and 12 Vision Valley Alumni mentors spending time with our next group of Year 9 Vision Valley adventurers earlier this week. Watching the mentors and adventurers connect, share stories about their Vision Valley experiences and answer questions has been a wonderful addition to our preparation activities for Year 9. This opportunity for our younger students to hear firsthand from those who have gone before them is proving invaluable, helping to build excitement and confidence as they get ready for their own Vision Valley journey.
It will be great to have all our Year 9 students back on campus next week with the Term 2 program wrapping up this week. We are so proud of the girls and their Churchie peers on the wonderful way they have embraced the program, despite the wet and soggy conditions of last week.
Term 2 parents, we look forward to seeing you reunited with your beautiful girls at Vision Valley tomorrow, Friday 30 May at the Residential program Honouring Ceremony.
We are delighted to welcome our students from Colmar, France, this week! We hope the girls are settling in well, overcoming any jet lag, and enjoying the many wonderful opportunities Pymble has to offer. A sincere thank you to our Pymble families and the Marden Boarding House for warmly hosting and supporting our visitors. This year, our partnership with Colmar has developed into a combined language and cultural exchange, and we are excited to have strengthened this meaningful relationship.
Dr Hadwen, Mrs Olsen and I have also been busy visiting and connecting online with potential new partner schools in Dublin, Amsterdam, Yorkshire, Norfolk, Edinburgh and California. Year 9 families, please keep an eye out for information on how to apply for an exchange with our existing, and hopefully expanded range of schools in 2026. We are also pleased to welcome back Amber and Lily, who have just returned from a month-long exchange at Wrekin College in Shropshire. Thank you to Amber for sharing your thoughtful reflection on this wonderful experience.
My name is Amber Eisenhauer and I’m in Year 10. I recently went on an exchange to England for five weeks, and it was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I went to a school called Wrekin College, which is about an hour and a half from Birmingham in a beautiful area called Shropshire.
Before I left, I was super excited but also nervous. I was going to a new place without my family or friends, and I did not know what to expect. But it turned out to be such an amazing time, and I’m so glad I did it. We started the trip with five days in London because it was still a school holiday.
London was so pretty, especially in the spring. We saw all the famous landmarks, did heaps of shopping, and got to watch the first people cross the finish line of the London Marathon. Once we got to Wrekin, it was time to start school. I was a bit nervous again, but I was also really looking forward to it. We stayed in the boarding house at the school which ended up being so much fun.
Boarding helped us make way more friends and really feel like part of the school. Our first weekend was a long weekend so my exchange family took me to Wales. We stayed in a place called Barmouth and it was so pretty, especially with all the spring flowers.
Back at school, we joined after-school sports like tennis and cricket, and everyone at the school was so nice and welcoming. It only rained twice while we were there, which is pretty good for England. The school days were longer than I’m used to. They went from 8.15am to 5.30pm and we had hot lunches in the dining hall instead of packed ones, which was different but kind of fun.
It took a few days to get used to the new routine, but after that, it felt just like a normal school day at Pymble. One of my favourite parts of the trip was visiting Oxford. The buildings looked like they were out of a movie. On the way home from Oxford, we went past Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop, which was a highlight because I love the show.
Overall, I’m so grateful I had this experience. I learned so much about English culture, and a lot about myself. The students and teachers at Wrekin were so kind and made it easy to settle in. I’ll never forget this trip and I’m so thankful to Pymble for giving me this opportunity.
Year 10 Subject Selection Launch
This Friday, Natasha Stanfield, our Director of Studies, will launch the Year 10 Subject Selection process. Over the coming weeks, the girls will be supported by their teachers, Heads of Learning Areas, and the curriculum team to make informed choices for Year 11 and 12. Choosing subjects that interest you, spark your curiosity, and suit your strengths is key to staying motivated and achieving your best.
Parents are reminded to save Tuesday 10 June for the Subject Selection Information Evening. This important event will provide valuable information to help guide your daughter’s decisions.
Term
Date
Event
2
Friday 30 May
Subject Selection Launch Assembly including the Subject Selection Website with the Director of Studies
2
Friday 6 June
Subject Selection Assembly in Mind-Body-Spirit with Heads of Learning Areas
Year 10 Commerce Market Day
Last week, the Year 10 Commerce students ran our Market Day stalls at lunchtime on Wednesday and Friday. It was a chance for us to show off the businesses we’d been working on and put into practice what we learnt in Term 1 about entrepreneurship.
My group had seven people, so we split up the roles. I was in charge of finance, which meant working out our costs, completing a cash flow statement, figuring out our break-even point, and estimating how much profit we could make. Other roles included operations, marketing, and CEO. Our business was called Slice’d, and we sold five different flavours of slice, such as Biscoff and Oreo brownie. One of the parts I enjoyed most was making video ads and posters to put up around the school. It was really helpful for getting people to check out our stall and know what we were selling before Week 4.
On the day, we set everything up before lunch and made sure we followed hygiene rules, including wearing gloves and using a tablecloth. It got really busy during lunch, and we ended up selling out, which was a great feeling after all the effort we put in. We did face a few challenges, such as our receipts not printing during sales, which made things a bit stressful, but we adapted and found a solution.
Overall, it was a fun experience and definitely something different from our usual classwork.
Written by Varada V (Year 10)
We Encourage You to Watch: Pre PPEP Talk® Video – Women’s Health
Next week, our Year 10 students will participate in the PPEP Talk® – a one-hour session delivered by trained educators from the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia. This important program empowers young women with knowledge about periods, pelvic pain, and endometriosis, helping them understand what’s normal, how to manage pain, and when to seek help.
We encourage students and parents to watch the optional 13-minute Pre PPEP Talk® Video beforehand. This video offers a helpful refresher on periods and pelvic anatomy, ensuring everyone feels prepared for the session on Monday 2 June. Building health literacy and being empowered to seek help are vital skills for young women. By understanding their bodies and recognising when to ask for support, our students can take charge of their health and wellbeing.
Reminder to Parents
An Athletics Carnival notice was sent earlier today. Please make sure that you give your consent via the MyPymble parent portal for your daughter to attend this compulsory school event.
The Year 9 Residential Program Term 2 Honouring Ceremony starts promptly at 2.00pm tomorrow, Friday 30 May at Vision Valley. The gates will be open from 1.30pm and parking is available on site.
The Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Evening starts at 6.45pm on Tuesday 10 June in the Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts.
Pleaseshare your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your idea via our online form here.
Senior Academic Scholarship registrations open to Year 9 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls who are currently in Year 9 at Pymble or external to Pymble who will be in Year 11 in 2027. Registrations for Year 11 2027 Senior Academic Scholarships are currently open.
Visit the Scholarship webpage for more information and to register for the Academic Test in August.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Key Dates – Term 2
Friday 30 May – Vision Valley Honouring Ceremony
Saturday 31 May – PPA Parent Trivia Night
Tuesday 10 June – Year 11 Subject Selection Information Evening
Thursday 12 June – Pymble Year 2-12 Athletics Carnival
Tuesday 24 June – Secondary School Ensemble Concert
Friday 27 June – Boarders’ Travel Day
Friday 27 June – Last day of Term 2
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School
From the Senior School
A message from Patricia Gallardo, Acting Head of Senior School
As we reach the halfway point of the term, it’s a timely reminder for students to check in with themselves and prioritise self-care. With assessments, co-curricular commitments, and the general pace of school life, it’s natural for stress levels to rise but maintaining balance is key.
We encourage students to:
get plenty of rest and maintain healthy routines;
stay organised to reduce last-minute pressure;
take regular breaks and make time for activities they enjoy; and
reach out and talk if they’re feeling overwhelmed.
Taking care of mental and physical wellbeing is just as important as staying on top of schoolwork. If your daughter is finding things challenging, please remind them that they’re not alone. Their teachers and Wellbeing teams are here to support them.
Reconciliation Week 2025: Bridging Now to Next
As part of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), our school community gathered to reflect on this year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next. This theme highlights the ongoing connection between past, present, and future, urging all Australians to step forward together, drawing on past lessons to guide our journey toward a more united and respectful nation. (Reconciliation NSW, Reconciliation Australia)
A highlight of our observance was a presentation by three of our Year 12 Aboriginal Studies students, Dezi, Maya and Sahara. They shared their Major Works, each delving into complex and thought-provoking issues that deepened our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and experiences. Their research emphasised the importance of truth-telling, respectful dialogue, and the need for all Australians to educate themselves as part of the reconciliation process.
AJ Makes Waves at National Championships!
A huge congratulations to AJ in Year 11 for an outstanding performance at the 2025 Australian Age Nationals, where they took home a Bronze medal in the 16–18 Years 100m Backstroke!
AJ also competed at the Australian Open Swimming Championships, making it to five finals and breaking the 17 Years SB8 100m Breaststroke Australian Record. Even more impressively, AJ smashed three Australian records in the 16 Years, 17 Years, and Open SB8 100m Breaststroke events—surpassing Paralympic legend Ellie Cole to become the fastest SB8 100m Breaststroker in Australian history!
To top it all off, AJ has been selected for the 2025/26 Australian Para-Flippers squad, the official Junior Australian Team. What an incredible achievement!
Well done, AJ – the Pymble community is so proud of you!
Congratulations to Jenny – 2nd Place in the Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition
We are proud to congratulate Jenny (Year 11) on placing second in the inaugural Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition, a new public speaking event designed to elevate the voices of high school girls across New South Wales.
For the past 90 years, a similar platform has existed exclusively for boys. This new competition now offers female students from both public and private schools the opportunity to showcase their skills, share their perspectives and engage in meaningful public discourse.
The Dame Enid Lyons Oratory Competition is an important step towards amplifying diverse voices in public speaking and aims to increase participation, particularly among students from public schools. Jenny’s outstanding achievement is a testament to her confidence, clarity and passion.
Pleaseshare your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your idea via our online form here.
Key Dates – Term 2
9 June – Public Holiday – Kings Birthday Long Weekend
12 June – Athletics Carnival
13 June – Wrapped with Love
From the Year 11 Parent Group
Patricia Gallardo
Acting Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
It’s been a big term and Week 5, but no matter how long the term, it always feels like ‘hump’ week for us in Boarding. The pull to go home gets a bit stronger for our busy girls and commitments for school and sport seem to ramp up. During this time, we focus on supporting the girls to step away from technology, have early nights and eat good food. It is comforting to know that there are plenty of girls walking the same path and it is lovely to see the girls supporting each other along the way.
Every Tuesday night, we celebrate with Spirit House Circles, just one example of the beautiful sisterhood that we enjoy in Boarding. By way of explanation, every Boarder is a member of one of 16 vertical groups, Years 7 to 12, of Boarders, based on their Spirit House – Goodlet, Marden, Lang or Hammond House.
They join the group when they start their Boarding journey and remain with the same group throughout their time at Pymble. Eventually the ‘OG’ little girls, become the leaders of the group and it is heartwarming to see these rewarding relationships evolve.
And while we focus on early nights, an evening of footy is always a tonic for our Boarders and a worthy exception to the rule. Case in point, the State of Origin! While our Blues supporters were in the majority and jubilant in victory, our Queenslanders were a strong if slightly disappointed voice. Regardless of the outcome, not many teenagers get to enjoy this special game with 20 plus of their best mates.
Boarder Parent Group Tonight
If you are reading The College Compass at 6.55pm on Thursday, there is still time to join us online for our Term 2 Boarder Parent Group Meeting. You will hear from our President, Edwina Beveridge, along with our Head Boarders, Sophie and Celeste and our Deputy Principal, Ms Lamia Rockwell who will provide an update on the master plan. Please check your email for the Teams link.
Love It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
We have a fabulous weekend of fun lined up for the weekend, culminating in our Colour Run on Sunday. This initiative of our Boarding prefects aims to bring Boarders from local Boarding schools together on our Pymble campus. The other hope of the Prefects is to raise funds for The Country Women’s Association (CWA), with the view to directing monies towards flood victims on the Mid North Coast. With around 400 Boarders joining us on site, we are hopeful of a fun day with some good proceeds to support country families in need.
View From My Window
Hi! My name is Sahara and I’m a Year 12 Boarder from Dubbo. I have been boarding at Pymble since Year 10 2023. In Year 9 I did distance education whilst my three brothers, my parents and I travelled around Australia in a caravan.
As much as this was an amazing experience, I was very happy to live in a house with my own space afterwards! My family consists of my sister, Rori, who is turning 19 and currently living in England for a gap year, Memphis, who is turning 15, Atlantis, who is turning 9, Olympus, who is turning 7, my mum D’nelle and dad Adam – and I won’t forget my mum’s favourite child, Bella, our Blue Staffy.
We live in Dubbo, aka ‘DubVegas’, which is on the edge of town, because if we lived in town I think we would get one too many noise complaints. When I look out my window I don’t see anything because my bedroom is getting renovated, so I don’t have a window or a bedroom at the moment; however, when I look out the lounge room window I see my brothers fighting in the pool, talking to and nearly killing each other. I see my dad working on his pride and joy, his car and bikes. I see my mum talking to my dog as if she’s a person and understands what she is saying.
There isn’t much to do in Dubbo, but now I have my Ps I am an Uber driver for my friends! We usually drive around at night hoping to find the famous Rhonda Bailey roaming the streets somewhere. I love being home, spending time with my family and friends, but when the time comes to head back to school I get excited about seeing my Boarding sisters again. There are always friends flying back from Dubbo and it’s good to meet up as we head back to our home away from home.
Boarder of the Week
It is such a pleasure to have Year 10 Boarder, Edwina as a member of Marden House. Joining us last year from Culcairn, in the south-east Murray region of New South Wales, Edwina has been an exemplary Boarder since day one.
She is thoughtful, fun and 100 percent reliable. A busy young woman and talented sportswoman, Edwina successfully manages her many commitments while maintaining a perfect room and consistently demonstrating a ‘can do’ attitude.
We are always so proud to see Edwina heading off to school in immaculate uniform and delighted to welcome her ‘home’ each afternoon and to be greeted by her ear to ear grin. We feel very lucky to call her one of our Boarders!
Pleaseshare your stories of diversity and inclusion
Sharing stories is an engaging way to educate others about different ways of life, celebrate diversity and encourage inclusivity within our Pymble family and the communities we support. If you have a story you’d like to share about culture, religion, neurodiversity or physical diversity, we’d love to hear about your idea via our online form here.
Save the Date
Thursday 29 May – Boarder Parent Group (BPG) online meeting 7.00pm
Friday 30 May – Boarder Parent Drinks, 7.00pm
Saturday 31 May – First Nations Round of Sport
Wednesday 4 June – Boarders’ Jersey Day
Sunday 1 June – Boarders’ Colour Run, 10.00am and 3.00pm:
Wednesday 4 June – Boarders’ Jersey Day
Friday 6 June – Long Weekend Boarders’ Travel Day**
Monday 9 June – Boarders return from 5.00pm
Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 June – Boarding Schools Expo, Griffith
Friday 20 to Saturday 21 June – Boarding Schools Expo, Wagga Wagga
Tuesday 24 June – Boarders’ End of Term Chapel Service*
Friday 27 June – End of Term 2 Boarders’ Travel Day**
* All Boarders required to be in attendance, no leave during this time.
** All Boarders to be collected by 4.00pm.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
I want to both invite and encourage you to come along and share Holy Communion fortnightly on Friday mornings during Week A at 7.30am in the War Memorial Chapel.
Everyone is welcome including students, staff, parents and carers. Junior School students can also come along if they’re accompanied by a parent or a carer.
This is a time where we come together and pray for the Pymble community and the wider world, as a whole community. Through our prayer and our sharing of the Sacrament of Holy Communion we will collectively bring the joy and sadness of the whole community before God, as acts of compassion, solidarity, lament and thanksgiving.
There will be no expectation that you speak, but if you want to you will be invited to share the prayers on your heart. There will also be silence, and sometimes gentle music, because as we acknowledge that often the deepest prayers of our heart don’t always need words or alternatively can’t be fully expressed through language.
There will also be no expectation that your share the eating and drinking of the Sacrament. In the Uniting Church we often practice an Open Table for Holy Communion. We believe that it is Jesus that invites people to the table and therefore everyone who wishes to receive the sacrament may do so, regardless of age or understanding. It is up to the individual to choose how they respond to Jesus’ invitation.
You can share the Sacrament.
You can choose to receive a blessing.
Alternatively, you are welcome to just come along and sit in the space, if this is what you need.
Just know that this is a space for you as part of the broader community, and therefore, for all of us.
We will gather for no more than 30 minutes each week, and you are welcome to come each time, or just whenever you can.
See you there!
Reverend Danielle Hemsworth-Smith
College Chaplain
From the Futures Team
Spotlight on Masterclasses
The Futures team arranges opportunities for students to take a deeper dive into specific post-school pathways. So far this year we have hosted speakers from the University College London, St Andrew’s Scotland, UTS Bachelor of Accounting COOP Scholarship and the Australian Defence Force. We held a talk about studying in the USA and had the wonderful Jo Lamble share her knowledge about studying psychology.
This week we heard from University of Melbourne about studying in Victoria. In Week 6 Macquarie University will be sharing information about their Leaders and Achievers program. Elite Athlete and Performs programs will round out the term in Week 8. We are hoping to fit a UBS Cadetship talk in as well!
Upcoming opportunities are emailed to students in Years 10-12 (and Year 9 where appropriate).
Please see the Futures website for more information to help with planning post-school pathways.
Upcoming external events
USYD – Sydney College of the Arts Portfolio Evening
Tailored feedback and valuable insights on your portfolio to support your application to SCA.
Your portfolio is a key part of your application to study a Bachelor of Visual Arts or Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies at the University of Sydney.
Are you an aspiring scientist keen to change the world for the better?
From astrophysics to wildlife conservation and, medicinal chemistry to the history and philosophy of science, a degree in science could lead to a diverse and rewarding career anywhere and everywhere.
Learn about studying science in the vibrant scientific community at the University of Sydney; the wide range of science major options, advanced study options, flexible and specialist degree pathways, research opportunities, industry engagement and exciting student life.
The problems and ideas that will impact society over the next two decades rest on the shoulders of our future engineers. From transitioning to Net Zero Carbon Emissions through decarbonisation to tackling the next big Cyber Security threats, merging biology with technology, and creating the most sustainable infrastructure projects – all of this requires technical skills and expertise, along with creative problem solving. Start your journey at UNSW Engineering – the #1 ranked Engineering Faculty in Australia, and 25th in the world.
Make your application stand out and gain valuable insights to elevate your portfolio, which is a crucial element to your application to study a Bachelor of Music (Composition), Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Composition), Bachelor of Music Composition for Creative Industries Program, and Bachelor of Music Contemporary Music Practice Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
At this online event, you’ll receive personalised feedback on your music portfolio, speak directly with our staff, and learn about our courses and submission processes.
Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation, film and visual effects at the AIE Online Campus Day. AIE will be running this event for students interested in studying online. You will be able to meet our teachers, explore how classes will run, course options, career pathways and see our amazing student work.
We will be covering everything you need to know about the:
careers in games and VFX that we train students for;
studios and industries that we work with;
courses we offer – from beginners to professional mastery, and;
We ask that all players, parents, carers, and spectators please ensure they familiarise themselves with the igsa Sport Code of Conduct. Everyone in attendance at igsa Sport events must abide by the Code of Conduct. The full document can be found by clicking here.
Below are sections specific to players and parents/carers/spectators which igsa would like to highlight. If you have any questions, please contact Co-curricular Administration at ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au who can direct your enquiry to the relevant staff member.
Adam Raw
Director of Sport (K-12)
New Physio Now Available!
We are thrilled to welcome Jack Frith to Pymble. Jack is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in sports injury management across high-performance teams and busy clinics.
Jack is available at the school clinic on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 12.30pm to 6.00pm.
He holds a Master of Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Newcastle. Jack has worked with elite and amateur athletes including UNSW Rugby and Knox Old Boys Rugby and has had valuable experience with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers.
He has completed the APA Sports Level 2, Dry Needling, and ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning qualification. His evidence-based approach and passion for athlete care make him a valuable addition to our team.
Click here to book line or call the clinic on +61 2 9418 2926. You can find out more about the clinic at their website by clicking here.
We have a physio available at the College every weekday and on Saturday’s:
Monday
Emily Brisbane (am)
Tuesday
Simon Taylor (am)
Jack Frith (pm)
Wednesday
Simon Taylor (am)
Thursday
Jack Frith (pm)
Friday
Emily Brisbane (am)
Saturday
Emily Brisbane (am School Sport)
Jack Frith and Emily Brisbane (Term 1 and 3 sport)
First Nations Round of Sport – Saturday 31 May
Join us at Pymble this Saturday 31 May to celebrate the 2025 First Nations Round of Sport. There will be a Welcome Ceremony at 10.00am on Gloucester Lawn, followed by an array of fixtures from 10.30am, finishing with a barbecue for staff, students, and their families from 12.00pm. We hope to see you there!
2025 Secondary School Athletics Carnival
The 2025 Secondary School Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 12 June at the Sydney Olympic Park Competition Arena. The carnival will involve all students from Years 7 to 12 who will be transported to and from the venue by bus.
The carnival will begin at 7.30am for selected championship athletes and 9.00am for all other students. Please click here see the attached note to parents, a registration link for championship events, and a program for your reference.
The Athletics carnival is a compulsory school event that aims to promote house spirit and participation. It is also a selection for our Pymble Athletics squad.
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Co-curricular Administration
Term 3 Saturday Sports registrations are now CLOSED.
The registration deadline of 12.00pm Friday 16 May has now passed. If you missed the registration period and would like to request registration into a sport, please click here. Late registrations are not guaranteed and will only be considered where space and resourcing permit.
We thank all families who registered on time.
Term 3 and Semester 2 registrations will OPEN at 12.00pm on Wednesday 11 June and close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 9 July. Program information will be available from Thursday 5 June.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Co-curricular Administration team ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Sally Davidson
Head of Co-curricular Administration
Athletics
Junior School Athletics Carnival Championship Events
Nominations for Years 2 to 6 students to compete in championship events at the upcoming Junior School Championship Athletics Carnival are now open. Nomination for a championship event is not compulsory, and the Championship Carnival will be held on Thursday 12 June. This is separate to the Junior School Carnival held at the College on Thursday 5 June where all students will attend and participate in non-championship events.
If you wish to nominate your daughter for one or more championship events, please click here. Championship events include the following:
Long Jump
High Jump (date to be advised)
Shot Put
Discus
800m (will be run on Thursday 5 June at 7.30am)
1500m (will be run on Tuesday 3 June at 7.30am)
Please note that the 100m and 200m championship events will be by invitation only. Students have trialled for these events during their curriculum PE lessons and families will be notified if selected.
Additionally, High Jump will take place at the College separate to the Athletics Carnival with the date to be confirmed.
The 1500m event will take place on Tuesday 3 June at 7.30 am, and the 800m will take place on Thursday 5 June at 7.30 am.
Championship event nominations will close on Monday 2 June. If you have any questions please contact Miss Samantha Dale, Co-ordinator of Athletics, via email samantha.dale@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Congratulations to all students who participated in the Inter School Badminton Competition this past weekend. It was great to see 12 teams enter, marking a significant increase from last year.
Special mention to four of the Pymble teams who placed first in their division. Please see the following top three results from the competition:
Pymble 1 – 2nd
Pymble 2 – 3rd
Pymble 3 – 1st
Pymble 4 – 2nd
Pymble 5 – 1st
Pymble 6 – 2nd
Pymble 7 – 2nd
Pymble 8 – 1st
Pymble 11 – 1st
Samantha Dale
Co-ordinator – Badminton
Basketball
Round 4 – Pymble11 Match Report
Despite having only five players, Pymble 11 basketball team delivered an impressive performance, securing a well-earned win against Queenwood in their latest game. The girls demonstrated outstanding energy, teamwork, and determination throughout, with strong rebounding and sharp shooting on both ends of the court. This game highlighted how Pymble 11 players are bringing new concepts from training into their game play. It was a fantastic team effort and a thoroughly deserved victory. Every player stepped up to the challenge, supporting each other and maintaining a high level of intensity right to the final buzzer. Their commitment and positive attitude were clear to see and promise more great results in the season ahead.
A special mention goes to Sarah Asgari (Year 8), Nicole Fan (Year 9), and Stephanie Du (Year 9) who played a game before their Pymble 11 match!
Season Shoutouts
This week’s season shout out goes the Carrington Shelmerdine (Year 7) and her family, who kindly put their hand up to help transports team members to and from Frensham over the weekend. Their willingness to support the team are truly appreciated.
Results
Team
Opponent
Result
Pymble 1
St Catherine’s 1
44 to 14
Pymble 1
Kincoppal Rose Bay 1
48 to 24
Pymble 2
Frensham 2
10 to 32
Pymble 3
Kambala 2
18 to 20
Pymble 4
Loreto Normanhurst 7
29 to 32
Pymble 5
Queenwood 3
30 to 24
Pymble 6
PLC Sydney 4
43 to 13
Pymble 7
Loreto Normanhurst 16
51 to 16
Pymble 8
Queenwood 6
10 to 39
Pymble 9
St Catherine’s 4
57 to 16
Pymble 9
Roseville 8
36 to 20
Pymble 10
Ascham 7
15 to 38
Pymble 11
Queenwood 8
19 to 11
Pymble 12
Frensham 8
25 to 6
Pymble 13
Loreto Normanhurst 26
47 to 7
Pymble 15
Tara 9
22 to 22
Pymble 16
Abbotsleigh 27
13 to 57
Pymble 17
Abbotsleigh 28
12 to 11
Pymble 18
Wenona 13
38 to 14
Pymble 19
BYE
Pymble 20
Danebank 9
15 to 20
Maddison Scott
Co-ordinator – Basketball
Cross Country
Pymble shines at the 2025 Humpty Balmoral Burn
What a spectacular morning at the Balmoral Burn, a unique and challenging event that raises vital funds for life-saving medical equipment for sick babies and children in hospitals across Australia. This year, 100 Pymble girls from Kindergarten to Year 12, along with several enthusiastic staff members, took part, demonstrating not only physical grit but also a deep commitment to community spirit.
A highlight of the morning was the prestigious Head of the Hill relay, where Pymble dominated the competition by claiming first and second – the first time ever to take the top two spots, successfully defending our title. Congratulations to the girls in both teams: Sophia Slater (Year 12), Gemma Dixon (Year 9), Aniela Knight (Year 10), and Rachel Schwulst in the A team; Isobel Shorter (Year 10), Leander McLaughlin (Year 10), Phoebe Pockley (Year 10), and Tully Black (Year 12) in the B team.
The Kindergarten to Year 2 race was an absolute delight, with 15 of our youngest runners showing incredible determination to complete the tough hill. A huge congratulations to Hannah Xiao (Year 2) who placed second and Jade Wang (Year 1) who came third – a fantastic achievement.
Our primary girls were outstanding, tackling the course with huge smiles and unwavering determination. Their enthusiasm and perseverance truly captured the essence of Pymble spirit.
Adding to the joy of the day was the secondary Just for Fun race, where girls could dress up and walk or run up the 420m hill with friends, and new in this year, staff could participate alongside them. This was certainly a fun race to be part of and added to the spirit and sense of community that defines Pymble.
Beyond the race itself, the Pymble community raised over $16,000 for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation. This event is not just about running up a 420m hill – it was about a community coming together to make a difference. Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part and supported this wonderful cause.
Jack Garrad
Co-ordinator – Cross Country
Diving
NSW All Schools Diving Championships
Well done to our three Pymble divers who showcased their skill and composure at the NSW All Schools Diving championships, held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 May. Competing against strong talent from across the state, our team achieved an impressive result— one gold and one bronze medal.
A fantastic outcome from a dedicated group. Congratulations on representing Pymble with excellence!
14 Years Springboard
1st Lara Manuel
4th Eleanor Mason-Jones
13 Years Springboard
3rd Amélie Rahme
Jaimi Arthur-Newman
Co-ordinator – Diving
Football
igsa Football Round 4
The fourth round of the igsa Football season took place this past weekend with only two of our 12 Pymble teams competing. The wet weather wreaked havoc last week which caused all grass fields to be closed. Nevertheless, two of our senior teams had matches on synthetic and played incredibly entertaining games.
Pymble 3 picked up their third win in a row with a solid performance against Ascham. Aniela Knight (Year 10) scored all four goals to earn herself Round 4 MVP.
Pymble 4 picked up their first points of the season with a five all draw against Abbotsleigh. Having only scored four goals in their previous two games combined, our girls put on a goalscoring clinic.
Results
Team
Opponent
Result
Score
Pymble 3
Ascham 3
Win
4 to 0
Pymble 4
Abbotsleigh 4
Draw
5 to 5
Round 4 MVPs
Pymble 3 – Aniela Knight (Year 10)
Pymble 4 – Elke Payne (Year 11)
School Pathway Updates
On Wednesday 21 May, our CIS Football Cup team defeated Bishop Druitt College 7 to 1, which now puts us into the semi-final where we will face Central Coast Sports College. The goal scorers against Bishop Druitt were Alethea Levy (Year 12), Willa Pearson (Year 9), Sasha Chan (Year 11), and a brace each for Havana Gray (Year 7) and Amelia Bicego (Year 10). Our next game will take place at Valentine Sports Park on Wednesday 11 June.
In the Bill Turner Trophy, our 15s and under team defeated NBC Mackellar to move onto the semi-final of the North Area Division. A 3 to 1 scoreline against Mackellar saw us come away victorious with a goal from Georgia Blue (Year 8) and a brace from Havana Gray (Year 7).
On Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May, four of our senior girls will be representing igsa in at the NSWCIS Football championships. Willa Pearson (Year 9) will be donning the black and pink for igsa for a third consecutive year. A huge congratulations to Alethea Levy (Year 12), Amelia Brandon (Year 11), and Eve Goldsworthy (Year 10), who will be making their debuts for the igsa Football representative team.
Good luck to all four students!
Chris Wood
Co-ordinator – Football
Hockey
IPSHA Hockey
We were delighted to see the sun shining on the pitch after lastweek’s rainfall so we could witness another week of Hockey.
Each team demonstrated fantastic sportsmanship, determination, and skill. As we have just reached halfway of the season, we are starting to see teams really starting to gel and perform on the pitch.
Thank you to our coaches, staff, and families for making the first half of the season such a success.
Results
Team
Opponent
Result
Pymble 1
Kincoppal Rose Bay 1
3 to 0 Win
Pymble 2
Kincoppal Rose Bay 3
9 to 0 Win
Pymble 3
PLC Sydney 4
9 to 1 Win
Pymble 4
Abbotsleigh 3
0 to 10 Loss
Pymble 5
BYE
Player of the Match
Congratulations to the following students who received player of the match for Week 4:
Pymble 1 – Emily Walker (Year 6)
Pymble 2 – Isabelle Lawry (Year 5)
Pymble 3 – Emma Ware (Year 5)
Pymble 4 – Lexi Pu (Year 4)
Pymble 5 – BYE
Have a Go Hockey Kindergarten to Year 2
We’ve made it to the halfway point of our hockey season, and what a journey it’s been so far! Watching our young Hockey stars week after week with growing confidence and enthusiasm has been truly inspiring.
Already, we are seeing fantastic progress with their skills and understanding of the game. As we head into the second half of the season, we encourage all students to keep bringing their best energy to every session.
Let’s keep building on this fantastic foundation. Here’s to more fun, learning, and hockey memories still to come!
Mollie Dive Hockey
What an incredible night for our Mollie Dive hockey teams! Both of our squads took the field at Barker for back-to-back matches and delivered outstanding performances that had our supporters cheering from start to finish.
From the first whistle to the last, both Mollie Dive teams showcased skill, determination, and fantastic teamwork. Whether it was tight defence, clever passing, or those electric runs, every player rose to the occasion and played their hearts out.
It was a true team effort from start to finish, and a wonderful moment for our Mollie Dive hockey teams to come together and support one another’s success.
Let’s take this momentum forward into our next matches. Keep practising, keep supporting each other, and most importantly keep having fun!
Results
Team
Opponent
Result
Pymble 1
Barker 1
3 to 0 Win
Pymble 2
Barker 2
6 to 2 Win
Congratulations to the following students who received player of the match of Week 2:
Pymble 1 – Jessica Brown (Year 12)
Pymble 2 – Leander Mclaughlin (Year 10)
Shellie Rocca
Co-ordinator – Hockey
Netball
Week 4 Netball – IPSHA and Net Set Go
What a fantastic week for our Pymble netballers, with six wins, three losses and a draw—making it our most successful round of the term so far. A special mention goes to Pymble 7 for their outstanding 8 to 0 victory. Well done to everyone for your determination and team spirit.
Looking ahead, there’s an exciting opportunity for our Kindergarten to Year 5 players to attend the Ku-ring-gai Netball Association Gala on Sunday 15 June. It promises to be a great day, and we’d love to see as many Pymble teams as possible getting involved.
Our NetSetGo teams are going from strength to strength, continuing to develop their understanding and passion for the game. Pymble 3 gave it their all in a nail-biting match against Killara, only just missing out with a narrow 0 to 1 loss. Fantastic effort, girls—keep up the hard work!
Don’t forget, this weekend is Crazy Hair and Sock Day to support kids’ cancer research. We can’t wait to see everyone’s wild and colourful creations out on the court.
Finally, a huge congratulations to Sophia Kok (Year 10) who has achieved her National C umpiring badge at Ku-ring-gai Netball Association. We’re all incredibly proud of you, Sophia!
IPSHA Netball Results
Team
Opponent
Result
Pymble 1
Roseville 1
Loss
Pymble 2
Tara 2
Win
Pymble 3
Loreto Normanhurst 3
Win
Pymble 4
Ascham 4
Draw
Pymble 5
Loreto Normanhurst 4
Loss
Pymble 6
Barker 8
Loss
Pymble 7
Wenona 9
Win
Pymble 8
Ravenswood 7
Win
Pymble 8
Abbotsleigh 14
Win
Pymble 10
Abbotsleigh 15
Loss
Pymble 11
Abbotsleigh 16
Loss
IPSHA Netball Team Member of the Week
Team
Team Member of the Week
Pymble 1
Sophia Huang (Year 6)
Pymble 2
Evie Sumner (Year 6)
Pymble 3
Alexandra Handley-Greaves (Year 6)
Pymble 4
Lila Ricketts (Year 5)
Pymble 5
Miranda Chen (Year 5)
Pymble 6
Riya Narayanan (Year 5)
Pymble 7
Annabel Zhang (Year 5)
Pymble 8 (Game 1)
Margot Gutkin (Year 4)
Pymble 8 (Game 2)
Ishita Singh (Year 4)
Pymble 10
Audrey Yu (Year 3)
Pymble 11
Alice Han (Year 3)
Net Set Go Team Member of the Week
Team
Team Member of the Week
Pymble 1
Scarlett Yu (Year 1)
Pymble 2
Luna He (Year 1)
Pymble 3
Harlow Comiskey (Year 2)
Megan O’Keeffe
Head Coach – Netball
Rugby Sevens
First Nations Round of Sport
An exciting round of First Nations Sport is upon us. Our Rugby Sevens girls will be taking the field in the below fixtures:
11.00am Pymble Juniors v Lindfield Rugby Club
11.30am Pymble Intermediates v Lindfield Rugby Club
12.00pm Pymble Seniors v Randwick Rugby Club
For those who can help with the barbecue, there are still several spots to fill. If you are available, please click here. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
NSWCIS Rugby Sevens
Congratulations to Scarlett Mitchell (Year 10), Rosie Eggins (Year 11), Evie Farr (Year 10), Mie Naito (Year 10), Olianna Tighe (Year 11), Maya Atkinson (Year 12), Lucy McLean (Year 11), Annie Pennington (Year 10), and Edwina Harrington (Year 10) who all represented igsa at the NSWCIS Secondary Girls Rugby Sevens Championships last week. Both the U16 and U18 teams won their division, with the U16s undefeated. Well done to Maya, Lucy, Scarlett, Evie, and Mie who were selected into the NSWCIS team to compete at NSW All Schools later in the term!
Jack Garrad
Co-ordinator – Rugby Sevens
Swimming
Outstanding Results at the NSW All Schools Championships
Congratulations to our 21 talented Pymble swimmers who competed at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 May. The team delivered an incredible performance, bringing home a total of 26 medals—11 gold, ten silver, and five bronze.
A special highlight goes to our 6x50m relay team and our Junior girls Freestyle relay team, who not only secured first place but also broke the NSW All Schools record—an exceptional achievement!
Well done to all swimmers on representing Pymble with pride and excellence! Lilly Andrews (Year 8), Lily Barlow (Year 12), Megan Chia (Year 9), Jennifer Chong (Year 12), Annalise Chow (Year 11), Jessica Cullen (Year 12), Georgia Friedel (Year 8), Aj Gillespie (Year 11), Penelope Hargraves (Year 8), Caitlyn Keating (Year 10), Victoria Puisai Ko (Year 7), Jaya Lilienthal (Year 12), Elizabeth Lockhart (Year 12), Priscilla Miller (Year 7), Emma Ng (Year 9), Quinn Parry-Okeden (Year 8), Ruby Pickthall (Year 11), Charlotte Sadler (Year 8), Keira Smith (Year 12), Sarah Tian (Year 11), Indianna Vale (Year 10), Alexis Whitton (Year 8)
Results
Lilly Andrews
12 to 13 Years 50m Freestyle 2nd
12 to 13 Years 50m Butterfly 4th
Lily Barlow
17 Years and Over 400m Freestyle 4th
Megan Chia
15 Years 100m Freestyle 1st
15 Years 100m Butterfly 3rd
15 Years 50m Butterfly 4th
Alyssa Gillespie
16 Years and Over 100m Backstroke Multi-Class 1st
16 Years and Over 50m Breaststroke Multi-Class 2nd
16 Years and Over 50m Backstroke Multi-Class 2nd
16 Years and Over 100m Breaststroke Multi-Class 2nd
On the weekend of Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May, eleven talented swimmers from Pymble Ladies’ College took part in the 2025 NSW Short Course Preparation Meet, held at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. This event, organized by Swimming NSW, serves as a crucial stepping stone for athletes aiming to qualify for the upcoming Metropolitan and State Championships.
The meet provided an excellent platform for our swimmers to gain valuable race experience, test their skills against a competitive field, and achieve qualifying times for future high-level competitions. It was an exciting and rewarding weekend, with many of our athletes achieving new personal bests and a few securing new state qualifying times.
Vera Le (Year 5) achieved a state qualifying time in the 100m Butterfly
Isabella Wang (Year 6) secured a state qualifying time in the 50m Freestyle
Sophia Li (Year 7) attained state qualifying times in multiple events, including the 50m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, and 200m Freestyle
All participating swimmers demonstrated remarkable dedication and sportsmanship. Their performances reflect the hard work and commitment they have invested in their training.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the girls for their outstanding efforts and achievements; Sophia Li (Year 7), Ludovica Iacovelli (Year 8), Georgia Friedel (Year 8), Mao Jade (Year 8), Penelope Hargraves (Year 8), Vera Le (Year 5), Charlotte Yim (Year 6), Rose Harrington (Year 7), Puisai Victoria Ko (Year 7), Priscilla Miller (Year 7), and Isabella Wang (Year 6).
A special thank you goes to our dedicated coaches, Nicola and Sara, whose guidance and support were instrumental in preparing the swimmers for this competition. We also express our gratitude to the parents for their unwavering encouragement and support throughout the weekend.
Sara Petronzio
Swimming Coach
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
Step Behind the Curtain – Discover Your Future in the Arts
Are you passionate about the performing arts?
Curious about where a love of film, theatre, music, costume design, production design or arts management could take you?
Behind the Curtain is your exclusive opportunity for students in Years 7 to 12 to connect with inspiring Pymble alumni who are forging dynamic careers in the creative industries. Join us for a lively panel discussion, followed by a seated lunch where students will have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with graduates who have transformed their artistic passions into successful professions. Gain valuable insights, ask burning questions, and be inspired to take the first steps into the world of the performing arts.
In the upcoming newsletters, we will introduce you to the alumni who have been invited to participate in this special event.
Places are limited for this special event – don’t miss your chance to go Behind the Curtain.
Date: Wednesday 11 June, 12.45pm to 2.20pm (lunch and compass)
Venue: Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts foyer
Cost: $10.00 (lunch and drinks)
Meet our second Behind the Curtain Alumni – Safia Arain
Graduating from Pymble in 2016, Safia is an Australian actor who was born in England and grew up in Sydney. Both sets of her grandparents migrated to Australia from Pakistan in the 1970’s. Throughout her schooling at Pymble she was involved in theatre and realised her passion for acting. She went on to graduate from Screenwise’s Diploma of Screen Acting in 2019, and since then has been working in the Australian film and TV industry.
She’s most known for playing ‘Reema’ in all 5 seasons of the Stan Original series Bump.
Most recently, Safia starred in the ABC series House of Gods, playing the daughter of the acclaimed Palestinian actor Kamel El Basha.
Safia is strongly influenced by her heritage, her Muslim faith, and the power of the arts and storytelling to heal and transform.
And the winner is……
The annual Best of PAC concert brought the Performing Arts community to life with a celebration of student talent, skill and creativity. Held in the PE centre, the showcase was enjoyed by the entire Secondary School. Congratulations to Zarina Nurlanov (Year 12)and Sarah Boland (Year 12)who were awarded first place for their outstanding performance. Second place was awarded to the Year 10 Band: Laranya Nanthakumaran, Isabelle Port, Amrita Marwah, Zoe Manning, Annabel Taylor,andJasmine Chi. Third place was presented to the talented Year 11 group: Joanna Au, Alice Mao, Lily Still,andTina Zhao.
In addition to the performances, the winners of the PAC Art competition were also announced, highlighting the outstanding visual artistry:
First place: Jacqueline Wang (Year 11)
Second place: Jocelyn Jiaxuan Ying (Year 11)
Third place: Annabel Zhao (Year 8)
Congratulations to our winners and to all the students who participated in this annual event.
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Dance
DanceLife Unite Eisteddfod
Last Friday 23 May, Pymble Dance competed in their first Eisteddfod of the year, DanceLife Unite, and what a way to start the eisteddfod season!
All dance groups showcased their remarkable skills and achieved outstanding results. We are so thrilled to announce that every eisteddfod group placed in their respective categories. It was fantastic to see all our groups on stage, showcasing their routines and shining brightly after all their hard work so far this year.
Results
Year 3 to 6 Jazz and Hip Hop Section
2nd place – Year 5 and 6 Jazz – Conga
3rd place – Year 3 and 4 Jazz – Hocus Pocus
Year 3 to 6 Any Style Section
1st place – Junior Lyrical – War Letters
Year 10 to 12 Any Style
2nd place – Jazz Scarlet – Apollo and Artemis
High School Open Age Contemporary
2nd place – Contemporary White – From the Ashes
3rd place – Contemporary Scarlet – You Are Your Own Worst Critic
High School Open Age Lyrical
4th place – Contemporary Navy – Rise Again
High School Open Age Jazz
2nd place – Jazz White – Poker Face
High School Open Any Style
1st place – Lauren Elton – DANCE
High School Open Age Hip Hop
1st place – Hip Hop Crew – Gyal Dem
Sydney Eisteddfod
Congratulations to all the students who competed in the Sydney Eisteddfods on the weekend. We are so proud of your composure backstage and energy on stage! It was fantastic to see such camaraderie among the groups, with lots of students volunteering to help with hair, makeup, pinning costumes and guiding each other around the venues.
Results
Secondary School Contemporary
2nd place – Contemporary White – From the Ashes
Highly Commended – Contemporary Scarlet – You Are Your Own Worst Critic
Secondary School Jazz
Highly Commended – Jazz White – Poker Face
Secondary School Hip Hop
1st place – Hip Hop Crew – Gyal Dem
Katrina Cluff
Head of Dance
Drama
Bravo to our actors
On Monday evening, students from across the College took to the stage at the Riverside Theatre for the Short and Sharp performance festival.
The Junior School team performed “Elements”: Mya Aggarwal (Year 6), Bhuvika Bhatia Year 6), Kate Bi (Year 6), Sana Iyer Year 6), Anandita Kalantri (Year 6), Arlene Ke (Year 6), Emily Pu (Year 6), Aaisha Suresh (Year 6), and Angelina Yang (Year 6).
The Middle School team performed “Snow Vite and the 7 Vampires”: Orla Cottrell (Year 8), Amelia Hardas (Year 8), Molly Hardiman (Year 8), Amber Lewis (Year 8), Annabelle Rolph (Year 8), Chloe Xiong (Year 8), and Summer Zhou (Year 8).
The evening concluded with a show-stopping performance from the Senior team with their original piece, The Court Case of 789. This piece was awarded first place. The judges praised the group for their ensemble work, high energy, and vocal projection. Congratulations to Jessica Allman (Year 10), Zoe Bloom (Year 10), Emily Chiang (Year 10), Katerina Economou (Year 10), Grace McSweeney (Year 10), Laranya Nanthakumaran (Year 10), Isabel Neal (Year 10), Laura Sayers (Year 10), Chloe Wang (Year 10), Nina Wang (Year 10), and Lara Waterhouse (Year 10).
We are thrilled to share that The Court Case of 789 will move on to the grand final. This is a testament to the team’s talent, commitment and collaborative spirit.
Bravo to all performers for an impressive night of theatre.
Eliza Bell
Head of Drama
Language Arts
Debating
NSW Won the National Schools’ Debating Championship (NSDC)
· Kitty He (Year 11), Captain of Debating at Pymble, NSW NSDC State team member
· Maya Garg (Year 12) 2025 Captain of the NSW NSDC team
We are so Pymble proud of these debaters. NSW won the nationals and Maya is off to Worlds. It was wonderful to have these debaters acknowledged in assembly this week.
ISDA and FED
ISDA
Congratulations to Primary B, Year 7, and Year 8, who debated in the ISDA Quarter finals last week. Sadly, Primary B were defeated. Years 7 and 8 were victorious at Shore. On Friday, Year 8 will be at Monte and Year 7 will be at MLC for semi-finals.
Guests are welcome to watch debates. Good luck teams.
Transport To and From ISDA Debating Semi Final
As finals can mean multiple venues, please note that buses will NOT run through finals and parents must be responsible for their daughter’s travel both to and from events. Carpooling is recommended.
Parents are welcome to attend and please note that parents must arrange transport home following their daughter’s debate.
More Debating Opportunities
Social Debating coaches – Thank you to those who have volunteered to assist uni coaches with Social Debating. This competition runs until and including Friday 27 June
Social Debating girls – We look forward to seeing you tomorrow after school in Jobson theatre, KM building, to start your online season.
Archdale
Round 3 Shield and Invitational debating continued Tuesday when we hosted Kincoppal Rose Bay. Next Tuesday, debates will again be held at Pymble. Invitational will be run from Upper Colonnade, and Shield will run from Upper School Common Room.
Archdale Invitational will run from IH each week unless it is a HOME debate for Shield. In those instances, Invitational will run from Upper Colonnade.
Public Speaking
DELO – Public Speaking Invitation
“A woman with a strong voice is by definition a strong woman” – Melinda French Gates.
The Dame Enid Lyons Oratory competition is the most prestigious Public Speaking competition for girls in NSW. Please take a look at this ABC footage of some of the DELO contestants with the Governor General, and at the event, by clicking here.
Bravo to Jenny Xu (Year 11), our Public Speaking Captain, who was the first Pymble student to enter this inaugural competition and who was named runner up.
The DELO final was held in the Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre, on the evening of Wednesday 21 May. The presenter was Dr Julia Baird.
Public Speaking Classes and Ted X
A special shout out to all who attend Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday classes. It is encouraging to watch students gaining confidence and presenting some great speeches. Miss Shen will be replaced on Wednesday next week with Miss Lara Hogan. All the best to Miss Sheng as she prepares to leave to pursue tertiary study overseas.
Model United Nations (MUN)
Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN)
PMUN runs each Monday lunch in DK06. Come along and join us this term. Everyone is welcome. Learn how to prepare for a MUN conference. We will hold our own Winter conference again this year. We have also received invitations to MUN conferences to be held at various high schools including Trinity and Knox. Please see our MUN captain, Kiki Chen (Year 11), if interested and email your interest to Mrs Hubbard.
HMUN
Harvard MUN is being held at Cranbrook from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June this year. Co-curricular Administration will continue to update information to the fourteen girls and parents who registered.
THIMUN 2026 Tour
All who have expressed interest in the THIMUN tour have been contacted and girls were asked to submit their expression of interest letter by Monday 26 May.
Discover MUN
Well done to our Discover MUN team who spent the day at UNSW on Tuesday this week. Special congratulations to Imogen Kee, Nia Arun and Katherine Xu who were awarded prizes for speaking and advocacy. All enjoyed the day, especially the opening speech from former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Mr Turnbull highlighted the rift between Australian and American values under Donald Trump.
Mock Law
Bond Mooting
The date for our online heat was Tuesday 20 May at 2.30pm and results are in! Our team has progressed to the semi finals to be held at Bond University on Saturday 7 June. Thanks to our mooters – Catherine Shi (Year 12), Kitty He (Year 11), and to Kiki Chen (Year 11), silent solicitor. Catherine and Kitty were also awarded honourable mentions for advocacy. They impressed the judges with their oral advocacy skills, their demonstrated understanding of the law, and their ability to articulate legal arguments and respond to judges’ questions. Certificates will be issued to these students shortly and presented at LA showcase.
Mock Mediation
We have decided to open Mediation skills to more than one team. All those in Years 8 to 10 interested in Mediation will be invited to a lunchtime introductory talk. Stay tuned. This is a terrific life skill and will be a fun internal competition.
Young Justice
At our recent excursion to the Young Justice Day, we discovered that our lecturer was a Pymble alumni who lectures in ethics and the law. We are delighted that she is keen to return to Pymble for a tour and to conduct a lunchtime session for all interested in ethics and law. Stay tuned for the date. le for a tour and to conduct a lunchtime session for all interested in Ethics and Law. Stay tuned.
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Language Arts
Music
Congratulations
The Brass Ensemble, the Andarta Trio and the Ivory Quartet all performed in the Chamber Music section of the City of Sydney Eisteddfod on Sunday 25 May. It was a long day with 30 competitors, and I was immensely proud of our students. Ivory Quartet received a Highly Commended, which is a testament to the level of competition out there. The winners were a young quartet who performed with maturity way beyond their years and displayed a beautiful sense of musicality and technique. We often remind the girls that the purpose of going to the eisteddfod isn’t about the competition, but to be exposed to other schools and groups who also enjoy being musicians. It is important for us to realise this and to teach the girls that winning is obviously wonderful, but being part of an ensemble, having like-minded peers, and being part of a very special group of people is even more meaningful.
The Pymble Chorale has entered the eisteddfod through video submission. Unfortunately, there was a double booking for the Concourse this year and the choirs have all been asked to submit a video. We look forward to hearing the comments made, but Mr Schweinberger and I were so proud of their performance in front of parents on Monday night – BRAVO!
Dates for your diary
Thursday 29 May – Open Evening for Performing Arts. Girls in Year 4 Band, Stage Band, and Andarta Trio will be showcasing their skills.
Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 June – Ensemble photos for Secondary students. The timetable has been sent to parents and students. Please email Mrs Turner if you have not received this. Performance uniform must be worn.
Wednesday 11 June– Behind the Curtain – A lunch event for students interested in pursuing a career in the Performing Arts.
Monday 16 June – Eisteddfod for Hindson Chamber Strings and Senior Chamber Strings. Please check emails for permission notes for this event.
Tuesday 24 June – Term 2 Ensemble Concert in the GMCPA at 6.30pm. This is a concert for all students in choirs, bands, and orchestras and is compulsory. Tickets will be $5.00.
Wednesday 25 June – FAREWELL LUNCH TO YEAR 12 musicians, hosted by Year 11 musicians
Sarah Turner
Head of Music
After-Hours Study
Homework Help
Year 12 Study Camps
Click the poster below to register.
Apply now for a range of Pymble scholarships
Senior Academic Scholarship registrations open to Year 9 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls who are currently in Year 9 at Pymble or external to Pymble who will be in Year 11 in 2027. Registrations for Year 11 2027 Senior Academic Scholarships are currently open.
Information and to register to sit the Academic Test in August visit the Scholarship webpage.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Scholarship registrations open to current Year 5 students
Pymble offers a number of scholarships each year to girls starting in Year 7 including current Pymble students moving into Year 7. Registrations for Year 7 2027 Rosalie Ramsay Junior Academic Scholarship and Year 7 2027 Performance Scholarship – Music are currently open to our Year 5 students.
Registrations close from 23 July2025 depending on the scholarship. The examination will be held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.
Scholarship registrations for new RTG STEM Scholarship open to current Year 8 students
Pymble has a new scholarship for students with a passion and competent skills in STEM. The RTG STEM Scholarship offered through the Pymble Foundation is open to Year 8 students (current and external students) for a scholarship commencing in Year 9 2026 until Year 12 2029.
Registrations close on 30 July 2025. Students are required to sit an examination held at the College on Sunday 10 August 2025.
Information about portfolio requirements and how to apply can be found online through the Scholarship webpage.
