Green and Gold Day at Pymble

In the spirit of the Olympic Games and in partnership with the Australian Olympic Committee, all students will be participating in Green and Gold Day tomorrow, Friday 2 August 2024, during lunchtime and throughout MBS.

We are thrilled to share that the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) will be attending to film this exciting event. It’s a fantastic chance for our students to get involved and showcase their sporting spirit.

If you DO NOT want your daughter to participate in these activities or be filmed doing so, please email the respective school office and advise them accordingly.

Students are expected to wear mufti with green and gold tomorrow and to participate in some of the activities. Please ensure your daughter has the appropriate clothing for any of the activities she wishes to partake in, e.g. her swimming costume for water-based activities.

Activities will be held in various locations across the school, including Main Oval, Mollie Dive Field, the tennis courts, the gymnastics centre, the gym and the pool.

Let’s rally together and show our support as we cheer on our talented athletes. Go Aussie, go!

From the Principal

This week, and for the next few weeks, we will be cheering on our Pymble Olympians, their supporters, and our current student athletes who are striving to become Olympians in the future.

This includes our Head Coach – Diving, Mr Kurtis Matthews, who will be competing on Tuesday 6 August after working so hard for 15 years to reach this goal; our Head of Sport 7-12, Mrs Katie Edwards, who has been appointed a Paralympic coach and whose daughter, Kristie (2017), will take part in the women’s 4 x 100m relay team; our Deputy Principal – Academics, Mrs Christine Kenny, who will be on the edge of her seat back home when her nephew, Rohan Browning, races in the men’s 100m event on Saturday 3 August; and Pymble Basketball Academy Partner, Lauren Jackson, who with her Opals teammates, played their first game in Paris this week.

Among our alumni, we have Dr Mackenzie Little (2014) competing in javelin on Wednesday 7 August and Sunday 11 August, and Edwina Tops-Alexander (1991) in showjumping today and tomorrow.

Pymble is incredibly proud to be the only independent school in Australia designated as an Olympic Pathway School (OPS) by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). In the spirit of the Games and in partnership with the AOC, we have planned a Green and Gold Olympics Day for students and staff tomorrow during lunchtime and throughout Mind Body Spirit time. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to celebrate the Olympics and try out new sports. Excitingly, the AOC will also be attending to film our event. 

We ask all students to respect the spirit of the day and our partnership with the AOC by coming to school wearing day clothes (not pyjamas or onesies please) showing green, gold or yellow.

Respecting all pathways and passions

While being an Olympic Pathway School represents a wonderful opportunity for many of our girls, we understand that sport is not the be-all and end-all for everyone. Pymble is committed to encouraging and celebrating excellence in all domains, whether that’s sport, academics, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, social justice, and of course, how we behave as individuals and as a community. One way we do this is though our fabulous showcases, such as tomorrow night’s TASFest, which I am very much looking forward to attending. It’s wonderful to see so many parents at these events celebrating not only their daughter’s achievements, but other students’ achievements, too.

On that note, a very special shout-out to our enthusiastic parent supporters at last week’s Junior School Athletics Carnival who cheered on every student by name as they took their turn at the long-jump pit. We are blessed to have so many parents modelling care and respect for all our students. Truly a #PymbleProud day.

You may recall, last week I wrote about the introduction of our Values as Behaviours statements and asked the girls to write examples of when they had seen our values in action. So far over 300 responses have come in, showing heartwarming examples from students and staff. The below reflection from Carrie Wilson in Year 10 is indicative of the responses that have been shared.

Student reflections by College value

We counted every response to provide a picture of the values recognised by our girls. The low representation of respect took me by surprise and caused me to dig a little deeper.

Care – 41%

Courage – 34%

Integrity – 14%

Respect – 5%

Responsibility – 6%

This led to research showing that the use of the word ‘respect’ has been in decline for some time (see the table below). Respect is a multi-faceted value. There is respect in the form of admiration, personal respect for another, and respect that might drive behaviour to avoid harming others – and that’s just skimming the surface. This exercise indicated a need for us, as a school, to better understand why this value is not connecting so strongly with our students. Next year, we will embark on a school-wide focus on respect with a different theme each term; thank you in advance for your support as we work together to amplify the importance of respect within our community.

Respecting our First Nations students and culture

On the topic of respect, thank you to all the students and staff who participated in our annual NAIDOC Week Assembly and other related activities around campus. NAIDOC Week acknowledges and celebrates the rich history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and promotes respect and understanding of their cultures, lores and traditions.

One of the highlights was hearing from our former First Nations Scholar, Bronte Charles (2018), who spoke with the girls about her Pymble journey and the pathway to where she is now: a graduate of Macquarie University working as a digital journalist and producer at SBS/NITV. Bronte reflected on the opportunity she was given, acknowledging her path may have been quite different had she not had the chance to attend Pymble. She encouraged her ‘sisters’ in our First Nations program to be proud of their culture and to not let challenges, hurdles or feeling different to others to dent their confidence or alter their course. Bronte also referenced the staggering statistic that, in Australia, First Nations people are more likely to go to jail than they are to graduate from high school.

With great respect, we thank Bronte and all our First Nations students for generously sharing their stories this week, along with our amazing First Nations dancers who, as always, blew us away with their power and passion for sharing their culture through dance.

Windows into Learning

It gives me great pleasure to kick off the first Windows into Learning section of our Newsletter for Term 3. As always, we thank our wonderful teachers for sharing and producing these opportunities to celebrate academic teaching and learning at Pymble. Over to Mrs Clark and Mr Stafford.

“Push and Pull” in Kindergarten Science

In their “Push and Pull” Science unit, Kindergarten girls were challenged to design and create a mode of transport enabling our Kindness mascot, Heidi Hedgehog, to visit their classrooms with greater speed and frequency. The girls immediately leapt into action, using creative combinations of repurposed items such as wheels, seatbelts, handlebars, doors, slides, stairs, umbrellas, multi-levels, swimming pools, bookshelves – even lipstick holders! Over the next few weeks, Kindy girls worked together to improve and expand on their ideas through trial and error, overcoming setbacks with determination and new solutions. In addition to successfully producing their prototypes, our girls developed their foundational learning and life skills of negotiation, compromise, problem solving, resilience and creativity.

Mrs Tamara Clark
Kindergarten Compass Teacher

Save the dates: Performing Arts HSC Showcases!

We are approaching an exciting time in the creative world of Performing Arts with our HSC Dance, Drama and Music showcases coming up in Term 3. These three nights are highlights of our Performing Arts calendar, giving our Year 12 students an opportunity to showcase their amazing HSC performances and talents with fellow students, staff and Pymble families. The standard is incredibly high and each showcase is highly entertaining, so I encourage you to get along to these nights and celebrate the outstanding talent among our soon to be graduates.

HSC Dance Showcase – 24 August in the GMCPA from 6.00pm

HSC Drama Showcase – 3 September in the GMCPA from 5.30pm

HSC Music Showcase – 6 September in the Music Gallery from 5.00pm

Mr Marcus Stafford
Head of Learning Area – Performing Arts

From the Junior School

From the Head of Junior School

Olympic fever has come to the College and the Junior School girls are loving the focus on sport this week. Led by our amazing Head of Sport, Mr Matt Tyson, the girls have been following some of the Olympic highlights, learning more about some of the key sportswomen they have asked to highlight, and having a go at some of the Olympic sports.

Tomorrow all girls (and staff) are encouraged to show our support for our Australian team by wearing green and gold to school. As it’s also Jeans for Genes Day, girls are invited to wear jeans and green and gold. As we have a number of alumni and teaching staff competing in Paris this year, it’ll be a great way to show our Pymble pride. We will be enjoying lots of Olympic sporting activities during lunchtime so please ensure your daughter comes wearing appropriate clothing and shoes for active play.

Sign up for Saturday Sport!

As we focus on sport during this Olympic period, I want to encourage participation in Saturday sport in Term 4. Term 4 sports include IPSHA Basketball, IPSHA Tennis (for experienced Tennis players), or Hotshots Tennis (for beginner-level Tennis).  

Whilst never an elite athlete, I have been passionate about team sport (hockey) and running my whole life and know how much sport has shaped me as a person and a leader. As a mum, I had two very dedicated and skilled dancers, and I also encouraged both my daughters to participate in other team sports including cricket and hockey. It was evident they each gained many positive experiences and learned dispositions through their engagement in sport.

Participation in team sports offers numerous benefits that enhance physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Physically, they promote cardiovascular health, strength, and co-ordination through regular exercise. Mentally, participating in team sports fosters discipline, improves focus, and boosts self-esteem as players work towards common goals. Socially, these activities enhance communication skills, encourage collaboration and build lasting friendships.

Additionally, team sports instil values such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience, which are essential for personal development and success both on and off the field. Overall, engaging in team sports contributes to a well-rounded lifestyle and a sense of community.

Next week we have a presentation by some of our phenomenal fencing sportswomen – Ivy Li, Aimee Qiu, Shelley Xie and Rosalie Leung – who are talking in assembly about their sport and the skills they have developed over their years of training.

Kindness to the Environment – Our Term 3 focus

This term, our kindness focus is on being kind to the environment. First and foremost, I have challenged the girls to take more care and responsibility with their recess and lunchtime rubbish/recycling and ensuring it isn’t left around the playground. I am hoping that together we can improve the state of our campus and look after our native birds by living our College values and taking more care, being more responsible, showing more respect for our campus and having the integrity to do the right thing and put our own rubbish in the bin despite the excitement of rushing off to play!

Please encourage your daughter to think about ways she can show kindness to the environment and make one small change to help our planet; perhaps a shorter shower or turning the lights off when she leaves a room. Every small positive action we take will have a positive impact.

100 Days of Kindergarten – Heidi Lynch, Kindergarten Co-ordinator

Kindergarten had a very special reason to celebrate this week, as Monday marked their 100^th day of Kindergarten. Over our first 100 days, we have explored and mapped the College, visited Farmer Dave and learnt our farm animals, helped to raise ducklings, led bug hunts in the riverbed during nature play sessions, cheered on Heidi Hedgehog and Mrs Brown in a billy cart and participated in our first Athletics Carnival… and that’s just to name a few! It certainly has been action packed!

The girls were buzzing with energy during our celebration day! They had the opportunity to perform two songs, singing proudly and beautifully for their special guests. The girls then invited their families into the Kindergarten learning space where they completed a variety of 100-themed challenges. Early engineering and design skills were on display, with many amazing structures created with 100 stackable cups.

The day concluded with a picnic lunch enjoyed by all. It was wonderful to see the Kindergarten courtyard alive with chatter and celebration. We would like to thank our Kindergarten families for all their support in reaching and celebrating this very special milestone.

A message from Kurt Schweinberger – Head of Creative and Performing Arts K-6

Get your tickets for the Year 1 and 2 Showcase!

All members of the College community are warmly welcomed to attend the Year 1 and 2 musical, Porridge!

Porridge tells the story of when a crime wave hits Happy Valley and there is a caseload of mysteries to be solved! Who’s stolen Ma Hubbard’s recipe book? Who’s kidnapped Marigold the cow? And what dirty secret is Papa Bear hiding behind his Porridge empire? It’s down to Private Detective Jack Spratt to uncover the terrifying truth in this tale of mystery, mayhem and breakfast cereal!

Please visit the GMCPA Box Office to secure your tickets.

Performance Date: Friday 16 August (2.00pm and 5.00pm).

Ticket Price: $10.00

A message from Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academics 

Academic Discussions – Monday 5 to Wednesday 7 August

A portal notice has been sent to parents with information about Term 3 Academic Discussions. A link has also been sent to parents to book a time through Edval Interviews. If you have any problems booking an interview via Edval Interviews, please contact me, lbird@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.  The booking system closes on Friday 2 August at 3.00pm.

On campus discussions will take place in the following locations in the Junior School:

Kindergarten – Compass classroom

Year 1 – Compass classroom

Year 2 – Compass classroom

Year 3 – Junior School Library (3-6)

Year 4 – Junior School Library (3-6)

Year 5 – Year 5 building upstairs

Year 6 – Year 5 building downstairs

Please note that discussions taking place on Wednesday 7 August are online.

OzKids in Print – Writing and Art Competition

If your daughter would like to enter a short story, poem or artwork into the OzKids in Print Competition, please contact Lara Bird, Deputy Head of Junior School – Academic, lbird@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au. Entries will be closed for submission on Friday 30 August (Week 6). Please include a title with any short story or poem submitted. For any artwork submitted, please include a title and a brief description of the artwork. For more information, please click here.

Wellbeing Weekly – Kate Giles, Head of Wellbeing K-6 

Thank you to those parents who attended the Parent Wellbeing Series session today. It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss and share strategies to support the girls with their friendships in this increasingly digital world. For those who were unable to attend this session, some key take aways from the session included:

• The same ‘rules’ apply online:
  • Kindness online is just as important as in person
  • Trust and respect are needed for a healthy friendship
  • If you would not say it in real life, you should not say it online
  • Mean-on-purpose behaviour is always mean-on-purpose behaviour even if said online
• Discourage your daughter from entering into friendship fires online or continuing any school disagreements online.
• Know what your daughter is doing online and who she is communicating with.
• Have regular conversations with your daughter around online safety and behaviour.

If you are interested in learning more, some useful additional resources include:

https://urstrong.com/parents

https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

The Tech Diet for your child & teen by Brad Marshall

How to say no to your phone by Brad Marshall

The next session of the Parent Wellbeing Series will be held on 22 August at 8.45am. The session will be focused on helping to support your daughter to build self-confidence and healthy body and self-image. To register for this event, please use this link.

A message from Mr Robinson – Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations

Lunch Orders

We are excited to see changes to the Junior School lunchtime menu, with the launch of a Junior School specific Flexischool site from Term 3. This new offering includes cold drinks and frozen treats available for all students in Kindergarten to Year 6 each Friday. We are also seeking the support of family members to support sorting lunch orders and serve cold food items throughout Term 3. If you are able to assist, please sign up via this link.

Term 3 2024 Key Dates – Week 1 and 2

Tomorrow Friday 2 August – Jeans for Genes and Green and Gold – Years 3 to 6 sausage sizzle (prepaid)

Saturday 3 August – IPSHA Saturday Sport and Creative Writing Club with Mrs Brown and Mrs Bird 10am – 4pm (selected students)

Sunday 4 August – Creative Writing Club, 1.00pm to 4.00pm with Mrs Brown and Mrs Bird (selected students)

Sunday 4 August – Dance Eisteddfod – Opera House

Monday 5 August – ICAS Writing 3-6 (pre-purchased), 7.00am to 8.00am

Tuesday 6 August – Australian Mathematics Competition (pre-purchased), 7.00am to 8.00am

Thursday 8 August – Year 6 Police Liaison visit, 1.30pm

Friday 9 August – IPSHA Debating (SCEGGS)

Saturday 10 August – IPSHA Saturday Sport

Saturday 10 August – Sydney Drama Eisteddfod U12, 8.00am to 9.30am

Kate Brown

Head of Junior School

From the Middle School

Last Friday, the Middle School team treated the girls to a hot chocolate on Gloucester Lawn as a return-to-campus celebration. It was a very welcome addition to lunch in this oh-so-cold weather.

This week, our Combined Assembly on Tuesday acknowledged the importance of NAIDOC Week within our community. Posters marking the occasion and the 2024 theme of ‘Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud’, alongside a beautiful display of Wattle in the Middle School office, mark our commitment.

Themed cupcakes will also be on sale in support of the Indigenous Literacy Fund. As part of our wider College celebrations, the Middle School girls were invited to apply to attend a weaving workshop on Monday. This experience proved to be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to explore a new cultural skill and build connections.

Olympics Display in Middle School

If you get the chance to swing by Middle School, you will see that we are enthusiastically embracing the Olympic theme with our own tally board and international flag bunting. Throughout the next few weeks, we will be encouraging the girls to get active and be involved in the many opportunities to try a new Olympic sport across lunchtimes.

Our Gloucester Gatherings on Tuesdays, as well as bigger whole-school initiatives, are appropriately themed to build momentum and celebrate achievements on the sporting field. This Friday, the girls have been invited to participate in Green and Gold Day, a Year 7 to 12 extended lunch and Mind-Body-Spirt time smorgasbord of Olympic events. It should be great fun! The girls are encouraged to wear mufti and green and gold clothing.

Across the term, we will be continuing to focus on the importance of sleep. In an attempt to build awareness and encourage healthy habits, the girls will spend some time in their Compass sessions tracking their own sleep patterns and setting personal priorities. Below is an infographic to get us all thinking.

This week, I took the opportunity to speak to all Middle School students about the need for them to always be where they are expected to be throughout the day. The vast majority of students act responsibly and can be relied upon to always do so. But a reminder for those few who don’t always do the right thing was timely. The emphasis was on our duty of care and the safety of all students.

Compass Conversations

Thank you to all our Middle School families for making time to speak with your daughter’s Compass teacher on Wednesday. We hope that this is a productive conversation in which insights are shared and celebrations acknowledged. It is important that your daughter attend the session to share her own reflections.

Commonwealth Junior & Cadet Fencing Championships

Rianne Leung (Year 8) joined the National Australian Youth and Cadet Championships Team for 2024 and finished with a bronze medal for both the Cadet and Youth Women‘s Foil categories. She was then selected to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand. At this prestigious competition, Rianne finished with an impressive silver medal. Rianne and her sister Renee (Year 11) also managed to bring home a gold medal for the Australian Cadet Women’s Team Foil.

For the Commonwealth Junior Women’s Foil category, Rianne was awarded a bronze medal. Together, the sisters managed to bring home another gold medal for Australia with Rianne closing for the team in the last bout of a fiercely competitive match against Scotland.

This Commonwealth Championship also marked the first time Australia broke England’s streak and was the first time in history that Australia received the award for the nation with the best overall result!

Congratulations!

European Girls Olympiad in Informatics

Well done and congratulations to Alexa Wu (Year 8) on being awarded a bronze medal at the prestigious European Girls Olympiad in Informatics.

The Pymble Family Book Club

We are writing to announce a very exciting opportunity for Pymble families with the launch of The Pymble Family Book Club.

With this initiative, we are offering families the chance to read great stories together, share ideas, and attend events to connect with authors and fellow readers. 

The first author we will be showcasing is Maryam Master. Her books Exit Through The Gift Shop and No Words have been celebrated by critics and readers alike. We are very pleased to announce she will be joining us for the first ever Pymble Family Book Club on Wednesday 28 August at 5.00pm.

We invite you to come along to spend time with your family and friends, discuss Maryam Master’s books, led by the author herself, and connect over literature. You can see Maryam talking with Pymble students earlier in the year about her books in this video.

How the Pymble Family Book Club works:

1. Check out Maryam Master’s books and discuss with your carer/student if there is one (or both) you wish to read, and if you’d like to attend the Family Book Club together. You could even get a reading group together. Reach out to other carers and students in the year and organise to make it a social event!
2. RSVP to attend the Family Book Club on Wednesday 28 August. Please RSVP via this form. There is no cost to attend the event.
3. You are welcome to obtain a copy of Maryam’s book/s through a library or borrow from a friend. For those who wish to purchase the books, we have organised an easy way for you to source Maryam’s books through a supplier. Please see the order form attached or click on this link to order one or both of Maryam’s books. These will be available for collection at the College in the last week of Term 2.
4. Both carer and student read the book/s prior to the event on Wednesday 28 August. 
5. Put the event in your calendar and come along on Wednesday 28 August to the Conde Library at the College to have a great time.

If you can’t make the event but still want to read some Maryam Master, you are still welcome to order the books through us and email us at library@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for some ideas about what we will discuss on the night.

We look forward to you joining us for this special opportunity to connect over some incredible stories and ideas. If you have any questions, please reach out to library@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au. 

Kind regards and happy reading!

From the Middle School Parent Groups

Middle School Sweet Sensations Stall 2024

We are so excited to take part in our annual Garden Party on Saturday 21st September 2024. 

Middle School parents (Years 7 and 8) can get involved by helping out at the ‘Sweet Sensations Stall’. We are seeking help at the stall in the following ways.

We are seeking assistance by way of a small donation so we can purchase the lollies. Contributions are completely voluntary. If you can support the stall, please click here. We very much appreciate any support you can provide ($5 to $20).

If you can assist at the stall for one hour on the day of the Garden Party, please click here.

We look forward to enjoying this wonderful family event with you.

Year 7 Co-ordinators

Stephanie, Leigh, Briar, Jenny and

Year 8 Co-ordinator

Ms Kai Jones – 0431 725 948 and kai_look@yahoo.com

Jenny O’Donnell

Head of Middle School

From the Upper School

A message from Mrs Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School

As we find time before and after the school day to watch the Paris Olympics, it’s a wonderful opportunity to be inspired by the athletes who are competing on the world stage. Watching their incredible achievements can ignite our own aspirations and motivate students to pursue their dreams in sport, learning and beyond. Each athlete’s journey, marked by dedication and hard work, teaches us the importance of setting goals and striving to do our best. The skills they display, like discipline and teamwork, are valuable lessons for all of us. I hope that the excitement of the Olympics helps to encourage our girls to aim high and believe in their potential!

It was a chilly start on Sunday for the third group of Year 9 girls to start their Vision Valley Residential Program. It is a privilege to work alongside the Vision Valley team to help ensure that all Year 9 girls have this wonderful opportunity. After the first few days settling into the Valley, the girls spent Wednesday night and Thursday in the Blue Mountains rugged up again in the super chilly mountain air to take on an epic abseiling and canyoning day – awesome fun.

NAIDOC Week

In assembly this week, the Secondary School celebrated NAIDOC Week. Congratulations to all the First Nations students for their roles in preparing and being part of this special event. I am delighted to be able to share this reflection from two Upper School First Nations students Millie Sutcliffe and Wyntah Woodroffe-Mulholland (Year 10).

NAIDOC Week is a time each year to acknowledge the history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We celebrate the richness of our cultures, the depth of our stories and the strength of our custodianship. This event is held each year during the first week of July and is an important annual event where every Australian is invited to join in the celebrations.

There is always a theme to celebrate NAIDOC week. This year’s theme is Keep the Fire Burning; Blak Loud & Proud! This theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

Hi, my name is Millie. I am a Wiradjuri woman from Dubbo. This year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Blak, Loud and Proud’ to me means that we keep passing on our stories shared by our elders, stay connected to Country and be proud of who we are and where we come from.

When I think of this theme, I think of my mum, as she has always been proud of who she is and where she comes from. She is a proud Wiradjuri woman too. My mum works at Dubbo Zoo as an education worker. She teaches visitors about all the animals at the zoo and runs activities with them. Growing up, she always taught us how to respect our elders and others. She is a massive role model to myself, my family and our community.

Written by Millie Sutcliffe (Year 10)

Hi, my name is Wyntah Woodroffe-Mulholland, and I am a proud Yanyuwa and Larrakia woman from Darwin. This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Keep the fire burning, Blak, Loud and Proud’. What this year’s theme means to me is being unapologetically proud of who I am and where I come from, as well as passing down the knowledge that I learn from my family to anyone willing to listen.

When I think of Blak and proud my first thoughts went to my dad. My dad is very knowledgeable about many things, one of them being our culture. He has taught me the history of my culture, my people and my dreaming stories. He finds every opportunity to spread his knowledge and awareness.

Written by Wyntah Woodroffe-Mulholland (Year 10)

Student Achievements

Gymnastics National Championship

Congratulations to Emily Ngyuen (Year 10) who recently competed in the Gymnastics National Championships on the Gold Coast. Emily and her teammates (trio) were awarded silver medals for their Balance and Dynamic routines and placed third overall in the championships. A fabulous achievement. Well done, Emily.

International Exchange Update

All of our international exchange students are settling into life at Pymble and in Sydney. Here are a few photos of what a couple of our students have been up to over the last week –   Katie from the UK had a busy weekend with Belle and her family. They supported the Swans, visited the beach and dropped off her younger sister to the Residential Program at Vision Valley.

Year 10 Commerce (GBE): Emerge CEO Guest Speaker

On Thursday 25 July, the CEO of Emerge, Claire Marshall, came in to talk to the Year 10 200 hour Commerce students. Emerge is a not-for-profit organisation that supports women and children who have experienced family violence, helping them rebuild their lives through safe refuge and practical programs. They advocate for increased housing funding for crisis accommodation and focus on innovative, evidence-based solutions. Emerge is recognised as a leader in family violence and housing programs in Victoria and operates a 24/7 crisis centre. 

Claire Marshall shared with us her inspiring journey from being homeless herself as a teenager to becoming a human rights lawyer and the CEO of Emerge. We were able to ask questions relating to the recent law reforms occurring in the space of domestic violence and their impact, and in general how laws change. Emerge is the charity the Melbourne Commerce Enrichment Tour supports through various fundraising events. Last year’s fundraising for Emerge provided Christmas presents for women and children, a week of healthy meals for each family, toy packs and clothes.

We are so grateful for the time Claire took out of her day to come in and tell us her story and her role in helping women and children escape domestic violence.  If you would like to learn more, please click here.

Felicity Dyet (GBE)

Commerce/Business/Geography Teacher

Important Dates

Term 3

Friday 2 August – TASFest, including Textiles on Parade 

Friday 2 August – Green and Gold Day

Monday 5 August – Year 10 Agricultural Camp begins (3 day camp) 

Tuesday 6 August – Pymble host St Edmund’s College Athletics carnival 

Thursday 8 August – Year 10 Pymble/Knox Social Cup (three Thursday afternoons) 

Tuesday 13 August – Year 9 Residential Program Parent Workshop

Wednesday 14 August – Year 10 RYDA Excursion

Victoria Harrison

Head of Upper School

From the Senior School

NAIDOC Assembly

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students who participated in our recent NAIDOC Week assembly. Your dedication and passion for honouring the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were evident throughout the event. The assembly was a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to acknowledge and celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of First Nations communities. Your contributions made the event meaningful and impactful, and we are immensely proud of your efforts.

This moment

In our fast-paced world and with examinations on the horizon for both Years 11 and 12 students, the ability to work in the moment has become increasingly important. Embracing the present allows us to focus fully on the task at hand, enhancing our creativity, productivity and overall well-being. When we engage deeply with our current activities, we can respond more effectively to challenges, make better decisions and appreciate the experiences that shape our growth. Encouraging our students to be present in their academic and co-curricular pursuits not only fosters their development but also prepares them for a future where mindfulness and adaptability are key to success.

TASFest: Celebrating creativity and innovation

We are excited for the upcoming TASFest this Friday evening, a celebration of creativity and innovation across our school community. This event showcases the incredible talents of our students in Technology and Applied Studies (TAS), highlighting their innovative thinking and projects, designs and artistic creations. TASFest is an opportunity for students to display their hard work and ingenuity, inspiring us all with their inventive approaches to solving problems and creating beauty. We invite all parents and families to join us in celebrating the imaginations and achievements of our students at this inspiring event.

Green and Gold Day: Celebrating the Olympic Spirit

We are also looking forward to Green and Gold Day, a celebration of the Olympic spirit and an opportunity to be inspired by our Australian athletes and, especially our Pymble alumni competing at the Games. This special day honours the dedication, perseverance and excellence that define the Olympic ethos and is a great opportunity to have some fun and try something new! We encourage everyone to wear green and gold and join in the festivities as we celebrate the values of sportsmanship and national pride.

Activities will take place during lunchtime and throughout Mind-Body-Spirit. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to celebrate the Olympics and try new sports. Could this be the start of their own Olympic journey? The following sports will be represented: archery, artistic gymnastics, athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, break dancing, canoe slalom, diving, equestrian, golf, hockey, modern pentathlon, rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, rugby 7s, shooting, skateboarding, surfing, table tennis, trampoline, water polo and weightlifting.

Year 11 Pymble – Knox Social Event

Pymble Ladies’ College has collaborated with Knox Grammar School to organise a school-supervised social event for Pymble’s Year 11 students on 15 October at Hijinx Hotel in Alexandria. This event offers a safe and structured environment for students to socialise and celebrate together. This event is exclusively for Year 11 students from Knox Grammar School and Pymble.

The dress code is appropriate casual clothing, or they can wear sensible fancy dress (as part of a team’s theme) that allows them to participate in activities safely. Enclosed shoes are required. Tickets are priced at $85. All information is available on the MyPymble parent portal.

The ticket price includes transport to and from the venue, activity costs, food, and drinks. Students will be picked up from their respective schools at 4.00pm and taken to the venue, where they will work in mixed teams and engage in various activities such as challenge rooms, laser tag, bowling, and VR experiences. Students will be collected at 8.00pm and are expected to arrive back at Pymble by approximately 8.45pm. Pymble and Knox staff will accompany the students throughout the event.

Please note: Tickets must be purchased by Monday, 12 August.

Term 3 Key Dates

2 August – Year 12 Study Day

2 August – Green and Gold Day

2 August – TASFest

5 August – 16 August – Year 12 HSC Trial Examinations

2 September – 13 September – Year 11 Yearly Examinations

16 September – Year 12 GPs In Schools

16 September – Year 11 and Year 12 Y-Safe presentations

21 September – Garden Party

25 September – Year 12 Picnic Day at Clontarf

26 September – Year 12 Graduation Assembly (students and staff in attendance)

27 September – Year 12 Speech Day

27 September – Year 12 Honouring Ceremony

27 September – Year 12 Chapel Service

27 September – Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

27 September – Term 3 ends

Nikki Wyse

Head of Senior School

From the Boarding School

Catching up with our Boarding families on their home turf is always a treat, and last week I was lucky enough to spend time with some of our families who live in the Tamworth region. Members of our Enrolments team and our Deputy Principal were my companions, also enjoying the opportunity to meet present, past and prospective families.

Our Boarding Parent Group

As a Boarding parent, you are automatically a member of the Boarding Parent Group (BPG), which provides valuable support and information to the Boarding community. The BPG committee meets with the Principal, Deputy Principal, Director of Boarding, Heads of House and key staff to discuss matters affecting our Boarding family.

Everyone is welcome to attend meetings with our next meeting taking place, here at Pymble, on the eve of Garden Party. If you are unable to attend any meeting, the minutes are available online. You can read the minutes from our last meeting by clicking here.

Throughout the year, the BPG together with the College, also organises functions for Boarding parents to gather together in relaxed and friendly social settings to meet other parents and Boarding staff. Term 3 is a busy time for celebration! Please see below invitations to a couple of upcoming events. We would love to see you there!

Boom gate opening times

Keeping our Boarders safe is always our highest priority and minimising traffic on campus is key to this. For this reason, the boom gates inside Gate 3 are usually closed. At the start and end of each term we arrange for them to be opened so you can easily offload your daughter’s luggage. We ask that during this time you drive with great care and move to Conde Car Park once you have unloaded/packed up the luggage.

During term time, including weekends, the boom gates are closed so the Boarders can enjoy a more relaxed time around the houses. Should you need special access to offload heavy items, we ask that you ring through to your daughter’s house and ask them to contact Security to open the gates. A copy of the Boarding contact list with all relevant numbers can be found by clicking here.

Supporting our wider Boarding family

In previous editions, you would have read about Amy’s efforts to support her young cousin Jack in his battle against neuroblastoma. Please join us this Saturday for a bumper sausage sizzle to raise funds for this most worthwhile cause.

Love It – Mrs Katie White, Deputy Director of Boarding 

Love It kicked off with a bang last week with a very popular trip to the NRL. The Boarders rugged up with their warmest jackets and ventured off to Allianz Stadium. It was a great game of football with the Sydney Roosters taking on the Manly Sea Eagles. On Sunday, the Boarders headed off to Manly to check out the markets. 

This weekend we will be welcoming the Year 7 and 8 Knox boarders on Saturday evening for a pizza and trivia night, with the Years 9 to 12 Boarders heading to the cinema to check out the remake of Twisters or Inside Out 2. On Sunday, we will be welcoming the parishioners of Pymble Gordon Uniting Church for our Community Service. This is always followed by a delicious brunch in the dining room. 

View From My Window

Hi, my name is Zahra and I am in Year 7 and started here at Pymble this year. I live on a farm with my mum and dad – Nat and Sam, my two cats and kelpie. I have two older brothers. Toby is 23 and lives a couple of seconds down the road here on our farm. Jack is 21 and lives in Sydney and is doing a commerce degree.

My farm is located in Breeza in North West New South Wales, between Gunnedah and Quirindi. It’s around four hours to drive to Sydney. On our farm we grow wheat, sorghum, chickpeas, canola and cotton. We also have cattle and sheep which we use commercially and to feed family and workers. We have irrigation on our property which we usually use for the cotton. I am proud to be a fifth-generation farmer!

When I look out my window I can see Dad working hard on the farm and Mum either helping Dad or doing jobs around the house. There is always plenty of activity with tractors, spray rigs or harvesters going past or someone driving around in a ute or on motor bikes. I love to look out and see Mini, our Kelpie, trying to play with cats but all the cats want to do is hunt mice.

But the best view is the sunsets from my window and, in my opinion, I think they’re the prettiest sunsets ever. We love to drive up to our hill where we have a barn which was built for a Superman movie in 2004. Up there is the perfect place to watch the spectacular sunsets.

The things I love about home is how I’m so close to family. Two of my cousins live very close by and the rest of my cousins are not more than a hour away. I love catching up with them all the time and doing fun stuff with them. I also love how peaceful it is without all the busy roads and planes soaring through the sky and at night you can see the stars shine so bright.

When I come back to Boarding (even though it’s only been two terms!) I feel happy to return to my home away from home and be around my Boarding sisters. I can’t wait to continue my journey at Pymble Ladies’ College.

Boarder of the Week

Year 12 Boarder Ella exemplifies care and integrity. Her genuine concern for others is evident in everything she does, and she consistently supports and uplifts her friends and others around her with her kindness and sense of fun. Ella is also very respectful of staff, and always polite and thoughtful which contributes to a positive environment within Lang House.

One of Ella’s loveable qualities is her sense of humour. She has a great ability to bring lightness and joy to any situation, keeping the Lang environment upbeat and cheerful. Her laughter and witty comments often provide a much-needed boost to everyone around her, especially this term when the Year 12s have so much going on.

Ella’s honesty is commendable, and she always takes responsibility, owning up to her actions with maturity. This self-awareness and integrity earn her respect from her peers, Boarding staff and teachers. Ella’s combination of empathy, respect, humour, and honesty makes her an exceptional and much-loved member of our Boarding family.

Save the Date

3 August – Fundraiser for Jack Schofield

4 August – Boarder Community Day (all Boarders required to be in attendance between 8.30am and 12.00pm)

25 August – Dads and Daughters event

20 September – Boarders and their Families event (all Boarders required to be in attendance)

21 September – Garden Party

Term 4 TBA – Mother Daughter Lunch

Boarder Parent Group Meetings

20 September – 2.30pm onsite

24 October – 7.00pm TEAMS meeting

Carolyn Burgess

Head of Boarding

From the Chaplains

Keep the Fire Burning! 

What is your fire? Your passion? What drives and inspires you? 

For many people, it is their faith and love for their family. Passion for a particular justice cause. A strong desire to share knowledge and understanding.  

If you have been on the campus this week, you will have noticed the colourful displays and flags that have been set up to celebrate NAIDOC Week. On Tuesday, the First Nations students led the Year 5 to 12 students and staff in a NAIDOC assembly  – a proud celebration of culture and history, as well as a hopeful looking forward to a strong future.

The NAIDOC theme this year is ‘Keeping the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’. The ‘fire’ is culture – and everything that comes with culture: stories, histories, knowledge of the land, rivers and sea, language, songlines, kinship, lore, law and community.

The artwork on the NAIDOC poster this year is titled ‘Urapun Muy’, from the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect of the Top Western Islands of the Torres Strait. It means ‘One Fire’.

Artist Deb Belyea explains:

“The title of this work pays homage to Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people everywhere, as we all have that one fire: our passion for our culture.

In this work, I have depicted the hands of our ancestors that have carefully dropped a burning ember on to a fire. This ember burns hot with intensity, stoking the flames, as it combines with the new fire.

The linear detail shows the energy and power as cultural knowledge is transferred from our ancestors to us today. Culture is the fire that gives us knowledge, wisdom and purpose.

It is our responsibility to maintain, practise, and pass on our fire to our future generations.

After all, Culture keeps us Blak, Loud and Proud.

Below is the prayer from our NAIDOC Assembly on Tuesday.

Seven different First Nations from south-eastern Australia, including the Darramuragal, the people on whose land our College stands, use the name ‘Baiame’ for the Creator God or Spirit.

The stories say that at Mt Yengo, Baiame stepped down out of the sky to create the land, the animals, birds, rivers, waterholes, and the Law. All of Creation.

Baiame, Creator Spirit, Creator God

You stepped down from the sky to be near to us

You created all things – the sparking mineral rocks, the intricate insects, the roaring rivers and the cooling northerly winds.

You created fire –

Fire that warms our bones.

Fire that cooks our food.

Fire that keeps us safe.

Fire that sends signals to others far away.

Fire that gives us smoke, to cleanse and heal.

We sit together around the fire that burns steadily in the dark, and listen as stories are told, and retold, and retold.

Create in us, Creator God, a steadily burning fire.

Keep the fire burning, Spirit, and the coals warm.

Pride in our cultures.

Strength in our languages.

Staring into the flames.

Keep the fire burning, Oh God.

Amen.

Edwina O’Brien

Assistant College Chaplain

From the Futures Team

Look at where Actuarial Studies can get you

Click here to read case studies of real people in a diverse range of jobs.

Projects Abroad Webinar – Medical Experience Overseas for High School Students

Projects Abroad is hosting a webinar on their overseas medical experiences for Year 10 to 12 students. It will run at 6.30pm on Tuesday 13 August. Click here to register.

The programs run in summer and winter breaks in Nepal and Cambodia. More details here.

The Rabbitohs Institute of Sports Management, delivered by TAFE NSW and an Information Session/first Open Day is scheduled for next Thursday 8 August on Game Day – Rabbitohs vs Storm.

• Dual Diploma – Leadership & Management and Sport, Aquatic and Recreation Management
• Delivered onsite at Rabbitohs HQ
• Work Integrated learning
• For any direct enquiries, please email to Aku King: aku.king@tafensw.edu.au

Prepare for an Open Day: https://myfuture.edu.au/career-articles/details/preparing-for-an-open-day

Undergraduate course guides 2024: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u2Z4Ge_CvceRQ-uVJtgwfTB1kKU5nE5N

Overseas Pathways

Following the meeting last Friday USA/UK applicants were asked to submit signed forms and send back to the Futures Department. Students must return the form as we have information to forward to serious candidates for international applications.  We are only sending this information to those who have returned their forms signed.

Contact the Futures Department if you have not got a form.

Study in the US – Virtual Presentation Hosted by Internationally Educated

Come learn about studying in the US and the US university application process, directly from a former Assistant Director of Admissions at a US university. Q&A session will follow. Suggested for students in Year 9 to 12. Thursday 5 September 6.00pm. Click here to register.

Admissions Testing Requirements for Oxbridge have changed in 2024

All extra assessments required to study at Oxbridge universities are now sat at External Persons Vue test centres for all students globally. Pymble is no longer a test centre.

Please read the following carefully from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Oxford University 

Oxford has appointed global assessment leader Pearson VUE to manage the delivery of the university’s undergraduate admissions tests. Oxford has used Pearson VUE’s LNAT (National Admissions Tests for Law) for a number of years.

Tests form one part of Oxford’s admissions process and are used alongside a range of information to help assess candidate’s academic potential and suitability for many of our courses.

All admissions tests will be online, delivered in partnership with Pearson VUE via its established network of test centres.  Pymble Ladies’ College is no longer a test centre.

In 2024 there will be no charge for candidates to register for Oxford’s own tests. This year’s tests will take place as follows:

21 October

• History Admissions Test (HAT)

22 October

• Ancient History and Classical Archaeology Admissions Test (AHCAAT) – NEW for 2024
• Biomedical Sciences Admissions Test (BMSAT) – NEW for 2024
• Classics Admissions Test (CAT)
• Modern Languages Admissions Test (MLAT)
• Philosophy Test (PhilAT)

24 October

• Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) – Sections 1 and 2: Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Section 1 only: Economics and Management, Experimental Psychology, History and Economics, Human Sciences and Psychology, Philosophy and Linguistics 

28 October

• Physics Admissions test for Physics, Engineering and Materials Science (PAT)

31 October

• Mathematics Admissions test (MAT)

Candidates for all of the above Oxford tests will be able to register themselves free of charge with Pearson VUE test centres between 15 August and 4 October. When registering, candidates will be able to request the access arrangements which are normally available to them for public examinations taken in their schools and colleges.

Guidance on test preparation is available on the individual test pages and in most cases candidates will find an online practice test. This practice test allows candidates to familiarise themselves with the new test platform and format and should help them feel confident on their test day. For tests that are new for this year, a shorter sample test may be provided. 

In place of the BMAT, in 2024, Oxford will use the Pearson VUE UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) for Medicine and Graduate Entry Medicine with arrangements and charges as advertised by Pearson VUE.

As in other years, candidates for Law will take the Pearson VUE LNAT, with arrangements and charges as advertised by Pearson VUE.

In 2024, there will be no English Literature test for candidates for English Language and Literature, English and History, English and Modern Languages or Classics and English. Check the relevant course page for details on applying for any of these courses. Candidates for joint schools will still need to take the relevant test for their other subject, if applicable.

In 2024, there will be no test for Geography candidates.

Please see click here for more information on what assessment you are required to sit.

Cambridge University

Please check the following link as their rules are different. For some courses you are required to register to sit the assessments prior to interview other courses  you are invited to sit the course  after an interview. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/how/admission-tests

Note: For some of you this may involve a clash with your HSC examination. Oxford and Cambridge are aware of this however it doesn’t mean you will be able to sit the exam at a different time. We will ensure that on your UCAS reference we make it clear that you had to sit the assessment in the middle of your final examinations in the extenuating circumstances section.

Keep an eye on the respective sites for update on how to register for assessment. Registration opens on 15 August.

Events Calendar

From the Co-curricular Sports Team

Co-curricular Administration

Term 4 Saturday Sport Registrations

Registrations are now OPEN for Term 4 Saturday Sports.

Registrations must be completed prior to the system closing at 12.00pm on Friday 9 August. Please access the online registration via the co-curricular pages on MyPymble by clicking here. A parent or carer log in is required to be able to register. If you require any assistance with completing your registration, please contact Co-curricular Administration at ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or on +61 2 9497 7848. A reminder that registrations must be completed online and cannot be processed over the phone or via email.

Reminder notices will be posted on the Pymble App before registrations close.

The Term 4 Sports available for registration include:

• igsa Touch Football (Years 7 to 12 – Saturday mornings)
• igsa Tennis (Years 7 to 12 – Saturday mornings)
• igsa Water Polo (Years 7 to 12 – Saturday mornings)
• Santa Sabina Volleyball (Years 7 to 12 – Saturday mornings)
• Pymble Cricket (Years 7 to 12 – Saturday afternoons)
• Rowing – Summer season (Years 7 to 12)
• IPSHA Basketball (Years 3 to 6 – Saturday mornings)
• IPSHA Cricket (Years 3 to 6 – Saturday mornings)
• IPSHA Tennis (Years 3 to 6 – Saturday mornings)

Co-curricular Registration Requests

Registrations for Term 3 Saturday Sports and Term 3/Semester 2 programs are now closed. If you missed the registration period and would like to request registration into a program, please click here to complete our registration request form. A reminder that late registrations are NOT guaranteed.

The cut-off date for registration requests will be 8.00am on Monday 5 August as per our conditions of registration.

Sally Davidson

Head of Co-curricular Administration

Artistic Gymnastics

Northern Region WAG 3-4 Invitational Competition

This weekend saw our Level 3 and level 4 Artistic Gymnasts compete at the Northern Region Invitational Competition held at All The Way Up Gymnastics Club on Sunday 28 July. We are all so proud of how well behaved they were and how beautifully they competed, all while having fun and supporting each other.

Well done to all gymnasts, you made us Pymble proud!

NL 3 Gymnasts:

Amelia Chen (Year 3)

Audrey Conn (Year 3)

Hailey Judd (Year 7)

Li-Ya Koo (Year 3)

Claire Lee (Year 3)

Eleanor Lim (Year 2)

Queenie Sun (Year 4)

Moyan Zhang (Year 6)

Grace Wang (Year 4)

Yifei Zheng (Year 3)

Norah Liu (Year 4)

Karena Lu (Year 4)

Selena Rezaei (Year 3)

Riya Samy (Year 4)

Celine Shen (Year 2)

Ruby Shi (Year 2)

Aaisha Suresh (Year 5)

Katherine Wang (Year 2)

Olivia Yang (Year 2)

Eldora Xu (Year 2)

NL 4 Gymnasts:

Maggie Li (Year 6)

Monica Li (Year 4)

Sofiyah Khanche (Year 4)

Sofia Thach (Year 2)

Bella Wang (Year 2)

Celine Wang (Year 4)

Evelyn Zhu (Year 3)

Clarice Chung (Year 5)

Aurora Lin (Year 5)

Evelyn Lu (Year 5)

Scarlett Qiu (Year 5)

Evelyn Shi (Year 6)

Bethany Tucker (Year 6)

Joslyn Wong (Year 5)

Elsa Yu (Year 7)

Vanessa Clyne

Head Coach

Athletics and Cross Country

CIS Cross Country Championships were held at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

Despite the tough and muddy conditions, all Pymble students raced exceptionally well and achieved excellent results.   The following students qualified for the NSW All Schools Cross Country Championships, which will be held in July:

Gemma Dixon (Year 8) 4th in 13 years

Eliza Lawton (Year 8) 1st in 14 years

Sophia Slater (Year 11) 11th in 17 years

Georgia Phillips (Year 12) 3rd in 18 years

In addition to these excellent individual results, two teams achieved Gold. Congratulations to Pymble’s 13 years team: Gemma Dixon (Year 8), Quinn Parry-Okeden (Year 7) and Georgina Lewis (Year 7).

Athletics NSW State Cross Country Championships were held at the renowned Willandra course in Nowra. This is without a doubt one of the toughest and most spectacular courses in Australia. Several students competed securing excellent results.

Eliza Lawton (Year 8) – 1st under 15, 4km (fastest 4km of the day)

Gemma Dixon (Year 8) – 3rd under 14, 3km

Georgia Phillips (Year 12) – 3rd under 20, 6km

Sarah Baker (Year 12) – 8th – under 18, 4km

Sophia Slater (Year 11), Lily Jones (Year 11), Grace Beck (Year 10) qualified for Athletics Australia National Cross Country Championships to be held in Tasmania on the Saturday 31 August.

Deb Walsham

Head Coach

Fencing

Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2024

Renee Leung (Year 11) and Rianne Leung (Year 8) travelled to Christchurch, New Zealand to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Junior and Cadet Fencing Championships 2024 held from Friday 12 to Friday 19 July 2024.

Congratulations to Renee and Rianne, both achieving a gold medal placing in the Team Event in the Junior Women’s Foil. Rianne was awarded a Silver and Renee placed 8th in the Cadet Women’s Foil.

The Commonwealth Championship also marked the first time Australia broke England’s winning streak and for the first time in history, received the award for the Nation with the best overall result! We are Pymble proud of you both, for your part in this result.

Australian Youth and Cadet Championships 2024

Renee Leung (Year 11) and Rianne Leung (Year 8) also competed earlier in the month at the Australian Youth and Cadet Championships 2024. Congratulations to both students representing Australia with brilliant results. Renee won the Cadet National Title, with Rianne claiming the Bronze Medal. Rianne also achieved a Bronze Medal for the Youth Women’s Foil Championship. Well done!

Hockey

Extreme weather conditions resulted in a wash out for Pymble 5 and Pymble 6. Pymble 3 were at home, losing by two to a strong Queenwood team. Both teams played a great game of Hockey considering the formidable weather.

Pymble 1, Pymble 2 and Pymble 4 travelled to Mittagong to play Fresham in their respective divisions. We are proud of the effort from our Pymble 1 team as they were down 0 to 1 at half time, but battled through to achieve the win.

Pymble 4 had a very physical match resulting in a 0 to 0 draw with some learnings taken from their first match. Pymble 2 rallied in the second half of the match to consolidate the attack against Frensham. The result was a 0 to 0 draw.

Congratulations to all Pymble Hockey players on a fantastic achievement for round 1 of the igsa competition. A special mention to all who took the field for the very first time, we can’t wait to watch you grow and improve your Hockey skills throughout the season!

See below results:

Congratulations to the following students awarded best and fairest for their match in Round 1!

Pymble 1 – Bella Croker (Year 11)

Pymble 2 – Mary Cottrell (Year 11)

Pymble 3 – Giaan Jackson (Year 12)

Pymble 4 – Leander McLaughlin (Year 9)

Pymble 5 – washed out

Pymble 6 – washed out

Representative Hockey

During the recent school holidays, Bella Croker (Year 11) represented the U18 Hockey New South Wales team at the 2024 National Championships on the Gold Coast. Bella played as a striker and was the seventh highest goal scorer of the entire tournament. The team finished third place overall and Bella was named player of the match.

Bella also represented NSWCIS at the NSW All Schools Under 19 Tri-series held at Newcastle on Tuesday 23 July. They played NSWCHS losing 2 to 3 and won against NSWCCC 4 to 2 which resulted in a second place overall. Another big congratulations to Bella who was named in the NSW School Merit team on the day.

Bella was also named in the 2024 National Future Talent Squad. The squad represents a group of pathway athletes that are likely to be at their best when the Olympic Games arrive in Brisbane in 2032!

This is a significant achievement for Bella and we are Pymble proud of all her accomplishments over recent weeks. We wish Bella the very best for her future tournaments. We are all incredibly proud of you!

Shellie Davis

Co-ordinator – Hockey

Junior School Sports

Junior School Sport Team of the Week

This week’s Junior School Sport team of the week is awarded to all students that played IPSHA Saturday sport on a very cold and rainy Saturday. Your determination, courage and team spirit in challenging conditions are truly commendable. Despite the weather, all players showed incredible resilience and commitment, making us all proud. Well done and keep up the fantastic effort!

Matt Tyson

Head of Sport – Kindergarten to Year 6

Netball

igsa Netball Week 1

On a very wet and rainy Saturday 27 July, all outdoor netball games were cancelled due to the weather. However, all Pymble netball teams playing on indoor courts saw some amazing wins:

Pymble 1 won 37 to 10 and Pymble 2 won 31 to 24! A particular mention to the five Pymble teams, travelling to Frensham, with all teams missing players due to injury or illness. Our students rose to the occasion and played up to two games, demonstrating incredible sportsmanship. A special shout out to all players who hit the court for the first time, having a go and making us Pymble proud!

Megan O’Keeffe

Head Coach and Co-ordinator

Pymble Elite Sportswomen’s Program

I am delighted to offer the following workshop: ‘Female Athlete Health and Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle’ on Tuesday 27 August from 3.45pm until 5.00pm in the Kate Mason Lecture Theatre.

The workshop will be facilitated by Lizzie Welborn, one of the youngest competitors to qualify for the professional Ironwoman series at the age of 16. She has been competing professionally for 9 years. Lizzie has placed in the top 3 of the Nutri-Grain Ironwoman Series and Summer of Surf series on multiple occasions and is known as one of the best board paddlers in the country. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is the co-founder of KaMana. KaMana is a program designed to educate and empower female athletes to build confidence so they can reach their potential in sport and life. For more information, visit https://www.kamanacommunity.com.

The workshop will explore:

• Understanding female physiology (we are different to men)
• What it means to be a healthy athlete
• Understanding your menstrual cycle
• Tracking your cycle and using this to support training, performance, and recovery
• Tips for training in different phases of your cycle

This valuable presentation and workshop is open to any student-athlete who represents Pymble in a sporting team in Years 7 to 12 and their parent/carer. Staff are also strongly encouraged to attend.

Students, staff and parents are also encouraged to complete the following AIS education modules from the Female Performance and Health Initiative prior to the workshop presentation:

1. Female Performance & Health Initiative: The Normal Menstrual Cycle https://static.ausport.gov.au/fphi/module-2/#/
2. Female Performance & Health Initiative: Menstrual Cycle Abnormalities 1 https://static.ausport.gov.au/fphi/module-3/#/
3. Female Performance & Health Initiative: Menstrual Cycle Abnormalities 2 https://static.ausport.gov.au/fphi/module-4/#/

We look forward to seeing staff, students, and parents/carers in attendance for this valuable and informative workshop. 

Please only RSVP if you intend on attending as the College is being charged based on the numbers attending the workshop. RSVP’s are required by Friday 16 August to assist with final numbers. Unfortunately, late RSVP’s will not be accepted.

Click here to book your tickets for Female Athlete Health

Skye Halliday

Co-ordinator

Swimming

School Swimming National Championship, 25-27 July, Gold Coast.

Puisai Victoria (Sissi) Ko (Year 6), recently competed at her first national swimming event on the Gold Coast and performed incredibly. Sissi’s performances not only reflect her dedication but also her love for the sport. We look forward to witnessing her continued growth and success in the future. Congratulations, Sissi, on a job exceptionally done!

Sissi’s results:

Individual Events:

50m Breaststroke (Girls 12 years)

Heat: 8th place – Time: 38.52 seconds (Personal Best)

Final: 7th place – Time: 38.13 seconds (Personal Best)

100m Breaststroke (Girls 12 years)

Heat: 9th place – Time: 1:27.80 (Personal Best)

Final: 8th place – Time: 1:25.51 (Personal Best)

Relay Events:

4x50m Medley Relay (NSW B Team, Girls 12 years)

Overall Placement: 6th place

Breaststroke Leg: 39.13 seconds

4x50m Free Handicap Relay (Girls 10 to 12 years)

Overall Placement: 5th place

4th Leg: 33.26 seconds

4x50m Free Relay (NSW B Team, Girls 12 years)

Overall Placement: 6th place

2nd Leg: 32.92 seconds

Leanne Speechley

Head Coach

Water Polo

Huge congratulations to two of our Pymble students: Zara Cooke (Year 10) and Kiera Mironova (Year 11).  Zara and Kiera competed in the World Aquatics Women’s Under 16 Water Polo Championships held in Manisa, Turkey from Friday 28 June to Thursday 4 July 2024.

The Australian Under 16 team triumphed over European powerhouse Croatia to secure the Bronze in a final score, Australia 13 to Croatia 10. What an amazing achievement!

Term 3 has started with great excitement, our Opens team posting a significant win 24 to 0, against Ravenswood on Friday 26 July at MLC Burwood. 

A special congratulations to Sophie Beveridge (Year 9), Zara Cooke (Year 10), Melijah Dwight (Year 12), Paige Gram (Year 12), Tessa Gregory-Reid (Year 10), Sophie Laing (Year 11), Kiera Mironova (Year 11), Caitlin Pridmore (Year 12), Emma Roberts (Year 8), Phoebe Roberts (Year 10), Alexandra Warren (Year 8) and Isabella Yu (Year 11). Everyone in the team scored at least one goal in the game!

Our Year 7 Northern Suburbs team came away with a strong win against St Lukes, 8 to 2 at Warringah Aquatic Centre on Friday 26 July. 

From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team

Dance

Click here to purchase your tickets to the 2024 HSC Dance Showcase!

Drama

Ryde Eisteddfod 

I am thrilled to announce that our talented drama students delivered exceptional performances at this year’s Ryde Eisteddfod, showcasing their dedication, creativity, and passion for the arts.

‘Ghosts of Pineville’

Bhuvika Bhatia (Year 5), Emily Pu (Year 5) and Angelina Yang (Year 5) captivated the audience with their haunting performance of ‘Ghosts of Pineville’. Their portrayal earned them a Highly Commended award, a testament to their hard work and talent. 

‘Jasper Jones’

Penny Xing (Year 7) and Annabel Zhao (Year 7) also received a Highly Commended award for their compelling performance of ‘Jasper Jones’. Their powerful interpretation of the story’s themes and their strong on-stage chemistry showcased their exceptional acting abilities. 

‘Two Weeks with the Queen’

Annabel Zhao (Year 7) and Neve Anderson’s (Year 7) outstanding performance of ‘Two Weeks with the Queen’ was another standout of the Eisteddfod, earning them a Highly Commended award also.

I am immensely proud of all our students who participated in the Ryde Eisteddfod. Their dedication to their art and their ability to perform with such excellence is inspiring. 

Congratulations to Bhuvika, Emily, Angelina, Annabel, Penny, Annabelle and Neve for their fantastic achievements! 

Important Drama Events

August

Saturday 10th August: Ryde Eisteddfod: West Ryde Community Centre

Saturday 10th August: Sydney Eisteddfod: Darlinghurst Theatre

Wednesday 14th August: Ryde Eisteddfod: West Ryde Community Centre

Saturday 31st August: Ryde Eisteddfod: West Ryde Community Centre

Please note that some Eisteddfods have yet to be confirmed. More information will be sent to all students involved.

Rebecca York

Co-curricular Drama Co-ordinator

Language Arts

Archdale – Shield and Invitational

Round 6 was held at Pymble on Tuesday 30 July with Brigidine visiting. Well done to our Pymble debaters on five out of eight wins.

Round 7 will be held next Tuesday 6 August at Pymble withSt Catherine’s visiting. Supper and the cloak room will be located in the Isabel Hicks Administration Centre (near flagpole). Parents are welcome.

We will also hold an online Round 2 makeup against Kambala, on Tuesday 13 August.

Congratulations to our Junior and Intermediate Invitational debaters on winning their debates this week. The last Invitational Preliminary round will be held next Tuesday 6 August.

Debating Bootcamp

The Language Arts High Level Debating Bootcamp will commence this Friday 2 August in the Kate Mason Building, after school from 4.00pm concluding at 7.30pm.

Thanks to Maya Garg, State Debating Representative and Language Arts Captains, for this initiative.

IDC Debating – Term 4

Expressions of interest have now closed for the IDC season. Teams will be released in the forthcoming weeks.

Absences

Debaters must inform Mrs Hubbard, their coach and team, in advance, if they will be absent for a debating round. We do not forfeit, and subs can be arranged.

Public Speaking

PESA – State Finals!

Jenny Xu (Year 10) participated in the State Finals of the Plain English Speaking Awards at the end of last term. Congratulations Jenny!

JSSA

Best wishes to Leahara Wijesuriya and Estelle Lee who will perform in the Junior Secondary School Speaking Award heat at Abbotsleigh, on Monday.

TEDx

Pymble’s new TEDx course will commence this Saturday 3 August from 3.30pm to 5.30pm in the Kate Mason Building. We know all students will have fun!

MUN  – Model United Nations

Evatt

Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) have now progressed to the Evatt National final. Congratulations.  Catherine stated, “All the hard work and hours of preparation definitely paid off – we were delighted to come out of the competition as state champions! We are eagerly looking forward to representing NSW at the National Finals during the upcoming summer holidays.”

UN YOUTH National Conference

Congratulations to Jenny Xu (Year 10) on her selection and attendance at the UN Youth National conference in Brisbane from Wednesday 3 July to Tuesday 9 July.

PMUN Winter Conference – Saturday 27 July

Last Saturday, PMUN hosted the 4th PMUN Winter Conference. Thank you to our MUN Captain and incoming Language Arts Prefect, Catherine Shi (Year 11) for her coordination and leadership and to all PMUN students for their support. It proved a very successful day with over thirty schools represented.

57th Session of THIMUN – The Hague, January 2025

The Pymble Language Arts International Tour group have been accepted as the first Australian school to attend THIMUN at The Hague. Sixteen Language Arts students and three teachers will depart Sydney on Friday 17 January and travellers will commence Term 1 2025 on Monday 3 February. We are excited for this wonderful travel experience!  A lunchtime meeting will be announced soon to announce our training schedule.

Mock Law

Mediation

Mediation Round Three was held on Friday 21 June. Our score was 88/100. Bravo team and coaches. Team Pymble is now through to the finals, with the first final round held on Wednesday 7 August at Pymble.

Mock Trial

Mock Trial Round Three was held at Pacific Hills School, Dural, on Monday 24 June, with Pymble victorious! Team Pymble is now through to the Mock Trial finals. The next Round will be against Roseville College at Roseville. Next week’s date is yet to be finalised but will likely be Wednesday 7 August.

High Tea

A farewell to Year 12 High Tea was held at the end of term in the GMCPA. It was lovely to honour every Year 12 student who debated this year! Parents worked hard to make this a lovely event. Thank you to all.

Upcoming Programs and Events

Staff v Student debate – stay tuned for this forthcoming highlight.

Music

Music Tour

What a wonderful first rehearsal we had on Friday. It was delightful to see so many students having lots of fun creating music. The energy was palpable and I was so impressed by our student musician’s attitudes and focus. Mr Schweinberger did a fabulous job preparing our students and making it enjoyable – not an easy thing to do on a Friday!

Communication has been sent regarding various housekeeping. This week I will be asking students to try on the jackets – they look AWESOME.

Congratulations to the following students

Audrey Quan (Year 6)

2nd in the U15 Euphonium

Feifei Wang (Year 8)

A+ Grade 6 Singing exam

Catherine Li (Year 9)

Sydney Eisteddfod: 1st in 19th century piano age 15 to16, 1st in recital age 15 to 16, 2nd 20th to 21st century age 15 to16 and Highly commended for 18th century age 15 to 16.

Grace Walmsley (Year 10)

3rd in the U19 and Open French Horn

Lily Ikawa (Year 11)

• 17 and 18 Recital Award section – 3rd place. There were more than 100 participants.
• 18th Century section – 2nd place
• 20th Century section – 1st place

Aine Oo (Year 11)

Winner: second prize at the Sydney Eisteddfod Clarinet 20 years section.

Lux Fritz (Year 12)

Winner: U19 Euphonium State Solos

Scholar’s Concert invitation

You are warmly invited to come along and enjoy performances from 12 of our finest young musicians as they take to the stage to perform some challenging and inspiring repertoire.

The evening will commence with a short performance on harpsichord and Baroque flute from two of our fabulous peripatetic staff, Anthony Abouhamad and Jessica Lee.

Date: Wednesday 21 August

Time: 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Location: Music Gallery

Please book your free ticket by clicking here. If you have any queries please send them to musicadmin@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Garden Party – Saturday 21 September

All musicians are expected to be available for Garden Party – whether to perform or to help, especially with our littlest performers in Kindergarten to Year 2. The Music Support Group would also appreciate any help if you are able – please contact Liz Toh on Elizabethtoh@gmail.com

Sarah Turner

Head of Music

Cadets

During the recent term break, selected Cadets participated in leadership courses at the Singleton Army Base, alongside the Barker College Cadet Unit. Ten fourth-year cadets participated in the Senior Leadership Course (SLC), while 11 second-year cadets engaged in the Junior Leadership Course (JLC). These courses, which span five days (including overnight stays), hone the cadets’ leadership, teamwork, and discipline.

The curriculum was strategically structured to push the cadets beyond their comfort zones, presenting them with multifaceted challenges that tested their resilience and adaptability.

Each cadet demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill throughout the program, reflecting their commitment to personal and collective growth. The successful completion of these courses is a testament to their hard work and determination. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the cadets who participated and excelled in these demanding courses.

As we look forward to the 2024/2025 training cycle, we are pleased to announce the postings for the upcoming year:

SLT 2024/2025:

• SUO: Arana Roy (Year 11)
• ADJ: Sophia Chen (Year 11)
• RSM: Hannah Weber (Year 11)
• OPSO: Mia Tesoriero (Year 11)
• TRNGO: Darcey Hawkins (Year 11)
• OPSWO: Anarghya Guru Prasad (Year 11)
• COMMS: Wyinne Qin (Year 11)
• QUARTERMASTER: Catherine Shi (Year 11)
• 1PLT CUO: Stephanie Feng (Year 11)
• 2PLT CUO: Isabella Yu (Year 11)

JLT 2024/2025:

• HQ SGT: Chloe Brown (Year 10)
• HQ CPLs: Karen Kuang (Year 9), Tina Peng (Year 9), Iris Fan (Year 10), Olivia Graham (Year 11)
• 1PLT SGT: Alia Curren (Year 10)
• 1PLT CPLs: Phoebe Janowski (Year 9), Alysha Bruce (Year 9), Grace Park (Year 9), Claire Vincent (Year 10), Annabel Morris (Year 10)
• 2PLT SGT: Siena Parsons (Year 10)
• 2PLT CPLs: Alannah Tang (Year 9), Grace McSweeney (Year 9)

Claudia Braysich

Administrative Assistant

Save the date for Garden Party 2024!

We can’t wait to welcome you to our Pymble campus on Saturday 21 September from 10.00am to 3.00pm for our biggest event of the year.

Open to the whole community, our fete will have rides, food and market stalls, demonstrations, live music, competitions and more!

Funds raised at this year’s Garden Party will go to the Barbara May Foundation and Sony Foundation.

As parking will be limited on the day, we recommend families catch the train to Pymble Station from where our campus is only a short five-minute walk away.

We look forward to welcoming students, their families and members of the public for a day full of fun, all while supporting a good cause!

Junior School Garden Party Poster Competition

With just under two months to go until Pymble’s biggest event of the year, Junior School students are encouraged to enter the Garden Party Poster Competition, with winners receiving house points.

Entries are to be submitted to the Junior School Office by Friday 23 August 2024. All posters entered will be displayed at Garden Party 2024. Prizes and certificates will be presented at Assembly in the week before Garden Party. Multiple entries are welcome.

Click here to download a copy of the poster which you can print at home. Students/parents can also pick up copies at Junior School reception.

Good luck!

Join us for TASFest 2024!

Join us for TASFest, our annual festival dedicated to celebrating the incredible talents of our TAS students. Experience the brilliance of our Design and Technology students’ creations, be captivated by our remarkable HSC Major Works, indulge in delicious snacks crafted by our Food Technology students, savour hot and cold beverages prepared by our Hospitality students, and conclude the evening in grand fashion with our captivating Textiles on Parade. We’re showcasing TAS and you won’t want to miss it!

Click here to purchase your tickets!

Reminder: Term 3 Pymble Bus Service – Register now!

A reminder to parents to register your daughter for the Pymble private bus service for travel during Term 3 if you have not already done so.

Students must use their student ID card to tap on and tap off each trip. If your daughter has lost her card, please contact College Services for a replacement form.

Please contact College Services via collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au if you have any further questions about transport to and from Pymble Ladies’ College. 

E: collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

T: +61 2 9855 7447

Early Morning/Late Evening Bus Services

We are pleased to announce that the trial of the two additional Northern Beaches bus services in the early morning and late evening will continue in Term 3.

This is a shared and co-branded bus service between Pymble, Barker College and Abbotsleigh.

The continuation of these bus services is dependent on continuing demand throughout the year so please register your family’s interest in this service for Term 3 at collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au.

Times

The early AM bus departs Avalon at 5.50am and arrives at Pymble at 6.41am

The evening service departs Pymble at 5.00pm (departure from Pymble at 5.10pm on Monday evenings) before making its way to Avalon via Abbotsleigh and Barker College. It is scheduled to arrive at the last stop at 6.30pm (or 6.45pm on Monday evenings). This is also a co-branded bus.

Please refer to our website for more information.

Join the Pymble Family Book Club

We are writing to announce a very exciting opportunity for Pymble families with the launch of The Pymble Family Book Club.

With this initiative, we are offering families the chance to read great stories together, share ideas, and attend events to connect with authors and fellow readers. 

The first author we will be showcasing is Maryam Master. Her books Exit Through The Gift Shop and No Words have been celebrated by critics and readers alike. We are very pleased to announce she will be joining us for the first ever Pymble Family Book Club on Wednesday 28 August at 5.00pm.

We invite you to come along to spend time with your family and friends, discuss Maryam Master’s books, led by the author herself, and connect over literature. You can see Maryam talking with Pymble students earlier in the year about her books in this video.

How the Pymble Family Book Club works:

1. Check out Maryam Master’s books and discuss with your carer/student if there is one (or both) you wish to read, and if you’d like to attend the Family Book Club together. You could even get a reading group together. Reach out to other carers and students in the year and organise to make it a social event!
2. RSVP to attend the Family Book Club on Wednesday 28 August. Please RSVP via this form. There is no cost to attend the event.
3. You are welcome to obtain a copy of Maryam’s book/s through a library or borrow from a friend. For those who wish to purchase the books, we have organised an easy way for you to source Maryam’s books through a supplier. Please see the order form attached or click on this link to order one or both of Maryam’s books. These will be available for collection at the College in the last week of Term 2.
4. Both carer and student read the book/s prior to the event on Wednesday 28 August. 
5. Put the event in your calendar and come along on Wednesday 28 August to the Conde Library at the College to have a great time.

If you can’t make the event but still want to read some Maryam Master, you are still welcome to order the books through us and please email us at library@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au for some ideas about what we will discuss on the night.

We look forward to you joining us for this special opportunity to connect over some incredible stories and ideas. If you have any questions, please reach out to library@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au. 

Kind regards and happy reading!