Our College community celebrated inclusivity, diversity and connection at this year’s vibrant Sharing Stories Festival last week. Students and staff alike were inspired by a wonderful array of stories and storytellers.
A major highlight was our guest, Kirli Saunders. Kirli, a First Nations poet, artist and custodian of stories, captivated both Year 9 and Year 2 audiences. Through her beautiful writing and deep connection with Country, Kirli emphasised caring for our environment — particularly the preservation of glossy black cockatoos. Year 2 students enthusiastically brought Kirli’s book, Our Dreaming, to life through expressive movement, joyfully mimicking native animals in their storytelling session.
Renowned author RA Spratt delighted our Year 4 and Year 7 students, leaving them laughing and inspired through her energetic and engaging stories. The enthusiasm for her well-loved books Friday Barnes, Nanny Piggins and Hamlet is Not OK was infectious, prompting many students to seek her books from our Libraries’ shelves.
Former student and professional actor Safia Arain (class of 2016) shared her personal journey with Years 11 and 12, exploring her post-school career while thoughtfully describing how she integrates her profession with her identity as a practising Muslim. Additionally, Safia generously shared valuable techniques on character-building and stagecraft in a workshop with Year 10 Drama students.
Guest speakers, author Kyra Geddes and scientist-writer Dr Jeanette Nguyet Pham, also shared their insights, guiding our senior students considering pathways in writing and science.
Secondary students showcased their creativity by telling personal stories through beautifully decorated cupcakes, while Junior School delighted in exploring new skills during the talented staff-led Living Library activities: balloon art, calligraphy, drumming and playdough making.
We extend our sincere thanks to all involved for so generously sharing their stories, time and talents during this memorable festival.
From the Principal
That’s a wrap for Term 1! In just over 10 weeks we have packed in an incredible amount of learning, achievements and growth, not to mention a renewed commitment to our College value, Respect.
Thinking about our delightful Kindy cohort for a moment, they have completed their first official term of ‘big school’, which is a huge leap forward in their development as learners. Year 7, and especially our first-time Boarders in Avonmoore Boarding House, well done! You too have grown in confidence and are no longer the ‘newbies’ you may have felt like at the beginning of the year. A huge thank you to our incredible team of teachers, staff and coaches who care so deeply about helping our girls and families navigate these important transitions smoothly.
We are also one term into our world-leading Wise Phone Initiative for Years 4 to 8 and are thrilled to see all the research confirming we are on the right track. Girls on the Wise Phone program are spending more time doing the things that help them to thrive (such as spending face-to-face time with the people they love most and getting more sleep), and less time down the rabbit hole of gaming, mindless scrolling and social media. My plea to parents is to stay committed to the program for the sake of your daughter’s childhood and wellbeing. Remember, it’s easier to make tough calls when we all make the same decision – and stand firm – together. We are actively working on ways to further improve the experience for students and their families and look forward to sharing great news with you shortly.
This week also represents the halfway mark for our Year 12s, who have just two terms to go before they sit for HSC exams in Term 4. Trust me, girls, the next two terms will fly by faster than a dodgy haircut at lunchtime, so enjoy every moment.
I am referring of course to your sensational team effort to help beat blood cancer by taking part in the World’s Greatest Shave. On Monday, approximately 60 Year 11 and 12 students fronted up for a shave, cut or colour in return for donations to the Leukaemia Foundation. We are #PymbleProud of our girls who stepped out of their comfort zones to serve others and the hundreds of students from all year groups who supported and cheered them on along the way. Special shout-out to Phoebe, Celeste and Indianna, along with our Head of Year 9, Mr Andrew Hegge, who faced the clippers with courage and good humour, as you can see from the joyful photos below!
Sadly, cancer has become an issue close to our hearts, and many of us know all too well the feeling of wishing we could do anything at all to help someone we love. A colleague from a boys’ school in Brisbane recently reached out to all Heads of independent schools in Australia asking us to share a link about a recent graduate who desperately needs assistance in finding a matching stem cell donor. Thank you for taking the time to read Rowan’s story.
As we head into the break, I want to acknowledge all our girls who have turned up each day as their best selves, thinking carefully about how to demonstrate their Respect for one another, the wider community and the College through your words, actions and behaviour.
Thank you for turning up perfectly attired in your correct uniform, and for greeting your teachers courteously before lessons. Thank you for observing our request to remove earbuds and earphones while on campus and only opening laptops when instructed by your teacher to do so. Thank you for cheering each other on as you pursue the co-curricular sports and activities that make you Come Alive in ‘25. Thank you for choosing to be kind, because you never know what people around you are dealing with behind the scenes.
Coming alive in ‘25
School may be taking a break, but co-curricular never stops – and we love that our girls take such pride in representing the College throughout the holidays as well as during term time.
As I write, news has just come in from our Cattle Team who are competing in the Cattle Parading and Judging competition at the Royal Easter Show. Huge congratulations to Hannah Weber (Year 12) who was awarded 1st in Class and Overall Reserve Champion for School Paraders today – a seriously big deal in the world of agriculture.
We also have several Junior School students at the PSSA Swimming and Diving Carnival today, where our divers claimed one gold, three silver and one bronze medal. Well done to all our Junior School competitors!
Congratulations also go to our 11 athletes who competed this week in the Australian Junior Athletics Championships in Perth. Team Pymble will return home with five gold, two silver and four bronze medals, three athletes crowned as National Champions and one championship record, which is a sensational outcome.
We send our best wishes to all our students who will be representing Pymble over the break as they compete or perform at the Australian All Age Swimming Championships in Brisbane, the FIRST Robotics World Championship in Houston, Texas, the Artistic Gymnastics State Trials at Sydney Gymnastics Centre, the IGSA Dance Performance and Show, and Musica Viva Workshops in Melbourne.
And, speaking of shows, a huge congratulations to the 300 students in Years 7 to 12 who performed at the Secondary School Ensemble Concert last night. It was such a treat to be swept away by the magic of your music; we are blessed to have such talented students and teachers at Pymble.
We look forward to seeing your daughters back at Pymble in full winter uniform when Term 2 begins onTuesday 29 April. In the meantime, enjoy the break from routine, hopefully a bit more rest and relaxation, and some magical Easter holiday moments with your family.
From the Junior School
From the Head of Junior School
Thank you for a spectacular first term of 2025! There have been so many highlights this term, and I am so proud of the girls and their commitment to learning and all of their activities. Thank you for supporting your daughters this term, and for your trust and support of our amazing team of Junior School teachers, professional staff and our culture of kindness and inclusivity.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday and look forward to welcoming you all back to Term 2 on Tuesday 29 April.
Respect in action
The girls have wholeheartedly embraced our College focus on Respect this term. Here are some of the many wonderful ways they have shown and learnt about respect:
“When my teacher is talking, I am always listening. When my friends were sad I helped them and was kind to them.” – Alice (Kindergarten)
“I have listened in class time. I also have been kind to my friends and included them in my games.” – Lily (Kindergarten)
“My mum is always so kind and respectful and I copy her.” – Evie (Year 1)
“I learn how to be respectful from teachers demonstrating ways to be respectful.” – Reagan (Year 1)
“We need to continue to allow others to speak without being interrupted.” – Melody (Year 2)
“We need to show respect and integrity by looking after our environment even when a teacher hasn’t asked us to tidy up rubbish.” – Lillian (Year 2)
“Most girls are showing respect by travelling on the left now but sometimes we still need to remind people.” – Chloe (Year 3)
“It is good that most people are saying please and thank you to each other as this shows respect.” – Flora (Year 3)
“I have shown respect this term by saying thank you more and always ending the day thanking the teachers for teaching me that day.” – Ariana (Year 4)
“More people are saying thank you and I notice there is less rubbish around.” – Sophie (Year 4)
“I want to make sure I am being respectful to everyone, so I try my best to use my manners.” – Zara (Year 5)
“It’s a lot faster when people aren’t on both sides of the staircase but not everyone remembers yet.” -Hailey (Year 5)
“We are actively considering how to be respectful towards each other, we’re rapidly improving on how we model it to other years.” – Sooin (Year 6)
“Everyone is always respectful to each other. We all know that one small act of kindness or respect changes someone’s day and makes them happy.” – Hannah (Year 6)
“There are reminders on how to be respectful all through the school which is good and the respect trackers are a good reminder and a way to show others that you’ve seen them being respectful.” – Karman (Year 6)
Lindfield Fun Run – Kilometres of Kindness
Thank you to all our fabulous walkers and runners who have signed up for the Lindfield Fun Run on Sunday 4 May. I am so proud of you all. Last year we had 72 members in our team – this year, we’re already at 131 and have raised $2,300.
We are definitely leading the way with our commitment to kindness. As you know I have already committed to running the Hoka Half Marathon that morning but I will be cheering you all on in spirit. We are currently still the leading school in terms of team members and fundraising, although Lindfield East and Sydney Grammar are chasing us!
Please remember to also sign up for the Balmoral Burn on Sunday 28 May if you are keen to walk/run that challenge of 400m uphill. I will be there on the day to give it a go and support all our girls who will be embracing the challenge… although I find running up hills a huge challenge!
A message from Mr Stephen Robinson (Deputy Head of Junior School – Operations)
End-of-term information
With the end of term fast approaching, please be aware of the following:
Classes continue until end of day tomorrow, Friday 11 April. Should your daughter be absent, please enter your daughter’s absence in MyPymble. For two days or more absences please send a completed ‘exemption from attendance’ form to the Junior School office. A reminder that the first day of Term 2 is Tuesday 29 April.
Students in Kindergarten to Year 2 will have their Easter Hat Parade in the John Reid Hall from 12.00pm to 12.45pm tomorrow. Students will not be permitted to leave after the event.
Please avoid sending chocolate eggs to school to celebrate Easter. As a number of students have allergies, handing out such treats can be inadvertently dangerous.
Autumn Family Festival
We very much look forward to seeing many of our Junior School families at the College’s Autumn Family Festival on Thursday 1 May (Week 1). We have over 70 entrepreneurial market stalls hosted by students in Years 3 to 6, as well as over a dozen performances featuring students from across the Junior School.
The festival is open exclusively to Junior School families from 4.30pm, and the wider College community from 5.30pm.
Please be aware that due to the location of food trucks, there will be changes to K-2 co-curricular pick up collection points on this day. More information will be provided closer to time.
Mother’s Day Event
Our whole-schoool Mother’s Day event is taking place on Friday 9 May, with a breakfast for mothers/special people taking place in the Junior School from 7.00am. At 8.15am, students will head to classrooms, and guests of Junior School students are invited to move to the John Reid Hall for a special performance featuring all grades. It is anticipated the event will conclude at 9.00am.
Please be aware of increased traffic and congestion on this day. It is highly recommended to carpool, use public transport or walk. Car line locationswill operate as normal and must remain clear of parked vehicles.
Uniform and Appearance
Thank you for showing respect to the College uniform policy by ensuring your daughter arrived at school with her white hat this term. All students are expected to wear their uniform correctly and with pride.
Uniforms cannot be mixed with each season. Junior School has a strict ‘no hat, no play’ policy. Please ensure your daughter has her bucket play hat at school every day.
Please make sure that all your daughter’s uniform clothing item is named including socks and shoes. We recommend you use white markers to label dark clothing items.
Please be aware that next term the girls will need to be in their winter uniform from day one. Further information can be found in your daughter’s student diary.
We have an abundance of unnamed lost property in the Junior School canteen/lunch-tub room. Unnamed drink bottles, lunch boxes and any non-Pymble branded items will be disposed of at the end of term.
Term 2 After-School Arrangements
Girls in Years 3 to 6 are responsible for remembering where they need to go after school each day. Please update your daughter’s diary with her Term 2 after-school arrangements to assist her to remember where to go each afternoon.
For girls in Kindergarten to Year 2, please email any changes for Term 2 to the Junior School office at juniorschool@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au and advise if this is a permanent or casual change to your daughter’s arrangements. Please note that it is important that any changes to travel arrangements are received prior to 2.00pm.
Girls with older sisters – Girls wait at the Junior School Library until their sister collects them by 3.30pm or at OSHC if they have a sister in the Senior School (bookings need to be made with OSHC for supervision purposes only, no charges will occur).
Junior School Digital News
Important Dates
Term 1
Friday 11 April – Last day of Term 1, Decorate a Cookie & Easter Hat Parade K-2
Term 2
Tuesday 29 April – First day of Term 2 (all girls to be dressed in winter uniform)
Thursday 1 May – Autumn Family Festival (4.30pm to 8.00pm)
Friday 2 May – School photo catch-up day
Friday 9 May – Mother’s Day Event (7.00am to 9.00am)
From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)
6L Play Date – Save the Date
📅 Date: Sunday 11 May
⏰ Time: 2.00pm to 5.00pm
📍 Location: Treetops Adventure, the Hills – 95 Castlehill Road, West Pennant Hills 2125
💰 Cost: $51 per child & $60 per adult
📌 RSVP by: Friday, 25 April 2025, Wendy 0403691999
Join us for a thrilling outdoor adventure as we navigate tree-top courses, zip lines, and rope challenge. This is a fantastic opportunity for our girls to build confidence, teamwork, and unforgettable memories!
Please join us for a relaxed evening to connect and make new friends. Please reach out to your class parents for any questions.
Autumn Family Festival
We are delighted to invite you to the Autumn Family Festival on Thursday 1 May, a special evening celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures within our community through food, art, craft demonstrations, dance and music.
📍 Location: Gloucester Lawn
⏰ Time: 4.30pm to 5.30pm: Exclusive for Junior School students and their families.
5.30pm to 8.00pm: Open to the entire Pymble community.
This festival is a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate our diversity.
Year 5 Family Picnic
📅 Date: Sunday 18 May
⏰ Time: 11.00am to 2.00pm
📍 Location: Bobbin Head National Park
📌 RSVP: Fatima or Liz
Join us for lunch by the creek. BYO picnic, drinks and chairs.
The end of term is upon us and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge every student in Middle School who has worked to the best of their ability across the last 11 weeks. Congratulations to our Year 7 girls who have demonstrated such courage and initiative as they have transitioned to high school. The team is so proud of all their individual achievements and, just as importantly, the sense of community that has been fostered throughout the many events and gatherings that have taken place.
Thank you to all of the girls who have put themselves forward for Year 7 positions of responsibility. We look forward to chatting with those who are shortlisted for interview early next term.
We closed off our Gloucester Gatherings on Tuesday with the ever-popular Easter Egg Hunt that was facilitated by our wonderful Year 12 Liaison Prefects and Middle School leaders. Grace Akers (Year 8) is the winner of our Middle School Easter egg guessing competition
Thank you to our families for your support and encouragement of the girls. I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful Easter break and I look forward to welcoming the girls back to an exciting range of events in Term 2.
Jenny O’Donnell
Head of Middle School
From the Upper School
A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School
Service continues to be central to all that we do in the Upper School, with students in Years 9 and 10 volunteering this week as ushers at the Careers Expo, acting as Big Sisters in the Junior School during lunchtimes and leading Year 7 peer support sessions. Earlier this week, we were also very proud to see one of our Heads of Year 9, Mr Andrew Heggie, shave his hair in support of the World’s Greatest Shave.
Thank you to all of the students who have brought in donations for our annual undie drive. All donations support the work of Days for Girls, which helps provide sustainable menstrual health solutions to girls around the world. We will be continuing to accept contributions until the end of Term 2 and look forward to further building on our existing donations.
A big congratulations to our wonderful performers who shone last week in the Senior Drama Co-Curricular production of You’re Just Too Good To Be Shrew. We also celebrate the fantastic talent of our musicians who performed last night at the Secondary School Ensemble Concert. It is always wonderful to see the creative talent within the Upper School.
As Term 1 comes to an end, I take this opportunity to wish all our girls and families a restful and enjoyable Easter break. We look forward to welcoming back our girls on Tuesday 29 April in their winter uniforms.
Term 2 Staff Changes
During our combined assembly earlier this week, students were informed of an important staff change for our Year 9 girls. Mr Andrew Heggie (Head of Year 9) will be stepping into the role of Acting Deputy Head of Senior School in Term 2.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Andrew, as he supports our senior students. During his absence from the Upper School, Mrs Kelly Crowley will be Acting Head of Year 9 and will be looking after Bennett, Goodlet, Hammond and Ingleholme houses. Kelly is an experienced educator who joined our Pymble family in 2024, after relocating from Perth.
She brings decades of experience as a mathematics teacher, K-12 deputy principal and wellbeing leader. Kelly enjoys camping with her family and is looking forward to supporting the Year 9 students both at Vision Valley and at the Pymble campus.
Compass Curriculum
The Compass curriculum, taught every Wednesday during Mind-Body-Spirt time, is an important part of our girls’ social and emotional learning. This term our Year 9 and 10 girls have engaged in a range of wellbeing activities in Compass sessions, aimed at fostering personal growth, mutual respect and stronger connections.
Through discussions and interactive sessions, our Year 9 students have explored important topics such as overcoming procrastination, the College value of respect, identifying fake news and seizing opportunities for personal and academic development. These activities encouraged students to reflect independently, while also strengthening their connections within their Compass groups and the wider school community. By participating in these sessions, Year 9 students have developed skills that will support them in their future learning and relationships.
Looking ahead, there will be more opportunities for Year 9 students to build on these foundations through interactive activities focused on resilience, respectful relationships and digital wellbeing. We are committed to equipping our students with the skills and mindset they need to thrive, both in school and beyond.
For our Year 10 girls, Term 1 has seen students plan and reflect on the Urban Challenge, take part in a seminar and follow-up discussion with Paul Dillon on drug education and engage in a range of topics aimed at developing their social and emotional literacy.
These include exploring the value of respect, investigating individual strengths, and participating in mindful group activities based on the “Five Ways to Wellbeing” framework. Each activity has provided students with explicit information, opportunities for group discussion and time to explore different scenarios and share perspectives.
Through these shared experiences, we hope our students continue to develop a deeper appreciation for one another and carry this respect into their future relationships and broader interactions.
Key Dates – Term 1
Thursday 10 (evening) and Friday 11 (day) April – Year 8 to 10 Learning Discussions
Friday 11 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Friday 11 April – Pupil-Free Day
Key Dates – Term 2
Monday 28 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Monday 28 April – Year 9 Residential Program Parent Workshop with Dr Rubinstein
Tuesday 29 April – First Day of Term 2
From the Year 9 Parent Co-ordinators
It was great to meet some parents last week at the end-of-term catch up. We look forward to meeting more parents over the course of the year.
For any enquiries, please feel free to contact us – Ira (0415 112 575) or Jenny 0422716808.
Victoria Harrison
Head of Upper School
From the Senior School
From the Head of Senior School
As Term 1 draws to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the many achievements and milestones reached by our senior students. Congratulations to our Year 11s on a strong and successful start to their Senior School journey – your enthusiasm and commitment have set a solid foundation for what lies ahead. To our Year 12s, reaching the halfway point of your final year is a significant achievement. You’ve faced challenges with determination and should take great pride in how far you’ve come.
This term has brought new friendships, new learning and new horizons. As we look ahead to Term 2, may the strength you’ve gained and the experiences you’ve shared continue to shape your growth and success.
On behalf of the Senior School team, I would like to wish all our families all the best for a restful and happy Term break. To those of you on the move, safe travels!
Head of Year 11
We would like to inform you that Ms Cuningham, Head of Year 11 for Hammond, Marden, Thomas and Wylie, has made the difficult decision to leave the College due to unforeseen changes in her family circumstances. While we are saddened to see her go, we fully support her decision and extend our gratitude for the exceptional care and dedication she has shown to all of you. We are pleased to announce that Ms Zolezzi will be stepping into the role of Head of Year 11, working alongside Ms Carr.
Ms Zolezzi is an experienced teacher who is already well-acquainted with many of you. A thorough handover will take place to ensure a smooth transition for both the students and staff. We thank Ms Cuningham once again for her hard work and commitment, and we warmly welcome Ms Zolezzi to this new role.
Staff Changes – Term 2
We would like to inform you that Mr Justin Raymond, our Deputy Principal – Students, will be taking some well-deserved long service leave during Term 2. We wish him all the best for a time of rejuvenation and adventure!
During his absence, Mrs Michelle Hunt will step into the role of Acting Deputy Principal – Students. Additionally, Mrs. Nikki Wyse, Head of Senior School, will be the Acting Head of Student Wellbeing – 7-12 for Term 2. Ms Patricia Gallardo will be Acting Head of Senior School, and Mr Andrew Heggie will serve as the Acting Deputy Head of Senior School.
All of these staff members are part of our dedicated Wellbeing team and work very closely together to support our students. We want to reassure you that the team’s strong collaboration ensures a smooth transition and that all students, families, and staff will continue to be well supported throughout these changes.
Acting Deputy Principal – Students
Mrs Michelle Hunt
Acting Head of Student Wellbeing – 7-12
Mrs Nikki Wyse
Acting Head of Senior School
Mrs Patricia Gallardo
Acting Deputy Head of Senior School
Mr Andrew Heggie
World’s Greatest Shave
Congratulations to our senior girls who took part in the World’s Greatest Shave, raising both awareness and vital funds for leukaemia research. It was inspiring to witness such courage and compassion within our community. A particular congratulations to our three Year 12 students – Celeste, Indianna and Phoebe – who bravely shaved their heads in support of this important cause.
Many other students also chose to cut and donate their hair, which will be used to make wigs for children who have lost their hair as a result of cancer treatment. Staff also joined in with wonderful spirit – Mrs Karina Richter generously cut her lovely locks, and Mr Andrew Heggie took part by shaving his head alongside the students.
These thoughtful and generous actions truly embody the spirit of service. Year 12 student, Freya, deserves big recognition for all her efforts leading this event. Then, we also had the following students who helped out as part of the WGS Leadership team: Darcey, Ollisha, Charlotte, Isabella, Sophie, Mahika, Natalie and Katherine.
Recently our Robotics team travelled to the USA to compete in the FIRST Competition. Amber (Year 11) has provided the following report:
In Weeks 8 and 9 this term, 16 students of the Pymble Pride robotics team travelled to America to compete in the Colorado Regionals of the FIRST Robotics Competition. During the first part of the trip, we were kindly hosted in the workshop of Up-A-Creek Robotics in Longmont, where we were able to play practice matches together, learn from each other and form meaningful connections.
On our way to Denver for the competition, we were also able to visit the breathtaking Red Rocks Amphitheatre where the Beatles once played and spent time at Echo Lake which was frozen over and yielded beautiful views.
During the three-day competition, we worked as a team to play successful matches, the pit crew making mechanical and programming improvements and testing under time pressure while the scouting crew formulated our strategy and informed our team’s decisions. Through our teamwork and the guidance of our mentors, we ranked 5th after the qualification matches out of 50 competing teams, both local and international, making it to the playoffs as an alliance captain.
Through many things from as simple as communicating between roles and meeting other teams to attending interviews with judges and working under pressure, this competition has allowed us to refine our skills in both engineering and collaboration. Our efforts were recognised in how we received the Quality Award which celebrates the quality of our workmanship and the robustness of our robot.
Our performance at this regional contributed to our team’s qualification to the FIRST Championships in Houston which our team will be attending in the first week of the school holidays and are currently preparing for.
Supervised study for Year 12
Most Year 12 students have study lessons built into their timetable, based on the number of units they are undertaking. Students who are managing a 10-unit academic program will have the most study sessions allocated in their timetable.
While many girls use this time effectively for independent study, we recognise that some of these students would benefit from a more structured environment. To support this, we have created the opportunity to provide a limited number of supervised study lessons, providing a quiet and focused space to build added routine and accountability.
Especially those students studying 10 units will be encouraged to sign into one designated study space per week (at least two per cycle) in preparation for their Term 2 progress, as they work towards their Trial Examinations and HSC. These supervised sessions will ensure all students make the most of their study time in the lead-up to their final assessments.
In the final week of Term 1, we launched this program and I am very proud of the students who have shown such determination and good sense in taking up this opportunity.
Jacaranda Awards
A special congratulations to the students in Years 11 and 12 who have been recognised with a Jacaranda Award this term. These awards, presented once a term, acknowledge those who consistently model the College values in their words and actions. Chosen by their Compass teachers, the recipients are presented with a certificate and a beautiful jacaranda pin to wear proudly on their blazer – a visible reminder of the strength of character and quiet leadership they bring to our community. Congratulations to the following recipients of Term 1 Jacaranda Awards:
Year 11
Nikita Srivastava
Maithili Nagarajah
Elise Lin
Swapna Baggam
Chloe Browning
Sasha Chan
Madeline Lim
Charlotte Ruscio
Lucy Cheong
Ella Willetts
Hannah Miao
Rose Kirkby
Olivia Choi
Ruby Lyons
Jessica Shi
Elizabeth Bailey
Year 12
Lily Sullivan
Amelie Borean
Ashira Thapa
Isabelle Johnston
Jemma Horley
Anarghya Guruprasad
Allison Wang
Sarah Lovell
Sally Payne
Jessica Bunce
Phoebe Cooper
Lola Barwick
Madelene Wong
Juliette Mouton
Evie Gibson
Alexandra Stansall
You’re Just Too Good to be Shrew!
Congratulations to the talented cast and crew of You’re Just Too Good to be Shrew – a fun and light-hearted rewrite inspired by The Taming of the Shrew and Ten Things I Hate About You. It was a joyful showcase of creativity, quick wit, and strong ensemble work. From the performers on stage to the backstage crew who brought it all together, the production was a testament to the dedication and energy poured into rehearsals over many weeks. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and left with a big smile. A special thank you and congratulations to Ms Rebecca York for her inspired direction and unwavering commitment to bringing the show to life.
Careers Expo
This week we hosted our annual Careers Expo, making its triumphant return to the Jeanette Buckham Gymnasium. It was wonderful to see many of our students, parents and other members of the College community in attendance.
We have begun advertising this event to the local community and it was great to also see students from other schools attending to share in the collective knowledge of our tertiary institutions, industry representatives and Pymble ex-students and parents.
Some facts about the 2025 Careers Expo:
Over 1000 attendees were recorded at this year’s event (and one dog – Turi)
55 exhibitors
45 Upper School student helpers
25 industry mentors (including Pymble ex-students) representing the following fields in Careers Conversations:
Criminology
Paramedicine
Pediatric doctor
Lawyer
Endocrinologist
Cybersecurity
Speech Pathologist
Environmental Engineer
Ethics and Technology Researcher
Actress
Make up and Special Effects Artist
Economist
Dentist
Counsellor
Sustainable Agriculturalist
Entrepreneur
Lecture
Aeronautical Engineer
Nurse
Oncologist
Here’s what Yuyin Luo, Year 11 Futures Leader, thought of the event:
It was so amazing to hear from the range of people, learn about opportunities and be inspired by new considerations. One stall that personally stood out to me was Super Yacht Australia who introduced me to the idea of taking a gap year with a job that allows you to travel the world while getting paid. I’m glad that I took the opportunity to talk to them, even though at first I wasn’t sure I’d be interested. I’ll look forward to discovering where this might lead me in the future!
You may have noticed we introduced wireless headphones to our main stage. These were for attendees to borrow to hear the presentation without disturbing our other expo sections, and they were well received.
This year we also introduced a raffle with prizes generously donated by our exhibitors. Raffle tickets were collected from exhibition stalls when attendees visited and asked a question. The raffle will be drawn this week. We will be contacting winners via email with details on how to collect their prize.
We are seeking feedback from attendees to make the 2026 Expo even better, please provide feedback via this link.
Here are the presentation slides for those who requested them. Presentations were not recorded.
Thank you to our Deputy Principal (Academic), Christine Kenny, for stepping in to deliver the UAC presentation for Year 12 students and parents. Unfortunately, UAC were unable to attend the event due to presenter illness.
I’d like to also acknowledge the amazing Pymble team from Futures, Community Engagement, Facilities, IT, Security and Executive that helped make the Careers Expo come to life.
Extended thanks to Paula Cansick (Operations Assistant – Futures) and Natalie Lowndes (Community Events Manager) who were in the planning process for the event up to six months in advance.
Kim Maksimovic
Director of Futures and Partnerships
Key Dates – Term 2
29 April – Term 2 begins
1 May – Family Night Markets
5 May – PAC Week
8 May – Year 11 Learning Discussions (5.30pm to 8.30pm – online)
9 May – Mother’s Day Event
13 May – Year 12 Trivia Night
29 May – Year 12 Photographs
30 May – Reconciliation Week
4 June – Boarders’ Jersey Day
9 June – King’s Birthday Long Weekend
11 June – Pymble Knox Connections group meeting
12 June – Athletics Carnival
13 June – Senior School Knit In – Wrap with Love
27 June – Final day of Term 2
Nikki Wyse
Head of Senior School
From the Boarding School
It has been a great term and my thanks go to everyone in our supersized family who has made it such a special one. I am so proud of our Boarders who look out for each other, embrace opportunities and are all round fabulous Pymble girls.
None of this would happen without our amazing Boarding team and I thank them for the energy, commitment and care they give so generously. I would also like to acknowledge all our other Pymble staff, including our day school staff, the Facilities team and our catering crew who work tirelessly to make Pymble such a wonderful place to live.
Most importantly, I thank you, our Pymble families, who demonstrate deep trust in allowing your beautiful girls to stay with us during term time. I hope the next two weeks are a time to refresh and renew.
Easter Egg Hunt
There was no way our Boarders were going to miss out on our annual Easter egg hunt. The top level of the Kate Mason Building provided a fitting level of challenge with good scope for our ‘Easter bunnies’ to craftily hide their eggs. I am looking forward to the girls uncovering a few very well hidden eggs in the months to come!
Meet our Pink Ladies
As most of you know, at the end of each term our Boarders honour special people in recognition of their ongoing kindness and support of our Boarding family. The title bestowed on them is ‘Pink Lady’. The gift of their time and talents enhances the lives of our Boarders and supports them to maximise their time here at Pymble.
This term we have kept our recipients ‘in-house’ as we celebrate the final week at the College for Beth Ayling, Head of Marden House and Mardi Cusack, Deputy Head of Marden House. They have been pivotal members in the Boarding community – their care, kindness, and warmth radiating through Marden house.
Mardi’s humble, no-fuss attitude and quiet confidence means she is highly respected by each and every Boarder. We admire the way she carries herself, the way she leads, and the way she makes Marden House feel like home. Mardi sets a standard for what it means to be a true role model, and her legacy will remain long after she leaves.
Beth has a great sense of humour and is honest and wise. She has made such a difference in our time at Pymble. Beth successfully balances kindness and authority and has earned the respect of everyone. Beth been a guiding presence in the Boarding house, and we’ll miss not only her but also her lovely family.
We are sad to see these special women leave but know they will always be a part of the Boarding family. Congratulations on your very well deserved Pink Lady Awards.
Written by Sophie Laing and Celeste McDermott, Head Boarding Prefects
Community Days – Please note these special dates
Community Days are special times in our Boarding calendar where all Boarders are required to be in attendance. They are specially designed to promote a sense of community and to provide Boarders with skills that are important to their time in Boarding. Our next Community Days are scheduled for 3 and 4 May. Boarders are required to be in attendance from 5.00pm on Saturday 3 May until 11.30am on Sunday 4 May. During this time there will be a whole-of-Boarding dinner, Boarder favourite Just Dance party and on the Sunday morning, Chapel and Brunch with the Congregation from Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church.
We ask that you add Sunday 1 June to your calendar as we are planning a special event that forms part of our Community Day schedule; we will confirm details early next term. There will be no leave permitted during this time. If you already have an engagement in place, I ask that you please submit special leave before the end of term so we can make appropriate arrangements.
See you in Dubbo?
Pymble will be at the Dubbo Boarding Expo on 16 and 17 May and if you are in the area we would love you to call in and say hello. We will also be celebrating with families and old and new friends on 16 May at Press in Dubbo. We would love you to join us.
Eat Like a Boarder
It’s not too late to sign up for our Eat Like a Boarder experience! We would love you to join us for dinner on Monday 28 April at 6.00pm. This will be the ‘real’ experience, with you being able to enjoy the regular dinner service, just as the girls do each evening. All family members are welcome. If you would like to join us please RSVP to boarding@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au by 10 April.
Live It, Love It, Learn It – Ms Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding
Friday was a very busy afternoon in Boarding. We had a visit from Paul and his apprentice from Du Plessy Pralin & Otello Chocolates Patisserie to learn the art of chocolate. Paul supplied the chocolate which he tempered onto one of the benches as the girls watched on in anticipation. They were able to try different types of chocolate through eating chocolate bits or dipping fingers into melted chocolate. Lots of Easter treats were created through moulds, packaged up nicely and distributed. A big thank you to Mrs Wiederman and Paul for providing a fun and delicious experience.
In a different part of the College, our Boarding Prefects welcomed their counterparts from various schools for a lovely afternoon tea, games and of course a group photo. Later in the evening, Beth and our Year 11 Boarders enjoyed their Balmoral Beach picnic with some well-deserved downtime after a busy assessment period.
On Saturday, there was opportunity for Boarders to attend the College production of You’re Just Too Good to Be Shrew. They thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The fine weather continued on Sunday for our swimmers who participated in the Balmoral Swim. They should be so proud of their efforts in raising $550 for the Children’s Cancer Institute. The girls are appreciative of all financial contributions made to support them.
We look forward to continuing the fun of the Love It program in Term 2.
Boarder of the Week
Ally Warren is a beautiful Year 10 Boarder from Narromine, who joined Pymble in Year 7. Since then, she has been an integral part of our Marden family and I am thrilled to be writing about her for Boarder of the Week.
Ally has a poise and calm about her that makes her a delight to be around. She is polite, well-mannered, thoughtful and generous with her time. Most recently, Ally has taken her role as a Big Sister very seriously, and she has made it her priority to connect with our younger Boarders and take them out.
This not only helps them get familiar with their new surrounds, but gives them an opportunity to develop responsibility and independence. Ally is consistent with her beautiful uniform and lovely living space. She continuously strives to better herself and contribute her timeto her those around her.
She cares deeply for others and we have been grateful to have her in Marden House. We are so proud of the woman she has become.
Save the Date
Thursday 10 April – Face to Face Learning Discussions for Boarding Families (Years 8 to 10)
Friday 11 April – Boarders’ Travel Day
Monday 28 April – Boarders return from 2.00pm
Monday 28 April – Eat Like a Boarder (6.00pm)
Wednesday 30 April – Learning Discussions for Year 7
Friday 2 May – Boarders’ Lockdown and Evacuation Drill*
Friday 2 May – Years 7, 8 and 9 Boarders’ Social
Saturday 3 May – Boarders’ Community Evening (5.00pm*)
Thursday 8 May – Learning Discussions for Year 11
Sunday 4 May – Pymble and Gordon Uniting Church and Boarders’ Combined Chapel Service (9.00am to 11.30am*)
Sunday 1 June – Event to be confirmed (10.00am and 3.00pm*)
* All Boarders required to be in attendance, no leave during this time.
Carolyn Burgess
Head of Boarding
From the Chaplains
We don’t really like people to know about our brokenness, do we? There are no beauty pageants that ask you to share about your hardships, or make-up-less faces. Normally in job interviews or on your online profile you do all that you can to cover over the unflattering parts of your life; in fact, there is a billion dollar industry devoted to “fixing” our imperfections.
Recently I have been learning about Kintsugi (‘golden joinery’), also known as kintsukuroi (“golden repair”). Kintsugi’s the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. As vessels were used, they were also broken. Rather than throwing them away, the broken shards were brought back together and mended by liquid gold.
Such “ugliness” was considered inspirational, as it connoted beauty in broken things. Not only did it enhance the value, but also strengthened the capacity of the vessel – it became stronger and more fortified.
Behind this is the belief that breakage and repair are treated as a part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Not only is there no attempt to hide the damage, but the repair is literally illuminated. These vessels celebrate brokenness and the beauty of being brought together.
It reminded me of these quotes:
Ernest Hemingway once said, “We’re stronger in the places that we’ve been broken.”
Trent Sheldon said, “Never be ashamed about being broken, because strength is nothing but pain that’s been repaired.”
For those of Christian faith, Easter is a celebration of God who enters into the brokenness of humanity in order to mend it into a thing of beauty- a recreation. As Jesus hung upon the cross, his body was physically broken, knowing the pain of suffering, shame and death.
Pictured here is the cross we constructed in Senior School, fashioned like a mosaic it is formed of many many beautiful and broken pieces. No two pieces are alike, but they come together to make one beautiful cross.
The good news of the Easter message is that Jesus did not remain in brokenness. But rather, his body was restored in glory. Though his body still bears his story by its scars, it also bears the victory of his resurrection, a life fit for eternity. To each of us, he offers that same life.
Notice the gold joins that weave and connect the pieces? Like kintsugi, Jesus gathers our imperfect, broken lives and transform them into something beautiful, a sign of his love for each one of us. It reminds us how Jesus prayed that his people might become one, “brought to complete unity” (John 17:23) and we pray that might be so.
May each of us know God with us in our brokenness, as we celebrate the healing, wholeness and life he offers us this Easter through his Son, Jesus. Amen.
Reverend Cass Blake
College Chaplain
From the Futures Team
Year 12 Experience UTS Day
Date: 16 April
Time: 9.00am to 2.45 pm
Students will have the chance to explore various course areas and get a taste of university life. This unique event is designed to help students navigate their path to uni. With over 30 interactive workshops across a variety of disciplines. Register: Experience UTS Day 2025
Experience Macquarie Days
Date: Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 April
Spend ‘a day in the life’ of a uni student! Our Experience Macquarie Days give students the opportunity to attend information sessions, participate in interactive workshops, check out our awesome facilities and learning spaces, and take a tour around our campus with a Macquarie student guide. Register via the link. https://event.mq.edu.au/experience-macquarie/
Discover the Health Sciences at ACU (North Sydney)
Date: 24 April
Time: 9.00am to 1.00pm
Parents/ Carers welcome. Discover what it’s like to study nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech pathology at ACU North Sydney.
Take part in hands-on workshops where you’ll get a feel for the practical skills you’ll develop as a future healthcare professional. Tour our campus and experience our state-of-the-art, fully functional simulation wards. Register: Discover Health Sciences at ACU North Sydney
Holiday Workshops
Songwriting, Sydney. Australian Institute of Music
AIM Sydney Campus. April 14, 2025
Created for students in Years 9-12, AIM’s new high school music workshops provide incredible opportunities to explore songwriting, mentored by AIM’s own accomplished musicians and educators. Find out more and register
Performance, Sydney. Australian Institute of Music.
AIM Sydney Campus. April 14, 2025
AIM’s new school holiday workshop is designed for high school students interested in music performance. Created for students in Years 9-12, the workshops provide incredible opportunities to experience playing and performing music, mentored by AIM’s own accomplished musicians and educators. Find out more and register.
Empower Her: Women in Finance, Economics, and Politics Workshop. UNSW.
UNSW Innovation Hub. Level 6/6 Hassall St, Parramatta. April 14 to April 15, 2025
Join us for an empowering two-day workshop focused on Women in Finance, Economics, and Politics, hosted at the UNSW Parramatta Innovation Hub. This event is designed to inspire and equip women (cis and trans) with the knowledge and skills to excel in these fields.
This workshop is specifically aimed at year 11 & 12 high school female-identifying students, providing them with a unique opportunity to:
Gain Early Exposure: Get a head start in understanding the fields of finance, economics, and politics before entering university or the workforce.
Build Confidence: Develop confidence in managing personal finances and exploring career paths traditionally dominated by men.
Meet Role Models: Interact with successful women professionals who can serve as role models and mentors, offering guidance and inspiration.
Hands-On Learning: Participate in interactive activities and simulations that make learning about finance and economics engaging and practical.
Career Insights: Explore various career options and understand the skills and qualifications needed to succeed in finance, economics, and politics.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and professionals, building a network that can support your future career aspirations. Find out more and register
Future Creators’ Day. UNSW. UNSW Paddington Campus. April 14, 2025
Future Creators’ Day is a hands-on experience for Year 10 and 11 students passionate about creativity, design, and visual storytelling. Hosted by UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture, this event is the perfect opportunity to explore future study and career paths in the creative industries.
Get a taste of our newly offered Game Art specialisation, along with workshops in Animation, Painting, Textiles & Fashion Design, Object Design, and Graphic Design. Whether you’re interested in digital art, interactive storytelling, or traditional design disciplines. Future Creators’ Day is your chance to turn your creative passion into a future career.
School Holiday ‘Out There’ Sailing Program. Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. 16 Mitala St, Newport. April 14 to April 17, 2025
The ‘Out There’ School Holiday Sailing Program is for participants who are 12-17 years old looking to try a new activity, have some fun and engage with others whilst sailing.
This four-day program will include a variety of sailing activities that are focused on having fun and learning basic sailing skills. Sessions will be conducted on a mix of Club vessels, including the RPAYC’s fleet of Elliott 7 Keelboats, Pacer Dinghies, Windsurf and SUP Boards, Hobie-Cat dinghies and Powerboats. Find out more and register
Discover Law, Criminology and Human Rights at ACU Blacktown
ACU 22 Main St, Blacktown. April 14, 2025
All rise! Aspiring lawyers, criminologists, and human rights advocates, it’s time to sharpen your analytical skills and discover the excitement of the courtroom. Join us for interactive workshops designed to give you a taste of what it’s like to study law, criminology, and human rights at ACU. Whether you’re interested in the legal system, criminology, or human rights, this event will give you an exciting taste of your future career path.
Hosted by Claire Pech, CICA-Accredited Careers Practitioner, and Amanda Krulis, endorsed Organisational Psychologist.
Targeted to parents of students with ADHD in Year 12, this webinar will share insights and practical solutions for managing this critical year and beyond and making meaningful career decisions.
Topics covered:
· Understanding the characteristics of ADHD, debunking unhelpful myths
· Exploring the similarities & differences between ADHD at School vs. Tertiary
· Considerations for choosing further studies after Year 12
Returning in 2025, the National Youth STEM Summit is an exclusive three-day conference-style event specifically designed to help you smash your study goals and secure your dream job. The program boasts a diverse range of sessions, including:
· Keynote presentations from some of Australia’s foremost STEM leaders
· Panel discussions exploring a range of topics, disciplines, and study and career pathways
· Workshops that offer practical strategies to help you thrive in your studies and/or career
· Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded peers and key government, industry and academic professionals
This Summit is aimed at young people between 18-25 who have completed high school and are making decisions about their futures in STEM.
Registrations will open in mid-April, and equity pricing is available for individuals who are full-time students, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, from rural or remote regions, have a disability, or are experiencing financial hardship. Find out more and register: National Youth Science Forum – Inspiring Australia’s Young Scientists
Charles Sturt University. Career Discovery webinars.
Congratulations to all students who have been awarded a Performance Award in Term 1. Click here for the full list of award recipients. The uniform shop has been provided with this list for students to purchase their pocket embroidery.
Term 2 Co-curricular Registrations are CLOSING SOON
Program information for this registration period is available here.
All registrations must be completed online via the MyPymble app. Registrations will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 16 April.
Additionally, Term 3 Saturday Sports registrations will open at 12.00pm on Wednesday 30 April and will close at 12.00pm on Friday 16 May.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Co-curricular Administration team ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au
Sally Davidson
Head of Co-curricular Administration
From the Co-curricular Sports Team
The shortcode only works for newsletter articles
AFL
Finals
It was our last round of AFL on the weekend and both our Junior teams were in action. Our mighty Pymble 6 team competed in the Lightening Carnival at Loreto Normanhurst which consisted of four matches throughout the afternoon. This was a huge day for the Pymble 6 side however they finished the day undefeated winning all four from four matches. An incredible effort girls, and an amazing way to finish the season! Congratulations!
Pymble 5 took on Barker College in the Junior Year 7/8 Division 1 grand final at Barker. Our girls were hungry to knock off the minor premiers who went into the match undefeated. It was a slow start for both teams, with possession heavily dominated by the Pymble team.
The scoring started off with several behinds, however the flood gates were opened mid-way through the first quarter and the Pymble team kicked two goals going into quarter time with a commanding lead. From this point on, the match was heavily one sided; Pymble 5 were dominant on all facets of the match. Piling on the points and exerting pressure through their bone rattling tackles. At the final siren, Pymble 5 were crowned Division 1 champions, winning 55 points to 5. An amazing season! So proud of you girls. Congratulations to Holly Mitchell (Year 8) who was awarded Best on Ground!
Jack Garrad
Co-ordinator – AFL
Artistic Gymnastics
Aussie Gems Easter Extravaganza Competition
On Sunday 6 April, our Level 1 and 2 Pymble gymnasts went to Aussie Gems Gymnastics Club for their Easter Extravaganza Competition. For most of our girls, this was their first time competing, making this an exciting day of skills and routines.
This competition gave these gymnasts a chance to showcase the skills they’ve been developing all term, in which all of them received a medal for their efforts and a fun goody bag to take home as a souvenir of their first competition. Overall, this was a fun experience for all and we’re excited to continue working on routines for the next term.
Congratulations to the students who competed: Olivia Lou (Year 1), Tiffany Jin (Kindergarten), Melissa Chen (Year 1), Krystal Ji (Year 1), Tanya Xu (Year 1), Shirley Chen (Year 1), Ruhani Shettar (Year 1), Amelia Snounou (Year 1), Angelynn Li (Year 1), Dorothy Zhao (Year 2), Charlotte Roberts (Year 1), Lizzy Zhong (Year 2), Piper Martel (Year 3), Scarlett Kang (Year 2), and Alycia Yong (Year 2).
Vanessa Clyne
Acting Head Coach of Artistic Gymnastics
Athletics
National Junior Championships – Perth
Over five days, 11 of our athletes competed at the National Junior Championships in Perth, delivering exceptional performances that highlighted not only their athletic ability but also their remarkable sportsmanship, mutual support, and relentless drive to perform at their best.
We had many outstanding performances, but had three girls crowned as National Champion, and for Amalia Bond (Year 9) and Eliza Lawton (Year 9), they both remarkably won two gold medals each.
Amalia was calm under pressure and took out the double in the horizontal jumps, winning the triple jump on day one, and long jump on day five.
Eliza dominated the middle-distance track events by convincingly winning the 1500m and 3000m double. In both events, she shattered the previous championship records.
Naomi Krajancic (Year 9) ran an impressive 400m final and demonstrated her strength and resilience in the tough event. Naomi backed up in the 200m and finished ninth in the final.
Other medal winning performances:
Rachel Schwulst (Year 11) ran a season’s best in the 800m and finished strongly to claim the silver medal
Grace Townsend (Year 12) ran bravely from lane nine in her 400m hurdles final and finished well, claiming silver
Grace Beck (Year 11) claimed bronze in the 5000m walk despite spending 30 seconds in the penalty box
Aniela Knight (Year 10) ran a personal best in the heat and then smashed that in the final to secure the bronze medal in her 800
Matilda Harrison (Year 11) ran a blistering bend in the 200m final, and with four girls battling for the medals up the straight, she held on strongly for bronze
We had several other top nine performances including, Jocelyn Blair (Year 11) who showed significant improvement from last year, setting a new personal best coming fourth in the 100m hurdles. Avie Russell (Year 9) did the 100m and 200m double and ran well in both, claiming two top nine performances, fifth and seventh respectively.
The girls not only achieved amazing results but also displayed the value of sportsmanship by supporting each other on and off the field. After exceptional displays of determination, the girls now earn a well-deserved rest before our older girls and several alumni kick off their Nationals today.
A big thank you goes out to all the coaches who were instrumental in supporting the girls. Special thanks to Katie Edwards, Jack Pennington from Strength and Conditioning, and Miss Halliday for her dedicated support of the girls within the PESP program. Their commitment and expertise clearly have been key factors in our girl’s success.
Screenshot
Deb Walsham
Head Coach
Badminton
igsa Badminton
Congratulations to the teams that participated in the igsa Badminton grand finals over the weekend. The following teams emerged victorious in their grand finals, becoming igsa champions in their respective divisions: Pymble 18, Pymble 19, Pymble 21, and Pymble 40. Each team played exceptionally well and enjoyed a fantastic season.
A special mention to all teams who competed in the igsa competition this term. The girls have put in tremendous effort throughout the season during training and games, resulting in significant improvements across all teams, regardless of their standings in their divisions.
We are looking forward to seeing everyone come back in Term 1 next year.
Samantha Dale
Co-ordinator – Badminton
Cross Country
IPSHA Cross Country
On Wednesday 2 April, the IPSHA Cross Country carnival was held at The Kings School, Parramatta. Pymble had 20 girls competing at the carnival and all girls performed extremely well in beautiful conditions. A big thank you to Mrs Deb Walsham, Mr Jack Garrad, and our Athletics coaches who helped with training and preparation leading up to and on the day of the event. Please see results below:
8 and 9 Years
16th Hongor Temuqile (Year 2)
21st Leah Ji (Year 3)
41st Hannah Xiao (Year 2)
69th Jackie Chen (Year 3)
70th Estela Valente (Year 3)
10 Years
2nd Siena Cassidy (Year 4)
14th Lia Sloane (Year 5)
17th Scarlett Docherty (Year 5)
113th Amanda Kwok (Year 4)
114th Annabelle Moore (Year 4)
11 Years
13th Chloe Huang (Year 5)
19th Amelie Berg (Year 5)
39th Isabelle Lawry (Year 6)
91st Charlotte Allen (Year 5)
12 Years
41st Genevieve Chiu (Year 6)
59th Erin Wei (Year 6)
99th Pipi Chen (Year 6)
116th Claudia Birrell (Year 6)
117th Isabelle Lau (Year 6)
Good luck to Siena Cassidy (Year 4), Chloe Huang (Year 5), and Lia Sloane (Year 5) who have all qualified to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Carnival at Sydney Equestrian Centre, Blacktown. Well done girls!
Deb Walsham
Head Coach – Cross Country
Hockey
NSWCIS Primary Hockey Trials
On Monday 31 March, Claudia Birrell (Year 6), Isabelle Lau (Year 6), and Emily Long (Year 6) represented Pymble at the NSWCIS Primary Hockey trials.
Despite competing against some of the most skilled players within the independent system, these remarkable students displayed determination and team spirit, proving they could hold their own at this advanced level.
The trio showcased excellent technique and a clear passion for the sport throughout the entire trial.
We commend these students for embodying our school values both on and off the pitch.
Shellie Davis
Co-ordinator – Hockey
Junior School Sport
IPSHA Cross Country
On Wednesday 2 April, the IPSHA Cross Country carnival was held at The Kings School, Parramatta. Pymble had 20 girls competing at the carnival and all girls performed extremely well in beautiful conditions. A big thank you to Mrs Deb Walsham, Mr Jack Garrad, and our Athletics coaches who helped with training and preparation leading up to and on the day of the event. Please see results below:
8 and 9 Years
16th Hongor Temuqile (Year 2)
21st Leah Ji (Year 3)
41st Hannah Xiao (Year 2)
69th Jackie Chen (Year 3)
70th Estela Valente (Year 3)
10 Years
2nd Siena Cassidy (Year 4)
14th Lia Sloane (Year 5)
17th Scarlett Docherty (Year 5)
113th Amanda Kwok (Year 4)
114th Annabelle Moore (Year 4)
11 Years
13th Chloe Huang (Year 5)
19th Amelie Berg (Year 5)
39th Isabelle Lawry (Year 6)
91st Charlotte Allen (Year 5)
12 Years
41st Genevieve Chiu (Year 6)
59th Erin Wei (Year 6)
99th Pipi Chen (Year 6)
116th Claudia Birrell (Year 6)
117th Isabelle Lau (Year 6)
Good luck to Siena Cassidy (Year 4), Chloe Huang (Year 5), and Lia Sloane (Year 5) who have all qualified to represent IPSHA at the NSWCIS Cross Country Carnival at Sydney Equestrian Centre, Blacktown. Well done girls!
Matt Tyson
Head of Sport (K-6)
Softball
Week 8
This past week we had the finals of the Invitation Independent Schools Softball Competition take place, in which we had three of our Pymble teams competing.
Our finals started on Wednesday afternoon as our Senior First team traveled to Barker College and competed in their semi-final against Brigidine College, winning 11 to 3.With some fantastic pitching from Zoe Bloom (Year 10) and some great offense from Gabrielle Nutman (Year 10), Varada Vinay (Year 10) and Annabelle Taylor (Year 10) the team was able to advance to the grand final against Barker College. Unfortunately, the girls lost this game 10 to 2, however they had some great standout performances from Elyshia Lung (Year 8) and Maddy Taylor (Year 12) who both had outstanding relief pitching performances. We congratulate the Senior 1st team for an outstanding season.
Then we started our next round of finals early Saturday morning with our Pymble 2 team playing their final against Abbotsleigh. Even though the girls lost 14 to 8, they showed a lot of fight with only eight players on the diamond, and competed every pitch of the game. They had some great pitching from Sophia Wu (Year 11) who allowed her defense to work behind her and some great catching from Eloise Murphy (Year 11). The girls also showed some strong offensive power with Sofia Altorf’s (Year 11) base clearing double and strong hits from Sophia wu (Year 11) and Sienna Phair (Year 11). This team was never short on energy and enthusiasm, showcasing how much they enjoyed playing with each other and what a great season they had.
Following Pymble 2’s final we then have our Pymble 3 team play their final against Oxley College, in which they won 11 to 7 and moved on to the grand final. During this game there were many standout moments but one that really set the tone for the game was the double play by both Annabelle Taylor (Year 10) and Amelia Gross (Year 10) during the first inning that stopped Oxley from scoring with loaded bases. Then Pymble 3 moved into their grand final, where they played against Tara. This was such a close game with great hitting from Arianna Ziolkowski (Year 11) and Annabelle Taylor (Year 10) who both had extra base hits and some great first base work from Ruby Watson (Year 10). The team unfortunately lost 14 to 11 but we still congratulate them on an amazing season.
Congratulations to all teams for an amazing season and we can’t wait for next year!
Results
Team
Opposition
Result
Score
Pymble 1
Brigidine College
Win
11 to 3
Pymble 1
Barker College
Loss
2 to 10
Pymble 2
Abbotsleigh 2
Loss
14 to 8
Pymble 3
Oxley 1
Win
11 to 7
Pymble 3
Tara 1
Loss
11 to 14
Chris Wood
Co-ordinator – Softball
Touch Football
igsa Touch Football Trials
On Tuesday 1 April, the following students were selected to represent Pymble at the igsa Touch Football trials:
U15s
Ruby Azar (Year 8)
Stephanie Shaw (Year 8)
Marley Titley (Year 8)
U18s
Isla Devlin (Year 11)
Elke Payne (Year 11)
Ruby Polson (Year 11)
Despite facing tough competition, these students demonstrated remarkable perseverance and truly held their own against some of the best players in the region.
A big congratulations to Stephanie Shaw who has been selected into the igsa U15s Touch Football team who will compete at the NSWCIS Touch Football Championships in Term 2.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to these remarkable young athletes. They have not only made us proud with their sporting achievements, but they have also represented the spirit and values of our school admirably.
Shellie Davis
Co-ordinator – Touch Football
Water Polo
PymbleWater Polo Competition
Congratulations to the entire Water Polo cohort that participated in the grand final Water Polo matches on Saturday. A special shoutout to Pymble 6 for their victory, showcasing an impressive game. Our Senior Firsts played a closely contested match against Brigidine, narrowly losing by one point in the final quarter.
Overall, all teams had a fantastic season and demonstrated significant progress. We look forward to continuing to build on this success in the Term 4 igsa Water Polo competition later in the year.
Samantha Dale
Co-ordinator – Water Polo
From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team
The stage is set, and the spotlight is waiting. PAC is back for 2025, and it’s shaping up to be bigger, bolder, and brighter than ever.
PAC is the College’s much-loved Performing Arts Competition for Secondary School students, and it’s all about celebrating talent, creativity, community and House spirit. Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, perform in a group, recite spoken word, or have a unique act to share, PAC is your time to shine. There is also PAC ART for students to submit a piece of art they have created.
The competition kicks off in Term 2, Week 2 with the heats, leading up to the highly anticipated finals on Tuesday 20 May (Term 2, Week 4).
PAC is not just a talent show; it’s a celebration of what makes our College Performing Arts community special. Every performance adds valuable points to your house, making this a fantastic way to show off your skills while proudly representing your house.
Congratulations to our Term 1 Dancer Recognition recipients. This terms awards are presented to students who have demonstrated outstanding effort in their class. Students will receive a certificate in Term 2.
Ballet
Pre-Primary in Dance (Kindergarten): Margot McAlear (Kindergarten), Sara Sidhu (Kindergarten), Celeste Yao (Kindergarten) Primary in Dance (Year 1): Evelyn Chen (Year 1), Alita Chung (Year 1), Annabella Wu (Year 1) Grade 1 (Year 2): Melissa Liu (Year 2), Mia Sun (Year 2), Phoebe Zhao (Year 2) Grade 2 (Year 3): Katherine Wang (Year 3), Ella Birch (Year 3) Grade 3 (Year 4): Kaymi Madugalle Wijeratne (Year 4), Tiffany Woods (Year 4), Isabelle Hu (Year 4) Grade 4 (Year 5): Jianing Li (Year 5), Avril Huang (Year 5), Jacqueline Yang (Year 5) Grade 5 (Year 6): Harriet Cheung (Year 6), Julie Kang (Year 6), Janulya Nandagopan (Year 6) Junior Open Ballet: Isabel Gao (Year 3), Anya Jolapara (Year 5)
Junior Dance K to 1 Monday: Evelyn Chen (Year 1), Aria Zhou (Year 1), Aiya Liu (Kindergarten) Junior Dance K Tuesday: Olivia Choong (Kindergarten), Megan Liu (Kindergarten) Junior Dance 1 Tuesday: Charlotte Feng (Year 1), Raegan Tian (Year 1) Junior Dance 2 Tuesday: Tara Yang (Year 2), Stella Shen (Year 2) Junior Dance K to 1 Wednesday: Elizabeth Chen (Year 1), Janice Wang (Year 1), Lily Sheldon (Year 1) Junior Dance K Thursday: Luna Chen (Kindergarten), Dora Chen (Kindergarten) Junior Dance 1 to 2 Thursday: Ada Liu (Year 2), Gwyneth Ho (Year 2) Junior Dance K to 1 Friday: Sara Sidhu (Kindergarten), Hannah Li (Year 1), Lilia Chen (Kindergarten) Junior Dance 2 Friday: Olivia Wang (Year 2), Madison Yang (Year 2), Jenny Huang (Year 2)
Year 3 to Year 6 Onstage
Hip Hop Year 3 and 4: Abby Su (Year 4), Tiffany Woods (Year 4), Mia Xu (Year 4) Hip Hop Year 5 and 6 (Miss Mel): Emily Chen (Year 6), Alyssa Ng (Year 5), Loriah Zhang (Year 6) Hip Hop Year 5 and 6 (Miss Laura): Emily Horniak (Year 6), Isabelle Lau (Year 6), Rachel Zhang (Year 5) Hip Hop Year 5 and 6 (Miss Laura): Jing Huang (Year 5) Hip Hop Year 5: Gloria Duffy (Year 5), Sofiyah Khanche (Year 5), Natasha Woods (Year 5) Hip Hop Year 6: Harper Chen (Year 6), Dorothy Ban (Year 6)
Jazz Year 3: Sylvia Song (Year 3), Lucinda de Bilde (Year 3), Rylee Meldrum (Year 3) Jazz Year 4: Alyssa Wang (Year 4), Abby Zhang (Year 4) Jazz Year 3 to 6: Lovy Chen (Year 4), Arin Sadananda (Year 5), Ellie Xu (Year 5) Jazz Year 5 and 6 (Mr Jackson): Alyssa Ng (Year 5), Jessica Guo (Year 5) Jazz Year 5 and 6 (Miss Delta): Grace Wang (Year 6), Anya Jolapara (Year 5), Zoe Soumboulidis (Year 6) Jazz Year 5 and 6 (Wednesday 4.15pm): Harriet Cheung (Year 6), Jasmine Smith (Year 5), Polly Zhao (Year 6) Jazz Year 5 and 6 (Wednesday 5.15pm): Rachel Shi (Year 5), Sunny Wang (Year 6), Vanessa Lee (Year 6)
Jazz Cheer: Allegra Blackman (Year 5), Rachel Shi (Year 5)
Lyrical Year 3 and 4 (Miss Mel): Penelope Lam (Year 3), Margaret Ko (Year 3), Olivia Liu (Year 3) Lyrical Year 3 and 4 (Miss May): Ella Birch (Year 3), Scarlett Yang (Year 3), Makayla Cui (Year 3) Lyrical Year 3 and 4 (Miss Skye): Charlotte Cross (Year 3), Kitty Mae Ruiz del Portal Greene (Year 3), Kelly He (Year 3) Lyrical Year 3 and 4 (Miss Laura): Megan Ye (Year 3), Emily Huang (Year 4) Lyrical Year 5 and 6 (Miss Delta): Elaine Wang (Year 6), Alice Dai (Year 6), Harriet Cheung (Year 6) Lyrical Year 5 and 6 (Miss Millie): Evelyn Lu (Year 6), Sophia Wu (Year 5), Olivia Birch (Year 5) Lyrical Year 5 and 6 (Miss Ash): Zoe Ababio (Year 5), Rayna Rallapani (Year 5), Nouvelle Nicholson (Year 6)
Hip Hop Year 7 and 8 (Monday 5.15pm): Emeline McGovern (Year 8), Charlotte Woo (Year 8), Olivia Dinnie (Year 7) Hip Hop Year 7 and 8 (Monday 6.15pm): Sophia Sayegh (Year 7), Ava Jamieson (Year 8), Grace Jacobs (Year 8) Hip Hop Year 7 and 8 (Thursday): Alannah Xiao (Year 7), Izabella Prokop (Year 7) Hip Hop Year 9 to 12 (Monday 5.15pm): Zuleika Whippy (Year 11) Hip Hop Year 9 to 12 (Monday 6.15pm): Winnie Wen (Year 11), Joy Yin (Year 10), Kaela Tan (Year 10)
Jazz Year 7 and 8 (Mr Jackson): Madeleine Birrell (Year 8), Olivia Dinnie (Year 7) Jazz Year 7 and 8 (Miss Tiana): Aaradhya Singh (Year 7), Vivian Tian (Year 8), Shreeya Kumar (Year 7) Jazz Year 7 and 8 (Miss Tiana): Mithili Jayasundera Mudalige (Year 7) Jazz Year 7 to 12 (Miss Denise): Leah Chan (Year 8)
Jazz Cheer: Grace Zhang (Year 7)
Commercial Jazz Year 7: Imogen Martin (Year 7), Zoe Luelf (Year 7), Evelyn Shi (Year 7) Commercial Jazz Year 8 to 12: Ava Jamieson (Year 8) Commercial Jazz Year 7 to 12: Chloe Saya (Year 8), Arini Yellamaraju (Year 11)
Lyrical Monday: Chanette Hu (Year 12), Callie Cao (Year 7) Lyrical Wednesday: Evelyn Shi (Year 7), Charlotte Dai (Year 7) Lyrical Thursday: Eve Clark (Year 9), Maya Burgess (Year 9), Lauren Chen (Year 8)
Junior Jazz Eisteddfod (Year 5 and 6): Grace Wang (Year 6), Angela Lu (Year 5), Olivia Birch (Year 5) Junior Jazz Eisteddfod (Year 3 and 4): Charlotte Wang (Year 4), Ella Birch (Year 3), Sarayah Wijesuriya (Year 4) Junior Lyrical Eisteddfod: Harriet Cheung (Year 6), Olivia Birch (Year 5), Grace Wang (Year 6)
Junior Jazz Troupe (Year 5 and 6): Allegra Blackman (Year 5), Lauren Mills (Year 6), Shelley Xie (Year 5) Junior Jazz Troupe (Year 3 and 4): Dinulya Nandagopan (Year 4), Chloe Wang (Year 4), Elena Zhou (Year 4) Junior Lyrical Troupe (Year 5 and 6): Rachel Shi (Year 5), Charlotte Liao (Year 6), Alice Na (Year 6) Junior Lyrical Troupe (Year 3 and 4): Charlotte Wang (Year 4), Lovy Chen (Year 4), Chloe Xu (Year 4)
Jazz White: Savannah Masya (Year 9), Hayley Cheung (Year 11), Claire Feng (Year 9) Jazz Scarlet: Emily Tse (Year 11), Annika Sethuram (Year 9), Mia Lam (Year 8) Jazz Navy: Ava Jamieson (Year 8), Amelia Hardas (Year 8), Estelle Macolino (Year 8) Jazz Troupe (Year 7): Sophia Na (Year 7), Izabella Prokop (Year 7), Imogen Martin (Year 7) Jazz Troupe (Year 8 to 12): Leah Chan (Year 8), Tangia Sun (Year 8), Sophie Kidd (Year 9)
Contemporary White: Charlotte King (Year 10), Sophia Chang (Year 12), Emily Mah (Year 10) Contemporary Scarlet: Charlotte Ruscio (Year 11), Emma Scott (Year 9), Grace Rew (Year 12) Contemporary Navy: Ava Doake (Year 7), Izabella Prokop (Year 7), Jenny Ling (Year 10) Contemporary Troupe (Year 7): Audrey Lee (Year 7), Chloe MacLennan (Year 7) Contemporary Troupe (Year 8 to 12): Jadyn Wong (Year 11), Annabelle Zhou (Year 8)
Hip Hop Crew: Natalie Yang (Year 11), Caitlin Kim (Year 11), Hayley Cheung (Year 11)
Curriculum Dance
Year 8 – 01: Edith Cullinane, Tangia Sun, Mia Lam Year 8 – 02: Bebe Brennan, Amelia Hardas, Ariana Sing Year 8 – 03: Olivia Sheldrake (Year 8), Jade George (Year 8), Camilla Metcalfe (Year 8)
Year 10: Zoe Carroll (Year 10), Emily Mah (Year 10)
Year 11: Carine Kong (Year 11)
Year 12: Amelia Laing, Lily Ikawa, Keira Duncan
Lucy Eaton
Dance Co-ordinator – Secondary School
Drama
What a fantastic first term it has been for Co-curricular Drama. From the enthusiastic commencement of our weekly classes to the spectacular senior Drama production You’re Just Too Good To Be Shrew, Term 1 has been filled with creativity, collaboration, and growth. Congratulations to all students for your commitment and energy—you should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved.
Throughout Term 1, our students have been busy developing foundational performance skills and building confidence on stage. Our skills classes have focused on key areas such as projection, physicality, characterisation, and vocal technique, while our eisteddfod groups have been hard at work devising original and engaging pieces in preparation for the upcoming competition season in Term 2.
A Few Important Reminders
Drama Uniform: A friendly reminder that all students must wear the Drama uniform to their after-school classes in Term 2. This uniform supports full movement and creative expression during rehearsals. If you haven’t already purchased the Drama shirt, it is available now at the Uniform Shop. Please pair it with any black bottoms that allow for ease of movement, and make sure to have it packed and ready for the start of next term!
Eisteddfod Season: As competition season approaches for those in group, trio, duo, and monologue classes, please ensure you are checking your emails regularly for important updates, confirmations, and any adjustments regarding your performances.
Important Dates and Events
Autumn Festival – Thursday 1 May
When: 6.00pm to 8.30pm
Where: Pymble Ladies’ College – Gloucester Lawn
Shakespeare Carnival – Wednesday 7 May
When: 3.30pm to 9.30pm
Where: Lindfield Learning Village
Senior TheatreSports Challenge – Thursday 8 May
When: 4.30pm to 9.30pm
Where: William Clarke College
Inner West Eisteddfod – Between Saturday 10 May and Sunday 15 June
When: To be determined
Where: West Ryde Community Hall
Parramatta Eisteddfod – Between Saturday 10 May and Sunday 22 June
When: To be determined
Where: To be determined
Sydney Eisteddfod – Saturday 17 May
When: 11.00am to 1.00pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Where: Zenith Theatre, Chatswood
Short and Sharp Eisteddfod – Between Monday 26 and Thursday 29 May
When: 11.00am to 9.30pm
Where: Riverside Theatre, Parramatta
Northern Beaches Eisteddfod – Between Saturday 31 May and Sunday 22 June
When: To be determined
Where: To be determined
If you are involved in a competition Drama team, please ensure you are checking the app and your emails regularly for important updates, confirmations, and any adjustments regarding your performances. Have a wonderful holiday break!
Language Arts
Thank You
To all our students, coaches and parents, thank you for a wonderful term! Have a safe and restful break.
Debating
ISDA and FED
Last Friday ISDA Senior A Makeup
Our Senior A ISDA team visited Barker for a makeup round last Friday. Despite an impressive debate, our top senior team lost. Congratulations on a fine season and we look forward to following your finals journey.
FED Senior A and B Makeups
Congratulations to Senior B on their win against SBHS last Friday.
Term 2
We now have one more round of make ups on Friday 2 May. Following makeups, teams who break and make finals will be announced. Some teams will not progress to finals and have come to the end of their season. Stay tuned for those teams progressing.
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.
Make Up Rounds summary
Friday 2 May
Primary A and B, Barker v Pymble ISDA Round 3 makeup. Face to face at Barker. Ms Itzcovitz will take the girls to Barker on the train. Girls will need their own travel cards.
Senior B, Pymble v Roseville ISDA Round 5 online. We are affirmative.
Chinese Debating
Thank you to Mrs Leyya Li, our team parent, who attended the opening ceremony on Saturday at The University of Sydney with her daughter. Round 1 commences on Saturday 12 April. Best wishes to this new team who commence their season this Saturday.
Organisation: NSW Chinese Debating Association
Form of debate: Prepared debate. One match per week – three rounds (Weeks 1 – 3) – half (Week 4) – final (Week 5). Rounds will be conducted on weekends, at The University of Sydney, School of Business.
NSDC
NSDC is Australia’s premier school debating competition and brings together the most talented young debaters from across the country, fostering excellence in critical thinking, persuasive communication and civic engagement. This year NSDC is coming to Sydney for a week in mid-May. Details and opportunities can be found on the NSDC events page.
Further Debating opportunities
An externally run Debating camp is being offered in the April holidays. Please click here for more information and the form to enrol.
Harvard School Australia New Zealand Debating Championship is once more open for registrations.Click here to register.Please direct any questions to competitions@speakerscornerau.com or phone on 02 8091 7946.
Public Speaking
UN Voice of Youth, National Finalists!
Congratulations to Katherine Pan, Year 11 and Hakone Liceralde, Year 10 who have both progressed to the National finals of the UN Voice of Youth Public Speaking competition this weekend. Best wishes girls and congratulations from all the Language Arts ‘family’, on your progression to the national finals.
DELO – Public speaking competition
Bravo to Jenny Xu, our Public Speaking Captain who was the first Pymble girl to enter this competition and to be selected as a finalist.
The DELO final will be held in the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday 21 May.
Model United Nations (MUN)
Discover MUN at UNSW
Thanks to all who registered for this event. We are at capacity with 15 places filling quickly and a wait list in place. Please ensure registrations are returned to Co-curricular Administration.
EVATT – UN Youth
Requiring no prior debating experience, Evatt immerses young people in Years 9 to 12 to uncover the driving forces of influence that threaten to destabilise world order all while mastering the art of public speaking through negotiation. Going beyond ordinary debating, Evatt challenges delegates to think critically, problem solve carefully, and search for answers in the rapidly changing world of current affairs surrounding them.
Evatt commences in May. This is a highly valued diplomacy competition where girls work in pairs to represent a country. Pymble plans to take a bus to Cranbrook, and we ask that you register and attend through school rather than register online individually. When girls register themselves online, we cannot offer additional training should they progress, and we have a duty of care issue. Any senior girls who still wish to register themselves, should ensure this occurs on a weekend rather than a weekday, and parents, please note a teacher from Pymble will not accompany the girls to UTS. Mrs Hubbard will attend the Cranbrook day.
Pymble Model UN Club (PMUN)
PMUN runs each Monday lunch in DK06. Come along. Everyone is welcome! Learn how to prepare for a MUN conference. We will hold our own winter conference later in the year. We have received expressions of interest for a MUN conference to be held at Castle Hill High. Please see our MUN captain, Kiki Chen (Year 11) if interested.
THIMUN – THE Hague 2026 Proposed International Tour
In January this year, Pymble Language Arts girls attended THIMUN, The Hague which was a wonderful opportunity. Having secured a highly coveted place at this Model United Nations conference, we are keen to attend again this year as membership is ongoing and we do not want to lose our place.
The proposed January 2026 LA tour will be open to students currently in Years 8 to 11. We are currently gaining prices on two options:
A two-week tour including a visit to Paris, prior to travelling on the Eurostar to the Netherlands and journeying to The Hague for the conference
A shorter tour which just focuses on The Netherlands and the conference.
If you have a preference, Mrs. Hubbard would love to hear from you ASAP!
An international MUN conference is an amazing experience. THIMUN has over 3 000 students from around the globe attending. These experiences for learning and growth are valued highly in Europe and by ivy league universities. This opportunity is open, but students must join our own PMUN club and attend regularly to apply.
Mock Law
Bond Mooting – The date for our heat has been released; Tuesday 20 May at 2.30pm.
Young Lawyers’ Justice Day at Wollongong University on Friday 2 May
Thank you to those 15 who have registered interest. We are now at maximum capacity. Notes have been sent via Co-curricular Administration and the bus will leave Pymble at 7.30am and return at 5.30pm. .
Bronwyn Hubbard
Head of Language Arts
Music
What a term we have had in Music – we began with the Foundation Day assembly and ended with our Term 1 Secondary School Ensemble Concert. Sadly, this year, our outdoor concert had to be moved indoors as the rain had caused quite a bit of damage to the lawn. Whilst we all love performing outside with the stunning backdrop of the Chapel, we must remember that the music is always at a premium level.
We are grateful to the parents who were able to attend and support, and to the Music Support Group for providing dinner. Thank you to all the students for attending rehearsals each week. We know it’s hard to wake up early or stay after school especially when there are assessments and daily stress factors.
Congratulations
Estelle Lee (Year 9)
Estelle was selected to be part of the Philharmonic Orchestra in the Sydney Youth Orchestra and is sitting on Desk 1 for Double Bass. This is an enormous honour for Estelle, but what I particularly loved when she told me was the fact that she had no idea and was shocked to have been even considered. I love her humility and care.
Sarah Boland (Year 12)
Congratulations to Sarah who was selected to sing alongside alumni Catty Hamilton at the Foundation Ball held on Saturday evening. Sarah sang with such conviction and passion, which I am convinced helped raise additional money for this special College event.
Pymble Chorale
The members of the Pymble Chorale also performed alongside Catty Hamilton singing “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. It was a wonderful rendition and lots of toe-tapping occurred on the night. I was so impressed by these young ladies, who willingly gave up their Saturday night to perform for such a worthy cause.
String Quartets 1 and 2
Both of the College String Quartets (Annie Luo (Year 12), Danielle Hu (Year 8), Lisa Wang (Year 11), Sitian Chen (Year 10), Sophie Guo (Year 10), Charli Conn (Year 9), Camellia Zhou (Year 10), and Jenny He (Year 10) performed for two separate fundraising events – one being the “Time is Precious Bowel Cancer Research Ball” and the Pymble Foundation Ball.
Thank You
The Music Support Group (MSG) set up our ensemble lunch on Monday 7 April, providing pizza, biscuits, lollies and drinks for the girls. The queue was HUGE and the students were deeply grateful for the effort and thanks from the MSG. Thank you also to the parents who volunteered to cook the BBQ dinner at the Ensemble Concert.
Good Luck
The Ivory Quartet – Joy Yin (Year 10), Danielle Hu (Year 8), Alessandra Liew (Year 9), and Ivy Yan (Year 7) – will head to Melbourne on the first weekend of the holidays with Ms D’Elia and I to participate in the Musica Viva workshops. The girls were selected to perform after their video submission and will receive even more expert advice on being a chamber ensemble.
Term 2
Please note rehearsals commence in Week 1 on Tuesday 29 April with the Middle School Concert Band.
If your daughter is going to be away, please log the absence through the Parent Portal.
Dates for your diaries in Term 2
Thursday 15 May – Year 8 Elective Music production of High School Musical Jr. at 6.30pm in the GMCPA
Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 June – Ensemble photos for Secondary School Ensemble students
Week commencing Monday 10 June – Eisteddfod week for Hindson Chamber Strings, Senior Chamber Strings, Pymble Chorale, Capella Chamber Choir and Brass Ensemble.
Tuesday 24 June – Term 2 Ensemble Concert in the GMCPA at 6.30pm.
Wednesday 25 June – Farewell lunch to Year 12 Music Ensemble members, hosted by Year 11 musicians.
Sarah Turner
Head of Music
Duke of Edinburgh
Term 1 Congratulations
It has been a fantastic start to the year for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award! We’re thrilled to announce that in Term 1, we have seen incredible accomplishments across all levels and enthusiastic participation from the students.
A special congratulations to the following students on successfully completing their awards:
Bronze Level
Riley Atkinson (Year 10)
Chloe Ayton (Year 10)
Sophie Beveridge (Year 10)
Zoe Bloom (Year 10)
Scarlett Campbell (Year 11)
Mia Chan (Year 10)
Jaya Chand (Year 10)
Emily Chiang (Year 10)
Serena Cummings (Year 10)
Ayeesha Dowerah (Year 10)
Katerina Economou (Year 10)
Emily Englund (Year 10)
Verity Haslam (Year 11)
Jane Lee (Year 10)
Lily Mancey (Year 10)
Amrita Marwah (Year 10)
Saskia Nicholson (Year 10)
Thiloksha Perera (Year 10)
Stella Sharp (Year 10)
Tara Sproules-Nath (Year 10)
Ruby Watson (Year 10)
Isabelle Younger (Year 10)
Silver Level
Caitlyn Bilney (Year 11)
Anais McDonald (Year 11)
Lena O’Donnell (Year 11)
Zara Tang (Year 11)
Shirley Xu (Year 12)
Adela Zhang (Year 11)
Gold Award
Lisa Davison (Year 12)
Josephine Green (Year 12)
Jessica Worrell (Year 12)
We are delighted to see such strong enthusiasm within our school community as our registrations continue to flow across all year groups. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is an exceptional opportunity for students to develop resilience, leadership, teamwork, and new skills, and we are looking forward to another remarkable year ahead.
Well done to all participants, and thank you to parents, staff, and our wider community for your continued support.
Let’s keep inspiring achievement and excellence!
Chris Boland
Co-ordinator – Duke of Edinburgh
Year 12 Study Camps
Click the poster below to register.
After-Hours Study
Homework Help
Academic ins and outs for 2025
This week’s edition of Clued In was created by Abby Christopher from your Student Communications Leadership team:
Maya Garg (Year 12): Student Communications Prefect 2025 Abby Christopher: Year 12 Leader Kitty He: Year 11 Leader Catherine Li: Year 10 Leader Nicole Fan: Year 9 Leader Charlotte Pang: Year 8 Leader
Mother’s Day Breakfast
All mothers or carers are warmly invited to join their daughter/s for breakfast to celebrate Mother’s Day at Pymble.
All proceeds raised will support the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).
Time: 7.00am to 8.15am
Venue: Hedgehog House, Junior School, Pymble Ladies’ College
Open to: All students with their mothers or carers and Pymble staff
RSVP: Please click here to register by Wednesday 30 April.
Cost: $18 per adult and $15 per student
Parking: There will be no parking on site. We recommend catching the train to Pymble Station from where our campus is a five-minute walk away. Street parking is limited but may be available for those who prefer to drive.
We look forward to welcoming you to this special event.
Come along to the Autumn Family Festival!
We are delighted to invited you to the Autumn Family Festival on Thursday 1 May, a special evening celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures within our community through food, art, craft demonstrations, dance and music.
Important information about the winter uniform in Term 2
With the end of Term 1 approaching, parents are reminded that when the girls return to school for Term 2 on Tuesday 29 April, they need to be wearing the winter uniform. This includes the navy blazer which is a compulsory garment to be worn to and from school in Terms 2 and 3.
Please do not leave your uniform shop purchases until the last week of term. You do NOT need an appointment for the winter uniform. The uniform shop is not open during the school holidays; however, we will be open on Monday 28 April from 9.00am to 4.30pm for any last-minute purchases.
Important uniform notes
Girls in Kindergarten to Year 8 wear the winter tunic with a plain white-pointed collar blouse and tie.
Girls in Kindergarten to Year 6 have the choice of knee-high black socks or 70 denier black opaque tights.
All Secondary School girls wear 70 denier black opaque tights.
Girls in Years 9 and 10 wear the winter skirt with a plain white pointed collar blouse and tie.
Girls in Years 11 and 12 wear the skirt with the long sleeve tartan trim long sleeve blouse and tie.
Please note, that a hat is not required to be worn with the winter uniform in Term 2 and Term 3.
Linfield Fun Run
The Lindfield Fun Run is a local event, this year taking place on Sunday 4 May, that not only encourages the community to be active but supports two well-known service organisations on the North Shore, the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter (HKWS) and KYDS Youth Counselling Service. These not-for-profit organisations provide invaluable support in our local community. By participating in the fun run either as a runner/walker or volunteer you will be making a difference to in our community.
In 2024 Pymble Junior School had a strong presence and made a significant impact at the event with the greatest number of participants and the biggest fund-raiser. This year Sydney Grammar is knocking on our heels; it would be so exciting to see our community rally and throw our energy at this local event. This is an inclusive family event, with a distance to suit every member of your family – we can’t wait to see you all there in your Scarlet, Navy and White!
Year 6 parents are invited to the Year 6 Parent Daughter Dance on Saturday 24 May from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at the Killara Golf Club. This event is one of the most anticipated annual traditions in the Junior School, and is the final dance girls will have with their parents before moving on to the Secondary School.
The theme for this year’s dance is Florals and Sparkles, which will accentuate the beautiful aesthetics of the golf club surrounds. Please note, girls will need to be suitably dressed at this event as golf club etiquette dictates, and should refrain from wearing denim or ripped pants.
Tickets include substantial canapés, soft drinks, dessert bar, DJ and entertainment. Additional beverages can be purchased at the bar.
We’re looking forward to celebrating with you and your daughter on this special night!
You’re invited to the 2025 PPA Trivia Night
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of trivia, prizes, dancing and fun!
The Pymble Parent Association warmly invites you to our annual Trivia Night on Saturday 31 May. Create your own table of ten or we’ll seat you with others from your year group to meet new people! Fantastic prizes will be won and auctioned throughout the night and raffle tickets are available for advance purchase. This year’s prizes include a designer handbag, a champagne basket and pamper package.
Time: 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start, concluding at 11.30pm
Theme: Hop in your time travel machine and come dressed from any era, past or future, for a chance to win best costume! Don’t worry if costumes aren’t your thing – your presence is what matters most. We encourage dressing up to add to the festive atmosphere, but it’s entirely optional.
Ticket includes a welcome drink, two course meal (entreé and main) followed by a dessert platter and coffee/ tea. Additional drinks can be purchased at the bar.
The Trivia Night is also the PPA’s major fundraising event of the year. To make it a successful evening, we rely on the kind support of our community for donations to the live and silent auctions, and the raffle.
Any monetary donations would also be much appreciated. The organising committee will use this money to purchase items for gift baskets. These gift baskets will be part of the silent auction on the night. Please donate by clicking here.
Register by: Friday 16 May. Registrations are essential. This is a parent-only event.
To purchase tickets, please click here. Please find attached an invitation with full details of the event.
Junior School individual and class photos and Secondary School individual photos are now available to order through Melba Studios by clicking here.
How to order
1. Click on the Schools button on the Melba Studios homepage and enter the password “PLC“.
2. Enter your daughter’s Student ID number (emailed to you on Thursday 6 March) and year group.
Important information
– Please check there are no spaces at the start or end of your daughter’s Student ID number when you are entering it as this can cause issues with logging in.
– As previously noted, please refer to the email sent to you on Thursday 6 March for your daughter’s Student ID number. This is different to your Carer ID number that you use to log in to MyPymble. Your daughter’s Student ID number can also be found on her Student ID card.
Collection/postage information
If you would like your order sent to Pymble Ladies’ College for collection, please ensure your order is in by the last day of Term 1 (Friday 11 April) and select “Deliver to School” and no postage will be charged. Photos will be distributed at the College in Term 2. Alternatively, you can have the photos shipped to your home address for a small charge. Please complete one order per student.
If you have any issues with ordering, please contact Melba Studios directly on +61 2 9438 4566.
Reminder: MMG Education Survey for Year 3, 5, 8 10 and 12 parents
Thank you to the 69 parents who have completed the MMG Education survey, however, we are hoping more parents complete it to help strengthen the accuracy of our data.
The annual MMG Education surveys give us the chance to receive feedback on our programs and approach. It is critical for us to ensure we are listening to our whole community as we build on our strengths and prioritise areas of focus. Whilst doing surveys takes time, we are eager to use the research-informed feedback parents and students provide to develop and improve the College and are very appreciative of each response.
Parents of students in Year 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12 will have last week received their personal email with a link to the MMG ‘Tracking’ survey. This voluntary survey takes about half an hour. It invites parents to share feedback on areas including academics, wellbeing, boarding, co-curricular activities, sport and leadership. If parents are in one of the target year groups and have not received a personal email with a link by Friday 21 March, please let me know.
Students in Years 5, 8, 10 and 12 will receive links to their own MMG ‘Tracking’ survey on the day designated below. Students will be supervised in Compass time to do their survey which are voluntary to complete, but we encourage students to give their valuable feedback. The MMG email each student receives will provide a link to students’ own, confidential questionnaire. Students must not share their link with others.
(Please note, in Term 3, students from Year 6 to 12 will be invited to complete the MMG Wellbeing survey. This survey goes into greater depth than the Tracking survey which also includes some wellbeing questions. Further information will be shared in Term 3).
MMG Tracking survey will be given to students on the following dates:
Year 5: Week 10 Term 1, Friday 4 April, 1.30pm
Year 8: Week 10 Term 1, Wednesday 2 April, 1.30pm
Year 10: Week 1 Term 2, Friday 2 May, 1.30pm
Year 12: Week 3 Term 2, Thursday 15 May, 1.30pm
If you do not wish your daughter to participate in the MMG survey/s, she can ignore the link sent to her or you are welcome to let me know of your preference in advance.
To ensure confidentiality and encourage frank and full expression of views:
All responses will be treated by MMG Education in strict confidence.
No student or parent will be identified to the College by MMG Education on the basis of responses made.
If points of safety or wellbeing concern are found in the students’ responses, MMG Education staff liaise directly with Deputy Principal – Students, Mr Justin Raymond who will connect the student with appropriate wellbeing support.
All data collected by MMG Education will remain under its control and archived according to research protocols. The College will not be able to access it.
At the conclusion of the research period, MMG Education compiles final reports for the College. In months ahead, we look forward to sharing insights from the research with the community.
Please remember, that by completing the questionnaires, parents and students are making an invaluable contribution to the future of the College as we strive to ensure that we are providing the best opportunities possible for our students.
