From the Principal

The term is off to a flying start, with our Year 12 (Class of 2024) reporting that their first HSC exam, the English paper, was ‘okay’. Trust me, that stands for ‘exceptionally good’ in exam speak!

While every year seems to fly by, this one seems to be moving along exceptionally quickly, especially when you consider how much we have already packed in. Strap yourself in for another action-packed term of learning activities, Vision Valley expeditions, celebration concerts, orientation events, boarding activities, sporting awards, Christmas concerts and so much more. We have a great deal to look forward to as we pulse our way through the last term for the year.

The holiday break provided me with some excellent reflection time regarding social media and the growing concerns I, and our teaching staff, have about the impact of technology on your daughter’s wellbeing and learning. On Tuesday, I spoke with girls in Years 5 to 11 regarding new rules for technology which were introduced this week. On Wednesday, this letter was sent to parents in these year groups via the MyPymble parent portal. In case you missed it, the letter is attached again here for you to read and discuss with your daughter. Thank you in advance for your support as we work together to ensure technology is used for good at Pymble.

Now, on to exciting news to start the term.

Having worked with international university scholarship experts, I am aware of the value of our school being known and understood internationally when accessing scholarship placements for our graduates. As such, we were delighted to see Pymble is listed on the Carfax Schools Index as one of the five top Australasian schools. This list is curated by international experts, with each school recognised as notable for their individual footprint in education, including academic standards, facilities, preparation for university entry, unique ethos and how they set their pupils up for life beyond academia.

This year, the College has been making a conscious effort to further increase the profile of Pymble internationally by developing connections with:

universities and academic partners in the UK and USA; and
international sporting clubs and associations.

Our strategy is to ensure a Pymble education is valued for excellence all over the world, and to provide more pathways to tertiary study, sport at elite level, and global careers. This is good news for all students, including our Pymble Alumni. When they say, “I’m a Pymble girl” it should mean something impressive beyond our shores.

Over the break, our team was busy securing future international partners for our students, along with visiting exceptional sites all over the world to assist in the planning for our Secondary Innovation Precinct. Below is a summary of some of the organisations and places visited. Suffice to say, we have all returned filled with energy and inspired by connections that will further enrich all we do at Pymble for your girls.

My meetings in the UK

Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (football); Tonbridge School and St Paul’s School (Vision Valley); and Francis Holland School (student and staff exchanges).

Mr Adam Raw (Sport) in Europe and the UK

Europe: Barcelona Football Club (football); Centre d’Alt Rendiment (elite training programs and diving); Walter Grunfeld Tennis Academy; Atletico de Madrid Club (football); Rafa Nadal Academy (tennis pathways); Australian Institute of Sport European Training Centre (camps/sports tours); AC Milan Training Centre (sports tour); and Inter Milan Training centre (sports tour).
UK: Headington School (rowing); Loughborough University (sport-related subjects and pathways); University of Bath (swimming); Guildford High (athletics); Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (football); and Millfield School (swimming, diving and athletics).

Miss Skye Halliday (Sport) in the USA

Cornell University (hockey, rowing, athletics and swimming); University of Connecticut (basketball); Brown University (student-athlete development); Harvard University, University of Texas, Washington State University, and Oregon State University (rowing and student-athlete development); University of Oregon (tour); and Miss Porter’s School (athletics and soccer).

Mr Asaph Mross Becker (Robotics) in Canada and the USA (where he was joined by Mr Ellis in Houston)

Canada: 2056 OP Robotics.
USA: Team 6328 – Mechanical Advantage; Robotics team at Stuyvesant High School; Aviation High School New York City; NASA facility; Space Cookies; Chezy Champs; Team 2468 – Team Appreciate; Texas Torque; Team 5414 – Pearadox; Team 3847 – Spectrum; Citrus Circuits; and Taipei American School.

Ms Nicola Nelson and Mr Peter Ellis (TAS) in Europe, UK and USA

Milan: Istituto Marangoni (fashion, art and design); Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (fine arts); and Politecnico di Milano (fashion design).
Paris: Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne (French Fashion Institute); École Supérieure des Arts et Techniques de la Mode (fashion education); IFA Paris (fashion sustainability); and Paris School of Fashion.
London: Central St Martins (arts and design), and the London College of Fashion, both at the University of the Arts, London.
New York: Parsons School of Design (sustainable fashion design); The Fashion Institute of Technology; and the Culinary Institute of New York.

Perhaps the highlight of the trip for Miss Halliday, Ms Nelson and Mr Ellis was catching up with two of our Alumni who are currently in the USA, Jessica Colbran (2023), who is on a rowing scholarship at the University of Texas, and Jess Woo (2023), who is studying Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design in New York.

It is a pleasure to share Miss Halliday’s reflection after reconnecting with her former PESP student.

“It was wonderful to catch up with Jessica Colbran (2023) in Texas and witness her representing Pymble so brilliantly. The University of Texas is incredibly impressive for student-athletes. Its rowing program is considered the best in the country having won the NCAA Rowing Championship earlier this year. Having one of our Pymble athletes there is a source of great pride, not only for her achievements but also for the integral role her teachers and coaches have played in her journey to Texas. My observations confirm that Pymble excels at preparing students for life beyond its walls.”

As a world-leading school, we will continue to explore and provide new opportunities for our students to develop into influential and compassionate women whose education will serve them equally well as students and into their future. Thank you to our staff who give up their breaks to do this groundwork as representatives of Pymble. Being on the road may appear glamorous; however, it does mean there is little down time or time for their own families during the holidays. I’m grateful to have such a wonderful team of progressive and dedicated staff who nurture and support our students and the ongoing development of our amazing school.

Wishing you all a wonderful term ahead.

From the Junior School

From the Head of Junior School

Welcome to Term 4. It’s been fabulous to see the girls back at school and bringing the magic of their smiles and joy for learning. This term, we extend a warm welcome to Lola Xu (Year 5).

This term we are focusing on kindness to self and as part of that focus we will continue to look at how we live our College values in our behaviour everyday. Being courageous and challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone, to challenge your thinking and to persevere tenaciously with things that are tricky are all ways of being kind to yourself.

There is no shortage of courage on display amongst our Junior School girls and the way they embrace learning opportunities. This week alone we had Lola Xu being courageous in settling into her new class and school, and a group of Year 6 girls being courageous as they act as buddies and learning leaders for students from Milingimbi visiting Sydney and Canberra. Many thanks to these students.

Courage is also in abundance in our hall at lunchtimes as our girls showcase their singing, dancing, music and drama as they audition for our PJ Factor Showcase. It’s a privilege to watch our girls and see how they challenge themselves to step outside their comfort zone and perform on stage.

This week I want to give a shout out to the courage and talent of the who submitted original artworks for the 2025 Junior School diary cover competition. Judging has been very challenging, and the winner will be announced next week. Here are some of the phenomenal entries we received.

Wishing courage to our Year 12 girls

On the last day of Term 3, our Year 6 girls gave their time to sew felt hearts and write positive messages of good luck to our Year 12 girls who are courageously facing their HSC exams over the next few weeks. We decorated a wooden tree in the atrium of the Year 12 learning area on the first day of term to surprise the Year 12s and they were so touched by the care gifted to them by the act of kindness from our Year 6 girls. Thank you, Year 6, for leading with kindness and care to others.

Congratulations to our Robotics girls

Congratulations to all our girls who competed courageously at the recent FLL competition, which was, by all accounts, a hotly contested competition. All our teams performed exceptionally well and it’s very exciting that two of our FLL teams (Cosmic Tacos and Robotics Sharks) are progressing to Nationals. Congratulations to all these teams:

Cosmic Tacos (Aarna Ashwin, Salma Hassan, Meera Goluhan, Sissi Ko, Sarah Tew, Lexi Wu): 1^st place in Project Innovation and qualified for Nationals

Robotics Sharks (CJ Shelmerdine, Imogen Martin, Safina Burgess, Candice Li, Joanna Li, Isabella Wang): 1^st place in Core Values and qualified for Nationals

Hungry Pandas (Sooin Lee, Ivanka Jia, Chloe Yie, Isabella Zhang) won the Peer Admiration award

Tortilla Turtles (Melanni Baker, Lily jiao, Rosie han, Renee Kong, Anna Xu, Michelle Ng, Zoey Wen) 2^nd place in the Robot game.

Wellbeing Weekly – A message from Mrs Kate Giles – Head of Wellbeing K-6

Thank you to the number of parents who have attended the Parent wellbeing series this year. The final session in the 2024 Wellbeing Series will be held on 31 October at 8.45am in the 3-6 Library. This session will be focused on supporting your daughter to manage worries, change and uncertainty. I will be leading this session alongside Dr Danielle Ellis and Frieda Stemp, our Junior School Psychologists. Please sign up for the event using this link.

We will be holding further parent Wellbeing Series sessions in 2025. If you have any feedback from the sessions or there are any particular areas that you would like to learn more about in sessions next year, please email me at kgiles@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

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

OSHC Registrations

It is with thanks to parents and carers that we have now surpassed 82 per cent of students (Kindergarten to Year 5) being registered with OSHC. This important step not only provides a backup plan for when pickup may not go as planned but will allow students to be eligible to select co-curricular activities for 2025 (including tennis and swimming).

Separate instructions will be shared via MyPymble notices that demonstrate where to find your OSHC registration number within Kidsoft, as this number will be a mandatory field when registering for 2025 co-curricular activities on 20 November 2024.

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

Junior School Ensemble Concert: Symphony of Sounds

Members of the College community are warmly invited to the Junior School Ensemble Concert, Symphony of Sounds, on Wednesday 30 October, starting at 6:30 pm in the GMCPA. This evening will showcase the incredible talents of our young musicians, with a diverse collection of performances featuring various musical styles and ensembles. From vibrant strings to lively woodwinds and captivating choral pieces, the concert promises to be a celebration of the hard work and dedication our students have put into their music.

Tickets can be purchased through the GMCPA Box Office, with all proceeds going to support the Music Support Group, whose contributions play a vital role in enhancing the music programme for our students.

Parents of students who are performing are kindly requested to check the Parent Portal for additional information regarding performance times, dress requirements and concert information.

We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of unforgettable music.

Junior School Digital News

From the Junior School Parent Group (JSPG)

JSPG Movie Night – this Saturday 19 October

We are crossing everything for good weather for our movie night this Saturday!

Date: Saturday 19 October

Time: 4.30pm to 8.30pm

Location: Main Oval

The evening will feature food stalls, a big screen movie screening of Migration, popcorn and an inflatable obstacle course. BYO seating including cushions, rugs or low chairs.

The movie will commence as soon as possible after 7.00pm, sunset and light permitting.

If you didn’t purchase a ticket but would still like to come, we will be selling tickets on the day for $15 that include the movie, popcorn and the inflatable obstacle course, but not the barbecue. These ticket holders can purchase food and drinks separately at the event.

Parking will be available at Gate 2 and 3. Please note that Gate 1 will be closed from 1pm with no access after this time.

Year 3 Mums Lunch

Date: Friday 8 November

Time: 2.00pm

Location: Greengate Hotel, Killara

Thank you as always for your support.

Please contact us with any questions at pymblelcjspg@gmail.com

Key Dates – Week 1 and 2, Term 4

Friday 18 October Years 3-6 PJ Factor heats

Saturday 19 October IPSHA Saturday Sport

Saturday 19 October Kindy 2025 Picnic

Saturday 19 October JSPG Family Movie night

Tuesday 22 October PPA AGM 6.00pm to 7.00pm, held in the David Macfarlane Centre

Tuesday 22 October College Board Thank You Drinks 7.00pm to 9.00pm, held on Gloucester Lawn

Friday 25 October Links Day

Thursday 24 October Online Parent Information Session 5.00pm to 6.00pm

Saturday 26 October IPSHA Saturday Sport

Saturday 26 October 2025 New Families Picnic

Speech Day and Celebration of Learning Dates

Tuesday 3 December Years 3 to 6 Speech Day (9.00am to 11.00am)

Tuesday 3 December Kindergarten Nativity and Celebration of Learning (11.30am to 1.00pm)

Tuesday 3 December Years 1-2 Celebration of Learning (2.00pm to 3.00pm)

Kate Brown

Head of Junior School

From the Middle School

Welcome back to all of our Middle School families. I hope that you have had a great break and that the girls are ready for a fast and fun Term 4. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the following new students and their families: Claudia Georgakis (Year 8), Siri Taubenschlag (Year 8), Caitlyn Cardno (Year 8) and Jasmine Kee (Year 7). I hope that you settle in quickly to our community.

I would also like to acknowledge new staff joining or changing positions on the team this term. Jade Cunningham who is taking over from Theresa Mimmo as Head of Year 8 (Lang, Marden, Thomas and Wylie), Felicity Dyet who will continue to support Year 7 students in Goodlet, Ingleholme, Marden, and Thomas, whilst Gina Ventura is on leave until Week 3; Karen Al- Kakhey who now has responsibility for 7 Hammond B (previously Jade Cunningham’s Compass Group) and Erin Foster who has responsibility for 7 Bennett A, whilst Ronell Catulong is on leave for Term 4.

On Monday night, we welcomed Year 7 2025 families to the College for the first time. I would like to congratulate and thank Amber Lewis, Ginnie Makan and Jessie Leung who presented their reflections on their Middle School journey so far. Also thank you to Harriet Gregory for stepping in and for opening the presentation, and Claudia Wyatt, Annie Luo, and Jamila Soo for your support with registration. You were outstanding ambassadors for Pymble and spoke with such authenticity and confidence. Congratulations and thank you also to Isabel Fan for her beautiful performance at the piano.

On Thursday our Year 7 Transition Leaders ran the second round of workshops designed for Year 6 Junior School students. Their commitment and invested interest in helping Year 6 to feel welcome and informed, was most praiseworthy.

Thank you to all the girls who have put themselves forward for 2025 Leadership positions. The team is looking forward to shortlisting applications and the interview process to follow.

At our Combined Assembly on Tuesday, Dr Hadwen spoke about expectations around:

Appropriate use of language to promote positive connections across our community.

The importance of not accessing laptops during recess and lunch in an attempt to foster healthy interpersonal communication and the need to not open laptops in the classroom until invited to do so by the teacher to minimise distraction and ensure best learning outcomes.

AirPods/earbuds not being used to maximise socialisation in the playground and to ensure focus during lessons.

All of the initiatives outlined above reinforce our values and inclusive culture and encourage the girls to build respectful relationships across the day. Please chat with your daughters about this. We appreciate working in partnership with parents to ensure best outcomes for all.

Congratulations to Athena Wu (Year 7) who both competed in the Transpacific World Schools Debating Championship over the break. Together with her teammates from Kings and Sydney Grammar, she was awarded the U14 Grand Final Champion title. An amazing achievement.

Congratulations again to Athena and Jing Yuan Lui (Year 7) who participated in the Cambridge Schools ANZ Debating Competition, held from 12 to 13 October. Athena was ranked sixth best speaker, and Jing was ranked 16th. We are so proud of both of you and most impressed by your skills and commitment to public speaking.

From the Middle School Parent Groups

Welcome back to all our Year 7 families, hope you had a wonderful holiday break.

We hope you have a productive Term 4 and we look forward to catching up with you.

We are looking for anyone who would be interested in joining the SSPG next year as a Year 8 Coordinator. This is a small time commitment and very rewarding to organise a couple of events during the year within a larger team environment. Please contact us if you are interested.

Kind regards

Year 7 Co-ordinators

Stephanie, Leigh and Briar

Year 8 Co-ordinators

Jenny Pang (0422 716 808, cola0214@hotmail.com) and Ms Kai Jones (0431 725 948, kai_look@yahoo.com)

Jenny O’Donnell

Head of Middle School

From the Upper School

A message from Victoria Harrison, Head of Upper School

A very warm welcome to Term 4! We are happy to have Emily, Nia and Judith join the Upper School this term. We are looking forward to getting to know them and ensuring they feel at home at Pymble.

I hope your daughters enjoyed some downtime during the break and return feeling rested and rejuvenated. There is much to accomplish between now and the end of term! As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support should you need it during this busy period.

Our students have an exciting term ahead, filled with enriching learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Our final group of Year 9 students will head to Vision Valley this Sunday for the commencement of their residential program. This term, we are delighted to be joined by four students from Milingimbi School, our City Country Partner School in NE Arnhem Land.

We look forward to providing our visitors with an enjoyable experience and are grateful for this wonderful chance for our girls to learn alongside these students. We have fabulous data that shows that girls who have completed the program report improved wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging. Wishing the next group of Vision Valley participants the best of luck; remember to take the time to pack thoroughly this week and get ready for a fabulous time at the valley.

For our Year 10 students, this term marks significant academic milestones. They will be preparing for their Yearly examinations and the transition into Senior School. Our role is to support them in developing vital study skills, resilience, and time management. Highlights for Year 10 include the Pymble-Shore Dance this Friday evening and an exciting outdoor education program scheduled for Week 6. We are still awaiting consent for the Year 10 outdoor education program. Please ensure you check MyPymble for essential information and consent forms relating to your daughter’s program choice.

Celebrating Student Achievements

Each term and over the break, we receive updates on the remarkable accomplishments of our students, and we encourage you to share these moments with us.

This week, we are thrilled to celebrate Joy Yin’s success in the City of Minerbio International Piano Competition in Italy. Competing at such a high level for the first time, Joy advanced to the final round and secured second prize.

Congratulations to our girls who participated in the NSW Rugby 7s State Championships in Forster over the break: Lucy Mclean, Oliana Tighe, Rosie Eggins, Evie Farr, Mie Naito, Ellie Pointon, Alessia Calvani, Annie Pennington, Scarlett Mitchell and Lily Mancey.

A round of applause for Tilly Harrison and Jocelyn Blair, who represented Pymble at the NSW All School Athletics Championships at the start of the holidays. We’re proud of their performances. Tilly will represent NSW at the upcoming Australian All School Championships in December, and both girls aspire to be part of the Pymble team at the National Schools Knockout.

Important Dates

TERM 4

Friday 18 October – Year 10 Pymble Shore Dance at Miramare Gardens

Sunday 20 October – Year 9 Residential Program Group 4 begins at Vision Valley

Thursday 24/Friday 25 November – Years 7-9 Drama Production

Friday 25 October – Year 10 Study Day (All girls to remain at home – no classes being held)

Monday 28 October – Year 10 Examination Week begins and ends on Friday 1 November

Thursday 7 November – Year 9 Residential Program Term 4 Parent Evening Workshop

Wednesday 13 – Saturday November – Co-Curricular Dance Showcase

Saturday 16 November – Year 10 Namadji OEP begins at Vision Valley

Sunday 17 November – Year 10 Snowy River OEP leaves from James Kelso Field

Monday 18 November – Year 10 Murramarang Expedition and Blue Mountains Program depart from Pymble campus

Friday 22 November – Year 10 Murramarang Expedition and Blue Mountains Program return to Pymble campus

Monday 25 November – Year 10 Namadji and Snowy River Expeditions return to Pymble campus

Tuesday 26 November – Rest Day for Namadji and Snowy River students

Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 November – Year 10 Future You Festival on Pymble campus

Wednesday 4 December – 2024 Speech Day and Final Day of School Year

Monday 28 October – Year 10 Examination week begins

Victoria Harrison

Head of Upper School

From the Senior School

Year 12 2024 – HSC begins!

This week saw the start of the HSC examinations, with the English papers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Alongside all their teachers, I am so very proud of these students, as they have prepared so well and been wonderful leaders for the College. The students showed up with characteristic calmness and quiet confidence, while also providing support for one another. They sit these exams in the firm knowledge that they have the good wishes of the entire College community behind them. We all look forward to hearing their plans for next year and beyond!

The Year 6 girls had prepared a special surprise for each of our graduating students – a specially made felt heart with a personalised message of best wishes! This was a very touching gesture, and warmly received by our Year 12 girls.

Year 12 – 2025

Welcome back! As your children embark on their final year of school, I want to take a moment to express how excited I am to be working alongside them as our new student leaders of the College. This year is a significant milestone in their academic journey, filled with opportunities, challenges and experiences that will shape their futures.

New Student Leaders Induction Ceremony

We look forward to welcoming all Year 12 (2025) parents to our Year 12 New Student Leader Induction on 18 October, where all Year 12 students are recognised as school leaders in the College and presented with their Year 12 badges, alongside those students with specific leadership responsibilities. This event will be held in Jeanette Buckham Centre for Physical Education. Parents are requested to meet at Marden Lawn from 9.00am and there is morning tea on Gloucester Lawn following the ceremony.

Year 12 (2025) Information Night

Year 12 (2025) parents and carers are invited to the Year 12 Information Night. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the journey through Year 12, and meet with the College leaders, Compass Teachers, the Head and Deputy Head of Senior School, the Curriculum leaders and the Futures Team. Please note that this is a parent’s only evening.

This will take place on Thursday 24 October, from 5:30pm, in the Kate Mason Senior School.

The presentation will be recorded and a copy of this will be made available to parents who are unable to attend on the night.

Pymble – Knox Social Event

We all had a fantastic time at the inaugural Pymble-Knox Social Night held at Hijinx Hotel on Tuesday night! The students enjoyed a variety of activities, including arcade games, dodgem cars, laser tag and bowling. It was wonderful to see new friendships forming in such a relaxed and informal setting. The energy and excitement in the air were palpable, creating lasting memories and connections between the students of both schools. My sincerest thanks to Ms Gallardo, Deputy Head of Senior School, the Heads of Year 11 Mr Levin and Mrs Richter, and teachers, Mr Moynihan, Mr Zeeman, Mrs Schumann, Mr O’Connor, Ms Inglis and Mrs Kennedy Martin, who gave up their time to supervise this event.

16 Days of Activism

The 16 Days of Activism Committee consists of other students from Knox, Hornsby Girls, and Normanhurst Boys working together to brainstorm effective ways to raise awareness about domestic violence. The 16 Days of Activism is working in partnership with the Hornsby Women’s Shed. The Hornsby Women’s Shed supports vulnerable women in our community who have experienced domestic violence. The Women’s Shed offers a range of supports and aims to maximise opportunities for women.   

Students from schools across the area are working on an initiative to build healthy and positive relationships. We welcomed student visitors from Knox Grammar School who presented alongside our Pymble girls at our last assembly. Lily, one of the Year 12 leaders of this program, has outlined the initiative below:

“The 16 Days of Activism is an event that runs from the 25th of November to the 10th of December for human rights especially violence against women and girls.

This committee had the focus of starting the conversation between male and female students about building healthier relationships and encouraging communication which is a common goal across schools. The sub-committee is now participating in Walk the Talk held on the 27 November which is a march through Hornsby as well as a human rights conference at Knox Grammar the following day.

Together as a committee, we have created 16 infographics consisting of helplines, signs of abuse, types of abuse and community-supporting events one of which will be released each day of the 16 days.

Leading up to the 16 days students will have the opportunity to participate in an art competition where they are encouraged to create art pieces around the theme of healthy relationships and have the opportunity to have their art pieces displayed in Hornsby’s youth centre.”

Congratulations to the students who are committing to make a difference to this very important social issue.

Key Dates

15 October to 8 November HSC examinations

18 October New Student Leader Induction Ceremony

24 October Year 12 (2025) Information Night

8 November Sportswomen’s Awards Dinner

12 November Jacaranda Day

4 December Years 7 to 11 (2024) Speech Day

4 December Last day of Term 4

Nikki Wyse

Head of Senior School

From the Boarding School

Welcome back to Pymble! I trust it has been a happy and relaxing holiday, it was lovely to see the girls looking well rested and ready for the final term of 2024.

Term 4 is always a great time to enjoy our beautiful campus, sunshine and each other. This term we are delighted to welcome Ms Theresa Mimmo as our new Deputy Head of Boarding and I am not sure who is more excited – Theresa or the girls! Either way it promises to be a wonderful term of learning, friendship and fun.

Amidst all the adventures, our Boarders will be busy with their studies and co-curricular program. Foremost in our minds are our 2024 Year 12s who have made a good start to their HSC examinations and know we are there to support them each step of the way.

Live It, Love It, Learn It – Theresa Mimmo, Deputy Director of Boarding

My welcome into the Boarding community has been friendly and heartfelt. I am very excited about starting in this position and look forward to developing connections with all the Boarders and their families.

Our Love It program this week is full of exciting opportunities for the girls to be off campus. On Friday night Year 9 students have the opportunity for a picnic and evening swim at Balmoral Beach. For the Boarders that love music, there’s a twilight concert in Wahroonga Park featuring a Queen cover band, and for our art enthusiasts a trip to view Sculptures by the Sea along the coastal walk between Bondi and Tamarama. A busy weekend indeed. You can view the entire term’s program by clicking here.

Learn It has commenced for the term and our tutors will be available from Week 2.

Boarder Parent Group

It was great to see so many parents in our events at the end of last term including our Boarder Parent Group meeting. Please click here to view the minutes of the meeting.

Keeping Up With Our Boarders

I am delighted to share with you the latest edition of Keeping Up With Our Boarders. I hope you enjoy reading about just some of our adventures. You can have a read below, or click here to view it on the website.

View From My Window

“Bula!” is how we say hello back at home. If you don’t know, my name is Zuleika, I am from the beautiful islands of Fiji, a tropical paradise with a population of less than a million. I am originally from the village of Nasekula in Labasa with chiefly heritage located on the second biggest island, Vanua Levu. However, I grew up in Suva, the capital situated on the southeast coast of the largest island Viti Levu.

At home, I live with my parents and my two pets, my German Shepard, Simba, and my tuxedo cat, Bubbles. I have five older siblings – three sisters and two brothers. Every evening, I get to witness some of the most incredible sunsets right from my window or from the seawall which is just a minute drive from home. In fact, getting to most places in Suva takes less than 10 minutes whether it’s school, supermarkets, parks or town.

Although I enjoy being in Sydney, nothing compares to being at home. As soon as I get off the plane, I’m welcomed by the friendliest faces and their big smiles. Fijians are the warmest people, and that’s what I love about home. Their genuine warmth makes me feel relaxed and connected right away. Plus, with summer all year round, the vibrant atmosphere and beautiful beaches just add to the feeling of being in paradise.

Besides catching up with family and friends, one of my favourite things to do is shark diving on the island of Beqa. Not only am I able to swim with beautiful tiger sharks, but I also get to appreciate the ocean and its incredible marine life. As a Pacific Islander, my love for the ocean runs deep, reflecting my cultural connection to it. Each dive reveals vibrant coral reefs and playful fish, reminding me of the importance of protecting these ecosystems. These experiences strengthen my bond with the ocean and inspire me to advocate for its preservation. In the end, Fiji is where I’m always happy to be. The warmth of the people and the beauty of the ocean makes it truly special.

Important Dates

Friday 18 October – Boarding lockdown and evacuation drill, 3.30pm to 4.30pm (all Boarders required to be in attendance)

Tuesday 26 November – Boarders’ Christmas Chapel and Christmas Dinner, 5.00pm (all Boarders required to be in attendance)

Wednesday 4 December – Year 7 to 10 Speech Day, followed by Boarders’ Travel Day

Carolyn Burgess

Head of Boarding

From the Chaplains

One Body, But Many Parts

¹²There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. ¹³We were all baptised by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. ¹⁴So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.

Almost 2000 years ago, in about 51 CE, Paul of Tarsus, now known as the Apostle Paul, sat down and wrote the first of two extant letters to the small Christian community in Corinth, Greece. He himself had established this community just a few years earlier, on his first missionary visit there.

A page from a papyrus codex referred to as P^46. This codex contains 9 of Paul’s letters.

During his time in Ephesus, in modern-day Turkiye, Paul heard the news that there was trouble in the fledgling Corinthian church and they needed some help to get back on track. The community was divided by bickering, quarrels, arguments and jealousies.

Some, it seems, were arguing about the nature and distribution of spiritual gifts. Which was more important? Praying for healing or caring for the widows? Who should be given precedence? Those with the gift of teaching, or those with the gift of hospitality?

Human nature has not changed in 2000 years, it seems. All communities of humans face such jealousies and divisions at some point.

Paul’s response, in his first letter to the Corinthians, was to point out that jealousy among those working in and with the Spirit of God is as irrational as jealousy between the eye and the ear: both are essential to the wellbeing of the body as a whole.

¹⁵Suppose the foot says, “I am not a hand. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. ¹⁶And suppose the ear says, “I am not an eye. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. ¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? ¹⁸God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be. ¹⁹If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body.

Here in the Pymble community, we try to teach our students that each one of them is a precious, unique and irreplaceable part of our community – of our ‘body’.

Just as each member of the Church is a part of the body of Christ, a valued part of the whole, so is each student encouraged to see themselves as made in the holy image of God, and able to play a unique role in the life of our community.

Inherent to being one part of a whole is being connected to the other. We all need one another. Each part, however small or seemingly insignificant, is needed by the other parts for the whole to function properly.

And the parts that seem the weakest, or seem less important somehow? They are to be treated with special care. They are to be loved and treasured and protected.

In a healthy and well-functioning community, your suffering is my suffering. Your rejoicing is also mine.

²¹The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²²In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without. ²³The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honour. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care. ²⁴The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honour to the parts that didn’t have any. ²⁵In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honoured, every part shares in its joy.

²⁷You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

This beautiful drawing by Stella Boyle of Year 10 won Highly Commended in the recent ‘Speaking 4 the Planet’ art competition run by Ku-ring-gai Council.

‘Guardian of the Secret Garden’ by Stella Boyle, Year 10

Just like one of the grand old fig trees that stretch out their limbs here at Pymble, lining the paths, providing shade for us and shelter for birds, insects and bats, every part of our community is connected and interrelated.

The magnificent trunk will not be balanced without the outstretched limbs. The limbs will not be supported without the unseen but essential root system. The tree cannot grow without the small leaves to soak up the sun.

My prayer is that every student at Pymble will know that she is a precious, unique and irreplaceable part of the whole that is our school community.

And that each student comes to understand that their value is not based on their grades, on their talents, their looks or their achievements, but simply on the fact that they are carefully made in the precious image of God – and that is more than enough.

Edwina O’Brien

Assistant Chaplain

Term 4 Events Calendar

From the Futures Team

Work Experience

Teya Cranley – Year 10 – Architecture/Interior Design

I had such an amazing week at Cadence & Co! I learnt so so much and am really looking forward to heading down the career path of architecture/interior design. I talked to most of the staff and they all gave me such great advice for university, subject selection and gave me a great view into what their jobs look like on an ordinary week. They showed me the projects they were working on and took me to a few of the sites which was great. I was given a project to work on over the week and I presented it to most of the office today. I was to design and sustainable container house made from reused shipping containers. I made an online model as well as an actual physical model that my dad helped me out with. Overall, I had such a great experience and am so grateful for all their help and encouragement!

Avni Sahu – Year 11 – Technology

I had a wonderful and educating experience throughout the October holidays where I got to experience a professional environment, and the various disciplines of technology used in a government force varying from call centres to national cyber security projects in the Australian Federal Police bureau for five days. I had the opportunity to visit multiple sites of the bureau in Canberra: the forensic labs, call centre and the main building where I was shown the different sectors of the agency. Some were Enterprise Policing Systems, Infrastructure, Technical Strategy & Data and finally the Cyber Security and Risk Branch.

Through the week I met with employees who presented introductory role about their position and their journey to working at AFP which had great impact in helping me plan my future. I learnt that work/life experience is much more valuable than a formal education in the tech industry. Our first day was at the Forensics Labs at Majura and Winchester Centre where I visited the canine and forensics departments learning about the various types of forensics like digital and facial forensics.

In AFP Headquarters, we were shown the many sectors that make a corporation operate on an international scale from digital camera service used by sworn officers to major cyber security and data protection software. I learnt about the AI usage in AFP helping in looking at the advantages cyber criminals have in breaching AFP data, rebuilding an unravelled desktop and looking at other hardware used by the AFP as well as being shown the different departments of cyber security and cybercrime. I think the most valuable learning was the advantages and disadvantages of working in a public sector in the tech industry compared to a private one.

Andelle Parker – Year 11 – Architecture

My time at Grimshaw Architecture was advantageous. I understood a typical week in an architect’s life and how they spend their time in the office. I learned about the various software tools architects use and how to utilise specific resources effectively. Additionally, we visited sites like the Martin Place Metro, which helped develop my knowledge of urban planning and the complexities involved in project development. We also conversed with people in various positions in the firm and gained an understanding of how diverse the industry was. Overall, it was an incredible experience and gave me great insight into the industry and what I want to do.

External Opportunities

The following is an advertisement and is not endorsed by Pymble Ladies’ College.

National Institute of Education

FREE webinar: Information Session about Sydney Summer School Programme at the University of Sydney Tuesday 28th October at 7 pm (AEST). Follow the link to register. This residential program is tailored for individuals aged 13-18. Young learners can delve into a diverse array of subjects and fully immerse themselves in the dynamic academic environment of the University of Sydney. Medicine, Psychology Engineering, Business Management, Creative Writing and Veterinary Studies (11-day residential summer holiday program in Sydney).

Date: 28 October 2024, 7.00pm to 9.00 pm (AEDT) Click here to register

Year 10, 11 and 12 students

2-3 and 9 – 10 November 2024 Intensive Medical Interview Preparation Workshop (limited spots left) A workshop for students who received or expecting to receive an interview offer for the Undergraduate Medical Schools in Australia.

21 December 2024: UCAT Preparation Workshop – If you are in Years 10, 11 or 12 and considering sitting the UCAT in the future, the Simulated UCAT Workshop program is a helpful step towards effective and efficient preparation for the UCAT. Five UCAT sections covered + full mock exam under timed conditions + introduction to medical interviews.

Sydney: 10 to 13th July 2025 Future Doctors Program: “Future Doctors Australia” program. This engaging and high-impact four-day program provides young people with a unique opportunity to gain medical work experience in a safe and structured environment. Four-day program for ages 14 to 18.

From the Co-curricular Sports Team

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Artistic Gymnastics

Bend the Air

Congratulations to all our Aerial Circus stars for last weekend’s competition, held at Bend the Air, Adamstown. We want to take a moment to express how incredibly proud we are of Aaliyah Khanche (Year 7), Ava Christofides (Year 8), Bethany Tucker (Year 6), Cadence Wong (Year 7), Sophie Ahn (Year 6), Athena Ng (Year 7), Stella Pieterse (Year 7), and Yuyin Luo (Year 10) for your hard work and dedication in this competition. The performances you created were nothing short of amazing, and Pymble couldn’t be prouder of you all!

A special congratulations goes to Aaliyah and Stella, who will be representing Pymble at Nationals in January! We can’t express how thrilled we are for both of you—this is such an incredible achievement!

Lastly, a huge thank you to all the parents and families for your unwavering support this year and for traveling to cheer on our talented students. Your encouragement means the world!

Keep shining bright!

Vanessa Clyne

Acting Head Coach – Artistic Gymnastics

Athletics

In the first week of the holidays, 27 girls competed over five days at the NSW All Schools Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. The event was filled with impressive performances and personal bests, but what stood out was the Pymble pride displayed by all our athletes.

A special congratulations goes to Amalia Bond (Year 8), Eliza Lawton (Year 8), and Georgia Phillips (Year 12) who all took home two gold medals, a remarkable achievement.

This year, for the first time, the championships introduced an overall point score. Competing against the sport schools where both boys and girls contribute to the tally was always going to be a challenge. With 395 schools participating from across NSW, our girls came incredibly close to being crowned champion school, finishing a remarkable second place, a result we can be proud of.

In addition, teams had the opportunity to qualify for the National Schools Challenge based on age division point scores. This event will be held in Brisbane in early December. I am pleased to announce that Pymble qualified in all three divisions: Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Girls have the opportunity to be part of these teams which will be selected on Monday 4 November, so I encourage all the girls in our igsa squad to continue to train, compete, and to review the expression of interest details and reach out to Jack or myself for more information. A thank you to the following girls who competed in events different to their normal events to help the teams qualify for nationals: Sarah Lovell (Year 11), Grace Townsend (Year 11), Jocelyn Blair (Year 11), Mia Croker (Year 11), and Georgia Phillips (Year 12).

A big thank you to all our coaches, including Katie Edwards and Jack Pennington.

Results

Gold

Eliza Lawton – 14 years 1500m and 3000m

Amalia Bond – 14 years long jump and triple jump

Georgia Phillips – 18 years 400m hurdles and long jump

Mia Croker – 17 years 2000m steeple (and a personal best)

Samara Bond – 17 years 400m (and a personal best)

Sarah Lovell – 18 years shot put

Grace Beck – 16 years 5000m walk

Grace Peters – 16 years shot put

Silver

Grace Townsend – 16 years 400m hurdles

Georgia Phillips – 18 years 3000m steeple

Matilda Harrison – 15 years 100m and 200m

Samara Bond – 17 years 200m (and a personal best)

Phoebe Berglund – 18 years 100m (and a personal best)

Nicole McCrostie – 18 years 100m hurdles

Sybella Warton – Para 100m

Bronze

Sarah Baker – 17 years 1500m and 3000m

Sophia Slater – 17 years 2000m steeple

Beth Carruthers – 14 years hammer throw

Sybella Warton – Para 200m

Jocelyn Blair – 16 years 100m

Phoebe Berglund – 18 years 200m

Top 8 performances

Sarah Lovell – 4th 17 years javelin, 5th 100m hurdles

Beth Carruthers – 4th 14 years shot put (and a personal best)

Grace Peters – 4th 16 years discus

Marley Titley – 4th 12 years 800m, 7th 200m

Claudia Wyatt – 4th 14 years 2000m steeple

Jocelyn Blair – 4th 16 years 100m hurdles (and a personal best), 5th high jump, 7th 200m

Isabelle Younger – 6th 15 years 200m hurdles

Lana Pike – 6th 17 years 800m (and a personal best)

Mia Croker – 8th 17 years 1500m

Amalia Bond – 6th 14 years 100m (and a personal best)

Gemma Dixon – 8th 13 years 1500m

Deb Walsham

Head Coach – Athletics

Equestrian

Congratulations on your Achievements

We are excited to share the incredible achievements of the Pymble Equestrian team. Last term saw students compete in a range of competitions across numerous disciplines. Congratulations to the following students and their outstanding results over Term 3.

Lola Barwick (Year 11)

Nationals:

7th in the 1.10m show jumping

Zoe Glendinning (Year 11)

Central Coast Interschools Equestrian Event:

1st Place in the 3 D3 Dressage Senior 1.3

2nd Place in the 4 D4 Dressage Senior 2.1

Evie Sumner (Year 5)

2nd Place in the Official Prelim 1.2

3rd Place in the Official Prelim 1.3

Jessie Gui (Year 8)

Jumping NSW Winter Showjumping Classic:

3rd Place in the Class 12a 1m Open Height Class

Alexa Kong (Year 9)

Northside:

1st Place in the 60cm Showjumping

1st Place in 70com Showjumping

Athena Ng (Year 7)

Northside:

3rd place in the 50cm Showjumping

Maddi Scott

Co-ordinator – Equestrian

Swimming

2024 NSW Long Course Qualifying Meet Report

Well done to our Pymble students who competed for Knox Pymble Swim Club (KPSC) at the 2024 NSW Long Course Qualifying Meet on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

Our goals for this meet were to gain valuable race practice, secure qualifying times for the season ahead, and assess where we stand individually and as a team. The focus was on racing with attention to technique and skill acquisition, ensuring swimmers executed the fundamentals in a competitive setting.

Coaches supported from the stands, allowing swimmers to take ownership of their warm-ups and cool-downs, promoting independence and responsibility. The outcome was fantastic, with personal bests, state qualifying times, and even a few swimmers already achieving national times. As always, there were key learnings to bring back to training sessions. This brings excitement for the season ahead!

Next up is the SMNE Distance Meet and KPSC Twilight Arena SKINS. Stay focused, enjoy the preparation, and apply what you’ve learned in training.

A special shoutout to Nicola Johnston (Star Squad Coach) for her debut meet—she did an amazing job! A huge thank you to all the parents who helped over the weekend. The Pymble students who competed included: Pride Squad swimmers Hannah Carmichael (Year 11), Annalise Chow (Year 10), Arabella Cox (Year 12), Jaya Lilienthal (Year 11), Ruby Pickthall (Year 10), Keira Smith (Year 11), Sarah Tian (Year 10), and Indianna Vale (Year 10), Engine Squad swimmers Jennifer Chong (Year 11), Carla Mikkeline Eibach (Year 7), Georgia Friedel (Year 7), Penelope Hargraves (Year 7), Anne Liu (Year 8), Jade Mao (Year 7), Quinn Parry-Okeden (Year 7), Charlotte Sadler (Year 7), and Zara Sandham (Year 8), and Cadet Squad swimmers Amelie Berg (Year 5), Emma Deere (Year 5), Ludovica Iacovelli (Year 7), Yuxi Lun (Year 4), Jiayi Wu (Year 6), and Olivia Yu (Year 4).

Rafael Rodrigues

Swimming Coach

Tennis

Recent Tournament Successes

Welcome back to another summer of Tennis. Our 26 igsa Tennis teams and four IPSHA Tennis teams have started training and are ready to take on the competition this Saturday. We wish them the best of luck for the season ahead.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved some fantastic results during the school holidays:

Abigail Martin (Year 8)

J125 Springwood Junior Tournament – Runner up in the Under 14 Years Girls Singles and Doubles

Elona Thorne (Year 8)

J500 NSW Junior State Championships – Runner up in the Under 14 Years Girls Doubles

J250 Tennis World Canberra Roche Series – Winner in the Under 14 Years Girls Singles

J250 Tennis World Canberra Roche Series – Winner in the Under 14 Years Girls Doubles (with Isabella Su)

Isabella Su (Year 9)

J250 Tennis World Canberra Roche Series – Winner in the Under 14 Years Girls Doubles (with Elona Thorne)

Jufri Foss

Co-ordinator – Tennis

Water Polo

Recent Representative Success

Congratulations to Kiera Mironova (Year 12) and Zara Cooke (Year 10) on their outstanding performances at the 2024 National State Championships five-day event in Queensland from Thursday 26 to Monday 30 September. Kiera and Zara were part of the under 17 NSW State water polo team who came away with a silver medal. These results are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of both girls.

Following the success of the 2024 National State Championships on the Gold Coast, Water Polo Australia announced the athletes who have been provisionally selected in the under 18 Girls National Age Group Program (NAGP) squad for 2025. The NAGP is designed to prepare athletes, coaches and referees for Australian representative opportunities. The NAGP takes a holistic approach, supporting personal development and preparation of the whole person while identifying, supporting and developing athletes in preparation for the relevant international age group events and preparing for future selection in Senior National Teams.

A massive congratulations to Kiera and Zara on their selection in the under 18 Girls NAGP squad for 2025.

Brigette Moore

Head Coach – Water Polo

From the Co-curricular Performing Arts Team

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Dance

Dance Showcase 2024

Don’t miss the enthralling 2024 Dance Showcase, “A Date to Remember – A Journey Through Milestones, Moments, and Memories“! These captivating shows promise to take you on an unforgettable journey, celebrating the beauty of dance through life’s significant moments. Each performance is a vibrant testament to creativity and emotion, sure to leave you inspired and moved.

Click here to secure your tickets today and be part of this magical experience that honours the art of storytelling through movement – it’s an event you won’t want to forget!

Katrina Cluff

Head of Dance

Drama

Drama Curriculum Showcase

Our recent Drama Curriculum Showcase was a remarkable success! I want to take a moment to thank everyone who attended for your warm comments and thoughtful feedback. Your support means the world to our students and truly adds to the sense of community we build through drama.

The Year 9 students took us on a heartfelt journey through “Performing Australia,” a unit focused on the nation’s multicultural identity. Each performance was rooted in personal stories and experiences shared by students and their families, woven into powerful narratives that captured the diversity of living in Australia. Through these performances, the students conveyed themes of belonging, migration, and the vibrant cultural tapestry that defines our nation. It was wonderful to see the students put so much of themselves into their narratives, and their personal stories really resonating with you. The way they brought their families’ experiences and cultural heritage to life on stage was nothing short of moving, and I couldn’t be prouder of the growth they’ve shown, not just as performers, but as storytellers who understand the power of their own voices.

Year 10s “Political Theatre” performances were brave, bold, and thought-provoking. Tackling difficult, often uncomfortable topics with such care and maturity is no easy task, but they took it in stride. The way they used drama to challenge and question the world around them shows just how powerful theatre can be.

The showcase concluded with outstanding work from our Year 11 students, who had been studying “Herstory.” This unit celebrated the remarkable contributions of women in fields such as music, film, dance, literature, and politics. These performances were a fitting tribute to the trailblazing women who have shaped our world, and the passion and dedication of these students brought these stories to life with incredible skill, creativity, and maturity.

A special mention goes to three brave Year 11 students who performed their monologues for the audience, each delivering truly memorable and powerful performances. Well done to Claire McPherson, Darcey Hawkins, and Genevieve Hartin for their moving and strong work on stage.

Claire McPherson impressed with her emotional depth in “The Almighty Sometimes”, Darcey Hawkins captivated the audience with intensity in “Bottleneck”, and Genevieve Hartin delivered a standout performance in “The Libertine”. These young actors displayed incredible talent, and their dedication to their craft was evident in every moment.

As their drama teacher, watching these young performers grow in confidence, skill, and dedication to their craft has been an absolute privilege. This showcase was a testament to all the hard work they’ve put in, and I know many of you could see just how much this subject means to them. Thank you again for your unwavering support, it means more to us than you know. I can’t wait to see where their talent takes them next!

If you were unable to watch the show, please click here.

Important Drama Events

CentreStage Behind the Mask dates

25 November – Theatresports and Film CentreStage

26 November – Dress rehearsal for Junior show

27 November – CentreStage Junior Show (all Junior Drama students)

28 November – Dress rehearsal for Secondary show

29 November – CentreStage Secondary show (all Secondary Drama students)

Rebecca York

Co-curricular Drama Co-ordinator

Language Arts

Welcome to Language Arts Term 4 2024. It is shaping up to be a busy term with Have a Go and Festival of Speech next week, IDC, our international debating competition commencing, and auditions starting. On Monday, we hosted a heat for UN Voice of Youth and it was good to see many Pymble girls competing.

Debating

IDC Debating

IDC Teams have been allocated and coaches will now contact girls regarding training times, venues, etc. Debates commence Friday 25 October. We know it will be a great season!

Archdale Representative team

Congratulations to Kitty He, Maya Garg, and Amy Zhang who had a great season on the prestigious Archdale Representative team last term. Pymble debaters made up one quarter of the team! The team came second overall.

Absences

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

Debating Auditions

Auditions for 2025 Debating teams commence this week. The schedule is as follows. Students should complete the expression of interest form by clicking here to indicate they would like to audition for a debating team, as well providing their interest for public speaking, mock law, and Model United Nations programs. Parents are required to provide permission for students to attend the audition via the Pymble app following their daughter completing the form. Please contact Co-curricular administration if you have any questions, or if you have missed your audition date and still wish to audition.

The audition for new students to Pymble on Friday 18 October will be held around RV and DK. Any families with siblings starting at the College next year who will be auditioning should meet in the Upper School Hub, located in the lower colonnade.

Other venues will be announced and released to all who have registered prior to their audition.

Thursday 17 October – Current Year 9 girls attending Term 4 Vision Valley long stay
Friday 18 October – All students new to Pymble for 2025
Tuesday 29 October – Current Year 6 students
Thursday 31 October – Current Year 7 students
Monday 4 November – Current Year 9 students not attending Vision Valley long stay
Tuesday 12 November – Current Years 10 and 11 students
Tuesday 19 November – Current Year 8 students
Monday 25 November – Catch ups and call backs
Tuesday 26 November – Catch ups and call backs

External Debating Achievements

Congratulations to Year 7 students Athena Wu and Jing Yuan Liu. Athena attended theTranspacific World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC). This prestigious annual international competition gathered high school teams from around the world to compete in the World Schools format.

The event drew teams from across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and China, along with participants from Europe and America. Together with her teammates from Kings and Sydney Grammar, Athena achieved the U14 Grand Final Champion title. She concluded, “It was an incredible experience to debate with students from different backgrounds and gain valuable insights from diverse perspectives.”

Athena then met with Jing Yuan Liu, along with other Pymble teams, to participate in the Cambridge Schools ANZ Debating Competition, held on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October. Athena was ranked the sixth best speaker, and Jing was ranked sixteenth. Congratulations girls.

Please email Mrs Hubbard news of any additional Language Arts activities.

Public Speaking

UN Voice Registrations

Pymble hosted a UN Voice of Youth heat on Monday 14 October. In 2022, Jenny Xu (Year 11) was the national winner. Last year, Isis Li (Year 9) was the national runner up and Catherine Shi (Year 11) was a national finalist. Thanks to these girls for running a workshop. Well done to all who competed on Monday. We await results.

Model United Nations (MUN)

Evatt

Maya Garg (Year 11) and Catherine Shi (Year 11) have progressed to the Evatt National final and will represent NSW at the National finals during the next holidays.

57th Session of THIMUN – The Hague, January 2025

The Pymble Language Arts International Tour group have been accepted as the first Australian school to attend THIMUN at The Hague. The 16 Language Arts students and three teachers will depart Sydney on Friday 17 January and travellers will commence Term 1 2025 on Monday 3 February. We are excited for this wonderful travel experience! We are awaiting our country delegation or delegations which are to be announced soon.

Mock Law

Mediation

Congratulations to our Mock Mediators and our coaches! The team was awarded 94/100 in their last mediation, the semi-final. Congratulations on your progression to the grand final. Details to follow.

A Mock Law workshop was held at lunch on Wednesday 16 October to outline the competitions on offer for 2025, prior to auditions. Mediation will be open to students in Years 9 and 10 in 2025, Mock Trial is open to girls in Years 10 and 11, and Mooting is only for students in Years 11 and 12. Places are limited as we only have one mediation team, one Mock Trial team and one Mooting team. Please email Amber Wang (Year 10), Captain of Debating, with any questions awang2026@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

Festival of Speech

The annual Festival of Speech will be held at MLC Burwood this year on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October. On Friday 25 October, debating (junior and senior), junior and senior readings, and theatresports will be held. All other events including junior and senior public speaking, junior and senior poetry, current affairs, religious and ethical questions, soapbox, and drama will be held on Saturday 26 October.

Competitors should now be working with coaches. A compulsory rehearsal will be held next Wednesday 23 October. All competitors will be notified of venue and timings.

Bronwyn Hubbard

Head of Co-curricular Language Arts

Music

Congratulations

Joy Yin (Year 9)

Joy recently competed in the City of Minerbio International Piano Competition in Italy (which took place from Tuesday 1 to Sunday 6 October). This was her first performance at such a high-level international competition competing in the under 17 years age group.

We are very proud of Joy’s courage and commitment, where she remained focused on music making. Joy made it to the final round and was awarded the second prize. It was a very enriching and humbling experience, where she met many people and got valuable masterclass guidance, as well as making new friends during the competition.

Musicianship:
- Jenny He (Year 9)- Grade 5 Musicianship – Honours A

Cello
- Tiffany Ma (Year 4) – Grade 3 comprehensive – Honours A
- Vivian Zhang (Year 10) – Grade 5 comprehensive – B+
- Charlotte Henderson (Year 9) – Grade 7 repertoire – Honours A

Voice
- Zarina Nurlanov (Year 11) – Cmus performance – A+
- Lillian Wang (Year 9) – Grade 6 – B+
- Abigail McKinnon (Year 10)– Grade 4 Musical Theatre – B
- Katherine Kong (Year 5)– Grade 2 – B+
- Annabella Bayfield (Year 8) – Grade 3 – A

Sydney Youth Orchestra (SYO) Holiday Programs

SYO offers a range of holiday programs during the summer and winter school breaks, designed for students at every stage of their musical journey. Click here for more information about their programs and to enrol for 2025.

Save the Dates

Wednesday 30 October – Junior School ensemble concert – 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Wednesday 6 November – Year 4 Band plus Year 3 Big Band Blow – 8.15am to 10.30am (Please see the notice on the Portal)
Wednesday 20 November – Senior School ensembles perform/tour farewell concert – 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Sunday 1 December – Christmas carols – 6.30pm to 9.00pm
Tuesday 3 December – Years 3 to 6 Speech Day – 9.00am to 11.00am
Tuesday 3 December – Kindergarten to Year 2 Speech Day – 11.30am to 1.00pm
Wednesday 4 December – Years 7 to 11 Speech Day – 9.00am to 11.00am
Thursday 5 December – Music tour departs

Tour 2024

A handbook will be appearing in your inbox this week. Please download and keep this as it has ALL the information you will need for the trip, including packing list, venues, instrument packing suggestions, etc.

The tour is an enormous undertaking, and I am so grateful to you for allowing us to care for your daughters, as well as help them improve their skills as musicians and ensemble members. I was reminded the other night of the word “ensemble”, which is a word derived from the French, meaning “together”. Every rehearsal we work to create that sense of “togetherness”, and I want to pass on our collective thanks.

It is a privilege for us, although it does come with a mixed amount of stress and joy. The girls are amazing, and they really do give their all when they are with us. We remind them each week that we are only as strong as the weakest link, and I can confidently say that these links are getting stronger every week. We go home with enormous smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts, along with pride. Please do not miss the opportunity to come to the concert on Wednesday 20 November as we say “adios” to 2024.

Photos will be taken at rehearsal on Friday 18 October. Please remember to bring your performance uniform and change at lunch time.

Sarah Turner

Head of Music

Robotics

Term 3 Performance Awards

Congratulations to all Robotics students who were awarded a Performance Award in Term 3. Please click here to view the full list of recipients.

James Ruse VEX Competition

On Sunday 22 September, Pymble’s robotics teams competed in the James Ruse VEX competition, which featured an exciting blend of middle school and high school teams. The day was packed with energy, surprises, and remarkable performances.

Out of our four Pymble teams, three advanced to the playoffs, showcasing their skills against tough competition. A special shoutout goes to our Year 7 team, 65100N, who made an incredible run all the way to the finals, teaming up with Kings’ Team Delta 1831D. Their journey was filled with excitement, with all the other Pymble teams cheering them on until the very end.

Thank you also to the students who volunteered at the event.

It was a fantastic day of teamwork and determination for all involved!

Cristhina Boni Lavratti

Robotics Manager

Co-curricular Administration

Term 3 Performance Awards

Congratulations to all students who were awarded a Performance Award in Term 3. Please click here to view the full list of recipients.

Term 1 Saturday Sport Registrations Opened Wednesday 16 October

Registrations for Term 1 Saturday Sport opened via the online registration system at 12.00pm on Wednesday 16 October. Registrations will close on Friday 1 November at 12.00pm (midday)

Please access the online registration via the Co-curricular pages on MyPymble by clicking here. A parent/carer log in is required to be able to register. A reminder that registrations CANNOT be processed via email or phone.

All registrations, including registration requests are actioned on a first come, first served basis. Please select your sport and/or activity carefully. Program fees will not be adjusted for sessions missed due to student sickness, wet weather or school events, such as camps, as per our terms and conditions.

Dates for the diary

Term 1, Semester 1, and Yearly 2025 Registrations will open at 12.00pm on Wednesday 20 November

If you require any assistance with completing your registration, please contact Co-curricular Administration at ccsa@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au or on +61 2 9497 7848

Sally Davidson

Head of Co-curricular Administration

Get your tickets to the 2024 Dance Showcase!

Don’t miss the enthralling 2024 Dance Showcase, A Date to Remember – A Journey Through Milestones, Moments, and Memories! These captivating shows promise to take you on an unforgettable journey, celebrating the beauty of dance through life’s significant moments. Each performance is a vibrant testament to creativity and emotion, sure to leave you inspired and moved.

Click here to secure your tickets today and be part of this magical experience that honours the art of storytelling through movement – it’s an event you won’t want to forget!

Dates: Wednesday 13 November to Saturday 16 November

Location: Gillian Moore Centre for Performing Arts

Term 4 Bus Registrations are now open!

Term 4 registrations for the Pymble private bus service to and from Pymble Ladies’ College are now open.

The bus service commenced on the first day of term and will conclude on the last day of term, Wednesday 4 December 2024. Please click here to register for a full term or flexible registration. Upon registering, you will receive an email confirmation with a current timetable attached.

Important changes

We have reviewed our bus routes and have made the following changes based on demand and current usage. Please check the bus stops and times for your preferred bus route prior to registering:

Hunters Hill Bus Route 1

The route will now commence/end at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School on Longueville Road in Lane Cove.

Lower North Shore Bus Route 2

The route will now commence and end at the corner of Countess Street and Wyong Road in Mosman.

North West Bus Route 3

A new stop has been added in Cherrybrook at Castle Hill Road near Edward Bennett Drive. Please note that the bus will no longer be stopping at Round Corner or Cheltenham.

Northern Beaches Bus Route 4

A new stop has been added at the corner of Barrenjoey Road near Hillcrest Avenue/Philip Road in the mornings and afternoons. The Newport Surf Club has become a morning-only stop.

Lower Northern Beaches Bus Route 5

Due to low demand, we have taken the decision to no longer stop at Curl Curl and Freshwater.

Terms and Conditions of Travel

Please read and discuss the attached Terms and Conditions of Travel with your daughter and ensure that she has her student ID card ready to tap on and off the bus service. If your daughter has lost her card, please contact College Services for a replacement form.

Tracking our buses

Pymble buses can be tracked through the TransportMe Passenger app in real time. Please find attached instructions on how to download and use the free app, available on Android and Apple devices.

While we may not be able to accommodate all requests, we welcome your ongoing feedback regarding our bus routes and we thank you for your patience as we look into change requests.

Please do not hesitate to contact College Services if you have any further questions about transport to and from Pymble Ladies’ College as we are always happy to assist.

College Services 

E: collegeservices@pymblelc.nsw.edu.au

T: +61 2 9855 7447

Introducing our new Community Events Manager, Natalie Lowndes

We’d like to finally introduce Natalie Lowndes, who joins the Community Engagement team as Community Event Manager. It’s a somewhat belated announcement, as Natalie joined us towards the end of Term 3 in the middle of Garden Party and Year 12 event preparations.

Originally from the UK, Natalie moved to Sydney in 2011 with her husband and two daughters. She has been managing events for almost 30 years, ranging from small VIP dinners and board meetings, to large pharmaceutical congresses and international exhibitions.

Her event experience has taken her around the world, from Asia to the USA and many European countries in between. She is now excited to get involved with planning Pymble events and creating amazing experiences for our students, parents and staff.

Natalie will work alongside Meredith Coleman and, with these two seasoned professionals in the team, we are all excited at the opportunities to come.

We know that you will extend a warm welcome to Natalie as she comes to grips with the wonderful world of Pymble internal, external and community-related events.

We’ve got a busy term full of events, so if you see Natalie at any of these, she would love if you came and introduced yourself.

Tickets now on sale for the Junior School Ensemble Concert: Symphony of Sounds

Parents of students who are performing are kindly requested to check the Parent Portal for additional information regarding performance times, dress requirements and concert information.

We look forward to seeing you there for an evening of unforgettable music.

Garden Party 2024 Survey

Thank you very much for your generous support of Garden Party 2024.

It was a beautiful day and like the sun, our Pymble spirit was out in full force! Special and heartfelt thanks go to our incredible parent and staff volunteers. Your hard work and commitment made this year’s event an incredible success. We know that we’ve beaten the amount that we raised for our charities last year and are looking forward to updating you on the total amount raised for the Barbara May Foundation and Sony Camp, once all the final figures are in.

Planning is already underway for Garden Party 2025, and we need your input!

To go in the draw to win one of four Gold Class movie vouchers for two people at Event Cinemas, we invite you to complete our Garden Party planning survey to help us create a bigger and better event in 2025. Please tell us what you liked, what you didn’t and how we can do things better. You can complete the survey by clicking here.

Please note that the survey will close on 28/11/2024. Winners of the movie vouchers will be drawn in the last week of Term 4 and will be notified by Community Engagement.

Thank you!

The Government Inspector – Drama Production

Save the date for the upcoming Year 7, 8 and 9 Drama production of The Government Inspector. Tickets are on sale now – click here to secure your spot!

Register for free mental health webinars

To help promote mental health month this October, KYDS Youth Counselling are covering different topics on youth mental health & wellbeing across eight free webinars, and we’d love you to join us!

These are open to parents, carers, school staff and young people. There is also a flyer attached – please share this wherever it may help!

Event Details

Topic: Mental health in schools (staff)

Date & time: Tuesday 22 October (1pm) or Wednesday 23 October (6.30pm – repeated)

Register free: https://form-aus.keela.co/mental-health-in-schools-october

Topic: ADHD

Date & time: Tuesday 29 October (1.00pm) or Wednesday 30 October (6.30pm – repeated)

Register free: https://form-aus.keela.co/adhd-from-surviving-to-thriving-october

Topic: Transition to high school

Date & time: Tuesday 12 November (1.00pm) and Wednesday 13 November (6.30pm – repeated)

Register free: https://form-aus.keela.co/small-fish-big-pond-webinar-november